FOL was supposed to be centered on Kimberly Drummond? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

WriterChick78 · 03-20-2020, 02:50 AM

Not according to anything else I read... Then I saw this.

RetroGuy2000 · 03-20-2020, 03:42 AM

I have heard this a couple of times, but I think that idea was discarded fairly early on. In her book, Kim says that she was already observing Gary and Dana misbehaving on the DS set, which would have been during the show's first three seasons (she appeared during DS seasons 1-3).

And as we know, the producers singled out Charlotte fairly quickly: they wanted to spin her off, but Charlotte wouldn't agree to it unless she was able to return to DS if FOL didn't work out. But we know that by April the original girls (six girls, including Jennifer Rooney) had been cast by Eve Brandstein, and Mrs. Garrett was second-billed in the script (after only Conrad Bain). Dana was fifth-billed.

After the pilot, Jennifer was let go, Mindy and Julie Anne were brought on board (bringing the total number of girls to the "impossible" number of seven), and the script for "Rough Housing" apparently had little room for Dana. She only gets a few lines, and the story centers on Mrs. Garrett resolving the issue between Blair and Cindy.

FOL-FAN-ITA · 03-20-2020, 06:48 AM

There are a lot of stories about the show's origin and its initial concept. One story says that the show was originally a starring vehicle for Dana Plato, another one says that Charlotte Rae herself suggested the idea of a spin off for Mrs. Garrett. I think the real version (confirmed by Charlotte Rae in her book and during interviews) is that NBC needed a strong comedy like DS, Fred Silverman used the popularity of Edna Garrett, he remembered Charlotte on Car 54, Where are you? and he suggested the idea of a spin-off. Probably NBC wanted to use Kimberly Drummond along with Rae or as a recurring character (like Todd says). I think they didn't use her anymore because of her problems with drugs, she was fired a couple of seasons later

80s Dude · 03-20-2020, 07:04 AM

It was made to be a spinoff for Charlotte Rae. Charlotte Rae said that Dana Plato was flighty and was flirty with much older men on the set. I don't think she would want Dana Plato to have been a bad influence around the other girls.

Also in the show, Kimberly was a day resident or only stayed during the week at Eastlake/Eastland.

FOL-FAN-ITA · 03-20-2020, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

It was made to be a spinoff for Charlotte Rae. Charlotte Rae said that Dana Plato was flighty and was flirty with much older men on the set. I don't think she would want Dana Plato to have been a bad influence around the other girls.

Also in the show, Kimberly was a day resident or only stayed during the week at Eastlake/Eastland.

In The Social Worker episode, Mr. Drummond said Kimberly stays at home for the weekeend, the rest of the week she is at school. But after FOL debuted, Kimberly was always at the penthouse, so I think she became a day student. Later she left Eastland for good, in the second episode of season 5, at the beginning of season 4 of FOL

80s Dude · 03-20-2020, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOL-FAN-ITA

In The Social Worker episode, Mr. Drummond said Kimberly stays at home for the weekeend, the rest of the week she is at school. But after FOL debuted, Kimberly was always at the penthouse, so I think she became a day student. Later she left Eastland for good, in the second episode of season 5, at the beginning of season 4 of FOL

The FOL IQ episode looks very familiar to the plot of the Social Work episode.

'80sSitcoms · 03-20-2020, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I have heard this a couple of times, but I think that idea was discarded fairly early on. In her book, Kim says that she was already observing Gary and Dana misbehaving on the DS set, which would have been during the show's first three seasons (she appeared during DS seasons 1-3).

The show's first two seasons. She appeared during seasons 1 and 2. She wasn't on quite a season-and-a-half.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

And as we know, the producers singled out Charlotte fairly quickly: they wanted to spin her off, but Charlotte wouldn't agree to it unless she was able to return to DS if FOL didn't work out.

