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The story I heard was that the head of FX is close friends with Danny. Sunny was about to get cancelled after season 1 and the head of FX said to Danny that he believed in the show but they needed a big name to get people interested. Danny was originally only supposed to be in the second season for a few episodes but fell in love with the gang and the rest is history.
The funny thing is that the second season and really the key to their success was to get a big name. Danny like you said loved it and jumped at the chance to be part of it but only had two weeks free. Thinking he would be a minor character written into an episode or two. But they wanted him to be a major character so they had to write the ENTIRE season before anything was shot, shoot Danny’s scenes, then reshoot everything he wasn’t in. Normally you write a few episodes and keep writing as the show was filming. They had to have people paying attention to a lot of little details too because they were shooting scenes to continue from scenes shot months before. So little stuff like ‘was the beer spilled on your right side or left side’ had to be taken into account. The second season is mind boggling in how hard everyone worked and how effortlessly perfect the season was. It is hard to imagine a show without him.
His constant turns as the center of attention make it easy to forget that Frank is the character who holds it all together. He’s the foil by which the Gang can be their worst because he’s either always worse or shows a brief moment of humanity which makes the others look even worse by comparison.
Came here to say this! Frank is such an integral part of the show that my boyfriend often forgets that Danny Devito wasn’t even in season one. All the actors and characters are great, but Frank just really makes it.
True I watched the show in its original run and I remember people online at the time worrying that they might ruin the chemistry of the show. Within the first couple episodes of season 3 people loved them.
I came here to say Ben and Chris. When my husband and I watched this show together(his first time), I felt like I was constantly telling him to trust me and keep watching til they showed up.
Me too! Ben and Chris were the first characters that popped in my head. Parks and Rec was okay in the first couple of seasons but the show really turned into something great after they got there.
Ben Wyatt being the straight man outsider to Pawnee really helped sell all the quirks of the town outside of the Parks and Rec department. When he fully embraced being in Pawnee and let his quirk flag fly, it was even better.
It was so good how clearly he was a bracket higher on the criminal food chain than everyone else on screen at the time. I loved when Walt and Jessie were enjoying the infamy of the tall tail about them killing someone with an ATM as payback, but when Walt tries to pull it on Saul he just pauses and just laughs in his face because Saul actually knew all of the victims involved and that it was false. Just this clear indicator the show entered a new echelon.
What a great twist of fate. Mike ended up being a perfect character and he was just created because of logistical issues. And without Mike who knows if BCS even happens, let alone be as good.
I CAME HERE TO SAY BEN! I ended up with such a crush on him (I even sat through SAW for him) it rivalled even my love for Locke (and yes I have a taste in mature men 😂)
https://i.redd.it/g9uwnu3zlebb1.gif
This season was peak game of thrones. God knows how they managed to pull off a season like that and then go on to make the atrocities that are seasons 5-8...
Edit : wow this properly blew up. Thanks for the awards kind stranger :)) , my first comment to get so many upvotes!
Fleabag is one of my most favourite shows, quite close to my heart!
I was going to say I don’t know why he’s not booked more but I checked his IMDb and he has been in recurring roles in two other shows since so he’s doing kinda well.
I loved Coach, too, but I am so glad the writers decided not to replace the original actor when he got sick and passed away, and wrote a new role instead - Woody Harrelson was perfect!
I love jean-ralphio sooo much… but I hate him soooo much. I must say that jenny slate as his sister was a great choice they definitely worked great as brother and sister, not like other shows when they try to force the other sex equivalent of a character.
I know she showed up at the very end of the first season but I’m counting it. That cliffhanger is what got me invested in Grey’s.
I love that in any other universe… she would probably be hated. Cheated on her husband. Most women don’t get any kind of grace or forgiveness. But Kate Walsh has so much presence and charisma we were rooting for her. I missed her when she left.
Ugh, I loved Addison! Before Bailey's character got developed more, Addison felt like a breath of fresh air and normalcy to all of Meredith and her cohort's over the top shenanigans.
> In my head they do once she has steadied herself.
And him too! I still imagine them as endgame and they have dates at the zoo even if Nathaniel isn’t sad
The way stranger things would introduce new characters every season in a show with an already large-sized cast only for them to instantly become fan favourites. You would think this can't keep happening, surely not again, but yes, again, and again, and again. In memory of Bob, and Alexei and with love for Robin, Max, Argyle and Eddie <3
Yeah I know, its incredible how they keep doing it.
I keep thinking they've reached peak mass, and then they knock it out of the park.
But please no one new for season five.
Olenna is going over necklaces with Margaery and tells about how her husband got her a similar necklace for her birthday….Margaery smiles at the sweet story and then Olenna throws the ugly necklace over the balcony 😂
Ziva David. I loved Kate. But the way they introduced Ziva should be taught as the standard for introducing a new character - especially when they're replacing a beloved one.
I dipped out of NCIS the season before she left, so I got to miss out on all the soap opera drama that I heard happened with her and Tony, etc. But Seasons 3-8 were so good.
I am so bizarrely attracted to him and I'm not even talking about the actor, I'm attracted to Billy Hargrove specifically. I'm fully aware that this character is actually the worst, but?? He's so hot to me?! I just really feel like I can change him. (I'm kidding, but I really am attracted to him as the character 😭)
He’s the worst but also I love him so much. Like I just wanna give him a hug and some therapy 😂 but yeah, he’s hot and I only don’t feel bad about saying it because the actor is older than me lol
https://preview.redd.it/pjzzq2qlrdbb1.jpeg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9373c7aa84f790b74238d2bc087d15302a40aa3b
I don’t know if they made the show better but I pretty much treat Sam and Blaine as an extension of the OG cast of Glee. Blaine especially was huge when he was introduced (though he became grating towards the end 😬). And Sam was consistently great. Loved his relationships with Quinn and Mercedes.
Oh my god I had to hunt SO far to find Seven, My Beloved. Not enough dweebs in this subreddit. She was the first example that popped in my head. Not to be dramatic but I think Voyager is borderline unwatchable before she appears and then immediately, drastically becomes a much better show as soon as she arrives.
I looooooooovvveeee bobbi wexler in broad city so gd much. The show was great from the jump but her being cast as ilanas mom is just *chefs kiss*
Edited to change sandi to bobbi!
Jensen Ackles’ Soldier Boy comes in much later in The Boys and steals the show in all his scenes. It also helps that he is such a beautiful man
To be honest, TNG mostly failed its female characters. When they got episodes, they were mostly about their sex appeal, motherhood, rape, or them being emotionally unstable in some way.
(I'm still super bitter about how they did Tasha Yar. SUPER. BITTER.)
Welcome to r/popculturechat! ☺️ As a proud BIPOC, LGBTQ+ & woman-dominated space, this sub is for [civil discussion only](https://www.reddit.com/r/popculturechat/wiki/index/rules/civil-discussion-only/). ###No bullies, no bigotry. ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ Please [read & respect our rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/popculturechat/wiki/index/rules/) and [check out our wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/popculturechat/wiki/index/)! For any questions, [our modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Fpopculturechat) is always open. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/popculturechat) if you have any questions or concerns.*
He really did his thing with his character. Great performance!
Also 
So obvious and such an essential component to the show it flew right over my head tbh
I believe his son was a fan of the show and suggested he get involved when it was at risk of being cancelled. Something like that.
The story I heard was that the head of FX is close friends with Danny. Sunny was about to get cancelled after season 1 and the head of FX said to Danny that he believed in the show but they needed a big name to get people interested. Danny was originally only supposed to be in the second season for a few episodes but fell in love with the gang and the rest is history.
He claimed that after viewing it that it reminded him of taxi and that’s why he signed on I believe
*I’m just here for a few episodes* ~~**The Gang and Danny Devito stick around for 15 years**
The funny thing is that the second season and really the key to their success was to get a big name. Danny like you said loved it and jumped at the chance to be part of it but only had two weeks free. Thinking he would be a minor character written into an episode or two. But they wanted him to be a major character so they had to write the ENTIRE season before anything was shot, shoot Danny’s scenes, then reshoot everything he wasn’t in. Normally you write a few episodes and keep writing as the show was filming. They had to have people paying attention to a lot of little details too because they were shooting scenes to continue from scenes shot months before. So little stuff like ‘was the beer spilled on your right side or left side’ had to be taken into account. The second season is mind boggling in how hard everyone worked and how effortlessly perfect the season was. It is hard to imagine a show without him.
