Bette Midler has expressed regret over not taking legal action against Lindsay Lohan when she left their sitcom, Bette, in the early 2000s.
Midler starred as herself in the comedy series, which aired in the US from October 2000 to March 2001.
Lohan, then aged 13, signed on to play Bette's daughter in the comedy series but appeared only in the pilot episode before deciding to pursue other opportunities.
Midler claimed the production was thrown into disarray after her departure, and she was replaced with actress Marina Malota.
Reflecting on that time, the 78-year-old Emmy winner has admitted she wishes she had taken legal action against Lohan for ditching the series, which was cancelled after one season.
Speaking on the Fail Better with David Duchovny podcast, she shared: “Lindsay Lohan was cast as my daughter in the pilot. Well, after the pilot, Lindsay Lohan decided she didn’t want to do it, or she had other fish to fry.
“So Lindsay Lohan left the building - and I said, ‘Well, now what do you do?’”
The X-Files actor then noted that Lohan’s contract should have prevented her from leaving the show or at least outlined consequences for her departure.
To which Midler replied, "If I had been in my right mind, or if I had known that my duties were to stand up and say, ‘This absolutely will not do, I’m gonna sue,’ then I would have done that."
The Grammy winner acknowledged that Lohan’s departure from Bette wasn’t the only issue with the show, branding it a “mistake” and said she was naive when entering into the project.
Midler, who was also the sitcom’s executive producer, shared: “I had never done a situation comedy. I didn’t realise what the pace was. I didn’t understand what the hierarchy was and no one bothered to tell me.”
She added: “I seemed to have been [blocked] in some way, that I couldn’t get to the writer’s room.
“I couldn’t make myself clear - and there were so many competing personalities,” she continued.
“I couldn’t speak to the showrunner.I couldn’t make myself clear - and there were so many competing personalities.”
The legendary actress’ comments come days after Lohan posted a photo on her Instagram of herself and Midler filming Bette in 2000.
“Had such a blast filming with the incredible Bette Midler,” the star reminisced in the caption.
The Standard has contacted Lindsay Lohan’s rep for comment.
