Skip to content

Top Navigation

EW.com EW.com
    • All TV
    • TV Reviews
    • TV Reunions
    • Recaps
    • What to Watch
    • Animated
    • Comedy
    • Crime
    • Drama
    • Family
    • Horror
    • Reality
    • Sci-fi
    • Thriller
    • All Movies
    • Movie Reviews
    • Trailers
    • Film Festivals
    • Movie Reunions
    • Movie Previews
    • All Music
    • Music Reviews
    • All What to Watch
    • What to Watch Podcast Episodes
    • TV Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
    • All BINGE
    • EW's Binge Podcast Episodes
    • Recaps
    • Survivor
    • This is Us
    • RuPaul's Drag Race
    • Stranger Things
    • The Boys
    • The Blacklist
    • The Walking Dead
    • Better Call Saul
    • All The Awardist
    • The Awardist Podcast Episodes
    • Oscars
    • Emmys
    • Golden Globes
    • SAG Awards
    • Grammys
    • Tony Awards
    • All Books
    • Book Reviews
    • Author Interviews
    • All Theater
    • Theater Reviews
  • Podcasts
  • Gaming
    • All Events
    • Comic-Con
  • Celebrity
  • Streaming

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe

Explore EW.com

EW.com EW.com
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Hell-raisers: The Boys season 3 shakes up prestige TV with superhero debauchery

      Hell-raisers: The Boys season 3 shakes up prestige TV with superhero debauchery

      Just because they're Emmy nominated doesn't mean The Boys are pulling their punches. Here, the team dives into what might be "the most insane season of TV ever filmed." Read More
    • Your guide to 2022's biggest tours

      Your guide to 2022's biggest tours

      From Billie Eilish and Bad Bunny to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Weeknd, here are all the artists who can't wait to get on the road again. Read More
    • Ready for takeoff! We drank 3 rounds with the hotshot cast of Top Gun: Maverick

      Ready for takeoff! We drank 3 rounds with the hotshot cast of Top Gun: Maverick

      The actors playing the next generation of pilots in the action sequel felt the need for lots of cocktails. Read More
  • TV

    TV

    See All TV
    • TV Reviews
    • TV Reunions
    • Recaps
    • What to Watch
    • Animated
    • Comedy
    • Crime
    • Drama
    • Family
    • Horror
    • Reality
    • Sci-fi
    • Thriller
  • Movies

    Movies

    See All Movies
    • Movie Reviews
    • Trailers
    • Film Festivals
    • Movie Reunions
    • Movie Previews
  • Music

    Music

    See All Music
    • Music Reviews
  • What to Watch

    What to Watch

    See All What to Watch
    • What to Watch Podcast Episodes
    • TV Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
  • BINGE

    BINGE

    See All BINGE
    • EW's Binge Podcast Episodes
    • Recaps
    • Survivor
    • This is Us
    • RuPaul's Drag Race
    • Stranger Things
    • The Boys
    • The Blacklist
    • The Walking Dead
    • Better Call Saul
  • The Awardist

    The Awardist

    See All The Awardist
    • The Awardist Podcast Episodes
    • Oscars
    • Emmys
    • Golden Globes
    • SAG Awards
    • Grammys
    • Tony Awards
  • Books

    Books

    See All Books
    • Book Reviews
    • Author Interviews
  • Theater

    Theater

    See All Theater
    • Theater Reviews
  • Podcasts
  • Gaming
  • Events

    Events

    See All Events
    • Comic-Con
  • Celebrity
  • Streaming

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Profile

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Gallery
  3. 20 TV Shows That Replaced a Star

20 TV Shows That Replaced a Star

Ziva's gone and Ellie's in on ''NCIS''; see how past shows fared when recasting a fan fave
By EW Staff Updated March 10, 2011 at 06:00 PM EST
Skip gallery slides
FB

1 of 20

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

The Office

The Office | Steve Carell: 5 seasons (2005-11) James Spader: 1 season (2011) Spader's ultra-confident salesman-turned-CEO Robert California wasn't meant to replace Carell's Michael Scott but he didÂ…
Credit: Justin Lubin/NBC; Chris Haston/NBC

Steve Carell: 5 seasons (2005-11)
James Spader: 1 season (2011)

Spader's ultra-confident salesman-turned-CEO Robert California wasn't meant to replace Carell's Michael Scott but he did step in as the show's big-name big personality, with less successful results.

