Dark Secrets From Famous Sitcoms
Sitcoms are the kind of shows you put on when you want to unwind and have a good laugh. The issues are always wrapped up nicely by the end of the episode, leaving no room for concern or worry for your beloved characters. After a while, you begin to feel that these fictional folks are as close to you as members of your own family! But just like everything in life, sitcoms aren’t as simple or wholesome as we always thought they were. Behind the scenes, there were serious feuds, illnesses, and sometimes even abuse allegations.
We’ve compiled sitcom secrets that reveal a darker side to these uplifting shows.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Now this is a story all about how our lives got twisted upside-down. We’d like to take a minute just sittin’ right here, to tell you about Aunt Vivian. What? Those aren’t the lyrics? Anyone who grew up in the 90s can recite the theme song by heart. And most of us have seen every episode of Will Smith’s ridiculously amazing sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
It was basically a story about a kid from Philadelphia growing up in a completely different environment. Everyone else was just a supporting character. Just don’t tell the original Aunt Vivian actress. She thought the show should be more focused on her and the uncle! This eventually caused her to be replaced midway through shooting a season.
Full House
They always say to never work with animals and children in show business. Why? Probably because it makes everything a million times more complicated. While there are plenty of (working) kids and animals that listen and know how to take cues, that’s not always the case. In the early 90s, everyone’s favorite house was almost too full for one actor.
John Stamos reportedly tried to get the Olsen twins fired from their singular role! Why? They were just too difficult to work with. We get it can be aggravating, but come on! Do you really want to be remembered as the guy who got Mary-Kate and Ashley fired?
Step By Step
One step out of line in television and your career is OVER. While pushing buttons and being persistent is one way to advance, sometimes people can be far too aggressive. Any sort of physical altercation, or even evidence of one occurring, is enough to end an actor’s career. That’s precisely what happened on the family-friendly show Step By Step. Who remembers Cody?
He didn’t last that long on the show. In fact, his exit was really abrupt! That’s probably because the actor, Sasha Mitchell, was charged with domestic abuse while shooting the show! You can’t make a family-friendly sitcom when you’re charged with that kind of crime.
The Brady Bunch
Things weren’t always peachy keen in the Brady household. Under the veneer of a shiny home and a fake backyard, there stewed a bunch of darker issues. From the dad being closeted for his entire adult life to Marcia doing drugs, The Brady Bunch was full of juicy secrets. Have you never heard about Marcia? Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!
She was out of control. Jan had a reason to complain. Maureen McCormick talks about her addiction issues in her biography. During the final seasons (and after the show wrapped), she was in the throes of a cocaine and quaalude addiction that almost cost her everything!
A Different World
It’s hard to talk about A Different World without mentioning that it was a spin-off of the wildly popular Cosby Show. While some characters made a reappearance in the spin-off series, the show didn’t last past six seasons. Though that’s not bad for a spin-off. Some of the more well-known characters didn’t fare as well as the show did.
Denise Huxtable, played by Lisa Bonet, was actually in a season of the show! While reprising her Huxtable name she became pregnant (offset). During a meeting one day she was let go by none other than Bill Cosby! Why was she fired? “Lisa Bonet is pregnant, but Denise Huxtable is not.” Rude.
Seinfeld
Pregnancy typically doesn’t stop the film schedule. Production will either find a way to hide an actress’s baby bump, or they’ll write a pregnancy into the character’s plotline. When Julia Louis-Dreyfus revealed she was pregnant, Jerry Seinfeld had a pretty interesting idea. Though Dreyfus probably saw it as more offensive than interesting. The mention of it reduced her to tears.
Though Jerry’s idea wasn’t exactly as out-there as you might think. January Jones’ character in Mad Men was written to have gained a significant weight as a way to hide the actress’s baby bump. But we guess Dreyfus wasn’t keen on the idea at the time.
The Andy Griffith Show
They just don’t make wholesome comedies like they used to. While newer sitcoms have their appeal, the classics are just too heartwarming to ever let go. The Andy Griffith Show is one of those series that will forever live in our hearts. The relationship between Griffith, his son, and Aunt Bee was idealized by every family. As loving and close as they appeared on TV, it was all just an act. Francis Bavier, Aunt Bee, was not very happy with her character.
Even though it was steady (and nationally beloved) work, she just couldn’t get along with her co-star, Griffth. Her resentment got so bad that she severed all contact once the show wrapped. Later in life, she sent him an apology on her death bed before she passed and wished things had been different.
