8 TV Shows That Killed The Main Character Early
6. Valerie - Valerie Hogan (Lifespan: Two Seasons)
In terms of job security it's a safe bet that if a show is named after you, you’re not going get fired. A sound theory, but unfortunately for actress Valerie Harper it proved incorrect. Harper played the title role in cheesy 80’s sitcom Valerie, a show about an overworked mother trying to balance a career with raising three kids (including a young Jason Bateman).
The show was a hit but Harper got into an ugly contract dispute at the start of season three. When they failed to reach terms she refused to come back. This led to more negotiating and she eventually returned to record a new episode, only to be fired and replaced with another actress.
At the start of season three the viewer is informed Valerie died in a car crash months before, and Valerie’s sister was the new head of the family. The show was renamed Valerie’s Family to reflect this, but after Harper launched a high profile lawsuit - which she won - the show was finally redubbed The Hogan Family.
It ran for another four seasons, which isn’t bad for a show that lost the title character.