I read this article last night and thought it was quite insightful.
https://thiswastv.com/2012/11/05/1970s-fun-flops-phyllis/

I loved the show, but the real-life deaths hurt it and I would have changed a few things in it.

What sort of changes?

What sort of changes?

The death of Barbara Colby, the recast of Julie, the second seasons cast changes, the death of Judith Lowry, etc. The actress that played Audrey died a year or two after the show ended so if it had went in, that’s another death. Way too many changes. I still love the show, though. Had I written the show, Season 03 would have had Phyllis and Bess living in a new place as roommates raising Bess’s child with her husband. No Jonathan or Audrey. Though I am not sure what I would have write RE: Phylis’s job, everyone would have been axed at her workplace. By then the Harvey Milk incident would have happened. Also, none of the performers had chemistry with Leachman in that workplace. Can you imagine haughty Phyllis living in a small two bedroom apartment with her daughter in the bad side of SF?! She’d be mortified. I’d have had it where Jonathan and Audrey sold their home and moved, so Ohyllisnwoild have had no choice but to room with Bess.