Do TV Shows Survive Without Their Stars?

As the fracas over Steve Carell's exit from "The Office" builds and the future of "Two and a Half Men" remains in jeopardy, it seemed like a good time to look at other major television shows that lost their leads.

While some have fared better than others in finding replacements or re-tooling the show around a new star, the loss of a big name late in a show's run usually spells a rather speedy demise.

Below, check out other shows that tried to find a new life beyond their stars.

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"Bewitched"

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Opting to replace Dick York when he fell ill with a bad back condition, viewers were confused to find a new Dick - Sargent - stepping in to play Darrin on the long-running sitcom. The show didn't stick and saw a significant decline in the ratings.

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Opting to replace Dick York when he fell ill with a bad back condition, viewers were confused to find a new Dick - Sargent - stepping in to play Darrin on the long-running sitcom. The show didn't stick and saw a significant decline in the ratings.

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Comments

[Jokergirl]

01:24 AM on 05/03/2011

No, Two and Half Men will flat line without Charlie Sheen, it's too bad too that was my favorite show :( Cheers I thought was actually funnier with Kirstie Alley on it after Shelly Long left. Beverly Hills 90210 lasted way to long after Shannen Doherty, Luke Perry and Jason Priestly left (even though they had to bring back Luke Perry). Three's Company wasn't as funny without Susanne Summers.

[FamesterMedia]

11:36 PM on 05/02/2011

The show has no chance without Charlie!

[tomasino]

03:43 PM on 05/02/2011

When they replaced Andy Griffith with Ken Berry the country celebrated.

[FancySuz]

05:13 PM on 04/12/2011

There is a difference between The Office and all of the other television shows mentioned. The Office has a GREAT variety of characters who can last beyond Carell's departure. You have Jim, Pam, Creed, Toby, Kevin, Phylis, and Andy...to just name a few. They are all fantastic and even though I am sad about Carell's departure...I look forward to seeing what the brilliant writers of The Office have in store. I believe the magic of The Office can live on no matter who is in charge.

[Cakey4814]

11:31 AM on 04/08/2011

Your list sure lacks diversity..

[Cakey4814]

11:23 AM on 04/08/2011

When they replaced "Vivian" on The Fresh Prince it wasn't the same. I'm a Daphane Maxwell-Reid fan but (can't think of her name although I see her face) made that role hers.. A Different World got better (IMO) after Lisa Bonet left; when "James" left Good Times it wasn't the same and although he was okay in some of the episodes Damon Evans couldn't play "Lionel" like Michael Evans (RIP).

[canadagirl76]

10:42 AM on 04/08/2011

I absolutely loved NewsRadio!

[Spock]

10:51 PM on 04/07/2011

Cheers was still good after Shelley Long left.
Bewitched kind of fell off after York left
The X-Files actually started to have a different feel to it when they stopped filming in Vancouver.

[timotay89]

10:01 PM on 04/07/2011

Doctor who managed to stay on forever after the lead left. Granted they explained it away and now it's common, they still managed to do it.

[clsmithj]

07:13 PM on 04/07/2011

the Cosby show spin-off, A Different World got better after it's star Lisa Bonet left the show. The series went on for 5 more seasons.

[shthar]

07:09 PM on 04/07/2011

They kind of load the question picking 6 lousy shows.

[mike dougles]

10:06 PM on 04/07/2011

Cheers was a lousy show, really you want to go with that.

Bewitched was hardly lousy.

Newsradio was very funny until Phil Hartman was killed.

[shthar]

09:16 PM on 04/08/2011

You're easier to please than I am.

[finkles2000]

06:14 PM on 04/07/2011

Yeah, I think 5 slides is a little weak and lazy. Aside from the ones previously mentioned, what about:
"8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter" - when John Ritter inexplicably died
"Valerie/Valerie's Family/The Hogan Family" - lots of drama when Valerie Harper sued the production team, got written out with her character killed off (off-screen) and replaced with Sandy Duncan (Harper eventually won her lawsuit)
"A Different World" - Lisa Bonet leaving due to her pregnancy
"Three's Company" - Suzanne Somers wanting more money, eventually fired
"Desperate Housewives" - Nicollette Sheridan's character killed off, afterwards suing Marc Cherry for abuse and wrongful termination

. . . probably quite a few more.

[mike dougles]

10:09 PM on 04/07/2011

John Ritter did not die inexplicably. He died from a tear in the artey near his heart.

[finkles2000]

09:51 AM on 04/08/2011

Thank you, Captain Semantics.

[Super Nic]

05:19 PM on 04/07/2011

Mila Kunis replacing Lacey Chabert in "Family Guy"
;)

[Sunflo]

04:51 PM on 04/07/2011

I somehow expected more from this list. I'd add Farrah Fawcett (Charlie's Angels) and George Clooney (ER).

[Doc Wattson]

04:46 PM on 04/07/2011

David Carruso in NYPD Blue