Community, Roseanne & 7 More Shows Ruined by Behind-the-Scenes Drama

But then these are people who live for drama – so can we really expect anything different?

Here are 9 shows that fell apart because of behind-the-scenes drama:

1. Community

There was a time when Community, a sitcom set in the community college, seemed to have everything going for it. A stellar cast that included the likes of Donald Glover and Chevy Chase, a wonderful display of self-referential humour, and a great storytelling technique invented by Dan Harmon called the 'story circle'.

However, for all his creativity, Harman fell out with Chevy Chase about the Hollywood stars' character arc. As a result, Harmon (who had created the show) was fired at the end of season 3. Without its creative force, the show never made it beyond season 4, which was widely panned by critics and audiences alike.

2. Roseanne

When Roseanne was given a reboot, it was hard to see how the new version of the show could fail. Surely, all they had to do was give us more of the same?

But following a tweet by Roseanne Barr that was seen by many as racist, ABC decided it couldn't continue. Barr had to go and, as a consequence, the show simply couldn't continue without its eponymous protagonist.

3. Deadwood

The consensus of opinion with Deadwood is that the show was a success. And it was negotiations over the length of season 4 that scuppered the popular Western.

HBO wanted a shorter season, but producer David Milch was having none of it. In the end, HBOs solution was to cancel the show. And it would be another 13 years before the story was given a finale in Deadwood: The Movie.

4. Criminal Minds

As Aaron Hotchner, Thomas Gibson was a mainstay of this FBI procedural for 12 seasons. Then, so the story goes, the actor kicked one of the producers and was kicked off the show.
And, unfortunately, he wasn't the only one to go. Over the years, Criminal Minds has lost several popular characters.

With so many cast members moving on, and rumblings about off-set drama, the show met its inevitable end in 2020. But it was subsequently rebooted for Paramount in 2022.

5. The X-Files

You'd never believe it to watch the show, but Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny had what can only be described as a strained relationship. At times, the pair wouldn't interact with each other at all apart from when they were shooting a scene.

Despite both being professionals, this was a situation which was always going to permeate through to Mulder and Scully. And sure enough, cracks in the actors' relationship started to sour the on-screen chemistry they had once shared.

Things seem to have got back on track since the show ended – but it was a sad ending for a truly groundbreaking series.

6. Rick and Morty

As a crazy animated series, it's easy to believe that it was all jokes and high jinks behind the scenes of Rick and Morty. It was such a relatable and relevant show that was just bursting with biting satire on the issues of the day.

But one of the issues of the day then came and bit the show on its backside. The main voice actor, Justin Roiland was arrested on suspicion of domestic abuse charges in 2020.

When news of his arrest came out in January 2023, other alleged victims also came forward to report abuse and predatory behaviour. Following the MeToo movement, networks are far more on the front foot in dealing with such allegations these days – and Roiland was fired.

The charges against him were later dropped. But don't expect to see Rick and Morty back any time soon.

7. Top Gear

Ever the controversial character, Jeremy Clarkson was alleged to have punched a producer on the set of the show after his meal was served too cold. After an investigation, the BBC sacked Clarkson, who was widely regarded and lead among the trio of hosts that also included James May and Richard Hammond.

His two co-presenters resigned in support of the long-serving Clarkson, and the show was over.

8. Two And a Half Men

Another show that looked at one stage as if it would go on forever. But after Hollywood legend and star of the show, Charlie Sheen was fired for turning up to work under the influence, the show kind of lost its heart – and its viewing figure.

9. House of Cards

Kevin Spacey starred in the US remake of the British political drama. It was a well-written show made even better by a top cast and great acting.

But when allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against Spacey, the show's producers were put under pressure to take action. He was fired from the show by Netflix, resulting in the whole premise of the show having to be redesigned.

But fans didn't like the new version and the show lasted one more season before it was axed.