Top 10 Dark Truths About Your Favorite Sitcoms

“Community” (2009-15)

Ever since Chevy Chase walked onto the set of “Community,” problems seemed to spring up regularly. For starters, he developed a feud with creator and primary showrunner Dan Harmon. On his live podcast “Harmontown,” he played out an angry voicemail he got from Chase. This feud partly led to Harmon being fired and later rehired by the show. But another accusation about Chase involves racist comments against co-star Donald Glover. In an interview with The New Yorker about Glover, Harmon stated that Chase was jealous of Glover’s comedic skills and the fans’ positive reaction to him. So, Chase reportedly made gross comments in-between takes, such as claiming people think Glover’s funnier because of the color of his skin. Yikes.

“The Goldbergs” (2013-)

When watching the big wedding episode between Geoff and Erica in 2022 from “The Goldbergs,” you may have noticed something was a little off about Murray, played by Jeff Garlin. They seemed to avoid showing him, and when they did, his face was…odd. Well, this is because the show used a body double and CGI since Garlin departed the show in 2021 after allegations came out about his troubling on-set behavior and misconduct. He apparently used inappropriate language and jokes and exploited his power to intimidate the cast and crew. After the show investigated the claims, they thought it was best for Garlin to leave even before all the episodes for Season 9 had been filmed.

“A Different World” (1987-93)

After being on “The Cosby Show,” Lisa Bonet had the chance to shift her character of Denise Huxtable to the spin-off series “A Different World.” But then, she disappeared, only to return to “The Cosby Show” briefly before departing again. According to her then-husband Lenny Kravitz, Bonet was fired by Cosby from “A Different World” after announcing she was pregnant with Zoë. The troubled comedian allegedly said, “Lisa Bonet is pregnant, but Denise Huxtable is not.” Another sitcom at the time, “Diff'rent Strokes,” also had similar issues. After falling pregnant, Dana Plato, who played Kimberly Drummond, was also rumored to have been using drugs recreationally. So, she was unceremoniously fired from the show. She sadly passed away in
1999.

“Boy Meets World” (1993-2000)

One of the highlights in the later seasons of “Boy Meets World” was the character of Angela Moore, played by Trina McGee. She would even reprise her character in an episode for the spin-off series “Girl Meets World.” But in 2020, she disclosed the racism she experienced on set. While getting her hair and makeup done, co-star Will Friedle called her “Aunt Jemima.” Friedle later apologized for the comment, but McGee didn’t think it was sincere. While filming “Girl Meets World,” Shawn actor Rider Strong brought up the Friedle incident, tried to play it as a joke, then attempted to get a rise from McGee. This incident and feeling like an outcast on “Boy Meets World” and the spin-off stayed with her for years.

“One Day at a Time” (1975-84)

Sadly, after a rough childhood, Mackenzie Phillips fell down the path of a troubled child star when, after appearing as a twelve-year-old in “American Graffiti,” she was cast as Julie Cooper Horvath in the sitcom “One Day at a Time.” Her backstage troubles meant she wasn’t fired once but twice. After various issues with drugs, an arrest, multiple near-overdoses, and worrying behavior on set, Phillips was dropped from the show in 1980. After entering rehab and getting a clean bill of health, she returned to “One Day at a Time” in 1981. However, by 1983, Phillips passed out during rehearsal. After refusing a drug test, the producers fired Phillips again and closed the door on a third return as she eventually went back to rehab.

“That ‘70s Show” (1998-2006)

Beyond the main crew on “That ‘70s Show,” Laurie Forman was a fun addition as the manipulative older sibling to Eric. Played first by Lisa Robin Kelly, Laurie suddenly vanished during the third season, the reason being she enrolled at beauty school. She then briefly returned in the fifth season. Yet by the sixth, Laurie looked vastly different as Christina Moore took on the role. At the time, mixed with her rising fame and going through a miscarriage, Kelly began drinking heavily. So, she took time off. After making a brief comeback, things became too difficult again, and Kelly left permanently. Sadly, beyond appearing in a couple of films, Kelly’s career stalled before she passed away in 2013.

“Frasier” (1993-2004)

As the “Cheers” spin-off “Frasier” was taking the TV world by storm, Frasier Crane actor Kelsey Grammer was struggling behind the scenes. In 1996, production on “Frasier” was delayed as Grammer checked himself into rehab for substance abuse after crashing his car while drunk. Addiction had been an issue for Grammer for years. As well as affecting his personal life, it soon began to bleed into his professional one as cast and crews from his shows staged interventions. This, plus the crash, eventually led to him getting professional help. Grammer’s issues stem from the 1975 slaying of his younger sister, Karen. He felt responsible for protecting her and felt like he failed, even though there was nothing he could’ve done.

“Step by Step” (1991-98)

Since Angela Watson was only sixteen-years-old when she was cast as Karen, the aspiring model and singer in the Foster family, her parents controlled her finances. Watson later discovered that over ten years, her parents had squandered over $2.5 million of her career earnings. So, she successfully sued them for the cash and property. In the aftermath, Watson wanted to make sure that no other child star was taken advantage of. She created the non-profit organization Child Actors Supporting Themselves, or CAST. However, all of this was contrived by Watson’s controlling “production partner.” He conned and “brainwashed” the actor and her family for twenty years. But, she’s now free from him and able to rebuild those relationships.

“Martin” (1992-97)

In the ‘90s, “Martin” was super popular with audiences. The show was co-created by Martin Lawrence, who also played Martin Payne. His on-screen wife, Gina Waters-Payne, was portrayed by Tisha Campbell, and all was seemingly well…at least on screen. In 1997, Campbell quit the show. It turns out she had accused Lawrence of harassment, threats, and abuse. Campbell also issued a lawsuit against him. With all this terrible publicity, “Martin” was canceled. The producers managed to persuade Campbell to return for the finale, but she insisted that their scenes be shot separately, with Lawrence banned from the set as she filmed. Lawrence attempted to mend fences publicly in 2020 with an Instagram post of him and Campbell during the sitcom’s heyday.

“Friends” (1994-2004)

While the show was morphing into a legendary sitcom, Chandler Bing actor Matthew Perry was injured in a jet ski accident in 1997. As he was recovering, he was prescribed painkillers. And from there, Perry soon found himself spiraling into an addiction to drugs and alcohol. He went to rehab, but he soon returned to his problem. Perry has stated he doesn’t remember about three years of filming “Friends.” While shooting the film “Serving Sara” in 2001, he had a moment of clarity. Perry called his parents and told them about his struggles. He then got on a plane to meet them, and they drove Perry to rehab. He’s been sober ever since.