8 Ways Test Audiences Changed TV Shows

Here we have another character who was originally set to bite the dust during the pilot episode, only for a test audience to step in and save the day.

Despite going on to star in six of the show's 15-season run, Julianna Margulies was actually only supposed to stick around for the show's opening episode. Here, Nurse Carol Hathaway would tragically prove to be successful in her attempt to commit suicide via drug overdose. But, as it goes, those sat in the early screenings were more than a little intrigued by her connection with Dr. Doug Ross and generally were big fans of what Margulies brought to the character.

This intrigue eventually led to the vocal group stating that they wanted Hathaway to stay alive in the medical drama, so the decision was ultimately made to have her survive that attempt to end her own life. Hathaway would then gradually go on to become one of the show's leading heroines, proving that this particular focus group were right in knowing they were onto a good thing with Margulies.