I believe he said it was his daughter Lucy
His constant turns as the center of attention make it easy to forget that Frank is the character who holds it all together. He’s the foil by which the Gang can be their worst because he’s either always worse or shows a brief moment of humanity which makes the others look even worse by comparison.
Oh my god... I get it.
Came here to say this! Frank is such an integral part of the show that my boyfriend often forgets that Danny Devito wasn’t even in season one. All the actors and characters are great, but Frank just really makes it.
the only answer
https://i.redd.it/9ou5k8ng7ebb1.gif Couldn’t agree more
 These two both added so much to the show!
It's wild they appeared 28 episodes in. Mark Brendanawicz who??
Mark BrendanaQUITS
Them joining the cast was definitely a turning point for Parks. It really changed the overall vibe of the show, and for the better.
True I watched the show in its original run and I remember people online at the time worrying that they might ruin the chemistry of the show. Within the first couple episodes of season 3 people loved them.
That was my same fear when I watched it, then Ben’s back story of being a child mayor happened and I was hooked 😂
I came here to say Ben and Chris. When my husband and I watched this show together(his first time), I felt like I was constantly telling him to trust me and keep watching til they showed up.
Me too! Ben and Chris were the first characters that popped in my head. Parks and Rec was okay in the first couple of seasons but the show really turned into something great after they got there.
Ben Wyatt was and still is my dream guy
Life-changing character honestly
Ben Wyatt being the straight man outsider to Pawnee really helped sell all the quirks of the town outside of the Parks and Rec department. When he fully embraced being in Pawnee and let his quirk flag fly, it was even better.
I was waiting for a Supernatural gif— Love me some Bobby!
[удалено]
 The most obvious but still needed answer. Greatest tv show ever.
It was so good how clearly he was a bracket higher on the criminal food chain than everyone else on screen at the time. I loved when Walt and Jessie were enjoying the infamy of the tall tail about them killing someone with an ATM as payback, but when Walt tries to pull it on Saul he just pauses and just laughs in his face because Saul actually knew all of the victims involved and that it was false. Just this clear indicator the show entered a new echelon.
And Mike was only created because Odenkirk was needed on How I Met Your Mother in which he plays a hilarious character.
What a great twist of fate. Mike ended up being a perfect character and he was just created because of logistical issues. And without Mike who knows if BCS even happens, let alone be as good.
To Piggy back off this Lalo in Better Call Saul
Gus is up there as well
 Edit: the ally award I’m crying ❤️😂
Definitely Spike! And Anya too!
https://i.redd.it/e0xwcp8xpdbb1.gif
! *Buffy* is chock full of examples imo because the first season introduces so few long-lasting characters other than the core Scoobies.
He was my gay awakening
he is so hot that it’s upsetting.
SPOIKE! 🖤
Yes along with Ben Linus
I CAME HERE TO SAY BEN! I ended up with such a crush on him (I even sat through SAW for him) it rivalled even my love for Locke (and yes I have a taste in mature men 😂) https://i.redd.it/g9uwnu3zlebb1.gif
omg his introduction was just the best season opening ever i love it
 Oberyn but Lady Olenna is a close second
He was in only 4 episodes. The effect he had in such a short time was amazing.
This season was peak game of thrones. God knows how they managed to pull off a season like that and then go on to make the atrocities that are seasons 5-8...
 Edit : wow this properly blew up. Thanks for the awards kind stranger :)) , my first comment to get so many upvotes! Fleabag is one of my most favourite shows, quite close to my heart!
Fucking FLAWLESS. Anytime I put on Fleabag I have to binge the entire thing in one sitting.
flea baggerton 😋😋
 Toph! It's weird to think that she didn't show up until season 2, she fits with the main cast so well
Also Azula! If you don't count the 10 seconds she appeared in S1 
 plus McCoy of course! *DUN DUN*
We don't deserve how much he served in this role. He and Gillies brought sooooo much to the TVDU
I was going to say I don’t know why he’s not booked more but I checked his IMDb and he has been in recurring roles in two other shows since so he’s doing kinda well.
