Why Did Taye Diggs Leave ‘All American’? Actor Explains Heartbreaking Billy Baker Exit
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The following contains MAJOR spoilers for All American Season 5 Episode 11, “Time”]
The February 13 episode of All American featured a heartbreaking and shocking end. Taye Diggs‘ Billy Baker died at the end of the episode, marking the actor’s exit from The CW series.
In the episode, Coach Billy was commuting back home with his team when their bus blew a tire. The accident led to the bus careening to the edge of a cliff, but he and the players escaped the vehicle safely. At least, that’s what Billy thought. He went back onto the bus to look for Jamari (Simeon Daise), and then viewers learned of his death at the same time as his family later in the episode. It was a heroic end for an honorable character.
But why did Diggs want to leave the series? Showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll said it was a strictly narrative decision.
“I had a pretty good idea at the end of last season that that was where the season was going,” Carroll told Variety. Diggs was kept in the loop of her thought process, and as discussions about Billy’s legacy in the world of the show pressed on, this ending “just came together,” but she admitted that Diggs was “so emotional” at the time.
Troy Harvey/The CW
“It became a mutual thing of, we have an opportunity to do something that no one is going to expect,” she said. “Does this feel like the right time to do it? We both felt like it was.”
Billy dying was the only exit that made sense for the character who was fiercely loyal to his family. Carroll said they were “so incredibly lucky to have Taye Diggs be part of this production from day one,” noting that they were never sure of “how long we would be able to hold on to him” as a cast member.
“I mean, he’s Taye Diggs,” Carroll recalled. “So we were like, let’s always make sure we’re communicating with each other, and when it feels like it’s the right time, if we’re both feeling that way, we’ll have the conversation and figure out a really dope way to have him exit the show.”
Carroll’s vision for Billy’s death was always this heroic moment, and Diggs was made aware of the plan a year before filming.
“Even though it was so far in advance, I already knew that whenever it would happen, that this was how I was going to do it,” she explained. “I pitched it to him like I was pitching an episode, beat by beat, even though it was still easily a year away. He was like, ‘It feels like the right time, and it feels like the right way to do it.’ It just felt right for both of us.”
Diggs told TVLine that he knew in his gut it was the right time to exit the series, adding that the cast and crew were all made aware of his impending departure as well.
“I was having a great time” on the show, he shared. “It was just a feeling that I got [that I was ready to leave], and I just honored that feeling.”
Troy Harvey/The CW
“It was maybe mid-fourth season. I don’t even remember, to be honest, because the showrunner [Carroll] and myself are close,” he added. “We’d been keeping in contact, so she had known, and we’d been talking. And we decided how to go about it, and storylines and whatnot, so it was all above board, and everyone was in the know.”
Diggs and Carroll are confident that this was not an unnecessary TV death and that the easier choice would have been to have him leave his coaching job for a college coaching gig, as teased in the emotional episode. But Billy would never leave his family behind, so a new job wasn’t in the cards.
“The easiest choice would have been for me to teach at some college,” Diggs explained, “but then given the intensity of the relationships between me and my family, and me and the team, it would not make sense if I was still alive and wasn’t still in contact with these children of mine — these students, these young men that had such an influence on my life. When I was told how I was exiting, I was impressed. [Laughs] No characters I’ve played have ever been dealt with in that fashion. I was honored.”
All American, Mondays, 8/7c, The CW
Conversation101 Comments
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O
I saw this coming but I NEVER expected it to be Billy. This is exhausting when they do this.So much is taken from us in the real world that it felt good to watch a show that had life lessons, hope and the best dressed cast of any show. There were others that didn't have huge roles that could have proved the same point but stripping us of Billy!!! Really? How was that justifiable when you could have left him out of a few episodes. This is the 3rd series show that took the main character off and the other 2, I don't even watch anymore, I just hope I don't drop this one. The energy of the show will shift drastically. It's not to late too bring him back. The bus could have went over and blown up. He could have gotten thrown out, and no one knows he's there. Later found fighting for his life with little memory. Now, that would be a great way to increase the ratings.
