Which shows have been cancelled due to the star's bad behavior - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 05-31-2018, 03:32 AM

It's not unprecedented for the star to be fired and the show continued on. There's Valerie Harper with Valerie (later The Hogan Family), Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men, and more recently, Clayne Crawford on Lethal Weapon.

But how about when a show is outright canceled because the star did something that was inappropriate. I'm obviously bringing this up in light of the revival of Roseanne being pulled off the air due to Roseanne Barr's offensive comments on Twitter. Bare in mind that I'm not talking about news programs or talk shows, just scripted shows. Therefore, I'm not counting Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, or The O'Reilly Factor with Bill O'Reilly.

Before Roseanne, the one show that immediately came to mind was Grace Under Fire 20 years prior. ABC simply put, got fed up with Brett Butler's behavior on set (she simply became unreliable, egotistical, and erratic) and pulled the plug about half way into the season.

Another show that immediately comes to mind that came to an end due to the star's behavior was TNT's Witchblade. If I remember correctly, Yancy Butler had to go to rehab for substance abuse and the show never resumed production.

The proverbial straw that broke the camel's back for What's Happening!! back in 1979 was when Fred Berry called the producers racists. The network and producers retorted that since he (Fred Berry was already causing trouble with his ego and drug problems) didn't like working for "racists", they were going to cancel the show after three years.

Yong Fang · 05-31-2018, 06:59 AM

One could argue The Smothers Brothers original 1967-1969 show, was an example of a network (CBS) getting tired of a show and the demands of the performers and just axing it as more trouble than was its worth.

I just saw this last night called Smothered about the Brothers battle, and especially Tommy against censorship and the standards and practices of CBS.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xnnmcP6FkWk

I personally think that Tommy Smothers was a jerk who got a big head, and really ruined a hip, cool show with way too much left wing politics. He also very publically complained in the press and on his own show about how unfair CBS is treating them. If Tommy just would have chilled out a bit, his show probably would have stayed on a few more years.

Yong Fang · 05-31-2018, 06:59 AM

One could argue The Smothers Brothers original 1967-1969 show, was an example of a network (CBS) getting tired of a show and the demands of the performers and just axing it as more trouble than was its worth.

I just saw this last night called Smothered about the Brothers battle, and especially Tommy against censorship and the standards and practices of CBS.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xnnmcP6FkWk

I personally think that Tommy Smothers was a jerk who got a big head, and really ruined a hip, cool show with way too much left wing politics. He also very publically complained in the press and on his own show about how unfair CBS is treating them. If Tommy just would have chilled out a bit, his show probably would have stayed on a few more years.

tlc38tlc38 · 05-31-2018, 08:23 AM

Grace Under Fire: although it probably would've ended after 5 seasons anyway

JamesG · 05-31-2018, 11:56 AM

I don't know if you can count FX's "Louie" since the show was on hiatus before Louis C.K.'s scandal broke out. Before that C.K. and FX said they were "unsure" about bringing it back.

They definitely won't be bringing it back now.

Also, Netflix fired Kevin Spacey from "House of Cards" after his scandal came out and they announced its final season shortly after.

Same for Jeffrey Tambor on Amazon's "Transparent".

Chocolate Moose · 05-31-2018, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

It's not unprecedented for the star to be fired and the show continued on. There's Valerie Harper with Valerie.

I don't remember this ... What did she do?

RetroGuy2000 · 06-01-2018, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocolate Moose

I don't remember this ... What did she do?

She feuded with the producers, so they killed off her character. I don't remember if she died painfully in a fire, or died painfully in an auto accident, but suffice to say, the remaining characters didn't bemoan her loss for very long. They brought in Aunt Sandy Duncan, changed the name to The Hogan Family, and soon Valerie wasn't even a memory.

RetroGuy2000 · 06-01-2018, 12:16 AM

She wasn't really the "star" (though I think she thought she was), but Susanne Somers' behavior on Three's Company is a good example of the show going on without the misbehaving actor/actress.

tenter · 06-01-2018, 12:33 AM

I'm not sure if this fits into this thread.. but Sam and Cat cancelled 4 years ago due to rumors that main stars feuding each other, sometimes showing rehearsals late, due to some personal issues.

Also on last season (season 4) Nicky Ricky Dicky and Dawn, character Dicky played by Mace Coronel left the show due to issues and drama on the set midway of season 4, and was replaced by foreign exchange character.

treky · 06-01-2018, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenter

I'm not sure if this fits into this thread.. but Sam and Cat cancelled 4 years ago due to rumors that main stars feuding each other, sometimes showing rehearsals late, due to some personal issues.

Also on last season (season 4) Nicky Ricky Dicky and Dawn, character Dicky played by Mace Coronel left the show due to issues and drama on the set midway of season 4, and was replaced by foreign exchange character.

never heard of either show.

