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Love Boat Cast Recounts Pilot Recast, On‑Ship Chaos and Firing Regrets in New CW Doc

Cast members share firsthand memories of casting shake‑ups, on‑ship mishaps, a party culture with lasting consequences, and personal remorse.

Overview

  • A new episode of The CW's TV We Love features The Love Boat alums revisiting how the series was made and what unfolded behind the scenes.
  • TV writer Jim Colucci recalls ABC dropping original pilot captain Ted Hamilton over concerns his appeal skewed the show's dynamic, with Aaron Spelling securing a rare third pilot that led to the 1977 pickup.
  • Fred Grandy and Ted Lange describe logistical headaches from filming on real cruise ships, including low ceilings that triggered sprinklers and unhappy vacationing passengers.
  • Grandy recounts a San Francisco–to–Alaska voyage that hit a severe gale, prompting widespread seasickness and barf bags in the lobby.
  • The cast reflects on a permissive party culture with alcohol and drugs; Grandy expresses regret for not defending Lauren Tewes, who was fired for cocaine use and later returned for limited episodes after recovery.