I don't think that's quite true? From what I've seen in documentaries. That makes Charlotte sound assertive about this, but she wasn't, from what I saw. The way I saw Charlotte relay it, she was timid and insecure and unsure about being taken off of this show and into new territory. She was VERY relieved when they offered to her that they would bring her back if it didn't work out (an no prodding from her). Now, I admit I may be wrong. But that's how I remember it from 7, 9, 10 years ago.

I'll also check the material I kept from her book and see what she says about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

But we know that by April the original girls (six girls, including Jennifer Rooney) had been cast by Eve Brandstein, and Mrs. Garrett was second-billed in the script (after only Conrad Bain). Dana was fifth-billed.

Now you've lost me here, lol. Is that TGS? I don't remember the billing being different for that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Mindy and Julie Anne were brought on board (bringing the total number of girls to the "impossible" number of seven)"

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

and the script for "Rough Housing" apparently had little room for Dana. She only gets a few lines, and the story centers on Mrs. Garrett resolving the issue between Blair and Cindy.

*ahem*, between Cindy and Blair, thank you very much.

FOL-FAN-ITA · 03-20-2020, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

I don't think that's quite true? From what I've seen in documentaries. That makes Charlotte sound assertive about this, but she wasn't, from what I saw. The way I saw Charlotte relay it, she was timid and insecure and unsure about being taken off of this show and into new territory. She was VERY relieved when they offered to her that they would bring her back if it didn't work out (an no prodding from her). Now, I admit I may be wrong. But that's how I remember it from 7, 9, 10 years ago.

I'll also check the material I kept from her book and see what she says about it

I have the book. She says she was insecure and her managers got a deal that if FOL was cancelled, she could go back to DS

'80sSitcoms · 03-20-2020, 04:08 PM

^---yes, that's what I was remembering, thanks (I used to have the book, then copied all the DS/FOL material to keep from it, lol)

RetroGuy2000 · 03-20-2020, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

The show's first two seasons. She appeared during seasons 1 and 2. She wasn't on quite a season-and-a-half.

I just checked, and Tootie actually appeared up until very early in the fourth season of DS. Kim's last episode was 4-04.

Quote:

I don't think that's quite true? From what I've seen in documentaries. That makes Charlotte sound assertive about this, but she wasn't, from what I saw. The way I saw Charlotte relay it, she was timid and insecure and unsure about being taken off of this show and into new territory. She was VERY relieved when they offered to her that they would bring her back if it didn't work out (an no prodding from her). Now, I admit I may be wrong. But that's how I remember it from 7, 9, 10 years ago.

That is not what at least two documentaries state.

Quote:

Now you've lost me here, lol. Is that TGS? I don't remember the billing being different for that.

The billing in the script, not the opening credits.

Quote:

*ahem*, between Cindy and Blair, thank you very much.

You know Blair would insist on being first!

'80sSitcoms · 03-20-2020, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I just checked, and Tootie actually appeared up until very early in the fourth season of DS. Kim's last episode was 4-04.

Oh! I skimmed over that, I thought you meant Charlotte---I stand (or, "sit", lol) corrected!

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

That is not what at least two documentaries state.

Then that is not what at least one documentary and a book by Charlotte state. Maybe we'll never truly know? But I love to believe Charlotte re-enacting her cute insecure self in at least one of the documentaries. It's a complete 180 from Vicki Lawrence's reaction to her getting a spinoff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

The billing in the script, not the opening credits.

Ah, interesting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

You know Blair would insist on being first!

lol

RetroGuy2000 · 03-20-2020, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Oh! I skimmed over that, I thought you meant Charlotte---I stand (or, "sit", lol) corrected!

Naw, I was talking about Kim: Kim said she watched Gary and Dana act pretty unprofessionally on DS.

Quote:

Then that is not what at least one documentary and a book by Charlotte state. Maybe we'll never truly know? But I love to believe Charlotte re-enacting her cute insecure self in at least one of the documentaries. It's a complete 180 from Vicki Lawrence's reaction to her getting a spinoff.

Oh, I don't doubt Charlotte was insecure about it, especially having recently seen, erm, something that pretty much verifies that, which I know you will eventually see as well. But she signed off on what her agent did, which was to get her a guaranteed return to DS if FOL didn't make it.

'80sSitcoms · 03-20-2020, 04:42 PM

SPEAKING OF, I have heard of "secret links" around here (and I ain't talkin' 'bout no sausage!) If a "something" ends up being "complete", I would totally dive in and watch (since the global quarantine has me not seeing my folks for a while).

valentina warner · 03-20-2020, 09:50 PM

Overall, i'm really relieved to know CHARLOTTE RAE decided to stay on FOL: the show would have never be the same without her!

TVFactFan · 03-21-2020, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WriterChick78

Not according to anything else I read... Then I saw this.

I can believe that since Kimberly Drummond was said to be going to Eastland

03-20-2020, 02:50 AM	#1
WriterChick78 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 16, 2020 Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Posts: 103	FOL was supposed to be centered on Kimberly Drummond? Not according to anything else I read... Then I saw this.

03-20-2020, 03:42 AM	#2
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	I have heard this a couple of times, but I think that idea was discarded fairly early on. In her book, Kim says that she was already observing Gary and Dana misbehaving on the DS set, which would have been during the show's first three seasons (she appeared during DS seasons 1-3). And as we know, the producers singled out Charlotte fairly quickly: they wanted to spin her off, but Charlotte wouldn't agree to it unless she was able to return to DS if FOL didn't work out. But we know that by April the original girls (six girls, including Jennifer Rooney) had been cast by Eve Brandstein, and Mrs. Garrett was second-billed in the script (after only Conrad Bain). Dana was fifth-billed. After the pilot, Jennifer was let go, Mindy and Julie Anne were brought on board (bringing the total number of girls to the "impossible" number of seven), and the script for "Rough Housing" apparently had little room for Dana. She only gets a few lines, and the story centers on Mrs. Garrett resolving the issue between Blair and Cindy.
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03-20-2020, 06:48 AM	#3
FOL-FAN-ITA Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2019 Location: Italy Posts: 1,473	There are a lot of stories about the show's origin and its initial concept. One story says that the show was originally a starring vehicle for Dana Plato, another one says that Charlotte Rae herself suggested the idea of a spin off for Mrs. Garrett. I think the real version (confirmed by Charlotte Rae in her book and during interviews) is that NBC needed a strong comedy like DS, Fred Silverman used the popularity of Edna Garrett, he remembered Charlotte on Car 54, Where are you? and he suggested the idea of a spin-off. Probably NBC wanted to use Kimberly Drummond along with Rae or as a recurring character (like Todd says). I think they didn't use her anymore because of her problems with drugs, she was fired a couple of seasons later

03-20-2020, 07:04 AM	#4
80s Dude Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 24, 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,818	It was made to be a spinoff for Charlotte Rae. Charlotte Rae said that Dana Plato was flighty and was flirty with much older men on the set. I don't think she would want Dana Plato to have been a bad influence around the other girls. Also in the show, Kimberly was a day resident or only stayed during the week at Eastlake/Eastland.

03-20-2020, 04:08 PM	#9
'80sSitcoms Member Forum Star Join Date: Jan 30, 2013 Posts: 12,474	^---yes, that's what I was remembering, thanks (I used to have the book, then copied all the DS/FOL material to keep from it, lol)

03-20-2020, 04:42 PM	#13
'80sSitcoms Member Forum Star Join Date: Jan 30, 2013 Posts: 12,474	SPEAKING OF, I have heard of "secret links" around here (and I ain't talkin' 'bout no sausage!) If a "something" ends up being "complete", I would totally dive in and watch (since the global quarantine has me not seeing my folks for a while).

03-20-2020, 09:50 PM	#14
valentina warner Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 31, 2020 Location: The Uk Posts: 3,154	Overall, i'm really relieved to know CHARLOTTE RAE decided to stay on FOL: the show would have never be the same without her!