...did anyone else ever wonder why Phyllis WASN'T at the (not-)going-away party?

I watched the episode last night, in honor of the news of Rhoda coming out on DVD.

You know, I never thought about this before. It's a really good question, though! I imagine either Mary knew Rhoda wouldn't want Phyllis there, and didn't bother inviting her, or Mary DID invite her, and Phyllis was too busy w/ one of her thousands of organizations to go. I think the latter is probably more likely.

- Kristen

Without time to go back and watch it, was Phyllis in that episode at all?

If she was in the episode but not in the party scene that would be REALLY odd, but if she wasn't in the entire episode, weren't there times Cloris Leachman was not 100 percent available because of other projects?

One would think the writers could have, and would have wanted to have, at least a line or two of great interaction between Rhoda and Phyllis.

As for a possible explanation...I think Mary would have invited Phyllis, and I don't even think Rhoda would have minded - I think she actually got a kick out of challenging Phyllis.
I would definitely more easily buy the "busy with her other organizations" excuse.

Phyllis isn't in the ep, but she's def. mentioned. Rhoda says she gave notice to her on the apartment, and she attempted to buy a goldfish for Bess, but Phyllis wouldn't accept it. Maybe she was just too busy celebrating Rhoda's departure to come to the official party. LOL. I would've loved to see her face when Rhoda decided not to leave!

^ Me, too!! :rofl:

This topic got me thinking...are there any other instances of Phyllis being mentioned in an ep she's not actually in? I can't think of any. I know there are passing mentions after she moves to San Francisco, but I'm talking about in the first 4 seasons.

- Kristen

I have one, but it's from the fifth season, yet before she moved:

"Neighbors"

...as Bess is staying with Mary when Phyllis and Lars are away. Very strange to see her without Phyllis as well.

EDIT: Thought of one more "But Seriously, Folks" from season three.

Mary: (to Rhoda, after looking for some scotch for Wes) Can you believe that Phyllis? She didn't want to give me a whole bottle of scotch, so she poured some into a mayonnaise jar! :)

Ooh, you're right, Justin! I totally forgot about "Neighbors." I love that line from "But Seriously, Folks." It's something I can SO see Phyllis doing! LOL