1 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 20

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Two and a Half Men

Charlie Sheen: 8 seasons (2003-11) Ashton Kutcher: 1 season (2011) It always seemed that both Sheen and his freewheeling character Charlie Harper could sidle outÂ…
Credit: Greg Gayne/CBS

Charlie Sheen: 8 seasons (2003-11)
Ashton Kutcher: 1 season (2011)

It always seemed that both Sheen and his freewheeling character Charlie Harper could sidle out of any mess but turned out that wasn't true for either of them. With Sheen out, Harper met an apparently messy demise when he was said to have been hit by a train in France. In came Ashton Kutcher's eccentric (and well-endowed) millionaire Walden Schmidt to play the life-of-the-party role.

2 of 20

3 of 20

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

NYPD Blue

NYPD Blue, David Caruso, ... | David Caruso : 1 season (1993-94) Jimmy Smits : 4 seasons (1994-98) Caruso left after multiple contract disputes, so his cop John Kelly was transferred.Â…
Credit: Everett Collection (2)

David Caruso: 1 season (1993-94)
Jimmy Smits: 4 seasons (1994-98)

Caruso left after multiple contract disputes, so his cop John Kelly was transferred. Andy Sipowicz's new partner was Bobby Simone. The bond between Dennis Franz's Sipowicz and Jimmy Smits' Simone was much stronger — more buddy-buddy, even father-son — and viewers responded with affection for the pair and increased ratings. —Ken Tucker

3 of 20

Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

4 of 20

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Charlie's Angels

Cheryl Ladd, Farrah Fawcett, ... | Replaced Farrah Fawcett on Charlie's Angels You can't take away our bubbly blondes and expect us not to notice, TV producers. Even if you tellÂ…
Credit: Ladd: Everett Collection; Fawcett: Everett Collection

Farrah Fawcett: 1 season (1976-77)
Cheryl Ladd: 4 seasons (1977-81)

The original trio at the series' center became instant sensations, finishing their first season as the No. 5 show in the country and making an icon of the gorgeous blonde playing sporty Angel Jill Munroe. When Fawcett abruptly left the series, however, Ladd swooped in as Jill's kid sister, Kris, in a surprisingly seamless transition that kept the Angels on the top of the ratings charts. —Jennifer Armstrong

4 of 20

Advertisement

5 of 20

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Spin City

Spin City | Michael J. Fox : 4 seasons (1996-2000) Charlie Sheen : 2 seasons (2000-02) After telling the cast and crew the previous year that he hadÂ…
Credit: Everett Collection (2)

Michael J. Fox: 4 seasons (1996-2000)
Charlie Sheen: 2 seasons (2000-02)

After telling the cast and crew the previous year that he had Parkinson's disease, Fox decided during the fourth season of the ABC comedy to ''retire'' and focus on his family. Sheen then had the unenviable task of replacing the beloved actor, but the Major League star had enough comedy chops and appeal (yep, you read that right) to keep the show going for another two seasons. —Lynette Rice

5 of 20

6 of 20

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

The Price Is Right

Bob Barker, Drew Carey, ... | Replaced Bob Barker on The Price Is Right No one puts Bob Barker in the corner! Who'll remind us to spay and neuter our pets?Â…
Credit: Carey: Monty Brinton/ CBS; Barker: Cliff Lipson/CBS

Bob Barker: 35 seasons (1972-2007)
Drew Carey: 4 seasons...and counting (2007-present)

After hosting the longest-running daytime game show for 35 years, Barker broke the hearts of millions of female fans by handing over the duties of saying ''And the actual retail price is...'' to comedian Carey. No one will ever replace Barker, though Carey's done an admirable job of keeping the lights on at Price. (Did I say that no one will ever replace Barker?) —LR

6 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

7 of 20

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Law & Order

Jerry Orbach, Dennis Farina, ... | Replaced Jerry Orbach on Law & Order Farina came on L&O in 2004 armed with all Orbach's crustiness but none of the gravitas. Besides: JerryÂ…
Credit: Farina: Will Hart/ NBC; Orbach: Paul Drinkwater/ NBC

