When DS should have ended?

[FOL-FAN-ITA]

I have rewatched the series and I have forgotten how the last two or three seasons are boring and painful to watch. Kimberly and Willis disappeared, Arnold was no longer funny with his catchphrase, Dixie Carter (first, and Mary Ann Mobley then) had zero chemistry with Conrad Bain, Danny Cooksey can't act, his character was extremely annoying and a (failed) attempt to replace Gary and his cuteness during the earlier seasons, Mr. Drummond became stupid and unfunny, always with his new son and wife, he didn't care anymore of his own kids, and they started to recycle plots from previous episodes. The only thing I like from that period is Pearl the housekeepeer, I really save few episodes from these seasons. In my opinion, this show should have ended at the end of season 4. Season Five is ok but they started to running out of ideas, seasons 6-8 are terrible. What do you think?

[chris jacob]

it sohuld have ended when theyadded sam and maggie

[TMC]

I've always felt that Phillip marrying Maggie would've been a nice, natural point to end the show on. Plus, they went through the trouble to bring Charlotte Rae back as Mrs. Garrett as well as I believe, Janet Jackson as Charlene.

[RetroGuy2000]

One of the new documentaries states that the Gary only enjoyed taping the first four seasons, and after that, it was just a chore.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

One of the new documentaries states that the Gary only enjoyed taping the first four seasons, and after that, it was just a chore.

I recall Gary in interviews would complain about how long it would take to film episodes. Like sometimes, they would come in at 10 in the morning and leave at midnight or something to that effect. If I'm not mistaken it was around this time that Gary's health issues really began to flare up or intensify again. Another problem is that the older the Gary got the less he really had that cute little kid aspect.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by TMC

I recall Gary in interviews would complain about how long it would take to film episodes. Like sometimes, they would come in at 10 in the morning and leave at midnight or something to that effect. If I'm not mistaken it was around this time that Gary's health issues really began to flare up or intensify again. Another problem is that the older the Gary got the less he really had that cute little kid aspect.

And the less he enjoyed playing Arnold's age. I read an article somewhere online years ago where I think Conrad said that it got to the point where Gary was resenting being a teenager yet being spanked on the show like a kid.

[TVFactFan]

When Sam became taller than Arnold

[rusty spike]

Originally Posted by TMC

I've always felt that Phillip marrying Maggie would've been a nice, natural point to end the show on. Plus, they went through the trouble to bring Charlotte Rae back as Mrs. Garrett as well as I believe, Janet Jackson as Charlene.

This^^^^^

[Schmo]

Originally Posted by TMC

I recall Gary in interviews would complain about how long it would take to film episodes. Like sometimes, they would come in at 10 in the morning and leave at midnight or something to that effect. If I'm not mistaken it was around this time that Gary's health issues really began to flare up or intensify again. Another problem is that the older the Gary got the less he really had that cute little kid aspect.

And Coleman had little money to show for all his work. What happened to it?

[FOL-FAN-ITA]

Originally Posted by Schmo

And Coleman had little money to show for all his work. What happened to it?

His parents stole all they money he gained from the show