Seeing that most everyone is of the opinion that Cloris Leachman ("Beverly Ann") blew Tender Chunks, who would you like to have seen replace Mrs. Garrett's character? I think they put Cloris Leachman in because she was a veteran sitcom actress. BTW, has anyone seen "Young Frankenstein"? She played Frau Blucher. (I personally like Cloris Leachman and Beverly Ann. But then I'm prejudiced, because I saw the tapings with her in them.)

hmmm.....nope..it can't and couldn't have been done, I mean, if you're saying better, than no..........(of course, I also think it SHOULDn'T have been done, but hey , MO!!) Anyway, I think that if they "HAD TO" replace Mrs. G, bringing in her totally annoying and totally naive sister, was a good choice, because with Beverly Ann, I have come to think that, They knew they couldn't replace Mrs. G, so why not bring in a character that was almost totally the opposite, then it doesnt' even LOOK like you're trying to replace her.

Mrs. Garrett was one of a kind. No one could have or should have taken her place. Nothing against, Cloris Leachman, but her character was not needed, as well as the characters of Andy, Pippa, Kevin, Kelly and George. It comes down to the same old thing, if it's not broken, don't fix it.

I liked Beverly Ann... But if I were to choose, of course, it would be me. :D

I wasn't born until 1988, though. :crying:

;)

Mrs. G is irreplacable.

However, I did not have a problem with Cloris Leachman. I think she is an amazing actress with the ability to make everyone smile. It's the character of Beverley Ann I wasn't too keen on at times. She was funny and some of her blonde moments had me laughing so hard it hurt, but I didn't see why the girls would need someone to stay with at that time. It just seemed she was an unecessary character-she had her moments though:


To paraphrase:


Bev Ann: Let's see it's tomorrow in Africa now so if I wanted to talk to Edna today I should have called her yesterday...


:lol: Bev certainly had her moments





ks

Actually, I LIKE Cloris Leachman!! She's fun, sexy, deliciously slender, a great sense of humor!! At least *some of us guys* think so!!:D I wonder how she feels about "older" men??
"Blair may be fair, but Beverly Ann--OH MAN!!"
She's definitely with it with that punk rock 'do...;)

Don't get me wrong- Beverly Ann may have been as funny as hell, but she wasn't needed. They were all what, 20? Tootie may have been young but she could take care of herself. Bev never gave good advice either. Mrs. G was one-of-a-kind

You're right, they were all in their twenties, and certainly didn't need a housemother at this stage. Remember in the one episode
(forgot which season, 6?) where Blair was acting crazy with so many boyfriends that Mrs. G had to ground her, and then when they found out the reason (she had broken up with Cliff and felt lost), Mrs. G revoked her punishment and said Blair was responsible for herself. So the whole thing about Beverly Ann was just some sort of comic relief--unless they wanted to have an older person to chew the fat with--and perhaps the other reason was to make Beverly Ann feel like she was important and needed--and not a failure after so many bad breaks in life.

I don't know...Charlotte said that she didn't think the girls needed an older mentor anymore, so I don't see how Bev was of much use. I think the girls would have been fine on their own. And yes, I've seen Young Frankenstein. That was certainly a different role for Cloris!

I wouldn't want anyone to place Mrs G. She should have stayed with the show.

Originally posted by ks
Mrs. G is irreplacable.


Ditto!

I didnt mind Beverly Ann... I like her just as much as I do Mrs. Garrett

You're right, they were all in their twenties, and certainly didn't need a housemother at this stage. Remember in the one episode
(forgot which season, 6?) where Blair was acting crazy with so many boyfriends that Mrs. G had to ground her, and then when they found out the reason (she had broken up with Cliff and felt lost), Mrs. G revoked her punishment and said Blair was responsible for herself. So the whole thing about Beverly Ann was just some sort of comic relief--unless they wanted to have an older person to chew the fat with--and perhaps the other reason was to make Beverly Ann feel like she was important and needed--and not a failure after so many bad breaks in life.

I think MRS G realizes at the end of 'working it out' that she had to let BLAIR go because she is not a little girl anymore, and i always found the ending kind of sad cos you see how difficult it is for MRS G.to do so (kind of like a mother letting her child go) and her sentence only confirms it, "we all make mistakes and sometimes it hurts, but that's how we grow."
This episode also shows you how much BLAIR looks up to MRS G: "i can't get away with behaving so badly... Someone has to take responsibility!"
And her eyes meets MRS G pleading to straight her out.
Luckily MRS G realizes that BLAIR still needs her, cos she puts her hand on the girl's shoulder and says "but BLAIR... i'm here if you ever need someone to help you out". Wow! That moment is really touching!:wave:

No one could have replaced Mrs. Garrett. She was the heart of the show. Without her, the show had an artificial heart, and the series was left on life support. Episodes 8-01, 8-02, and 8-06 were the beginning of end, with 9-23 and 9-24 wrapping things up nicely, returning to Eastland: a five-episode "final season".

No one could have replaced Mrs. Garrett. She was the heart of the show. Without her, the show had an artificial heart, and the series was left on life support. Episodes 8-01, 8-02, and 8-06 were the beginning of end, with 9-23 and 9-24 wrapping things up nicely, returning to Eastland: a five-episode "final season".

MRS G (along with BLAIR) is one of the reason i decided to continue watching FOL after the season 1. I know most people think the show didn't start before JO, but i don't agree: from the very beginning, BLAIR stole the show and became the main character on season 1 with her wild and boy crazy behaviour! Unfortunately, when she was rewritten on season 2, JO kind of 'stole' her lime light by becoming the 'BLAIR' of the first season if that makes sense?
Still, luckily and because of the tension between JO vs BLAIR the show continued being a success, and by reducing the cast, the girls bonded even more with MRS G! (or CHARLOTTE RAE ha ha!):talk:

PS: i'v always wondered though, why the writers and producers of the show never had BLAIR apologizing to MRS G for being rude to her on the 'pilot episode'? (if i was the producer i would have had an episode based on that)
Just a thought...

I always found Jo to be a bit creepy. She was just was way too tomboy and bordered heavily on lesbian.

Miss Mahoney ;)

I always found Jo to be a bit creepy. She was just was way too tomboy and bordered heavily on lesbian.

Jo was creepy in that it seemed her family was in the Mafia. The guy who played her dad really was a mobster in Boston's Winter Hill Gang (the one led by Whitey Bulger).

Miss Mahoney ;)

Haha! That would have been pretty funny.


Miss Mahoney: Now, girls, I know we haven't spoken in over seven years, but Mrs. Garrett has asked me to look in on you, and I'm moving into her non-existent bedroom.

Natalie: But Miss Mahoney, we don't need anyone looking in on us. We're grown women.

Miss Mahoney: Ah, ah, Natalie! That's not the Eastland spirit. Now, curfew's at 9:00 PM, sharp.

Tootie: Curfew?! But I'm an actress, now... no, I'm a seagull.


:lol:

:lol:Haha! That would have been pretty funny.


Miss Mahoney: Now, girls, I know we haven't spoken in over seven years, but Mrs. Garrett has asked me to look in on you, and I'm moving into her non-existent bedroom.

Natalie: But Miss Mahoney, we don't need anyone looking in on us. We're grown women.

Miss Mahoney: Ah, ah, Natalie! That's not the Eastland spirit. Now, curfew's at 9:00 PM, sharp.

Tootie: Curfew?! But I'm an actress, now... no, I'm a seagull.


:lol:


HA HA HA!:lol::lol::lol: Good one lol!
I always liked MISS MAHONEY sense of humour though (as well as MR BRADLEY) and i was sad they weren't on the season 2 anymore....

:lol:


HA HA HA!:lol::lol::lol: Good one lol!
I always liked MISS MAHONEY sense of humour though (as well as MR BRADLEY) and i was sad they weren't on the season 2 anymore....

Yeah, it was cool seeing Mrs. Garrett interact with other staff and faculty at Eastland. We got some interesting conversations that we never got during later Eastland years.

Miss Mahoney's best episode, IMO, was "IQ". She really got to stick it to Mr. Bradley.

Yeah, it was cool seeing Mrs. Garrett interact with other staff and faculty at Eastland. We got some interesting conversations that we never got during later Eastland years.

Miss Mahoney's best episode, IMO, was "IQ". She really got to stick it to Mr. Bradley.

For me 'IQ' is one of the episodes with MISS MAHONEY as well, and i love how she treats MRS BRADLEY like a school kid hee hee!

PS: NANCY's got good lines in there too, along with SUE ANN and very intense!:lol:

Miss Mahony's hair would have fit in well with the late seasons cast and that time period in general. Miss Mahoney may have left, but her hair made a return appearance several years later.

Miss Mahony's hair would have fit in well with the late seasons cast and that time period in general. Miss Mahoney may have left, but her hair made a return appearance several years later.


Maybe the hair but definitely not the clothes: MISS MAHONEY dressed like a nun and the 80 s was all about high shoulder pads and funky make up lol!:crazy:

Haha IQ is def my fav Ep and Miss Mahoney was great in it

Yeah, it was cool seeing Mrs. Garrett interact with other staff and faculty at Eastland. We got some interesting conversations that we never got during later Eastland years.

Yes, with the vacancy of Miss Mahoney and a regular schoolmaster, after season 1 we were robbed of Mrs. Garrett having regular adult interactions, one thing I do certainly bemoan. Especially with Miss Mahoney---once she left, Mrs. Garrett had no female confidante.


Miss Mahoney's best episode, IMO, was "IQ". She really got to stick it to Mr. Bradley.

I agree, I think it's her best too! She gets to be silly (rabbits in trouble), teachery (telling the girls they have nothing to do now---but study for finals), authoritatively disappointed (the scores---she really is not happy with Sue Ann and Nancy!), and a backup resolver for Mrs. Garrett.

But, does she really "stick it" to Mr. Bradley here? I can't think of an example. Although she does totally derail his plan of avoidance, with "Sure we do! They sent a sample I.Q. test when they sent back those scores!" :lol:

Yes, with the vacancy of Miss Mahoney and a regular schoolmaster, after season 1 we were robbed of Mrs. Garrett having regular adult interactions, one thing I do certainly bemoan. Especially with Miss Mahoney---once she left, Mrs. Garrett had no female confidante.

Your "female confidante" point is a good one. We did miss out on that, after the first season. It's shame they couldn't bring Miss Mahoney back for occasional appearances. Imagine, for example, the impact of the girls overhearing a conversation between Mrs. Garrett and Miss Mahoney about Mrs. Garrett having to work at Howard Johnson's. Mrs. Garrett then makes the "dog food" comment. This seems more realistic, to me, than Mrs. Garrett bringing it up in front of the girls.

Or what if Miss Mahoney was "Gail", the teacher who died? Think of the impact having a recurring character pass on would have. When I think of characters who die on TV, the ones that have the most resonance are the ones we knew before their death episode, but maybe '80s television wasn't ready for that.


I agree, I think it's her best too! She gets to be silly (rabbits in trouble), teachery (telling the girls they have nothing to do now---but study for finals), authoritatively disappointed (the scores---she really is not happy with Sue Ann and Nancy!), and a backup resolver for Mrs. Garrett.

But, does she really "stick it" to Mr. Bradley here? I can't think of an example. Although she does totally derail his plan of avoidance, with "Sure we do! They sent a sample I.Q. test when they sent back those scores!" :lol:

I felt like that whole scene was her (and Mrs. Garrett) sticking it to Mr. Bradley: he's the Eastland head administrator, but he has suddenly found himself being tested... and failing badly. Miss Mahoney's lines, here, are hilarious.

Your "female confidante" point is a good one. We did miss out on that, after the first season.

After the 4th episode! lol And the strongest example we got of that was in "Rough Housing", with their woman-and-woman scene in Mrs. Garrett's room. Miss Downs was there later, but only appearing in one episode, and she was much too quirky and over the top to be a "fellow woman confidante" of Mrs. Garrett (but she was wonderful for the character she was!).


It's shame they couldn't bring Miss Mahoney back for occasional appearances.

I brought her back! :wave: Unfortunately my altered episodes though were not produced. :lol:


Imagine, for example, the impact of the girls overhearing a conversation between Mrs. Garrett and Miss Mahoney about Mrs. Garrett having to work at Howard Johnson's. Mrs. Garrett then makes the "dog food" comment. This seems more realistic, to me, than Mrs. Garrett bringing it up in front of the girls.

Oo, that would've been good.


YOr what if Miss Mahoney was "Gail", the teacher who died? Think of the impact having a recurring character pass on would have. When I think of characters who die on TV, the ones that have the most resonance are the ones we knew before their death episode, but maybe '80s television wasn't ready for that.

Eek! That would've been sad. :(


I felt like that whole scene was her (and Mrs. Garrett) sticking it to Mr. Bradley: he's the Eastland head administrator, but he has suddenly found himself being tested... and failing badly. Miss Mahoney's lines, here, are hilarious.

Ooohhh, I see what you mean now. When you said "sticking it to" him, I thought you mean feisty and defiant, like Molly. You know, "stick it to the man", haha.

Right when Charlotte left, Jennie O'Hara was a regular on My Sister Sam, so that would not be possible for her to replace Mrs. Garrett at that time.

Right when Charlotte left, Jennie O'Hara was a regular on My Sister Sam, so that would not be possible for her to replace Mrs. Garrett at that time.

That's true; good point. I just thought it would be hilarious.

I liked Beverly Ann.

I liked Beverly Ann.


No way: BEVERLY ANN was so irritating and no one took her seriously!:eek:

After the 4th episode! lol And the strongest example we got of that was in "Rough Housing", with their woman-and-woman scene in Mrs. Garrett's room. Miss Downs was there later, but only appearing in one episode, and she was much too quirky and over the top to be a "fellow woman confidante" of Mrs. Garrett (but she was wonderful for the character she was!).

