Damn, Ann was SO annoying in this episode, especially when she was talking to herself in the dark like a mental patient. There's a party going on in the next room, but Ann is too busy throwing herself her own pathetic pity party by herself. OMG! The way she was carrying on... it was like she had some sort of terminal illness.

Damn, Ann was SO annoying in this episode, especially when she was talking to herself in the dark like a mental patient. There's a party going on in the next room, but Ann is too busy throwing herself her own pathetic pity party by herself. OMG! The way she was carrying on... it was like she had some sort of terminal illness.


First of all the life expectancy was not the same back then as it is now. She was considering herself to be middle aged.

It was sort of like a mid life crisis. Almost everyone has a moment like this at some point in their lives. I sympathized with Ann because she has gone through a lot and always has to pretend that she is okay to protect those girls.

Something to think about.

First of all the life expectancy was not the same back then as it is now. She was considering herself to be middle aged.

It was sort of like a mid life crisis. Almost everyone has a moment like this at some point in their lives. I sympathized with Ann because she has gone through a lot and always has to pretend that she is okay to protect those girls.

Something to think about.
I understand all that, but the way she was carrying on was like she just found out she had cancer. She was behaving like a koo koo.

I agree, it really showed off BF's over acting.

The monologue went on way too long and just seemed excessive. Maude had a similar monologue episode which was just way over the top.

In later seasons Bonnie thankfully pulled back on the self indulgent acting style she was doing in the earlier seasons. I think she saw herself in syndication and realized she was over doing it. She seemed to cool it on the facial tics and whimpering.

The flip side is she became kind of overly reserved as a result. A middle ground would have been nice.

Her acting could be very strong in the right moments, however. I just the final episode last night in the marathon and she was pitch perfect.

I understand all that, but the way she was carrying on was like she just found out she had cancer. She was behaving like a koo koo.

I would agree with you if she had acted like that around people. She went into a private area and reflected on her life so far. She did not act like she had cancer, she was simply having a break down as we all do at points.

Are you saying that only cancer patients are entitled to breaking down while the rest of us stay calm.

Try to see it from her point of view. I hate the "it's not like you have cancer" response whenever someone shows strong emotion. I know many cancer survivors who don't act like that either. Anyone is entitled to their emotion.

We all react differently to situations and we can't control or judge how someone will react to something

I hate the "it's not like you have cancer" response whenever someone shows strong emotion.
Too bad that's how she acted. Ann acted as if the world was ending or she had a terminal illness. There are a lot worse things in life than turning 36. :rolleyes:

Too bad that's how she acted. Ann acted as if the world was ending or she had a terminal illness. There are a lot worse things in life than turning 36. :rolleyes:


Like I said before, she had a moment of breakdown. We are all entitled to them from time to time. Stop the judging and try to understand her

Like I said before, she had a moment of breakdown. We are all entitled to them from time to time. Stop the judging and try to understand her
No, I don't understand her. I am over 40, yet I was able to face all of my birthdays without behaving like a mental patient.

No, I don't understand her. I am over 40, yet I was able to face all of my birthdays without behaving like a mental patient.

First of all everyone responds differently to life events which includes birthdays. Not everyone sees aging as a good thing especially when the life expectancy was different back then. 40 today is not like it was back then. You have at least 60 more years on this earth if you take real care of yourself.

You can't judge everyone by how you would react to a situation. Instead of making a scene in front of people she went to her room and reflected on her life. If she was a true basket case like you guys claim she was then she would have invited people to feel sorry for her.


The sympathy well sure is dry on this board. I hope people are this cold to you when you guys go through something

Will I ever get to see this episode? Only time will tell

Will I ever get to see this episode? Only time will tell
Ann has a complete mental breakdown all because....*gasp*...... it's her 36th birthday.... like that's the end of the world or something. She behaves like a total loony tune including talking to herself in the mirror and whining to herself like she's dying. Basically, she throws herself a pity party for one.

Ann has a complete mental breakdown all because....*gasp*...... it's her 36th birthday.... like that's the end of the world or something. She behaves like a total loony tune including talking to herself in the mirror and whining to herself like she's dying. Basically, she throws herself a pity party for one.

Wawie is either insensitive or does not know how to read between lines. Either way I feel sorry for the friends of this person because there is no compassion for people who are distressed.

I mentioned numerous times why Ann acted the way she did and it flew over this person's head.

SMH!

Wawie is either insensitive or does not know how to read between lines. Either way I feel sorry for the friends of this person because there is no compassion for people who are distressed.

