View Full Version : Why was Belle aka Diane Ladd replaced?


Brian Damage
05-26-2007, 11:03 PM
Anybody know why?

JAlanRuss72
05-27-2007, 02:17 PM
Anybody know why?

I have read in a variety of places, including a Dianne Ladd website, that she did not get along with Linda Lavin and felt the cast and crew were "cold" to her on the set. It also wasn't easy to replace a character as popular and beloved to audiences as Flo. "Replacing Polly Holliday was like replacing Jesus Christ," an admiring Ladd recalls. "I don't think America was ready to let Flo go."

Ireneparalegal
05-27-2007, 02:32 PM
I have read in a variety of places, including a Dianne Ladd website, that she did not get along with Linda Lavin and felt the cast and crew were "cold" to her on the set. It also wasn't easy to replace a character as popular and beloved to audiences as Flo. "Replacing Polly Holliday was like replacing Jesus Christ," an admiring Ladd recalls. "I don't think America was ready to let Flo go."
I wasn't ready. Belle was too similar to Flo and it only made me ache for Flo. Belle was a nice lady, she was beautiful and cute, however, she resembled Flo too much (in attitude, accent and overall personality).

Do you think Alice should have just waited a while to get another person to fill those shoes? Why hurry? They could have used Marie for awhile knowing that someone would eventually come along.

JAlanRuss72
05-27-2007, 02:45 PM
I wasn't ready. Belle was too similar to Flo and it only made me ache for Flo. Belle was a nice lady, she was beautiful and cute, however, she resembled Flo too much (in attitude, accent and overall personality).

Do you think Alice should have just waited a while to get another person to fill those shoes? Why hurry? They could have used Marie for awhile knowing that someone would eventually come along.

You know what, Irene, I think that would have been a good idea. Also more realistic. Audiences already KNEW Marie, and she could have been used as a 'temporary' for a while. In the meantime, that would have given audiences a chance to get use to the show without Flo. I know seeing Belle on there just made me miss Flo all the more. I kept thinking "how would Flo have responded in this episode and made it funnier?" Also, they would have been wise to follow the formula of MASH or Cheers and get a TOTALLY different personality/character to replace Flo. Even someone who was difficult to get along with/thought she was better than the others or something. Just a thought.

Ireneparalegal
05-27-2007, 03:07 PM
You know what, Irene, I think that would have been a good idea. Also more realistic. Audiences already KNEW Marie, and she could have been used as a 'temporary' for a while. In the meantime, that would have given audiences a chance to get use to the show without Flo. I know seeing Belle on there just made me miss Flo all the more. I kept thinking "how would Flo have responded in this episode and made it funnier?" Also, they would have been wise to follow the formula of MASH or Cheers and get a TOTALLY different personality/character to replace Flo. Even someone who was difficult to get along with/thought she was better than the others or something. Just a thought.
I think you are so correct abt following with a totally different character. Jolene was perfect (other than the accent) she was nothing like Flo and not like Belle. Had they waited a while and came upon Jolene, that would have been great.

mstewart
05-31-2007, 11:21 AM
I have read in a variety of places, including a Dianne Ladd website, that she did not get along with Linda Lavin and felt the cast and crew were "cold" to her on the set. It also wasn't easy to replace a character as popular and beloved to audiences as Flo. "Replacing Polly Holliday was like replacing Jesus Christ," an admiring Ladd recalls. "I don't think America was ready to let Flo go."
I heard the same thing as well. Belle was a funny character and if I had a choice between her and Jolene I take Belle and "my little voice told me."

I guess Linda Lavin and Celia Weston got along because Jolene was not a threat to the show since she was not likable.

There were reports even from those who were guest stars on Alice that Linda Lavin threw her weight around projecting that she is the star of the show.

Scoobiedoo30
05-31-2007, 02:22 PM
I guess her Contract was up and she did not to renew her Contract

sm95fan
08-18-2025, 07:00 PM
You know what, Irene, I think that would have been a good idea. Also more realistic. Audiences already KNEW Marie, and she could have been used as a 'temporary' for a while. In the meantime, that would have given audiences a chance to get use to the show without Flo. I know seeing Belle on there just made me miss Flo all the more. I kept thinking "how would Flo have responded in this episode and made it funnier?" Also, they would have been wise to follow the formula of MASH or Cheers and get a TOTALLY different personality/character to replace Flo. Even someone who was difficult to get along with/thought she was better than the others or something. Just a thought.

Wasn't Marie Mel's first choice in Whom The Belle Toils but it was revealed she made too much $$ at her current job to quit and work for Mel?

TheLittleFaerie
08-19-2025, 04:37 AM
Wasn't Marie Mel's first choice in Whom The Belle Toils but it was revealed she made too much $$ at her current job to quit and work for Mel?

Yeah it's funny how one site had Marie listed as Flo's OFFICIAL replacement and as an official waitress lol, I think that was a stretch!

DEH55
09-20-2025, 12:33 PM
Diane Ladd came right out and said her and Linda Lavin did not get along. Ladd was not happy on that set.

Edward216
02-13-2026, 03:55 AM
Basically it was because Diane Ladd and Linda Lavin DIDN'T get along at all.

Ed.

BestTVever
02-13-2026, 08:17 AM
Diane had heard about the tensions on the set with Polly but the producers told her that was all bunk. She immediately found out she was lied to. Tensions were so high that they would film scenes separately so there was no chance for someone to step on someone's line or dare take Linda's thunder away. If you notice she did not even finish the season. She disappears for one episode and in the next one they say she moved away.