'Family Ties' Meredith Baxter & Her Mom Were the Inspiration For 'One Day At A Time!'

[Brian Damage]

The most surprising bit of family trivia, however, was revealed by Bonnie Franklin and Meredith Baxter, who shared a common bond. Baxter's mother, Whitney Blake, was an accomplished actress and producer, having starred as the Mom in "Hazel."

But for a time, Blake was a single mother trying to raise a teenage Meredith on her own. Later, Whitney recounted those difficult times and created a TV program whose working title was "38/18," referring to the ages of the Mother and daughter. The story was presented to Norman Lear ("All in the Family") who added another daughter to the treatment, and retitled it "One Day at a Time."

Bonnie Franklin then ended up portraying Meredith Baxter's real life mom about a recent divorcée and her two teenage girls. Without Blake's creation, there would have never been an Annie Romano, and Valerie Bertinelli probably wouldn't be in demand for book tours today.

http://www.tvparty.com/70-TVmoms.html

[Anna Karenina]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

The most surprising bit of family trivia, however, was revealed by Bonnie Franklin and Meredith Baxter, who shared a common bond. Baxter's mother, Whitney Blake, was an accomplished actress and producer, having starred as the Mom in "Hazel."

But for a time, Blake was a single mother trying to raise a teenage Meredith on her own. Later, Whitney recounted those difficult times and created a TV program whose working title was "38/18," referring to the ages of the Mother and daughter. The story was presented to Norman Lear ("All in the Family") who added another daughter to the treatment, and retitled it "One Day at a Time."

Bonnie Franklin then ended up portraying Meredith Baxter's real life mom about a recent divorcée and her two teenage girls. Without Blake's creation, there would have never been an Annie Romano, and Valerie Bertinelli probably wouldn't be in demand for book tours today.

http://www.tvparty.com/70-TVmoms.html

Bumping this nearly 8 year old thread because it contains some interesting tidbits.

I wonder if Meredith Baxter is set for life because her mom co created the show. Does she get a cut of the DVD sales?

Also why was it that Whitney Blake never appeared on the show in an acting role? She was a beautiful lady who could have played a lady friend of Dwayne's or an executive at Connors and Davenport or even Mark or Max's mother. I bet she was waiting to be asked to appear at some point...

[Bonniegirl]

Originally Posted by Anna Karenina

Bumping this nearly 8 year old thread because it contains some interesting tidbits.

I wonder if Meredith Baxter is set for life because her mom co created the show. Does she get a cut of the DVD sales?

Also why was it that Whitney Blake never appeared on the show in an acting role? She was a beautiful lady who could have played a lady friend of Dwayne's or an executive at Connors and Davenport or even Mark or Max's mother. I bet she was waiting to be asked to appear at some point...

She was a beautiful lady!! I think that every time I watch
her playing "Missy" on Hazel. I think she would be perfect to play a friend of Grandma's on ODAAT! ! I'm thinking her and Nanette Fabray were probably around the same age?

[Anna Karenina]

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

She was a beautiful lady!! I think that every time I watch
her playing "Missy" on Hazel. I think she would be perfect to play a friend of Grandma's on ODAAT! ! I'm thinking her and Nanette Fabray were probably around the same age?

That would have been a good casting choice. I wish they would have thought of that.