# Does any tv show have "contingency plans"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 8, 2010, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161 "2010-02-08T17:35:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161/21 "2010-02-08T22:24:19Z")
Maybe it doesn’t fit here, but _Father Ted_ had almost the reverse of a contingency plan. Dermot Morgan, the lead character, writer, and all-everything of the show, had had enough by the end of the third season, and decided to make the its last episode the final episode of the show. Dermot Morgan died the day after the final episode was finished filming. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161/22 "2010-02-08T22:29:14Z")
It would depend on the actor. If an actor is living on the edge like say John Belushi was, certainly there are always plans in the works. But as other posters have noted, episodes are made far in advance that they can sort them out. You have “Petticoat Junction” where Bea Benaderet, had advanced cancer and they had written her out but the cast knew she wasn’t going to ever come back full time. I think most contingency plans would be not needed as it’s easy to write out a minor character and if the star goes out of it, it’s nearly impossible to replace him/her. Look at “Chico And The Man,” or “The Royal Family.” “Sanford Arms,” proved you can’t do “Sanford and Son,” if you have neither Sanford nor the “the son.” And it was reaffirmed years later when Sanford came back on his own. Certainly studios which make TV shows and movies have insurance policies out on their stars that will pay off in case of something happening suddenly so the financial loss is mitigatged. This is a reason why actors/actresses don’t do their own stunts. Insurance won’t let them. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161/23 "2010-02-08T22:30:35Z")
I’ve always thought it would make sense to film a few bits and pieces of footage, and keep it in the contract that you can use that footage. That way you can pull off an actual proper goodbye to a character. Of course, I was thinking more along the lines as when an actor quits. There should be a clause that lets you use footage in the finale. Bugged the crap out of me in Charmed and Home Improvement, with the whole family-based endings. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161/24 "2010-02-08T22:39:03Z")
Floyd the Barber, 1 - they just replaced the first actor to play Floyd because Andy Griffith didn’t think he was funny. No Mayberry-universe acknowledgment. Floyd the Barber, 2 - when Floyd was heading downhill fast, he ‘retired’ and moved out of Mayberry. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161/25 "2010-02-08T22:46:52Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > The closest parallel to Charlie Sheen might be Stacy Keach in _Mike Hammer_. Keach was convicted of cocaine possession in Britain and spent six months in jail. The show simply shut down production until Keach returned. So if Charlie dies, they just shut down production until he comes back? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161/26 "2010-02-08T22:54:52Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > So if Charlie dies, they just shut down production until he comes back? 😕 Well, that’s really more of a “if Charlie goes to prison” contingency, but given the odds of the show continuing to be successful without him, it probably would work just as well. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161/27 "2010-02-08T22:58:03Z")
By now, they would probably just shut the show down. It’s in multiple syndication, so they are making their money on it. The kid is getting too old to be cute, and they are running out of story lines for just about everybody. If Sheen were to croak tomorrow, they would probably do one last show with him being absent do to cold feet over the wedding, and then have everybody die from eating bad shrimp left over from the reception. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161/28 "2010-02-08T23:07:52Z")
> [@bup](#): > > Floyd the Barber, 1 - they just replaced the first actor to play Floyd because Andy Griffith didn’t think he was funny. No Mayberry-universe acknowledgment. > Floyd the Barber, 2 - when Floyd was heading downhill fast, he ‘retired’ and moved out of Mayberry. Howard McNear was the 2nd guy who played Floyd. He had a stroke so after that he was always shown sitting down since his speech was OK but he could not walk or stand. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161/29 "2010-02-08T23:17:36Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > IBut as other posters have noted, episodes are made far in advance that they can sort them out. You have “Petticoat Junction” where Bea Benaderet, had advanced cancer and they had written her out but the cast knew she wasn’t going to ever come back full time. IIRC, she originally was supposedly away visiting someone. She came back for an episode and you could tell it was sort of “We love you and thanks” type of appearance. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161/30 "2010-02-08T23:19:13Z")
> [@Wash](#): > > The Brooke Shields vehicle [_Suddenly Susan_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suddenly_Susan) had to do something like this when cast member David Strickland committed suicide. The Wikipedia link above describes the episode better than I could, so I’ll leave you to read it there. > > Obviously as Strickland wasn’t the main character the show could continue without him, but it really wasn’t the same. David Strickland’s suicide was after a weekend of extremely hard-livin’ in Vegas with Andy Dick as a running partner. They reportedly spent a few thousand dollars on blow (and in Strickland’s case hookers) in just 48 hours time, and then DS hung himself in a sleazy hotel room. Brooke Sheilds said that David Strickland was crying out for help, and she seems to blame Andy Dick for arranging the weekend. Strickland was due in court in LA the next week to face drug possession charges and I guess death seemed a better idea than the slap on the wrist that he would have certainly recieved if found guilty. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161/31 "2010-02-08T23:28:48Z")