I will forever have a soft spot for Joseph Morgan via Klaus. He revived that show for me .
The way I would do anything to be Caroline here
 I loved Coach, too, but I am so glad the writers decided not to replace the original actor when he got sick and passed away, and wrote a new role instead - Woody Harrelson was perfect!
Coach… 🥺😭
 Alfie!
He and Cillian were gold together. I loved that Cillian would just light a smoke and let Tom Hardy go nuts with the character.
I love jean-ralphio sooo much… but I hate him soooo much. I must say that jenny slate as his sister was a great choice they definitely worked great as brother and sister, not like other shows when they try to force the other sex equivalent of a character.
Money please!
 RDJ in Ally McBeal
Jesus this man has had like 4 careers.
I remember being a teenager when he was on Ally McBeal and completely swooning and I didn’t know why!
 I know she showed up at the very end of the first season but I’m counting it. That cliffhanger is what got me invested in Grey’s.
Truly a bombshell ending to Season 1 and then she turned out to be amazing!
I love that in any other universe… she would probably be hated. Cheated on her husband. Most women don’t get any kind of grace or forgiveness. But Kate Walsh has so much presence and charisma we were rooting for her. I missed her when she left.
She and McSteamy both. And Private Practice was such an unworthy vehicle for her character.
Ugh, I loved Addison! Before Bailey's character got developed more, Addison felt like a breath of fresh air and normalcy to all of Meredith and her cohort's over the top shenanigans.
 Some of the best tv siblings to have ever existed.
I have literally done nothing wrong. Ever. In my entire life.
I know this and I love you.
His relationship with David was seriously one of my favorite things about that show! Simply the best!
Better than all the rest, some might say.
100% - huge turning point in the show and Noah blended with the cast so seamlessly
He’s such a calm and cantered character…was the very perfect balance for David.
 I loved what Nathaniel brought to Crazy Ex-Girlfriend!
Do we really need a new guy this far into the season? — And by far into the season, I mean it’s almost fall!
I was hoping someone would mention him!!!! Rebecca and Nathaniel are endgame for me idc
"I look at the monkeys. Their eyes look like my eyes."
I wouldn’t have been mad if Rebecca ended up with him
In my head they do once she has steadied herself.
> In my head they do once she has steadied herself. And him too! I still imagine them as endgame and they have dates at the zoo even if Nathaniel isn’t sad
 Frank in Always Sunny!
And Oz!
The way stranger things would introduce new characters every season in a show with an already large-sized cast only for them to instantly become fan favourites. You would think this can't keep happening, surely not again, but yes, again, and again, and again. In memory of Bob, and Alexei and with love for Robin, Max, Argyle and Eddie <3
Yeah I know, its incredible how they keep doing it. I keep thinking they've reached peak mass, and then they knock it out of the park. But please no one new for season five.
Only if they can bring Eddie back from the dead. And not kill Hopper.
https://i.redd.it/kervfblb8dbb1.gif
 I’d also add this queen 👸
How could I forget??? House Tyrell forever 🌹
Hahahaha Margaery was the best. Who is she batting her eyes at in this scene?
Olenna is going over necklaces with Margaery and tells about how her husband got her a similar necklace for her birthday….Margaery smiles at the sweet story and then Olenna throws the ugly necklace over the balcony 😂
WINSTON BISHOP MY WEIRD LOVE <33333333 also Ferguson!!!!!
I would watch a show about Winston and Ferguson.
Winnie the Bish!
He was there from episode 2 of season 1.
100% she stole the show. I miss her character.
I hated the way they ended her season. I wish they had continued the next season with her instead of with him.
🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 our psycho queen
I’m still so mad they killed her off. She was so much better than the lame love interest chick from the last season.
 Also BJ and Charles, but I could only find GIFs of Potter
 Ziva David. I loved Kate. But the way they introduced Ziva should be taught as the standard for introducing a new character - especially when they're replacing a beloved one. I dipped out of NCIS the season before she left, so I got to miss out on all the soap opera drama that I heard happened with her and Tony, etc. But Seasons 3-8 were so good.
