Alice was a popular show during its initial run. It had four seasons that were among the top ranked (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_(American_TV_series)#Episodes) 10 shows and three more that were in the top 30 rankings. But outside of the phrase “kiss my grits”, do fewer people know this show then you would think based on it’s popularity ratings wise in the day?

One suggestion that I read is that Alice (especially the post-Flo seasons) survived because it filled scheduling holes for CBS and could retain a sizable audience. It was an easy/comfort-viewing, non-demanding sitcom. The show was playing regularly on several local TV stations well into the '90s.

And ranked top 10 the two seasons after FLO left which confirmed she wasnt a big loss