I saw Jon Lovitz on some show blaming Andy Dick for Phil Hartman’s death as well. (Apparently, Andy Dick supplied coke to Phil’s wife, who was known to be unstable.) If both stories are true, Andy Dick is responsible for the deaths of two actors. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161/32 "2010-02-08T23:46:11Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I saw Jon Lovitz on some show blaming Andy Dick for Phil Hartman’s death as well. (Apparently, Andy Dick supplied coke to Phil’s wife, who was known to be unstable.) If both stories are true, Andy Dick is responsible for the deaths of two actors. Partially responsible at the very least, and in the Hartman situation Andy Dick actually gloated and made jokes about the deaths, claiming to have “cursed” Phil Hartman. I sure hope that the recent West Virginia sex-abuse charges get Andy Dick the hillbilly justice he so richly deserves. PS—To any WV Dopers, I have only been thru West Virginia once, but it seemed just beautiful, so please forgive the hillbilly bit… ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161/33 "2010-02-08T23:51:09Z")
> [@Pravnik](#): > > “Roseanne” did it with the Becky character - when the original actress went to Vassar they replaced her, and when she returned to the show she and the other actress alternated. They acknowledged it with a brilliant parody. ![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/qtJCDMaaTiA/maxresdefault.jpg)https://www.youtube.com/embed/qtJCDMaaTiA?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161/34 "2010-02-09T00:05:07Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Back in the day before the day it wasn’t infrequent. The most infamous example was the comedy [_The Goldbergs_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Goldbergs). Actor Phillip Loeb (who played the father) was blacklisted, then replaced by Harold Stone and, later, Robert H. Harris. Danny Thomas replaced Sherry Jackson, who played his daughter, with Penny Parker. \*The Munsters \* had two different actresses play Marilyn, and \*Petticoat Junction \*had three Billie Jo’s and two Bobbie Jo’s. Legend has it that when Fred Clark left _The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show_ Burns stopped the show in mid-scene, announced Clark was leaving, and then resumed the scene with his replacement, Larry Keating. > > And speaking of _Bewitched_, it wasn’t just Darren who was replaced. The show used multiple actors for Louise Tate, Gladys Kravitz, Aunt Hagatha and Darren’s father. Batman had two Riddlers and three Catwomen. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161/35 "2010-02-09T00:31:45Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > (You could try to continue it without him, but that would be like trying to continue _Eight Simple Rules_ without John Ritter.) Rather oddly chosen example, since 8 Simple Rules lasted for 2 seasons after Ritter’s death, when he was only on it for 1. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161/36 "2010-02-09T00:33:13Z")
> [@](#): > > The actress who played the oracle in the Matrix died after the 2nd movie. They cast a new actress for the 3rd movie and they had an explanation why she looked different but I can’t recall what they said. “You’re the Oracle?” “Yes, my child.” “But why do you look so different?” “Listen, Neo, this series stop making sense a movie and a half ago. So don’t ask stupid questions.” “Whoa.” ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161/37 "2010-02-09T01:50:00Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > The actress who played the oracle in the Matrix died after the 2nd movie. They cast a new actress for the 3rd movie and they had an explanation why she looked different but I can’t recall what they said. If you can really call it an explanation. > [@](#): > > Oracle: Morpheus, Trinity. Thank you for coming. One thing I’ve learned in all my years is that nothing ever works out just the way you want it to. > Trinity: Who are you? > Oracle: I’m the Oracle. I wish there was an easier way to get through this but there ain’t. I’m sorry this had to happen. I’m sorry I couldn’t be sitting here like you remember me. But it wasn’t meant to be. > Trinity: What happened? > Oracle: I made a choice, and that choice cost me more than I wanted it to. > Morpheus: What choice? > Oracle: To help you to guide Neo. Now, since the real test for any choice is having to make the same choice again, knowing full well what it might cost - I guess I feel pretty good about that choice, 'cause here I am, at it again. (I’ve always taken this to mean that she changed her form to try and hide from Smith. She does try to hide from him throughout the sequels, and he hates Neo. To everyone else, she was doing exactly what she was supposed to.) ---
**Author:** ![cstamets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/958977/32.png) [@cstamets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cstamets)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161/38 "2010-02-09T02:18:06Z")
> [@Icerigger](#): > > They acknowledged it with a brilliant parody. > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtJCDMaaTiA](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtJCDMaaTiA) Nice collection of clips referencing the two Beckys. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B10IUzsOR6g&NR=1](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B10IUzsOR6g&NR=1) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161/39 "2010-02-09T02:31:06Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > There’s been some shows that replaced actors for the same character, Fresh Prince comes immediatelty to mind. > > TVTropes has a page about this: > > [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheOtherDarrin](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheOtherDarrin) And on several other possible contingency plans: [Chuck Cunningham Syndrome](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ChuckCunninghamSyndrome?from=Main.BrotherChuck) [Put On A Bus](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PutOnABus) [Killed Off For Real](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/KilledOffForReal) [Dropped A Bridge On Him](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DroppedABridgeOnHim) ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161/40 "2010-02-09T02:39:15Z")
I went to school with Jeremy Gelbwaks, the original Chris Partridge on **The Partridge Family**. He didn’t have a good explanation for the blond kid who replaced him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-tv-show-have-contingency-plans/528161.md?page=3)