If anyone here wants to see what Beverly Ann would have been like in the '70s, then you check out episodes of her "Mary Tyler Moore Show" spin-off "Phyllis" on YouTube. It ran from '75 to '77 and I've been watching it for the first time recently.

Unfortunately, I quickly started to lose interest, because she quickly became not that Phyllisy. But I started playing a mental trick to keep me watching. When my interest would wane or my mind would start to wander, I would tell myself, "Think of her as Beverly Ann", and my interest would re-spike. It's amazing. Much of the time she is so much more Beverly Ann than she is Phyllis.

There are some great episodes. And not only does season 2 co-star "Mr. Bradley" as a government worker (after a season 1 guest appearance as a cop), but other episodes feature single appearances by "Mrs. Warner" and "Mrs. Garrett"! That one's a real gem, getting to see kind of what "Beverly Ann and Edna" would have been like together in 1975, lol.

Actually, as annoying as the recently deceased Miss Leachman portrayed Phyllis, IMO, Phyllis was a more likable and interesting character than Beverly Ann. But then, I liked MTM and 'Phyllis' more than the latter days of FOL!

BTW, Miss Leachman herself admitted that she didn't understand what Beverly Ann's function was on FOL but she definitely nailed Phyllis on the above-mentioned shows!

Actually, as annoying as the recently deceased Miss Leachman portrayed Phyllis, IMO, Phyllis was a more likable and interesting character than Beverly Ann. But then, I liked MTM and 'Phyllis' more than the latter days of FOL!

BTW, Miss Leachman herself admitted that she didn't understand what Beverly Ann's function was on FOL but she definitely nailed Phyllis on the above-mentioned shows!

Phyllis was a fantastic character on MTM. Those Mary/Rhoda/Phyllis scenes were gold. Phyllis was obnoxious, overbearing, self-centered--she was a wonderful facet to that show and such a unique personality. That works wonderfully as a semi-regular appearing in many episodes over a season but not every episode. But a character like that just isn't ripe for its own starring vehicle in its own series. I feel Phyllis "got lost" on her own series. That's why thinking of her as Beverly Ann a lot of the times helps me in my watching of it, lol.

I was a bit too young to really remember the Phyllis series very well, but MTM was on reruns throughout the 1980s, and Cloris was hilarious on that show. I did catch some Phyllis episodes on Daily Motion not too long ago (it was cool to see "Mr Bradley" there!) and must agree with the assessment that the original Phyllis couldn't carry her own show: Phyllis was quite a character, but didn't work as the center of a series, and she did become more "Beverly Ann" than Phyllis.

I watched the Christmas episode where only half of the office was allowed to have a holiday party, and it was hilarious!

I was a bit too young to really remember the Phyllis series very well, but MTM was on reruns throughout the 1980s, and Cloris was hilarious on that show. I did catch some Phyllis episodes on Daily Motion not too long ago (it was cool to see "Mr Bradley" there!) and must agree with the assessment that the original Phyllis couldn't carry her own show: Phyllis was quite a character, but didn't work as the center of a series, and she did become more "Beverly Ann" than Phyllis.

I watched the Christmas episode where only half of the office was allowed to have a holiday party, and it was hilarious!

Mr. Bradley's side was allowed to have the holiday party.

Mr. Bradley's side was allowed to have the holiday party.

Yep! :lol:

Nice find Eightsy

BTW, Miss Leachman herself admitted that she didn't understand what Beverly Ann's function was on FOL

Really? I assumed her function was to work at the store for her sister, live at her sister's house and look out for Blair, Tootie, Jo, and Natalie as an older and wiser friend and to keep her sister updated about them.

I watched the Christmas episode where only half of the office was allowed to have a holiday party, and it was hilarious!

Mr. Bradley's side was allowed to have the holiday party.

Thanks for spoiling it you guys. :lol:

Thanks for spoiling it you guys. :lol:

:lol: It aired in December 1976!

But that's a good one. You'll enjoy it, despite it being "spoiled". :lol:

:lol: It aired in December 1976!

Yes, but I've never seen the show until now.


But that's a good one. You'll enjoy it, despite it being "spoiled". :lol:

We'll see! lol But the surprise factor is gone. Oh well, lol.

John Lawlor's characters in Phylliss and the Facts of Life are not much different from one another.

John Lawlor's characters in Phylliss and the Facts of Life are not much different from one another.

Yes, it's fun watching him and thinking of him as Mr. Bradley before he became headmaster of a boys' school and then moved on to headmaster at Eastland (and changed his name, lol).