I mentioned numerous times why Ann acted the way she did and it flew over this person's head.

SMH!
Compassion? I never said I didn't feel compassion for her. I felt sorry for her... she needed to be on anti-depressants.

Will I ever get to see this episode? Only time will tell


Me either . I didn't see it, and I want to after reading all this here! I only saw little bits of the marathon!

Ann did tend to be over dramatic and over the top a lot! Being so upset about being 36! At 36 I was still a spring chicken compared to going on 53 which I am now! And I won't be getting as crazy over it as Ann was I'm sure! :lol:

Was Ann acting like that because she didn't have a MAN?

Me either . I didn't see it, and I want to after reading all this here! I only saw little bits of the marathon!

Ann did tend to be over dramatic and over the top a lot! Being so upset about being 36! At 36 I was still a spring chicken compared to going on 53 which I am now! And I won't be getting as crazy over it as Ann was I'm sure! :lol:
Really! I'm 43 now and I never had a complete break with reality like that. It was very self-indulgent and pathetic. My parents are going on 70 and they never behaved like mental patients for any of their birthdays. You're right about the over-acting. I guess you need to see the episode for yourself. Ann definitely behaved like someone who should be on anti-depressants.

Really! I'm 43 now and I never had a complete break with reality like that. It was very self-indulgent and pathetic. My parents are going on 70 and they never behaved like mental patients for any of their birthdays. You're right about the over-acting. I guess you need to see the episode for yourself. Ann definitely behaved like someone who should be on anti-depressants.


Was it because she was still single?

Was it because she was still single?
Well, she definitely made it all about her.... maybe she WAS depressed because she didn't have a man at that time... not entirely sure.... well, after seeing the episode where she dates a married man, we know for certain that she has a weakness for men and is desperate.... so very, very sad.

Well, she definitely made it all about her.... maybe she WAS depressed because she didn't have a man at that time... not entirely sure.... well, after seeing the episode where she dates a married man, we know for certain that she has a weakness for men and is desperate.... so very, very sad.

WOW! are you over thinking a Normal Lear sitcom about with its' original premise to be a starring vehicle for a unknown actress Bonnie Franklin as a mid 1970's feminist....newly divorced woman, married at 18, had never lived alone and her ex-husband was an old fashioned dominant. So now trying to make it "One Day At A Time" with two teenage children..period..and yes as in life the parents or parent eventually need the children much more than the children need them.

That part of the episode was played as a one act, one woman performance ending with Ann accepting "middle age" and being excited at what the future had in store for her, with hestitation and fright, like all of us if we were in that role in life.

With all sincere respect, to quote you what was "so very, very sad" was Bonnie Franklin died at age 69 in 2013 three years before the then middle age projection of age 72. (Half of 36)

The first of the principle four to pass away......I wish you the best & health.

Really! I'm 43 now and I never had a complete break with reality like that. It was very self-indulgent and pathetic. My parents are going on 70 and they never behaved like mental patients for any of their birthdays. You're right about the over-acting. I guess you need to see the episode for yourself. Ann definitely behaved like someone who should be on anti-depressants.


Wawwie once again you show your ignorance. I have stated numerous times that everyone reacts DIFFERENTLY to getting older and other life events. Who cares that you and you parents never acted that way when you guys got older because it does not mean EVERYONE will act the same way.

Ann had a lot on her plate and deserved a little breakdown. She is not nearly as dramatic as Julie

Wawwie once again you show your ignorance. I have stated numerous times that everyone reacts DIFFERENTLY to getting older and other life events. Who cares that you and you parents never acted that way when you guys got older because it does not mean EVERYONE will act the same way.

Ann had a lot on her plate and deserved a little breakdown. She is not nearly as dramatic as Julie
So according to your logic, I am "ignorant" unless I am down with Ann's mental breakdown? I thought you said that "everyone reacts differently to getting older." Well, I would react differently, okay? Can't deal with that? Perhaps you are the one who is ignorant.

So according to your logic, I am "ignorant" unless I am down with Ann's mental breakdown? I thought you said that "everyone reacts differently to getting older." Well, I would react differently, okay? Can't deal with that? Perhaps you are the one who is ignorant.

Let's clarify this once and for all


I never called you ignorant. I said it was ignorant of you to make fun of someone for having a breakdown for getting older. Just because you are okay with getting older does not mean everyone else is. Instead of judging people like this you should sympathize because every one sees age differently.

There was more to her breakdown besides getting older anyhow. She felt like she had not accomplished much and was trying to reflect on getting older and her life in general

I have mentioned several times that the life expectancy was not the same in the 70s as it is today. Back then people died in around 60 - 70 and in some cases earlier. Now we are living to almost 100 years of age if we take good care of ourselves.

