Sally Field doesn't speak fondly of her days as The Flying Nun.

"Oh, c'mon. Really?" she told a packed audience at the Women's Conference this morning in Long Beach, Calif., during a session on leadership. "I wanted to be a real actor, to tell real stories." It was the early '70s and she felt she was going to get stuck forever in sitcoms. The scripts she was being sent at the time "went from stupid to even stupider."

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Yeah.I heard the same thing years ago.And I've also heard that she liked "Gidget"A LOT better than "The Flying Nun"(as did I),and I've read that "The Flying Nun"was ABC's way of making it up to her,for cancelling "Gidget".She is now in the drama "Brothers and Sisters".Hey,by the way,remember the NBC ORIGINAL 1979 TV-movie drama "Sybil",with her and Joanne Woodward?

And,ironically ,"Brothers and Sisters"is also an ABC show,as were "Gidget" and "The Flying Nun",so if she enjoys doing "Brothers and Sisters",(and she really must),ABC HAS made it up to her.And with the successes of "Smokey and The Bandit","Smokey and the Bandit 2","Sybil","Norma Rae",and "Murphy's Romance"(with James Garner),and "Places in the Heart"(for which she won an Oscar and said the famous speech "You like me.You REALLY like me".)it proves that Gidget really HAS grown up.

And,ironically ,"Brothers and Sisters"is also an ABC show,as were "Gidget" and "The Flying Nun",so if she enjoys doing "Brothers and Sisters",(and she really must),ABC HAS made it up to her.And with the successes of "Smokey and The Bandit","Smokey and the Bandit 2","Sybil","Norma Rae",and "Murphy's Romance"(with James Garner),and "Places in the Heart"(for which she won an Oscar and said the famous speech "You like me.You REALLY like me".)it proves that Gidget really HAS grown up.
Also Forrest Gump.

but it all started with her sitcoms. She should embrace it really. Both Gidget and The Flying Nun were not bad shows and she should be proud of them. It started her on her journey where she is now. Tom Hanks never badmouths Bosom Buddies. Sally should follow that example.

You really need to see the extras on The Flying Nun, she had a tough time during that period. At the time some people thought the show was silly and she did a talk show appearance and told she wasn't very good. All this had an effect on her. Fred Gwyne felt the same way about the Herman Munster character and wouldn't talk about it for the longest time.

but it all started with her sitcoms. She should embrace it really. Both Gidget and The Flying Nun were not bad shows and she should be proud of them. It started her on her journey where she is now. Tom Hanks never badmouths Bosom Buddies. Sally should follow that example.
Sally should talk to Patty Duke.

Yes I agree. I'm a bit over Sally always bagging "The Flying Nun". So she had self esteem problems from the show, so have we all growing up!!! The show provided her with a starring role in a popular series which was ideally suited to her at that time. She had the opportunity to work with some amazing talents on the show like Madeline Sherwood, Marge Redmond, Vitto Scotti and numerous guest stars that were only an amazing influence on her developing her acting skills. Contrary to what Sally says it was the perfect vehicle for her at that stage in her career/life and I wish she would simply embrace the show for the time period it was made in. In 1968 Sally wouldn't hav ebeen offered the glamour romantic parts, she was perky and cute and funny which made Gidget/The Flying Nun perfect for her at that time. To be associated with a show that is still loved by fans 40 years later I think should be regarded as a honour and not something to constantly put down.

but it all started with her sitcoms. She should embrace it really. Both Gidget and The Flying Nun were not bad shows and she should be proud of them. It started her on her journey where she is now. Tom Hanks never badmouths Bosom Buddies. Sally should follow that example.

Yes I agree. I'm a bit over Sally always bagging "The Flying Nun". So she had self esteem problems from the show, so have we all growing up!!! The show provided her with a starring role in a popular series which was ideally suited to her at that time. She had the opportunity to work with some amazing talents on the show like Madeline Sherwood, Marge Redmond, Vitto Scotti and numerous guest stars that were only an amazing influence on her developing her acting skills. Contrary to what Sally says it was the perfect vehicle for her at that stage in her career/life and I wish she would simply embrace the show for the time period it was made in. In 1968 Sally wouldn't hav ebeen offered the glamour romantic parts, she was perky and cute and funny which made Gidget/The Flying Nun perfect for her at that time. To be associated with a show that is still loved by fans 40 years later I think should be regarded as a honour and not something to constantly put down.

