When TV show creators jump ship

Typically, when the creator of a TV show leaves, the show suffers. Sometimes it suffers a little; sometimes it suffers a lot. On very rare occasions, it may even get better. Those are so rare, however, that I can't think of a single example (if you can, post a comment).

I just read a good article that discusses just this topic. It's mainly about Amy Sherman-Palladino departure from Gilmore Girls, which she created. It discusses the potential fate of GG and the sub-par current (6th) season. It also touches on several other shows to use as examples or counter-examples including the West Wing, Alias and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

It is fair to say that things are different once a new showrunner takes on a show that has been on for a while and has already established a unique voice. A new showrunner is almost always chosen from within the production team, thus already has a rapport established and knows the show well enough to take on this new promotion. However, there is always the fear that a "new guy" will imply a change in tone, and pretty much lead the show down a turn for the worse. And given past examples, such fears are not unwarranted.

Here's the article:
Showrunner Switcharoo