Maude completely dropped from the top 25 by the '76-77 season. Esther Rolle (Florida) left to begin her own series (Good Times) and Maude's successive maids didn't possess her wit or insight. Reality was proving to be a bit depressing for viewers as they wished to return to the innocence of their youth with shows such as Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley.

http://www.tvparty.com/70maude.html

I'd say probably a combination of both.

Monday Night Football was one of the main reasons for the decline.

I don't think Esther Rolle leaving had a lot to do with it, really. She was very good on the show, but she was only present for two seasons, and the show lasted for four years after that.

I think Maude had a good run. After six seasons it may have just played itself out. But yeah, the stiff competition surely played a hand in things, too.

I don't think Esther Rolle leaving had a lot to do with it, really. She was very good on the show, but she was only present for two seasons, and the show lasted for four years after that.

I think Maude had a good run. After six seasons it may have just played itself out. But yeah, the stiff competition surely played a hand in things, too.


Not sure why Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley was mentioned since Maude never aired on Tuesday Nights.

Well I don't think it was referenced as a ratings competition thing, just that the mood of the country may have switched to less serious, more nostalgic fare like those 50's themed shows.

MNF was the competition I meant. :)

Well I don't think it was referenced as a ratings competition thing, just that the mood of the country may have switched to less serious, more nostalgic fare like those 50's themed shows.

MNF was the competition I meant. :)


Yeah but what viewers watched on Tuesdays wouldn't have any effect on a show that aired on Mondays.

In a way, it would.

If Happy Days kind of turned people away from serious topic oriented comedy, it might have created a kind of tidal wave of mood change that would not have discriminated in regards to time. In other words, if after watching Happy Days on Tuesday, you just weren't in the mood for serious stuff, you have have been less willing to watch those types of shows on ANY day than you would have been had HD never existed.

I agree, it's a bit of a stretch, but it is possible. And also, HD premiered in 1974, while Maude continued for four more seasons. So if it would have had that drastic an impact you would have thought that the serious type shows would have ended more quickly. But Maude went on till 78, and AITF was still strong until 79. So I see your point, definitely.

Maude aired on Tuesday nights at 8:00 for two full years--nine months of which was head-to-head with Happy Days!

That's a TV fact, Fan.

Maude aired on Tuesday nights at 8:00 for two full years--nine months of which was head-to-head with Happy Days!

That's a TV fact, Fan.


The show aired on Tuesday Night but Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley wasnt on ABC during 1972 to 1974.

Get your TV Facts straight,

Not sure why Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley was mentioned since Maude never aired on Tuesday Nights.

How.
Dare.
You.

How.
Dare.
You.


Never aired on Tuesday nights when those shows were on the AIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A) Way to move those goalposts

B) STILL wrong. Happy Days premiered in January of 1974 opposite Maude, which didn't move to Mondays until that September. Read with comprehension, this is the second time I have stated their being in direct competition during those months in this thread.

A) Way to move those goalposts

B) STILL wrong. Happy Days premiered in January of 1974 opposite Maude, which didn't move to Mondays until that September. Read with comprehension, this is the second time I have stated their being in direct competition during those months in this thread.


I'm still having trouble understanding what you mean because even though Maude was in direct competion with HD the show still finished the 1973-74 season ranked as the 6th best show while happy days finished at 16th

^^^ I don't think that's the point that TDRyan is trying to get across.

It was because Bea Arthur decided to end the show at its tevivision peak and move on to other shows

The fact that Esther Rolle was in the show the first two years is what kept my interest.

It was because Bea Arthur decided to end the show at its tevivision peak and move on to other shows

bea was smart though to get out while the shows (maude, golden girls) were at their peak, so many shows get ruined because it goes on too long, look at the simpsons, while its still largely popular, its just not the same as it used to be

bea was smart though to get out while the shows (maude, golden girls) were at their peak, so many shows get ruined because it goes on too long, look at the simpsons, while its still largely popular, its just not the same as it used to be


The show was not at it's peak when she decided to end it