Did anyone else notice that in Flo's last episode where she announces she is leaving--Vera is sad to see her go but Alice looks and acts happy over the news I assume because she thought it was a big opportunity for Flo...

When watching this on the DVD, I thought wow Linda Lavin sure does not hide how thrilled she is to see Polly Holiday leave the show. She was just too cheery throughout the entire episode.

It's no secret that Linda Lavin and Polly Holliday did not get along and that their egos clashed mightily behind the scenes.

Lavin was none too happy that the supporting character of Flo was more popular and was a scene stealer. However, Lavin should have realized that the supporting characters almost always steal the show and end up more popular.

The lead characters have to be anchors and more down to earth. It's just the way it is.

Look at Marla Gibbs -- she had all those sassy one liners as Florence on The Jeffersons, but when she was later the star of her own show, 227, she was more of a "straight man" character while Jackee Harry was the sexy, sassy character who got all the great one-liners.

It's too bad that Holliday couldn't have returned to Alice once her show flopped, but I doubt she would have wanted to.

http://usera.ImageCave.com/ur_next_ex/BetterStuff/KissMyGrits!!!.jpg

It's no secret that Linda Lavin and Polly Holliday did not get along and that their egos clashed mightily behind the scenes.

Lavin was none too happy that the supporting character of Flo was more popular and was a scene stealer. However, Lavin should have realized that the supporting characters almost always steal the show and end up more popular.

The lead characters have to be anchors and more down to earth. It's just the way it is.

Look at Marla Gibbs -- she had all those sassy one liners as Florence on The Jeffersons, but when she was later the star of her own show, 227, she was more of a "straight man" character while Jackee Harry was the sexy, sassy character who got all the great one-liners.


If you saw the episode with Eve Arden when Tommy went on the talk show Alice hardly ever looked in Flo's direction during the episode. When Tommy blabbed out on TV about Flo leaving Tommy by himself at her mobile home trailer when she watched him while Alice was out of town. You can see the tension between those two in the interacting when Flo told Alice that she was jealous and you can see Polly actually telling Linda that. Linda's reactions to Polly's Flo was hard and obvious that there was resentment that it was becoming Flo's show. The producers should had dealt with Linda on that instead they gave her own her show and not coming back to Alice after it failed

It's too bad that Holliday couldn't have returned to Alice once her show flopped, but I doubt she would have wanted to.

It's no secret that Linda Lavin and Polly Holliday did not get along and that their egos clashed mightily behind the scenes.

Lavin was none too happy that the supporting character of Flo was more popular and was a scene stealer. However, Lavin should have realized that the supporting characters almost always steal the show and end up more popular.

The lead characters have to be anchors and more down to earth. It's just the way it is.

Look at Marla Gibbs -- she had all those sassy one liners as Florence on The Jeffersons, but when she was later the star of her own show, 227, she was more of a "straight man" character while Jackee Harry was the sexy, sassy character who got all the great one-liners.

It's too bad that Holliday couldn't have returned to Alice once her show flopped, but I doubt she would have wanted to.
She should've realized it because she just came from an exceptional ensemble comedy (Barney Miller). But I digress. To me, Alice was more The Mel Show. Vic Tayback NEVER failed to make me laugh, God bless him. :D

The show succeeded when it was more "Mel's Diner" than it was "Alice"

To me, Alice was the least interesting of the main characters. Vera was often often annoying and shrill, but at least she wasn't boring. Mel was by far the funniest character on the show, and not for nothing did Vic Tayback win two Golden Globes for the role.

The show succeeded when it was more "Mel's Diner" than it was "Alice"

I think some people refer to the show as Mel's Diner when they think and talk about the show rather than just Alice.

it would have made a great syndication title!

Where's Charles and his Photoshop when you need him? :lol: I'd love to see him make a "Mel's Diner" title card. :D

All they needed was the Mel's Diner sign already used in the opening credits with credits such as "Linda Lavin in......Mel's Diner......Also starring Vic Tayback.......etc"

Linda Lavin seemed very detached in Flo/Polly's last episode. But it makes a lot of sense if all the rumors are true!! :eek:

To me, Alice was the least interesting of the main characters. Vera was often often annoying and shrill, but at least she wasn't boring. Mel was by far the funniest character on the show, and not for nothing did Vic Tayback win two Golden Globes for the role.

I thought the same thing, never thought Alice was very funny. But the rest of the cast was great.

No I have not noticed that Linda was Smileing on Flo Last episode.

To me, Alice was still that star of that show. She was the anchor as someone had put it. It was still more Alice's show that Mel's IMO. The leads are anchors though. I do agree. Much like Isabel Sanford who was the lead character in "The Jeffersons" while Sherman was as well but she was the anchor while the co-star (Hemsley) had the over the top comedic humor. They played off each other extremely well. Esther Rolle and Jimmie Walker are two more examples.

To me, Alice was still that star of that show. She was the anchor as someone had put it. It was still more Alice's show that Mel's IMO. The leads are anchors though. I do agree. Much like Isabel Sanford who was the lead character in "The Jeffersons" while Sherman was as well but she was the anchor while the co-star (Hemsley) had the over the top comedic humor. They played off each other extremely well. Esther Rolle and Jimmie Walker are two more examples.

I agree. For awhile Esther Rolle took a break from Good Times and the show went on and still had Jimmie Walker's comedy, but something was missing--Florida Evans, the family matriarch the main anchor of the show. It finally felt like Good Times again when she finally returned walking through that apartment door.

It is a shame the stars of Alice couldn't get along. I think the show would have been just as successful (or maybe more) with Polly Holiday continuing in her role as Flo. I think the fact that Polly Holiday didn't return to her successful role on Alice after her spinoff show was cancelled confirms the behind the scenes drama. After Diane Ladd left, the show had a prime opportunity to have Flo return, but they didn't...Linda Lavin probably didn't want her back and/or Polly Holiday had no desire to return.

It's no secret that Linda Lavin and Polly Holliday did not get along and that their egos clashed mightily behind the scenes.

It's too bad that Holliday couldn't have returned to Alice once her show flopped, but I doubt she would have wanted to.


Hi Dr. Thong,

Is there any kind of evidence that Polly's ego got out of control on ALICE? I've never read anything that lead me to believe so. Do you have any stories?

FLO simply got bounced around too much; it hardly flopped. GRADY yes, FLO no. You know what I mean?

It would have been great to have Flo back on ALICE. I don't think Linda Lavin would ever have allowed it, unless the ratings had tanked with the introduction of Belle.

Hi Dr. Thong,

Is there any kind of evidence that Polly's ego got out of control on ALICE? I've never read anything that lead me to believe so. Do you have any stories?

I don't have any "evidence," per se, but I remember reading something to the effect that Linda Lavin didn't like the fact that the Flo character became the most popular on the show. She felt it was her show and she was the star.

This created tension between the two actresses and when Polly was given the opportunity to have her own show, she jumped at the chance. It was probably the only time both were happy.

In some cases, I think spin-offs ruin great shows. Flo's leaving didn't "ruin" Alice, but it was never the same afterwards, either.

Plus, I don't think Linda Lavin was thrilled when Polly's replacement, Diane Ladd, won a Golden Globe in her only season on Alice. I think she found Celia Weston a lot easier to get along with since Celia was basically an unknown at the time.