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Did you read the article? TAYE DIGGS DID NOT WANT TO DO THE SHOW ANYMORE. So she had no choice but to write his character off…
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Me too, it doesn’t make since to watch it after he’s gone
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O
I agree. This was an utter failure. Billy needs to be rewritten in the story or else loyal viewers like me and my family will stop watching it altogether. The writers have now trashed the plot and will probably have to introduce some sex craze storyline or trash like these other series. This series was well-written and classy until now. CW really disappointed us.
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C
I hope that they make this the last season and they end the series because there is no all American without Billie Baker's character! 🤦🏽♂️
Terrible decision!!!!
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B
I love this show, and to be truly honest. I dont think i can watch it anymore. I follow for the acting and actors. This one hurts.
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Yes I said the same thing!
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O
Why it will never be the same without billy. It was not time
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This makes no sense. No, Taye Diggs, you can’t have a life outside of All American. You and Carol had no business making this decision. I’m pissed! Why kill Billy Baker, aka Dad, Coach Baker, Coach, Billy? He was the glue keeping everyone together. Why do this to Spencer?? I pray Olivia doesn’t relapse. This is horrible.
Hell I was at the house when Grace and Jordan told everyone. I was devastated. I can’t believe Billy is gone, where’s my melatonin????
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i cried like a baby i had to rewind to make sure I saw what i just saw omg I love Taye Diggs when he it the floor with Stella. You know how shows put the person in the hospital and they don't know who they are I pray this is the store line.
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Babyyy I was in the living room too during that phone call/voicemail scene too
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This only explains the "what." Were still left without the "why." Unless this really happened to the person on whom this show was based, I am not feeling this at all.
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I hated this. I thought no way he’s still alive! I did not like this ending at all 🙁
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I am so upset at this ending....the least they could of done is replaced Diggs for the time being and let him explore other career opportunities but killing off a main important character like this is crazy and makes no sense...not to mention Spencer just went thru losing his real dad a few years ago. Yes this will open up lots of storylines but they will all be off now....This was horrible
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Y'all gotta a find a way to bring him back. IT AIN'T FUNNY. I'm sad and DEPRESSED. I know it's just a show but not for me
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You fr
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P
we already have to deal with these things in real life. Some off us are looking for an escape in these shows it's so sad. I haven't even watched this episode yet and i've been crying all day.😢😭
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B
Was he burnt out? That ending pierced my heart; I just lost a nephew in a car accident.
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This is crazy!!!!@ Sorry but this show want be the same! Nobody understands why this had to happen! I don't know if I will continue to watch this show I'm very sadden by this OUTCOME 🤔
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It makes no sense seriously 😒 ???????
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C
This was a devastating blow, I was actually very emotional about it!!! Taye Diggs was the show, he was the heart of the show and I honestly don’t even think I will be able to watch the next episode and the following episodes. I don’t want to go through the grief of the next episode and every episode after that won’t be the same without Billy Baker…. I know it’s just a tv show but I was very invested in this show and it is one of the only shows I look forward to watching each week and when it’s off season all I think about it when the next season will be coming out and fyi I cried like a baby!!! I’m very sad about this ending 😭
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I am soooo disappointed in this ending! I use to love to see the only family on the show have such an incredible bond and love for each other…THEN BOOM…You kill the glue of that family off! Such a dumb move! Do you producers really think anybody is going yo still watch this show? I mean really?!? Is what Spencer going to be the NEW coach Baker?!? NOT!!! You guys gave Spencer too much power on this show! He doesn’t make the show…Taye Diggs DID! Please don’t try now to wrap the series around Spencer…You giving him too much power, no college kid has that much power! You just cost your show a lot of viewers. I hope it was worth IT!
Long live Coach Baker!! Bring him back!
