Feuds, Romance, Drama, And Twists
TV shows have the power to transport us into different worlds. It made us feel deeply connected to the characters. But behind the scenes, things weren't always as perfect as they seemed.
Drama Between The Stars Of Laverne & Shirley
Penny Marshall (Laverne) and Cindy Williams (Shirley) played best friends on screen, but off-screen, their relationship was rocky. The show's creators were caught between the two actresses, and eventually, Williams quit Laverne & Shirley.
Paramount Television, Laverne & Shirley (1976 - 1983)
Tension Between Betty White & Bea Arthur On The Golden Girls
Despite their on-screen chemistry, Bea Arthur and Betty White were not close behind the scenes. Arthur reportedly found White's cheerful personality annoying. She even refused to call Betty White a "real actress".
The Dynasty Catfight Wasn't Entirely Fake
Joan Collins (Alexis) and Linda Evans (Krystle) had legendary catfights on Dynasty, but their real-life tension was just as intense. Their on-screen brawls often turned physical, with hair-pulling and bruises, and their off-screen relationship wasn't much friendlier.
Alexis and Krystle's Reunion Catfight by ForeverCarrington
The Brady Bunch Siblings' Off-Screen Romances
Although they played siblings, some Brady Bunch actors dated in real life. Barry Williams (Greg) had a crush on Florence Henderson (Carol), and he also dated Maureen McCormick (Marcia). Meanwhile, McCormick and Christopher Knight (Peter) had a brief teenage romance.
Paramount , The Brady Bunch (1969–1974)
Lucille Ball's Pregnancy On I Love Lucy
When Lucille Ball became pregnant, I Love Lucy had to find a way to incorporate it into the plot without breaking TV rules. In the 1950s, saying "pregnant" on air was considered too controversial. Instead, the show used "expecting" and even had a priest, minister, and rabbi approve the scripts!
Family Ties Had A Tragic Suggested Ending
The cast once considered a heartbreaking ending for Family Ties. They decided that the whole Keaton family would perish in a plane crash to prevent any future reunions. Luckily, the idea was ultimately scrapped in favor of a happier conclusion.
Fotos International, Getty Images
Bob Saget's Raunchy Jokes On Full House
Bob Saget was known for his wholesome role as Danny Tanner, but off-camera, his humor was far from family-friendly. Cast members and crew often heard his raunchy, adult jokes between takes that probably made some feel a little uncomfortable.
Adam West & Burt Ward's Feud In Batman
Although they fought crime together on screen, Adam West (Batman) and Burt Ward (Robin) had a rocky relationship behind the scenes. West saw himself as the show's true star, while Ward felt undervalued. In some cases, they made negative remarks about each other in interviews.
Batman (1966–1968), 20th Century Fox Television
The X-Files Cast Feud
David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson had great chemistry as Mulder and Scully, but off-camera, they barely spoke in the early seasons. Tension grew from long work hours and disputes over pay. Over time, their relationship improved, and they eventually became close friends.
Fans Could Sail On The Love Boat
Unlike most TV shows filmed on a set, The Love Boat actually used a real cruise ship for many scenes. Fans could book a trip on the Pacific Princess, the same ship used in the show. Some lucky passengers even got to watch filming or meet the cast while sailing.
The Daleks In Doctor Who Were Operated By People Inside
The terrifying Daleks from Doctor Who weren't high-tech robots—actors had to squeeze inside and shuffle around. They could barely see, and moving the Daleks smoothly was difficult. Some even fainted from the heat.
Leonard Nimoy's Salary Dispute On Star Trek
Leonard Nimoy (Spock) was originally paid much less than William Shatner (Kirk) despite Spock's huge popularity. Nimoy fought for equal pay, leading to legal action against Paramount. His persistence eventually worked, securing better contracts.
NBC, Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969)
KITT's High-Tech Look In Knight Rider Was Just A Trick
KITT, the futuristic talking car in Knight Rider, looked loaded with high-tech gadgets, but most were just fake lights and buttons. The car's "voice" was added later in editing, and some stunts used multiple vehicles. Even so, KITT became one of TV's most famous cars.
Dallas "Who Shot JR?" Secret
The Dallas mystery of "Who Shot JR?" became one of TV's biggest cliffhangers. To keep the secret, producers filmed multiple endings, and even the cast didn't know the real shooter. The reveal episode drew millions of viewers and became one of the most-watched TV moments ever.
Warner Bros., Dallas (1978-91)
Life Imitated Art On The Jeffersons
The Jeffersons was about breaking taboos and racial barriers. In real life, Roxie Roker (Helen Willis) did the same as she was married to a white man, just like her character. This personal connection made her performance even more authentic.
Best Of Helen Willis (ft. Isabel Sanford) | The Jeffersons by The Jeffersons
The Beverly Hills, 90210 Cast Had Off-Screen Drama
Behind the glamorous scenes of Beverly Hills, 90210, tensions ran high. Shannen Doherty (Brenda) was known for being difficult and clashing with castmates and producers. Her diva behavior led to feuds, especially with Jennie Garth. Eventually, Doherty was written out of the show.
Propaganda Films, Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990 - 2000)
The Gilligan's Island Pay Discrepancy
Bob Denver (Gilligan) wasn't just the star of Gilligan's Island—he was also a hero behind the scenes. When he discovered that his co-stars (the Professor and Mary Ann) were being paid less than the rest of the cast, he fought to get them equal salaries. His efforts paid off.
CBS, Gilligan's Island (1964-1967)
Andy Kaufman's Attitude On Taxi!
Andy Kaufman played the oddball mechanic Latka on Taxi!, but his behavior off-screen was just as unpredictable. He often refused to say his lines, demanded his alter ego "Tony Clifton" be treated as a real person, and even got himself temporarily fired. The cast found his antics exhausting.
Parents Fought On Small Wonder
Small Wonder was a lighthearted family sitcom, but behind the scenes, real-life drama brewed. The parents of child star Tiffany Brissette (Vicki) reportedly clashed with producers over contracts and control, and the parents of other child actors were also getting into fights. These disputes created tension on set.
Small Wonder Season 1 Episode 7 by Electric Coffee Mug
Father Mulcahy Was To Be Written Off In M*A*S*H
During the fifth season, William Christopher suffered from an almost fatal case of hepatitis. He had to miss several episodes, and the producers were considering writing off his character, Father Mulcahy. However, writer and actor Alan Alda fought to keep him.
Mash- Father Mulcahy Saves a Life by Alexis Ray
The Star Trek Interracial Kiss Controversy
In 1968, Star Trek made history with an on-screen kiss between Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and Lieutenant Uhura (Nichelle Nichols). NBC feared backlash, as interracial kisses were rare on TV. To prevent censorship, Shatner and Nichols intentionally messed up alternate takes, forcing the network to air the historic moment.
Star Trek -- Kirk Kisses Uhura by Frustrated Idealist
A Lawyer Wanted To Ban Married… With Children
Married… With Children was known for its crude humor, but one lawyer, Terry Rakolta, wanted it off the air. In 1989, she started a campaign to get advertisers to pull their support, calling the show inappropriate for families. Despite her efforts, the controversy only boosted the show's popularity.
Al Forgets Peggy's Birthday | Married With Children by Married with Children
The Sesame Street Snuffleupagus Mystery
For years, only Big Bird could see Snuffleupagus, leading kids to think he wasn't real. This was intentional—producers worried children wouldn't be believed if they reported real-life issues. Eventually, to encourage trust in adults, they had Snuffy "introduced" to everyone in 1985.
Sesame Street, Sesame Workshop
The Power Rangers Cast Was Severely Underpaid
Despite the show's massive success, the original Power Rangers actors made barely above minimum wage. They weren't part of a union, had no residuals from reruns, and worked grueling hours. Some, like Austin St. John (Red Ranger) and Walter Jones (Black Ranger), left due to the unfair pay.
Carol Burnett Had To Quit Mama's Family
Carol Burnett played Eunice on Mama's Family, a role she created on The Carol Burnett Show. However, when she divorced one of the show's producers, Joe Hamilton, she quit being a guest star. The cast was shocked, but the show had to go on.
Mama Falls Down the Stairs | The Carol Burnett Show Clip by The Carol Burnett Show Official