Jerry Orbach: 12 seasons (1992-2004)
Dennis Farina: 2 seasons (2004-06)

While Law & Order famously soldiered on despite regular cast turnover, when Orbach left the series, the long-running cops-and-lawyers show never quite felt the same. Orbach's acerbic, wisecracking character, Det. Lennie Briscoe (who retired from the NYPD), was simply too identified with the Law & Order brand. It didn't help, either, that Orbach passed away from cancer later that year. Poor Farina — who stepped in as the flashier Det. Joe Fontana — never really stood a chance. The show shed nearly five million viewers, and Farina left after two seasons. —Adam B. Vary

7 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement

8 of 20

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

The Hogan Family

Valerie Harper | Valerie Harper : 2 seasons (1986-87) Sandy Duncan : 4 seasons (1987-91) When Valerie star Harper demanded a salary increase and more creative control, NBCÂ…
Credit: Everett Collection (2)

Valerie Harper: 2 seasons (1986-87)
Sandy Duncan: 4 seasons (1987-91)

When Valerie star Harper demanded a salary increase and more creative control, NBC responded by killing her character in an offscreen car crash, introducing Valerie's sister-in-law (Duncan) as a new female lead, and changing the show's title to Valerie's Family — then, later, to The Hogan Family. The swap worked, at least temporarily; after season 5, the sitcom switched networks and died quietly the following summer. —Hillary Busis

8 of 20

Advertisement

9 of 20

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Beverly Hills, 90210

Beverly Hills, 90210 | Shannen Doherty : 4 seasons (1990-94) Tiffani Thiessen : 6 seasons (1994-2000) Oh Shannen, if only you'd listened! After four seasons, Doherty left the originalÂ…
Credit: Everett Collection (2)

Shannen Doherty: 4 seasons (1990-94)
Tiffani Thiessen: 6 seasons (1994-2000)

Oh Shannen, if only you'd listened! After four seasons, Doherty left the original 90210 to be replaced by someone who was better at keeping the drama on screen. In 1994, Thiessen's Valerie Malone breathed new life (and bitchitude) into the series, which stayed on the air for another six years. —Maggie Pehanick

9 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

10 of 20

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Live! With Regis & Kelly

Kathie Lee Gifford, Kelly Ripa | Kathie Lee Gifford : 12 years (1988-2000) Kelly Ripa : 10 years...and counting (2001-present) After 12 years of small talk with Reeeeeg, Gifford (who'd beenÂ…
Credit: Ripa: Disney/ABC; Gifford: Everett Collection

Kathie Lee Gifford: 12 years (1988-2000)
Kelly Ripa: 10 years...and counting (2001-present)

After 12 years of small talk with Reeeeeg, Gifford (who'd been vilified for allegations that the factory that made her clothing line was a sweatshop and for oversharing about her kids) announced she was leaving to spend more time with her family. The peppy Ripa took over and injected new life into the show. —Jessica Shaw

10 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

11 of 20

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

NewsRadio

NewsRadio | Phil Hartman : 4 seasons (1995-98) Jon Lovitz : 1 season (1998-99) NewsRadio was a great ensemble comedy, but Hartman's egotistical news anchor Bill McNealÂ…
Credit: Everett Collection (2)

Phil Hartman: 4 seasons (1995-98)
Jon Lovitz: 1 season (1998-99)

NewsRadio was a great ensemble comedy, but Hartman's egotistical news anchor Bill McNeal was unquestionably the center of the show. In the wake of the star's untimely death, the producers brought in Hartman's old Groundlings colleague (and fellow SNL performer) Lovitz as the new anchor. Lovitz was actually pretty funny, but the low-rated show only lasted one season post-Hartman. —Darren Franich

11 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement

12 of 20

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

ER

ER, Goran Visnjic, ... | Replaced George Clooney on ER No one could ever replace Doug Ross — or George Clooney — in our hearts. But when Clooney left ERÂ…
Credit: Visnjic: Everett Collection; Clooney: Christ Haston/ NBC

George Clooney: 5 seasons (1994-99)
Goran Visnjic: 9 seasons (1999-2008)

