12 Infamous Backstage Fights On The Most Popular Shows In TV History

Playing best friends or colleagues on TV does not always mean that actors will get along behind the scenes. Over the years, film sets for popular television shows have been the scenes of some of the most infamous celebrity fights and backstage brawls. These feuds have led to actors being fired from shows or choosing to leave a series. Some fights have even led to the end of a series altogether. Here are twelve infamous backstage fights that took place on the sets of some of the most famous TV shows.

Desperate Housewives

WhenDesperate Housewives premiered in 2004 to critical praise and massive ratings, trouble began to brew backstage. Apparently, Teri Hatcher’s unofficial billing as the star of the ensemble caused issues with the cast. This was confirmed during an infamous Vanity Fair shoot in 2005 during which ABC stipulated that Hatcher could not steal the shoot by being at the centre of photos or getting the first pick of wardrobe items. When Hatcher ended up at the centre, Marcia Cross stormed off the set, and the tension left Hatcher in tears. Years later, drama sprung up again when Nicollette Sheridan, who had been killed off the series, filed a lawsuit claiming that creator Marc Cherry had hit her. When the series wrapped after eight seasons, stars Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria, Felicity Huffman, and Vanessa Williams gave gifts to the crew, but Hatcher's name was missing from the card.

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

One of the funniest shows of its time was not full of laughs backstage for the first three years of its run. Janet Hubert played matriarch Vivian Banks on the series. However, she certainly was not a maternal figure for younger members of the cast. Will Smith once shared the following about Hubert with a radio station: "I can say straight up that Janet Hubert wanted the show to be 'The Aunt Viv of Bel-Air Show' because I know she is going to dog me in the press." Reports claimed that Hubert was envious of such a young star leading the series, calling Smith an “asshole” in the press. Alfonso Ribeiro, who played her son, claimed that Hubert’s attitude “made it difficult for us to work.” When her contract ended after the third season, Hubert was fired and replaced. Nevertheless, her feud with Smith continued for years.

Grey’s Anatomy — Isaiah Washington

In October 2006, reports emerged that Isaiah Washington and Patrick Dempsey had gotten into a heated argument on set. Both actors confirmed that they had lost their tempers but quickly made up. However, this was not the whole story. During the argument, Washington used a homophobic slur in reference to co-star T. R. Knight, who had not publicly come out. When the story made its way to the press, Knight was forced to come out as gay, and many groups called for Washington to be fired. In the pressroom at the Golden Globes after winning Best Drama Series, Washington repeated the slur when denying its use. A few months later, he was fired. Knight left two years later after what he called a "breakdown in communication" with creator Shonda Rhimes. Washington eventually returned to Grey’s for one episode in the tenth season, and Knight worked with Rhimes again on The Catch.

Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live has produced some of the biggest names in entertainment for years. Among the original cast was John Belushi, who broke out with a quick wit and a penchant for physical comedy. In 2011, original cast member Jane Curtin spoke to Oprah about misogyny that took place backstage on the show. She recalled that “[John] said, 'Women are just fundamentally not funny.' He felt as though it was his duty to sabotage pieces that were written by women.” As if it was not already hard enough for women in the 1970s to be taken seriously as comics, women on Saturday Night Live had to deal with one of their own cast members working against them.

American Idol

Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul played up a love-hate relationship for the cameras on American Idol. They held frequent arguments and threw subtle jabs at one another. However, the real trouble began when the two left the show and producers had to scramble to book stars who could attract viewers. When Mariah Carey signed on, she was told that she would be the only female judge, alongside Randy Jackson and fellow newcomer Keith Urban. Eventually, Nicki Minaj also joined the lineup, which did not sit well with Carey. The singer frequently criticized Minaj, often insinuating that she did not have the credentials to judge singers. Minaj finally lost her cool. She erupted on Carey during auditions, telling producers, “I’m not putting up with her f--- highness no more.” Carey alleged that Minaj threatened to shoot her, which others disputed. The two completed the season but neither returned the following year.