'We Ran Out of Controversy' is what Bea Arthur said following 'Maude's' cancellation. "We've accomplished what we set out to accomplish. We brought good theater to television. I may be kidding myself, but I think we gave quality shows to television.


So to me personally it sounded like if it wasn't a hot topic button to push, there was just no need for the show....

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10612F739551A708DDDAF0994DC405B888BF1D3

While Maude started out a hot-button show, as the seasons went on it became obvious they could do straight comedy and still be successful and entertaining. There's nothing controversial about a broken punch bowl, a college reunion, or sucking up your employee's dead husband's ashes in the vacuum. Actually, the non-issue episodes were much better, but it's the stories such as Maude's abortion that people still talk about.

I can only speak for myself. I didn't - Maude was a little too "liberal" for me - but I really like Bea so seeing Bea in anything was nice. And Maude was a hoot on AITF.

But the character Maude was a bit over the top -

'We Ran Out of Controversy' is what Bea Arthur said following 'Maude's' cancellation. "We've accomplished what we set out to accomplish. We brought good theater to television. I may be kidding myself, but I think we gave quality shows to television.


So to me personally it sounded like if it wasn't a hot topic button to push, there was just no need for the show....

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10612F739551A708DDDAF0994DC405B888BF1D3


Well that right there sums it up why Maude is not popular in syndication. The show soared due to the times it aired on CBS and now that those times are gone, ....................................."SO ARE THE LAUGHS"

I can only speak for myself. I didn't - Maude was a little too "liberal" for me - but I really like Bea so seeing Bea in anything was nice. And Maude was a hoot on AITF.

But the character Maude was a bit over the top -


I think she was better on AITF than her own show. IMO

Well that right there sums it up why Maude is not popular in syndication. The show soared due to the times it aired on CBS and now that those times are gone, ....................................."SO ARE THE LAUGHS"


So the show was essentially too dated?

I think she was better on AITF than her own show. IMO

Yes I think so too. The AITF ep she's in is priceless; my favorite of the series. Archie doesn't get away with a thing with Maude; she gives what she gets.

(I'm surprised I'm watching Maude more than I thought -- guess its because I really like Bea -- its certainly not the character she's playing)

Besides Bea is much better than the show - proven by her stellar performance on The Golden Girls.

I agree with practically nothing that Maude agrees with and I always loved the show. It's a testament to Bea that she made you care about Maude even when she was over the top. lol

I think the controversy was part of it, but the characters were interesting and funny and as others have said, even the non issue shows were good.

Norman Lear designed "Maude" to be the other side of the coin of "All in the Family". AitF gave us a ridiculously conservative and ignorant Archie Bunker, while "Maude" gave us a ridiculously liberal and over compensating Maude Finley. Maude's being female also gave the writers a first person voice for strongest decade of feminism.

I agree with practically nothing that Maude agrees with and I always loved the show. It's a testament to Bea that she made you care about Maude even when she was over the top. lol

I'm discovering that too. Bea really was a marvelous actress--and IMO attractive too. When I saw Maude on the Antenna TV lineup I didn't think I'd watch it that much - but I find myself taping (DVD-ing) it almost every night. Last night I saw the ep where John Wayne came as a guest to Maude's house. It was nice to see old Maudie ultimately get the bug out of her a** and treat him warmly.

Maude seems to be doing well in the ratings for Antenna TV so far and maybe the show can get more exposure and new fans that will lead to a new DVD release?

Maude seems to be doing well in the ratings for Antenna TV so far and maybe the show can get more exposure and new fans that will lead to a new DVD release?

Interesting point Soloman. Although if you can see see show, and copy it to DVD for free, there's less of a need to buy it. On the hand, the "professionally" released Season sets are usually sans the commercials, and store more eps on each DVD.

Interesting point Soloman. Although if you can see see show, and copy it to DVD for free, there's less of a need to buy it. On the hand, the "professionally" released Season sets are usually sans the commercials, and store more eps on each DVD.


Don't forget the unedited version on DVD

It's a Maude Maude Maude Maude World.

Don't forget the unedited version on DVD

Yes, you're right; that too. But while I'm finding I like the show more than I thought, not enough to shell out $$$ for it. What Antenna is showing is good enough for me.