Best and worst character replacements on TV shows

cawoodsct

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Apr 27, 2006
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I agree w/ UCL that Coy and Vance sucked d***.

While I enjoyed Frank Burns in M*A*S*H, I think Charles Emerson Winchester III was an upgrade for the show.

What are some of the best and worst switches in sitcoms, movies, game shows etc. through the years?
 

UKserialkiller

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I had to look some of the shows up because I couldn't remember the actors names.

Becky off roseanne
Darrin Stephens Bewitched
Marilyn Munster- Munsters
Lionel mf'ing Jefferson-the Jeffersons
 

UpstateNYCat

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MASH - Potter and Winchester were upgrades.
Wiseguy - When they lost Wahl and went with Bauer was a horrible decision.
 

ukalum01

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Apr 29, 2002
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How the hell did they expect to replace Aunt Viv and act like no one noticed?
 

-Mav-

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For Jed: Rock Hudson subbing for Cary Grant in the North By Northwest remake was a definite step up.
 

UKwizard

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And replacing Michael J Fox with Charlie Sheen pretty much sunk Spin City.

John Lovitz for Phil Hartman (RIP) on News Radio also severe downgrade.
 

cole854

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Arnel Pineda for Steve Perry made for a good cover band, nothing more.

Jason Scheff for Peter Cetera proved to be excellent over the 30 years he was lead.

Tommy Thayer for Ace Frehley was a major step up in musicianship, but a fail in stage presence. Ace had the swagger.

No one could ever carry the Big Man’s sax, but Jake has proven to carry the family torch very well the last 5 years.
 

funKYcat75

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Probably when they took the beautiful void that was left with the ending of Will & Grace, and replaced that with the actual actors from Will & Grace.
 

jedwar

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For Jed: Rock Hudson subbing for Cary Grant in the North By Northwest remake was a definite step up.
 
Feb 4, 2004
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Ashton Kutcher replacing Charlie Sheen on 2 and a Half Men...I know that show is hated here but it was pretty funny with Charlie Sheen
 

WildcatfaninOhio

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How about when Dick Sargent replaced Dick York as Darrin Stephens on Bewitched?

No, wait...that was the other way around. Or was it?
 

Get Buckets

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Nov 4, 2007
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From the not likely to be mentio
I agree w/ UCL that Coy and Vance sucked d***.

While I enjoyed Frank Burns in M*A*S*H, I think Charles Emerson Winchester III was an upgrade for the show.

What are some of the best and worst switches in sitcoms, movies, game shows etc. through the years?

Are we talking main character exits stage left or same caharacter different actor? Or both?
 

Zakk Wyldcat

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Any of the no-names they tried putting in there to fill Adam Cartwright's void. Guy Williams, Candy, Jamie, etc.
 

UpstateNYCat

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Bewitched had the unenviable task of replacing Darren and Neighbor Gladys due to health/death.

The Professor and Mary Ann from the Pilot to the series was an upgrade. I'd still give it to Dawn Wells to this day.
 

GrandePdre

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Without reading any other suggestions:

Worst- Coy & Vance, Cloris Leachman on Facts of Life, James Garner on 8 Simple Rules, and the dude on Blues Clues.

Best- Traylor Howard on Monk, Cheryl Ladd on Charlie's Angels, and Mila Kunis doing Meg on Family Guy.
 

-Mav-

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Ditching ***** Ralph Macchio for a bad-*** like Hilbert Swank was a pro-move on Miyagi's part.
 
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Not really a replacement, but Cousin Oliver on Brady Bunch has always fascinated me. Youngest kids hit puberty...so they bring in an annoying cousin to make sure they cover the age demo. Puke.
 

mktmaker

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I agree w/ UCL that Coy and Vance sucked d***.

While I enjoyed Frank Burns in M*A*S*H, I think Charles Emerson Winchester III was an upgrade for the show.

What are some of the best and worst switches in sitcoms, movies, game shows etc. through the years?


re: M*A*S*H...I agree. Frank was a dim-witted wimp. Winchester was a worthy foil for Hawkeye and BJ.
 

TruBluCatFan

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Dec 21, 2001
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Arnel Pineda for Steve Perry made for a good cover band, nothing more.

Jason Scheff for Peter Cetera proved to be excellent over the 30 years he was lead.

Tommy Thayer for Ace Frehley was a major step up in musicianship, but a fail in stage presence. Ace had the swagger.

No one could ever carry the Big Man’s sax, but Jake has proven to carry the family torch very well the last 5 years.

You're level of reading comprehension is, once again, at UNC AFAM class levels.

Bands and tv show characters are not the same. But at least you got an A in Swahili.
 

funKYcat75

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Apr 10, 2008
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Not really a replacement, but Cousin Oliver on Brady Bunch has always fascinated me. Youngest kids hit puberty...so they bring in an annoying cousin to make sure they cover the age demo. Puke.
I think they realized that Bobby and Cindy were going to be hideous, so they had to do something.