Yep...a check is a check. She beat out a number of better actresses to get the Flying Nun gig and she should be glad that she did.

From what I've read, the producers had been close to going with Ronne Troupe. What a break that would have been for Ronne's career! She had to wait a while to land the role of Polly Williams Douglas on My Three Sons, and by then the MTS series was in its final seasons.

I agree. "Gidget" was cute but certainly not Shakespeare either and "The Flying Nun" outlasted it by two seasons. Though, she always speaks fondly of “Gidget”. Though the biggest irony of all is what she did a few years after "The Flying Nun". I've never understood how she can STILL always put down "The Flying Nun" because she wanted to be taken 'seriously' and do 'quality' work only a few years later to do ....the "Smokey and the Bandit" movies! If she should be ashamed of ANYTHING that would be it – but it is still “The Flying Nun” she continuously speaks negatively about! I mean she certainly didn't hone her acting abilities playing a bumpkin, sporting those 'Daisy Dukes' she wore in the “Smokey and the Bandit” movies. ...and which do people remember most - and most fondly - today, "The Flying Nun" or those "Smokey and the Bandit" movies? Come on, Sally - PLEEEEEEASE!


Yes I agree. I'm a bit over Sally always bagging "The Flying Nun". So she had self esteem problems from the show, so have we all growing up!!! The show provided her with a starring role in a popular series which was ideally suited to her at that time. She had the opportunity to work with some amazing talents on the show like Madeline Sherwood, Marge Redmond, Vitto Scotti and numerous guest stars that were only an amazing influence on her developing her acting skills. Contrary to what Sally says it was the perfect vehicle for her at that stage in her career/life and I wish she would simply embrace the show for the time period it was made in. In 1968 Sally wouldn't hav ebeen offered the glamour romantic parts, she was perky and cute and funny which made Gidget/The Flying Nun perfect for her at that time. To be associated with a show that is still loved by fans 40 years later I think should be regarded as a honour and not something to constantly put down.

I'm with both of you. It was a nice role. So I don't see what she's bit**ing about. And yes, Smokey and the Bandit was nothing to write home about.

Whatever reasons she has to resent The Flying Nun, she ought to keep it to herself.

I am a Smokey and the Bandit fan. lol It was just a fun movie to watch but I admit it wasn't great art. Sally has had a great career and everyone of these roles helped her get to where she is today. She shouldn't diss any of it especially when she knows there are many fans out there of her earlier work.

Maybe it's the "flying" part that she doesn't like. This was one of the last fantasy sitcoms, as by the late 60's fantasy themed shows were on the way out. I like the show a lot, but I think it would have been just as good if not better had they not gone with the flying gimmick and just made her a regular nun which got herself into pickely situations. The scenes where she flies are silly now, and were silly back then too. But aside from that I enjoy the show and I agree Sally Field should try to embrace it a little more. Many people including me like her for this show, the supporting cast was good also and overall it was a very enjoyable series. The 3rd and final season needs to come out on DVD!

Hey Sally, we all have to start someplace!!

While I have never been a big fan of 'The Flying Nun', it's a heck of a lot more entertaining than her commercials for Boniva.

^ :lol: :lol: :lol:

I bought Gidget for like $10 on DVD but it's very painful to get through it.I don't know why maybe it's a bit girlish so maybe The Flying Nun the same.I kind of gave up on That Girl after season 1 didn't really laugh it seem to dramedy romantic made by women. I can't say the same for Dick Van Dyke Show that is good that I'm watching and Mister Ed kind of silly but still funny.The Beverly Hillbillies absolutely classic comedy.It's very funny a one of a kind only Scruggs and Flats spoil it sometime when they play but they rarely on it.The words of Jed to Sally about her past pitiful.

Sally should talk to Patty Duke.
She hated doing the Flying Nun but her step father was a stunt man and told her the way this business is you can never tell when you're next job will be so you'd bettter take it. She also hated doing The girl with Something Extra, but that didn't last very long.

So, why does she not have fond memories?

From what I've read, so please correct if needed:
Sally has mentioned for one thing that she felt as though the older actresses playing the other nuns (the mother superior in particular, iirc) were not treating her with respect, or something to that effect -- in other words, as a young actress she was being bossed around, despite being the show's star.

Hmmm. Well, if she was the star, she should have put an end to that...but it happens a lot.

Maybe it's the "flying" part that she doesn't like. This was one of the last fantasy sitcoms, as by the late 60's fantasy themed shows were on the way out. I like the show a lot, but I think it would have been just as good if not better had they not gone with the flying gimmick and just made her a regular nun which got herself into pickely situations. The scenes where she flies are silly now, and were silly back then too. But aside from that I enjoy the show and I agree Sally Field should try to embrace it a little more. Many people including me like her for this show, the supporting cast was good also and overall it was a very enjoyable series. The 3rd and final season needs to come out on DVD!

Sally Field had a hard time with the effects of her flying. She was really HURTING in that harness that she used to fly with, but she didn't let it show on screen. Plus in the final season, she became pregnant and that must have been a NIGHTMARE for the producers.

I'm sure Sally wishes she had 3 seasons of Gidget than Flying Nun.
All those cute young guys for Sally to drool over during the beach/school scenes.

Ever wonder why Sally Field gushed "You really like me!"?

In the earliest years of her career, she was not taken seriously due to her sitcoms. It was bad enough to play "Gidget" AND "The Flying Nun," not to mention "The Girl with Something Extra," in which she played a young wife "who suffered from ESP."

It took her years to be taken seriously as an actress, and her Oscar win for "Norma Rae" was a major victory for her.

:2bump just want to add: I don't blame her; the flying nun was a stupid show. I never saw GIDGET so I can't tell you what I think of that.

In my opinion, Alejandro Ray was pretty much a key addition to the cast that made Flying Nun work. His contribution to the series is always overlooked. It was often through his character that the convent interacted with the outside world. Anyway, Sally as Sister Bertrille "works" for me, although I'm sure that there were numerous others who could have done well in the role.

but it all started with her sitcoms. She should embrace it really. Both Gidget and The Flying Nun were not bad shows and she should be proud of them. It started her on her journey where she is now. Tom Hanks never badmouths Bosom Buddies. Sally should follow that example.

Sally Field also (https://www.projectcasting.com/blog/news/sally-field-spider-man/) bad mouthed (https://www.quora.com/Was-Sally-Field-justified-in-complaining-about-her-role-as-Aunt-May-in-the-Spider-Man-films-with-Andrew-Garfield-Did-she-not-read-the-script-before-signing-her-contract-She-knew-who-the-character-was-and-she-could/answer/Michael-Bauch-9) the Spider-Man (https://comicbookmovie.com/spider-man/sally-field-says-she-did-not-like-playing-aunt-may-in-the-amazing-a132131) movies (https://www.vulture.com/2016/03/sally-field-spider-man.html) that she did as Aunt May (https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/5iedqm/til_sally_field_only_played_aunt_may_in_amazing/) to Andrew Garfield's Peter Parker. That part kind of annoyed me because Sally could've looked at the positives such as it in theory, introducing her (https://www.datalounge.com/thread/28801456-why-has-sally-field-been-forgotten-) to a new and younger audience. It just to me, sounded like Sally looked a superhero movies (https://screenrant.com/the-amazing-spider-man-sally-field-aunt-may-criticism/) as being beneath her talents. Plus, exactly what did Sally (https://www.reddit.com/r/Spiderman/comments/q4i4x1/sally_fields_aunt_may_is_so_underappreciated/) expect (https://forums.superherohype.com/threads/spider-man-no-way-home-general-news-discussion-thread-tag-spoilers.555749/page-509) out of the Aunt May (https://whatculture.com/film/10-actors-who-hated-their-own-movie-characters?page=6) role (https://www.reddit.com/r/Marvel/comments/4ah7dd/sally_field_hated_her_role_in_tasm/)? The movies have "Spider-Man" (https://www.reddit.com/r/Marvel/comments/4aou0x/sally_field_criticizes_amazing_spiderman_its/) in the title not May Parker.

Field's comments about The Flying Nun say a lot about her and none of it is good. There may be people who became lifelong fans of her based on that series. Those same people dug deep into their pockets and went to see movies she was in over the next half century. She might take that into consideration before opening her mouth but when someone is so completely self-absorbed, I guess that's not going to happen.

As far as Spider Man and the Aunt May role, what she never heard of the characters, she didn't read the script before agreeing to do the part. If it were beneath her dignity to accept such a part, she should have turned it down. Believe me they would have found someone else to play the part and I'm sure she wouldn't have been missed.

She's a phony pure and simple.

Field's comments about The Flying Nun say a lot about her and none of it is good. There may be people who became lifelong fans of her based on that series. Those same people dug deep into their pockets and went to see movies she was in over the next half century. She might take that into consideration before opening her mouth but when someone is so completely self-absorbed, I guess that's not going to happen.

As far as Spider Man and the Aunt May role, what she never heard of the characters, she didn't read the script before agreeing to do the part. If it were beneath her dignity to accept such a part, she should have turned it down. Believe me they would have found someone else to play the part and I'm sure she wouldn't have been missed.

She's a phony pure and simple.

As far as the Aunt May role (https://www.reddit.com/r/Marvel/comments/4aou0x/sally_field_criticizes_amazing_spiderman_its/) is considered, Sally (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3494215/Sally-Field-won-t-reprise-role-Aunt-Spider-Man-says-film-not-kind-movie.html) claims (https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/touching-reason-sally-field-starred-amazing-spider-man/story?id=37690071) that the only reason why she took on the role (https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/5iedqm/til_sally_field_only_played_aunt_may_in_amazing/) was as a favor (https://www.reddit.com/r/Marvel/comments/4ah7dd/sally_field_hated_her_role_in_tasm/) for her friend Laura Ziskin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Ziskin), who was the producer and would soon succumb to cancer. I must add though that in that same interview (https://weminoredinfilm.com/2016/03/16/why-sally-field-openly-trashing-her-role-in-amazing-spider-man-1-2-matters/) with Howard Stern (https://www.howardstern.com/show/2016/03/14/sally-field-spider-man-hillary-vs-bernie-and-best-screen-kiss-her-life/), Sally Field said (https://www.cbr.com/sally-field-didnt-like-amazing-spider-man-films-not-my-kind-of-movie/) "It's not my kind of movie."

Stern then theorized on why that is, saying that Field was playing a supporting character to the film's superhero lead -- a mask-wearing lead that's "all CGI, special effects." Of Field's role, Stern said, "You come in and you prop up Spider-Man once in awhile. It's like playing the wife at home." Field agreed with this assessment, saying "Exactly."

I know that neither 'Flying Nun' nor 'Spiderman' were Shakespeare but it's sad that Miss Field never seemed to attempt to have any fun doing those roles or working with the other performers or crew participating- just seemed to consider them chores & sacrifices and herself a martyr for doing them!

One would have thought she'd have considered it to have been an honor to have helped out her cancer-stricken producer friend in taking the latter-day role instead of mere martyred drudgery- to say nothing of considering that her friend dying of cancer likely was suffering FAR more than Field herself was having to play Spidey's Aunt May!

But then again, from reading her autobio, while one could sympathize with her as a teen and 20-something being clueless and not knowing the full consequences of what she was signing up for but she's now in her 70s and has been in the business over half a century so she's getting too old to claim to be ignorant of contracts and the business part of showbiz. And from her autobio, it seemed she has been determined to keep from enjoying much of anything in her life even in her golden years.

And why on Earth did she opt to go anywhere near Mr. Stern's show?

The more you learn about Sally Field the less you want to know about her.

She plays the hero helping a friend dying of cancer, and then in the next breath throws the friend under a bus by complaining about the lousy part her friend asked her to play. I'm sure she was getting more than union scale for the part, so let's stop the nonsense.

The more you learn about Sally Field the less you want to know about her.

She plays the hero helping a friend dying of cancer, and then in the next breath throws the friend under a bus by complaining about the lousy part her friend asked her to play. I'm sure she was getting more than union scale for the part, so let's stop the nonsense.

And even if Miss Field HAD gotten mere peanuts for that role, she still likely suffered far less playing Aunt May than her late friend dying of cancer! Too bad they didn't ask Glenn Close who made Cruella DeVil an outstanding and FUN villain and likely could (and would ) have built up and polished the part of Aunt May regardless of the script!FWIW, I thought Miss Field did a fairly job and was a more vibrant Aunt May than usual but I guess she felt the need to poop even on her own performance to underscore her need to find something to complain about.