Was the cast bloated?

[tommie]

Making my way through the series, I notice how some long-running characters haven't had proper de-ve-lop-ment! Such as Ginger, Kenny and especially poor Laura! The later had huge storylines but often felt sidelined when Val, Karen and Abby took the centre stage.

Which is a feat in itself to be fair.

 

[Karin Schill]

I'm currently rewatching the show and have gotten up to season four. I must agree with you about Ginger and Kenny. They were really sidelined and were rarely at the center of the plots.

So far I can't agree about Laura and Richard though, as they do get their share of episodes that are centered around them.

 

[tommie]

Post-season four Laura always was under-utilised - do something more than get the woman pregnant! She had business plots, but those faded into the background.

 

[Chris2]

Mostly no. But Ben looked heavy during his final season of the show, and Eric looked like he was carrying an extra 20 pounds during his last few guest appearances.

 

[Daniel Avery]

Lucky for Eric, his mother Karen knew this little trick involving pulling on his sweaters....