"Beverly Ann: The '70s" (a.k.a. "Phyllis", 1975 - 1977) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

'80sSitcoms · 03-11-2021, 10:52 AM

If anyone here wants to see what Beverly Ann would have been like in the '70s, then you check out episodes of her "Mary Tyler Moore Show" spin-off "Phyllis" on YouTube. It ran from '75 to '77 and I've been watching it for the first time recently.

Unfortunately, I quickly started to lose interest, because she quickly became not that Phyllisy. But I started playing a mental trick to keep me watching. When my interest would wane or my mind would start to wander, I would tell myself, "Think of her as Beverly Ann", and my interest would re-spike. It's amazing. Much of the time she is so much more Beverly Ann than she is Phyllis.

There are some great episodes. And not only does season 2 co-star "Mr. Bradley" as a government worker (after a season 1 guest appearance as a cop), but other episodes feature single appearances by "Mrs. Warner" and "Mrs. Garrett"! That one's a real gem, getting to see kind of what "Beverly Ann and Edna" would have been like together in 1975, lol.

PracTz · 03-11-2021, 11:23 AM

Actually, as annoying as the recently deceased Miss Leachman portrayed Phyllis, IMO, Phyllis was a more likable and interesting character than Beverly Ann. But then, I liked MTM and 'Phyllis' more than the latter days of FOL!

BTW, Miss Leachman herself admitted that she didn't understand what Beverly Ann's function was on FOL but she definitely nailed Phyllis on the above-mentioned shows!

'80sSitcoms · 03-11-2021, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PracTz

Actually, as annoying as the recently deceased Miss Leachman portrayed Phyllis, IMO, Phyllis was a more likable and interesting character than Beverly Ann. But then, I liked MTM and 'Phyllis' more than the latter days of FOL!

BTW, Miss Leachman herself admitted that she didn't understand what Beverly Ann's function was on FOL but she definitely nailed Phyllis on the above-mentioned shows!

Phyllis was a fantastic character on MTM. Those Mary/Rhoda/Phyllis scenes were gold. Phyllis was obnoxious, overbearing, self-centered--she was a wonderful facet to that show and such a unique personality. That works wonderfully as a semi-regular appearing in many episodes over a season but not every episode. But a character like that just isn't ripe for its own starring vehicle in its own series. I feel Phyllis "got lost" on her own series. That's why thinking of her as Beverly Ann a lot of the times helps me in my watching of it, lol.

RetroGuy2000 · 03-11-2021, 01:25 PM

I was a bit too young to really remember the Phyllis series very well, but MTM was on reruns throughout the 1980s, and Cloris was hilarious on that show. I did catch some Phyllis episodes on Daily Motion not too long ago (it was cool to see "Mr Bradley" there!) and must agree with the assessment that the original Phyllis couldn't carry her own show: Phyllis was quite a character, but didn't work as the center of a series, and she did become more "Beverly Ann" than Phyllis.

I watched the Christmas episode where only half of the office was allowed to have a holiday party, and it was hilarious!

80s Dude · 03-11-2021, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I was a bit too young to really remember the Phyllis series very well, but MTM was on reruns throughout the 1980s, and Cloris was hilarious on that show. I did catch some Phyllis episodes on Daily Motion not too long ago (it was cool to see "Mr Bradley" there!) and must agree with the assessment that the original Phyllis couldn't carry her own show: Phyllis was quite a character, but didn't work as the center of a series, and she did become more "Beverly Ann" than Phyllis.

I watched the Christmas episode where only half of the office was allowed to have a holiday party, and it was hilarious!

Mr. Bradley's side was allowed to have the holiday party.

RetroGuy2000 · 03-11-2021, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

Mr. Bradley's side was allowed to have the holiday party.

Yep!

Lorimar Television · 03-12-2021, 12:49 AM

Nice find Eightsy

Fallon97 · 03-12-2021, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PracTz

BTW, Miss Leachman herself admitted that she didn't understand what Beverly Ann's function was on FOL

Really? I assumed her function was to work at the store for her sister, live at her sister's house and look out for Blair, Tootie, Jo, and Natalie as an older and wiser friend and to keep her sister updated about them.

'80sSitcoms · 03-12-2021, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I watched the Christmas episode where only half of the office was allowed to have a holiday party, and it was hilarious!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80sDude

Mr. Bradley's side was allowed to have the holiday party.

