The news of Cory Monteith’s death shocked Glee fans — and it left them wondering, where does Glee go from here? Here’s how other TV series have dealt with the untimely passing of a cast member, and what Glee might do.
Eight Is Enough
Eight Is Enough had to adapt quickly to the 1977 death of Diana Hyland, who succumbed to breast cancer 12 days after the first episode aired. She filmed four episodes before dying. Hyland's character Joan, the mother of the family, was written out of the remaining five season 1 episodes. For season 2, the series was retooled. The premiere "Is There a Doctor in the House" established patriarch Tom Bradford as a widower.
Hill Street Blues
Michael Conrad was an essential part of Hill Street Blues, famously doing the weekly roll call. He died of urethral cancer in 1983 during the show's fourth season. His character, Sgt. Phil Esterhaus, went out with a bang, dying off-screen during sex with Grace Gardner in the episode "Grace Under Pressure." In the same episode, Lucille Bates was offered a promotion to roll call sergeant, as all of the officers struggled to deal with Sgt. Esterhaus' sudden death.
Cheers
Nicholas Colasanto, who played lovable bartender Coach, died in 1985 of a heart attack at 61. Cast members learned shortly before a live taping, which was canceled. Colasanto had been on leave and recovering but assured his costars that he would be back at work soon. In season 4, Cheers jumped forward in time several months: Coach's pen pal Woody (played by Woody Harrelson) showed up to meet his friend in person, only to be informed by Sam that Coach had died some time prior. Sam then hired Woody as the new bartender.
NewsRadio
Between the fourth and fifth season of NewsRadio, Phil Hartman was murdered in 1998 by his wife Brynn Hartman. Hartman's death was written into the show, with his character Bill dying off-screen from a heart attack. In the season 5 premiere, "Bill Moves On," the other characters mourn his death: Cast members were so distraught over Hartman's recent passing that they broke down crying repeatedly while filming. In the second part of the premiere, "Meet Max Louis," Jon Lovitz was brought in as Hartman's replacement.
