The Shocking Truth Behind Step By Step Season 6: Cody’s Exit, Jean-Luc’s Arrival, And The TGIF Cancellation

Step by Step Season 6, which aired on ABC from March 7 to August 15, 1997, marks one of the most tumultuous and pivotal periods in the history of the beloved 90s blended family sitcom. This season is notorious among long-time viewers for its drastic cast changes and a significant shift in tone that foreshadowed the show's eventual move to a new network. As of the current date, December 10, 2025, the season remains a fascinating study in how a major network (ABC) handled a declining but still-popular series, ultimately leading to its cancellation and subsequent rescue by CBS for its final run.

The sixth season of the Step by Step series is defined by two major, interconnected events: the sudden and unexplained disappearance of a fan-favorite character and the introduction of a flamboyant new entity meant to fill the void. This creative upheaval, combined with a controversial decision to air episodes out of their intended production order, created a disjointed viewing experience that nonetheless set the stage for the show’s final chapter.

The Step by Step Season 6 Main Cast & Character Arcs (Biography & Updates)

Season 6 saw the Lambert-Foster family navigate their late-90s lives, with the older children moving into more mature storylines. The core cast remained, but the season is notable for a major absence and a new recurring face.

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• Patrick Duffy as Frank Lambert: The easy-going contractor and patriarch. Duffy, a TV veteran known for his role on Dallas, continued to anchor the family with his signature relaxed demeanor, often clashing with Carol's new business partner. Duffy remains active in television, with recent appearances in soap operas and Christmas films.
• Suzanne Somers as Carol Foster Lambert: The high-strung, organized matriarch and Frank's wife. Carol’s storyline in Season 6 centered on her new business venture, which introduced a major new recurring character. Somers, a wellness advocate and entrepreneur, sadly passed away in 2023, leaving behind a legacy of iconic television roles.
• Staci Keanan as Dana Foster: The eldest, intellectual, and sarcastic Foster child. Dana’s arc shifted significantly in Season 6 as she began a serious relationship with Rich, J.T.'s friend, and allowed him to move into the house. Keanan has largely stepped away from acting, focusing on a career in law after graduating from UCLA School of Law.
• Brandon Call as John Thomas "J.T." Lambert: Frank’s eldest son and Dana’s frequent sparring partner. J.T. continued his pursuit of various get-rich-quick schemes and struggled with school. After the series ended, Call retired from acting completely and has maintained a private life away from the public eye.
• Christine Lakin as Alicia "Al" Lambert: Frank’s tomboy daughter. Al’s storylines often revolved around her teenage dating life and her pursuit of modeling. Lakin has had a successful voice-acting career and frequently appears in TV and film roles, often participating in cast reunions and retrospectives.
• Christopher Castile as Mark Foster: Carol’s nerdy, computer-savvy son. Mark's presence was notably reduced in Season 6, where he was absent from several episodes. Castile also retired from acting after the show ended and became a professor of political science at a college in California.
• Angela Watson as Karen Foster: Carol’s aspiring country singer daughter. Karen’s character continued to focus on her music and social life. Watson became an advocate for child actors after the series concluded, establishing the organization Child Actors Supporting Themselves (CAST).
• Josh Byrne as Brendan Lambert: Frank’s youngest son. Brendan’s role had been drastically reduced over the seasons, and he was completely written out of the show before Season 7, making Season 6 his last full appearance, though he had minimal screen time.
• Sasha Mitchell as Cody Lambert: Frank's nephew. Cody was notably absent for the entirety of Season 6. The character was written out of the show due to actor Sasha Mitchell's legal issues at the time, a major behind-the-scenes factor that drastically altered the show’s dynamic.
• Bronson Pinchot as Jean-Luc Rieupeyroux (Recurring): Carol's eccentric French hairdresser business partner. Introduced in Season 6, Jean-Luc was a key entity, serving as a comedic foil to Frank and filling the "wacky neighbor" void left by Cody's departure.

The Critical Shift: Cody’s Exit and Jean-Luc’s Arrival

The most defining characteristic of Step by Step Season 6 is the conspicuous absence of Cody Lambert. The character, Frank’s lovable-but-dim nephew, had been a key source of physical comedy and a popular romantic interest for Dana Foster since his introduction.

The decision to remove Cody was a direct result of actor Sasha Mitchell’s real-life legal troubles. Rather than recast the role or offer a dramatic exit, the character simply vanished without explanation, a common but jarring practice in 90s sitcoms. This left a massive hole in the show’s comedic formula, which the producers attempted to fill with a new, equally eccentric character.

Enter Jean-Luc Rieupeyroux, portrayed by veteran actor Bronson Pinchot (known for Perfect Strangers). Jean-Luc was introduced as Carol’s new business partner in a beauty salon venture. The character was a flamboyant French caricature designed to irritate Frank Lambert, much like Cody often did. Episodes like "Crazy Love" focus on Frank's jealousy and frustration with Jean-Luc's constant presence in the Lambert-Foster household. While Pinchot is a talented comedic actor, the character never fully resonated with fans in the same way the original family members or Cody had, adding to the sense of creative decline.

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Key Storylines and The End of the ABC Era

Season 6, despite its production issues and cast changes, contained several memorable episodes and significant character developments that moved the blended family’s story forward. The season consisted of 24 episodes, but its erratic airing schedule on ABC’s TGIF lineup often confused viewers, with episodes sometimes shown out of order.

Major Character Developments:

• Dana and Rich: Dana Foster, known for her staunch independence and intellectual snobbery, begins a serious relationship with Rich, J.T.’s slacker friend. This marked a major shift for Dana, as she allowed herself to be vulnerable and even let Rich move into the house, creating new comedic tension with her parents.
• Al’s Career and Dating: Al Lambert’s storylines continued to explore her journey into young adulthood, focusing on her aspirations in modeling and her complicated dating life. Episodes like "The 'L' Word" and "She’s the One" dealt with typical teenage issues, maintaining the show's core focus on family life.
• Frank and Carol’s Marriage: The parents’ relationship was tested by Jean-Luc and Carol's new business, forcing Frank to deal with his insecurities and the constant presence of his wife’s eccentric partner. The season finale on ABC, "Bonjour Jean-Luc," served as the culmination of this arc.

The ABC Cancellation and Legacy

Ultimately, Season 6 proved to be the end of the road for Step by Step on its original network. Despite being a foundational pillar of the iconic ABC TGIF Friday night block for years, the show's ratings had steadily declined. After the Season 6 finale, ABC announced the cancellation of the series.

However, the story did not end there. In a move common for long-running sitcoms in the late 90s, rival network CBS swooped in and picked up Step by Step for a seventh and final season. This move allowed the show to have a proper conclusion, with the final season seeing the return of Cody Lambert (Sasha Mitchell) for a handful of episodes. Season 6, therefore, stands as the awkward but necessary transition point—the moment the show lost its way on its home network, only to be given one last chance at a farewell.

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