What if you were forced to kick one character off of a TV series - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 08-22-2022, 01:24 AM

Mores specifically, on a series that you otherwise love, who'd get the boot? I ask this because it seems like on almost every TV series (past or present), there's at least one totally disposable character or weakest-link actor or someone whose presence onscreen you cannot stand, and without whom the show would still be good -- or even better.

Doug-oh · 09-04-2022, 06:41 PM

Barney Miller's wife in the early eps. of the series. The actress is fine, but the show got better without her.

On the Bob Newhart show, that neighbor lady in the first episodes. Didn't add much to the show.

There were several characters in the color eps. of The Andy Griffith Show.

Deputy Warren. While Jack Burns was a great comic, TAGS wasn't the best fit for him. And it showed. He was highly annoying. Even Andy got upset and short-tempered with him.

Emmet, the handyman or tinkerer, on TAGS.
Howard Sprague. Jack Dodson was an okay actor, but his character was almost annoying.

Look how it took at least 2 characters to keep the show interesting after Don Knotts (Barney Fife) left...

James · 09-14-2022, 12:46 PM

Wilson from Home Improvement! If LAFF TV has to cut out content for commercials, it should always be where Tim goes out and talks to Wilson and nothing else!

Doug-oh · 07-14-2023, 10:34 PM

It's hard to find any disposable characters on MASH.

merlinjones · 07-15-2023, 11:01 AM

Cousin Oliver (The Brady Bunch)
Ricky (The Partridge Family)
Heather and Ashley (Happy Days)

scotchnh2o · 07-15-2023, 02:45 PM

Will & Grace of Will & Grace.

It should've been the Jack & Karen Show...

ThisLittlePiggy · 07-15-2023, 02:52 PM

Riley from Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Fitz Grant from Scandal

just1paul · 07-15-2023, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug-oh

Barney Miller's wife in the early eps. of the series. The actress is fine, but the show got better without her.

Shifting the show from what was planned as life revolving around Barney and his life to being in the squad room was what saved it. While I am sure that Barbara Barrie is a very good actress, I have not seen her in anything that I could warm to her characters.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug-oh

On the Bob Newhart show, that neighbor lady in the first episodes. Didn't add much to the show.

Patricia Smith as Margaret Hoover, I'd forgotten completely about her and I'm sure she was merely camera filler.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug-oh

There were several characters in the color eps. of The Andy Griffith Show.

Deputy Warren. While Jack Burns was a great comic, TAGS wasn't the best fit for him. And it showed. He was highly annoying. Even Andy got upset and short-tempered with him.

Emmet, the handyman or tinkerer, on TAGS.
Howard Sprague. Jack Dodson was an okay actor, but his character was almost annoying.

Look how it took at least 2 characters to keep the show interesting after Don Knotts (Barney Fife) left...

Jack Burns huh huh huh - may have been a good comedian at one time, but there must have been a reason that he only lasted as George Carlins partner from 1959-1962. Same with partner Avery Schreiber, it only lasted a few years longer than with Carlin.

Andy's character for some reason coinciding with the color episodes became nasty, mean and less lovable.

Both Emmett and Howard annoyed me to no end and same with Goober who became more simple minded as the series went on. Dodson appeared to me to be annoying in any tv show or movie he was in. Same with Hartman who may have been a funny vaudevillian and good silent movie director just was not amusing as Emmett.

