I think it would have been great to see Flo return for a guest stint on Alice.

But Linda Lavin's pride would have never allowed it....

Anyhoo, how would you have seen the storyline going?

Flo closes the Yellow Rose and heads back to Phoenix for a last chance with Mel? Or she gets back that hostess job she forsook in Houston?

But Linda Lavin's pride would have never allowed it....

Anyhoo, how would you have seen the storyline going?

Flo closes the Yellow Rose and heads back to Phoenix for a last chance with Mel? Or she gets back that hostess job she forsook in Houston?


I agree about Linda Lavin, but for this thread's sake, I would love to see Flo, come back and try to woo Mel.

I wish they coukd have atleast had her come back and not be around Linda Lavin-lol

I wish they coukd have atleast had her come back and not be around Linda Lavin-lol


Well, that might have been hard considering the show was called 'Alice.'

Well, that might have been hard considering the show was called 'Alice.'


I was surprised Mel made a guest spot on Flo. I don't think I would have wanted to see Vera on there-lol

I was surprised Mel made a guest spot on Flo. I don't think I would have wanted to see Vera on there-lol


I wonder if Lavin had a problem with that?

I wonder if Lavin had a problem with that?



She probably did-lol CBS should have aired Flo and Alice back to back

She probably did-lol CBS should have aired Flo and Alice back to back


When did Flo air?

When did Flo air?


On Monday Nights after Mash in season 1 and in season two it was the lead in on Monday Night

On Monday Nights after Mash in season 1 and in season two it was the lead in on Monday Night


MASH was a bona fide hit, so I am surprised it didn't do well.

MASH was a bona fide hit, so I am surprised it didn't do well.


Flo was a Hit when it aired after Mash, it finished #7, two spots below Mash at #5. That's why it got a 2nd season

But in season 2 when it was lead in, it was #?????-LOL

Beyond 30

Flo was a Hit when it aired after Mash, it finished #7, two spots below Mash at #5. That's why it got a 2nd season

But in season 2 when it was lead in, it was #?????-LOL

Beyond 30


Still surprised that it would plummet that far down.

Still surprised that it would plummet that far down.


Flo couldn't compete with Little House on the Prarie that season which was a Top 10 show.

Flo couldn't compete with Little House on the Prarie that season which was a Top 10 show.


That makes sense to me now. When did Alice air?

That makes sense to me now. When did Alice air?


Sunday Nights against NBC and ABC movies-lol

Sunday Nights against NBC and ABC movies-lol


That explains why it was a hit! :lol:

That explains why it was a hit! :lol:


Not only that it was sandwiched in between one day at a time and the jeffersons-lol

Not only that it was sandwiched in between one day at a time and the jeffersons-lol


That certainly explains everything. LOL

That certainly explains everything. LOL


Flo could have been on that sunday night lineup and not treated like a STAND ALONE SHOW-lol

Flo could have been on that sunday night lineup and not treated like a STAND ALONE SHOW-lol


I agree, it certainly wasn't a strong enough show to be on its own. Just like the Ropers...

But Linda Lavin's pride would have never allowed it....

Anyhoo, how would you have seen the storyline going?

Flo closes the Yellow Rose and heads back to Phoenix for a last chance with Mel? Or she gets back that hostess job she forsook in Houston?

Why go all the way back to Phoenix? She'd likely sold her trailer, said goodbye and decided she'd be moving on. To go back would have been depressing.

From what I heard Linda and Polly did not get along.

"Little House On The Prarie" was a MIGHTY force to be dealt with! It also creamed "Phyllis" in it's sporadic second season, and nearly did in "Rhoda".
"Rhoda" was given another shot, but "Phyllis" just didn't have the youth demographics, and once Judith Lowry ("Mother Dexter") passed away, many viewers tuned out. Too bad. By simply giving Phyllis Lindstrom back some of her edge, I think "Phyllis" could have bounced back.

"Flo" was bounced around a lot, as was "The Ropers". Both shows had some very funny ep's, but overall, were far weaker than their parent shows. I still would like to have all of these shows on dvd.

The real problem time-slot wise for "Flo" and "The Ropers" seems to be the fact that both were so popular to start, with KILLER places in the networks line-up. Once those $$$ and ratings started to roll in, both shows were unwisely bounced around. Despite the flaws, I think both "Flo" and "The Ropers" deserved a better chance than they got. With all four shows, I feel that the writers were spread out too thin, and characterr development was
squandered.

