# TV Binge Watch (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [October 4, 2022, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711 "2022-10-04T16:51:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 179
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2023, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711/3561 "2023-11-13T16:18:43Z")
**TV characters whose private lives were much different than their public ones** 1. Dexter Morgan, _Dexter_: Police blood splatter expert/serial killer 2. Sabrina Spellman, _Sabrina the Teenage Witch_ - typical high school student / witch 3. Buffy Summers, _Buffy the Vampire Slayer_ 4. Gus Fring, _Breaking Bad_ - Mild-mannered, charitable businessman, civic booster/murderous Machiavellian drug kingpin 5. Superman, _Adventures of Superman_ - Strange visitor from another planet who came to earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Superman, who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hands. And who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never ending battle for truth, justice and the American way. 6. Monkey, _Dexter’s Laboratory_ - lab monkey / super spy 7. Twyla, _Schitt’s Creek_ - diner waitress / multimillionaire ---
**Author:** ![knoodler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ccd318/32.png) [@knoodler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/knoodler)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2023, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711/3562 "2023-11-13T16:22:56Z")
**TV characters whose private lives were much different than their public ones** 1. Dexter Morgan, _Dexter_: Police blood splatter expert/serial killer 2. Sabrina Spellman, _Sabrina the Teenage Witch_ - typical high school student / witch 3. Buffy Summers, _Buffy the Vampire Slayer_ 4. Gus Fring, _Breaking Bad_ - Mild-mannered, charitable businessman, civic booster/murderous Machiavellian drug kingpin 5. Superman, _Adventures of Superman_ - Strange visitor from another planet who came to earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Superman, who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hands. And who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never ending battle for truth, justice and the American way. 6. Monkey, _Dexter’s Laboratory_ - lab monkey / super spy 7. Twyla, _Schitt’s Creek_ - diner waitress / multimillionaire 8. Bruce Wayne, _Batman_ - very rich playboy/philanthropist who moonlights as a masked crime-fighter. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2023, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711/3563 "2023-11-13T18:59:35Z")
**TV characters whose private lives were much different than their public ones** 1. Dexter Morgan, _Dexter_: Police blood splatter expert/serial killer 2. Sabrina Spellman, _Sabrina the Teenage Witch_ - typical high school student / witch 3. Buffy Summers, _Buffy the Vampire Slayer_ - high school student / vampire hunter and fighter of eeeeevil 4. Gus Fring, _Breaking Bad_ - Mild-mannered, charitable businessman, civic booster/murderous Machiavellian drug kingpin 5. Superman, _Adventures of Superman_ - Strange visitor from another planet who came to earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Superman, who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hands. And who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never ending battle for truth, justice and the American way. 6. Monkey, _Dexter’s Laboratory_ - lab monkey / super spy 7. Twyla, _Schitt’s Creek_ - diner waitress / multimillionaire 8. Bruce Wayne, _Batman_ - very rich playboy/philanthropist who moonlights as a masked crime-fighter. 9. Matt Murdock, _Daredevil_ - blind trial lawyer by day; crimefighter by night ---
**Author:** ![Bicycle\_Bill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bicycle_bill/32/6208_2.png) [@Bicycle\_Bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bicycle_Bill)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2023, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711/3564 "2023-11-13T21:39:57Z")
**TV characters whose private lives were much different than their public ones** 1. Dexter Morgan, _Dexter_: Police blood splatter expert/serial killer 2. Sabrina Spellman, _Sabrina the Teenage Witch_ - typical high school student / witch 3. Buffy Summers, _Buffy the Vampire Slayer_ - high school student / vampire hunter and fighter of eeeeevil 4. Gus Fring, _Breaking Bad_ - Mild-mannered, charitable businessman, civic booster/murderous Machiavellian drug kingpin 5. Superman, _Adventures of Superman_ - Strange visitor from another planet who came to earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Superman, who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hands. And who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never ending battle for truth, justice and the American way. 6. Monkey, _Dexter’s Laboratory_ - lab monkey / super spy 7. Twyla, _Schitt’s Creek_ - diner waitress / multimillionaire 8. Bruce Wayne, _Batman_ - very rich playboy/philanthropist who moonlights as a masked crime-fighter. 