Mary on Phyllis? - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

OOliver · 03-18-2010, 01:22 PM

I think a major problem with the first season was that there was no chemistry between Leachman and Torres. As I've been watching this show on ALN, you can feel a disdain between the two characters.

In the 'Mary' episode we're talking about, Phyllis spends a day (her second day at the new job) contemplating her job, since she really doesn't like it. I think the writers should have ran with that idea and given 'Phyllis' a new job/career at that point (since this was the second ep with Torres in it, and it was obvious it wasn't working) - as we've mentioned, as a realtor, caterer, etc. This photo-studio atmosphere was just awful...and very limiting.

McGillicuddy · 03-18-2010, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OOliver

I think a major problem with the first season was that there was no chemistry between Leachman and Torres. As I've been watching this show on ALN, you can feel a disdain between the two characters.

In the 'Mary' episode we're talking about, Phyllis spends a day (her second day at the new job) contemplating her job, since she really doesn't like it. I think the writers should have ran with that idea and given 'Phyllis' a new job/career at that point (since this was the second ep with Torres in it, and it was obvious it wasn't working) - as we've mentioned, as a realtor, caterer, etc. This photo-studio atmosphere was just awful...and very limiting.

Nothing against Liz Torres, but the role of Julie, I think was created for Barbara Colby in mind. Colby's tragic death was so sudden, and at the time, they probably just couldn't abandon the photo-studio setting on a moments notice. They had scripts written. I always get back to thinking how different things would have been if Colby survived.

scotsguy · 03-18-2010, 06:07 PM

Its funny I liked the photo studio in season one but didn't like the office setting in season too,the government office was too "busy" for me.
Liz Torres did a good job,considering the tragic events causing the recast.
I do find it odd in "The First Day",that Julie would be so short tempered with Phyllis,considering Phyllis' recent bereavement.
Although we never saw Lars,it funny to think Julie mark2 was meant to have dated Lars at the same time as Phyllis,very strange Julie(mark1 and 2)never mentioned Lars again after the pilot episode.
I think from what I've leant on this site lately,Richard Schall deciding not to return as Leo in season2(although he did return to direct Phyllis) put the lid on the photo studio.
The only thing I would say about season2 was that Phyllis got back to being more of her old selfish self again and not as dumb as she was written in early season1 episodes.

03-18-2010, 01:22 PM	#16
OOliver Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 28, 2009 Location: Providence RI Posts: 569	I think a major problem with the first season was that there was no chemistry between Leachman and Torres. As I've been watching this show on ALN, you can feel a disdain between the two characters. In the 'Mary' episode we're talking about, Phyllis spends a day (her second day at the new job) contemplating her job, since she really doesn't like it. I think the writers should have ran with that idea and given 'Phyllis' a new job/career at that point (since this was the second ep with Torres in it, and it was obvious it wasn't working) - as we've mentioned, as a realtor, caterer, etc. This photo-studio atmosphere was just awful...and very limiting.

03-18-2010, 06:07 PM	#18
scotsguy Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 25, 2002 Location: Edinburgh,Scotland Posts: 696	Its funny I liked the photo studio in season one but didn't like the office setting in season too,the government office was too "busy" for me. Liz Torres did a good job,considering the tragic events causing the recast. I do find it odd in "The First Day",that Julie would be so short tempered with Phyllis,considering Phyllis' recent bereavement. Although we never saw Lars,it funny to think Julie mark2 was meant to have dated Lars at the same time as Phyllis,very strange Julie(mark1 and 2)never mentioned Lars again after the pilot episode. I think from what I've leant on this site lately,Richard Schall deciding not to return as Leo in season2(although he did return to direct Phyllis) put the lid on the photo studio. The only thing I would say about season2 was that Phyllis got back to being more of her old selfish self again and not as dumb as she was written in early season1 episodes.