TV Shows That Altered Their Premise Between Seasons: Scrubs and Beyond
Many shows have evolved from their initial concepts over the years, with some intentionally altering their central storylines.
Family Matters serves as a prime example, having transformed its cast. The sitcom, which aired from 1989 to 1998, was a spinoff of Perfect Strangers and centered on a middle-class Black family residing in Chicago. Starring Reginald VelJohnson, Jo Marie Payton, Darius McCrary, Kellie Williams, Jaimee Foxworth, Bryton McClure, and Michelle Thomas, it became a popular series.
Jaleel White made his entrance into Family Matters midway through the first season.
“The audience received my performance so positively during that initial episode that they started incorporating me into the next one’s script,” White shared in his November 2024 memoir, Growing Up Urkel. “They even shot new teasers for the season, prominently featuring me as if I had always been part of the original cast.”
Meanwhile, the writers of Westworld appreciated the freedom of not being tethered to a fixed narrative. The dystopian series initially drew inspiration from the 1973 film of the same title, subsequently evolving its storyline.
“One of the exciting aspects for me about the show, during early discussions with [producer] Lisa [Joy], was its ability to shift genres each season,” creator Jonathan Nolan stated in May 2020 to The Hollywood Reporter. “We felt as though we had an open invitation to explore, especially as television constantly reinvents itself. The prospect of a series that refreshes itself season after season was thrilling.”
Nolan noted at the time that the genre varied from one season to the next. “You’ve got Westerns, samurai films, war dramas, and science fiction. All sorts of futuristic representations you’ve seen in films throughout the years,” he elaborated. “We have the freedom to experiment with all of that and create narratives from these genres. Thus, the notion that the upcoming season will feel distinctly different in genre from previous ones is an essential part of the show’s framework.”
Continue scrolling for more shows that transformed their premises between seasons:
‘Twin Peaks’ (ABC)
The Original Vision: This series, which aired from 1990 to 1991, centered around the investigation into the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) in the fictional Twin Peaks, Washington. It garnered a cult following due to its quirky storytelling and the unique vision of creators David Lynch and Mark Frost.
Where the Show Ended Up: Lynch stated that there was never a plan to unveil Laura’s killer. However, after the network insisted on resolving the mystery, Twin Peaks had to shift its focus to a broader discourse on morality and evil.
‘Westworld’ (HBO)
The Original Vision: The show commenced in a futuristic theme park populated by androids who resembled humans and staged a rebellion.
Where the Show Ended Up: As the series progressed, the hosts were integrated into the real world, blending into human society.
‘iZombie’ (The CW)
The Original Vision: Based on the DC comic book series, iZombie offered a unique spin on a supernatural police procedural, featuring Liv Moore (Rose McIver), who consumed the brains of murder victims to assist authorities in solving their cases.
Where the Show Ended Up: The third season ushered in a significant shift when a private military organization made Seattle’s inhabitants turn into zombies. As a result, Liv transitioned from working at the morgue to a role in helping people become zombies.
‘Mom’ (CBS)
The Original Vision: This comedy created by Chuck Lorre initially focused on three generations of mothers. Anna Faris portrayed Christy, who discovered her teenage daughter Violet (Sadie Calvano) was expecting. Christy encountered her estranged mother Bonnie (Allison Janney), who also battled addiction, at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
Where the Show Ended Up: Christy’s endeavors to raise her children with Bonnie’s assistance eventually fizzled as the narrative shifted focus to Christy, Bonnie, and their AA friend group. This dynamic evolved further when Faris exited the show in season 8.
‘Riverdale’ (The CW)
The Original Vision: Based on the legendary Archie Comics, this teen drama initially showcased a group of friends uncovering the ominous secrets lurking in their town.
Where the Show Ended Up: Riverdale quickly began to broaden its storytelling scope, introducing elements such as cults, deadly board games, and time travel.
‘Saved by the Bell’ (NBC)
The Original Vision: The first season of Saved by the Bell was originally titled Good Morning, Miss Bliss, featuring Hayley Mills as a junior high teacher confronting various challenges with her students.
Where the Show Ended Up: Good Morning, Miss Bliss was ultimately revamped into Saved by the Bell, changing the setting from Indianapolis to Los Angeles and recasting to concentrate on the students.
‘Scream Queens’ (Fox)
The Original Vision: The slasher series, which launched in 2015, featured a star-studded ensemble, including Emma Roberts, Jamie Lee Curtis, Billie Lourd, Lea Michele, Abigail Breslin, Glen Powell, and Keke Palmer. In its inaugural season, Scream Queens focused on sorority members at Kappa Kappa Tau being murdered by the mysterious Red Devil.
Where the Show Ended Up: The second season significantly altered direction with the introduction of the Green Meanie, who targeted a hospital and its personnel, retaining many first-season cast members. New additions included Kirstie Alley, Taylor Lautner, John Stamos, and James Earl III.
‘Scrubs’ (NBC)
The Original Vision: Scrubs premiered in 2001 as a comedic portrayal of the lives of staff at the fictional Sacred Heart Hospital, particularly tracing J.D.’s (Zach Braff) transformation from a naïve medical graduate to a confident doctor.
Where the Show Ended Up: Following season 8, ABC renewed the series for an unexpected ninth season, which transitioned Scrubs from a hospital setting to a medical school environment.
‘Cougar Town’ (ABC)
The Original Vision: Created by Bill Lawrence in 2009, Cougar Town introduced Courteney Cox as Jules, a single mother getting back into dating with younger men.
Where the Show Ended Up: Almost immediately, Jules found romance with her neighbor Grayson (Josh Hopkins) — who was actually her age. The show soon reshaped itself into a narrative about a friend group in the fictional Gulfhaven, Florida. Unable to change its title, Cougar Town jokingly suggested alternative titles in its opening credits.
‘Family Matters’ (ABC)
The Original Vision: Family Matters began as a spinoff of Perfect Strangers, with Carl (VelJohnson) and Harriette (Payton) leading for the initial episodes.
Where the Show Ended Up: White joined Family Matters in 1989, halfway through the first season, portraying the Winslows’ nerdy neighbor, Steve Urkel. Initially intended for a one-off appearance, Urkel became an iconic character, ultimately earning White a spot in the main cast.
‘Kevin Can Wait’ (CBS)
The Original Vision: Premiering in 2016, this sitcom initially depicted the life of Kevin (Kevin James), a recently retired police officer, alongside his wife Donna (Erinn Hayes) and their three children. Kevin Can Wait explored their lives after their daughter Kendra decided to drop out of college for her fiancé.
Where the Show Ended Up: The series took a dramatic turn when Donna was killed off between seasons. Following this, the show introduced James’s former The King of Queens co-star, Leah Remini, as a new female lead. Consequently, while the first season was centered on familial dynamics, the second season shifted to Kevin’s emerging career, his partnership with Vanessa (Remini), and the challenges of being a single parent.
Ultimately, Kevin Can Wait was canceled after two seasons, and the backlash surrounding Hayes’s departure led to the creation of AMC’s dramedy Kevin Can F**k Himself.