Frasier
Often overlooked, Frasier was one of the smartest sitcoms ever to air on TV! The beloved series was a stuffy yet endearingly funny spin-off of Cheers. Dr. Frasier Crane was a blowhard who needed to learn to relax (as did his brother). Their dad was a breath of fresh air and a constant thorn in their sides.
Plus, Eddie the dog was the true star. With a show this fantastic, it’s hard to imagine tragedy striking. Then 9/11 happened and everyone’s world turned upside-down. One of the executive producers (and the show’s creator) David Angell and his wife Lynn were on the plane that was hijacked before crashing into the North Tower that morning.
Living Single
Living Single captures personal and professional experiences, unlike any other series. Nothing was more engaging than following around the six friends in Brooklyn Brownstone as they try to figure out their lives. Three girls, two guys, two apartments, and a whole lot of fun. It’s no surprise this show was a success.
Khadijah James, played by the one and only Queen Latifah, wore a key around her neck throughout the series. This is a tribute to Queen Latifah’s brother who tragically died in a motorcycle accident. This sweet gesture allowed her to carry a piece of her family with her while on set.
Ellen
This popular series followed the life of bookstore owner Ellen Morgan (played by Ellen DeGeneres herself) as she tries to get by in life all while dealing with the drama of her friend group and family. Turns fictional and real-life Ellen had a lot in common. Shortly after coming out in real life, the character came out as gay in ‘The Puppy Episode.’
This revolutionary episode featured Oprah Winfrey as a guest star. Unfortunately, she got more hate from this minor appearance than she had in her entire career due to the coming-out plot. Oprah has never strayed from controversy, so we were pretty surprised to learn that this is what riled people up.
That ’70s Show
The characters on That ’70s Show were out-there. Some of them were just plain far out. Do you see where we’re going with this? Awesome, so we can drop the cliches and corny jokes. Some of the more interesting people on the block didn’t make it until the end. Midge, Donna’s mom, was one of our favorites.
She was spacey but still caring. We couldn’t get enough of her! Unfortunately, she seemed to get phased out at the show’s peak. It wasn’t due to her popularity or anything. Unfortunately, the actor playing Midge had her own family issues going on behind the scenes. She eventually left the show altogether to take care of her sick husband.
Roseanne
Roseanne was one of those shows that struck a bunch of chords with audiences. Many weren’t thrilled with how crass and honest the show was, others thought it accurately depicted life in America for many families. Either way, it was a smash-hit. Millions tuned in weekly to see what adventure Roseanne would have with the gang.
While each story was well-crafted, it seems that not even the writers were huge fans of their work. That’s probably because they were terrified of their boss (and the show’s titular character). Roseanne’s legendary temper and overall attitude weren’t secrets to the cast and crew. She was apparently horribly scary and rude to work with!
7th Heaven
This family-friendly series followed the life of the Camdens. Despite people always in and out of the house, it always appears full and lively. Known for its positive portrayal of promoting honesty and respect for parental authority, this show was nothing short of wholesome. And what family would be complete without a dog?
Unfortunately, their dog Happy didn’t have the best life before being cast. The poor pup was abused by her former male owner and still had a fear of men during filming. Before the taping of every episode, all the male actors would have to spend time with Happy off-screen to ensure she would be comfortable while filming.
How I Met Your Mother
It’s important to remember that characters and actors are separate beings. Sure, an actor brings their persona to life on the screen. However, they also have their own stuff going on off-screen. Robin’s on-screen life is already fraught with drama. Behind the camera, Colbie Smulders was dealing with her own peaks and valleys. She was, and still is, a warrior.
Despite the diagnosis, Smulders acted throughout the entire season. Not only did she not let on to what was happening, but she also seemed to separate the two events. One was being a star and the other was fighting for her health. Taking time off is completely understandable. Instead of that, she pressed on as best that Robin Sparkles could!
The Golden Girls
What made The Golden Girls so special was the bond we got to see between the characters. Despite their differences, the ladies seemed to really care about one another. No matter what happened, they always seemed to come together over cheesecake and a few laughs. We all wanted a bond like that, right? As it turns out, they weren’t always the friendliest with one another.
Most of it was just for show! According to Betty White, the sweetest of the group, they were more acquaintances than anything. She wasn’t that close with all of her co-stars. She and Bea Arthur never really hung out when they weren’t on-set together.
Martin
Sometimes great shows seem to vanish for no reason whatsoever. One day we’re laughing up a storm and the next we’re hearing that there’s a mysterious hiatus (and then a cancellation not too soon after that). One of these great sitcoms that followed a similar path is Martin. This hilarious show had everything going for it. The characters were great, the styles on-point, and the punchlines were always hitting.