JamesG · 06-01-2018, 04:57 AM

I don't know how much the scandal had to do with the show not coming back since it didn't get great ratings, but Jeremy Piven had a sex scandal during "Wisdom of the Crowd's" run.

tenter · 06-01-2018, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

never heard of either show.

Both are Nickelodeon shows

70s show watcher · 06-01-2018, 05:27 PM

the client list was cancelled mainly because jennifer love hewiett tried to pull the same power play with that shows producers that she pulled on the set of ghost whisperer except this time it backfired on her and the producers canned both her and the show

Torgo · 06-01-2018, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

She feuded with the producers, so they killed off her character. I don't remember if she died painfully in a fire, or died painfully in an auto accident, but suffice to say, the remaining characters didn't bemoan her loss for very long. They brought in Aunt Sandy Duncan, changed the name to The Hogan Family, and soon Valerie wasn't even a memory.

Car accident.

RetroGuy2000 · 06-01-2018, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgo

Car accident.

Thanks. It's been years since I saw the episodes in question. I remember there being a fire episode and a car accident episode, and couldn't remember which was which.

05-31-2018, 03:32 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,621	Which shows have been cancelled due to the star's bad behavior It's not unprecedented for the star to be fired and the show continued on. There's Valerie Harper with Valerie (later The Hogan Family), Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men, and more recently, Clayne Crawford on Lethal Weapon. But how about when a show is outright canceled because the star did something that was inappropriate. I'm obviously bringing this up in light of the revival of Roseanne being pulled off the air due to Roseanne Barr's offensive comments on Twitter. Bare in mind that I'm not talking about news programs or talk shows, just scripted shows. Therefore, I'm not counting Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, or The O'Reilly Factor with Bill O'Reilly. Before Roseanne, the one show that immediately came to mind was Grace Under Fire 20 years prior. ABC simply put, got fed up with Brett Butler's behavior on set (she simply became unreliable, egotistical, and erratic) and pulled the plug about half way into the season. Another show that immediately comes to mind that came to an end due to the star's behavior was TNT's Witchblade. If I remember correctly, Yancy Butler had to go to rehab for substance abuse and the show never resumed production. The proverbial straw that broke the camel's back for What's Happening!! back in 1979 was when Fred Berry called the producers racists. The network and producers retorted that since he (Fred Berry was already causing trouble with his ego and drug problems) didn't like working for "racists", they were going to cancel the show after three years.

05-31-2018, 08:23 AM	#4
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,257	Grace Under Fire: although it probably would've ended after 5 seasons anyway
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.

05-31-2018, 06:59 AM	#2
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,073	One could argue The Smothers Brothers original 1967-1969 show, was an example of a network (CBS) getting tired of a show and the demands of the performers and just axing it as more trouble than was its worth. I just saw this last night called Smothered about the Brothers battle, and especially Tommy against censorship and the standards and practices of CBS. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xnnmcP6FkWk I personally think that Tommy Smothers was a jerk who got a big head, and really ruined a hip, cool show with way too much left wing politics. He also very publically complained in the press and on his own show about how unfair CBS is treating them. If Tommy just would have chilled out a bit, his show probably would have stayed on a few more years.

05-31-2018, 11:56 AM	#5
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,072	I don't know if you can count FX's "Louie" since the show was on hiatus before Louis C.K.'s scandal broke out. Before that C.K. and FX said they were "unsure" about bringing it back. They definitely won't be bringing it back now. Also, Netflix fired Kevin Spacey from "House of Cards" after his scandal came out and they announced its final season shortly after. Same for Jeffrey Tambor on Amazon's "Transparent".

06-01-2018, 12:16 AM	#8
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	She wasn't really the "star" (though I think she thought she was), but Susanne Somers' behavior on Three's Company is a good example of the show going on without the misbehaving actor/actress.

06-01-2018, 12:33 AM	#9
tenter Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 28, 2014 Posts: 3,578	I'm not sure if this fits into this thread.. but Sam and Cat cancelled 4 years ago due to rumors that main stars feuding each other, sometimes showing rehearsals late, due to some personal issues. Also on last season (season 4) Nicky Ricky Dicky and Dawn, character Dicky played by Mace Coronel left the show due to issues and drama on the set midway of season 4, and was replaced by foreign exchange character.

06-01-2018, 04:57 AM	#11
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,072	I don't know how much the scandal had to do with the show not coming back since it didn't get great ratings, but Jeremy Piven had a sex scandal during "Wisdom of the Crowd's" run.

06-01-2018, 05:27 PM	#13
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,549	the client list was cancelled mainly because jennifer love hewiett tried to pull the same power play with that shows producers that she pulled on the set of ghost whisperer except this time it backfired on her and the producers canned both her and the show