Both characters suddenly disappeared prior to the end of the 3rd season, but both were credited as stars until the season ended.

Veronica's last appearance was in "Relapse", which ironically was Anne Meara's best performance and earned her an Emmy nomination. In a later episode Archie mentions that she is "away in Florida" but nothing is said after that other than acknowledging that Jose is the Head Cook.

As for Mrs. Canby, her last appearance was in the first part of "Gloria Comes Home", and she is never seen or mentioned again.

I'm watching the episodes for the first time on AntennaTV, so maybe the editing has deleted scenes that explain their disappearances. Anyone know?

Both characters suddenly disappeared prior to the end of the 3rd season, but both were credited as stars until the season ended.

Veronica's last appearance was in "Relapse", which ironically was Anne Meara's best performance and earned her an Emmy nomination. In a later episode Archie mentions that she is "away in Florida" but nothing is said after that other than acknowledging that Jose is the Head Cook.

As for Mrs. Canby, her last appearance was in the first part of "Gloria Comes Home", and she is never seen or mentioned again.

I'm watching the episodes for the first time on AntennaTV, so maybe the editing has deleted scenes that explain their disappearances. Anyone know?


I only saw a few eps. first run, so now that Antenna is showing this I watch as often as I can. But I have to miss a lot do to my work schedule, so basically only twice a week.

So ,I am not sure why Mrs. Canby and Vernonia are not there anymore? My guess would be sinse Billie moved in and Stephanie is older now, Mrs.Canby isn't as needed to look after Stephanie and keep house being there are two girls there now ! And Veronica, maybe because Gary Rabinowitz came on board. Billie and Gary basically replaced Mrs.Canby and Veronica. I guess it was thought there would be too many characters ,so two had to go!

I was thrilled when Veronica was gone. I just couldn't stand her character drinking and smoking in the kitchen while preparing the food. It was gross and her attitude sucked too. I do like the actress, but hated the character and was glad to see her gone.

Mrs. Canby on the other hand I loved and wanted to see more of her interaction with Archie. There was such a well of stories that could've been told through both these characters practically living together, I felt it was a huge missed opportunity. I loved all scenes at the house when Archie, Mrs. Canby and Steffie were together. This is (in my opinion), when the show really shined.

I think had the show focused more on the home life with these characters interacting as a family, it would probably have been more successful.

As for where they went, I think the show just cut them loose to make way for the Billie and Gary characters which was a stupid idea. I didn't care for either character at all.

It was odd how they both disappeared during the season and stayed in the credits, despite never returning. To be honest, I never thought the supporting cast was strong on ABP.

I was thrilled when Veronica was gone. I just couldn't stand her character drinking and smoking in the kitchen while preparing the food. It was gross and her attitude sucked too. I do like the actress, but hated the character and was glad to see her gone.

Mrs. Canby on the other hand I loved and wanted to see more of her interaction with Archie. There was such a well of stories that could've been told through both these characters practically living together, I felt it was a huge missed opportunity. I loved all scenes at the house when Archie, Mrs. Canby and Steffie were together. This is (in my opinion), when the show really shined.

I think had the show focused more on the home life with these characters interacting as a family, it would probably have been more successful.

As for where they went, I think the show just cut them loose to make way for the Billie and Gary characters which was a stupid idea. I didn't care for either character at all.

Oh wow! I really liked Billie and Gary!:) I thought they were a good addition to the show! ;)I liked the later seasons of ABP better, although Mrs. Canby was a nice lady!:) I would have liked to see her stay! ;)

Gary was a total dork. Billie wouldn't of dated a geek who was 20 years older than her. Gary was a channel changer.

Gary was a total dork. Billie wouldn't of dated a geek who was 20 years older than her. Gary was a channel changer.

I disagree ! Billie wasn't really that great looking herself and Gary wasn't 20 years older than her, maybe 10 ! He was a sweet guy, very stable with a good job /good income!;) I totally thought it was a believable relationship! I thought they were cute together , had good chemistry ! ;)

I disagree ! Billie wasn't really that great looking herself and Gary wasn't 20 years older than her, maybe 10 ! He was a sweet guy, very stable with a good job /good income!;) I totally thought it was a believable relationship! I thought they were cute together , had good chemistry ! ;)

Barry Gordon (born 1948) was 15 years older than Denise Miller (born 1963). I disagree that Billie wasn't that great looking herself. She had/has beautiful bedroom eyes and is still attractive to this day at 55 years old.


Gary was a sweet guy, I'll give you that. But he was a lawyer!! And I disagree that Gary and Billie had chemistry. The exact opposite is true imo.

Barry Gordon (born 1948) was 15 years older than Denise Miller (born 1963). I disagree that Billie wasn't that great looking herself. She had/has beautiful bedroom eyes and is still attractive to this day at 55 years old.


Gary was a sweet guy, I'll give you that. But he was a lawyer!! And I disagree that Gary and Billie had chemistry. The exact opposite is true imo.

