Robert Young stated in a 1988 interview (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=342011#ixzz3p4olhaSz) with James Bawden that a possible storyline for "Father Knows Best" would have been Betty getting married and living over the garage with her husband.

If FKB couldn't continue, do you think Elinor Donahue should have had a "Betty" spinoff show? (If she wanted one, of course)

How about a spin-off where Betty changes her name to Ellie Walker, moves to Mayberry, and works in a pharmacy. . . Oh wait.

A Betty spin off would've been an awesome idea

If she had a really good supporting cast, it might have worked.

I liked Elinor but think she was more support than a lead, and more drama than comedy. She was often too strident on TAGS, but she did surprisingly well in a much smaller role in The Odd Couple.

I don't think Elinor Donahue was likeable enough to carry her own show. Maybe if she had a gimmick like a wisecracking Danny Bonaduce type or Sophia Petrillo the show might have a chance.

I loved Elinor as Betty and she was a great actress, but the show was help up by Robert Young and really as for the kids in the show the one that got the most laughs it seemed and the better story lines was Bud.

I love the idea of a Betty themed spinoff, but the suggested storyline doesn't seem quite right. Much better to have her move into an off campus apartment and make it a college themed sitcom (even if it requires her to become a grad student.)

YAY! Think it would have been a cool idea-sorry it was never done.

It could have worked.

A Bud spinoff would have worked a lot better. He was a better character, better suited to a sitcom, done by a better actor, and could have probably carried a show. Plus, it seems to have been the only character Billy Gray did well (and he did it great) and he might have been willing to carry on with it.

A Bud spinoff would have worked a lot better. He was a better character, better suited to a sitcom, done by a better actor, and could have probably carried a show. Plus, it seems to have been the only character Billy Gray did well (and he did it great) and he might have been willing to carry on with it.

Both could work, but a spinoff for Betty comes to my mind faster. A must say though, a spinoff for Bud does sound intriguing.

I love the idea of a Betty themed spinoff, but the suggested storyline doesn't seem quite right. Much better to have her move into an off campus apartment and make it a college themed sitcom (even if it requires her to become a grad student.)

Yes, I agree. Betty doesn't seem like the type of girl that would have lived over the garage, husband or not. She went into hysterics over having a "country cousin" in season 4.

Thanks for all the replies everyone! :wave:

Has possibilities.

A "Betty" spinoff would have been great.

Episode 1 - "Princess on The Dating Game." On this early version, hosted by Fronk Smith, the winning bachelor decides where the dream vacation will be: will it be a trip to Hillsborough? Betty's Bus to Nowheresville? On the bachelor panel are Rudy Kissler, Muley Orkin, and Charles Barron (the jet pilot). See if Betty picks the right guy, and if she picks the wrong guy, how she picks him apart, AND where they will go on their dream date. If it's Muley, will he fumble? If it's Rudy, will he spill a malt? If it's Charles, will he fly her to the moon? Tune in for this hilarious pilot!

How about a spin-off where Betty changes her name to Ellie Walker, moves to Mayberry, and works in a pharmacy. . . Oh wait.

In a way that's what happened, in my imagination. Thanks to Gentleman Jim for this GIF:


https://i.imgur.com/7u1whVG.gif[/QUOTE]

^^^
Whats up with everyone holding their arms kind of odd. Opie is giving the Roman salute.