icecream · 07-15-2023, 05:25 PM

The current Quantum Leap would be much better without Ian.
Step by Step would be much better without Cody.
7th Heaven would be better without Sam and David as regulars, Brino twins are terrible actors.
According to Jim would be better without Andy.
Without a Trace was better before Roselyn Sanchez joined the cast.
I couldn't stand Rita Glossner on The Middle.
Ray Romano was by far the worst actor of the adult cast on Everybody Loves Raymond.
Diff'rent Strokes was awful once Sam and Maggie (especially Sam) came. Pearl added nothing to the show, I would have rather Adelaide become a regular.
The Facts of Life- Beverly Ann was a poor substitute for Mrs. Garrett.
George Lopez- Carmen's replacement as the niece in the final season was a big downgrade.
I don't mind Taylor on Benson, but Clayton was much more interesting in the same position.
Jenny Piccalo should have remained an unseen character on Happy Days.
I can't stand Exidor on Mork and Mindy.
Monroe is so overrated on Too Close for Comfort, I would have rather him left the final season than Henry's daughters.
I didn't like Sabrina's college friends on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Soleil Moon Frye totally lost her appeal from her Punky Brewster charm.
The Partridge Family would have been a lot better without Danny. I don't like the awful neighbor singer either, but he wasn't used as much.
Lisette was bloody awful on Night Court.
Manifest would be better without Jared. Scum like him abusing his power because of jealousy over Zeke isn't right.
Barney Miller would be better without Inspector Luger. Levitt didn't add much to the show either, they should have brought back Chano instead.
All of the regulars on og Frasier were great. But I couldn't stand Lana or Felicity Huffman's character.
Sam added nothing to The Andy Griffith Show, why I am not interested in the Mayberry RFD spin-off where he became the star.
Hazel's final season was terrible with its new network forcing out George and Dorothy for the younger relatives.
I didn't like Jethrine at all on The Beverly Hillbillies and am glad Pearl wasn't a regular. Bea Benaderet was a lot more likable on Petticoat Junction.
I didn't like Ralph Monroe at all on Green Acres.
I don't hate Lauren on Family Ties, but her predecessor Ellen was a lot more appealing.
Jennifer Esposito is not a good actress (confirmed by her recent guest appearance), Marisa Ramirez was a big upgrade on Blue Bloods.
Briscoe's predecessors on Law and Order were dull as dirt. Anthony Anderson gets annoying fast, season 22 was much better with Mehcad Brooks replacing him.
It's a Living was dull with Ann Jillian as the lead.
Head of the Class was terrible when Billy replaced Charlie Moore as the lead. I couldn't stand T.J. either.
Rose was a poor downgrade from Olivia on The Waltons. I did like Peggy Rea better as a comedic actress on Grace Under Fire and Step by Step.

Doug-oh · 07-15-2023, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by just1paul

Shifting the show from what was planned as life revolving around Barney and his life to being in the squad room was what saved it. While I am sure that Barbara Barrie is a very good actress, I have not seen her in anything that I could warm to her characters.

\
I saw her in a 1979 Lou Grant, as the mother of a son who murdered a woman.
She was okay or average in that dramatic role.

Quote:

Patricia Smith as Margaret Hoover, I'd forgotten completely about her and I'm sure she was merely camera filler.

Annoying was probably too strong a word

Quote:

Jack Burns huh huh huh - may have been a good comedian at one time, but there must have been a reason that he only lasted as George Carlins partner from 1959-1962. Same with partner Avery Schreiber, it only lasted a few years longer than with Carlin.

To be honest, Burns had a big challenge filling Barney Fife's shoes.
It seemed Andy Taylor never liked him and was always impatient with him.
Odd they never referred to him after he left.
Like many on sitcoms, like Druggist Ellie, and Spearchucker and Ugly John on MASH, he simply dropped out of sight...

Quote:

Andy's character for some reason coinciding with the color episodes became nasty, mean and less lovable.

It's clear AG didn't like doing the show.
I loathe those color eps., though some are okay.
The new writers didn't have the same touch as the first 5 seasons.

Quote:

Both Emmett and Howard annoyed me to no end and same with Goober who became more simple minded as the series went on. Dodson appeared to me to be annoying in any tv show or movie he was in. Same with Hartman who may have been a funny vaudevillian and good silent movie director just was not amusing as Emmett.

Like with Barbara Barrie, Dodson was on a Lou Grant. He played a gun seller, who sold guns legally and interacted with reporter Rossi in one ep.
He played a solid dramatic role.

dee2364 · 07-16-2023, 06:21 PM

Ron Carey's character from Barney Miller. I never got why he was added to the show, and he didn't fit in with the hipper, cooler characters.

Tony from Night Court. I hated him so much that I quit the show in first run and skipped it until the finale.

Sam from Different Strokes. He was a cute kid and all, but he was really tacked on.

08-22-2022, 01:24 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,096	What if you were forced to kick one character off of a TV series Mores specifically, on a series that you otherwise love, who'd get the boot? I ask this because it seems like on almost every TV series (past or present), there's at least one totally disposable character or weakest-link actor or someone whose presence onscreen you cannot stand, and without whom the show would still be good -- or even better.

09-04-2022, 06:41 PM	#2
Doug-oh Doug-oh Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 22, 2015 Location: US Posts: 163	Barney Miller's wife in the early eps. of the series. The actress is fine, but the show got better without her. On the Bob Newhart show, that neighbor lady in the first episodes. Didn't add much to the show. There were several characters in the color eps. of The Andy Griffith Show. Deputy Warren. While Jack Burns was a great comic, TAGS wasn't the best fit for him. And it showed. He was highly annoying. Even Andy got upset and short-tempered with him. Emmet, the handyman or tinkerer, on TAGS. Howard Sprague. Jack Dodson was an okay actor, but his character was almost annoying. Look how it took at least 2 characters to keep the show interesting after Don Knotts (Barney Fife) left...
	Last edited by Doug-oh; 09-04-2022 at 07:23 PM.

