Going from memory from my Nick @ Nite viewing of the Patty Duke Show...
The focus seemed to shift more on the Patty character and less
on Cathy during the last season. "Cathy" was not even seen
or mentioned in some episodes. Why?

I wish I could give you an answer but the last time I saw this show was when it was on Nick at Nite and that was over 15 years over, so I dont remember.

Hi MickeyMac,
Same here. I haven't seen the show in years since Nick@Nite but still
kind of remember Cathy not having any major storylines. She was my favorite
character on the show.

Going from memory from my Nick @ Nite viewing of the Patty Duke Show...
The focus seemed to shift more on the Patty character and less
on Cathy during the last season. "Cathy" was not even seen
or mentioned in some episodes. Why?

I've never heard a definitive answer, but it's usually assumed that it was a lot of work for Patty Duke to play both roles and it was just easier on her to have less screen time for Cathy. I don't know if that was actually Patty Duke's decision or the producers. It's too bad because the third season could have used more Cathy!

Here is a bit of trivia for you Cathy fans. (I'm quoting myself from IMDB's FAQ on The Patty Duke Show. :) )

Cathy appears in all of the episodes from the first two seasons. However, she does not appear in four episodes of the third season: Sick in Bed (3.10), Patty Leads a Dog's Life (3.22), A Visit from Uncle Jed (3.26) and Fiancee for a Day (3.30). The episode A Visit from Uncle Jed is the only one that explains her absence.

That's one aspect that annoyed me. The least the writers could do was say the Cathy was at a friends house or something, instead of just ignoring why she wasn't there. Heck, in the episode where Patty and Richard decide to get married Cathy is nowhere to be found! You would think that Cathy would be the first one she would tell. Darn writers. :rolleyes:

OMG randyrandy, you answered my question that I've been wondering
about for years. I guess it could be tiring to play duel roles for
over 30 episodes per season. But if only she or the producers could have given Cathy more storylines.

So no Cath for 4 episodes in Season 3. I never knew that. Kind of sucks.
I'll just assume for those other 3 Cathy-less episodes she was doing her homework at the local library lol!

OMG randyrandy, you answered my question that I've been wondering
about for years. I guess it could be tiring to play duel roles for
over 30 episodes per season. But if only she or the producers could have given Cathy more storylines.

So no Cath for 4 episodes in Season 3. I never knew that. Kind of sucks.
I'll just assume for those other 3 Cathy-less episodes she was doing her homework at the local library lol!

That's Cathy for you, always at the library. :lol:

Randy

Patty Duke Photo Group
http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/Patty_Duke_Photo_Group/

That's Cathy for you, always at the library. :lol:

ALWAYS!!!!

The Cathy character looked really good in the last season after seeing some episodes online. I don't know it could be the clothes, hairdo, and she wore make-up.
Cathy also spoke louder not that soft sweet voice. The character was really
shoved to the background unlike the previous seasons.

ALWAYS!!!!

The Cathy character looked really good in the last season after seeing some episodes online. I don't know it could be the clothes, hairdo, and she wore make-up.
Cathy also spoke louder not that soft sweet voice. The character was really
shoved to the background unlike the previous seasons.

Speaking of Cathy's voice, that reminds me of the episode where Patty & Cathy campaign for a politician. Cathy is at an apartment building and is talking to people through the intercom. One guy she is talking to says that he likes Cathy's voice. Me too! :lol:

Randy

Patty Duke Photo Group
http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/Patty_Duke_Photo_Group/

Speaking of Cathy's voice, that reminds me of the episode where Patty & Cathy campaign for a politician. Cathy is at an apartment building and is talking to people through the intercom. One guy she is talking to says that he likes Cathy's voice. Me too! :lol:

I like her voice too!

Patty Duke played both roles well, but I am not really a fan of the Cathy character. I actually enjoy the 3rd season the most, there is a little less of Cathy and a little more of Ross. To me, the best episodes of the series are the shows that focus on Patty/Ross and the sister/brother relationship.

Patty Duke played both roles well, but I am not really a fan of the Cathy character. I actually enjoy the 3rd season the most, there is a little less of Cathy and a little more of Ross. To me, the best episodes of the series are the shows that focus on Patty/Ross and the sister/brother relationship.

My feelings are just the opposite. The character of Cathy is what got me to pay attention to the show in the first place. And the first season, to me, is the best of the three. While I have no problem with Ross, I think the Patty/Cathy relationship is what made the show what it was.

Heck, Patty Duke herself liked Cathy so that's good enough for me! :lol:

Randy

Patty Duke Photo Group
http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/Patty_Duke_Photo_Group/

My feelings are just the opposite. The character of Cathy is what got me to pay attention to the show in the first place. And the first season, to me, is the best of the three. While I have no problem with Ross, I think the Patty/Cathy relationship is what made the show what it was.

Heck, Patty Duke herself liked Cathy so that's good enough for me! :lol:

To me, Cathy is just not that interesting a character. I always preferred the perky and upbeat Patty. Patty Duke played both roles well and Cathy does have her moments in some of the episodes. Having Patty Duke in the dual role did extend the situations/scenarios for the episodes.

To me, Cathy is just not that interesting a character. I always preferred the perky and upbeat Patty. Patty Duke played both roles well and Cathy does have her moments in some of the episodes. Having Patty Duke in the dual role did extend the situations/scenarios for the episodes.

Yes, Patty Made the show but Duke brought something to Cathy that was different shy, innocent, and timid I guess you could say this a softer side to Patty. Sadly Cat's softer side seem to fade away in season 3. Still Both characters where very well acted!

Yes, Patty Made the show but Duke brought something to Cathy that was different shy, innocent, and timid I guess you could say this a softer side to Patty. Sadly Cat's softer side seem to fade away in season 3. Still Both characters where very well acted!

She had a little attitude in Season 3 and that eye makeup but I did
love the hairstyle for the last season.

She had a little attitude in Season 3 and that eye makeup but I did
love the hairstyle for the last season.

Maybe Cathy was just a bit upset because they cut her out of a few episodes and relegated her to the background in most of the others. :lol:

Randy

Patty Duke Photo Group
http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/Patty_Duke_Photo_Group/

Maybe Cathy was just a bit upset because they cut her out of a few episodes and relegated her to the background in most of the others. :lol:

Randy

Patty Duke Photo Group
http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/Patty_Duke_Photo_Group/

It's absolutely shameful of how they treated that character in the last
season. I own the Season 1 DVD now and watching the first season Cathy seems to have a much bigger role. Compare Season 3 Cathy with Season 1 Cathy and it seems like a completely different character too.

It's absolutely shameful of how they treated that character in the last
season. I own the Season 1 DVD now and watching the first season Cathy seems to have a much bigger role. Compare Season 3 Cathy with Season 1 Cathy and it seems like a completely different character too.

I agree. One of my biggest complaints about Season 3 is the way Cathy's character was portrayed. I love the way the Patty/Cathy relationship was handled in the first season, and the second season as well. It's one of my favorite aspects of the show. :)

Perhaps Patty Duke was tiring of playing the dual role, so the writers changed things up a bit in the 3rd season so she wouldn't have to be Cathy quite as much. I like season 3 the best, they changed the locale and the actors are well settled into their roles. Ross has many funny moments in season 3. Aside from a couple weak episodes, the vast majority of season 3 shows are well written and very entertaining.

I did not even realize that. Hmm.. Well, all this talk makes me want o pull out the 1999 reunion movie. LOL.