9. Matt Murdock, _Daredevil_ - blind trial lawyer by day; crimefighter by night 10. Col Robert Hogan – American POW / leader of sophisticated intel and sabotage organization operating out of said POW camp **That Ain’t The Same Guy…** _(characters who were recast with little or no explanation)_ 1. Father Mulcahy, **MASH** – Played by George Morgan, who had a prominent role in the pilot episode _(the one where he ‘wins’ a weekend with a nurse as part of a fund-raiser)_. He was then replaced by William Christopher for the remainder of the show’s run. _ **-“BB”-** _ ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2023, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711/3565 "2023-11-13T21:49:22Z")
**That Ain’t The Same Guy…** _(characters who were recast with little or no explanation)_ 1. Father Mulcahy, **MASH** – Played by George Morgan, who had a prominent role in the pilot episode _(the one where he ‘wins’ a weekend with a nurse as part of a fund-raiser)_. He was then replaced by William Christopher for the remainder of the show’s run. 2. Gordon Robinson, **Sesame Street** - Played by four different actors without explanation. Garrett Saunders played him in the pilot episodes; Matt Robinson for three years; Hal Miller for two years; and most notably Roscoe Orman for the following 42 years, from 1974-2016, including in the films. ---
**Author:** ![Skunkdog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@Skunkdog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skunkdog)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2023, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711/3566 "2023-11-13T23:57:41Z")
**That Ain’t The Same Guy…** _(characters who were recast with little or no explanation)_ 1. Father Mulcahy, **MASH** – Played by George Morgan, who had a prominent role in the pilot episode _(the one where he ‘wins’ a weekend with a nurse as part of a fund-raiser)_. He was then replaced by William Christopher for the remainder of the show’s run. 2. Gordon Robinson, **Sesame Street** - Played by four different actors without explanation. Garrett Saunders played him in the pilot episodes; Matt Robinson for three years; Hal Miller for two years; and most notably Roscoe Orman for the following 42 years, from 1974-2016, including in the films. 3. Darrin Stephens, **Bewitched** - Played by Dick York in the first 5 seasons and replaced by Dick Sargent for the final 3 seasons due to York’s failing health. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2023, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711/3567 "2023-11-14T00:37:34Z")
**That Ain’t The Same Guy…** _(characters who were recast with little or no explanation)_ 1. Father Mulcahy, **MASH** – Played by George Morgan, who had a prominent role in the pilot episode _(the one where he ‘wins’ a weekend with a nurse as part of a fund-raiser)_. He was then replaced by William Christopher for the remainder of the show’s run. 2. Gordon Robinson, **Sesame Street** - Played by four different actors without explanation. Garrett Saunders played him in the pilot episodes; Matt Robinson for three years; Hal Miller for two years; and most notably Roscoe Orman for the following 42 years, from 1974-2016, including in the films. 3. Darrin Stephens, **Bewitched** - Played by Dick York in the first 5 seasons and replaced by Dick Sargent for the final 3 seasons due to York’s failing health. 4. Tora Ziyal, **Star Trek: Deep Space Nine** - Played by Cyia Batten in her first two appearances; Tracy Middendorf in one appearance; and Melanie Smith in her final six. It’s said that Middendorf was cast because Batten was too young to serve as a reasonable love interest for Garak. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2023, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711/3568 "2023-11-14T00:38:17Z")
[quote=“ekedolphin, post:3565, topic:972711, full:true”] **That Ain’t The Same Guy…** _(characters who were recast with little or no explanation)_ 1. Father Mulcahy, **MASH** – Played by George Morgan, who had a prominent role in the pilot episode _(the one where he ‘wins’ a weekend with a nurse as part of a fund-raiser)_. He was then replaced by William Christopher for the remainder of the show’s run. 2. Gordon Robinson, **Sesame Street** - Played by four different actors without explanation. Garrett Saunders played him in the pilot episodes; Matt Robinson for three years; Hal Miller for two years; and most notably Roscoe Orman for the following 42 years, from 1974-2016, including in the films. 3. Darren Stevens, _Bewitched_ - Dick York → Dick Sargent. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2023, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711/3569 "2023-11-14T00:46:51Z")
**That Ain’t The Same Guy…** _(characters who were recast with little or no explanation)_ 1. Father Mulcahy, **MASH** – Played by George Morgan, who had a prominent role in the pilot episode _(the one where he ‘wins’ a weekend with a nurse as part of a fund-raiser)_. He was then replaced by William Christopher for the remainder of the show’s run. 2. Gordon Robinson, **Sesame Street** - Played by four different actors without explanation. Garrett Saunders played him in the pilot episodes; Matt Robinson for three years; Hal Miller for two years; and most notably Roscoe Orman for the following 42 years, from 1974-2016, including in the films. 3. Darrin Stephens, **Bewitched** - Played by Dick York in the first 5 seasons and replaced by Dick Sargent for the final 3 seasons due to York’s failing health. 4. Tora Ziyal, **Star Trek: Deep Space Nine** - Played by Cyia Batten in her first two appearances; Tracy Middendorf in one appearance; and Melanie Smith in her final six. It’s said that Middendorf was cast because Batten was too young to serve as a reasonable love interest for Garak. 5. Chris Partridge, **The Partridge Family** - In the first season, Chris was played by Jeremy Gelbwaks. In the second and subsequent seasons, Chris was played by Brian Forster. Years later, it would be revealed that Gelbwaks had a personality clash with the other actors and the producers, and he didn’t really want to do the show anyway. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2023, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711/3570 "2023-11-14T00:50:19Z")
**That Ain’t The Same Guy…** _(characters who were recast with little or no explanation)_ 1. Father Mulcahy, **MASH** – Played by George Morgan, who had a prominent role in the pilot episode _(the one where he ‘wins’ a weekend with a nurse as part of a fund-raiser)_. He was then replaced by William Christopher for the remainder of the show’s run. 2. Gordon Robinson, **Sesame Street** - Played by four different actors without explanation. Garrett Saunders played him in the pilot episodes; Matt Robinson for three years; Hal Miller for two years; and most notably Roscoe Orman for the following 42 years, from 1974-2016, including in the films. 3. Darrin Stephens, **Bewitched** - Played by Dick York in the first 5 seasons and replaced by Dick Sargent for the final 3 seasons due to York’s failing health. 4. Tora Ziyal, **Star Trek: Deep Space Nine** - Played by Cyia Batten in her first two appearances; Tracy Middendorf in one appearance; and Melanie Smith in her final six. It’s said that Middendorf was cast because Batten was too young to serve as a reasonable love interest for Garak. 5. Chris Partridge, **The Partridge Family** - In the first season, Chris was played by Jeremy Gelbwaks. In the second and subsequent seasons, Chris was played by Brian Forster. Years later, it would be revealed that Gelbwaks had a personality clash with the other actors and the producers, and he didn’t really want to do the show anyway. 6. Ishka (“Moogie”), **Star Trek: Deep Space Nine** - Played by Andrea Martin in one episode and Cecily Adams in the rest of her appearances. It’s said Martin had a scheduling conflict. ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2023, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711/3571 "2023-11-14T00:59:42Z")
**That Ain’t The Same Guy…** _(characters who were recast with little or no explanation)_ 1. Father Mulcahy, **MASH** – Played by George Morgan, who had a prominent role in the pilot episode _(the one where he ‘wins’ a weekend with a nurse as part of a fund-raiser)_. He was then replaced by William Christopher for the remainder of the show’s run. 2. Gordon Robinson, **Sesame Street** - Played by four different actors without explanation. Garrett Saunders played him in the pilot episodes; Matt Robinson for three years; Hal Miller for two years; and most notably Roscoe Orman for the following 42 years, from 1974-2016, including in the films. 3. Darrin Stephens, **Bewitched** - Played by Dick York in the first 5 seasons and replaced by Dick Sargent for the final 3 seasons due to York’s failing health. 4. Tora Ziyal, **Star Trek: Deep Space Nine** - Played by Cyia Batten in her first two appearances; Tracy Middendorf in one appearance; and Melanie Smith in her final six. It’s said that Middendorf was cast because Batten was too young to serve as a reasonable love interest for Garak. 5. Chris Partridge, **The Partridge Family** - In the first season, Chris was played by Jeremy Gelbwaks. In the second and subsequent seasons, Chris was played by Brian Forster. Years later, it would be revealed that Gelbwaks had a personality clash with the other actors and the producers, and he didn’t really want to do the show anyway. 6. Ishka (“Moogie”), **Star Trek: Deep Space Nine** - Played by Andrea Martin in one episode and Cecily Adams in the rest of her appearances. It’s said Martin had a scheduling conflict. 7. Tommy, **Alice.** Alfred Lutter, who also played the character in the movie that inspired the series, played Tommy in the first episode. Subsequently he was played by Philip McKeon. ---
**Author:** ![knoodler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ccd318/32.png) [@knoodler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/knoodler)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2023, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711/3572 "2023-11-14T01:04:46Z")
**That Ain’t The Same Guy…** _(characters who were recast with little or no explanation)_ 1. Father Mulcahy, **MASH** – Played by George Morgan, who had a prominent role in the pilot episode _(the one where he ‘wins’ a weekend with a nurse as part of a fund-raiser)_. He was then replaced by William Christopher for the remainder of the show’s run. 2. Gordon Robinson, **Sesame Street** - Played by four different actors without explanation. Garrett Saunders played him in the pilot episodes; Matt Robinson for three years; Hal Miller for two years; and most notably Roscoe Orman for the following 42 years, from 1974-2016, including in the films. 3. Darrin Stephens, **Bewitched** - Played by Dick York in the first 5 seasons and replaced by Dick Sargent for the final 3 seasons due to York’s failing health. 4. Tora Ziyal, **Star Trek: Deep Space Nine** - Played by Cyia Batten in her first two appearances; Tracy Middendorf in one appearance; and Melanie Smith in her final six. It’s said that Middendorf was cast because Batten was too young to serve as a reasonable love interest for Garak. 5. Chris Partridge, **The Partridge Family** - In the first season, Chris was played by Jeremy Gelbwaks. In the second and subsequent seasons, Chris was played by Brian Forster. Years later, it would be revealed that Gelbwaks had a personality clash with the other actors and the producers, and he didn’t really want to do the show anyway. 6. Ishka (“Moogie”), **Star Trek: Deep Space Nine** - Played by Andrea Martin in one episode and Cecily Adams in the rest of her appearances. It’s said Martin had a scheduling conflict. 7. Tommy, **Alice.** Alfred Lutter, who also played the character in the movie that inspired the series, played Tommy in the first episode. Subsequently he was played by Philip McKeon. 8. Becky Conner, **Roseanne**. Played by Lecy Goranson for the first five seasons; replaced with Sarah Chalke for seasons 6 & 7; returned for season 8; replaced by Chalke for season 9; returned for final 10th season. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2023, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711/3573 "2023-11-14T04:17:04Z")
> [@](#): > > **That Ain’t The Same Guy…** _(characters who were recast with little or no explanation)_ 1. Father Mulcahy, **MASH** – Played by George Morgan, who had a prominent role in the pilot episode _(the one where he ‘wins’ a weekend with a nurse as part of a fund-raiser)_. He was then replaced by William Christopher for the remainder of the show’s run. 2. Gordon Robinson, **Sesame Street** - Played by four different actors without explanation. Garrett Saunders played him in the pilot episodes; Matt Robinson for three years; Hal Miller for two years; and most notably Roscoe Orman for the following 42 years, from 1974-2016, including in the films. 