Television comedies provide a great escape from the stress of everyday life. Audiences often flock to comedies to relax and laugh as they follow their favorite characters' never-ending antics. Many of these shows are rich with feel-good content that keep viewers coming back for more.
That's why it can be surprising and even upsetting to learn the on-screen fun of these shows doesn't always transfer backstage. From feuding between cast members to creative differences to major scandals, these situations are a grim reminder the magic of television isn't reality. Sometimes this drama can even lead to significant production issues or in the worst cases, contribute to the downfall of a beloved series.
This article contains mentions of emotional abuse and eating disorders.
10 Modern Family Wasn't Always A Big Happy Family
Modern Family highlights the various ups and downs of family dynamics, all while delighting its audiences with non-stop humor. But not all cast members were enjoying themselves, particularly the twins who portray baby Lily, Mitchell and Cam's daughter, in Seasons 1 and 2.
Ella and Jaden Hiller were replaced in the show's third season after their parents revealed the children hated acting. The twins' parents also allege their family was taken advantage of financially since they didn't have access to an agent. As the girls grew into toddlers, it became clear they detested working their gigs. Their parents eventually cut ties with the show, even after they were offered significant wage increases.
9 The Big Bang Theory's Creative Differences Led To Its End
The Big Bang Theory is one of television's longest-running sitcoms, and in terms of ratings, it still had a lot of gas in the tank by its finale. But despite its popularity, the zany comedy ended suddenly after actor Jim Parsons, who plays the main character Sheldon, decided not to renew his contract.
The decision to end the show was particularly unexpected, not only to viewers, but to members of the cast. There were even reports of cast members crying in executives' offices as they wondered what their futures would look like. Although fans and the production team seemed willing to keep the series going, Parsons allegedly wanted to explore different creative opportunities. Ultimately, the show knew it wouldn't be the same without an eccentric Sheldon in the driver's seat.
8 Alleged Salary Disputes Tanked Sam & Cat
Despite being a hit among Nickelodeon fans, Sam & Cat was scrapped after only one season. The abrupt end came after Jennette McCurdy, who plays Sam in both the series and in iCarly, quit the show. McCurdy says she received unfair treatment by management, claiming they favored her co-star, Ariana Grande.
The actor alleges she was forbidden from pursuing other career opportunities when she was on the show, while Grande was allowed to continue with her music career. She also claims there was a significant pay disparity between her and her former co-star. Furthermore, McCurdy reveals she denied a $300,000 check from Nickelodeon, which was supposedly intended to keep her quiet about her experiences at the network.
7 Miley Cyrus Reveals She Had The Worst Of Both Worlds In Hannah Montana
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While living a celebrity double-life in Hannah Montana might seem glamorous, Miley Cyrus reveals her time on the Disney Channel comedy was anything but. Despite being one of the most popular brands on the network, Cyrus says her experience was marred with excruciating long work days, which led to a deterioration of her mental health.
Cyrus joined the series when she was 11 years old and claims constant pressure was put on her appearance, causing her to develop body dysmorphia. Her continued sexualization as a child extended from opportunities linked to the series, including a photo shoot where she was made to pose topless as a 15-year-old. Cyrus says she developed severe anxiety from the gig and frequently experienced panic attacks.
6 Cast Member Feuds Made Glee Infamous
Glee might be teeming with whimsical musical numbers and a superb blend of comedy and intensity, but behind the scenes, the cast really put an emphasis on the drama. Many members of the cast reportedly had sexual and romantic relationships with each other, which would sometimes lead to contention in the workplace.
Moreover, there were widespread accounts from cast and crew members of abuse and bullying by actor Lea Michele, who plays protagonist Rachel Berry. Actor Kate Hudson, who guest starred on the show in 2012, even remarked that Michele's professional behavior was nightmarish. Numerous deaths in the cast and crew also plagued the show, further dampening already low spirits.
5 Abuse Allegedly Ran Rampant On The Set Of ICarly
Rumors have swirled about alleged misconduct at Nickelodeon for years, and much of this drama surrounds Dan Schneider, the creator of many hit series on the network. Schneider, who was the mind behind wildly popular creations such as iCarly, reportedly sexualized the bodies of the show's young female stars.
There were also varied accounts of Schneider's explosive nature and verbal abuse on-set, which could lead to cast and crew members bursting into tears. Jennette McCurdy, who has since published a memoir of her experiences entitled I'm Glad My Mom Died, writes that Schneider would pressure her and cast members into giving him massages. She also alleges he encouraged them to drink alcohol when they were underage.
4 Demi Lovato Says Her Mental Health Suffered On Sonny With A Chance
While fans enjoyed Sonny With A Chance's random escapades, the series was a lot less fun for its star, Demi Lovato. The actor and singer, who plays Sonny, publicly revealed she left the series after struggling with her mental health. The show was later rebranded as So Random! and survived one season before ultimately being canceled.
After Lovato's departure, she claimed she and the cast often felt miserable, frustrated, and overworked. She attributed part of her mental health struggles to the taxing demands of the show. Despite these significant hurdles, Lovato added she is still grateful for the opportunities with the Disney Channel series.
3 Charlie Sheen Was Fired From Two And A Half Men For Allegedly Erratic Behavior
It is difficult not to notice Charlie Harper's sudden off-screen death in Two and a Half Men, but to many fans, the choice isn't surprising. The series had been swarming with drama following actor Charlie Sheen's public comments against creator Chuck Lorre.
The sitcom's executives went on to allege Sheen was erratic on set and heavily abused alcohol and narcotics. They detailed a toxic workplace environment and claimed Sheen had self-destructive behavior that he would take out on the cast and crew. Despite the show's overwhelming success, the actor's public statements against his colleagues eventually prompted Warner Bros. Television to cut ties with him.
2 Jeffrey Tambor From Arrested Development Reportedly Screamed At Co-Star Jessica Walters
Arrested Development is ripe with zany characters and even more eccentric situations, but it was not always smooth sailing for the star-studded production. According to the cast, Jeffrey Tambor, who is known for playing George Bluth Sr., could be particularly temperamental at work.
Jessica Walters, Tambor's co-star and TV wife, revealed he even subjected her to verbal harassment. In a raw interview with The New York Times, Walters claims she has never been yelled at on-set the way Tambor did to her. She later added the actor has since apologized, and she has opened the door for them to become friends again.
1 Seinfeld Wasn't As Whimsical As It Appeared On-Screen
Larry David's Seinfeld is one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time, but that doesn't mean it was without issues. Despite its on-screen hilarity, the show had a plethora of backstage drama, ranging from acting anxiety to contention about character content.
Michael Richards, who is known for playing Kramer, would often fully immerse himself into his erratic character role and became visibly upset when his co-stars broke his focus. Meanwhile, Jason Alexander and Julia Louie-Dryfus reportedly cornered Larry David about their roles, claiming their characters were getting shafted. The series was also marred with odd arguments and spars between guest stars and the cast, eventually leading to David's voluntary departure from the show after Season 7.