"Little House On The Prarie" was a MIGHTY force to be dealt with! It also creamed "Phyllis" in it's sporadic second season, and nearly did in "Rhoda".
"Rhoda" was given another shot, but "Phyllis" just didn't have the youth demographics, and once Judith Lowry ("Mother Dexter") passed away, many viewers tuned out. Too bad. By simply giving Phyllis Lindstrom back some of her edge, I think "Phyllis" could have bounced back.

"Flo" was bounced around a lot, as was "The Ropers". Both shows had some very funny ep's, but overall, were far weaker than their parent shows. I still would like to have all of these shows on dvd.

The real problem time-slot wise for "Flo" and "The Ropers" seems to be the fact that both were so popular to start, with KILLER places in the networks line-up. Once those $$$ and ratings started to roll in, both shows were unwisely bounced around. Despite the flaws, I think both "Flo" and "The Ropers" deserved a better chance than they got. With all four shows, I feel that the writers were spread out too thin, and characterr development was
squandered.


Flo and Ropers were FORCED SPINOFFS which is why they failed. Rhoda on the otherhand was a spinoff that wasn't forced just a new opportunity for Valerie Harper.

I see your point. Still, the networks panic at sliding ratings did make them bounce the shows around too much. I remember "The Ropers" were put up against "CHiP's"!

I recall reading that the producers of "Alice" brought up a possible spin-off for Flo early on. She said she wrote a back story for Flo, most of which wasn't used. I thought "Flo" was better than "The Ropers", but it's just my opinion. I enjoy both. As Linda Lavin was more than a little miffed at Polly's popularity, it was definately "forced". It's a shame. Belle and Jolene were just fine, but the magic wasn't there anymore., in my opinion. I wonder how Lavin feels now?

I know Norman Fell refused to leave "Three's Company". He had a garauntee that he and Audra could return if the show failed, but the time limit had run out. Folks had taken to Furley, and he was cheaper than paying two salaries!

"Rhoda" and "Phyllis" might have bombed at the gate, but certainly the characters would have been returned to TMTMS. As it was, they were both fine fat hits in their first seasons.

Valerie Harper was extremely relunctant to strike out on her own, as she was very happy where she was. Nancy Walker told her: "Relax, kid. It's only television!".

I was sorry to see Joe go, as I think there were many more areas of the relationship that the writers could have explored. I'm also sorry that Ida ever left, but Walker really wanted her own show. These two events sacrificed a couple of characters I liked from Joe's construction comapny, but besides that, caused the series to lose momentum that I feel it never regained, despie some fine ep's.

I even heard that Polly Holliday was offered to come back and rejoin Alice after Flo was canceled but she didn't want to.

But I think it would have been a little unfair to Celia Weston *who was already on Alice as Jolene at the time* They would have prolly had to fire her. Or maybe just kept her as a frequent guest.

I know Diane Ladd wasn't feeling it. This was the conversation between her and Polly Holliday as Diane hugs Polly:

Diane: Goodbye, Polly.
Polly: Good luck.
Diane: (thinking) Oh my God!!! What now!!!

Those words came out of the mouth of Diane Ladd herself.

I would at least like for Flo to return to Alice and star the kid on the show too.

Thank you for reminding me of Flo. I had totally forgotten about it until I read this thread. Yeah, I remember watching it and the first epsiode of it. I was living in Minnesota at the time and we had a blizzard that same evening.

I agree, it certainly wasn't a strong enough show to be on its own. Just like the Ropers...

It's my guess that Ropers had the lowest ratings of them all!

It's my guess that Ropers had the lowest ratings of them all!


The Ropers and Flo had one thing in common

"both had success in a short season why another show was the lead"

Polly could've easily returned to Alice, since Diane Ladd (Belle) left about the same time as Flo was cancelled. Not exactly sure when Celia Weston started, but she would only have done six episodes.

I don't think she could have return to Alice because it would have been too pathetic. Flo having to return a diner and be a waitress again? wouldn't have much sense

I don't think she could have return to Alice because it would have been too pathetic. Flo having to return a diner and be a waitress again? wouldn't have much sense
Yea once Flo left there wasn't no reason for her to return. It would have been nice if she could have guest starred a few times but I guess her feud with Linda prevented that. At least they had a few clips of her on the last show.

Yea once Flo left there wasn't no reason for her to return. It would have been nice if she could have guest starred a few times but I guess her feud with Linda prevented that. At least they had a few clips of her on the last show.


