10 Worst Ways Shows Dealt With Actor Scandals

#10: Feud: Sarah & Kim“And Just Like That…” (2021-25)

John Oliver said it best. If you can’t get all four “Sex and the City” cast members to return for the revival, then what’s the point? Nevertheless, “And Just Like That…” pushed forward without Kim Cattrall, who had issues with Samantha’s representation. It’s also been suspected that reported tension between Cattrall and her co-stars, especially Sarah Jessica Parker, factored into this decision. According to Parker, Cattrall wasn’t even invited to return. While Cattrall made a guest appearance in Season 2, the show tried filling the void that Samantha left behind with a revolving door of diverse characters who lacked unique identities. Lasting only three seasons, the series did several characters dirty, including Samantha’s, although she arguably walked away with the most dignity intact.

#9: Robert Downey Jr.’s Exit“Ally McBeal” (1997-2002)

Robert Downey Jr. breathed new life into this legal dramedy as Ally’s love interest Larry Paul, winning a Golden Globe. The fourth season was to culminate in Ally and Larry’s getting married, with Season 5 revolving around their lives as newlyweds. During Season 4’s production, though, Downey was arrested multiple times on drug charges. Suddenly, creator David E. Kelley had to reenvision the show without Downey. There are conflicting reports on whether Downey was fired, but it’s not a coincidence that Larry left amid his legal troubles. Downy’s departure spelled the show’s doom, the fifth season being considered the weakest, not to mention the last. Downey might’ve been seen as uninsurable, but given his future rehabilitation and success, writing Larry out feels misguided in retrospect.

#8: Jennette McCurdy’s Explicit Photos

“Sam & Cat” (2013-14)

Despite having already been picked up for a second season, “Sam & Cat” ultimately lasted just one. Several factors likely contributed to this, including claims of sexual harassment and bad press between the stars. Nickelodeon also suspiciously reconsidered its Season 2 order around the same time that racy photos of Jennette McCurdy were leaked. Although McCurdy’s privacy had been invaded, Nickelodeon didn’t seem to give her much support. McCurdy skipped that year’s Kids’ Choice Awards, tweeting, “It has to do with how Nickelodeon treated me.” Whether or not she was referencing the photos, Nickelodeon clearly wanted to preserve its kid-friendly image. As McCurdy later detailed in her memoir, though, the network didn’t always prioritize the well-being of its young actors.

#7: Lori Loughlin’s College Admissions Scandal

“Fuller House” (2016-20)

This sequel series brought back almost the entire Tanner family, including Lori Loughlin as Aunt Becky. While she only returned in a recurring capacity, Becky remained an important presence in the Tanner household… until the fifth and final season. Loughlin was among the most high-profile names in the 2019 Varsity Blues scandal, pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud. Given Loughlin’s legal issues, it’s understandable why Becky didn’t come back. Yet, it’s odd that Becky is barely mentioned outside of one comment about her being in Nebraska. The final episode sees not one, not two, but three main characters get married. Becky is completely MIA. Are you sure Becky was just visiting Nebraska, Jesse, or did she straight-up abandon her family? This got dark…

#6: Lisa Robin Kelly’s Substance Use“That ‘70s Show” (1998-2006)

Lisa Robin Kelly made her claim to fame as Eric’s rebellious older sister Laurie. The character exited amid Season 3 as Kelly struggled with substance use and personal tragedy. Although it appeared that Kelly might make a comeback as the character in Season 5, her health continued to decline. With Kelly unable to carry on in the role, writing off the character seemed like the most practical solution. Instead, Laurie was recast with Christina Moore for Season 6. Moore’s stint on the show was short-lived, with Laurie disappearing shortly after. Trying to replace Laurie felt disrespectful to Kelly, who died six years after the series ended. With “That ‘90s Show,” Laurie’s absence was tiptoed around, although she still got more shoutouts than Danny Masterson’s Hyde.

