"The Lars Affair"

[cfr1970]

I just began season 4 tonight and watched "The Lars Affair" and really hate that Betty White character. Since I began watching MTM, I was anticipating the arrival of White to finally see how she was in this show.

But she's so unlikable! I mean...TOO unlikable for me to want to see more. This is my first time watching the series and I really enjoyed the first 3 seasons so much.

This Sue Ann character is just so evil, she feels out of place in this happy show where everyone is friendly with each other. Was that the intention for bringing her on? To have a nasty character there? If so....why?!

Why would you want a character like that? For a soap opera sure...but this is MTM, a happy light and fun sitcom. In her first appearance she tries to steal away one of the regular character's husband! Sleeps with him unapologetically and smiles in the wife's face when confronted. EW!

I heard Betty White's character was a man hungry character, but I had no idea she was THIS bad! Do they soften her character up after this? Because I find it incredible that audiences accepted her this way when it aired!! They HAD to have made her more likable if she stayed on till the end. (no spoilers though please!! I like going in blind....but just want to know if she's always this nasty. So a "yes" or "no" will suffice )

It's just startling to watch 3 seasons with all the characters being friendly, nice people....and this bitch comes in to shake things up.

On the show's episode guide on Wikipedia, it says "In 1997, TV Guide ranked this episode #27 on its list of the 100 Greatest Episodes."----Well it's certainly not a great episode for me!

I felt so badly for poor Phyllis...and even worse for her when she was all giddy that she had Lars back....WHY?! WHY would she want him back after that?! I didn't know she was that pathetic!! Maybe this is how married women were in the 70's?!

[rcbrad]

I do not believe it was ever stated that they slept together, although it was probably the case. I think the word evil and nasty is kind of strong here. Her character did not change much, but there are not any other story lines that are comparable to this one. I think that it was rated as one of the best episodes, not so much for the subject of the show, but because it was brilliantly written and acted. Many women and men take their spouses back. It probably was more common for women decades ago to forgive this behavior.

[Bonniegirl]

Originally Posted by cfr1970

I just began season 4 tonight and watched "The Lars Affair" and really hate that Betty White character. Since I began watching MTM, I was anticipating the arrival of White to finally see how she was in this show.

But she's so unlikable! I mean...TOO unlikable for me to want to see more. This is my first time watching the series and I really enjoyed the first 3 seasons so much.

This Sue Ann character is just so evil, she feels out of place in this happy show where everyone is friendly with each other. Was that the intention for bringing her on? To have a nasty character there? If so....why?!

Why would you want a character like that? For a soap opera sure...but this is MTM, a happy light and fun sitcom. In her first appearance she tries to steal away one of the regular character's husband! Sleeps with him unapologetically and smiles in the wife's face when confronted. EW!

I heard Betty White's character was a man hungry character, but I had no idea she was THIS bad! Do they soften her character up after this? Because I find it incredible that audiences accepted her this way when it aired!! They HAD to have made her more likable if she stayed on till the end. (no spoilers though please!! I like going in blind....but just want to know if she's always this nasty. So a "yes" or "no" will suffice )

It's just startling to watch 3 seasons with all the characters being friendly, nice people....and this bitch comes in to shake things up.

On the show's episode guide on Wikipedia, it says "In 1997, TV Guide ranked this episode #27 on its list of the 100 Greatest Episodes."----Well it's certainly not a great episode for me!

I felt so badly for poor Phyllis...and even worse for her when she was all giddy that she had Lars back....WHY?! WHY would she want him back after that?! I didn't know she was that pathetic!! Maybe this is how married women were in the 70's?!

Phyllis was not a nice woman. She pretty much was very self centered and narcissistic! Seemed she was more or less in love with Lars for his money and prestige as a doctor than really loving him just for him!!

Not that I condone men cheating on their wives, but as I said phyllis was not very nice and I could see where Lars might want to stray !!


As far as Sue Ann , I thought she was funny I liked her better than Phyllis ! But I pretty much didn't like the show nearly as much after Rhoda left ! I was glad Phyllis left, but not Rhoda ! The show was never the same !!

[cfr1970]

Originally Posted by rcbrad

I do not believe it was ever stated that they slept together, although it was probably the case. I think the word evil and nasty is kind of strong here. Her character did not change much, but there are not any other story lines that are comparable to this one. I think that it was rated as one of the best episodes, not so much for the subject of the show, but because it was brilliantly written and acted. Many women and men take their spouses back. It probably was more common for women decades ago to forgive this behavior.

I only call her evil and nasty because of the way she was smiling and acting so cavalier about things when confronted by the wife of the husband she's seeing. It's like she was rubbing it in with her laughter about it. To me, that's kind of evil and certainly nasty.

I love Betty White, but it's a bit shocking to see her this way. I heard that she played a man hungry character in this show, but I thought she at least had some boundaries lol. Apparently not. I love MTM for all the characters being friendly and nice to each other and to see this type of character thrown into the mix it a little startling.

Hopefully the character can grow on me in time.

[Willbo]

Sue Ann will grow on you as she is one of my favorite characters. Betty White does a fantastic job. Sue Ann is completely opposite of Rose.

[Bonniegirl]

Originally Posted by Willbo

Sue Ann will grow on you as she is one of my favorite characters. Betty White does a fantastic job. Sue Ann is completely opposite of Rose.

[cfr1970]

Originally Posted by Willbo

Sue Ann will grow on you as she is one of my favorite characters. Betty White does a fantastic job. Sue Ann is completely opposite of Rose.

I finished episode 6 "Father's Day" where Ted meets his long lost father and haven't seen any of Sue Ann since the season opener. I'm assuming as of now she's just a recurring character?

I'll definitely keep an open mind with her because it's Betty White after all, and she's great. I just hope they tone down the home wrecking part of her character because I found her to be sociopathic the way she didn't care about hurting Phyllis and was almost gleeful about it.

This is my first MTM viewing and I don't want to zip through the series too quickly, so I only watch 2 episode each Sunday night to try and make it last.

I started back in September and just began Season 4 when I began the thread. I estimate i'll be finished with the series by next April and will probably be sad and want to start all over from the beginning again.

I really do hope Sue Ann grows on me because i'm so enjoying this show and every single character is likeable and friendly. They all treat each other nice and I really enjoy that, and I hope she also grows on the other characters too because I love the whole camaraderie of the show and would hate to see her be the monkey wrench thrown in there.

Please no spoilers though!! Saying general stuff like a character will grow on me is fine but i'm hoping to stay spoiler free of specifics because I think it's more fun that way.