What really hurt Too Close For Comfort! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

mstewart · 02-05-2005, 01:23 PM

I got the first season of the series on DVD. The pilot was good. The rhythm and flow of the show was shaky at first. You can tell there was a reliance on the dumb blonde act from Lydia Cornell in the early episodes and her body. The character of Jackie was underwritten and the actress who played her was very good. In my opinion she was far more attractive than Lydia Cornell.

I did enjoy the interaction of Ted Knight and Nancy Dussault. Their chemistry was good and the Muriel was a TV wife who knew how to hold her own but she was underwritten as well. Nancy Dussault is an excellent comic actress.

What killed the show in mid-season was the addition of Monroe Ficus. It became an overkill because his character was so annoying as well as his voice. I did not enjoy the episodes that he was in. The interaction between him and Henry Rush (Ted Knight) was an overkill. Too much of an 80's version of Laurel and Hardy.

We all knew what ultimately hurt the show was Muriel's late in life pregnancy. It was because Nancy Dussault was unhappy with the underdevelopment of her character and she felt she was not getting enough laughs. The pregnancy storyline was not the one for laughs.

Skywalker · 02-06-2005, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstewart

What killed the show in mid-season was the addition of Monroe Ficus. It became an overkill because his character was so annoying as well as his voice. I did not enjoy the episodes that he was in. The interaction between him and Henry Rush (Ted Knight) was an overkill. Too much of an 80's version of Laurel and Hardy.

We all knew what ultimately hurt the show was Muriel's late in life pregnancy. It was because Nancy Dussault was unhappy with the underdevelopment of her character and she felt she was not getting enough laughs. The pregnancy storyline was not the one for laughs.

I don't think the show would have survived if Monroe wasn't added. The interaction between him and Henry was the best thing about the show. The look Henry got on his face everytime Monroe pissed him off was great. I do agree, however that Muriel's pregnancy hurt the show.

Mr. Television · 02-06-2005, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstewart

I got the first season of the series on DVD. The pilot was good. The rhythm and flow of the show was shaky at first. You can tell there was a reliance on the dumb blonde act from Lydia Cornell in the early episodes and her body. The character of Jackie was underwritten and the actress who played her was very good. In my opinion she was far more attractive than Lydia Cornell.

I did enjoy the interaction of Ted Knight and Nancy Dussault. Their chemistry was good and the Muriel was a TV wife who knew how to hold her own but she was underwritten as well. Nancy Dussault is an excellent comic actress.

What killed the show in mid-season was the addition of Monroe Ficus. It became an overkill because his character was so annoying as well as his voice. I did not enjoy the episodes that he was in. The interaction between him and Henry Rush (Ted Knight) was an overkill. Too much of an 80's version of Laurel and Hardy.

We all knew what ultimately hurt the show was Muriel's late in life pregnancy. It was because Nancy Dussault was unhappy with the underdevelopment of her character and she felt she was not getting enough laughs. The pregnancy storyline was not the one for laughs.

Monroe was one of the best additions that show ever made. They needed to have a foil for Henry and they found it in Monroe. He was great.

HuntingtonM15 · 02-06-2005, 12:24 AM

Monroe does annoy me every now and again, but I agree, he was a vital addition to the show. Without him, it probably wouldn't have lasted as long as it did.

dandelion wine · 02-16-2005, 02:03 AM

Without Monroe, Too Close For Comfort wouldn't have been the same. His character, in my opinion, was just as important as the rest. And I agree that it wouldn't have survived without him.

APPLEI · 04-04-2005, 04:08 AM

monroe didn't hurt TOO close for comfort.
most of the time monroe was funny and important to the cast.
but april rush in season 2 was a totally unnecessary character.
but do you really want to know "what really hurt TOO close for comfort!"
it was the new baby at the beginning of season 3!
TOO close for comfort was a very funny sitcom the first 2 seasons.
then at the start of the 3rd season TOO close for comfort turned sappy and unentertaining.
in other words TOO close for comfort JUMPED THE SHARK when baby andrew joined the cast.
it was one of the worst mistakes in the history of television and the reason why TOO close for comfort isn't the sitcom classic it should've of been!

TVFactFan · 04-04-2005, 09:54 PM

What really hurt Too Close for Comfort was ABC moving itto Thursday Nights in the 82-83 season up against Simon & Simon at 9pm. Simon &Simon was a popular show at the time on CBS.

TripperFan · 04-04-2005, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otter

I don't think the show would have survived if Monroe wasn't added. The interaction between him and Henry was the best thing about the show. The look Henry got on his face everytime Monroe pissed him off was great. I do agree, however that Muriel's pregnancy hurt the show.

I agree entirely - it was Monroe that made that show! JimJ was a riot playing off straight guy Ted!

Nancy's pregancy might have hurt, but I think she was in real life so there wasn't much they could do other than address it somehow.

mstewart · 04-10-2005, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

Nancy's pregancy might have hurt, but I think she was in real life so there wasn't much they could do other than address it somehow.

Nancy Dussault was not pregnant in real life when her character, Muriel Rush, had a late in life pregnancy during the second season. The reason why they made her pregnant because Nancy complained that during the first season her character wasn't giving enough laughs. She felt that Muriel Rush was underdeveloped. From what I understand Nancy was not happy on the show and she and Ted did not exactly get along very well especially after she was public about her feelings about the show and her co-stars.

I think Nancy Dussault is a great comic actress but was not given good enough material to show that.