Yes return as a guest but to come back and have to stand behind the counter again would have been weird LOL

Polly could've easily returned to Alice, since Diane Ladd (Belle) left about the same time as Flo was cancelled. Not exactly sure when Celia Weston started, but she would only have done six episodes.


Celia Weston had already joined the cast as Jolene when Flo was conceled, so if Flo returned, I dunno what they would have done with Jolene's character.

Hey here's an idea, what if Flo and Jolene BOTH worked at the diner?! They could ROTATE with eachother, like when Flo was working Jolene could be off and when Jolene was working Flo could have been off, that would have been more realistic anyway, usually diners have MORE than just 3 waitresses and they don't usually ALL work at the same time, they are usually rotated.

But I heard that Polly was offered to come back but she felt like it would be a step backward in her career, so decided against it. I guess if Polly had rejoined Alice as a waitress again, Jolene could have maybe opened up her beauty shop earlier and just been a frequent guest at Mel's Diner, it might have been good b/c I don't think Mel had any female regulars, most were men.

Maybe Jolene could have been Flo's hairdresser who does her bee-hive lol :)

I could just hear Flo coming in saying, "That blondie Jolene messed my hair up today!!"

I don't think she could have return to Alice because it would have been too pathetic. Flo having to return a diner and be a waitress again? wouldn't have much sense


Yes! I agree when it is put that way. Hostess then owner of her own place? Yeah. I'm kinda glad that she didn't do that. It would have been nice have had seen her again.

Yes! I agree when it is put that way. Hostess then owner of her own place? Yeah. I'm kinda glad that she didn't do that. It would have been nice have had seen her again.


Tom have u ever sold anything on ebay? i have a question in chit chat if u did

thanks

I have. Will go2 chit chat.

I stopped watching Alice after Flo left. I believe I did watch a few episodes of Flo, but couldn't get into it. I have since seen Alice in reruns and it seemed Diane Ladd's heart wasn't in her performance (I think there was a lot of friction between she and Lavin) and just didn't care for Celia Weston. Her character seemed like it belonged on Hee Haw. It was an over-the-top caricature.

"Little House On The Prarie" was a MIGHTY force to be dealt with! It also creamed "Phyllis" in it's sporadic second season, and nearly did in "Rhoda".
"Rhoda" was given another shot, but "Phyllis" just didn't have the youth demographics, and once Judith Lowry ("Mother Dexter") passed away, many viewers tuned out. Too bad. By simply giving Phyllis Lindstrom back some of her edge, I think "Phyllis" could have bounced back.

"Flo" was bounced around a lot, as was "The Ropers". Both shows had some very funny ep's, but overall, were far weaker than their parent shows. I still would like to have all of these shows on dvd.

The real problem time-slot wise for "Flo" and "The Ropers" seems to be the fact that both were so popular to start, with KILLER places in the networks line-up. Once those $$$ and ratings started to roll in, both shows were unwisely bounced around. Despite the flaws, I think both "Flo" and "The Ropers" deserved a better chance than they got. With all four shows, I feel that the writers were spread out too thin, and characterr development was
squandered.

Another victim of Little House on the Prairie's dominance was WKRP in Cincinnati.

True. And every time WKRP would gain ground in the ratings, Little House would blind another child.

True. And every time WKRP would gain ground in the ratings, Little House would blind another child.

Indeed, it actually got to the point that the show ended up doing a "Take That!" against Little House on the Prairie in the episode "Real Families", in which the character Lucille Tarlek says to the television crew: "Little House on the Prairie, oh, that's a fine wholesome show. It's about blind children out West, and every week there's a fire or someone gets an incurable disease."

"Little House On The Prarie" was a MIGHTY force to be dealt with! It also creamed "Phyllis" in it's sporadic second season, and nearly did in "Rhoda".

"Rhoda" was given another shot, but "Phyllis" just didn't have the youth demographics, and once Judith Lowry ("Mother Dexter") passed away, many viewers tuned out. Too bad. By simply giving Phyllis Lindstrom back some of her edge, I think "Phyllis" could have bounced back.

Valerie Harper had SEVERAL Emmy awards for playing Rhoda by this time (Both on MTM and her Show) and CBS knew she was the one to keep with.

True. And every time WKRP would gain ground in the ratings, Little House would blind another child.

:lol:

This made me howl with laughter. Thank you.