What did you think of Diane Ladd in the role of Belle???

I liked Belle. She was funny. Diane Ladd came into a hostile situation in the wake of the whole thing with Linda Lavin and Polly Holliday. You can see Linda enjoyed acting with Diane.

Watching the season 5 opener last night you can sense the tension between Linda and Diane. They did not hardly interact in scenes together compared to the episodes when she first came on.

Diane Ladd stated in interviews that her experience on Alice was not very good and Linda Lavin was not nice to her.

Personally I felt Linda's portrayal of Alice from season 5 on was not the same compared to the other seasons. She became more boring and somewhat annoying with trying to play psychologist to everyone. Plus I did not like that short haircut that Linda got after season 4.

I liked Belle myself. She wasn't Flo, but she was better than the lead character. I don't know why Linda Lavin was a bitch to everyone, she is the least entertained character on the show. Simply put it, viewers didn't watch the show to see HER. I know I didn't. Who would come and watch a no personality lead character who is not funny?!

I liked Belle myself. She wasn't Flo, but she was better than the lead character. I don't know why Linda Lavin was a bitch to everyone, she is the least entertained character on the show. Simply put it, viewers didn't watch the show to see HER. I know I didn't. Who would come and watch a no personality lead character who is not funny?!
Linda Lavin is a great actress but it was the Alice Hyatt was written and they try to make her too much like Mary Richards. Alice did have her moments where she was funny but overall she wasn't. From what I understood Linda's feelings were hurt when people were referring to Flo and saying she was the star of the show.

Funny thing she did not act that way towards Jolene. She was the least interesting character on the show.

I feel these last few episodes the writers were really reaching to make the episodes funny. The Las Vegas two parter was a big let down.

As for the tension, Polly Holliday stated in a recent interview that life was too short to keep quibbling over petty things and that her and Linda are friendly towards one another whenever they cross paths.