Yes, it's fun watching him and thinking of him as Mr. Bradley before he became headmaster of a boys' school and then moved on to headmaster at Eastland (and changed his name, lol).

Mr Bradley meets Beverly Ann

Yes, it's fun watching him and thinking of him as Mr. Bradley before he became headmaster of a boys' school and then moved on to headmaster at Eastland (and changed his name, lol).

I know what you mean! Not too long ago, I saw Mr. Crocker was running a store in Indianapolis on One Day at a Time! :lol:

I know what you mean! Not too long ago, I saw Mr. Crocker was running a store in Indianapolis on One Day at a Time! :lol:

He was also a private investigator on Diff'rent Strokes :lol:

Nice find, Eighty! Cloris was such a brilliant actress. As much as I appreciate her works, I don't think Facts was her place. I like Beverly Ann but she seems so out of place (at least in season 9) and the writers didn't know what to do with her character

Nice find, Eighty! Cloris was such a brilliant actress. As much as I appreciate her works, I don't think Facts was her place. I like Beverly Ann but she seems so out of place (at least in season 9) and the writers didn't know what to do with her character



BEVERLY ANN was good in season 8, and especially in the episode '7 little Indians': she played the MISS MARPLES character fantastically well!

:beeutiful:beeutiful:beeutiful:beeutiful:beeutiful:beeutiful:beeutiful:beeutiful:beeutiful

He was also a private investigator on Diff'rent Strokes :lol:

Ahahaha! Which episode, ITA? :lol:

Ahahaha! Which episode, ITA? :lol:

It's an early episode, probably s1e10. Arnold loses his doll and Mr. Drummond hires a private investigator

Nice find, Eighty!

:wave:

It's an early episode, probably s1e10. Arnold loses his doll and Mr. Drummond hires a private investigator

Is it a doll? I thought it was a bear named Homer? :confused:

Retro, he also plays a different character as an amorous neighbor of the Drummonds' in a different episode! :lol:


BEVERLY ANN was good in season 8, and especially in the episode '7 little Indians'!

Yes, SLI is a fan favorite and she was so good in that style of comedy!

The Xmas party scenes were fun, particularly the train of liquor and Phyllis being "danced" through everything to get the file from that side of the office and back. :lol:

The Xmas party scenes were fun, particularly the train of liquor and Phyllis being "danced" through everything to get the file from that side of the office and back. :lol:

Yes! Hilarious scene! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

It's an early episode, probably s1e10. Arnold loses his doll and Mr. Drummond hires a private investigator

Thanks, ITA! It turns out it was Season 1, episode 6. I just watched it on DM. "Mr. Crocker" sure had a lot of jobs! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

Is it a doll? I thought it was a bear named Homer? :confused:

The episode is called "Goodbye Dolly", and they refer to it as a "doll" throughout the episode (I think probably more than 20 times), although clearly, in modern American English, we'd call it a stuffed animal. But this was 43 years ago, and times were a bit... diff'rent. :lol:


Retro, he also plays a different character as an amorous neighbor of the Drummonds' in a different episode! :lol:

I'll have to check that out, as well! :lol:

Yes! Hilarious scene! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

It was great, but the motel scene in "Broken-Hearted Bess" is the best!



Thanks, ITA! It turns out it was Season 1, episode 6.

Would you believe episode 7 or 8 is a two-part retrospective clip show? After only about half a dozen had been made! "Oh, remember when??" :lol: (It's a Xmas 2-part clip show)



The episode is called "Goodbye Dolly", and they refer to it as a "doll" throughout the episode (I think probably more than 20 times), although clearly, in modern American English, we'd call it a stuffed animal.

So that was Homer though? I do remember it seeming odd they kept saying "doll" so much when it wasn't a doll!



I'll have to check that out as well! :lol:

Season 1, Episode 16: "The New Landlord"



But this was 43 years ago, and times were a bit... diff'rent.

They sure were---back when girls like Felice Schachter were scorned and suspect for not being

wait for it...


wait for it...


-

Would you believe episode 7 or 8 is a two-part retrospective clip show? After only about half a dozen had been made! "Oh, remember when??" :lol: (It's a Xmas 2-part clip show)


Ahahaha! Crazy! "Remember when you came to live with us, eight weeks ago? Those were good times, all those weeks ago... Ah, memories." :lol::lol::lol::lol:


So that was Homer though? I do remember it seeming odd they kept saying "doll" so much when it wasn't a doll!

Yes, Homer was the "doll". I'm with you on this... but our language sure has evolved!


Season 1, Episode 16: "The New Landlord"


Thanks! Odd that they kept using him in... diff'rent... roles. :lol:


They sure were---back when girls like Felice Schachter were scorned and suspect for not being

wait for it...


wait for it...


-

Oh, I knew what was coming! :lol:

Ahahaha! Crazy! "Remember when you came to live with us, eight weeks ago? Those were good times, all those weeks ago... Ah, memories." :lol::lol::lol::lol:

Yes! It's really crazy! :lol:


Yes, Homer was the "doll". I'm with you on this... but our language sure has evolved!

Yeah...that was so odd!


Thanks! Odd that they kept using him in... diff'rent... roles. :lol:

I see whatcha did there! :lol:


Oh, I knew what was coming! :lol:

I figured! :lol:

I wish they had kept

I wish they had kept THE CROCK in more than 1 episode (or at least as a recurring character) other than just the Pilot 'The girls school': his eccentric personality really cracked me up, and he was just as amusing as MR BRADLEY to watch!

I know that i'm on the minority on that one, but MR PARKER was rather dull, compared to those two characters lol!

I wish they had kept THE CROCK in more than 1 episode (or at least as a recurring character) other than just the Pilot 'The girls school': his eccentric personality really cracked me up, and he was just as amusing as MR BRADLEY to watch!

I know that i'm on the minority on that one, but MR PARKER was rather dull, compared to those two characters lol!

We never said Mr. Parker was barrel of laughs. We said he was the most realistic headmaster in the series. He acted like you expect a headmaster to act.

Thanks, ITA! It turns out it was Season 1, episode 6. I just watched it on DM. "Mr. Crocker" sure had a lot of jobs! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

I just read on Imdb that he appeared again in season 7, in the episode "Blue Collar Drummond". It's really strange that he was in 3 episodes in season 1 and then he returns 6 seasons later. I think we should make Mr. Crocker the 5th Lost Girl :lol::lol::lol:

Would you believe episode 7 or 8 is a two-part retrospective clip show? After only about half a dozen had been made! "Oh, remember when??" :lol: (It's a Xmas 2-part clip show)


OMG, a Retrospective episode after just 50 days :lol::lol::lol:. They even have one in season 2. What was going on at NBC??:lol::lol:

I just read on Imdb that he appeared again in season 7, in the episode "Blue Collar Drummond". It's really strange that he was in 3 episodes in season 1 and then he returns 6 seasons later. I think we should make Mr. Crocker the 5th Lost Girl :lol::lol::lol:

:lol::lol::lol::lol::eek:


OMG, a Retrospective episode after just 50 days :lol::lol::lol:. They even have one in season 2. What was going on at NBC??:lol::lol:

I know NBC was in pretty bad shape, but it seems ridiculous to have flashback episodes not just in the very first season, but just partway through the first season. As you rightly point out, that was only about 50 days. Imagine being an original viewer and seeing them flash back to "an earlier era"... two months prior! :lol:

I wish they had kept THE CROCK in more than 1 episode (or at least as a recurring character) other than just the Pilot 'The girls school': his eccentric personality really cracked me up, and he was just as amusing as MR BRADLEY to watch!

I know that i'm on the minority on that one, but MR PARKER was rather dull, compared to those two characters lol!

They could have brought him back as the drama teacher, but as the headmaster, he was a lawsuit waiting to happen.

valentina, Mr. Crocker makes me laugh harder than any other headmaster. His overly intense coaching of poor upset, distracted Nancy for his play makes laugh out loud every time!!

"Concentrate on passionate youthful recklessness, followed by stubborn defiance, then top it off with a little bit of seething dismaaaaaaayyyy!"

-

:rofl:

:rotflmao:

They could have brought him back as the drama teacher, but as the headmaster, he was a lawsuit waiting to happen.

I would have liked that :lol::lol:

:lol::lol::lol::lol::eek:



I know NBC was in pretty bad shape, but it seems ridiculous to have flashback episodes not just in the very first season, but just partway through the first season. As you rightly point out, that was only about 50 days. Imagine being an original viewer and seeing them flash back to "an earlier era"... two months prior! :lol:

It definitely was ridiculous:wave:

valentina, Mr. Crocker makes me laugh harder than any other headmaster. His overly intense coaching of poor upset, distracted Nancy for his play makes laugh out loud every time!!

"Concentrate on passionate youthful recklessness, followed by stubborn defiance, then top it off with a little bit of seething dismaaaaaaayyyy!"

-



Hey i love the picture 80s!
Thank you so much for posting it: you know the Pilot 'The girls school' will ALWAYS be my number one! (it's actually my favourite DS episode, where MRS G gets to rule!)

:loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya:

You guys, guess who guest starred on an episode of "Phyllis"?---Robert Alda, a.k.a. Mr. Garrett!

So this means we see on "Phyllis":

"Beverly Ann"
"Mr. Bradley"
"Mrs. Warner"
"Mrs. Garrett"
"Mr. Garrett"
"Bruce Gaines"
"Frank Stickle"

and more lesser FOL characters!

Wow!

I think the 1970s was Clovis Leachman’s peak creative decade.

You guys, guess who guest starred on an episode of "Phyllis"?---Robert Alda, a.k.a. Mr. Garrett!

So this means we see on "Phyllis":

"Beverly Ann"
"Mr. Bradley"
"Mrs. Warner"
"Mrs. Garrett"
"Mr. Garrett"
"Bruce Gaines"
"Frank Stickle"

and more lesser FOL characters!

Wow!


Wow, The Facts of Life of the 70s :lol::lol:

Wow, The Facts of Life of the 70s :lol::lol:



Well, technically FOL started in 1979 (The Pilot and season 1), but i guess it is more of an 80 s sitcom if it run until 1988 lol!

But i know what you mean FO FAN ITA: those characters mentioned, were on FOL during the Golden season 1 era...

:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

Ah, ah, ah! What happened to F.A.C.T., '80s!? :lol:

For smaller roles, Dick O'Neill, who played the store security role in "Shoplifting", and also played Ted in "Two Guys From Appleton", also appeared in Phyllis, as "Sonny" Dexter.

Robert Mandan, who played Bruce Gaines, Mrs. G's husband, played a character named Larry for one episode of Phyllis.

Ian Wolfe, who played Mr. Bigley/Mr. Lazzaroni, played a minister on the pilot of Phyllis.

Murray Matheson, who played Mrs. Garrett's mean boyfriend Henry, played a character named Charles Plunkett in Phyllis.

Dick Van Patten, who played Frank Stickle, played Walter in Phyllis.

Martin Garner, who played Mr. Lowell in "The Last Drive-In" episode of The Facts of Life, played a character named Weinglass on Phyllis.

Maurice Marsac, who played Louie in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner", played a Maitre D' on Phyllis.


...that brings the number up to twelve, as far as I can tell!


And I knew I'd seen that Weinglass man somewhere! lol...I think in more than one thing.[/QUOTE]

[puts Molly Parker hand on Molly Parker hip]

"Wait a minute, how do you know all this??"

Really, how did you find out I was hiding that? You can't just Google "Facts of Life actors on Phyllis", lol.

Magic, of course! :lol::lol::lol::lol: (Magic Spoilers: I simply copied and pasted the list of Facts of Life actors from IMDB into an Excel spreadsheet, in column 1. Then I copied and pasted the list of Phyllis actors from IMDB into the same excel spreadsheet, in column 2. Then I used the Conditional Formatting button to highlight any duplicate items. This highlighted all of the possible actors who were in both shows. )




I did recognize Frank Stickle and Bruce Gaines. But to me, Robert is not Bruce Gaines, he is Leslie Lemoine from "Mama's Family". https://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/smile.gif

And I knew I'd seen that Weinglass man somewhere! lol...I think in more than one thing.Yeah! It's funny how often these actors were on the TV circuit, doing every show on three networks... and sometimes syndicated series, like MF was, for a while.

I think the 1970s was Clovis Leachman’s peak creative decade.

I think you are right, although she was a legend, although all of her show business decades were extraordinary. Her history with television went all the way back to the very beginnings of that medium, and she was on all four "golden age" television networks of that era: ABC, NBC, CBS, and DuMont.

But certainly getting her own spin-off must have been about the biggest moment of her career. It really was a shame about all the deaths, for so many reasons.

Another person from Phyllis with a second degree tie in with Facts of Life would be Jane Rose who played Phyllis's mother in law and appeared as the housemother of Coed Fever.

Well, technically FOL started in 1979 (The Pilot and season 1), but i guess it is more of an 80 s sitcom if it run until 1988 lol!

But i know what you mean FO FAN ITA: those characters mentioned, were on FOL during the Golden season 1 era...

:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

Yeah, only 4 episodes aired in (late) 1979, 5 if we count the pilot :wave:

Yeah, only 4 episodes aired in (late) 1979, 5 if we count the pilot :wave:



The Pilot should definitely be counted: it's the crucial part of FOL (the roots where it all began) the beginning and the introduction to our wonderful character MRS G, and 5 of her main girls BLAIR, NANCY, SUE ANN, MOLLY and TOOTIE....

:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug: