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Failed TV Comebacks
Failed TV Comebacks. "The L-Word" actress Jennifer Beals joined a host of other stars when her recent TV comebacks fell short. Not one, but two, of her shows were canceled by FOX in mid-May. Watch Jennifer in her glory days as Alex in an '80s dance classic and read on to see which other stars ' TV comebacks didn't 't make the cut.

Paul Reiser
Former "Mad About You" star Paul Reiser attempted to return to the small screen as a TV star looking for work in "The Paul Reiser Show." The NBC show debuted April 14 but wasn't on air for long.
Matt LeBlanc
Although we loved Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani in "Friends", we didn't 't love his spinoff "Joey," which lasted just two seasons. However, the show did help launch the career of this "Desperate Housewives" actress.
Lisa Kudrow
Lisa Kudrow won our hearts as Phoebe Buffay on "Friends," but she came up short when she attempted to comeback with HBO 's "The Comeback."
Jason Alexander
Jason Alexander flourished as Jerry Seinfeld 's sidekick George in "Seinfeld" but didn't fare as well with comebacks "Bob Patterson" and "Listen Up!," which also starred a "Cosby" kid. Fun fact about Jason – he won a Tony Award for his role in this Broadway musical.
Michael Richards
It was always going to be tough for Michael Richards to top crazy Cosmo Kramer, his character on "Seinfeld." He unfortunately didn't even come close as private detective Vic Nardozza in "The Michael Richards Show."
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Although we'll never forget Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Elaine on "Seinfeld," we 'd like to forget about her stint on "Watching Ellie." The show was canceled after two short seasons. But Julia redeemed herself with this show and in 2010 was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Kelsey Grammer
Kelsey Grammer's "Cheers" spinoff, "Frasier," was so successful it was dubbed this. Following these successes, Kelsey returned to TV with "Back to You" and "Hank," both canceled after just one season. Kelsey recently divorced "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Camille Grammer and married Kayte Walsh
Courteney Cox
Although Courteney Cox has done well with her more recent endeavor, "Cougar Town," her first post "Friends" TV show "Dirt" was canceled after two seasons. Off screen, Courteney and husband of 11 years David Arquette separated in 2010.
John Stamos
John Stamos attempted to return to TV after his long-term stint on "Full House" with the short-lived "Thieves" and "Jake in Progress." The good news – John did better as Dr. Tony Gates on "ER" from 2006-2009 and, more recently as dentist Carl on "Glee".
Bob Saget
Bob Saget was at his best as dad Danny Tanner on "Full House" and host of this funny TV show. He attempted to return in 2009 in "Surviving Suburbia," which was canceled after one season. Fun fact: He's the narrator of this hit sitcom.
Jason Priestly
Jason Priestly charmed us as hunky Brandon Walsh in "Beverly Hills 90210" but left us cold when he returned to TV in 2007 as Ian Denison in Lifetime's "Side Order of Life." Fun fact: He's a big fan of this Canadian band.
Luke Perry
The '90s heartthrob took America by storm as bad boy Dylan McKay in "Beverly Hills 90210". Luke didn't do as well when he returned to TV in "Jeremiah" in 2003 and "Windfall" in 2006.
Source:specials

Soap Stars Who Made It Big

Everybody who's made it big had to start somewhere, and for these stars, that start was in soap operas. See the breakout roles of these big-screen heavy hitters.
Scroll down to read about:
John Stamos
Meg Ryan
Laurence Fishburne

Eva Longoria

Then:
Longoria played the psychotic Isabella on "The Young and the Restless".
Now:
She stars on this prime-time hit
She recently split from her husband

Leonardo DiCaprio

Then:
DiCaprio played the young Mason Capwell in flashbacks on "Santa Barbara" in 1990.
Now:
His latest hit movie
His Oscar-nominated role

Julianne Moore

Then:
Moore played the dual roles of Frannie and Sabrina Hughes on "As the World Turns".
Now:
Film featuring her first acclaimed role
Her Oscar-nominated role

Kevin Bacon

Then:
Bacon played the boozing T.J. Werner on "Guiding Light".
Now:
His big-break movie
He's a party game

John Stamos

Then:
Stamos played the role of teen heartthrob Blackie Parrish on "General Hospital".
Now:
His classic popular sitcom
Recent role on this hit series
See photos of John Stamos

Tommy Lee Jones

Then:
Jones played Dorian Cramer's married lover, Dr. Mark Toland, on "One Life to Live" in 1970.
Now:
One of his Oscar-nominated films
Another Oscar nomination

Lindsay Lohan

Then:
Ten-year-old Lindsay played Alli Fowler on "Another World".
Now:
She's had her share of legal troubles
Her biggest movie role

Demi Moore

Then:
Moore played investigative reporter Jackie Templeton on "General Hospital".
Now:
Her philanthropic project
One of her first notable movies

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Then:
Gellar played the young Kendall Hart on "All My Children".
Now:
Her popular TV series
One of her spookier films

David Hasselhoff

Then:
The Hoff was the second actor to play Dr. William "Snapper" Foster on "The Young and the Restless".
Now:
Judges this popular show
Starred in this TV classic

Marcia Cross

Then:
Cross played anthropologist Kate Sanders on "One Life to Live".
Now:
Stars on this hit TV show
Played a maniacal doctor on this hit show

Meg Ryan

Then:
Ryan played Betsy Stewart  on "As the World Turns".
Now:
One of her defining films
Dating this rocker

Laurence Fishburne

Then:
Before becoming Pee-wee Herman's cowboy sidekick, Fishburne played Dr. Joshua Hall on "One Life to Live."
Now:
Starred in this hit movie series
Now on this TV series

Josh Duhamel

Then:
Duhamel eventually came to a watery end as Leo Du Pres on "All My Children".
 
Now:
Starred in this hit TV series
Married to this musician
Source:Specials

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