There have been many TV characters throughout history that were replaced. Sometimes without any explanation at all! Who remembers Sgt. Washington that replaced the radio man Sgt. Kinchloe on Hogan's Heroes? What happened to Kinch? Did he escape? Did the Gestapo get him? We were never allowed to know.
Anybody remember that annoying ass, Warren, that replaced Barney Fife? He disappeared without a trace. My guess is that Goober and Floyd gave him some "cement overshoes" and he's at the bottom of the "ol' fishin' hole".
Then there were the characters that were still on the show but portrayed by different actors. Becky Connor on Roseanne was replaced, then the replacement was replaced with the actress that played her in the first place. Chris Partridge was a brunette kid in the first season, then was replaced by a blonde kid (I suspect Reuben Kincaid!). Probably TV's worst offense was Darren on Bewitched... I just think about poor Tabitha! Dick York or Dick Sargeant? Which Dick is my father?
What about the cast members who were added when producers said "Hey! Our show is starting to SUCK! Let's add another kid!" Gimme a Break had to add Joey Lawrence when the Chief's daughters started to develop boobies and facial hair... then another Lawrence kid had to be added to the cast when Joey started getting zits! Family Ties is another one... "Hey, Tina Yothers... you're starting to develop into a beautiful woman that will someday make a great guard at a female prison! Let's add a kid and we'll call him ANDY!". The ones that I feel most sorry for are Bobby & Cindy Brady! Oliver?!?!? Really? "Sorry, Bobby & Cindy... you may be the youngest, but you're still adopted and just not that cute anymore."
One show got the replacement thing right. Of course, I am talking about M*A*S*H. Lt. Col. Henry Blake, a very capable surgeon but a very confused, non-military commander was replaced by Col. Sherman Potter another capable surgeon, but a strong hospital administrator and regular army all the way. The gambling, womanizing, booze-hound Cpt. Trapper John McIntyre was replaced by the gambling, FAMILY-MAN, booze-hound Cpt. B.J. Hunnicutt. Fumbling surgeon and regular-gung-ho-army-clown, Maj. Frank Burns was replaced by Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester III, a brilliant surgeon who had no love for the U.S. Army to be sure. Cpl. Radar O'Reilley, the lovable company clerk was replaced by Cpl. Klinger. Klinger, the former transvestite and failed Section 8 recipient, had a hard time adjusting to the position, but soon got the hang of it... and he even made Sargent!
What's my point, you may ask? Here it is (now that you've read my dissertation on sit-coms). Cast changes can make or break a show. But if the ENTIRE cast of players is committed, open, and welcoming to this change a whole variety of new opportunities will open up. I really enjoy the dynamics of our team. I feel that I have learned a lot these past two months, not just from Jason but from observing the entire cast. I enjoy jumping out on stage with any one of you, no matter the structure, because the trust and support are there.
Sure, there's times when I miss other performers. But, just like in TV Land... I can see them on other shows... or reunion specials. OH, DON'T GET ME STARTED ON THOSE!!!!
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Dick York suffered a back injury that sank his career. Here's more from Wikipedia:
"...a debilitating back injury he had suffered on the set of "They Came to Cordura" caused him increasing pain. In some of his final episodes on the show [Bewitched], the script was written around his being in bed or on the couch for the entire episode because of his real-life back problems. During the fifth season on the sitcom, he collapsed on the Bewitched set and was rushed to a hospital. From his hospital bed, he resigned from the show to devote himself to recovery."
Every notice how Tim and I seem to have tons of time to blog? We both work for the state, too. Hmmmm! About that $5.2 billion deficit. There ain't no fat here.
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