3. Darrin Stephens, **Bewitched** - Played by Dick York in the first 5 seasons and replaced by Dick Sargent for the final 3 seasons due to York’s failing health. 4. Tora Ziyal, **Star Trek: Deep Space Nine** - Played by Cyia Batten in her first two appearances; Tracy Middendorf in one appearance; and Melanie Smith in her final six. It’s said that Middendorf was cast because Batten was too young to serve as a reasonable love interest for Garak. 5. Chris Partridge, **The Partridge Family** - In the first season, Chris was played by Jeremy Gelbwaks. In the second and subsequent seasons, Chris was played by Brian Forster. Years later, it would be revealed that Gelbwaks had a personality clash with the other actors and the producers, and he didn’t really want to do the show anyway. 6. Ishka (“Moogie”), **Star Trek: Deep Space Nine** - Played by Andrea Martin in one episode and Cecily Adams in the rest of her appearances. It’s said Martin had a scheduling conflict. 7. Tommy, **Alice.** Alfred Lutter, who also played the character in the movie that inspired the series, played Tommy in the first episode. Subsequently he was played by Philip McKeon. 8. Becky Conner, **Roseanne**. Played by Lecy Goranson for the first five seasons; replaced with Sarah Chalke for seasons 6 & 7; returned for season 8; replaced by Chalke for season 9; returned for final 10th season. 9. Chris Cagney, **Cagney & Lacey** , played by Meg Foster the first season, then Sharon Gless the rest of the run. Additionally, by Loretta Swit in the TV movie that preceded the show. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2023, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711/3574 "2023-11-14T04:38:58Z")
**That Ain’t The Same Guy…** _(characters who were recast with little or no explanation)_\* 1. Father Mulcahy, **MASH** – Played by George Morgan, who had a prominent role in the pilot episode _(the one where he ‘wins’ a weekend with a nurse as part of a fund-raiser)_. He was then replaced by William Christopher for the remainder of the show’s run. 2. Gordon Robinson, **Sesame Street** - Played by four different actors without explanation. Garrett Saunders played him in the pilot episodes; Matt Robinson for three years; Hal Miller for two years; and most notably Roscoe Orman for the following 42 years, from 1974-2016, including in the films. 3. Darrin Stephens, **Bewitched** - Played by Dick York in the first 5 seasons and replaced by Dick Sargent for the final 3 seasons due to York’s failing health. 4. Tora Ziyal, **Star Trek: Deep Space Nine** - Played by Cyia Batten in her first two appearances; Tracy Middendorf in one appearance; and Melanie Smith in her final six. It’s said that Middendorf was cast because Batten was too young to serve as a reasonable love interest for Garak. 5. Chris Partridge, **The Partridge Family** - In the first season, Chris was played by Jeremy Gelbwaks. In the second and subsequent seasons, Chris was played by Brian Forster. Years later, it would be revealed that Gelbwaks had a personality clash with the other actors and the producers, and he didn’t really want to do the show anyway. 6. Ishka (“Moogie”), **Star Trek: Deep Space Nine** - Played by Andrea Martin in one episode and Cecily Adams in the rest of her appearances. It’s said Martin had a scheduling conflict. 7. Tommy, **Alice.** Alfred Lutter, who also played the character in the movie that inspired the series, played Tommy in the first episode. Subsequently he was played by Philip McKeon. 8. Becky Conner, **Roseanne**. Played by Lecy Goranson for the first five seasons; replaced with Sarah Chalke for seasons 6 & 7; returned for season 8; replaced by Chalke for season 9; returned for final 10th season. 9. Chris Cagney, **Cagney & Lacey** , played by Meg Foster the first season, then Sharon Gless the rest of the run. Additionally, by Loretta Swit in the TV movie that preceded the show. 10. Chuck Cunningham, **Happy Days** - Despite Chuck’s few appearances and subsequent disappearance after the second season, he was played by two actors: Gavan O’Herlihy at first, and then by Randolph Roberts. Pass. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2023, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711/3575 "2023-11-14T13:34:36Z")
**Real life cast departures reflected on screen** 1. MASH - Lt. Col. Henry Blake. Maclean Stevenson left show to do his own sitcom ‘Hello Larry’. Replaced by Col. Potter (Harry Morgan). ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2023, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711/3576 "2023-11-14T14:21:24Z")
**Real life cast departures reflected on screen** 1. MASH - Lt. Col. Henry Blake. Maclean Stevenson left show to do his own sitcom ‘Hello Larry’. Replaced by Col. Potter (Harry Morgan). 2. NYPD Blue - Det. John Kelly. David Caruso left the serries to do films after not getting a raise. Replaced by Det. Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits) ---
**Author:** ![knoodler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ccd318/32.png) [@knoodler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/knoodler)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2023, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711/3577 "2023-11-14T14:40:40Z")
**Real life cast departures reflected on screen** 1. MASH - Lt. Col. Henry Blake. Maclean Stevenson left show to do his own sitcom ‘Hello Larry’. Replaced by Col. Potter (Harry Morgan). 2. NYPD Blue - Det. John Kelly. David Caruso left the serries to do films after not getting a raise. Replaced by Det. Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits) 3. Cheers - Diane Chambers. Shelley Long left the series after feeling unchallenged by her role. Replaced by Rebecca Howe (Kirstie Alley). ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2023, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711/3578 "2023-11-14T14:42:45Z")
**Real life cast departures reflected on screen** 1. MASH - Lt. Col. Henry Blake. Maclean Stevenson left show to do his own sitcom ‘Hello Larry’. Replaced by Col. Potter (Harry Morgan). 2. NYPD Blue - Det. John Kelly. David Caruso left the serries to do films after not getting a raise. Replaced by Det. Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits) 3. Cheers - Diane Chambers. Shelley Long left the series after feeling unchallenged by her role. Replaced by Rebecca Howe (Kirstie Alley). 4. The Andy Griffith Show - Barney Fife. Don Knotts left to pursue a movie career. Replaced by Warren Ferguson (Jack Burns), who was unpopular and dropped after only a few episodes. ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2023, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711/3579 "2023-11-14T15:07:28Z")
**Real life cast departures reflected on screen** 1. MASH - Lt. Col. Henry Blake. Maclean Stevenson left show to do his own sitcom ‘Hello Larry’. Replaced by Col. Potter (Harry Morgan). 2. NYPD Blue - Det. John Kelly. David Caruso left the serries to do films after not getting a raise. Replaced by Det. Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits) 3. Cheers - Diane Chambers. Shelley Long left the series after feeling unchallenged by her role. Replaced by Rebecca Howe (Kirstie Alley). 4. The Andy Griffith Show - Barney Fife. Don Knotts left to pursue a movie career. Replaced by Warren Ferguson (Jack Burns), who was unpopular and dropped after only a few episodes. 5. Star Trek: The Next Generation - Tasha Yar. Character was written off when Denise Crosby asked to be released from her contract; later, after the show got good, she returned as her own half-Romulan daughter. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2023, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711/3580 "2023-11-14T16:13:19Z")
**Real life cast departures reflected on screen** 1. MASH - Lt. Col. Henry Blake. Maclean Stevenson left show to do his own sitcom ‘Hello Larry’. Replaced by Col. Potter (Harry Morgan). 2. NYPD Blue - Det. John Kelly. David Caruso left the serries to do films after not getting a raise. Replaced by Det. Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits) 3. Cheers - Diane Chambers. Shelley Long left the series after feeling unchallenged by her role. Replaced by Rebecca Howe (Kirstie Alley). 4. The Andy Griffith Show - Barney Fife. Don Knotts left to pursue a movie career. Replaced by Warren Ferguson (Jack Burns), who was unpopular and dropped after only a few episodes. 5. Star Trek: The Next Generation - Tasha Yar. Character was written off when Denise Crosby asked to be released from her contract; later, after the show got good, she returned as her own half-Romulan daughter. 6. The Waltons - Olivia Walton. Michael Learned left show in season 7 after feeling unchallenged by her role. Replaced by several relative characters moving in. Learned returned for a few episodes in season 8 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711.md?page=178) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-2/972711.md?page=180)