The Supposed Behind-The-Scenes Drama That Led To The End Of Home Improvement

"Home Improvement" was one of the most beloved sitcoms of the '90s, but it all came to an end in 1999. As it turns out, a very significant pay gap played a very big role in that. 

As fans of "Home Improvement" may know, some members of the production team made a pretty concerted effort to ensure women were accurately represented, and Patricia Richardson in particular played a big role behind the scenes, regularly weighing in on the show's scripts. As the show's co-executive producer Rosalind Moore told the Los Angeles Times, "When she was surrounded by all that testosterone, she would still hold her ground." Unfortunately, being such a big part of the show both on screen and off came at a big personal cost for Richardson, and she told Closer Weekly it even played a role in her marital woes and eventual divorce. Making matters worse, Richardson was also earning way less than her co-star Tim Allen. 

Understandably, not being fairly compensated was a sticking point for Richardson, particularly after her divorce. As she recalled to the Los Angeles Times, she told production, "There's not enough money in the world to get me to do a ninth year." Of course, that didn't stop Disney from trying, and she was offered $1 million per episode for a final season. Allen, however, was still offered double. Richardson responded by saying that she'd stick around if they matched Allen's salary, and unsurprisingly, they weren't willing to do so. "I knew that Disney would in no way pay me that much. That was my way to say 'No' and was a little bit of a flip-off to Disney. I'd been there all this time, and they never even paid me a third of what Tim was making and I was working my ass off," she recalled. Sad for fans, but we have no doubts that Jill Taylor would approve.

Despite Disney not wanting to pay Patricia Richardson as well as her co-star, the "Home Improvement" production team agreed that without her character, there was no show. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, the show's co-creator Carmen Finestra said there hadn't even been a conversation about potentially doing a ninth season without her. "It just couldn't have worked," he said. However, it is also worth noting that Richardson's exit was the final straw after a few other factors put a possible ninth season at risk of being vetoed. 

In the same interview with the Los Angeles Times, Richardson pointed out that by Season 8, there was already some serious tension on the "Home Improvement" set, partly because new directors were brought onto the show. What's more, '90s heartthrob Jonathan Taylor Thomas had already left the show the season prior, and rather than pretending everything was hunky dory, Tim Allen was openly critical of his younger co-star's decision to exit. Allen also discussed Thomas having a problem with him because of that, telling TV Guide, "He said it was about going to school, but then he did some films. ... I mentioned [publicly] that I was confused. I don't think he liked that" (via the New York Post). Way to pour gas on the fire. Allen wasn't the only cast member to address the situation head-on, though. Richardson also told TV Guide of Thomas' decision to not be in the show's finale episode, "It's a pretty sore point around here."

"Home Improvement" officially ended after Season 8, and despite past drama, many of its stars have made nice in the years since. In fact, some have even made cameos on Allen's show "Last Man Standing." Not quite the reboot "Home Improvement" fans were hoping for, but it's probably as close as we'll get.