View Full Version : Anybody Remember the 1986 Sitcom Flop 'The Redd Foxx Show'???
Brian Damage 07-10-2010, 08:24 PM ABC's 'The Redd Foxx Show' in 1986 tried a new approach. This time, instead of being a cantankerous old coot, Redd would play nice-guy newstand owner Al Hughes.
In the show, Al has 'adopted' a street-wise little white girl Toni (Pamela Segall). Also featured in the cast were Nathaniel "Rollo" Taylor (as 'Jim-Jam'), Barry Van Dyke ('Diagnosis Murder'), Theodore Wilson ('Sanford Arms'), Sinbad and "Iron Jaw" Wilson. The theme song was by Kool and the Gang. One notable episode featured guest-star Carroll O'Connor ('Archie Bunker'), a first time meeting of these 70s sitcom greats.
After filming just a handful of episodes, 'The Redd Foxx Show' was re-tooled. Out went the kid and in came Al's combative ex-wife Felicia (Beverly Todd) to generate tension and a few insults.
Despite some bright moments, 'The Redd Foxx Show' lasted only four months.
http://www.tvparty.com/mysfoxx2.html
Mr. Television 07-10-2010, 09:14 PM I think I saw one episode but I didn't care for it. It was no S&S. The Royal Family was much better too. I do remember seeing Carroll O'Connor and Redd doing a commercial for the show but I never saw that episode.
Brian Damage 07-10-2010, 09:25 PM Interesting, I guess nobody wanted to see a nicer, gentler Redd Foxx. LOL
TV_on_the_Porch 07-11-2010, 01:18 AM Interesting, I guess nobody wanted to see a nicer, gentler Redd Foxx. LOL
Sadly, that's a valid point. Though scheduling it at 8PM Saturdays was a huge strike against it, I do recall that the premiere episode's ratings were promising, that there was significant interest in the show and a lot of viewers not usually watching ABC in that time period did check it out. But by the following week it was clear the the audience had not been impressed. I think it was pretty much game-over at that point as far as generating buzz.
I personally liked it and watched the first several weeks up to and including the Carroll O'Connor debacle. As I recall, he wrote the episode and it was just a bizarre mess. After that, Redd appeared in a promo pretending to read a letter from the network, saying they loved his show, but the producers sucked. "Well, we got rid of them." It was an unusual attempt to appear frank and candid, but it reeked of desperation. The subsequent retooling to mold the show in the image of Sanford drove away the (few) old fans and attracted no new ones.
catlover79 07-11-2010, 01:35 AM I've heard of it, but I never saw it.
TV_on_the_Porch 07-11-2010, 06:43 AM I've been thinking about that promo some more, and I'm pretty sure that the supposed letter from the network praised Redd and criticized his producer--singular. That led to Redd saying the rather more harsh "We got rid of that guy."
:(
Sorry, things get a little hazy after a quarter century or so.
TVFactFan 07-11-2010, 06:26 PM ABC's 'The Redd Foxx Show' in 1986 tried a new approach. This time, instead of being a cantankerous old coot, Redd would play nice-guy newstand owner Al Hughes.
In the show, Al has 'adopted' a street-wise little white girl Toni (Pamela Segall). Also featured in the cast were Nathaniel "Rollo" Taylor (as 'Jim-Jam'), Barry Van Dyke ('Diagnosis Murder'), Theodore Wilson ('Sanford Arms'), Sinbad and "Iron Jaw" Wilson. The theme song was by Kool and the Gang. One notable episode featured guest-star Carroll O'Connor ('Archie Bunker'), a first time meeting of these 70s sitcom greats.
After filming just a handful of episodes, 'The Redd Foxx Show' was re-tooled. Out went the kid and in came Al's combative ex-wife Felicia (Beverly Todd) to generate tension and a few insults.
Despite some bright moments, 'The Redd Foxx Show' lasted only four months.
http://www.tvparty.com/mysfoxx2.html
I thought the show was very watchable and enjoyed the episode with Carroll O Connor since that was the closet thing to Fred meeting Archie-LOL
TVFactFan 07-11-2010, 06:34 PM Sadly, that's a valid point. Though scheduling it at 8PM Saturdays was a huge strike against it, I do recall that the premiere episode's ratings were promising, that there was significant interest in the show and a lot of viewers not usually watching ABC in that time period did check it out. But by the following week it was clear the the audience had not been impressed. I think it was pretty much game-over at that point as far as generating buzz.
I personally liked it and watched the first several weeks up to and including the Carroll O'Connor debacle. As I recall, he wrote the episode and it was just a bizarre mess. After that, Redd appeared in a promo pretending to read a letter from the network, saying they loved his show, but the producers sucked. "Well, we got rid of them." It was an unusual attempt to appear frank and candid, but it reeked of desperation. The subsequent retooling to mold the show in the image of Sanford drove away the (few) old fans and attracted no new ones.
The Redd Foxx Show couldnt grab those viewers from Gimmie a Break on Saturday Night-lol
angiefan 07-21-2010, 12:27 PM Yep,I loved that show!
bencasey 05-24-2011, 12:32 PM I transfered mine recently. Think I might be missing one.
Reverend Jim 05-24-2011, 06:48 PM http://i53.tinypic.com/jrr7r4.jpg
Blackout 01-26-2012, 11:36 PM i want to see an episode of this
MikeLutton 01-31-2012, 03:42 AM http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=redd+foxx+show&oq=redd+foxx+show&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=11956l14022l0l15042l14l10l0l1l1l1l389l1458l0.2.2.2l6l0
here you go found some on you tube enjoy
I thought the show was very watchable and enjoyed the episode with Carroll O Connor since that was the closet thing to Fred meeting Archie-LOL
-2nFM7wfpMs
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0257/3165/products/RSK30555_2048x.jpeg?v=1497370012
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/48/e5/c5/48e5c54d35647779f67b4757b6076d53.jpg
cloggedmind 06-04-2023, 11:43 AM I had all the original airings on one tape.. lost somewhere in all my stuff. I need to find that b/c the first episode had a different opening, without all the animation and stop motion effects. It was just live action videotaped clips with the stars' names superimposed.
I recently came across a tape with a handful of episodes including the pilot episode. All premiere broadcasts with original commercials.
https://youtu.be/0RSqMvYoASo
Included are :
1/18/86 S1 E1 Pilot
1/25/86 S1 E2 High School Blues
2/1/86 S1 E3 High Blood Pressure
2/22/86 S1 E6 Al's First Date
TVFactFan 04-06-2024, 01:19 PM I recently came across a tape with a handful of episodes including the pilot episode. All premiere broadcasts with original commercials.
https://youtu.be/0RSqMvYoASo
Included are :
1/18/86 S1 E1 Pilot
1/25/86 S1 E2 High School Blues
2/1/86 S1 E3 High Blood Pressure
2/22/86 S1 E6 Al's First Date
Im going to watch the last one
BestTVever 04-06-2024, 01:46 PM I remember the show because it was while taping one of the episodes that he died on the set of a massive heart attack. I always thought how strange it was him pretending to have the "big one" on Sanford and Son and then the next time he gets his own show he dies of the big one right on the set during taping.
DJM77 04-06-2024, 02:03 PM I remember the show because it was while taping one of the episodes that he died on the set of a massive heart attack. I always thought how strange it was him pretending to have the "big one" on Sanford and Son and then the next time he gets his own show he dies of the big one right on the set during taping.
That was his next series. It was called The Royal Family.
|