Fired? Was That in the Script? Quiz / Test | Television

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This woman got written out not once but twice from Aaron Spelling-produced TV series. First there was "Beverly Hills, 90210", then there was "Charmed". Who was the not-so-charmed actress?

Answer: Shannen Doherty

Xfinity reported that cast member conflicts, complicated by real life lifestyle issues, led to Doherty leaving "Beverly Hills, 90210" in 1994. Friction with "Charmed" co-star Alyssa Milano reportedly contributed to the second departure in 2001.

2. After numerous episodes as one of the main characters, Dr. Allison Cameron, the writers got creative and basically wrote her out of the medical drama "House, M.D." during the sixth series. Who was the actress?

Answer: Jennifer Morrison

According to E Online, Morrison was unclear at the time about whether she was being dropped permanently or not. She did however appear in a couple of subsequent episodes, including the series finale.

3. Life imitated art (or perhaps it the other way around) when Leo McGarry, a character in the drama "The West Wing", died of a heart attack. Who was the actor who predeceased Leo McGarry?

Answer: John Spencer

When he originally took on the role, Spencer felt he could relate to the McGarry role, who also was a recovering alcoholic. In a forewarning of things to come, Leo McGarry suffered a heart attack in the season six episode "Birnam Wood", which was originally aired in October 2004. Spencer died of a heart attack in December 2005.

His character subsequently appeared in two further episodes, aired after the actor's death but completed prior to his heart attack. These were shown in his memory.

4. In this medical drama, it was reportedly a backstage issue that got Isaiah Washington axed from his role as Dr. Preston Burke. What series was this?

Answer: Grey's Anatomy

American medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" first aired in 2005 on ABC. Washington was one of the original cast members and lasted for 61 episodes, until 2007. In 2006 "People" reported an apology from Washington arising out of an argument with a co-star and an apparent gay slur against another cast member. T.R. Knight (who played the character Dr. George O'Malley on the series) then publicly confirmed that he was gay. Washington's contract with the studio was subsequently not renewed.

5. Sadly, drugs and alcohol got the better of this "One Day at a Time" actress. Who played boy-crazy teenager Julie Cooper Horvath in the series?

Answer: Mackenzie Phillips

Phillips' off-screen life of drugs and alcohol resulted in her being dropped from the show in 1980. Hospital treatment followed and she was invited back on the show. She subsequently collapsed on set and was sacked in 1982 after refusing a drug test. Drugs continued to play a part in her life. In 2008 she was arrested for possession of drugs.

6. Now we have an issue with money. What was the name of the show from which Valerie Harper was sacked in the '80s, after a salary dispute?

Answer: Valerie

Harper appeared in "Valerie" for 32 episodes during 1986 and 1987. After her departure the series, continued as "Valerie's Family: The Hogans" and then the name was changed to "The Hogan Family" at the end of the third season. Harper came to prominence for her role as Rhoda Morgenstern on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show".

The spin-off series "Rhoda" followed. She also appeared as a guest star in two episodes of "The Love Boat".

7. "Three's Company" has had many cast changes over the years. Demanding a 500% pay rise contributed to the actress playing Chrissy Snow not having her contract renewed. Who wanted the money?

Answer: Suzanne Somers

In 1980, Somers was reportedly earning $30,000 per episode. When her contract demands were turned down, studio relations also broke down. Her contribution was cut down to a minute per episode and her contract was not renewed at the end of that (the fifth) season. The show carried on.

8. Although posing nude in 'Playboy' magazine has launched a few careers, it can work the other way around. At first sight, that seems to be what happened to Denise Crosby. What science fiction series began with her as Security Chief Natasha Yar?

Answer: Star Trek: The Next Generation

"Star Trek: The Next Generation" ("TNG") began screening in 1987 and ran for seven seasons. The Crosby 'Playboy' appearance occurred in 1988. Crosby was quoted in 'People' magazine as stating that she left because she became disillusioned with the role.

She originally appeared in the March 1979 issue of 'Playboy' and the magazine chose to reprint it, making the most of her new TV exposure and her connection to Bing Crosby as his granddaughter. She guest-starred in a number of subsequent "TNG" episodes.

9. "Glee" regular Cory Monteith died in July 2013. What part did he play in the series?

Answer: Finn Hudson

The American teen musical series "Glee" started airing in 2009. Cory Monteith played Finn Hudson, a popular quarterback who ended up being part of the school's glee club and enjoying it despite himself. The actor died in July 2013 from an overdose involving heroin and alcohol. "The Quarterback" episode of the show was written as a tribute to the actor.

10. Substance abuse combined with bad-mouthing the series creator ended in Charlie Sheen being shown the door. He responded with a demand for a 50% pay rise. What was the name of the show he was axed from in 2011?

Answer: Two and a Half Men

The TV series "Two and a Half Men" was first broadcast in 2003 with Charlie Sheen as one of the main characters. He grew to be one of TV's highest paid actors. When sacked in 2011, he was replaced by Ashton Kutcher. Viewer numbers for Kutcher's debut topped any of the previous episodes.

The show also won three Emmys during 2012. As for the other shows, Sheen appeared in all of them - just one episode in the case of "The Big Bang Theory".

Source: Author suomy

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor guitargoddess before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Fired? Was That in the Script? Quiz

From time to time, actors disappear from TV shows. Sometimes voluntarily, sometimes not. Let's see who got up to what in which TV show.

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