What could possibly have ended its rise to superstardom? The show’s creator. Tisha Campbell, who played Gina, filed multiple sexual harassment and abuse reports against Lawrence. Things reached a head when she agreed to film her final scenes during the last season, but only if Lawrence was nowhere near the set!
Community
Hollywood has a handful of actors who are known to be somewhat difficult to work with. They might be talented and attract audiences, but behind the scenes, they’re extremely messy. This was definitely the case when it came to Chevy Chase and the sitcom Community. Behind the cult following and Emmy nominations, there was trouble brewing.
Chase was known for severely putting heads with show creator Dan Harmon, to the point where he would refuse to film certain scenes. He was also known for making racist jokes during scenes featuring Donald Glover, and once used a racial slur in front of him and his other Black co-star Yvette Nicole Brown. While he apologized for that incident, it left a bad taste in audiences’ mouths.
Full House
What made Full House a great show was definitely the writing. It also helped that it was so wholesome. Typical family problems were funnier when Bob Saget and John Stamos were dealing with them. But when the cameras weren’t rolling, some of the stars kept their distance from the less-than-family-friendly Bob Saget.
Danny Tanner might’ve been an All-American family dad, but the actor behind him was far from it. Saget is known for his raunchy stand-up comedy acts and dark sense of humor. This obviously never made it onto the show, but the actor had a few slip-ups on set. Pardon his French!
Diff’rent Strokes
Diff’rent Strokes is one of television’s cutest and saddest moments. The show was off-the-charts fantastic thanks to Gary Coleman. His adorable presence and comedic timing melted everyone’s hearts. He was also raking in the dough at a very young age. You’d think that after years of hard work, he’d have a relaxing and comfortable adult life.
You’d also be wrong. Unfortunately, Coleman’s parents stole all of his hard-earned cash! By the time he was able to sue them, they had no money left to give back! After the case ended, Coleman didn’t return to acting. He lived out the rest of his life as a security guard instead of an actor.
Happy Days
Every day is a Happy Day when you’re on the set of Happy Days. This wholesome show set in the 50s was actually shot in the 70s! Not only did it give Henry Winkler and Ron Howard a massive career boost, but it also saved Howard’s life. Right before Happy Days was scheduled to shoot the pilot, Howard received a notice that he would be drafted into the Vietnam War.
Since that didn’t sound like fun, Howard had to find a way to get an exception from being sent overseas. Given that he was in an art school, he couldn’t use his studies as an excuse. Thankfully, at the eleventh hour, he got selected to shoot the pilot for Happy Days! That was enough work to keep him out of the draft (and probably alive).
Maude
Everyone who ever starred in The Golden Girls is a superstar. Each of the girls went on to have amazing careers (and had them before the show). For instance, Bea Arthur was no stranger to TV by the time she moved in with Blanche, Dorothy, and Rose. Before all that she was Maude. A dry-witted, sarcastically funny, go-getter. She was a mold-breaker. She was Maude. The show was so well-received that it swept multiple Emmys across multiple seasons.
That all came to a screeching halt when Bill Macy (Walter) took to the Emmy stage one night, things went from funny to foul real quickly. He dropped his pants in front of EVERYONE. Due to the flashing, the show was blacklisted from ever winning any more awards!
ALF
Hide your cats, because it’s time to talk about ALF! What looked like a quirky and wholesome family sitcom on the surface was actually a tense lesson in adaptability for everyone. Once their run on the show ended, many cast members claimed they had a bad time on set. Why would someone be mad about being in a successful sitcom? As it turns out, working with a puppet can be a nightmare.
Not only was ALF the star, but he was a star that required multiple people to make him appear lifelike. That, and, since the puppeteers can’t be seen on camera, a lot of fancy footwork was required on the set. People couldn’t move naturally and also ended up getting jealous of the puppet’s success!
I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy isn’t just one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. It features two of the most memorable funny couples in all of television history. On one hand, you have the Ricardos. These two are the perfect balance to one another. On the other hand, you have the Mertzes, Fred and Ehtel. The landlord and wife duo seemed to love each other in their own special way.
However, a lot of the bickering wasn’t in the script. The two actors, Vivian Vance and William Frawley, had a multi-season fight happening when the cameras weren’t rolling. For whatever reason, those two could not stand each other. They wouldn’t even speak well of the other when they were apart!
The Monkees
They’re not just a great band! The Monkees also produced some pretty cool television back in the day! In the late 60s, these groovy kids decided to put on their own sitcom. It ended up lasting a couple of seasons and even earned some Emmys! That’s pretty cool for a rock band! The troubles started when two of the stars refused to speak to one another over creative differences.