It's funny how the same quality in a person can have opposite reactions in people. When Billie first came on, my first thought was "damn, she has such wide eyes." I wouldn't call them bedroom eyes at all....hers are more like morning eyes after downing a whole pot of caffeinated coffee. Her eyes are always so wide open.

To me, bedroom eyes are more sleepyish or half shut than looking like you stuck you finger in a light socket. :lol:

BTW is there a picture of her online of her today? I searched but couldn't find anything.

While watching ABP I was wondering why Gary Rabinowitz's voice sounded so familiar. I was shocked when I saw that Barry Gordon is the voice of Donatello the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. He's does the voice in the Honda commercial featuring the cartoon that was out late last year. He still sounds just like Gary Rabinowitz lol.

While watching ABP I was wondering why Gary Rabinowitz's voice sounded so familiar. I was shocked when I saw that Barry Gordon is the voice of Donatello the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. He's does the voice in the Honda commercial featuring the cartoon that was out late last year. He still sounds just like Gary Rabinowitz lol.

Yeah that's cool huh? I did know he voiced Donatello! ;) Also if any of you here are Leave it to Beaver fans, as a little boy Barry guest starred as Chopper , a friend of Beaver's in a season 4 ep. "Beaver's house guest" ! :)


http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VNxy4AVsIdg/T8U1xB1piHI/AAAAAAAABFo/_mAZDkiX46Q/s1600/Barry+Gordon-leave+it+to+beaver.jpg


https://www.summercampculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/leaveittobeavercampkonig.png

It's funny how the same quality in a person can have opposite reactions in people. When Billie first came on, my first thought was "damn, she has such wide eyes." I wouldn't call them bedroom eyes at all....hers are more like morning eyes after downing a whole pot of caffeinated coffee. Her eyes are always so wide open.

To me, bedroom eyes are more sleepyish or half shut than looking like you stuck you finger in a light socket. :lol:

You're right about bedroom eyes being more sleepish. Billie did not have bedroom eyes, but she still had pretty blue eyes. She was most certainly a hotty in my opinion.

Some interesting facts I learned about Barry Gordon that gave me new-found respect for the guy:

1. He is the youngest lead singer of a Top 40 hit. He was 6 years old when he sang "Nuttin for Christmas" in 1955 (It reached #6)

2. He is the longest serving president of the Screen Actor's Guild (1988-1995)

3. He ran for Congress twice (1996 and 1998 ...lost both times...but still)

I disagree ! Billie wasn't really that great looking herself and Gary wasn't 20 years older than her, maybe 10 ! He was a sweet guy, very stable with a good job /good income!;) I totally thought it was a believable relationship! I thought they were cute together , had good chemistry ! ;)

I disagree as well. I have a crush on Billie. I'm glad somebody posted this question about what happened to Veronica and Mrs. Canby because I thought the same thing.

I always assumed Mrs. Canby disappeared because Billie moved in, and she was no longer needed.

I didn't miss Veronica. I like Anne Meara, but didn't like the character.

I think the Ms. Canby character was weak. They overplayed the black/white controversy, beating a dead horse. The Veronica character played well when she bounced off the gay waiter, but once they gave that idea the axe, she was just another of the endless “let’s attack Archie” in every scene characters (every character on ABP attacks AB) It is just monotonous to watch. The comedy is almost nonexistent, just lots of boring dialogue.

None of the characters created for ABP really worked, with the possible exception of Billie (though she sort of made the character of Stephanie redundant).

I thought Dottie the hooker was a good character and would have liked to have seen more of her. I liked the actress too and thought she was a good fit for the show. And it looked like they were going to make her a regular when she was hired as a waitress but she disappeared never to be seen again.

I think they really dropped the ball with that one. But I agree most of the characters didn't work too well. Though I did love Mrs. Canby and think she was just under used.

None of the characters created for ABP really worked, with the possible exception of Billie (though she sort of made the character of Stephanie redundant).

Billie Bunker?? A pretty girl, decent actress, but incredibly lame character (IMHO)
Honestly, it’s hard to get around, with Jean Stapleton gone, no Mike or Gloria, the shows only hope would’ve been to bring back a really strong female character to fill in the huge void left by an absent Edith. I’m thinking they had limited options from the AITF recurring characters, Peggy Rea immediately comes to mind, was she doing the 8th season of The Walton’s at this time, not sure. Betty Garrett was doing Laverne & Shirley, also not sure how they could’ve worked her in. Barney Hefner they used to the hilt, they should’ve made Blanche & Barney stay together. They could’ve brought back Marilyn Sanders AKA the pilot Carol in Maude. The hooker was good too, they should’ve done a more permanent character for her, also “Boom Boom” would’ve been a good character to develop. Aunt Iola? She could’ve done a few episodes, Mr. Klemer, Sybil Goulie, so many they could’ve used but didn’t.

I agree Billie wasn’t the best, which is why I said “possibly”, but she was young (compared to all the other old geezers on the show) and played by an appealing actress. The potential was there.

I also agree it was too bad that they didn’t tap into some of the recurring characters from AITF to help spice up ABP. Blanche Hefner was a huge missed opportunity. They set up a nice rivalry between her and Archie during the last year of AITF. Then she appeared once in ABP and that was it. What a waste.

Same thing with Sidney Shapiro. He had some funny interactions with Archie during season 9 of ABP. Then he shows up once in ABP (played by a different, less talented actor) and they never used him again.

The real issue was that virtually all of the veteran writer/producers from “AITF” left “ABP” after the first season. So beginning with season 2, you had a new creative team and they were less interested in mining the show’s rich history.

Agree, they totally derailed this show because the beginning starts out pretty good. They could have easily stuck to the tried & tested formula from AITF, but decided otherwise, which quickly submarined the show. Yes Blanche Hefner Estelle Parsons was a giant missed opportunity, she was a proven flexible character actress, I liked her in every appearance she did for AITF (remember Delores & Bummy) & even the lame role she played in ABP she was good. She could’ve played a much bigger recurring character.

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES! They had so many choices

I just saw on the Wikipedia page for the 1980 Emmy Awards that in the Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category, Sheree North who played Dotty the hooker was one of the nominees. Lead Actress category is usually reserved for permanent characters on shows.

This must mean that she was considered or planned to be a regular Lead character on the show, otherwise, wouldn't she have been in the Supporting Character or Guest Star category? I'm surprised to see this and wonder had she won the Emmy if she would've stayed on the show.
It's strange how she just disappeared after Barney was planning to marry her. Something juicy behind the scenes must have happened to make her suddenly vanish.

Both characters suddenly disappeared prior to the end of the 3rd season, but both were credited as stars until the season ended.

Veronica's last appearance was in "Relapse", which ironically was Anne Meara's best performance and earned her an Emmy nomination. In a later episode Archie mentions that she is "away in Florida" but nothing is said after that other than acknowledging that Jose is the Head Cook.

As for Mrs. Canby, her last appearance was in the first part of "Gloria Comes Home", and she is never seen or mentioned again.

I'm watching the episodes for the first time on AntennaTV, so maybe the editing has deleted scenes that explain their disappearances. Anyone know?

As I recall Barbara Meek left the show unexpectedly resulting in several season three rewrites. The Veronica character was just put on the back burner for a while with plans to bring her back in season 5, which obviously never happened.

I disagree ! Billie wasn't really that great looking herself and Gary wasn't 20 years older than her, maybe 10 ! He was a sweet guy, very stable with a good job /good income!;) I totally thought it was a believable relationship! I thought they were cute together , had good chemistry ! ;)

When they met on the show, Billie was 18, Gary 29

Ms. canby was boring. She was a very sweet and attractive lady but it was nothing about her that was interesting

Some interesting facts I learned about Barry Gordon that gave me new-found respect for the guy:

1. He is the youngest lead singer of a Top 40 hit. He was 6 years old when he sang "Nuttin for Christmas" in 1955 (It reached #6)

2. He is the longest serving president of the Screen Actor's Guild (1988-1995)

3. He ran for Congress twice (1996 and 1998 ...lost both times...but still)

On this weekend's classic American Top 40 from 8/19/78 currently airing on Premiere, Casey tells the story of (1) mentioning Barry was currently starring on Fish.

I think the Ms. Canby character was weak. They overplayed the black/white controversy, beating a dead horse. The Veronica character played well when she bounced off the gay waiter, but once they gave that idea the axe, she was just another of the endless “let’s attack Archie” in every scene characters (every character on ABP attacks AB) It is just monotonous to watch. The comedy is almost nonexistent, just lots of boring dialogue.

I thought Mrs. Canby started off strong but in season 3 when the focus of the show started to change (ie, more Billie, less Stephanie) she became redundant and expendable along with other characters that disappeared about the same time; Amy Bloom and her liberal father, cheerleader friend Cathy Scott and her conservative father, the black neighbors. Heck even the restaurant part of the bar wasn't utilized much anymore.

Yes Billie moving in made the existence of Ms. Canby pointless

Yes Billie moving in made the existence of Ms. Canby pointless

Billie became a conduit between 704 Hauser and the bar were she was old enough to hang out and trade barbs with Archie. That made the character of Veronica redundant as well.

Billie became a conduit between 704 Hauser and the bar were she was old enough to hang out and trade barbs with Archie. That made the character of Veronica redundant as well.

His lazy a$$ didnt need a maid anyway:lol:

I guess we never found out why Anne Meara's Veronica character suddenly disappeared.

I always wondered if it had to do with a salary dispute, creative differences.

Someone out there's gotta know!

:)

I guess we never found out why Anne Meara's Veronica character suddenly disappeared.

I always wondered if it had to do with a salary dispute, creative differences.

Someone out there's gotta know!

:)

It was discussed in another thread a couple weeks ago. She never left the show, she tired of the commute from NY so she quit being a regular. But CoC had hopes to bring her back at some point either for guest shots or to do a Veronica Rooney based ABP spin off.