I am simply trying to tell you to put yourself in her shoes. You are judging her like a person on the outside looking in instead of like a person on the inside living what she did.

Just something to think about. No need to reply back to me unless you care to.

Maybe they should have saved this for her fortieth birthday episode. 36 years old sounds pretty young to have a meltdown of this magnitude.

Can we all agree that Bonnie overacted way too much in the early seasons?

Dammit, JUlie!:mad: Dammit, Ed!:mad: Hold me David. I'm scared!:crazy: Oh My God.:o

Maybe they should have saved this for her fortieth birthday episode. 36 years old sounds pretty young to have a meltdown of this magnitude.

Can we all agree that Bonnie overacted way too much in the early seasons?

Dammit, JUlie!:mad: Dammit, Ed!:mad: Hold me David. I'm scared!:crazy: Oh My God.:o
:lol: :crazy: :lol: :crazy: :lol: :crazy: :lol: :crazy:

:lol: ;) ;) :p :( :o :cool: :crazy: :crazy: :lol: :eek: :) :p :p :p

Maybe they should have saved this for her fortieth birthday episode. 36 years old sounds pretty young to have a meltdown of this magnitude.

Can we all agree that Bonnie overacted way too much in the early seasons?

Dammit, JUlie!:mad: Dammit, Ed!:mad: Hold me David. I'm scared!:crazy: Oh My God.:o


YES!!!! A 40th B'day would have been more appropriate for her meltdown! ;)

And with Ann she had already been married , had two children. Even though the marriage didn't last, she had males that were interested in her. She was able to get a decent job on her own. Her life by no means was a failure! It wasn't like she was an old maid that never had children and wasn't able to hold a job or anything! ;) Than I could see a meltdown at 36 back in those days. But in Ann's case I say count your blessings lady! ;)

Maybe they should have saved this for her fortieth birthday episode. 36 years old sounds pretty young to have a meltdown of this magnitude.

Can we all agree that Bonnie overacted way too much in the early seasons?

Dammit, JUlie!:mad: Dammit, Ed!:mad: Hold me David. I'm scared!:crazy: Oh My God.:o


Actually, on her 40th, she competes with Francine for a man. Ann tries to connive and manipulate to break the date he has with Francine and keep him for herself but it blows up in her face. She tries to hold it together but felt threatened.

As far as the other thing, I agreed with the crazy in the first season. I was 10 years old when I saw the reruns and the first season would scare me because Ann was always cursing and that unsettled me:

Oh...
Da*n it, Julie!
Da*n it, Barbara!
Da*n it, David!
Da*n it, Schnieder!
Da*n it, Paper boy!
Da*n it, Televisor!
Da*n it, Cocroaches!
Da*n it, TV viewing audience!

:lol: :lol:

Damn it Ginny! for is stealing all our scenes!:lol: :lol: :lol:


Francine BTW was better with her than any man in terms of chemistry. She really brought out the fire in Ann.;)

Poor Nick. They tried so hard to make those two happen and it just seemed forced and painful.

Anybody know if they got along in real life?

Here is the original thread about Ann's Birthday meltdown!

Actually, on her 40th, she competes with Francine for a man. Ann tries to connive and manipulate to break the date he has with Francine and keep him for herself but it blows up in her face. She tries to hold it together but felt threatened.

As far as the other thing, I agreed with the crazy in the first season. I was 10 years old when I saw the reruns and the first season would scare me because Ann was always cursing and that unsettled me:

Oh...
Da*n it, Julie!
Da*n it, Barbara!
Da*n it, David!
Da*n it, Schnieder!
Da*n it, Paper boy!
Da*n it, Televisor!
Da*n it, Cocroaches!
Da*n it, TV viewing audience!

:lol: :lol:


DAMN IT, Plastic Surgeon/Comedian with terrible jokes in another ep. for not knowing I asked you to the party as a date and you brought another woman!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad:

The race car driver last night was a nice belated birthday gift though...

Plus another good Barbara line:
Julie,to Ann:So it's ok to talk about our sex lives, but not yours?
Barbara: I have a sex life???

The race car driver last night was a nice belated birthday gift though...

Plus another good Barbara line:
Julie,to Ann:So it's ok to talk about our sex lives, but not yours?
Barbara: I have a sex life???


The race car driver didn't rock my boat!! I say get Robby Benson's young a** over for her Birthday or that sexy Maestro guy! ;)