Star Trek TOS: Kirk was meant to be the star but Spock was by far the more complex and interesting character.
Red Dwarf: Whilst it's a toss whetehr Lister or Rimmer of both were meant to be the main draw I found Kryten and Original Holly to have some of the best lines and moments.
Chuck: Chuck had a lot to offer but I think more often of John Casey
Agree here, And probably the best addition to an established shows cast ever too.
A lot of fans homed in on Gabrielle instead of the eponymous Xena. I liked Xena more myself, but it's true that the show wouldn't have been half as good without Gabs.
I'm not sure The Simpson's really qualifies, as right from the start it was never meant to be about Bart, simply the family as a whole. This may be urban myth, but I've read that when the BBC picked it up in the mid 90's, they seemed to think that Bart was the star and touted it as a kids cartoon, so maybe that's where that comes from, but I don't believe that was ever Groening's intention. Bart, then later Homer, may have emerged as the most 'interesting' characters over the years, but I don't believe it's ever been the case that they're meant to be the stars of the show.
It's early evening Saturday night slot would suggest that. However, the fact that they started showing the programme at least 4 years into it's lifetime would indicate they should have known better.
Definitely agree about Big Bang Theory, Leonard or more John Galecki was meant to be the main man in that show but his character became annoying very quick and he was acted off screen by Jim Parsons.
Nowadays it seems Leonard is just there because he is there.
Whilst Leonard isn't anywhere near as funny as the others. He is absolutely the heart if the show. He is whe person who brought everyone together.
He introduced Howard and Raj to Sheldon, after moving in with Sheldin. Then started a relationship with Penny who then introduced Howard to Bernadette because of the pact he and Leonard had. And whilst I personally find the character a bit whiny and annoying, without Leonard there'd be no group.
I also think Penny, who is supposed to be the female lead is generally overshadowed by both Bernadette and Amy. They're both much funnier.
Lucas and Peyton on One Tree Hill were clearly meant to be the stars of One Tree Hill, but by the end (even before they left) most people preferred Brooke, Hayley and Nathan
The US Office - im only on season 3, but i prefer everyone else's scenes to the Michael ones!
Angel - Sometimes felt like Cordelier was the star (which i was fine with)
I think the most blatant one has to be the new 90210, with Naomi clearly being the star of the show from season 2 onwards... even Silver and Adrianna featured more than Annie!
Criminal Minds - the first two series had Mandy Patinkin's character, Jason Gideon, in the lead role, or at least I assumed it was that way, as his face appeared superimposed over scenes at the end of the opening music.
But when Patinkin left at the end of season two, Criminal Minds went on very well without him as they had several other strong characters to build upon.
For me, Matthew Gray Gubler steals the show as Dr Spencer Reid, but that may simply be personal choice.
Rob Lowe's Sam Seaborn was originally seen as the lead character in The West Wing but it didn't turn out that way.
And then he left... I remember West Wing was promoted as a Rob Lowe vehicle, but then again it was never planned to have much of the president as a character, in fact I did read somewhere that he was never supposed to appear.
I do think in quite a big way that altered the nature of the plots. Duh you may say, but I do think it would work as an idea a proper 'behind the throne' drama with those unknown characters who occupy the corridors of power and less of the up front camera faces. Just a thought.
By all accounts, Adam and Jennifer were supposed to be the key focus on Rules of Engagement with Jeff and Audrey as support characters, but Jeff (and to a lesser extent Audrey) became more popular, so in later seasons, Jeff and Audrey would get more screen time than Adam and Jen.
In fact once they also added Timmy to the main cast to essentially create another 'pairing' with Russell Dunbar, Adam and especially Jen really seemed to get B material and a lot less screen time.
And then he left... I remember West Wing was promoted as a Rob Lowe vehicle, but then again it was never planned to have much of the president as a character, in fact I did read somewhere that he was never supposed to appear.
The President in TWW was always supposed to appear but he'd be a minor character - just as he is in the pilot. However, Sheen was so popular with the audiences he eventually became the lead, especially after Rob Lowe left.
A different world changed it's focus
It followed Denise Huxtable from the cosby show who had gone to college. After just one season, Lisa Bonet quit as she became pregnant. At this point, a different world wasn't a ratings hit. Following Lisa's departure, the show was retooled and it became an ensemble and went on to be a big success for five more years.
Little house on the prairie changed it's focus for the final season. Everyone except Melissa Gilbert's character had left and it became focussed on her and her husband. However it flopped and the show was cancelled. It was a terrible move for the show, which at the time was perhaps one of america's most beloved shows.
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Agree here, And probably the best addition to an established shows cast ever too.
Regards
Mark
It's early evening Saturday night slot would suggest that. However, the fact that they started showing the programme at least 4 years into it's lifetime would indicate they should have known better.
Whilst Leonard isn't anywhere near as funny as the others. He is absolutely the heart if the show. He is whe person who brought everyone together.
He introduced Howard and Raj to Sheldon, after moving in with Sheldin. Then started a relationship with Penny who then introduced Howard to Bernadette because of the pact he and Leonard had. And whilst I personally find the character a bit whiny and annoying, without Leonard there'd be no group.
I also think Penny, who is supposed to be the female lead is generally overshadowed by both Bernadette and Amy. They're both much funnier.
The US Office - im only on season 3, but i prefer everyone else's scenes to the Michael ones!
Angel - Sometimes felt like Cordelier was the star (which i was fine with)
I think the most blatant one has to be the new 90210, with Naomi clearly being the star of the show from season 2 onwards... even Silver and Adrianna featured more than Annie!
But when Patinkin left at the end of season two, Criminal Minds went on very well without him as they had several other strong characters to build upon.
For me, Matthew Gray Gubler steals the show as Dr Spencer Reid, but that may simply be personal choice.
And then he left... I remember West Wing was promoted as a Rob Lowe vehicle, but then again it was never planned to have much of the president as a character, in fact I did read somewhere that he was never supposed to appear.
I do think in quite a big way that altered the nature of the plots. Duh you may say, but I do think it would work as an idea a proper 'behind the throne' drama with those unknown characters who occupy the corridors of power and less of the up front camera faces. Just a thought.
Prison Break TBag.
In fact once they also added Timmy to the main cast to essentially create another 'pairing' with Russell Dunbar, Adam and especially Jen really seemed to get B material and a lot less screen time.
That is a great shout! It is an awesome show, But as you say the best people in the show were the families not the title characters
The President in TWW was always supposed to appear but he'd be a minor character - just as he is in the pilot. However, Sheen was so popular with the audiences he eventually became the lead, especially after Rob Lowe left.
It followed Denise Huxtable from the cosby show who had gone to college. After just one season, Lisa Bonet quit as she became pregnant. At this point, a different world wasn't a ratings hit. Following Lisa's departure, the show was retooled and it became an ensemble and went on to be a big success for five more years.
Little house on the prairie changed it's focus for the final season. Everyone except Melissa Gilbert's character had left and it became focussed on her and her husband. However it flopped and the show was cancelled. It was a terrible move for the show, which at the time was perhaps one of america's most beloved shows.
Hal and the older brother reece...