When Doug Ross left Chicago General for the Northwest, his longtime love Carol Hathaway wasn't the only thing left behind — there were also millions of heartbroken (mostly female) viewers. So what did the producers do when their classically handsome, emotionally damaged hunky doctor left? Well, they hired a classically handsome, emotionally damaged hunky doctor, of course. Ratings slid steadily after Clooney's departure and hit a low point during its 14th season (which, it should be noted, was still an average of about 9 million). —Sandra Gonzalez

12 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

13 of 20

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

The View

The View, Meredith Vieira, ... | Meredith Vieira : 9 seasons (1997-2006) Rosie O'Donnell : 1 season (2006-07) Whoopi Goldberg : 4 seasons...and counting (2007-present) The combination of from-day-one co-hosts BarbaraÂ…
Credit: Vieria: Everett Collection; O'Donnell, Goldberg: Steve Finn (2)

Meredith Vieira: 9 seasons (1997-2006)
Rosie O'Donnell: 1 season (2006-07)
Whoopi Goldberg: 4 seasons...and counting (2007-present)

The combination of from-day-one co-hosts Barbara Walters and Joy Behar has helped The View, despite two big recasts of its moderator, to remain stable. The fact is that even if Goldberg decides to move on, The View will continue — this is a show that's very smartly built around a concept (ladies gabbing about Hot Topics!) and not one singular personality. —Tanner Stransky

13 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

14 of 20

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

The Daily Show

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, Craig Kilborn, ... | Craig Kilborn : 2 1/2 years (1996-98) Jon Stewart : 12 years...and counting (1999-present) During Kilborn's fun and respectable hosting tenure, the show found smarmyÂ…

Craig Kilborn: 2 1/2 years (1996-98)
Jon Stewart: 12 years...and counting (1999-present)

During Kilborn's fun and respectable hosting tenure, the show found smarmy comedy in human interest stories; under the shrewd, absurdist direction of Stewart, the focus shifted to news and politics. The result? Higher ratings and oodles of acclaim. In case you're counting, The Daily Show has won eight consecutive Emmys for Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Program. —Dan Snierson

14 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement

15 of 20

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

The X-Files

The X-Files, David Duchovny, ... | David Duchovny : 7 seasons as series regular (1993-2000); 2 seasons recurring (2000-01) Robert Patrick : 2 seasons (2000-02) When it went off the airÂ…
Credit: Patrick: Merrick Morton/Fox; Duchovny: Fox

David Duchovny: 7 seasons as series regular (1993-2000); 2 seasons recurring (2000-01)
Robert Patrick: 2 seasons (2000-02)

When it went off the air after nine seasons in 2002, The X-Files was considered the longest-running sci-fi show in broadcast TV history — but at a cost. Once Duchovny left the show as a full-time cast member in 2000 (explanation: His character was abducted by aliens), producers rejiggered the series, partnering costar Gillian Anderson with an FBI agent played by Patrick. For the show's final season, Annabeth Gish came on full-time as a potential replacement for Anderson. But viewers were disinterested in the new characters, and by the time both Duchovny and Anderson were reunited for the series finale, fans were hopelessly confused by the show's mythology. The X-Files has since been held up as an example of how not to finish a serialized drama. —James Hibberd

15 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

16 of 20

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

8 Simple Rules... For Dating My Teenage Daughter

8 Simple Rules | John Ritter : 1 season plus three episodes (2002-03) Katey Sagal : 3 seasons (2002-05) Ritter's character, overprotective dad and newspaper columnist Paul Hennessy, collapsedÂ…
Credit: Everett Collection (2)

John Ritter: 1 season plus three episodes (2002-03)
Katey Sagal: 3 seasons (2002-05)

Ritter's character, overprotective dad and newspaper columnist Paul Hennessy, collapsed at the supermarket and died off screen. Sagal, who played his wife, Cate, took on a more central role afterwards, with James Garner joining the show as her surly father. Despite some powerfully dramatic episodes dealing with Paul's death, the show never fully recovered, in the ratings or creatively. —JA

16 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

17 of 20

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Cheers

Cheers, Kirstie Alley, ... | Shelley Long : 5 seasons (1982-87) Kirstie Alley : 6 seasons (1987-93) Long was the first member of the heralded cast to win an Emmy,Â…
Credit: Everett Collection (2)

