I know most of us fans are disappointed that Flo never made a visit nor was even mentioned again after her departure... some I'm wondering, if Flo HAD visited.... What would have been a good episode? When should it have happened ~ During the Belle era or the Jolene era~ and what should the plot have been like?


I could propose a similar thing about Belle, but she was never as big as Flo's character, I think with Belle it'd be simple, she would show up and she and Jolene would end up being best friends lol

She buys the diner from Mel and makes it part of Flo's Yellow Rose...

None. It would have made me sad to have her show up and not be part of the regular cast anymore. Her visit would have been out of her element, no longer living in a trailer in Phoenix and just visiting. It would not have been the same. When Belle left and Flo got cancelled was the perfect time to ask her to come back. I know it would have never happened but just dreaming.

A interviewer asked Polly if Her show didnt last would she ever return to Alice and she said No.

A interviewer asked Polly if Her show didnt last would she ever return to Alice and she No.

Yeah, she wisely chose not to revisit the character, much like Jean Stapleton refused to reprise her characterization of Edith Bunker.

However, if "Flo" ever returned to the Alice series, I could imagine an episode where Flo comes to town and gets suckered into trying to reconcile Jolene with her original, trucker boyfriend in a jealousy scheme employing Jim Varney as Milo, who would pretend to be Jolene's fiancé. Hijinks ensue when the plan backfires and Milo falls for Jolene and Burt for Flo.

It ends up being a silly mix-up that Alice or Mel has to fix, as always.

Yeah, she wisely chose not to revisit the character, much like Jean Stapleton refused to reprise her characterization of Edith Bunker.


I don't see how Jean could've reprised her role anyway since Edith died.

I don't see how Jean could've reprised her role anyway since Edith died.

https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2209&dat=19810307&id=w6crAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_vwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5097,1314820

Yeah, she wisely chose not to revisit the character, much like Jean Stapleton refused to reprise her characterization of Edith Bunker.

However, if "Flo" ever returned to the Alice series, I could imagine an episode where Flo comes to town and gets suckered into trying to reconcile Jolene with her original, trucker boyfriend in a jealousy scheme employing Jim Varney as Milo, who would pretend to be Jolene's fiancé. Hijinks ensue when the plan backfires and Milo falls for Jolene and Burt for Flo.

It ends up being a silly mix-up that Alice or Mel has to fix, as always.

That would be a good plot lol, once I dreamed I turned on Alice and Flo and Jolene were BOTH waitresses lol I was like WHEN did this happen?!

I don't see how Jean could've reprised her role anyway since Edith died.

Well, despite efforts to get her to do a bit of the voice or just some random line in character, she always refused. There was one talk show, don't remember which but it was the last time she and Carrol O'Connor were together as guests, where the host asked her to regale the audience with a little "Edith" and she politely refused, insinuating that it would constitute a performance that no one could afford.

Well, insultingly (IMHO!) the host produced a twenty dollar bill or somesuch and encouraged others to hold up cash like Stapleton was offering services for sale!

Again, she turned them down with dignity and grace, always refusing to reprise any bit of that characterization. A wise choice and a classy lady!

That would be a good plot lol, once I dreamed I turned on Alice and Flo and Jolene were BOTH waitresses lol I was like WHEN did this happen?!

Heh! Now, that would be something to see!

They would probably be constantly at odds with one another competing for attention from all the local lads!

Heh! Now, that would be something to see!

They would probably be constantly at odds with one another competing for attention from all the local lads!

Oh I think Flo and Jolene would have gotten along, Jolene was easygoing enough I think most anyone would get along with her, I don't think she would have competed with Flo for attention. BUT both Flo and Jolene together would have driven Mel crazy with constant insults lol I could see also Belle and Jolene being good friends

The conflict I see would be between Flo and Belle, they would be friends at heart, but constantly at odds for attention

I can picture her on a show where she is dating a country singer who is passing through the town on his tour.

I can picture her on a show where she is dating a country singer who is passing through the town on his tour.

Those same truckers who ate at Mel's were supposedly passing through Texas were Flo was, it would have been nice if one occasionally mentioned, "Oh I saw Flo the other day, and she...."

It’s a travesty we never got a "Flo-stalgic" reunion! Given the egos and the behind-the-scenes drama, your "dreaming" is probably the only place it could have happened perfectly.
If we're talking IDEAL scenarios, here is how the ultimate Flo homecoming should have gone:

The Era: Early Jolene (Season 6)
While the Belle era would have provided a "battle of the redheads," it likely would have been too tense. The Jolene Era was much lighter. Jolene was the perfect "sweet Southern foil" to Flo’s "spicy Southern sass."

