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Shows where a secondary character became the reason to watch

B

bpatrick

The Fonz and Steve Urkel have been mentioned as characters
who went from secondary status (or, in Urkel's case, a single
appearance on "Family Matters") into the star of the show, for
all intents and purposes. How about a few others?

Dallas: The Romeo-and-Juliet relationship of Bobby and Pam was
supposed to be the initial hook. But J.R. and his shenanigans quickly
upstaged them; no wonder 80 percent of the audience tuned in to
find out who shot him.

Lost In Space: The real appeal was the byplay between Dr. Zachary
Smith and the robot (voice of Dick Tufeld and his famous "Danger, Will
Robinson!").

Dark Shadows: Barnabas grew into the star as we learned how he became
a vampire, and Angelique remained his tormentor.

Good Times: What other reason to watch than Jimmie Walker's "Dy-no-mite!"?

The Carol Burnett Show: Tim Conway and Harvey Korman provided so many of
the show's funniest moments, especially when they tried to break each other up.

77 Sunset Strip: Probably would not have grabbed the teen audience had it not been
for Edd "Kookie" Byrnes and his comb. Quickly: do you remember anything else about
that show (other than the Jack Webb-produced last season with Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as the
only remaining regular)?

General Hospital: Luke and Laura. Need I say more?

Wheel Of Fortune: The model upstages the emcee. That hadn't happened since Bess
Myerson became better known than host Randy Merriman on "The Big Payoff" in the '50s.

I could argue that Eddie Haskell was the real reason, in retrospect, to watch "Leave It To
Beaver." Likewise, Maynard G. Krebs on "Dobie Gillis." Both of them added a touch of spice
to liven up the otherwise-bland proceedings.

Comments?
 
"The Big Bang Theory" was originally supposed to revolve around Leonard and Penny, but Sheldon has by far become the focal point.
 
The reason I watched BBT was Leslie Winkle and they got rid of her with some lame excuse about not being able to write for her character. She is who Leonard should be with. 8)
 
Reverend Jim on Taxi
Rowdy Yates on Rawhide
Klinger on MASH
The mother, Rose, Herb, Judith,and Berta on Two & Half Men
Roger on American Dad
 
Sara Gilbert left The Big Bang Theory for the CBS daytime talk show that she and Julie Chen are a part of. It was funny seeing her, Galecki and Laurie Metcalf all at once early on. We nearly had a Roseanne reunion! :)

Another show I can think of was Gimme A Break! with the late Nell Carter on NBC. Joey Lawrence was pretty much the draw on that show when it ended. I don't even think that two of the three daughters were on the show at its end (and Dolph Sweet passed away in 1985).
 
Dan Fielding on "Night Court".

Ol' Judge Harry (the main star) kinda faded into the wallpaper after a couple of years.
 
vjm said:
Ol' Judge Harry (the main star) kinda faded into the wallpaper after a couple of years.
Click to expand...

He was too busy idolizing Mel Torme. :D

And I was too busy idolizing Markie Post. ;D

Roz and Bull occasionally stole the show too.
 
WMC2006 said:
vjm said:
Ol' Judge Harry (the main star) kinda faded into the wallpaper after a couple of years.
Click to expand...

He was too busy idolizing Mel Torme. :D

And I was too busy idolizing Markie Post. ;D

Roz and Bull occasionally stole the show too.
Click to expand...
Dan(John Larroquette) pretty much kept the show alive for the last couple of years(after it left the 'Must See Thursday' slot).. Harry got boring as he 'matured', and once the relationship with him and Christine fizzled out, there wasn't much left.
 
Night Court has to hold the record for the most cast turn-over in the early seasons. Not entirely the show's fault: The two bailiffs before Roz died.

Markie Post was just a little too cute, perky and goodie-two-shoes. I was, however, very smitten with Ellen Foley. She was my reason to watch.
 
Don Knotts as "Barney Fife" started getting attention in the early weeks of The Andy Griffith Show. I've heard Griffith say in recent years that making Knotts the comedian in the series and him the second-bananna was his idea.

Also, Henry Winkler as "Fonzie" became popular pretty soon after Happy Days started. As I recall, he did not even have a speaking part on the first show of that series.
 
FredLeonard said:
The reason I watched BBT was Leslie Winkle and they got rid of her with some lame excuse about not being able to write for her character. She is who Leonard should be with. 8)
Click to expand...

I also think the paring of Leonard and Leslie is much more natural than with Penny although L&P have had some sweet moments together. They are better as antagonists though IMHO.

However, speaking of Penny (Kaley Cuoco, who played eldest daughter Bridget on "8 Rules") who quickly became the focus, if not outright star eclipsing even that of John Ritter and especially after his death.
 
When "Family Ties" became the "Michael J Fox" show and to a lesser degree, "Growing Pains" became the "Kirk Cameron" Show. A lot of the "Full House" following was built around the Olsen Twins.

Jim J Bullock basically made "Two Close For Comfort" from a show about a man with a wife and two daughters into "the Ted and Jim J" show.
 
FredLeonard said:
Night Court has to hold the record for the most cast turn-over in the early seasons. Not entirely the show's fault: The two bailiffs before Roz died.

Markie Post was just a little too cute, perky and goodie-two-shoes. I was, however, very smitten with Ellen Foley. She was my reason to watch.
Click to expand...

Both Post and Foley were good playing the defense attorney.

Each brought something to the table...Foley's character was street smart and tough, while Post's was perky and optimistic.
 
KML-224 said:
Another show I can think of was Gimme A Break! with the late Nell Carter on NBC. Joey Lawrence was pretty much the draw on that show when it ended. I don't even think that two of the three daughters were on the show at its end (and Dolph Sweet passed away in 1985).
Click to expand...
I caught an episode of "Gimme A Break" this afternoon on TV-One, and was reminded of the wonderful chemistry that Nell Carter had with Dolph Sweet. They really did play off each other so well.

At least to me, anyway.....the show never recovered from Dolph Sweet's passing.
 
FredLeonard said:
Night Court has to hold the record for the most cast turn-over in the early seasons. Not entirely the show's fault: The two bailiffs before Roz died.

Markie Post was just a little too cute, perky and goodie-two-shoes. I was, however, very smitten with Ellen Foley. She was my reason to watch.
Click to expand...

I watched Ellen on "Night Court" initially because I knew she performed with Meat Loaf on "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" ("What's it gonna be, boy, yes or no?")
I liked Selma Diamond's character because she had more of a rapport with Bull than her successors.
 
Cincinnati Kid said:
Also, Henry Winkler as "Fonzie" became popular pretty soon after Happy Days started. As I recall, he did not even have a speaking part on the first show of that series.
Click to expand...
During the first season, the Fonz wore a regular light jacket--instead of the leather jacket that would one day make it to the Smithsonian.
 
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