Shelley Long: 5 seasons (1982-87)
Kirstie Alley: 6 seasons (1987-93)

Long was the first member of the heralded cast to win an Emmy, but after five seasons of playing the overeducated barmaid, Diane, she left the hit series to focus on a burgeoning movie career and her family. The writers sent Diane away to write her novel, stranding Sam (Ted Danson) on their wedding day. Alley's Rebecca arrived the next season, determined to run the bar after a rattled Sam had sold it. Though she initially seemed cold and aloof, she proved hopelessly insecure and corruptible. Before long, she was one of the Cheers gang, to her character's detriment and our weekly delight. Cheers remained a top 5 show for the next five seasons, and Alley eventually grabbed her own Emmy. —Jeff Labrecque

17 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement

18 of 20

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Designing Women

Delta Burke, Julia Duffy, ... | Replaced Delta Burke on Designing Women As Suzanne Sugarbaker, Burke was a tour-de-force with a tongue so sharp it poked you through the screen. SheÂ…
Credit: Duffy: Everett Collection; Burke: Everett Collection

Delta Burke: 5 seasons (1986-91)
Julia Duffy: 1 season (1991-92)

Burke was canned from Designing Women for throwing tantrums or gaining weight — depending on whom you believe (how quaint in the Era Sheen-icus?) — and replaced by Duffy of Newhart fame. Bad move, y'all. Whereas Burke's Suzanne was lovably loony, Duffy's Allison was a shrew who alienated the remaining characters — and viewers. Duffy's contract wasn't renewed after her first season. —Henry Goldblatt

18 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

19 of 20

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Charmed

Charmed, Rose McGowan, ... | Shannen Doherty : 3 seasons (1998-2001) Rose McGowan : 5 seasons (2001-06) How could the Power of Three soldier on without Doherty's Prue, killed byÂ…
Credit: McGowan: James White/WB; Doherty: Everett Collection

Shannen Doherty: 3 seasons (1998-2001)
Rose McGowan: 5 seasons (2001-06)

How could the Power of Three soldier on without Doherty's Prue, killed by a demonic hitman? With a crafty, long-lost sister plotline, that's how. And thanks to McGowan's spellbinding Paige, Aaron Spelling's supernatural series found new energy, unleashing a comedic spin that was a welcome change from Prue's melodrama. Quite simply, McGowan's addition helped Charmed become — how else could we say it? — officially charming. —Kate Ward

19 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

20 of 20

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

The West Wing

Rob Lowe, Joshua Malina, ... | Replaced Sam Seaborn on The West Wing First there was Rob Lowe's Sam, a staggeringly beautiful boy genius whose way with words is second onlyÂ…
Credit: Malina: NBC/ Photofest; Lowe: Everett Collection

Rob Lowe: 4 seasons (1999-2003)
Josh Malina: 4 seasons (2002-06)

While Malina's Will Bailey was written as an awkward guy with some built-in friction with other characters when he took over Sam Seaborn's (Lowe) position as deputy communications director, it only served to emphasize the many differences between the two characters. But since the show had such a massively talented ensemble cast to share the screen time, which was the reason Lowe cited for leaving (though it was reportedly more about the money), the weight of its success or failure really didn't fall on Malina. —Abby West

20 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By EW Staff

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 20 The Office
    2 of 20 Two and a Half Men
    3 of 20 NYPD Blue
    4 of 20 Charlie's Angels
    5 of 20 Spin City
    6 of 20 The Price Is Right
    7 of 20 Law & Order
    8 of 20 The Hogan Family
    9 of 20 Beverly Hills, 90210
    10 of 20 Live! With Regis & Kelly
    11 of 20 NewsRadio
    12 of 20 ER
    13 of 20 The View
    14 of 20 The Daily Show
    15 of 20 The X-Files
    16 of 20 8 Simple Rules... For Dating My Teenage Daughter
    17 of 20 Cheers
    18 of 20 Designing Women
    19 of 20 Charmed
    20 of 20 The West Wing

    Share & More

    Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message
    EW.com

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Meredith© Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright EW.com. All rights reserved. Printed from https://ew.com

    View image

    20 TV Shows That Replaced a Star
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.