MovieChat Forums > Boy Meets World (1993) Discussion > Why did 90's sitcoms repeat actors so mu...

Why did 90's sitcoms repeat actors so much??????

posted 9 years ago by Jupiter555555
14 replies | jump to latest

"Jason" as Eric's friend was also in Full House as DJ's boyfriend for several episodes and had an even longer stint on Step by Step as JT's bromance turned Dana's boyfriend, "Rich."

"Wendy" in the episode where Corey dates that girl was also Brad's girlfriend on Home Improvement.

"Gia" from Full House was one of their classmates in the early seasons, I heard she was very close to snagging the role of Topanga.

The substitute health teacher in one of the boy meets world episodes was Becky's lamaz (sp?) coach on Full House, the one that Joey and Danny fight over.

This is just to name a very few. I see repeated faces constantly from 90's sitcoms.

Is it because these children had connections? Or were the casting directors just being lazy? Didn't want to audition child actors so they used kiddies who had already auditioned for them?

I have a hard time believing there's a shortage of child actors in Hollywood or NYC or anywhere else they might shoot. In my personal experience, this certainly isn't the case.

[–] willkins-jason 9 years ago

I think this is still the case today, although not as widespread. Jack Griffo had a role on Jessie as a boy Emma liked and then moved on to star on The Thundermans.

[–] moderngamenewb 9 years ago

"Wendy" in the episode where Corey dates that girl was also Brad's girlfriend on Home Improvement.

Also, Betsy Randall played Jill's friend in Home Improvement during season 1, and Rider Strong guest starred during one of the halloween episodes as well (either season 2 or 3)

[–] NinToaster 9 years ago

it's not a 90s thing. it's called being an actor or actress.

You audition, get roles. or casting agents notice your other works and request you

It happened in the 2000s, it still happens today

Jeanette McCurdy was in the series Finale of "Judging Amy", then went onto to do iCarly and then the canceled Spin-off "Sam & Cat"

Alex Steele played Angela in the early seasons of Degrassi The next generation, then was brought back as a new character for the 12th season

Amy Brenneman went from Judging Amy, to Private Practice to The Leftovers,

Sharon Gless did Queer as folk, Then Burn Notice

it's called being an actor and doing your job.

it has nothing to do with being 90s shows

[–] Doc80 9 years ago

Jeanette being in Sam & Cat isn't really apt here. It was a planned spin off series using two characters from two different popular shows. They couldn't do the show they wanted without her.

[–] blaque108 9 years ago

I agree I love looking up the actors and actress.

[–] EmilyTheDramaQueen 9 years ago

I know 60s and 70s series actually had actors playing different roles on the same show, which I thought was pretty funny

"I'd rather lose for what I am than win for what I ain't"

Kacey Musgraves "Pageant Material"

[–] Doc80 9 years ago

This show did that too. The guy that played the assistant manager of the market that Alan works at also played an applicant for the sales job at the camping store and was the minister who performed the wedding ceremony for Cory and Topanga.

[–] EmilyTheDramaQueen 9 years ago

It still happens now. I know CW has a lot of actors who has played recurring roles on other CW shows but then got on other shows. Both of the guys on the Vampire Diaries had recurring roles on Smallville and the guy who plays Sam on Supernatural was on Gilmore Girls. The guy who played Lucas on One Tree Hill was also on Gilmore Girls during the first season. ABC Family and Disney does it a lot as well. I don't think its cause of shortage but because they had already worked with them before and liked their work I guess, for the most part they had to audition as well and like with any job, experience counts for a lot.

"I'd rather lose for what I am than win for what I ain't"

Kacey Musgraves "Pageant Material"

[–] zombienut 9 years ago

It was common because kid actors are typically untrained and these kids not only had a history, they were probably passed around because they were easy to work with. Also many of these shows had the same directors and producers. Remember everything said "marcy carsey" and "miller boyett". Also, back rhen these kids signed contracts so they wouldnt go elswhere. So companies like disney had to place them in stuff.

It still happens today. Look at Judy Greer. Shes in everything

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