It didn't last long. It had the actor who played David on One day at a time.

i just barely remember it.

I watched it every week but I was only 9 at the time so I don't remember much about it but I know I did like it. James Cromwell and Charlotte Rae were in it too.

I remember it. I'm pretty sure it was a Norman Lear production and I remember it being a show that many of my friends' parents wouldn't let them watch, but mine, God bless 'em, did. :)

I was about eight at the time, I think. I recall Rae and Cromwell and a hispanic "lady of the evening" and Conchata Ferrell also as a prostitute. Seems there were two older gay characters in it, and maybe a lesbian as well. And while I wasn't probably the most discriminating viewer in the world back then, I think it was pretty funny. :)

I watched a couple of them at UCLA a few years ago. Doesn't hold up very well IMO.

I watched a couple of them at UCLA a few years ago. Doesn't hold up very well IMO.


I thought you recorded all the eps from in 75 and had them in a box inside your basement?

I remember it .... got the axe that it deserved IMO.

I remember it .... got the axe that it deserved IMO.


Well you can't expect a midseason replacement to compete with the Rockford Files on Friday Nights which was a top 15 show at the time. That's why Hot L Baltimore was ranked #68 after the 74-75 season

This was an ugly show. Lear was a hot property at the time and ABC was desperate for anything that might work (things would change in short order for the third ranked network) so they took a chance on Hot L. This was more for a small off Broadway type playhouse than network television in the old pre cable days.

This was an ugly show. Lear was a hot property at the time and ABC was desperate for anything that might work (things would change in short order for the third ranked network) so they took a chance on Hot L. This was more for a small off Broadway type playhouse than network television in the old pre cable days.


It's understandable why the network took a chance on because of all his other shows at that time being Top 10 Shows

All in the Family
Maude
Sanford and Son
Jeffersons

I watched it every week but I was only 9 at the time so I don't remember much about it but I know I did like it. James Cromwell and Charlotte Rae were in it too.

Along with Al "Ed Hall" Freeman from One Life To Live :D I liked the show because of Conchata Farrell, she had a funny laugh.

I'd like to see it sometime, just out of curiousity.

I never watched "Hot L Baltimore" but I remember it because my mom told me that I couldn't watch it, for some reason. In fact only one of the kids in my neighborhood was allowed to watch it, and he was the kid whose parents let him do whatever he wanted. :rolleyes:

I remember it. As I recall it wasn't that good.

I remember the show was based on the play of the same title by Lanford Wilson. It was also one of Norman Lear's few flops.

Deservedly so.

...and the entire cast was quite good, even if the scripts mostly weren't. That's why Richard Masur, Charlotte Rae and James Cromwell later became part of more successful series...and Conchata Ferrell can still be seen on "TWO AND A HALF MEN" (every time she opens her mouth, she gets a laugh!).

:tv:

I was in my early twenties when Hot L Baltimore was on. I LOVED it! Thought it bode a quality cast, most of which have endured the test of time, and while the scripts could have been better, I think it at a lot to offer and could have been further developed if given a chance. The subject matter was just too racy for its time. People were still having trouble with All In The Family and Maude with subjects like race and abortion. To ad a show about a seedy hotel with sweet, good-hearted prostitutes and folks at the lower end of the financial caste system was too much for the still very uptight environment in which we lived -- pushing the envelope too far. It might stand a better chance now on a cable channel -- Lifetime, Showtime, etc.. I thought it was an excellent character study with much potential and was sorry to see it go. And someone else was right.... Rockford Files, even in reruns, was just too much of a juggernaut to face for this sweet, smart, funny sitcom. Really wish I could find episodes somewhere, but so far, no luck.
Also, I've been trying to think of who played the brunette (hispanic) prostitute... I thought it was the woman who went on to play Miss Patty the dance teacher on Gilmore Girls, but now I'm not so sure. Can't even find a decent cast photo on line. Anyone have anything to offer?

I was in my early twenties when Hot L Baltimore was on. I LOVED it! Thought it bode a quality cast, most of which have endured the test of time, and while the scripts could have been better, I think it at a lot to offer and could have been further developed if given a chance. The subject matter was just too racy for its time. People were still having trouble with All In The Family and Maude with subjects like race and abortion. To ad a show about a seedy hotel with sweet, good-hearted prostitutes and folks at the lower end of the financial caste system was too much for the still very uptight environment in which we lived -- pushing the envelope too far. It might stand a better chance now on a cable channel -- Lifetime, Showtime, etc.. I thought it was an excellent character study with much potential and was sorry to see it go. And someone else was right.... Rockford Files, even in reruns, was just too much of a juggernaut to face for this sweet, smart, funny sitcom. Really wish I could find episodes somewhere, but so far, no luck.
Also, I've been trying to think of who played the brunette (hispanic) prostitute... I thought it was the woman who went on to play Miss Patty the dance teacher on Gilmore Girls, but now I'm not so sure. Can't even find a decent cast photo on line. Anyone have anything to offer?


The hispanic prostitute was played by Jeannie Linero