Chuck Lorre: Cybill Shepherd Demanded Control, Made Me Sit on Footstool

Chuck Lorre, the creator of successful sitcoms like "The Big Bang Theory," has detailed challenging experiences during the production of his 1990s series "Cybill." In his memoir, "Sitcom: A Memoir," Lorre recounts that working with star Cybill Shepherd became difficult by the second season.

According to Lorre, Shepherd allegedly transformed into a demanding figure, seeking executive producer status and asserting control over all aspects of the show, including stories, scripts, and casting. Lorre described being summoned to her trailer after rehearsals.

He also detailed being made to sit on a footstool to receive script notes from Shepherd, who was situated in a large, vibrating lounge chair. Lorre's tenure on the show concluded abruptly.

Lorre wrote that he was fired on Yom Kippur eve, shortly after asserting his creative judgment regarding a script. He was informed not to return to work by a network executive.

Despite this experience, Lorre's career flourished, leading him to create numerous other popular television series. Separately, Shepherd has suggested that "Cybill" was canceled after she rejected sexual advances from a CBS executive.