Would "Rhoda" have been better with the original sister - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 02-07-2022, 12:38 AM

There was an episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show where Rhoda had a different younger sister: Debbie, a perky, pretty girl played by Liberty Williams, who was getting married before Rhoda. That caused her plenty of angst and made for a funny episode.

By the time the spinoff series launched a few years later, Debbie was gone and replaced by Brenda, a schlubby underdog played by Julie Kavner.

Critics then and now say that Rhoda the show was fatally flawed because its premise made Rhoda boring—it married her off to a dull guy and gave the schlubby younger sister all the good old Rhoda lines and situations. When network execs demanded Rhoda get divorced, it sent ratings into a nosedive but didn't make her any more interesting, because Brenda was still like "Old Rhoda". And a show that could have run eight years (based on how popular Rhoda once was) died after four-and-a-half.

But if the show had been about Rhoda living in New York and coping with her perfect younger sister and husband, along with their parents and dating, that would have been a better premise. More conflict, more comedy. No?

TVFactFan · 02-07-2022, 01:11 AM

I thought all the seasons was watchable and never had any issues. The ratings probably took a nosedive because in season 2 because more people watched Little House on the Prairie on Monday Nights in that 8pm slot

JSP · 02-21-2022, 10:47 PM

Brenda was great. Julie Kavner was adorable.

Bonniegirl · 02-21-2022, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Brenda was great. Julie Kavner was adorable.

Totally agree ! I love Brenda / Julie Kavner ! I can't imagine anyone replacing her ! I watched the marathon this past weekend on Decades ! Brenda is my favorite character on the show .

I think maybe if Rhoda had two sisters though would have worked? Brenda and the original Debbie. Rhoda the oldest and maybe have Debbie just be a recurring character ( maybe have had her married and living in Florida or something) ? and always have Brenda on.But it would be fun to sometimes have 3 Morgenstern Sisters together !

PracTz · 02-22-2022, 07:41 PM

Nah, with Rhoda being the lead and almost a total 'straight woman', they needed comic relief besides Ida constantly overwhelming everyone. Debbie in her only depiction was a straight woman and I'm not sure Liberty Williams would have had the comic chops Miss Kavner wound up having. However, this same performer DID get seriously considered for the role of Shirley in 'Laverne and Shirley'.

02-07-2022, 12:38 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,387	Would "Rhoda" have been better with the original sister There was an episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show where Rhoda had a different younger sister: Debbie, a perky, pretty girl played by Liberty Williams, who was getting married before Rhoda. That caused her plenty of angst and made for a funny episode. By the time the spinoff series launched a few years later, Debbie was gone and replaced by Brenda, a schlubby underdog played by Julie Kavner. Critics then and now say that Rhoda the show was fatally flawed because its premise made Rhoda boring—it married her off to a dull guy and gave the schlubby younger sister all the good old Rhoda lines and situations. When network execs demanded Rhoda get divorced, it sent ratings into a nosedive but didn't make her any more interesting, because Brenda was still like "Old Rhoda". And a show that could have run eight years (based on how popular Rhoda once was) died after four-and-a-half. But if the show had been about Rhoda living in New York and coping with her perfect younger sister and husband, along with their parents and dating, that would have been a better premise. More conflict, more comedy. No?

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02-07-2022, 01:11 AM	#2
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,949	I thought all the seasons was watchable and never had any issues. The ratings probably took a nosedive because in season 2 because more people watched Little House on the Prairie on Monday Nights in that 8pm slot

02-21-2022, 10:47 PM	#3
JSP Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 19, 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,735	Brenda was great. Julie Kavner was adorable.

02-22-2022, 07:41 PM	#5
PracTz Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2002 Location: United States of America [Happily Living in the 20th Century] Posts: 2,711	Nah, with Rhoda being the lead and almost a total 'straight woman', they needed comic relief besides Ida constantly overwhelming everyone. Debbie in her only depiction was a straight woman and I'm not sure Liberty Williams would have had the comic chops Miss Kavner wound up having. However, this same performer DID get seriously considered for the role of Shirley in 'Laverne and Shirley'.