11 outlandish ways characters were written off TV shows

Gabbi ShawFeb 22, 2024, 21:53 IST

Edie's death on "Desperate Housewives" was brutal.ABC

Characters get written off TV shows for various reasons.
Perhaps the actor has become problematic, wants to leave, or their character just isn't working.

In television, there's a term called "jumping the shark." It stems from an episode of "Happy Days," in which Fonzie water skis over a shark while wearing his leather jacket.

In other words, it's what happens when a TV show gets too ridiculous for its own good.

These character disappearances could all be considered a "jumping the shark" moment for their shows. Charlie getting hit by a moving train on "Two and a Half Men," Eddie getting run over by a Zamboni on "Cheers," and Edie surviving a car crash only to be electrocuted on "Desperate Housewives" are just a few examples of outlandish story choices.

Keep scrolling for more ridiculous ways that characters have been written off shows.

Eddie LeBec, a character on "Cheers," was killed by a Zamboni while working at an ice show.

"Cheers."CBS Television Distribution

On "Desperate Housewives," Edie first got into a car crash and then was electrocuted by a fallen wire.

"Desperate Housewives." ABC

Charlie on "Two and a Half Men" was hit by a subway train before it emerged his death had been faked — and then he was crushed by a falling piano.

"Two and a Half Men."CBS

After voice actor Maggie Roswell quit over a pay dispute, Maude Flanders was killed off "The Simpsons" via a T-shirt cannon.

"The Simpsons."FOX

Marissa died in a fiery car crash on "The OC" after multiple near-death encounters.

"The OC."FOX

Erlich Bachman was left behind at a Tibetan opium den, and then compared to a "bloated pig carcass" on "Silicon Valley."

"Silicon Valley."Warner Bros. Television Distribution

When Charlie left "Girls" in season 2, it wasn't a dramatic departure. But a brief return in season 5 revealed he had become a drug-dealing heroin addict — a far cry from his original personality.

"Girls."Warner Bros. Television Distribution

When Charlie left "Girls" in season 2, it wasn't a dramatic departure. But a brief return in season 5 revealed he had become a drug-dealing heroin addict — a far cry from his original personality.

The death of Chef on "South Park" is almost too much to read.

"South Park."ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks

Nikki and Paulo were universally reviled on "Lost," and so they were buried alive after getting paralyzed from spider bites. Seriously.

"Lost."ABC

One of Phoebe's boyfriends, Gary, was written off "Friends" after he shot a pigeon while he was lying in bed with Phoebe, a vegetarian.

"Friends."Warner Bros. Television Distribution

This one's a bonus. On "Friends," Joey played Dr. Drake Ramoray on "Days of Our Lives." After making a comment about writing his own lines, Joey was killed off the show by falling down an elevator shaft.

"Friends."Warner Bros. Television Distribution

This one's a bonus. On "Friends," Joey played Dr. Drake Ramoray on "Days of Our Lives." After making a comment about writing his own lines, Joey was killed off the show by falling down an elevator shaft.

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11 outlandish ways characters were written off TV shows

Eddie LeBec, a character on "Cheers," was killed by a Zamboni while working at an ice show.

On "Desperate Housewives," Edie first got into a car crash and then was electrocuted by a fallen wire.

Charlie on "Two and a Half Men" was hit by a subway train before it emerged his death had been faked — and then he was crushed by a falling piano.

After voice actor Maggie Roswell quit over a pay dispute, Maude Flanders was killed off "The Simpsons" via a T-shirt cannon.

Marissa died in a fiery car crash on "The OC" after multiple near-death encounters.

Erlich Bachman was left behind at a Tibetan opium den, and then compared to a "bloated pig carcass" on "Silicon Valley."

When Charlie left "Girls" in season 2, it wasn't a dramatic departure. But a brief return in season 5 revealed he had become a drug-dealing heroin addict — a far cry from his original personality.

The death of Chef on "South Park" is almost too much to read.

Nikki and Paulo were universally reviled on "Lost," and so they were buried alive after getting paralyzed from spider bites. Seriously.

One of Phoebe's boyfriends, Gary, was written off "Friends" after he shot a pigeon while he was lying in bed with Phoebe, a vegetarian.

This one's a bonus. On "Friends," Joey played Dr. Drake Ramoray on "Days of Our Lives." After making a comment about writing his own lines, Joey was killed off the show by falling down an elevator shaft.