What is Silicon Valley‘s fifth season going to be like without TJ Miller? All will be revealed on March 25.

In the meantime, to build up a little PR momentum, no less, the team at Silicon Valley has finally come out with the story behind why they decided to cut ties with one of the most entertaining characters in the show.

In fact, it was The Hollywood Reporter’s (THR) cover story this month.

According to Mashable, the departure occurred in May of last year, and, well, issues ranged from “frequent tardiness” and “a tendency to fall asleep on set”, to Miller’s abuse of alcohol and other substances.

So, basically, Erlich Bachman in real life? Pretty much.

Here’s what TJ Miller said when asked why he left by Jimmy Kimmel last year June:

And it seems he did very well in ignoring the question, to some extent.

Of course, this shouldn’t be all the much of a surprise; Miller has often referenced his alcohol and drug use before.

But that doesn’t do well in a work environment:

“Table reads would start late as the cast and crew waited on the untameable actor, and when he did arrive he typically hadn’t cracked open the script,” THR reported.

“Schedules would regularly have to be rejiggered, and sources from the set recount tales of Miller falling asleep between takes, leaving cast and crew to nudge him awake.”

The cover, below:

Silicon Valley creator Mike Judge noted his displeasure in working with someone like Miller:

“It’s not fun to work with someone who doesn’t want to be there, [especially when] they’re one of the main people and you’ve got however many crew members and extras and people who are [not paid as well] and they’re all showing up before 7 a.m., and then are just like, ‘Oh, OK, we’re not shooting today,'” he told THR.

Judge then offered Miller the opportunity to come back for three episodes of Season 5, but the actor turned it down, finishing off Season 4, never to return again.

Speaking to THR himself, Miller gave his own account of what was “really” behind his inability to make it to work on time or stay awake:

“I’m not high when I work because it gets in the way of the comedy,” Miller told THR. “I also am not a guy who’s blackout-drunk, bumping into things on set. … What was occurring was I was out doing stand-up all the time, even if it meant I only got three hours of sleep. So, the thing I have a problem with? It’s pushing myself to do too much.”

I see, I see.

Going to miss TJ Miller? Sure you are, in fact, we all are – but thankfully the show doesn’t depend on him to make it what it is.

Here’s what’s in store this season:

Keen as a bean.

[source:mashable]