#5: Jussie Smollett’s Fake Hate Crime

“Empire” (2015-20)

Jussie Smollett hit the big time as Jamal Lyon. It apparently wasn’t enough to satisfy Smollett, who claimed to have been the victim of a hate crime in 2019. This turned out to be a staged hoax, with Smollett later being found guilty of disorderly conduct. Meanwhile, Jamal disappeared during the last few Season 5 episodes and was awkwardly banished to off-screen land in Season 6. The fifth season built up a mystery over the death of a character, ultimately revealing that Lucious’ illegitimate son Kingsley is in the coffin. Given Smollett’s dismissal, though, maybe Jamal should’ve taken Kingsley’s place at the eleventh hour. It would’ve taken the show in a new direction, but Smollett’s exit was going to bring change anyway.

#4: The “Problem” with Apu

“The Simpsons” (1989-)

The Kwik-E-Mart proprietor was among Springfield’s most beloved residents until “The Problem with Apu,” which former “Simpsons” showrunner Mike Reiss describes as “a nasty little documentary.” To be fair, sensitivities were changing and even Hank Azaria acknowledged that a white actor like himself shouldn’t voice Apu anymore. That doesn’t mean Apu couldn’t be recast with a South Asian actor, helping take the character in a more progressive direction. Instead, “The Simpsons” has pretty much ignored Apu’s existence for several years. The show attempted to acknowledge the controversy in 2018 with Lisa and Marge breaking the fourth wall. Yet, many thought this fleeting, random joke failed to tackle the issue head-on. It also felt out of character, as Lisa would likely be joining “the woke mob.”

#3: Lisa Bonet Growing Up

“The Cosby Show” (1984-92) & “A Different World” (1987-93)

Long ago, “The Cosby Show” was considered the epitome of family-friendly. Thus, it was seen as controversial when Lisa Bonet, who played daughter Denise, started to pursue more mature projects. This included a revealing role in 1987’s “Angel Heart.” Bill Cosby condemned the highly sexualized film, despite previously supporting Bonet’s decision to star in it. It was around this time that Bonet exited “The Cosby Show,” although Denise soon took center stage in “A Different World.” After Bonet became pregnant with her daughter Zoë Kravitz, Cosby removed her from the spinoff. Bonet later returned to “The Cosby Show,” but left again over “creative differences.” Some suspected that Bill Cosby didn’t want his wholesome, clean show associated with sex, which sounds pretty hypocritical in hindsight.

#2: Kevin Spacey’s Termination

“House of Cards” (2013-18)

This political drama was once Netflix’s flagship show, putting the streamer on the map as an original content creator. The series’ legacy was forever tarnished when Kevin Spacey’s history of abuse allegations came to light, leading to him being fired. We understand that there was no easy solution. Spacey ignited a PR nightmare. He had to go, which meant Frank Underwood left too. That said, the show just didn’t work without Frank, despite Robin Wright’s best efforts to prevent this house of cards from collapsing. Collapse it did, however. Even before the final season, it already felt like the show had run its course, the actors being a saving grace. With one half of the leads gone, there was little hope of sticking the landing.

#1: Charlie Sheen’s Meltdown(s)

“Two and a Half Men” (2003-15)

No offense to the other one and a half men, but this was essentially the Charlie Sheen show during its peak. It made Sheen TV’s highest-paid actor. Regardless, Sheen was eager to leave after Season 7. Although he was persuaded back for an eighth, Sheen didn’t just burn a bridge that season. Through substance use, badmouthing a creator, and an abrupt exit that cost those involved millions, Sheen destroyed the entire foundation so the bridge could never be rebuilt. Sheen was replaced with Ashton Kutcher, who, despite initially bringing in high ratings, couldn’t compete with what Uncle Charlie brought to the table. As for Charlie, the show didn’t just kill him off once, but twice - dropping a piano where the bridge once stood.

Which TV show do you think mishandled an actor’s scandal? Let us know in the comments.