07-15-2023, 02:45 PM	#6
scotchnh2o Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 11, 2016 Posts: 126	Will & Grace of Will & Grace. It should've been the Jack & Karen Show...
	Last edited by scotchnh2o; 07-16-2023 at 03:29 PM.

07-15-2023, 05:25 PM	#9
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,762	The current Quantum Leap would be much better without Ian. Step by Step would be much better without Cody. 7th Heaven would be better without Sam and David as regulars, Brino twins are terrible actors. According to Jim would be better without Andy. Without a Trace was better before Roselyn Sanchez joined the cast. I couldn't stand Rita Glossner on The Middle. Ray Romano was by far the worst actor of the adult cast on Everybody Loves Raymond. Diff'rent Strokes was awful once Sam and Maggie (especially Sam) came. Pearl added nothing to the show, I would have rather Adelaide become a regular. The Facts of Life- Beverly Ann was a poor substitute for Mrs. Garrett. George Lopez- Carmen's replacement as the niece in the final season was a big downgrade. I don't mind Taylor on Benson, but Clayton was much more interesting in the same position. Jenny Piccalo should have remained an unseen character on Happy Days. I can't stand Exidor on Mork and Mindy. Monroe is so overrated on Too Close for Comfort, I would have rather him left the final season than Henry's daughters. I didn't like Sabrina's college friends on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Soleil Moon Frye totally lost her appeal from her Punky Brewster charm. The Partridge Family would have been a lot better without Danny. I don't like the awful neighbor singer either, but he wasn't used as much. Lisette was bloody awful on Night Court. Manifest would be better without Jared. Scum like him abusing his power because of jealousy over Zeke isn't right. Barney Miller would be better without Inspector Luger. Levitt didn't add much to the show either, they should have brought back Chano instead. All of the regulars on og Frasier were great. But I couldn't stand Lana or Felicity Huffman's character. Sam added nothing to The Andy Griffith Show, why I am not interested in the Mayberry RFD spin-off where he became the star. Hazel's final season was terrible with its new network forcing out George and Dorothy for the younger relatives. I didn't like Jethrine at all on The Beverly Hillbillies and am glad Pearl wasn't a regular. Bea Benaderet was a lot more likable on Petticoat Junction. I didn't like Ralph Monroe at all on Green Acres. I don't hate Lauren on Family Ties, but her predecessor Ellen was a lot more appealing. Jennifer Esposito is not a good actress (confirmed by her recent guest appearance), Marisa Ramirez was a big upgrade on Blue Bloods. Briscoe's predecessors on Law and Order were dull as dirt. Anthony Anderson gets annoying fast, season 22 was much better with Mehcad Brooks replacing him. It's a Living was dull with Ann Jillian as the lead. Head of the Class was terrible when Billy replaced Charlie Moore as the lead. I couldn't stand T.J. either. Rose was a poor downgrade from Olivia on The Waltons. I did like Peggy Rea better as a comedic actress on Grace Under Fire and Step by Step.
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09-14-2022, 12:46 PM	#3
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	Wilson from Home Improvement! If LAFF TV has to cut out content for commercials, it should always be where Tim goes out and talks to Wilson and nothing else!

07-14-2023, 10:34 PM	#4
Doug-oh Doug-oh Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 22, 2015 Location: US Posts: 163	It's hard to find any disposable characters on MASH.

07-15-2023, 11:01 AM	#5
merlinjones Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 30, 2019 Location: los ángeles Posts: 931	Cousin Oliver (The Brady Bunch) Ricky (The Partridge Family) Heather and Ashley (Happy Days)

07-15-2023, 02:52 PM	#7
ThisLittlePiggy Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Nov 02, 2013 Posts: 84,449	Riley from Buffy the Vampire Slayer Fitz Grant from Scandal

07-16-2023, 06:21 PM	#11
dee2364 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 20, 2019 Posts: 643	Ron Carey's character from Barney Miller. I never got why he was added to the show, and he didn't fit in with the hipper, cooler characters. Tony from Night Court. I hated him so much that I quit the show in first run and skipped it until the finale. Sam from Different Strokes. He was a cute kid and all, but he was really tacked on.