Changes in the last 2 seasons according to the Primetime TV Directory

1. Rhoda's seperation from joe
2. The phase out of Joe from the show
3. On and Off again romance with Johnny Venture
4. Rhoda's new job at a struggling Costume Company
5. Rhoda's mother being a single woman


What do you think?

I think a lot of that did cause the show to lose viewers. CBS promoted the Wedding of Rhoda and Joe as a national event. Then 2 years later, they decided to break them up. I'm sure a lot of people felt like they wasted their time getting so involved with that. They probably felt cheated. Rhoda was never in the same category as The Mary Tyler Moore Show as far as quality was concerned but it was a good show with a fine cast. The producers tried to turn the show into another MTM but they failed miserably. They brought in some new characters that weren't well received. They made Rhoda a MTM clone. Joe was gone by the 4th season and losing Nancy Walker for part of the time also hurt it as I think she was one of the show's main assets. I've barely watched any of the later day shows when I caught it in syndication. I've still never seen the last episode.

I think a lot of that did cause the show to lose viewers. CBS promoted the Wedding of Rhoda and Joe as a national event. Then 2 years later, they decided to break them up. I'm sure a lot of people felt like they wasted their time getting so involved with that. They probably felt cheated. Rhoda was never in the same category as The Mary Tyler Moore Show as far as quality was concerned but it was a good show with a fine cast. The producers tried to turn the show into another MTM but they failed miserably. They brought in some new characters that weren't well received. They made Rhoda a MTM clone. Joe was gone by the 3rd season and losing Nancy Walker for part of the time also hurt it as I think she was one of the show's main assets. I've barely watched any of the later day shows when I caught it in syndication. I've still never seen the last episode.

That's right because Nancy walker had two projects going on during 1976 which was the Nancy Walker show and Blansky Beauties. I also read that Rhoda had a new girlfriend who was a divorced 39 year old woman who worked for the airlines

^Wasn't that Sally played by Anne Meara? I know that once Joe was gone, I was too.

^Wasn't that Sally played by Anne Meara? I know that once Joe was gone, I was too.

Yes, and while I like Anne Meara, she did not really fit in on "Rhoda." I love this show. It's one of my favorites (I actually prefer it to The Mary Tyler Moore Show) but the last couple of seasons were a disappointment. The things I liked the least was Rhoda's job at the costume shop and Johnny Venture! The original premise of the show was completely lost by the end. It was as if every episode became some kind of joke.:(

It's like the end message is.....so you were a schlub and in the end, you will still be a schlub.

There must have been a reason why Rhoda broke off with Joe though. Audiences must have not liked the pairing and the writers broke them up. That is a guess of course.

There must have been a reason why Rhoda broke off with Joe though. Audiences must have not liked the pairing and the writers broke them up. That is a guess of course.
I read that it was the writers and producers who didn't like them being married. The show was a top 10 hit when they were married. The show completely tanked afterwards.

I read that it was the writers and producers who didn't like them being married. The show was a top 10 hit when they were married. The show completely tanked afterwards.


That is very bizarre then. When ratings started to tank, why not put them back together? Was it too late?

That is very bizarre then. When ratings started to tank, why not put them back together? Was it too late?


Probably was too late by that time since the chemistry was already destroyed

That is very bizarre then. When ratings started to tank, why not put them back together? Was it too late?
Yea it was probably too late. The show went from being ranked at #8 for the 1975-76 season to not being in the top 30 the following season. It was in the same timeslot too.

Yea it was probably too late. The show went from being ranked at #8 for the 1975-76 season to not being in the top 30 the following season. It was in the same timeslot too.


Hopefully Rhoda can land on Me-TV or Hallmark sometime soon

Hopefully Rhoda can land on Me-TV or Hallmark sometime soon
That would be good. I haven't seen it since I believe N@N aired it.

That would be good. I haven't seen it since I believe N@N aired it.


I remember trying to watch it in the mid 80's on local philly station but my mom told me to......."TURN THE TV OFF" LOL

I remember trying to watch it in the mid 80's on local philly station but my mom told me to......."TURN THE TV OFF" LOL


Why? LOL

Why? LOL


Because I was like 8 or 9 and had to be in bed at a certain time-lol

Because I was like 8 or 9 and had to be in bed at a certain time-lol


Oh okay, I thought it was because your Mom had a problem with Rhoda. lol

Hopefully Rhoda can land on Me-TV or Hallmark sometime soon

it would be a good addition to the weekend schedule, along with "Phyllis"--heck they can't run M*A*S*H all the time, can they? can they?? :lol:

it would be a good addition to the weekend schedule, along with "Phyllis"--heck they can't run M*A*S*H all the time, can they? can they?? :lol:


They can Rhoda in between MTM and Bob Newhart during the week. That would be cool

They can Rhoda in between MTM and Bob Newhart during the week. That would be cool

That's what they should have done in the first place, instead of putting on That Girl (and now replacing that back with The Odd Couple).

I'm only speaking for myself here, but I found the show harder and harder to watch with each passing season. IMO, the first 2 seasons were brilliant. However, as Ms. Harper gained more and more creative control, the show seemed to have new supporting characters each year, Rhoda's job changed each year, and just other small things made it hard for me to really care all that much by the final season.

However, I loved how Julie Cavner's character was allowed to grow and change and she had some really good episodes that focused on Brenda.

Season 4 was when I thought the show was in trouble,Rhoda working for a man,who the Rhoda of the first three seasons would have shot down with her mouth,in five seconds.

The unfunny Benny getting a bigger part,Brenda getting annoying with the Benny pairing,poor scripts all combined to a lesser show,sadly.

tA least Nancy Walker was back for seasons 4 and 5 though!

Season 4 was when I thought the show was in trouble,Rhoda working for a man,who the Rhoda of the first three seasons would have shot down with her mouth,in five seconds.

The unfunny Benny getting a bigger part,Brenda getting annoying with the Benny pairing,poor scripts all combined to a lesser show,sadly.

tA least Nancy Walker was back for seasons 4 and 5 though!


The mother was missing the entire season 3?

The mother was missing the entire season 3?


Yeah, Nancy Walker made the not-so-wise move of leaving to do a couple of other shows. The Nancy Walker Show and Blanskys Beauties.

Yeah, Nancy Walker made the not-so-wise move of leaving to do a couple of other shows. The Nancy Walker Show and Blanskys Beauties.


I haven't watched season 1 yet but my guess is because the mother on the Rhoda was a RIOT which lead to other offers

I haven't watched season 1 yet but my guess is because the mother on the Rhoda was a RIOT which lead to other offers

I wouldn't call her a riot, but a very talented comedienne.

I wouldn't call her a riot, but a very talented comedienne.


I'm enjoying her as I watch season 1 right now