‘Lethal Weapon’

Returning Sept. 25

Fired: Clayne Crawford



Reason: bad behavior on the set



When it debuted in 2016, “Lethal Weapon” was better than one might expect from a cop movie retread. Its strong point was the onscreen chemistry between Mr. Crawford and Damon Wayans as Riggs and Murtaugh, the oil-and-water partners first brought to life in the 1987 film by Mel Gibson and Danny Glover.

But somewhere along the line, things went south. Earlier this year reports emerged about outbursts from Mr. Crawford and a conflict between the lead actors, which seemed to boil over when Mr. Wayans was injured during an episode that Mr. Crawford directed. Mr. Crawford posted contrite messages on Instagram, but that wasn’t enough to save his job. After he was fired in May, Mr. Wayans posted photos on Twitter of his on-set injury and other incriminating evidence, including a sticker he claimed someone posted on set that called Mr. Crawford “an emotional terrorist.” Mr. Crawford has countered that Mr. Wayans was the real problem behind the scenes.

Whatever the source of the trouble, it’s Mr. Crawford who has been replaced — by Seann William Scott, still best known as the oversexed doofus Stifler from the “American Pie” films. He will play a war veteran who becomes Murtaugh’s new partner. At the Television Critics Association press tour in August, Gary Newman, a co-chairman of the Fox Television Group, said landing Mr. Scott saved the show. “Until they came up with Seann, we were planning a schedule without ‘Lethal Weapon,’” he said.

Outlook: “Lethal Weapon” was on the ratings bubble even before this all went down, so Mr. Crawford’s exit might actually help, if it brings in curious viewers (and if it doesn’t alienate the show’s fans). Mr. Scott has charisma and the right kind of Riggsy reckless energy to make the main dynamic work, if viewers don’t decide they’re too old for this show.