Things would get so bad on set that the two bandmates (Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork) refused to speak to each other outside of their scripted dialogue. This made for some pretty tense moments for everyone in the band and on the show. Eventually, this also led to the band disbanding!
Boy Meets World
Angela Moore was one of Boy Meets World’s biggest later-season characters. She brought a fresh face and tons of comedy to the show when it really needed something new. Even though she was widely loved by the fans, the original cast didn’t feel the same way. Right before filming the series finale, Moore’s actor Trina McGee was asked not to take part.
According to the executive who reached out to her, the others were jealous. Multiple stars from the original cast claimed she was getting too popular and receiving too much attention. That’s why they didn’t want her in the picture at the very end!
Friends
Some celeb couples dated while filming a show together, others couldn’t stand each other from the first table read. But this next situation doesn’t quite fit either of those scenarios. Jennifer Aniston and Tate Donovan are a special case where they split and then ended up working together. Donovan got the call to be on Friends shortly after they parted ways.
They thought this would be a good way to keep things civil but boy oh boy were they proven wrong. Donovan has said that trying to film romantic scenes with his ex was horrible. One time he even said he was getting back to his dressing room and “just weeping” after filming. Thankfully he’s able to laugh about it now.
Seinfeld
Seinfeld is one of those shows that can never be replicated. Creating a show about nothing, making it into something, and then capitalizing on all of that was absolutely masterful. Clearly, Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld knew what they were doing. And they assembled the greatest sitcom cast of a generation to make it happen. Every actor who became a regular was trained and had the skills to make it big.
They knew their worth, too. After Jason Alexander didn’t appear in a couple of episodes, he ended up snapping at David and demanding more screen time or to write him out of the show entirely. Julie Louis-Dreyfus felt similarly and claimed her material was clearly made less funny because she wasn’t one of the male stars of the show.
The King Of Queens
It’s not uncommon to work with people you don’t like. However, since we all have to pay our bills, you just gotta suck it up and press on. Lace up your boots, pucker up, and kiss whoever you have to to get by. At least that applied to The King of Queens. Kevin James and Leah Remini are two of the funniest comedians to appear together in a single show.
While their feuds as husband and wife were scripted, they also had a lot of creative differences when they weren’t filming. Their frequent arguments would cause some awkward on-screen moments. In fact, whenever they kissed, the two refused to open their eyes or make eye contact with the other! It sounds like a typical marriage to us.
The Beverly Hillbillies
If you randomly found oil near your shack, wouldn’t you want to capitalize on it as best you could? Heck, you may even go a bit overboard and buy a giant mansion for your whole family, wouldn’t you? That’s the premise of The Beverly Hillbillies. It was so much fun seeing the Hillbillies make new friends in the lavish California locale.
But behind the scenes, a storm was a brewin’. After the show ended in 1971, the lead, Buddy Ebsen went from acting to politics. So did his co-star, Nancy Culp, who played Miss Jane Hathaway. We’re guessing political differences were part of some of their disagreements.
Sex and the City
There hasn’t been a show quite like Sex and the City. Its massive appeal and loveable cast made it a still-relevant force in television years after the show and movies wrapped up. Tuning in to see what Carrie and the rest of the girls were doing became part of our daily lives for years. Who wouldn’t want a friendship like the one they had? Well, Kim Cattrall for one.
Carrie and Samantha may have been close on the show, but they were bitter enemies when the cameras weren’t rolling. Cattrall felt that she and the rest of the crew aside from Jessica Parker weren’t paid fairly. If the show was such a hit, it wasn’t just because of Carrie! Unfortunately, that fight eventually caused the show to not move forward with a seventh season.
The Doris Day Show
This hallmark of ‘60s television was a major surprise to the titular star. According to Day herself, her husband Martin Melcher closed a million-dollar contract with CBS for The Doris Day Show without ever letting her know. Unfortunately, Melcher passed away before the taping of the show even began, leaving Day to deal with the aftermath all on her own. And while she tried to explain that she never signed up for the show, it seems that the terms of the contract were just too binding to ignore.
But despite the rocky start, The Doris Day Show would go on to become a hit with audiences, thanks in no small part to Day’s charm and talent. It just goes to show that sometimes the best surprises can come from unexpected places.
Three’s Company
Suzanne Somers, who played the bubbly Chrissy Snow, demanded a big raise and even part ownership of the show, but when her demands were denied, she started skipping work. That didn’t sit well with her co-stars, John Ritter and Joyce DeWitt, who eventually refused to work with her. It’s too bad, because the chemistry between the three of them was a big part of what made the show so fun to watch.