Thanks for spoiling it you guys.

RetroGuy2000 · 03-12-2021, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Thanks for spoiling it you guys.

It aired in December 1976!

But that's a good one. You'll enjoy it, despite it being "spoiled".

'80sSitcoms · 03-12-2021, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

It aired in December 1976!

Yes, but I've never seen the show until now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

But that's a good one. You'll enjoy it, despite it being "spoiled".

We'll see! lol But the surprise factor is gone. Oh well, lol.

80s Dude · 03-12-2021, 08:02 PM

John Lawlor's characters in Phylliss and the Facts of Life are not much different from one another.

'80sSitcoms · 03-13-2021, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

John Lawlor's characters in Phylliss and the Facts of Life are not much different from one another.

Yes, it's fun watching him and thinking of him as Mr. Bradley before he became headmaster of a boys' school and then moved on to headmaster at Eastland (and changed his name, lol).

Lorimar Television · 03-13-2021, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Yes, it's fun watching him and thinking of him as Mr. Bradley before he became headmaster of a boys' school and then moved on to headmaster at Eastland (and changed his name, lol).

Mr Bradley meets Beverly Ann

RetroGuy2000 · 03-13-2021, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Yes, it's fun watching him and thinking of him as Mr. Bradley before he became headmaster of a boys' school and then moved on to headmaster at Eastland (and changed his name, lol).

I know what you mean! Not too long ago, I saw Mr. Crocker was running a store in Indianapolis on One Day at a Time!

03-11-2021, 10:52 AM	#1
'80sSitcoms Member Forum Star Join Date: Jan 30, 2013 Posts: 12,474	"Beverly Ann: The '70s" (a.k.a. "Phyllis", 1975 - 1977) If anyone here wants to see what Beverly Ann would have been like in the '70s, then you check out episodes of her "Mary Tyler Moore Show" spin-off "Phyllis" on YouTube. It ran from '75 to '77 and I've been watching it for the first time recently. Unfortunately, I quickly started to lose interest, because she quickly became not that Phyllisy. But I started playing a mental trick to keep me watching. When my interest would wane or my mind would start to wander, I would tell myself, "Think of her as Beverly Ann", and my interest would re-spike. It's amazing. Much of the time she is so much more Beverly Ann than she is Phyllis. There are some great episodes. And not only does season 2 co-star "Mr. Bradley" as a government worker (after a season 1 guest appearance as a cop), but other episodes feature single appearances by "Mrs. Warner" and "Mrs. Garrett"! That one's a real gem, getting to see kind of what "Beverly Ann and Edna" would have been like together in 1975, lol.
	__________________ "The Facts of Life" - re-imagined episode guide with all 8 girls in all 9 seasons

03-11-2021, 01:25 PM	#4
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	I was a bit too young to really remember the Phyllis series very well, but MTM was on reruns throughout the 1980s, and Cloris was hilarious on that show. I did catch some Phyllis episodes on Daily Motion not too long ago (it was cool to see "Mr Bradley" there!) and must agree with the assessment that the original Phyllis couldn't carry her own show: Phyllis was quite a character, but didn't work as the center of a series, and she did become more "Beverly Ann" than Phyllis. I watched the Christmas episode where only half of the office was allowed to have a holiday party, and it was hilarious!
	__________________ The Facts of Life's "Lost Girls" Tribute to Julie Piekarski, Eastland Girl Join "The Group", Sitcoms Online's Facts of Life group!

03-12-2021, 12:49 AM	#7
Lorimar Television Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 06, 2007 Posts: 7,034	Nice find Eightsy
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03-11-2021, 11:23 AM	#2
PracTz Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2002 Location: United States of America [Happily Living in the 20th Century] Posts: 2,711	Actually, as annoying as the recently deceased Miss Leachman portrayed Phyllis, IMO, Phyllis was a more likable and interesting character than Beverly Ann. But then, I liked MTM and 'Phyllis' more than the latter days of FOL! BTW, Miss Leachman herself admitted that she didn't understand what Beverly Ann's function was on FOL but she definitely nailed Phyllis on the above-mentioned shows!

03-12-2021, 08:02 PM	#12
80s Dude Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 24, 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,810	John Lawlor's characters in Phylliss and the Facts of Life are not much different from one another.