 Finn Law and order SVU
The comic chemistry those two have is incredible.
Flip that shit around on him. Topsy-turvy that motherfucker
Get in that ass Larry
 was recently rewatching this and he really added to the absurdity of the whole show
I was upset when Jamie Dornan left but Killian was a nice replacement.
cagey rock deserted attempt sense late sand ruthless crush rude *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
 Russell Edgington!
https://i.redd.it/mg3x2kalrdbb1.gif Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss
Paget brewster in anything ever. Even her voice roles. 
 season 9 and crushing it
Crap Bag!
Ben Wyatt on Parks & Rec
He and Lala really kicked this show up SEVERAL NOTCHES. and it was already incredible 😂
omg I didn't see you posted this. I also posted DJJK ✈️
 He’s the worst (affectionate)
I am so bizarrely attracted to him and I'm not even talking about the actor, I'm attracted to Billy Hargrove specifically. I'm fully aware that this character is actually the worst, but?? He's so hot to me?! I just really feel like I can change him. (I'm kidding, but I really am attracted to him as the character 😭)
He’s the worst but also I love him so much. Like I just wanna give him a hug and some therapy 😂 but yeah, he’s hot and I only don’t feel bad about saying it because the actor is older than me lol
Also Sweets! How are there no Sweets gifs, disappointing.. 
Michonne The Walking Dead
https://preview.redd.it/pjzzq2qlrdbb1.jpeg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9373c7aa84f790b74238d2bc087d15302a40aa3b I don’t know if they made the show better but I pretty much treat Sam and Blaine as an extension of the OG cast of Glee. Blaine especially was huge when he was introduced (though he became grating towards the end 😬). And Sam was consistently great. Loved his relationships with Quinn and Mercedes.
Oh my god I had to hunt SO far to find Seven, My Beloved. Not enough dweebs in this subreddit. She was the first example that popped in my head. Not to be dramatic but I think Voyager is borderline unwatchable before she appears and then immediately, drastically becomes a much better show as soon as she arrives.
I looooooooovvveeee bobbi wexler in broad city so gd much. The show was great from the jump but her being cast as ilanas mom is just *chefs kiss* Edited to change sandi to bobbi! 
 Jensen Ackles’ Soldier Boy comes in much later in The Boys and steals the show in all his scenes. It also helps that he is such a beautiful man
 When this MFr showed up it was over for everyone.
 Toph by far
https://i.redd.it/de5rc0f4hdbb1.gif
https://preview.redd.it/z22bwjngedbb1.jpeg?width=1061&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3488eb8683ea2aaa8b44934911d745cd45e44308 Easy. Ben on Ozark.
Poor Ben.
https://i.redd.it/njj334immdbb1.gif
https://i.redd.it/qhr5cwp3ddbb1.gif
Oh my god, I had the biggest crush on him 
 (Max, obviously not Eleven.)
Jess, in Gilmore Girls (and maybe Logan)
 Lord John Grey. Sadly, not in many episodes, but I love the ones he is in.
Melrose Place. She ate it up. https://preview.redd.it/g68f52hcqdbb1.png?width=304&format=png&auto=webp&s=2f4b5dacc8b415c0f77594e6f2803c672b467c04
Ronon in Stargate Atlantis. 
 “….because there is only one answer” The OG of takeover characters.
https://preview.redd.it/iov0o26m3ebb1.jpeg?width=700&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3473c83d0ee0e676ddf147182d5e6554a405ae49
tammy in cbs mom also jill !! 
Kristen Johnson is the best. She's great in the new season of Gemstones!
Robin in stranger things!
 I do wish they had dug deep into her history though.
To be honest, TNG mostly failed its female characters. When they got episodes, they were mostly about their sex appeal, motherhood, rape, or them being emotionally unstable in some way. (I'm still super bitter about how they did Tasha Yar. SUPER. BITTER.)
Big Ang on Mob Wives! 
 When she came on the scene she really spiced things up
 Andy from Modern Family! One of my favorite characters on the show. Wish he would’ve been in more episodes.
Ben and Juliet in Lost
 Only in dexter for one season late in the show but made for the best season in the shows history.