But hey, maybe it all worked out for the best in the end. Somers went on to have a successful career in other TV shows and movies, and Three’s Company continued to be a hit even after she left.
The Partridge Family
It’s always interesting to hear about behind-the-scenes moments on our favorite TV shows! Apparently, things got a little tense between the cast members of The Partridge Family at one point, and they used milk to bring Danny Bonaduce’s ego down a few notches. Shirley Jones, who played the matriarch of the musical family, recounted the incident in her memoir and even revealed that they worked it into an episode of the show.
And according to fellow cast member David Cassidy, Bonaduce was being a bit of a handful at the time, so dumping a pitcher of milk over him might’ve been just what he needed to calm down!
Family Ties
Despite being the lead actor on a hit TV show, Michael J. Fox was not yet a household name when he started filming the first season of Family Ties. As a struggling actor, he had limited financial resources and did not own a car at the time. As a result, he often had to rely on hitchhiking, to get to the show’s set in Hollywood from his home in Brentwood.
Fox’s dedication to his craft and his willingness to overcome obstacles to make it to work is a testament to his work ethic and his commitment to his career. Considering the level of fame he eventually achieved, we think it paid off!
Who’s The Boss
It seems like Tony Danza just couldn’t keep his fists to himself, even as he was about to become one of the biggest stars on TV. But instead of sending him to the unemployment line, the judge who sentenced him to community service actually gave his career a boost! Who’s the Boss? went on to become a massive hit, and Danza’s character Tony Micelli became a beloved icon of ’80s TV.
Perhaps the community service gave Danza some extra time to practice his comedic timing and charm. And who knows, maybe he even picked up a few cleaning tips while he was at it – after all, his character on the show was a housekeeper!
Growing Pains
Some people who turn to religion develop a more peaceful lifestyle. Unfortunately for Kirk Cameron, this was not the case. You probably know him as Mike Seaver from Growing Pains. Towards the end of the show, he converted to Christianity, and seemingly also became a terror to have on set, trying to have aspects of the show changed when he didn’t like them.
His co-star Jullie McCullough played Julie Costello, and the two never seemed to get along. While there are two sides to the story, most seem to side with McCullough. She claims Cameron’s hatred for her hit an all-time high when she posed for Playboy, since this didn’t align with his new Christian values.
Night Court
The passing of a beloved cast member is never easy, and for the Night Court family, the loss of Selma Diamond after Season 2 was a devastating blow. But out of the darkness came a glimmer of hope – Florence Halop, whose mannerisms mirrored Selma’s, stepped in to fill the void in Season 3. Sadly, Florence passed away after completing just one season, leaving the producers with a difficult decision.
In the end, they opted to bring in a younger actress, Marsha Warfield, to take on the role of Roz. It’s a testament to the strength and resilience of the Night Court team that they were able to keep the show going despite these challenges and honor the legacy of those who came before them.
Saved By The Bell
If you left your high school days in the past, think back for a moment. Would you ever go back? What if things were different and more like Saved By The Bell? All those hijinks, friendly rivalries, and first kisses look a lot more fun now, don’t they? While the show isn’t at all what high school was like for most of us, it did have some interesting teen drama going on. Mark-Paul Gosselaar, AKA Zack Morris, wasn’t just a player for the cameras.
During the run of the show, he dated all the female co-stars in the cast! He wasn’t the only one, either. After a few more relationships started and failed, the show’s creator, Peter Engel, had to step in. Not only was he the producer, but he also doubled up as the mediator during the breakups and fights that ensued.
Cheers
Egos and Hollywood go hand-in-hand. When you work in an industry that builds up people to think they’re the best, an actor’s ego can inflate while their skin gets thinner and thinner. Eventually, even an off-hand remark or poorly timed joke when not filming can have disastrous effects on someone’s career. When filming Cheers, Eddie Lebec always seemed to know just what to say.
Off-screen, his actor Jay Thomas, had a habit of putting his foot in his mouth. He was caught complaining one day about having to kiss his co-star Rhea Perlman. Apparently, Perlman overheard the complaint and got Thomas fired from the show! His character was never seen after season seven.
Will & Grace
Fans started to suspect that something wasn’t right with the Will & Grace co-stars when they noticed that Megan Mullaly and Debra Messing had unfollowed each other on Instagram and that they rarely appeared together in photos. Concern grew further when the show announced that Mullaly wouldn’t be appearing in two of the show’s final 18 episodes.
In 2019, TVLine reported that Mullaly had missed those two episodes on account of taking a leave of absence. Additionally, a source at EW reported that on-set tensions had played a role in the decision to end the popular series. However, the exact nature of this tension hasn’t been made public.