Erinn Hayes' 'Kevin Can Wait’ Character is Getting Killed Off to Make Room For Leah Remini

Rough exit. Erinn Hayes’ Kevin Can Wait character, Donna, is getting killed off the show in order to handle Leah Remini joining as a series regular. “The character will have passed away,” CBS programming boss Thom Sherman explained at the Television Critics Association Press Tour, Variety reports. “We will be moving forward in time catching up at a later date.”

As for why the character was killed, rather than written off in a different way, Sherman explained that it was simply the best way to further the storyline. “The discussions went on,” he told a group of reporters. “We talked about other things. Ultimately this what was decided with the producers that this was the best way to move forward.”

As previously reported, Remini announced on June 3 that she would be joining Kevin James and the cast as a series regular following a guest role on the show’s season finale. The same day, Hayes announced that she was exiting the series. "True, I've been let go from the show,” she wrote on Twitter at the time. "Very sad, I had a great experience season 1. Thank you for all the support from our wonderful fans.”

Remini, who starred alongside James from 1998 to 2006 on the King of Queens, took to Instagram at the time to celebrate the gig. "Dreams do come true,” wrote the actress, who will play undercover officer Vanessa. "#blessed #grateful."

Kevin Can Wait season 2 premieres on CBS on Monday, September 25, at 9 p.m. ET.

Erinn Hayes' 'Kevin Can Wait’ Character is Getting Killed Off to Make Room For Leah Remini

I kinda feel bad for Erinn Hayes. I don't watch the show so I don't know how she is on it, but everyone seems so thrilled that Leah's coming back and pushing her out that she probably feels awful about the whole thing (unless she wanted out of the show, too).

Re: Erinn Hayes' 'Kevin Can Wait’ Character is Getting Killed Off to Make Room For Leah Remini

I feel badly for her too. However I really didn't like her character. She had no chemistry with Kevin James and I didn't think she was a very good actress. I love Leah Remini but I am afraid that people are expecting "King of Queens" again and that it will fall short.

Re: Erinn Hayes' 'Kevin Can Wait’ Character is Getting Killed Off to Make Room For Leah Remini

I hope it bombs.

Re: Erinn Hayes' 'Kevin Can Wait’ Character is Getting Killed Off to Make Room For Leah Remini

Erinn Hayes' 'Kevin Can Wait’ Character is Getting Killed Off to Make Room For Leah Remini

She was a terrible pick for that character. She is too tall and too young for Kevin James. I got annoyed at that in every episode. I am skeptical about adding Leah Remini, though. We'll see.

Re: Erinn Hayes' 'Kevin Can Wait’ Character is Getting Killed Off to Make Room For Leah Remini

Well that's show business for you. They throw you down an elevator shaft for no good reason. Leah Remini's new bearded dragon of a face should make a great distraction from how shittty the show is. Viewers will be too busy wondering if Carrie Heffernan's been in an industrial accident to realize they aren't watching a rerun of King of Queens.

Re: Erinn Hayes' 'Kevin Can Wait’ Character is Getting Killed Off to Make Room For Leah Remini

Here's my take.
I really didn't like Erinn Hayes in that role. She isn''t a great actress in my opinion and was very gawky and awkward.

But having said that, I hated Leah Remini in her role too. I think it was the fact that her face and what she did to it distracted me so much. It was like Carrie's voice coming out of the cat lady's face.
It was horrifying. I couldn't focus on her character or anything else. Just that butchered face.

I think they are trying to cash in on all the dumb remakes like Full House, One Day at a Time, etc.

But those remakes never work. The King of Queens is a classic and should be left there in syndication and not ruined by an attempt to somehow revive it 20 years later. It will never work and will just bastardize how good that series was and how amazing Kevin and Leah were in at as Doug and Carrie.

Re: Erinn Hayes' 'Kevin Can Wait’ Character is Getting Killed Off to Make Room For Leah Remini

Thats pretty fk'd up.

I didn't like Erinn on this show when it first started. It took some time for her to grow on me; but eventually she did.

The guest appearances Leah made were horrific in my opinion. Loved her on KofQ; but she is a totally different person now.

I wonder if the two ladies don't like each other; and Leah made it happen? I hope not.

However way they kill her off; its going to be extremely sad. Especially for a comedy show. And Leah is going to what; eventually pop up as the new stepmom? Yikes!!!

Re: Erinn Hayes' 'Kevin Can Wait’ Character is Getting Killed Off to Make Room For Leah Remini

Posted by tray831



Thats pretty fk'd up.

I didn't like Erinn on this show when it first started. It took some time for her to grow on me; but eventually she did.

The guest appearances Leah made were horrific in my opinion. Loved her on KofQ; but she is a totally different person now.

I wonder if the two ladies don't like each other; and Leah made it happen? I hope not.

However way they kill her off; its going to be extremely sad. Especially for a comedy show. And Leah is going to what; eventually pop up as the new stepmom? Yikes!!!

Re: Erinn Hayes' 'Kevin Can Wait’ Character is Getting Killed Off to Make Room For Leah Remini

We watched the show even though it was pretty awful. (yeah, no excuse, I guess we kept thinking it would get better - and... it was on.)
I didn't like Erinn - her character or her acting - and I thought Kevin played the exact same doofy guy I had liked on King of Queens.
But I think them killing her off is just crappy!
And bringing Leah back is just dumb. I don't expect it to last.

Re: Erinn Hayes' 'Kevin Can Wait’ Character is Getting Killed Off to Make Room For Leah Remini

Re: Erinn Hayes' 'Kevin Can Wait’ Character is Getting Killed Off to Make Room For Leah Remini

Re: Erinn Hayes' 'Kevin Can Wait’ Character is Getting Killed Off to Make Room For Leah Remini

I don't like that they did this. They should have just brought back KOQ since they are essentially re-making it. I actually liked the wife on the show and I feel bad they did this to her.

Erinn Hayes' 'Kevin Can Wait’ Character is Getting Killed Off to Make Room For Leah Remini

I like him and loved King of Queens but this show is too much like that now, adding Leah will be like watching re runs. I also feel bad for Erinnl b

Re: Erinn Hayes' 'Kevin Can Wait’ Character is Getting Killed Off to Make Room For Leah Remini

I like the show and he cracks me up on it. Idk about the story line, even though I liked the episode With Leah. I feel like having her full time and dramatically changing ithe show will kill it.

I think Erinn being awkward is what made them seem like a real couple.

Message edited 8/2/2017 9:39:27 PM.

Erinn Hayes' 'Kevin Can Wait’ Character is Getting Killed Off to Make Room For Leah Remini

I read an additional story that the show will pick up one year from where it left off and the wife had already passed away. Leah's character will eventually be a love interest for Kevin.