When a main actor leaves a hit sitcom, producers often face a tough choice: shake things up or try to keep the show exactly the same. Some shows, like The Conners (born from Roseanne), successfully reinvent themselves. But many others simply replace one character with a near copy, hoping fans won’t notice — or at least won’t mind. Here are five memorable examples.
1. Three’s Company
Before Season 5, Suzanne Somers demanded equal pay with co-star John Ritter. Producers refused, fired her, and replaced Chrissy Snow with her cousin Cindy (Jenilee Harrison) — another bubbly, clumsy blonde. Viewers didn’t buy it, and Cindy lasted only a season. She was then swapped out for Terri Alden (Priscilla Barnes), a blonde nurse who, at least, was smart. That adjustment helped the show survive three more seasons.
2. The Dukes of Hazzard
Stars John Schneider and Tom Wopat left in a contract dispute, so Warner Bros. brought in cousins Coy and Vance Duke. They looked and acted almost exactly like Bo and Luke — right down to racing around in the General Lee. Fans weren’t fooled, ratings dropped, and the originals were soon brought back.
3. The Office
When Steve Carell exited as Michael Scott, producers cycled through bosses — Deangelo Vickers (Will Ferrell), Robert California (James Spader) — before promoting Andy Bernard (Ed Helms). Unfortunately, Andy was written as a second-rate Michael Scott: needy, clueless, and awkward. The change never clicked, and many fans consider Andy’s tenure a weak point in the series.
4. Cheers
After Nicholas Colasanto, who played Coach, passed away in Season 3, the show introduced Woody Boyd (Woody Harrelson). Both were kind-hearted but dim bartenders, though Woody’s naïve youth contrasted with Coach’s muddled age. Thanks to sharp writing and Harrelson’s charisma, this was one of the rare replacements that actually worked.
5. The Simpsons
In Season 22, mobster Fat Tony dies and is replaced by his cousin, Fit Tony. The stress of mob life causes Fit Tony to gain weight until he’s indistinguishable from his late cousin. Everyone just calls him Fat Tony again — a perfect parody of the sitcom trope itself.
