Siblings that disappeared without explanation

[Mark Giardina]

Former Sheriff Andy and wife Helen had a baby boy that was briefly featured, I believe, in the opening series of Mayberry RFD. However when the Andy Griffith reunion show was televised a few years later there was no mention of Andy's second son.

 

[Mark Giardina]

Remember "The Real McCoys"?

It ran in the late 50s and early 60s on ABC but moved to CBS in 1962. When this move took place Kate (Katie Nolan) the wife of Luke (Richard Crenna) along with Kate's siblings Little Luke (Michael Winkleman) and Hassie (Lydia Reed) all suddenly disappeared leaving only Crenna and Walter Brennan (as "...grandpappy Amos,the head of the clan who roars like a lion but is gentle as a lamb....") the remaining main characters of the sitcom.

So what was the reason for this abrupt change? (I presumed Kate died and was written out of the script...and what about the kids???) This move destroyed the series and lost its down-home magic and humor. Me and my dad loved this series during its ABC run....Walter Brennan played his role to the hilt noting the family's West Virginia roots.

I've read two different reasons for the change in format.

One is that Kathleen Nolan either wanted off the show, or her contract was not renewed.

The second reason for the change was that network consultants figured Luke being a widower would attract a larger audience and allow the writers to come up with more ideas if love interests were included in the show. Can't have Luke chasing after women if he's married right? (At least back then on TV).

As for the two young people who played Hassie and Little Luke, along with Pepino, consultants figured viewers wouldn't miss them.

There seems to be this formula when it comes to successful TV shows. "If it works...change it."
Perfect example: Burke's Law. First season was okay. Then ABC changed the show so that Amos Burke was a secret agent because that was the ' fad' at the moment. That series flopped like a fish out of water and lasted a half season before being canceled.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

Remember "The Real McCoys"?

It ran in the late 50s and early 60s on ABC but moved to CBS in 1962. When this move took place Kate (Katie Nolan) the wife of Luke (Richard Crenna) along with Kate's siblings Little Luke (Michael Winkleman) and Hassie (Lydia Reed) all suddenly disappeared leaving only Crenna and Walter Brennan (as "...grandpappy Amos,the head of the clan who roars like a lion but is gentle as a lamb....") the remaining main characters of the sitcom.

So what was the reason for this abrupt change? (I presumed Kate died and was written out of the script...and what about the kids???) This move destroyed the series and lost its down-home magic and humor. Me and my dad loved this series during its ABC run....Walter Brennan played his role to the hilt noting the family's West Virginia roots.

According to Wikipedia:

Nolan's most memorable roles were as Kate McCoy, wife of Luke McCoy, in Walter Brennan's The Real McCoys, for which she was nominated for an Emmy award, and in the military sitcom Broadside, both on ABC. In the last season, 1962–1963, Nolan left The Real McCoys, which was renamed The McCoys, switched from ABC to CBS, and moved from Thursday to Sunday evenings opposite Bonanza on NBC. In the revised format, her character of Kate was said to have died. (Luke then began courting the widow Louise Howard, played by Janet De Gore.)

If one believes Wikipedia then Nolan left the show on her own and wasn't fired.
As for the loss of some cast members, since the show moved from one network to another it is no surprise that CBS wanted some changes.

 

[firepoint525]

Beverly Hills 90210: Brenda Walsh didn't "disappear without explanation," as per this thread, but indeed left the show. She moved to London. Dylan McKay supposedly also followed her there, about a year later, to explain Luke Perry quitting the show.

I wouldn't have even mentioned any of this, except that on the series finale of the original 90210, Shannen Doherty's face was even blurred out on some earlier season's cast photos (or scenes) that were shown! I understand the whole "I hate Brenda" thing, but I thought that that was taking it a little too far!