Who's bright idea was it to have Michael Stivic become a deadbeat jerk??

[Buttmunker]

It is said that the character of Michael "Meathead" Stivic deserted his wife and son and joined a commune.

I have trouble now watching the early seasons where Meathead lives in the Bunker house, knowing what kind of man he will become in later years.

Why would these people do this to the character??

[TVFactFan]

It is said that the character of Michael "Meathead" Stivic deserted his wife and son and joined a commune.

I have trouble now watching the early seasons where Meathead lives in the Bunker house, knowing what kind of man he will become in later years.

Why would these people do this to the character??


Because the actor wanted no part in the spinoff-"GLORIA" that was created in 1982. So since it was just Sall Struthes who agreed to do the spinoff, they had to come up with a reason for Mike not being with her anymore and that's what it was-"Joining a Commune"-LOL

[Brian Damage]

I agree, it was a horrible way to end the character. I feel the same way when they killed off Edith.

[Stuck In The '70's]

The only other way to explain his absense might have been to kill off his character too. That would have been worst.

[gilligan fanatic]

The only other way to explain his absense might have been to kill off his character too. That would have been worst.

I don't know about that, I think a widow Gloria is better than a divorced Gloria.

[Stuck In The '70's]

I don't know about that, I think a widow Gloria is better than a divorced Gloria.
You got to remember that this was only 2 years after they killed off Edith. I think that was to much for the fans to accept.

[gilligan fanatic]

You got to remember that this was only 2 years after they killed off Edith. I think that was to much for the fans to accept.

oh yeah, that is true 2 years and two deaths. That would have also eliminated him from Gloria the show if it had been successful it would have made a nice two parter to see him guest star.

I guess there really isn't much you can do with Mike besides have him leave her. Maybe instead of him going to a commune they could have had Mike leave Gloria because his work interfered with his marriage or something. I don't know

[Brian Damage]

The better idea was NOT to make a spinoff of Gloria without Mike.

[TVFactFan]

I think they could have had Gloria say-"Me and Mike decided that it would be best to end the relationship and go our seperate because we grew apart from each other" Now that would have been a better explanation.

[Stuck In The '70's]

I think they could have had Gloria say-"Me and Mike decided that it would be best to end the relationship and go our seperate because we grew apart from each other" Now that would have been a better explanation.
That probbaly would have been the best thing to do.

[Ireneparalegal]

I think they could have had Gloria say-"Me and Mike decided that it would be best to end the relationship and go our seperate because we grew apart from each other" Now that would have been a better explanation.
I know, a good old-fashioned divorce...that's it.

[Janice]

I always hated that Mike and Gloria got divorced. We watched them go through so much, and then to get divorced....I don't know. I never liked it.

[magellan333]

Why not have him in prison? A protest rally he was part of got out of hand and he has to go to the slammer for a while. The Michael Stivic who held his principles so dear would actually go to jail for them! I think that would have been a great way to explain his abscence. He gets sentenced to Federal Prison and Gloria relocates to a nearby town to be closeby.

[TVFactFan]

Why not have him in prison? A protest rally he was part of got out of hand and he has to go to the slammer for a while. The Michael Stivic who held his principles so dear would actually go to jail for them! I think that would have been a great way to explain his abscence. He gets sentenced to Federal Prison and Gloria relocates to a nearby town to be closeby.


What would have been wrong if they said Mike and Gloria got a divorce?

[TJL]

I don't mind that they made Mike and Gloria divorce, what I do object to is that Mike ran off to a commune with another woman.
Mike was always faithful to Gloria, despite all the strain they had in thier marriage, so I think it was wrong that he jilted Gloria for one of his students.

[Janice]

I *think* Gloria cheated first, but I'm not sure. In any case, I hate what they did to that couple's marriage.