Why didn't they do more with Mary? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

installLSC · 11-17-2013, 07:06 PM

When looking back on 8isE, one thing that strikes me is how underused was Mary Bradford (Lani O'Grady). Not only did she get the least lead scripts of anyone, but they were almost always serious ones (moving in with her boyfriend, running for school board, protesting against the ROTC, etc.). Why didn't they more funny/romantic/goofy storylines with her?

robby76 · 11-27-2013, 09:45 PM

Well she was the older more studious Bradford sibling, so I guess they wanted to stay true to that. There were plenty more kids for the more fun storylines.

Marvo301 · 11-28-2013, 12:13 AM

I guess it's difficult to write funny/romantic/goofy stories about someone in medical school who spends all her time studying!

8isenuff · 11-30-2013, 11:29 AM

Mary, as the studious and driven medical student, was one of the better characters on the show. It was nice to see a character with an objective that was significantly different than the other kids in the family. I found the Mary character close to the Abby character. Abby also had an interest in significant academic pursuits. Moreover, I always saw Mary as a third parent for someone like Nicholas. Lani O’Grady’s acting could also be quite exceptional. The work done in Letter to One Bradford was impressive.

TV Guy · 07-03-2014, 09:58 PM

Mary had more to do when Diana Hyland was absent due to illness and later when Tom was a widower. The episode "V is for Vivian" comes to mind - I think that was originally written for Joan to be the one disapproving of Auntie V's behavior, and when she wasn't around, that story was given to Mary.

11-17-2013, 07:06 PM	#1
installLSC Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 19, 2013 Location: United States Posts: 271	Why didn't they do more with Mary? When looking back on 8isE, one thing that strikes me is how underused was Mary Bradford (Lani O'Grady). Not only did she get the least lead scripts of anyone, but they were almost always serious ones (moving in with her boyfriend, running for school board, protesting against the ROTC, etc.). Why didn't they more funny/romantic/goofy storylines with her?

11-27-2013, 09:45 PM	#2
robby76 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 18, 2004 Posts: 949	Well she was the older more studious Bradford sibling, so I guess they wanted to stay true to that. There were plenty more kids for the more fun storylines.
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11-28-2013, 12:13 AM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,450	I guess it's difficult to write funny/romantic/goofy stories about someone in medical school who spends all her time studying!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

11-30-2013, 11:29 AM	#4
8isenuff Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 27, 2013 Posts: 6	Mary, as the studious and driven medical student, was one of the better characters on the show. It was nice to see a character with an objective that was significantly different than the other kids in the family. I found the Mary character close to the Abby character. Abby also had an interest in significant academic pursuits. Moreover, I always saw Mary as a third parent for someone like Nicholas. Lani O’Grady’s acting could also be quite exceptional. The work done in Letter to One Bradford was impressive.

07-03-2014, 09:58 PM	#5
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	Mary had more to do when Diana Hyland was absent due to illness and later when Tom was a widower. The episode "V is for Vivian" comes to mind - I think that was originally written for Joan to be the one disapproving of Auntie V's behavior, and when she wasn't around, that story was given to Mary.