10 Times TV Shows Ruined People's Lives
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VOICE OVER: Tom Aglio
WRITTEN BY: Jonathan Alexander
Being on TV may feel like a dream, but it ruined these people's lives. For this list, we'll be looking at the most egregious times a television program destroyed a person's career, livelihood, or wellbeing. Trigger warning: there are discussions of sensitive topics ahead. Our countdown of people whose lives were ruined by TV shows includes Dick York from “Bewitched” (1964-72), Jennette McCurdy from “iCarly” (2007-12) & “Sam & Cat” (2013-14), Constance Wu from “Fresh Off the Boat” (2015-20), and more.
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Times TV Shows Ruined People's Lives. For this list, we’ll be looking at the most egregious times a television program destroyed a person's career, livelihood, or wellbeing. Trigger warning: there are discussions of sensitive topics ahead. What’s the most shocking fallout from a TV show you've ever seen? Let us know in the comments below!
As it turns out, starring in a controversial reality series has its drawbacks. For Heidi Montag, that meant a never-ending news cycle of scandal and controversy. Not just on her as a person, but on her body, too. Eventually, the scrutiny pressured the 23-year-old to undergo a staggering ten cosmetic procedures in a single day. The fallout from these procedures caused a massive rift between Montag and her mother. This comes after Montag’s mean-girl persona on the show had already cost her the relationship with her best friend. With all that being said, it’s no surprise to hear that Montag doesn’t have many nice things to say about her time on “The Hills.”
In a single, ill-advised tweet, Constance Wu rocked the boat in all the wrong ways. After spending five seasons as the Huang family matriarch, she was clearly ready to move on. So, when “Fresh” got renewed for a sixth go-round, Wu took to Twitter to vent her frustrations. To put it lightly, the internet did not take it well. Wu faced an onslaught of backlash ranging from fan disappointment, to calling her ungrateful, to even deeming her a quote-unquote “blight on the Chinese American community.” Unable to cope, Wu attempted to take her own life in 2019. Luckily, she has since prioritized her mental health, and has slowly begun to step back into the limelight.
As a well-respected photojournalist, Charles Ommanney spent most of his career behind the camera rather than in front of it. His wife, Cat, though? She was a different story. Cat allegedly convinced him to star in the D.C. spinoff of “Real Housewives.” Suddenly, it wasn’t just Charles Ommanney’s work making the news. It was reports on the latest episodes, editorials on he and Cat’s divorce, and his wife’s rumored fling with Prince Harry. Just like that, Ommanney lost his anonymity, and with it, his chance at being an effective journalist – at least, in Washington. To this day, the now-divorced photographer still credits the show as his biggest regret.
On paper, starring in a hit reality franchise screams “breakout role.” But, in this case, it did the exact opposite. Karlie Redd’s scene-stealing work in “Love & Hip Hop” typecast her as anything but a serious actress. It’s doubly ironic since, by her own account, Redd only joined the show in the first place to get her foot in the door. And yet, since then, she’s struggled to command respect from certain directors and casting agents. At this point, Redd’s even resorted to auditioning under a pseudonym. While her acting career is far from flatlining, you can’t help but wonder what could’ve been had she never joined “Love & Hip Hop.
On one hand, this groundbreaking sitcom marked one of the very first primetime series to focus on an Asian American Family. On the other, it also perpetuated many harmful and flat out offensive stereotypes. By Cho’s recollection, the network flip-flopped on whether she was “too Asian” or “too overweight.” Although “All-American Girl” only lasted one short season, Cho developed alcohol and substance use disorder, which would persist for much longer. It took years to overcome but, soon enough, she would regain ownership of her career. Nowadays, she’s rightfully taken her place among the best comedic talents of the generation.
Change is hard, especially in Hollywood. So, when NBC retooled this live-show with a brand-spanking-new cast, you could say there was some trepidation. Especially for Charles Rocket, who was pitched as a mash-up of Bill Murray and Chevy Chase. Despite some worthwhile segments here and there, audiences agreed that this updated cast simply couldn’t hold a candle to the original. Ratings fell to worrying lows, and when Rocket let an F-bomb slip on air, he and most of the new cast were finally kicked to the curb. That blunder never truly left Rocket’s image. He mainly popped up in bit parts or supporting roles until he tragically took his own life in 2005.
Misguided or not, this reality show gave Deleese Williams the chance to be confident in her appearance for the first time. She auditioned, passed their medical exams, and finally flew out to Los Angeles for her life-changing cosmetic surgery. But, it never happened. Out of nowhere, the producers backtracked on Williams’ involvement, and sent her home more ashamed than ever before. Still, no one took it harder than her sister, Kellie McGee. The show had goaded her into making several disparaging remarks about Williams’ appearance. Despite the circumstances, McGee was never able to overcome the crippling guilt, and later died of an overdose in 2004. Williams raised the two children she left behind.
Long before he took up the mantle of Darrin Stephens, actor Dick York suffered a debilitating back injury from the film “They Came to Cordura.” For several years, “Bewitched” accommodated his limitations with clever blocking and frequent rewrites. But, unfortunately, all it did was prove that York wasn’t cut out to be a leading man anymore. After he collapsed onset during season five, York left the show for good to focus on his recovery. It took a battle with opioid use disorder, but eventually, he tried to stage a comeback. Alas, his career had already fizzled. While he only ever booked two roles post-“Bewitched,” York maintained high spirits up until his death in 1992.
There’s no happily-ever-after in this story. Back in 2010, Gia Allemand rose to fame as a prominent contestant on the 14th season of “The Bachelor.” While she didn’t walk out with a ring on her finger, she did earn a whole lot of publicity – and not all of it was the good kind. The pressure on Allemand only grew as time went on, especially when she entered a tumultuous relationship with NBA player Ryan Anderson. Eventually, it got to be too much. On August 12th, 2013, Allemand attempted to take her own life. Two days later, another attempt would result in her tragic passing.
You could fill a whole book with the vile things that went on behind the scenes of this Nickelodeon franchise. In fact, Jennette McCurdy did, and some of it is almost too harrowing to repeat. Whether it was at home or onset, it’s clear that the trauma she endured had a major impact on her physical and emotional well-being. McCurdy isn’t the only one with conflicted memories, though. While not nearly as severe, her co-star, Noah Munck, is still treated as the butt of fan jokes because of his work as the dopey character, Gibby. Neither actor returned for the “iCarly” reboot in 2021, and we don’t blame them.
#10: Heidi Montag
“The Hills” (2006-10)As it turns out, starring in a controversial reality series has its drawbacks. For Heidi Montag, that meant a never-ending news cycle of scandal and controversy. Not just on her as a person, but on her body, too. Eventually, the scrutiny pressured the 23-year-old to undergo a staggering ten cosmetic procedures in a single day. The fallout from these procedures caused a massive rift between Montag and her mother. This comes after Montag’s mean-girl persona on the show had already cost her the relationship with her best friend. With all that being said, it’s no surprise to hear that Montag doesn’t have many nice things to say about her time on “The Hills.”
#9: Constance Wu
“Fresh Off the Boat” (2015-20)In a single, ill-advised tweet, Constance Wu rocked the boat in all the wrong ways. After spending five seasons as the Huang family matriarch, she was clearly ready to move on. So, when “Fresh” got renewed for a sixth go-round, Wu took to Twitter to vent her frustrations. To put it lightly, the internet did not take it well. Wu faced an onslaught of backlash ranging from fan disappointment, to calling her ungrateful, to even deeming her a quote-unquote “blight on the Chinese American community.” Unable to cope, Wu attempted to take her own life in 2019. Luckily, she has since prioritized her mental health, and has slowly begun to step back into the limelight.
#8: Charles Ommanney
“The Real Housewives of D.C.” (2010)As a well-respected photojournalist, Charles Ommanney spent most of his career behind the camera rather than in front of it. His wife, Cat, though? She was a different story. Cat allegedly convinced him to star in the D.C. spinoff of “Real Housewives.” Suddenly, it wasn’t just Charles Ommanney’s work making the news. It was reports on the latest episodes, editorials on he and Cat’s divorce, and his wife’s rumored fling with Prince Harry. Just like that, Ommanney lost his anonymity, and with it, his chance at being an effective journalist – at least, in Washington. To this day, the now-divorced photographer still credits the show as his biggest regret.
