The Show Goes On: 4 Shows That Continued After Major Actors Left

Sometimes the show must go on, even when the star has left the building. The 2011 TV season saw two popular TV series lose major actors: “Two and A Half Men” sent actor Charlie Sheen packing and “The Office” retired bad boss Michael Scott, when actor Steve Carell left to focus on his successful movie career. The jury is still out on how these two shows will thrive or tank after the loss of a major actors, but these 4 shows managed to carry on after losing a key player.

“Cheers”

One of the most scandalous departures from a successful show was the decision of actor David Caruso to leave this top-rated police drama after only one season as Detective John Kelly. Caruso did appear in four episodes of season two, but left due to a salary dispute and a desire to pursue movie roles. The producers changed the show’s premise from a star vehicle focused on one cop and opened up the series to become an ensemble drama. Jimmy Smits took over as the primary male lead, but and and then ran for a total of 12 successful seasons. Caruso eventually returned to television on another crime show, “CSI: Miami.”

“Bewitched”

This classic 1960s sitcom about a witch enjoying a suburban lifestyle lasted for 8 successful seasons, with the enchanting Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha, the nose-twitching sorceress. For the first five seasons actor Dick York played Samantha’s husband Darrin, but a disabling back injury made it impossible for him to continue the role. Dick Sargent replaced York, but their eerie physical similarity made the transition seamless. Many audience members did not even notice the change, and the series continued on for another 4 years.

"M*A*S*H"

classic Korean War ensemble dramedy limped along during its first season, popular success and critical acclaim came during the second season when CBS placed it behind “All in the Family.” Tensions soon developed among some of the cast members when Alan Alda’s character, Hawkeye Pierce, started getting the best lines and became the central focus. McLean Stevenson, who played the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake, told producers he wanted to leave the show at the end of the third season. His character was killed off and replaced in the army hospital by Colonel Sherman Potter (Harry Morgan). Actor Wayne Rogers, who played Hawkeye’s best buddy and fellow doctor Trapper John McIntyre, also left after the third season due to a salary dispute. The show lasted for 11 seasons, and was ranked the 25^th greatest series of all-time by TV Guide.