Where Does TJ Miller’s ‘Silicon Valley’ Exit Leave the Show — and HBO?

Can the Emmy-winning series withstand the loss of arguably its biggest name — and where does this leave the network and its comedy prospects? Since its April 2014 launch, Miller has been among the show’s five core cast members, along with Thomas Middleditch (Richard), Martin Starr (Gilfoyle), Kumail Nanjiani (Dinesh) and Zach Woods (Jared). Although not quite an awards-season player on the level of “Veep,” the series remains one of the key components of the channel’s comedy slate… and one of the most consistently funny shows on TV. [...] he says that the ensemble nature of the show may help soften the blow: “They can either emphasize the other characters more — I think they have a lot of very talented performers and a lot of potential directions they can go without him — or they can decide to adapt by adding some other similar new character.” According to Bill Mesce, author of “Inside the Rise of HBO,” it’s hard to predict whether Miller’s exit will change “Silicon Valley” for the worse. Jason Mittell, professor of film and media culture at Middlebury College, sees the change as a potential asset in that it might allow the guys’ internet startup, Pied Piper, to experience new levels of success.