Did Julia Duffy have the worst luck for any working actress... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 03-12-2018, 03:53 AM

especially once Newhart went off the air in 1990? First, she did this show for ABC called Baby Talk, which was inspired by the movie Look Who's Talking. But she along with George Clooney left after the first season amid a troubled set. Julia Duffy wasn't even originally meant to star on Baby Talk. It was originally going to feature Connie Sellecca, but she quit after a few episodes had been taped due to her dissatisfaction with the role.

Julia then appears on the sixth season of Designing Women to replace the recently departed Delta Burke. Even though Season 6 was the highest rated season throughout Designing Women's seven year run, Julia was gone before they could get to Season 7.

And then, Julia shows up in the final set of episodes of Grace Under Fire in hopes of helping salvage the show after Brett Butler was becoming increasingly unreliable due to her substance abuse issues. And in-between her runs on Designing Women and Grace Under Fire, she is a part of The Mommies, which only lasted for 28 episodes on NBC and a UPN sitcom called Social Studies, which only lasted for six episodes.

TV Guy · 03-31-2018, 09:56 PM

Most working actresses would kill for the career that Julia Duffy has had. She has worked steadily in the business for 45 years.

TMC · 06-20-2018, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Guy

Most working actresses would kill for the career that Julia Duffy has had. She has worked steadily in the business for 45 years.

True, but in a crazy round about way, Julia Duffy kind of became the female '90s equivalent to Ted McGinley. Any time that she showed up on a sitcom post-Newhart, you just knew that it wasn't going to last too long or the show was past its prime.

RetroGuy2000 · 06-20-2018, 12:54 AM

You are both right.

She was hugely lucky to land such a sweet role on Newhart. Then, after that, she sure had a string of bad luck: she was on everything, right before it was cancelled.

TMC · 08-01-2018, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

You are both right.

She was hugely lucky to land such a sweet role on Newhart. Then, after that, she sure had a string of bad luck: she was on everything, right before it was cancelled.

Julia Duffy's problem I believe is that she is a very low-key actress. What that means is that she just can't do "over-the-top" well. This is likely why it didn't work out for her on Designing Women. The other actresses on that show just seemed larger than life. As a result, DW with Julia offset the dynamic of the show.

03-12-2018, 03:53 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,450	Did Julia Duffy have the worst luck for any working actress... especially once Newhart went off the air in 1990? First, she did this show for ABC called Baby Talk, which was inspired by the movie Look Who's Talking. But she along with George Clooney left after the first season amid a troubled set. Julia Duffy wasn't even originally meant to star on Baby Talk. It was originally going to feature Connie Sellecca, but she quit after a few episodes had been taped due to her dissatisfaction with the role. Julia then appears on the sixth season of Designing Women to replace the recently departed Delta Burke. Even though Season 6 was the highest rated season throughout Designing Women's seven year run, Julia was gone before they could get to Season 7. And then, Julia shows up in the final set of episodes of Grace Under Fire in hopes of helping salvage the show after Brett Butler was becoming increasingly unreliable due to her substance abuse issues. And in-between her runs on Designing Women and Grace Under Fire, she is a part of The Mommies, which only lasted for 28 episodes on NBC and a UPN sitcom called Social Studies, which only lasted for six episodes.
	Last edited by TMC; 12-31-2018 at 05:05 AM.

06-20-2018, 12:54 AM	#4
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	You are both right. She was hugely lucky to land such a sweet role on Newhart. Then, after that, she sure had a string of bad luck: she was on everything, right before it was cancelled.
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03-31-2018, 09:56 PM	#2
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	Most working actresses would kill for the career that Julia Duffy has had. She has worked steadily in the business for 45 years.