The 'Hocus Pocus' actress reflects on her 'big mistake' with sitcom 'Bette', expressing regrets over not taking legal action against co-star Lindsay Lohan for exiting the show prematurely.
- May 9, 2024
AceShowbiz - In a candid reflection on her career, Bette Midler shared her insights on the pitfalls of her CBS sitcom "Bette", a venture she now deems a "big mistake", particularly spotlighting the drama surrounding Lindsay Lohan's early departure.
During her appearance on David Duchovny's "Fail Better" podcast, Midler unveiled her thoughts on what went awry with the show, which was canceled mid-season, and how it was marred from its inception by a series of unprecedented challenges, including Lohan leaving the show after just the pilot episode.
The iconic "Hocus Pocus" star confessed that the exit of Lohan, who was cast as her daughter, left the production in jeopardy. "Lindsay Lohan was cast as my daughter," Midler explained. "Well, after the pilot, Lindsay Lohan decided she didn't want to do it, or she had other fish to fry. So Lindsay Lohan left the building, and I said, 'Well, now what do you do?' " This marked the beginning of the end for the show, which struggled with direction and cohesion thereafter.
Midler's reflection didn't stop at Lohan's departure. She admitted feeling "kicked to the curb" and not being allowed to take charge of the series despite her name spearheading the project.
She also revealed her regret over not suing Lohan, then only 14, for breaching her contract, a move that could potentially have saved the show or at least held individuals accountable for its downfall. "If I had been in my right mind, or if I had known that my part of my duties were to stand up and say, 'This absolutely will not do, I'm going to sue,' then I would have done that," Midler disclosed.
Moreover, Midler highlighted her lack of understanding of the sitcom genre and the media landscape as significant factors contributing to the show's failure. Her frank admission gives a glimpse into the complexities and pressures of show business, especially when transitioning from film and variety shows to television sitcoms.
Despite the ordeal, the experience seems to have offered Midler valuable insights into the intricacies of television production and perhaps even the fickle nature of fame within Hollywood. Her openness about the situation, particularly with a younger co-star like Lohan, who despite the tumult, recently shared a nostalgic post expressing joy over their brief collaboration, sheds light on the resilience needed in the entertainment industry.
