It seems like that Nell became meaner. She got upset easily and almost turned into a bully. She was mean to Addie and the 3 girls. I liked her character in seasons 1 and 2. In those seasons, she was level-headed and sweet and caring. She was strong, but not bitchy. She was a great mother figure to the girls and helped keep the Chief in check when he got upset. From season 3 onwards, her character got meaner and meaner and even could be physically violent.

She had no right to slap Julie. That was uncalled for. She hit her hard too. Nell wasn't Julie’s mother, just a mother figure. Yes, the Chief slapped Julie too. But, he was her father. And, he didn't hit hard. He just sort of popped her. Nell slapped her into next week. Nell also should not have slapped Samantha, and I was actually proud that Samantha slapped her back. That shocked the audience when Samantha slapped her back. I know that the writers and producers changed in season 3, and I didn't like the changes. I prefer seasons 1 and 2. Those are the best.

The show jumped the shark when Joey came. The show started to focus on Nell's outrage and mood swings in raising Joey. The girls and the chief took a back seat.
It was so misdirected but I think the writers thought it was funny when Nell would fly off with anger.
In the first 2 seasons, it was Nell's smart ass attitude that kept the family in check. That left and the anger took over.

I will watch an occasional episode on Tubi and agree the tone of the show started to change in Season 3. They killed off Grandma and moved Grandpa and Joey into the house. The fun ditzy friend was ditched for Addie (I liked Addie but liked her other friend too). It was obvious the Chief was starting to lose weight around this time. The Samantha character was close to Nell the first 2 seasons but their dynamic started getting phased out for the cuter, younger Joey.

Nell changed in appearance and also got a bit more mean spirited.

Nell became a monster at the end. Physically and mentally abusive.

I will watch an occasional episode on Tubi and agree the tone of the show started to change in Season 3. They killed off Grandma and moved Grandpa and Joey into the house. The fun ditzy friend was ditched for Addie (I liked Addie but liked her other friend too). It was obvious the Chief was starting to lose weight around this time. The Samantha character was close to Nell the first 2 seasons but their dynamic started getting phased out for the cuter, younger Joey.

Nell changed in appearance and also got a bit more mean spirited.

As others have said (https://moviechat.org/tt0081869/Gimme-a-Break/58c73b7c6b51e905f66b5ad4/The-first-2-seasons), Nell Carter presumably, had more clout by the third season and the changes we see are ones that she instigated. Also, when it was clear that Dolph Sweet was getting sick, Nell had to carry (https://moviechat.org/tt0081869/Gimme-a-Break/58c73b796b51e905f66b5963/Nell-gets-a-bit-abusive-during-the-later-years) the episodes more on her own. And the writers began to exploit her abrasive side and give her a lot more physical comedy to play with.

Was there a way for the show to introduce mom or was she dead from the beginning of the show?

I was only wondering if a strong family personality (maybe an uncle) could have been introduced? There was time to do this as Dolph was not well.

What made this show so great was the constant dynamic between Dolph and Carter. Making Nell mean spirited and angry was too caustic in my opinion.

I was just thinking of a way to save the level headed Nell as she was best in that role.

Was there a way for the show to introduce mom or was she dead from the beginning of the show?


She was dead from the beginning.

She was dead from the beginning.

Yep that was the reason for Nell to move into the Kanisky house.

As others have said (https://moviechat.org/tt0081869/Gimme-a-Break/58c73b7c6b51e905f66b5ad4/The-first-2-seasons), Nell Carter presumably, had more clout by the third season and the changes we see are ones that she instigated. Also, when it was clear that Dolph Sweet was getting sick, Nell had to carry (https://moviechat.org/tt0081869/Gimme-a-Break/58c73b796b51e905f66b5963/Nell-gets-a-bit-abusive-during-the-later-years) the episodes more on her own. And the writers began to exploit her abrasive side and give her a lot more physical comedy to play.

OK I didn't realize Nell had more clout by the 3rd season but it makes sense considering Dolph's health. Ironically the show never had blockbuster ratings for Nell to be given so much power to throw her weight around. I do remember reading that she was the one who insisted on the new producers.

Nell's cocaine problem was full blown by the third season. The set and actors would never know if she was showing up or not.

Nell's cocaine problem was full blown by the third season. The set and actors would never know if she was showing up or not.

Yes cocaine and mental illness affected her!

Yes cocaine and mental illness affected her!

I wouldn't necessarily say "mental illness" (like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia) in the case of Nell Carter. I would argue that she more so, likely suffered from a serious case of post traumatic stress disorder. Nell (https://www.sitcomsonline.com/nellcarterarticle.txt) when she was about 16 years old (https://www.blackwoman.com/2022/09/actress-nell-carter-raped-baby-gimme-a-break-hanging-mr-cooper.html), was raped at gunpoint and became pregnant (https://www.facebook.com/100086225804286/posts/-nell-carter-she-was-best-known-for-her-role-as-nell-harper-on-the-sitcom-gimme-/666098192941035/) with her daughter Tracy a result of the rape.

I wish they would have delayed Joey until season 4. I wish season 3 was still the same formula.

Nell became a monster on set. Rosie told the story in the last season Joey Lawrence's mother came to the set to bring him a sweater. Nell flew into a rage and called his mother a bad name and demanded she be removed from the set.

Very much so. I was a little boy during the original airings, and even I noticed a huge shift in Nell during the third season. As other posters have mentioned, she became very abuse in just about every way. When Joey appeared, the character of Nell lost it. She was always screaming, slapping, et al. Def not like she was in the first two seasons. In those, she was normal.

There is a Rosie O'Donnel interview I posted in another thread a few years ago. Nell was so abusive towards everyone on the set. She despised Rosie. But Rosie said that once Joey's mother came to the set to give her son a sweater. Nell flew into a rage and screamed "Get that woman off my set"

There is a Rosie O'Donnel interview I posted in another thread a few years ago. Nell was so abusive towards everyone on the set. She despised Rosie. But Rosie said that once Joey's mother came to the set to give her son a sweater. Nell flew into a rage and screamed "Get that woman off my set"

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Rosie tells a story about Nell Carter and Joey and Matthew Lawrence’s mom.

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Tony and Emmy winner Nell Carter visits the set to discuss their shared history on the sitcom Give Me a Break. The conversation explores Carter's upcoming return to Broadway in Annie, insights into their personal clothing line, and reflections on navigating the entertainment industry.

There is a Rosie O'Donnel interview I posted in another thread a few years ago. Nell was so abusive towards everyone on the set. She despised Rosie. But Rosie said that once Joey's mother came to the set to give her son a sweater. Nell flew into a rage and screamed "Get that woman off my set"

At least they made up at some point as Nell appeared on Rosie’s show in 1997. Makes me sad that it was like that on the set in the final season, hope parts of it are slightly exaggerated.

At least they made up at some point as Nell appeared on Rosie’s show in 1997. Makes me sad that it was like that on the set in the final season, hope parts of it are slightly exaggerated.

Someone in the comments section on YouTube said that Rosie claimed that this was a staged/fake reunion.

Someone in the comments section on YouTube said that Rosie claimed that this was a staged/fake reunion.
Rosie kept her mouth shut about the worst things she did until after she passed. This was pretend to be nice meeting

Bummer. However, Rosie is no prize either, especially nowadays. Very very hateful and angry. She actually got upset that Kimmel got suspended for celebrating a murder and making disgusting comments on live TV. Uhhh …
She used to be way cooler in the 90s. Why does anyone care what she thinks now?