PLEASSSSSSE
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END THE SERIES. I WON'T BE WATCHING ANYMORE! 😋
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I'm absolutely💔💔💔 I have been a dayone fan of the show and Coach Baker is one of the key elements of it!! This is an amazing display of family put together by trials and triumphs in an inspiring way!! It won't be the same without Taye Diggs as the outstanding father, coach, and principal!! Impossible shoes to fill, he was flawless at wearing all of those hats!! Not to mention HE'S FINE AS HELL!!😭😭😭
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They should have replaced him with someone else. Not feeling it. Curious to see how well the show does after this
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He is not replaceable! No o è can be Tay Figgs! Thru should just left his chacter!
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R
well he should have put his big boy pants on and kept going.. We all do it when we don't want to go to work. Have me here crying like I knew him personally. I'm even talking about him like he's actually dead😭
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Omg, I so feel you on this one!! I was beyond sad, hurt and just sobbing!!!
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I don't think it'll be easy or even make sense for me to watch the show again without Billy Baker... Why couldn't he jus finished it all then go about his business. It was very heartbreaking to watch & let's hope they can recast him atleast injured after that and continue with his character. I HATE THIS, IT'S SO PAINFUL
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B
I think if he was going to leave they did it right. He dies saving one of his players. That is the man he was. No other actor could step into that role. It would not be the same.
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Billy decided he didn’t want to be on the show anymore that’s why they killed him off. It wasn’t their decision he was ready to exit the show. He’s the biggest actor on the show, eventually he was going to want to go he didn’t wanna be there forever. Maybe he has other jobs lined up he is a big actor.
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Exactly .
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W
I think Coach Billy Baker’s exit was poetic justice for the character played by Tate Diggs. I Initially felt the same emotions as the majority of the show’s fans. I knew that I would grieve his character’s departure as did everyone because his character was such a noble one. Everyone loved Coach Baker and the show has gone on in such a honorable way since his departure. I read where many fans wanted him to return someway and many threatened to stop watching the show which in my opinion would have been their loss. Loss is what the show has been portraying since Coach passed away. I recently loss someone very close to me and I can relate to how the show is incorporating the process of grieving of each actor who has had a relationship with Coach Baker. It is hard to say goodbye to a loved one and this show has been a great aid on grieving the loss of a loved one. Thanks to the actors, writers, producers and everyone for doing an excellent job.
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This was really heart breaking to me, to me it really wasn't the right time for him to leave, a lot was learnt from his involvement in all American , how could he leave at that point, as much as he had his reasons, all American will never be the same
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J
Never saw this coming……they could have at least made it to where Billy and Spencer talked before he passed smh
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This sucks!!!!:(
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my heart hurting rn im so late to this and needed answers 💔
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So unnecessary. So now what? Liv gets back on drugs. Mrs. Baker goes crazy and decides to go check herself in somewhere. Spencer's going to save everyone...uggggh...
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Facts-Haha that’s funny!
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Was Jamari even on the bus?
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How are they going to bring him back from the dead that would be really stupid
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R
Loved Billy Bakers character, the show will not be the same without him but I do hope it continues. Although it’s hard to vision the show without him.
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O
This is like killing James off of Good Times! Why all the good black husbands and fathers die off the shows. You saw what happened to Good Times after those dumb writers removed James. Now, you will see what happens here. Billy was the glue to this show and was someone we could be proud of in the Black community. This show gave families hope. Why do you take away every good image of Black led families? There were so many minor characters that could have exited the show. So disappointed at the writers. I use to look forward to watching this series with my family. Now, we are heartbroken with no other shows with integrity, class, or honor that represents a strong father figure in a loving and supportive home. This was a terrible move. Good-bye CW and All-American!
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I'm literally in tears. I wasn't expecting this😥💔
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So what happen to Jabari? Did he die as well I’m confused
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Very sad
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G
It was absolutely astonishing to see Coach Baker die at the end of the episode. I don't understand the rationale provided. Why was it necessary to find an exit? If the show continues, why not his character? I can't imagine the show without him. Perhaps ratings will plunge!
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TAYE diggs didn’t want to do the show anymore.
