Everyone loves a good off-screen TV feud, eh? Even some of our favorite, friendliest sitcom stars have found themselves targets of a bitter costar’s angry words. Why? It’s usually a matter of jealousy, annoyance, or an extramarital affair with Sienna Miller, but more on that later. We get it — when you’re working with a small group of people as closely and consistently as a successful television show requires, you’re bound to get your feathers ruffled at some point or another, right? Check out a selection of nine noteworthy TV cast feuds after the jump, and hit the comments to pick a side.
Will Smith vs. Janet Hubert, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Remember when Vivian Banks suddenly had a new face in 1993? Well, Janet Hubert was fired from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air when her contract wouldn’t allow her to be pregnant, even though her real-life pregnancy was accommodated in the script (i.e. Nicky Banks). Hubert blames her job loss on off-screen fights with Will Smith, insisting, “He is still an egomaniac and has not grown up. This constant reunion thing will never ever happen in my lifetime unless there is an apology, which he doesn’t know the word.” Harsh words, Aunt Viv!
Betty White vs. Bea Arthur, Golden Girls
These two Golden Girls were involved in a peculiar case of unrequited love. Betty loved Bea, but Bea hated Betty. Why, you ask? Bea couldn’t stand Betty’s cheerful demeanor, as Betty recently revealed: “Bea had a reserve. She was not that fond of me. She found me a pain in the neck sometimes. It was my positive attitude, and that made Bea mad sometimes. Sometimes if I was happy, she’d be furious!” Oh, Betty. We’re sorry that Bea called you what she called you, but this feud was hilarious.
Taylor Momsen vs. Leighton Meester, Gossip Girl
What would Gossip Girl be without some off-screen, uh, gossiping? Taylor Momsen was apparently super insulted when the show asked to use two of Leighton Meester’s songs but none of her own, and decided to resent Meester as a result, causing tension on the set. C’mon, Little Jenny, there are more important things in life. Y’know, like fighting over who gets the highest wardrobe budget.
David Duchovny vs. Gillian Anderson, The X-Files
Here’s a classic love-hate relationship, courtesy of X-Files stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. According to Anderson, they love each other until they’ve had to work together for a few hours straight, and then they grow to hate each other again. When asked about the feud pre-X Files 2, Duchovny explained, “We’ve forgotten why we hate one another and can only remember why we love one another and we’re very happy to go back.” Precious.
Sarah Jessica Parker vs. Kim Cattrall, Sex and the City
This is a feud that keeps on feuding, despite the actresses’ public protestations, with both exclaiming, “We’re not feuding, we adore each other!” every chance they get. The eternal fight was allegedly at its height during filming for the second Sex and the City film, when the two refused to speak to one another on set.
Patrick Dempsey vs. Isaiah Washington, Grey’s Anatomy
In 2006, Patrick Dempsey and Isaiah Washington nearly got into a fist fight over a production disagreement on the set of Grey’s Anatomy. At first, the tiff’s culminating moment seemed to be when Washington realized that Dempsey “has really pretty blue eyes,” but it was later revealed that Washington had referred to co-star T.R. Knight as a “faggot” whilst exchanging harsh words with Dempsey. As a result, Isaiah Washington lost his job on Grey’s and couldn’t keep his mouth shut, insisting that T.R. Knight should’ve been the one to get fired. Now, how would that make sense?
Jennie Garth vs. Shannen Doherty, 90210
We’ll admit, we had a hard time deciding which Shannen Doherty fight to feature in this list. Although her beef with Alyssa Milano on Charmed was a pretty big deal at the time, Tori Spelling claims that Shannen Doherty and Jennie Garth’s constant feuding once amounted to physical violence on the set of Beverly Hills, 90210.
Everyone vs. Balthazar Getty, Brothers & Sisters
After Balthazar Getty (pictured on the right in the swanky gray suit) cheated on his wife and embarked on a high-profile affair with Sienna Miller, the cast of Brothers & Sisters wasn’t too happy with their TV brother. Awkwardness ensued and Getty was written off the show.
Marcia Cross vs. Teri Hatcher, Desperate Housewives
Unsurprisingly, there was some jealousy brewing on Wisteria Lane in 2005 when the Desperate Housewives were posing for a Vanity Fair cover photo. The ladies were told that no housewife would be given top priority, so Marcia Cross proceeded to storm off when Teri Hatcher was blatantly posed in the center of the photo. Cross began yelling, Hatcher began sobbing, and so on and so forth.