Brian Damage · 04-10-2005, 02:43 PM

What wasn't to like about Monroe. He was my second favorite character behind Ted's.

Adamantium · 06-20-2005, 12:00 AM

I've only seen the first two seasons, thanks to Rhino. Monroe made the show better, in my opinion.

In season six, both of the daughters are off the show. To me, their departures would be what hurt the show. Of course, the series was only canceled due to the death of Ted Knight. So it must have still had the ratings in the end.

alienkattuk · 07-04-2005, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstewart

What killed the show in mid-season was the addition of Monroe Ficus.

I like Monroe. He was excellant on the show.

He was the main reason I love Too Close For Comfort.

Him and the theme song!

alienkattuk · 07-04-2005, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otter

I don't think the show would have survived if Monroe wasn't added. The interaction between him and Henry was the best thing about the show. The look Henry got on his face everytime Monroe pissed him off was great. I do agree, however that Muriel's pregnancy hurt the show.

I couldn't agree with u more!

u said it just perfect!

Just like Steve Urkel on Family Matters, that show wouldn't survive either.

both nerds - Monroe and Steve - SAVED both shows!

MIKEPR · 02-25-2020, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstewart

Nancy Dussault was not pregnant in real life when her character, Muriel Rush, had a late in life pregnancy during the second season. The reason why they made her pregnant because Nancy complained that during the first season her character wasn't giving enough laughs. She felt that Muriel Rush was underdeveloped. From what I understand Nancy was not happy on the show and she and Ted did not exactly get along very well especially after she was public about her feelings about the show and her co-stars.

I think Nancy Dussault is a great comic actress but was not given good enough material to show that.

Don't see how her and Henry having a baby when their 2 daughters were college aged would have helped the Muriel character.

They both looked pretty odd because of that.

someguy23475 · 09-30-2020, 10:17 PM

Good to see at least one person agree with me that Monroe was obnoxious and unfunny! The show wasn’t very good to begin with, but he killed it.

I do somewhat remember Muriel having a baby. What a stupid idea.

02-05-2005, 01:23 PM	#1
mstewart mstewart Senior Member Join Date: Jan 25, 2002 Location: California Posts: 1,780	What really hurt Too Close For Comfort! I got the first season of the series on DVD. The pilot was good. The rhythm and flow of the show was shaky at first. You can tell there was a reliance on the dumb blonde act from Lydia Cornell in the early episodes and her body. The character of Jackie was underwritten and the actress who played her was very good. In my opinion she was far more attractive than Lydia Cornell. I did enjoy the interaction of Ted Knight and Nancy Dussault. Their chemistry was good and the Muriel was a TV wife who knew how to hold her own but she was underwritten as well. Nancy Dussault is an excellent comic actress. What killed the show in mid-season was the addition of Monroe Ficus. It became an overkill because his character was so annoying as well as his voice. I did not enjoy the episodes that he was in. The interaction between him and Henry Rush (Ted Knight) was an overkill. Too much of an 80's version of Laurel and Hardy. We all knew what ultimately hurt the show was Muriel's late in life pregnancy. It was because Nancy Dussault was unhappy with the underdevelopment of her character and she felt she was not getting enough laughs. The pregnancy storyline was not the one for laughs.

02-16-2005, 02:03 AM	#5
dandelion wine ~ Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 20, 2003 Location: Behind the Couch Posts: 34,964	Without Monroe, Too Close For Comfort wouldn't have been the same. His character, in my opinion, was just as important as the rest. And I agree that it wouldn't have survived without him.
	__________________ Fans of Jon-Erik Hexum Merry Christmas!

02-06-2005, 12:24 AM	#4
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,059	Monroe does annoy me every now and again, but I agree, he was a vital addition to the show. Without him, it probably wouldn't have lasted as long as it did.

04-04-2005, 04:08 AM	#6
APPLEI Member Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 16, 2000 Location: JACKSON MI. 49203 Posts: 810	monroe didn't hurt TOO close for comfort. most of the time monroe was funny and important to the cast. but april rush in season 2 was a totally unnecessary character. but do you really want to know "what really hurt TOO close for comfort!" it was the new baby at the beginning of season 3! TOO close for comfort was a very funny sitcom the first 2 seasons. then at the start of the 3rd season TOO close for comfort turned sappy and unentertaining. in other words TOO close for comfort JUMPED THE SHARK when baby andrew joined the cast. it was one of the worst mistakes in the history of television and the reason why TOO close for comfort isn't the sitcom classic it should've of been!

04-04-2005, 09:54 PM	#7
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,965	What really hurt Too Close for Comfort was ABC moving itto Thursday Nights in the 82-83 season up against Simon & Simon at 9pm. Simon &Simon was a popular show at the time on CBS.

04-10-2005, 02:43 PM	#10
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	What wasn't to like about Monroe. He was my second favorite character behind Ted's.

06-20-2005, 12:00 AM	#11
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,820	I've only seen the first two seasons, thanks to Rhino. Monroe made the show better, in my opinion. In season six, both of the daughters are off the show. To me, their departures would be what hurt the show. Of course, the series was only canceled due to the death of Ted Knight. So it must have still had the ratings in the end.

09-30-2020, 10:17 PM	#15
someguy23475 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 02, 2006 Posts: 167	Good to see at least one person agree with me that Monroe was obnoxious and unfunny! The show wasn’t very good to begin with, but he killed it. I do somewhat remember Muriel having a baby. What a stupid idea.