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What was the point smh
@yacworldwide
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It was a very sad moment to know that, Coach Billy Baker died in such a way. Was it the only way to avoid annoying or disappointing both sides, by not taking the GAU job or remaining at his job as the Principal? I don't expect to enjoy the remaining episodes, but let me watch and see. I hope Spencer and Liv will reconcile, and get back together!
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No TF they couldn’t have. He is Taye Diggs.
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I’m sorry Taye Diggs don’t stick nothing out. Not even his relationships.
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I loved him in this show smh I have cried literally every episode from that point on it hurt like real life!!! I don’t like this.
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B
You should really find a way to bring billy back into the show, till then i have quit watching this show altogether and will move on to another show to start bingewatching, but i will come back to this show WHEN you bring billy back, idc how you do it js bring him back!!!!!
Till then, im disapointed CW😕
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B
this decision was a complete failure. It was comforting to see families stand by each other and offer support. TV takes us away from reality and the things we have lost. Why did we need to lose something else?
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B
I think the opposite of this article. Way too unnecessary. Billy baker is way too important, and has helped too many people in the show and it won’t be the same without him. Very unnecessary. This season won’t be good and it’s gonna be way too sad. Cw didn’t have to do this. There is no reason for something like this. Can really let us down
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R
Well Mr. Billy (Taye Diggs) sir you should have ask the viewers if it was ok to leave like that, You could've taken a long vacation and pop up every now and again I would be totally ok with that but you are gone, just a memory
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G
BOOOOOOO!!! Bad decision. Show won't be the same. I've been crying since I watched the episode. It was not time!! Don't think I can watch anymore💔💔😭😭
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G
I did not like the Departure of Billy’s
Character!!
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B
I didn’t like how he left. It came from no where. I hope the girls don’t become bedroom drama.. but i won’t be watching any more. Same as that spin off. Horrible. That mama, with the plastic surgery, is also awful. Good by all American
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B
Exactly
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B
They could have gotten someone else bald short and chocolate to continue with the part
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O
He was not burnt out he wanted to purse other t&ings
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O
It was his decision to leave
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B
They are all talented actor’s and actress’s but to kill off the main character that pulls everyone together and everyone feeds off of was a mistake, not sure how this gonna go now with out a coach
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I think the show is over. Even if it’s not, it is for me. This show meant something. It’s over
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B
Well it was definitely well played. The entire show. I had to pause my tv and had a breakdown. My daughter came home and also had a melt down. We’ve. Been so invested and made them all apart of our lives that it was a big WOW to us. The only part I did not like was when they show back the message to the player saying “tell my wife and family I love them”. The no attempt to run out of the bus was upsetting. I just wish they would of left it to the imagination that he was a hero and not giving up (regardless of the obvious outcome). All in all Billy WILL be missed. That smile!!
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B
I already knew that was going to happened. Any show that have about good family oriented shows and really life problems. And especially an father figured show that speaks positive in this world. They seemed to kill off or end there seasons. It is an shame what these people are doing. But I betcha if it had some negative stuff about selling drugs, violence, and bad music vibes. They wouldn't be killing off billy character. This is ashame!!
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J
Just to let you know. This show right here is giving me great respect and to appreciate life. To see life situations that goes on in this world. on the show that makes it feel so real. Really opens up deep feelings that you have inside. When coach Billy died off the show. Even though my father has been gone for 42 years. I felt that pain in the emptiness all over again. And for Olivia it is good to know that you have a support group. Because there are a lot of people out here in this world. Who think that other people don't care about they substance abuse.
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C
Terrible idea! No way the show can stand without him! They never said hiw he died just going towards the bus. no closure
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O
Just make it to be last season now or get a real good story going he was such a good part of the show
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B
I wish they would stick to the original true story.
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O
I cried so hard😭 I felt like my Dad died!
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B
I absolutely hate it. The show won't be the same. His role was instrumental to the show & being a positive, male, African American, role model, which is rarely seen on TV. Hate it! Dumb decision! Ripped my heart out of my chest. Still recovering. Not many shows can affect me in that way that is on TV now. Bad decision making here. Hate it!