The Plot: "The Yellow Rose Blooms in Phoenix"
Flo rolls up to the diner in a flashy, pink Cadillac (or a tour bus), decked out in rhinestones. She’s not there for a job; she’s there on her way to a big hospitality convention or accompanying a country star she met at The Yellow Rose.

The Conflict: Mel is being particularly cheap/cranky with the new staff. Flo walks in, sees Jolene, and within five minutes, they are tag-teaming Mel with insults.

The "Jim Varney" Twist: Your idea of bringing in Milo (Jim Varney) is brilliant. Imagine Flo trying to "coach" Jolene on how to handle a man like Milo, leading to a ridiculous double-date at the diner where Mel has to wait on them.

The Heart: The episode would have to end with a quiet moment at the counter between Alice and Flo—the two "anchors" of the show—acknowledging that while they’ve both moved on, the diner was where they truly became family.

Why it works:
Mel’s Blood Pressure: Having Flo and Jolene together would have sent Mel into a "stow it!" spiral that would have been comedy gold.

The Passing of the Torch: It would have given Jolene the "Flo Seal of Approval," which the fans really needed to fully accept her as the permanent third waitress.

Your point about Jean Stapleton is spot on; some actors know when a character has reached their peak and don't want to dilute the magic. But man, seeing Flo tell Mel to "Kiss my grits!" one last time while Jolene cheers her on would have been the highest-rated episode of the decade.
If Flo had returned to buy the diner from Mel, what do you think she would have renamed it? (I’m putting my money on "Flo’s Phoenix Rose")

It’s a travesty we never got a "Flo-stalgic" reunion! Given the egos and the behind-the-scenes drama, your "dreaming" is probably the only place it could have happened perfectly.

Egos can be tamed with enough $$ involved. I'm surprised Flo didn't come back, even if she just dropped into the diner for a couple episodes during sweeps month. It would have been the ratings bonanza the last few seasons needed.

It obviously would have involved Flo passing through Phoenix in pursuit of a man.

I cant remember why Mel was in Houston to visit flo. So I guess if he came to Houston then she could have made a visit back to pheonix

I cant remember why Mel was in Houston to visit flo. So I guess if he came to Houston then she could have made a visit back to pheonix

Flo's Yellow Rose was in 'Cowtown' and Mel was returning home after attending Mardi Gras.

Absolutely brilliant!

It’s a travesty we never got a "Flo-stalgic" reunion! Given the egos and the behind-the-scenes drama, your "dreaming" is probably the only place it could have happened perfectly.
If we're talking IDEAL scenarios, here is how the ultimate Flo homecoming should have gone:

The Era: Early Jolene (Season 6)
While the Belle era would have provided a "battle of the redheads," it likely would have been too tense. The Jolene Era was much lighter. Jolene was the perfect "sweet Southern foil" to Flo’s "spicy Southern sass."

The Plot: "The Yellow Rose Blooms in Phoenix"
Flo rolls up to the diner in a flashy, pink Cadillac (or a tour bus), decked out in rhinestones. She’s not there for a job; she’s there on her way to a big hospitality convention or accompanying a country star she met at The Yellow Rose.

The Conflict: Mel is being particularly cheap/cranky with the new staff. Flo walks in, sees Jolene, and within five minutes, they are tag-teaming Mel with insults.

The "Jim Varney" Twist: Your idea of bringing in Milo (Jim Varney) is brilliant. Imagine Flo trying to "coach" Jolene on how to handle a man like Milo, leading to a ridiculous double-date at the diner where Mel has to wait on them.

The Heart: The episode would have to end with a quiet moment at the counter between Alice and Flo—the two "anchors" of the show—acknowledging that while they’ve both moved on, the diner was where they truly became family.

Why it works:
Mel’s Blood Pressure: Having Flo and Jolene together would have sent Mel into a "stow it!" spiral that would have been comedy gold.

The Passing of the Torch: It would have given Jolene the "Flo Seal of Approval," which the fans really needed to fully accept her as the permanent third waitress.

Your point about Jean Stapleton is spot on; some actors know when a character has reached their peak and don't want to dilute the magic. But man, seeing Flo tell Mel to "Kiss my grits!" one last time while Jolene cheers her on would have been the highest-rated episode of the decade.
If Flo had returned to buy the diner from Mel, what do you think she would have renamed it? (I’m putting my money on "Flo’s Phoenix Rose")

Flo's Yellow Rose was in 'Cowtown' and Mel was returning home after attending Mardi Gras.


I guess since there was tension between her and Linda Lavin her returning to the show was out of the question

It’s a travesty we never got a "Flo-stalgic" reunion! Given the egos and the behind-the-scenes drama, your "dreaming" is probably the only place it could have happened perfectly.
If we're talking IDEAL scenarios, here is how the ultimate Flo homecoming should have gone:

The Era: Early Jolene (Season 6)
While the Belle era would have provided a "battle of the redheads," it likely would have been too tense. The Jolene Era was much lighter. Jolene was the perfect "sweet Southern foil" to Flo’s "spicy Southern sass."

The Plot: "The Yellow Rose Blooms in Phoenix"
Flo rolls up to the diner in a flashy, pink Cadillac (or a tour bus), decked out in rhinestones. She’s not there for a job; she’s there on her way to a big hospitality convention or accompanying a country star she met at The Yellow Rose.

The Conflict: Mel is being particularly cheap/cranky with the new staff. Flo walks in, sees Jolene, and within five minutes, they are tag-teaming Mel with insults.

The "Jim Varney" Twist: Your idea of bringing in Milo (Jim Varney) is brilliant. Imagine Flo trying to "coach" Jolene on how to handle a man like Milo, leading to a ridiculous double-date at the diner where Mel has to wait on them.

The Heart: The episode would have to end with a quiet moment at the counter between Alice and Flo—the two "anchors" of the show—acknowledging that while they’ve both moved on, the diner was where they truly became family.

Why it works:
Mel’s Blood Pressure: Having Flo and Jolene together would have sent Mel into a "stow it!" spiral that would have been comedy gold.

The Passing of the Torch: It would have given Jolene the "Flo Seal of Approval," which the fans really needed to fully accept her as the permanent third waitress.

Your point about Jean Stapleton is spot on; some actors know when a character has reached their peak and don't want to dilute the magic. But man, seeing Flo tell Mel to "Kiss my grits!" one last time while Jolene cheers her on would have been the highest-rated episode of the decade.
If Flo had returned to buy the diner from Mel, what do you think she would have renamed it? (I’m putting my money on "Flo’s Phoenix Rose")

That would have been GREAT!! Your reply is some of that old-school tv discussion that I MISS nowdays!

I think Flo and Jolene together might be too much for Mel to handle lol They insulted him most of all, Belle did her share of insulting, but was not as aggressive and constant as Flo and Jolene. I always wanted to think there was some "romance" between Mel and Belle lol

And I always wanted to think if Flo visited, during the last couple minute epilogue of the show, Flo would already be gone, and either Jolene or Belle MIGHT utter KISS MY GRITS to Mel, it could have been funny but might would have ticked fans off, feeling like they stole Flo's classic line!

I guess realistically I always pictured a Flo visit happening during the Belle era, mainly b/c I'd assume Flo and Belle would already know each other, as they may have worked together at diner YEARS ago.


So lets hear your take on a Belle visit during the Jolene era ;)

Funny this thread is active again. I just saw a video on youtube today 15 weird facts about Alice that you did not know. I knew most of them except for the one that Linda purposely banned Flo from coming back for any episodes after her series was cancelled.

Funny this thread is active again. I just saw a video on youtube today 15 weird facts about Alice that you did not know. I knew most of them except for the one that Linda purposely banned Flo from coming back for any episodes after her series was cancelled.

If she did come back it would have only made Alice and Vera feel bad about their life lol So it was best that she stayed away:lol:

Funny this thread is active again. I just saw a video on youtube today 15 weird facts about Alice that you did not know. I knew most of them except for the one that Linda purposely banned Flo from coming back for any episodes after her series was cancelled.


Another weird 'fact' I heard on fb. was Diane Ladd was originally supposed to play Jolene. Again since AI has practically overtook fb. it could be a glitch, b/c I'm thinking A.I. wrote it

Another weird 'fact' I heard on fb. was Diane Ladd was originally supposed to play Jolene. Again since AI has practically overtook fb. it could be a glitch, b/c I'm thinking A.I. wrote it

Its poster on here that keeps posting that fake **** not realizing its inaccurate

Its poster on here that keeps posting that fake **** not realizing its inaccurate

I THINK this was written when Dianne Ladd passed away, it mentioned she was originally cast as Jolene to replace Flo, but was changed to Belle, then the Jolene character was brought on later... But I'm thinking AI probably wrote it, as I'd never heard anything about it