Two separate video interviews on EmmyTVLegends.org have producers talking about what it was like to work on "Alice."

When first season producer Harvey Bullock is asked about Linda Lavin, he says to the interviewer, "You are a troublemaker, aren't you? You want me to talk about Linda Lavin? I don't know if I want to talk about Linda Lavin. No -- I'll pass."

And Bob Carroll & Madelyn Davis (who produced seasons 2-9) pause somewhat awkwardly and simply say "Very talented." (That's all they'll say about her.)

They do have GOOD things to say about the other cast members, especially Polly Holliday and Vic Tayback.

I always wondered why there was a change in the executive producers after the first season.

They were going to talk about Alice and didn't like to talk about Linda Lavin. What did they think they were going to talk about? lol

Carroll & Davis confirm that Warner Brothers was going to drop the show after the first season, when they were asked to come in and take it over.

They won't talk about Lavin -- but they do share thoughts on the other cast members and the writers.

I was born in the late 70's and remember watching the show as a young child. So I did not know about this stuff about Linda Lavin. Was she a cancer? The show lasted for several seasons, so she must have done some things right. What is it about her that the producers did not want to talk about her so many years later? I would appreciate any insight, since this is a revelation to me. Thanks.

Wow :( I had NO idea there was tension behind the scenes. All these years, I haven't heard it mentioned. Disheartening.

I was born in the late 70's and remember watching the show as a young child. So I did not know about this stuff about Linda Lavin. Was she a cancer? The show lasted for several seasons, so she must have done some things right. What is it about her that the producers did not want to talk about her so many years later? I would appreciate any insight, since this is a revelation to me. Thanks.

I'd like to know too.

If Linda Lavin was so bad then how did the show last so long and become one of the top rated shows on TV? What Linda do to cause her to be disliked?

I wouldn't be surprised if Linda Lavin wanted a more realistic show. 'Alice' could be very broad. Which I like a lot :D but I could see where she'd want such a well acted program to be less silly. I mean, one of the scripts in season one was a direct steal from 'The Flintstones' :eek:

But I did like the little touches that gave season one such camaraderie: Mel and Flo going outside to look at a big fish that someone caught, Alice and Flo being concerned about protecting the dignity of the food critic who died, and the heartfelt revelations that came out during the storm and Vera's attempted suicide.

The later seasons didn't show the closeness of the group as well, especially when Flo became so antagonistic with Mel, and Alice rolled her eyes every time Flo mentioned men ohno: