Celebrating Hazel Shermet (and a Miss Downes question)

['80sSitcoms]

First of all, my apologies to Miss Downes, as I have always spelled her name "Ms. Downs", but it is actually "Miss Downes"! So, in honor of her, here are some Miss Downes photos.

So, in season 5's "Working It Out", Natalie vents over having spent 3 hours with Miss Downes, begging and pleading with her to remove things from her permanent record (I'm assuming her most of freshman, sophomore, and junior years which she spent on probation in juvenile delinquency? lol).

So, who exactly handles permanent records in a school? Could Miss Downes have gone from being a teacher to being the headmaster's secretary, or to being a school administrator, or could she simply have just taken charge of permanent records while still teaching?

Also of note in the credit photo here---the pianist has a name, Brenda (not Adquate Brenda™, but a different Brenda). I would have properly credited her as "Brenda" instead of just "The Pianist".

['80sSitcoms]

And of course, before she was Miss Downes in season 3, Hazel Shermet portrayed the delightfully entertaining Harrison's sales associate in season 2. In my own fan universe I like to think of her as still being Miss Downes back then, but she worked at Harrison's for a while on the side for some extra $.

Or, since Mrs. Garrett and she are strangers to each other in "Shoplifting", perhaps Miss Downes was waiting around Peekskill for a teaching job to open up, and she was doing Harrison's to support herself.

And I had to include my favorite line of hers from "Shoplifting"

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

First of all, my apologies to Miss Downes, as I have always spelled her name "Ms. Downs", but it is actually "Miss Downes"! So, in honor of her, here are some Miss Downes photos.

So, in season 5's "Working It Out", Natalie vents over having spent 3 hours with Miss Downes, begging and pleading with her to remove things from her permanent record (I'm assuming her most of freshman, sophomore, and junior years which she spent on probation in juvenile delinquency? lol).

So, who exactly handles permanent records in a school? Could Miss Downes have gone from being a teacher to being the headmaster's secretary, or to being a school administrator, or could she simply have just taken charge of permanent records while still teaching?

Teaching drama and being a school administrator do not sound very compatible, but it was a rather small school. I imagine that when Miss Downes was a drama teacher (and moonlighting as a salesperson), barely making ends meet, when she saw the opening as a school administrator, she jumped on that opportunity!

Also of note in the credit photo here---the pianist has a name, Brenda (not Adquate Brenda™, but a different Brenda). I would have properly credited her as "Brenda" instead of just "The Pianist".

You mean there are two Brendas at Eastland, along with two Steves, two Emilys, etc?

You know, I guess I had always assumed that Adequate Brenda™ was also Piano Brenda®. I hadn't realized they were different students.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Teaching drama and being a school administrator do not sound very compatible, but it was a rather small school. I imagine that when Miss Downes was a drama teacher (and moonlighting as a salesperson), barely making ends meet, when she saw the opening as a school administrator, she jumped on that opportunity!

Haha, well Miss Downes is certainly energetic with lots of gusto, so she could have jumped on whatever opportunity opened up for her to grab all the permanent records, lol.

I think that's how I'll like to think of her from now on: teaching drama at Eastland for a few years, and then seizing an opportunity to "jump up" to a school administrator, lol.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

You mean there are two Brendas at Eastland, along with two Steves, two Emilys, etc?

Maybe that's a school requirement, there have to be 2 people with the same name somewhere on that campus for the Board of Trustees to be on "board" with the school, lol.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

You know, I guess I had always assumed that Adequate Brenda™ was also Piano Brenda®. I hadn't realized they were different students.

Yes, Piano Brenda seems much more likeable and easy-going, lol.


It's really a shame that Miss Downes didn't appear in any other episodes. Ms. Shermet has such a face and voice for comedy! I don't mean that as an insult either, I mean she was gifted these attributes which are perfect for comic acting. She should have been brought back more, or even had her own series! (maybe not as Miss Downes, but as someone, lol)

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Haha, well Miss Downes is certainly energetic with lots of gusto, so she could have jumped on whatever opportunity opened up for her to grab all the permanent records, lol.

I think that's how I'll like to think of her from now on: teaching drama at Eastland for a few years, and then seizing an opportunity to "jump up" to a school administrator, lol.

I don't see why not! Filling in the blanks is a LOT of fun!

Maybe that's a school requirement, there have to be 2 people with the same name somewhere on that campus for the Board of Trustees to be on "board" with the school, lol.

Haha!

It's really a shame that Miss Downes didn't appear in any other episodes. Ms. Shermet has such a face and voice for comedy! I don't mean that as an insult either, I mean she was gifted these attributes which are perfect for comic acting. She should have been brought back more, or even had her own series! (maybe not as Miss Downes, but as someone, lol)

I'd be "Downe" for that! (See what I did there?)

I agree she was a great character.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I don't see why not! Filling in the blanks is a LOT of fun!

It sure is!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

'd be "Downe" for that! (See what I did there?)

HA! Why yes I do!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I agree she was a great character.

You always feel the ups when you watch the "Downes"! (my turn, )

[Smartboy]

One thing that I am going to have to say is that I am crazy about the late Hazel Shermet! I thought she was a wonderful actress! I could not believe my eyes when I saw that someone else wanted to make a thread dedicated to her. As some of you might know, in addition to making two appearances on this show, she also made three appearances on "Gimme a Break!". I thought she did a great job on that show too. After I submit this post, I will be going over to that show's page to tell my buddies over there about what is happening here.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Smartboy

One thing that I am going to have to say is that I am crazy about the late Hazel Shermet! I thought she was a wonderful actress! I could not believe my eyes when I saw that someone else wanted to make a thread dedicated to her.

She really was a great character actress. When you watch the episodes, you can see that she is having fun with the role.

As some of you might know, in addition to making two appearances on this show, she also made three appearances on "Gimme a Break!". I thought she did a great job on that show too. After I submit this post, I will be going over to that show's page to tell my buddies over there about what is happening here.

It's been a long time since I've seen GAB. Maybe I need to rectify that this summer...

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

She really was a great character actress. When you watch the episodes, you can see that she is having fun with the role.

And no wonder! Here's a quote from her IMDB page:

Acting for me is like eating for most people. When I'm 90 and the phone rings, I'll put my teeth in, hobble to the phone and see if it's my agent.

lol, what a delightful lady

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

It's been a long time since I've seen GAB. Maybe I need to rectify that this summer...

I've got the first season---more Julie Anne on DVD!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

And no wonder! Here's a quote from her IMDB page:

Acting for me is like eating for most people. When I'm 90 and the phone rings, I'll put my teeth in, hobble to the phone and see if it's my agent.

lol, what a delightful lady

That's dedication to your craft!

I've got the first season---more Julie Anne on DVD!

YES! I know the scene! She's in "The Group"!

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

YES! I know the scene! She's in "The Group"!

lol, she leads that group!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

lol, she leads that group!

I remember. President of the Silver Slippers. I remember being so surprised to see her several years ago, when I saw that episode!

[Lorimar Television]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

First of all, my apologies to Miss Downes, as I have always spelled her name "Ms. Downs", but it is actually "Miss Downes"! So, in honor of her, here are some Miss Downes photos.

So, in season 5's "Working It Out", Natalie vents over having spent 3 hours with Miss Downes, begging and pleading with her to remove things from her permanent record (I'm assuming her most of freshman, sophomore, and junior years which she spent on probation in juvenile delinquency? lol).

So, who exactly handles permanent records in a school? Could Miss Downes have gone from being a teacher to being the headmaster's secretary, or to being a school administrator, or could she simply have just taken charge of permanent records while still teaching?

Also of note in the credit photo here---the pianist has a name, Brenda (not Adquate Brenda™, but a different Brenda). I would have properly credited her as "Brenda" instead of just "The Pianist".

I see you including Felice for us lost girl fans!

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

I see you including Felice for us lost girl fans!

Gotta get 'em where ya can take 'em!

[Lorimar Television]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Gotta get 'em where ya can take 'em!

Yep!