Darrens Vs. Chucks

As TV returns (thank the heavens) after a brief holiday respite, I am reminded of some inconsistencies in shows and how they try to fool the audiences. I was explaining to a friend, the difference between “chucks” and “darrens.” And it goes a little something like this:

“A darren” is when a show replaces a character with another actor and hopes you will accept it and move on. This began with the famous “darren switch” on the show “bewitched.” Both were darrens were played by men named dick. Sargent and york. (for trivia buffs, “Sergeant york” is a movie title.) this has become a pop culture term: “To pull a darren.” The show “roseanne” did it and really made fun of itself as it did so. It switched the actors who played becky (and later switched back), but this smart show acknowledged it. In one episode they had “new becky” and the family watching “bewitched” and they commented on the darren actor switch. They all laughed and said, “who would be dumb enough to fall for that?” And new becky laughed hardest of all.

“darrens” are ok. there are reasons to pull a “darren.” Maybe you lose the actor to death, failed negotiations, they want to go off to college... but at least the show takes care of you. Whether or not the replacement works, they have thought to try to bring in someone.

Not so with “a chuck.”

A “chuck” is when a character just disappears and they never address it. Famously named after richie’s older brother chuck in the first episode (or first three episodes?) Of “Happy days.” It wasn’t a bad idea to get rid of him, it’s how it was done. All i remember is chuck coming down the stairs, going off to basketball practice... but then suddenly he wasn’t there!!!! and they never explained anything. They did make one “roseanne like” satirical comment in the last episode of “happy days” when they all got together at a party. I believe someone said “If only chuck were here.” They were laughing, but my god. they just took him away and never explained it. These past two years two shows I watch have “pulled a chuck” as well. “friday night lights” had this gang character. he had an entire arc and storyline for a season. Buddy garrety took him in. but the beginning of the next season the guy was gone, they never mentioned him and buddy’s daughter was living with buddy instead. Where did he go? To “basketball camp” with chuck?

The same thing happened on “heroes.” There was a little girl named Molly. She was a great character. She had a huge influence as she could locate other people with abilities. two main characters practically adopted her. then poof! next season. No molly, and no explanation. She didn’t even like basketball! “heroes” also blundered by giving a main character, nathan, a wife and family and then they just sort of left. tonight they showed nathan’s funeral, and I kept looking for the family... molly... the gang guy... chuck.... but alas. no one.

I guess the conclusion to this is, sometimes tv people have to go away. and i prefer a “darren” to a chuck.” In a darren, it’s like you get a stepmom, who takes mom’s place. it’s not the same, but at least someone is making your lunch. But a chuck. man, that’s like a dysfunctional family and mommy’s gone and not only don’t they talk about it but they do a “men in black” or if you watch “heroes” - a “haitian mind erase” -and pretend it never happened. which can make you feel depressed and stupid.

To the tv powers that be. when you make people disappear, please let us know. we can handle it if they go to that great big basketball camp in the sky. just be honest with us. or we’ll do a “ ted mckinley” which someone once pointed out, brings about the end of a show. once ted joins the cast- (happy days- roger, love boat- your ships’ photographer, married with children- jefferson...) you’ll probably be cancelled.

so if you do a darren or a chuck, we’ll do a ted and you’ll disappear not our beloved characters.