#7: Karlie Redd
“Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” (2012-)On paper, starring in a hit reality franchise screams “breakout role.” But, in this case, it did the exact opposite. Karlie Redd’s scene-stealing work in “Love & Hip Hop” typecast her as anything but a serious actress. It’s doubly ironic since, by her own account, Redd only joined the show in the first place to get her foot in the door. And yet, since then, she’s struggled to command respect from certain directors and casting agents. At this point, Redd’s even resorted to auditioning under a pseudonym. While her acting career is far from flatlining, you can’t help but wonder what could’ve been had she never joined “Love & Hip Hop.
#6: Margaret Cho
“All-American Girl” (1994-95)On one hand, this groundbreaking sitcom marked one of the very first primetime series to focus on an Asian American Family. On the other, it also perpetuated many harmful and flat out offensive stereotypes. By Cho’s recollection, the network flip-flopped on whether she was “too Asian” or “too overweight.” Although “All-American Girl” only lasted one short season, Cho developed alcohol and substance use disorder, which would persist for much longer. It took years to overcome but, soon enough, she would regain ownership of her career. Nowadays, she’s rightfully taken her place among the best comedic talents of the generation.
#5: Charles Rocket & the Rest of the Cast
“Saturday Night Live” (1975-)Change is hard, especially in Hollywood. So, when NBC retooled this live-show with a brand-spanking-new cast, you could say there was some trepidation. Especially for Charles Rocket, who was pitched as a mash-up of Bill Murray and Chevy Chase. Despite some worthwhile segments here and there, audiences agreed that this updated cast simply couldn’t hold a candle to the original. Ratings fell to worrying lows, and when Rocket let an F-bomb slip on air, he and most of the new cast were finally kicked to the curb. That blunder never truly left Rocket’s image. He mainly popped up in bit parts or supporting roles until he tragically took his own life in 2005.
#4: Kellie McGee
“Extreme Makeover” (2002-07)Misguided or not, this reality show gave Deleese Williams the chance to be confident in her appearance for the first time. She auditioned, passed their medical exams, and finally flew out to Los Angeles for her life-changing cosmetic surgery. But, it never happened. Out of nowhere, the producers backtracked on Williams’ involvement, and sent her home more ashamed than ever before. Still, no one took it harder than her sister, Kellie McGee. The show had goaded her into making several disparaging remarks about Williams’ appearance. Despite the circumstances, McGee was never able to overcome the crippling guilt, and later died of an overdose in 2004. Williams raised the two children she left behind.
#3: Dick York
“Bewitched” (1964-72)Long before he took up the mantle of Darrin Stephens, actor Dick York suffered a debilitating back injury from the film “They Came to Cordura.” For several years, “Bewitched” accommodated his limitations with clever blocking and frequent rewrites. But, unfortunately, all it did was prove that York wasn’t cut out to be a leading man anymore. After he collapsed onset during season five, York left the show for good to focus on his recovery. It took a battle with opioid use disorder, but eventually, he tried to stage a comeback. Alas, his career had already fizzled. While he only ever booked two roles post-“Bewitched,” York maintained high spirits up until his death in 1992.
#2: Gia Allemand
“The Bachelor” (2002-)There’s no happily-ever-after in this story. Back in 2010, Gia Allemand rose to fame as a prominent contestant on the 14th season of “The Bachelor.” While she didn’t walk out with a ring on her finger, she did earn a whole lot of publicity – and not all of it was the good kind. The pressure on Allemand only grew as time went on, especially when she entered a tumultuous relationship with NBA player Ryan Anderson. Eventually, it got to be too much. On August 12th, 2013, Allemand attempted to take her own life. Two days later, another attempt would result in her tragic passing.
#1: Jennette McCurdy
“iCarly” (2007-12) & “Sam & Cat” (2013-14)You could fill a whole book with the vile things that went on behind the scenes of this Nickelodeon franchise. In fact, Jennette McCurdy did, and some of it is almost too harrowing to repeat. Whether it was at home or onset, it’s clear that the trauma she endured had a major impact on her physical and emotional well-being. McCurdy isn’t the only one with conflicted memories, though. While not nearly as severe, her co-star, Noah Munck, is still treated as the butt of fan jokes because of his work as the dopey character, Gibby. Neither actor returned for the “iCarly” reboot in 2021, and we don’t blame them.