Yeah, I think the producers began to focus so much on the relationships amongst the Core Four that Mrs. Garrett's characterization began to suffer. More faculty interactions would have helped resolve that problem.

Mrs. Garrett's role on the show eventually became "appear on screen, offer people food/drink, exit stage left", and I can see why that wasn't rewarding for Charlotte, who had had the central role in the beginning.

Miss Downs was so quirky, but it would have been cool to see her more often.

Yeah, I think the producers began to focus so much on the relationships amongst the Core Four that Mrs. Garrett's characterization began to suffer. More faculty interactions would have helped resolve that problem.

Mrs. Garrett's role on the show eventually became "appear on screen, offer people food/drink, exit stage left", and I can see why that wasn't rewarding for Charlotte, who had had the central role in the beginning.

Miss Downs was so quirky, but it would have been cool to see her more often.


Exactly my point Retro: on season 1, MRS G was the main one of the adult cast (she was the most cozy housemother) and BLAIR was the main one of the girls (the most interesting character) but as the years went by, we lost a bit on that on each of them and especially MRS G! She became a 'wall paper' by season 7, so no wonder she left....:wave:

Exactly my point Retro: on season 1, MRS G was the main one of the adult cast (she was the most cozy housemother) and BLAIR was the main one of the girls (the most interesting character) but as the years went by, we lost a bit on that on each of them and especially MRS G! She became a 'wall paper' by season 7, so no wonder she left....:wave:

There definitely was a lot to explore with Blair. I'm pretty sure we never met her various step-parents (just her half-sister), which would have been a nice angle to cover.

Instead, we end up meeting every single member of Jo's extended family, including her mom, dad, cousin, neighbor, ex-plumber's best friend... :lol:

No way: BEVERLY ANN was so irritating and no one took her seriously!:eek:

I liked Beverly Ann as well

No way: BEVERLY ANN was so irritating and no one took her seriously!:eek:

Sorry, but I thought she was funny and likeable.

Better question... who SHOULDN'T replace Mrs. Garrett :crazy:

Louise, from "The Lady Who Came to Dinner."

Louise: *tap dancing on Mrs. Garret's dresser with cymbals between her legs* There were bells in the air, but I never heard them ringing, until I saw you... girls again. *toots a horn*

Tootie: What in God's green Earth are you doing back here?

Louise: The dinner theater thing didn't work out. I failed my audition. I tried juggling three live tuna fishes, but one of them slipped out of my hands and hit the one of the judge's face. So uh, I saw you girls had an opening for a housemother, and I just had to apply. I love you girls and mother said it'd be good for me.

Jo: Oh no, even the circus won't take her...

Natalie: And Mrs. Garrett is OK with this?

Louise: Not exactly, but I thought you guys needed an extra dose of fun and laughter around here.

Blair (under her breath to Tootie): If she sticks around here, I think she's gonna need an extra dose of ritalin.

Louise: What was that...?

Tootie: Uh, she said she's got a riddle for you.

Louise: Great! Shoot! *toots horn*

Blair: Right, yeah, yeah, um, what is it the more you take, the less you leave behind?

Louise: You got me, baby!

Blair: Footsteps.

Louise: *ba dum tss with the cymbals between her legs*

Jo: Yeah, and now we want to see some right outside of our door. *Jo guides Louise to the door and Louise exits their home*


:lol:

Better question... who SHOULDN'T replace Mrs. Garrett :crazy:

Louise, from "The Lady Who Came to Dinner."

Louise: *tap dancing on Mrs. Garret's dresser with cymbals between her legs* There were bells in the air, but I never heard them ringing, until I saw you... girls again. *toots a horn*

Tootie: What in God's green Earth are you doing back here?

Louise: The dinner theater thing didn't work out. I failed my audition. I tried juggling three live tuna fishes, but one of them slipped out of my hands and hit the one of the judge's face. So uh, I saw you girls had an opening for a housemother, and I just had to apply. I love you girls and mother said it'd be good for me.

Jo: Oh no, even the circus won't take her...

Natalie: And Mrs. Garrett is OK with this?

Louise: Not exactly, but I thought you guys needed an extra dose of fun and laughter around here.

Blair (under her breath to Tootie): If she sticks around here, I think she's gonna need an extra dose of ritalin.

Louise: What was that...?

Tootie: Uh, she said she's got a riddle for you.

Louise: Great! Shoot! *toots horn*

Blair: Right, yeah, yeah, um, what is it the more you take, the less you leave behind?

Louise: You got me, baby!

Blair: Footsteps.

Louise: *ba dum tss with the cymbals between her legs*

Jo: Yeah, and now we want to see some right outside of our door. *Jo guides Louise to the door and Louise exits their home*


:lol:
Oh gosh, not Louise!! :rofl:

Aw JEEZ, not Loo-EEZE! :lol: