Shows where a secondary character has become more popular than the Star???

I think it's fair to say that Cheers is better remembered as the Carla/Cliff/Norm et al show. I regularly found myself starting to fidget when the focus was on Sam and Diane, although this was mitigated latterly when Shelley Long was replaced by Kirstie Alley as female lead, as I think Alley had far more comedic edge.
 
In Dallas, Bobby and Pam were meant to be the central stars of the show, but focus quickly shifted to JR and Sue Ellen when the show returned for it's second season.

Also, in Two Pints of Lager, Janet and Jonny were meant to be the leads, but I always preferred Gaz and Donna.
 
I can't agree with you there. John Cleese and Prunella Scales were so clearly the "backbone" of the series, remove them and and there would be nothing left.

I think you have to find series where one of the supporting actors grows in stature to completely outshine the original "stars". Someone mentioned The Fonze in Happy Days..an excellent example.

Cheers was interesting, as someone posted, it was a series that went through a number of changes.Sam and Diane were obviously meant to be the main characters, but their storylines became tiresome. and It was apparent that most people were watching for the inter-action between the supporting characters..Carla, Coach (Woody) Cliff and Norm etc.
The introduction of the superb Kirstie Alley served to "save" Ted Danson's character who was becoming a predictable bore, and changed the dynamics again for a while. Then along came Frasier making it more of an ensemble piece.
 
Frasier joined long before Kirsty Alley did. And the show was far worse off withput Diane. The dynamic between her and & Sam made me care about the show. Kirstie wasn't as good an actress as Shelley, and it showed.
 
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