TV Shows That Changed Their Premise Between Seasons: Scrubs, More

Not all shows have stuck to their original premise over the years – in fact some have intentionally changed central story lines.

Family affairs It’s a great example since he changed the cast. The comedy series, which aired from 1989 to 1998, was a spin-off of the television series Perfect strangers Which followed a middle-class black family living in Chicago. The brilliance of a hit sitcom Reginald Phil Johnson, Jo Marie Payton, Darius McCrary, Kelly Williams, Jimmy Foxworth, Britton McClure and Michelle Thomas.

Jalil Al-Abyad join Family affairs In the middle of the first season.

“My performance was so well received during that initial episode that they started writing me out for the next episode,” White recalls. His diary is dated November 2024, Urkel grows up. “They even reshot new teasers for this season that featured me prominently, as if I had been an original cast member all along.”

Meanwhile, Western world The writers enjoyed not being limited to one specific story. (The dystopian show was initially inspired by the 1973 film of the same name Before it develops story.)

“One of the fun things for me about the show is when [producer] Lisa [Joy] “And I’ve been talking about this for a long time, when it was this show’s ability to change genres every season, and the invitation to do so,” the creator said. Jonathan Nolan He said Hollywood Reporter in May 2020. “We felt like we had an open invitation to tour, especially in this moment where television is constantly reinventing itself, to have a show that reinvents itself season after season.”

At the time, Nolan emphasized that the genre changes from season to season. “You have a Western, you have a samurai movie, you have war movies, you have sci-fi. “There are all the different versions of the future that you’ve seen over the years in movies,” he added. “We have to play with all of that and write a script about all of that. So is the idea that the next season is going to be different and distinct in genre from previous seasons? Yes, that’s definitely part of the structure of the show.”

Keep scrolling for more shows that changed their premise between seasons:

“Twin Peaks” (ABC)

Original visionThe series, which ran from 1990 to 1991, follows the investigation into the murder of Britain’s Queen Laura Palmer (Cheryl Lee) in the fictional town of Twin Peaks, Washington. The series has developed a cult following in part due to its campy—and creative—storytelling David Lynch and Mark FrostUnique vision.

Where the offer ended: According to Lynch, there was never a plan to reveal who killed Laura. But after the network forced the show to do so Answer this riddle, Twin Peaks It had to focus on a larger conversation about good and evil.

“Westworld” (HBO)

Original vision: The season begins in a futuristic amusement park with androids that look like humans staging a rebellion.

Where the show ended: As the show continued to air, the hosts were brought to the outside world and integrated into human society.

“iZombie” (The CW)

Original vision: Based on the DC comic book series of the same name, iZombie It was a supernatural police procedural that was Liv Moore (Rose McIver) Eating the brains of people who were murdered to help the authorities figure out what happened to them.

Where the show ended: Season three Made a big change When a private military organization run by zombies forced everyone in Seattle to turn into zombies. As a result, Liv traded her job at the morgue for a job smuggling people out and helping them complete their transformation into zombies.

“Mom” (CBS)

Original vision: the Chuck LorreThe originally produced sitcom presented three generations of mothers. Anna Faris plays Christie, whose teenage daughter Violet (Sadie Calvano), she was pregnant. While attending an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, Christy met her estranged mother, Bonnie (Allison Janney), who also battled substance abuse problems.

Where the show ended: Christy’s attempts to raise her two children with Bonnie’s help quickly fizzle out. Instead, the show centered around Christy, Bonnie, and their group of AA friends. This dynamic changed again when Knight Leave the chain During season 8.

“Riverdale” (CW)

Original vision: Based on iconography Archie comicsthe teen drama initially focused on a group of friends who band together to uncover the dark secrets contained within their town.

Where the show ended: Riverdale They didn’t wait long to push boundaries with their stories, which ranged from cults to… Killer board games To travel through time.

“Save by the Bell” (NBC)

Original vision: The first season of Saved by the bell It was actually titled Good morning, Miss Bliss And marked with a star Hayley Mills As a high school teacher she navigates complex situations with the help of students in her eighth grade.

Where the show ended: Good morning, Miss Bliss It was eventually refitted inside Saved by the bellwhich changed the setting from Indianapolis to Los Angeles and recast many of the roles to focus on the students.

“Scream Queens” (Fox)

Original vision: The Slasher series, which premiered in 2015, starred an ensemble cast that included Emma Roberts, Jamie Lee Curtis, Billie Lourd, Lea Michele, Abigail Breslin, Glen Powell and Keke Palmer. During the first season of the programme, Scream Queens It focused on the members of the Kappa Kappa Tau sorority who were murdered by the mysterious killer Red Devil.

Where the show ended: Season 2 Things shook up Presenting the Green Meanie’s satirical anthology that took aim at the hospital and its staff – which included several cast members from the first season. stars like Christy Alley, Taylor Lautner, John Stamos and James Earl III Sophomore season concluded.

“Scrubs” (NBC)

Original vision: Scrubs It debuted in 2001 as a medical comedy focusing on the lives of staff at the fictional Sacred Heart Hospital. More specifically, it was about JD (Zach Braff) A journey from naive medical school graduate to confident doctor.

Where the show endedAfter season 8, ABC renewed the show for a surprise season, which took… Scrubs From the hospital to medical school.

“Cougar City” (ABC)

Original vision:Created by Bill Lawrence In 2009, Cougar City foot Courteney Cox As a single mother named Jules decides to get back into dating by spending time with younger men.

Where the show ended: Before the first scene ends, Jules finds love with her neighbor Grayson (Josh Hopkins) – who happens to be the same age as her. Cougar City It then turned into a show about a group of friends in the fictional town of Gulfhaven, Florida. since Cougar City Its title cannot be changed, the opening credits usually jokingly suggest other options.

“Family Matters” (ABC)

Original vision: Family affairs It was a spin-off of ABC Perfect strangers With Carl (Phil Johnson) and Harriet (Payton) at the helm for the first few episodes.

Where the show ended: joined white Family affairs In 1989 – midway through the first season – as Steve Urkel, Winslow’s obsessive neighbor. The role was only supposed to last one episode, but Urkel became a prominent character that paved the way for White to join the main cast.

“Kevin Can Wait” (CBS)

Original vision: The sitcom, which premiered in 2016, initially follows newly retired police officer Kevin (Kevin James), his wife Donna (Erin Hayes) and their three children. Kevin can wait It showed Kevin and Donna navigating life after their daughter Kendra dropped out of college to support her new fiancé.

Where the show ended: Kevin can wait He took a huge risk when Hayes’ character was written off between seasons. After Donna was killed off, the show replaced Hayes with James’ former character King of Queens costar, Leah Remini, As a new female leader. While the first season focused on Kevin’s family life, the sophomore season had Kevin focusing on his new career, partnership with Vanessa (Remini) and life as a single parent.

Kevin can wait It was canceled after two seasons And the outrage over Hayes’ shocking passing inspired the AMC drama Kevin was fucking himself.