The actress, who played family matriarch Jill Taylor on the hit ABC series, and Tim agreed that it was time to end the beloved show before the network made an unfair offer for both of them.
- May 28, 2024
AceShowbiz - "Home Improvement" star Patricia Richardson recalled her time on the series, which also starred Tim Allen. In a new interview, the actress claimed that the large pay gap between her and Tim ended the show.
Speaking to LA Times, Patricia shared that she exited the hit ABC series after season 8 because of the matter. "I told everybody, there's not enough money in the world to get me to do a ninth year. This show is over. It needs to end," the star, who played family matriarch Jill Taylor, revealed.
The outlet shared that both Patricia and Tim agreed that it was time to end the beloved show. The network, however, made an offer to both of them, trying to come back for a 25-episode ninth season. While Tim was offered $1 million per episode, Patricia was given a 2 million per episode offer.
Tim was open to accept the offer, but Patricia refused. She made it clear that she would only do another season if they agreed to pay her the same $2 million per episode that Tim was offered.
"I knew that Disney would in no way pay me that much. That was my way to say 'no' and was a little bit of a flip-off to Disney," Patricia noted. "I'd been there all this time, and they never even paid me a third of what Tim was making, and I was working my ass off. I was a big reason why women were watching."
The network didn't accept Patricia's offer which ultimately ended the series. "I was mad at Tim because he was leaving me alone being the only person saying no, which made me feel terrible and like the bad guy," she explained, "and he was upset with me for leaving."
Tim's representative has yet to comment. Meanwhile, "Home Improvement" co-creator and executive producer Carmen Finestra said to LA Times that he couldn't "remember one discussion" about continuing the show without Patricia. "It just couldn't have worked," he said.
Executive producer Elliot Shoenman echoed the sentiment. "Without her, it just didn't make any sense," he added.