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C
Will never be the same not worth watching anymore
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G
Wrong decision and wrong ending if the character is not dead during that time in real life then this should not have occurred PERIOD!!!
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R
I knew that Billy was going to DIE! when Grace asked him not to go back, but I knew the kindhearted Character that he played, that he was about to die, IT WAS A TOTAL SHOCK, I WAS SITTING THERE CALLING MY COUSIN AND CRYING, TELLING HIM, DID YOU KNOW BILLY BAKER DIED? LIKE IT WAS REAL LIFE. WHEW JESUS, thinking about all of them, I cried and cried, I understand that he wanted to leave bc in life, we have to be lead by The Spirit, but it was and is heartbreaking, I will watch it again but i just do not believe it will be the same without Billy and Spencer, (PLAYING together) The Baker Family and Grace and her children , with Layla, Coop, Preach and The others.
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I was very disappointed and hurt that he left this shows he was a main character not good
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This want be a good movie any more!! Bring Tay diggs back
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I am so heart broken. I think he made the show! I hope I continue to love it. This made me cry like i was part of the show! Please bring him back.....
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C
WITHOUT BILLY BAKER I'M THROUGH WATCHING THIS PROGRAM!!!!
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BRING HIM BACK!!!¡ I WONT WATCH THIS PROGRAM ANYMORE WITH BILLY NO MATTER HOW YOU TRY TO MAKE IT INTERESTING YOU MAKE IT THERE ARE WAYS YOU CAN BRING HIM BACK
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I don't think they really thought this through. How can you have/watch All American without Billy Baker? Not to take away from the other characters, but the show is based around him, the team, and family. What will the show bring to its fans without his iconic role?
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I think there shld be some resurrection somehow, myb him waking up in the forest or something like that, it really won't be the same without him
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T
This is very upsetting and heart broken that Billy exited the show . I actually cried as if it was my father/Coach/Mentor! This has been bothering me since the show asking myself a thousand times “Why would they do this!” It’s no All American show anymore and it won’t be the same watching it… 😕
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My heart hurts! Billy died???? OMG. I haven’t shed tears over a tv series/movie in years. I connected with Billy. He was like MY Brother. Honorable…Caring…Wise…Genuine… Bring him back please. We need more characters who represent these strong father-like/male characteristics. You are an excellent writer! Please find a way!!
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O
This is definitely devastating. Others said they saw it coming, that someone would get killed off the show, but I don't think anyone saw this one. And I'm a few days late, because I'm just now watching the episode. I do not like the fact that Coach was killed off the show. He's a very important main character on the show and I can see the ratings having a very diverse drop because of this. Ijs. There's no #all-American without Coach Billy Baker!
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O
Billy Baker is LITERALLY what makes All American “ALL AMERICAN!” How can you go on? Taking out the main character like that? He is what made the show! Please tell me there’s a twist that they thought he died and the episode he will fight for his life an be back! 🙏🏽😮💨 this is not good! Please don’t take him off 😭
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R
So for me this was officially the last episode of All American I wont be watching another episode. They will def be losing lots of viewers...
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G
It was very emotional for me because my dad passed away and was so much a part of my life in sports. This hit home in a way that it feels real to me. Was a very sad way to end the episode but hopefully it makes the show keep getting better.
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O
This was not what I expected, just tragic I don’t wanna watch this show anymore, All American without Coach Baker will never be the same.
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C
I feel like I suddenly lost a family member. This show will never be the same without Billy. Will I continue to watch?….I don’t know. Only time will tell.
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C
I refuse to watch. I am so heartbroken!!!!! I can’t believe you taye diggs. You let us all down!!!
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C
I am sooo heartbroken and disappointed!!! I love this show!!! Why why why! I’m literally sooo disappointed!!!!!
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O
Definitely a bad decision! I wish the show the best, but I won't be watching any more.
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C
Same girl same. I’m so upset
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R
Y’all tripping
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C
The show will never be the same again without Billy. I will definitely not be watching it anymore. 😞
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R
Exactly it makes no sense. None at all
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O
I agree with your statement
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B
They could have replaced him with another short bald black man
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