“Silicon Valley” has been one of the most consistently funny shows on TV over the last several years. Nominated for tons of awards, the HBO comedy had been riding high and avoiding controversy until recently, when star T.J. Miller left the series and decided to implement the scorched earth method on the way out. Now, as creator Mike Judge and the rest of the cast and crew await the season 5 premiere, they’re talking about what life is life without Miller on set. Spoiler Alert – apparently everyone is much happier!
In a lengthy interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Mike Judge speaks candidly about Miller’s departure. Without going into too much detail, it looks like there was a mutual agreement that it was time for Miller’s time on the show to come to close, but the producers and Miller had different ideas on why.
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“There are a lot of different ways you can find out somebody doesn’t want to do the show anymore,” says Judge, speaking about why it was time for Miller to leave. “And it’s not fun to work with someone who doesn’t want to be there, [especially when] they’re one of the main people and you’ve got however many crewmembers and extras and people who are [not paid as well] and they’re all showing up before 7 a.m., and then are just like, ‘Oh, OK, we’re not shooting today.'”
THR reports that sources said that Miller would be erratic on set, indicating that he might not have been the most sober person around. Miller denies that, saying that his stand-up comedy schedule caused issues.
“It just wasn’t working,” says Judge.
Judge, with the support of the crew and HBO, offered Miller a chance to come back for season 5, but in a limited basis. Just three episodes, which would tie up any loose ends for the character. Miller declined.
So, how has the production of the show changed without Miller? Well, not much, actually. “There is no question that T.J. is really funny and that Erlich was really funny,” says Judge. “But I think there was only one time in the room where it was like, ‘Oh, that would’ve been a good thing for Erlich.’ There have been way more times where I’ve said, ‘I wish we had Chris Evan Welch back.'” Welch was an actor that was featured a lot in season 1 of “Silicon Valley” before his untimely passing in 2013.
The first T.J. Miller-less season of “Silicon Valley” premieres on HBO on March 25.