Anybody Know Why Martin Balsam (Murray Klein) Left 'Archie Bunker's Place?' - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 04-26-2021, 12:23 AM

The guy who played Barney should have left the show

Dr. Thong · 04-26-2021, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

The guy who played Barney should have left the show

Why?

It was a gig with a steady paycheck.

TVFactFan · 04-26-2021, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Why?

It was a gig with a steady paycheck.

His character was too pathetic, wimpy and goofy. Murray was normal

Dr. Thong · 04-27-2021, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

His character was too pathetic, wimpy and goofy. Murray was normal

Well, it wasn't like Allan Melvin was in great demand. He was smart to stay on the show and take the money.

TVFactFan · 04-27-2021, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Well, it wasn't like Allan Melvin was in great demand. He was smart to stay on the show and take the money.

I know, I was just saying since someone on the show left I would have preferred it be Barney instead of Murray.

sm95fan · 03-27-2022, 04:29 PM

Balsam was brought in for a big time salary, $32.5k episode. The rest of the supporting cast made $7500/episode. The idea was for CoC and him to be 1 and 1A.

But it just never worked out. They could never come up with a story for Murray where he was more than 2nd or 3rd banana. Even CoC lamented the Murray character remained underdeveloped. When you throw in Balsam still lived in NY and commuted every week, he only made it two seasons.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.co...201981%20b.jpg

TVFactFan · 03-27-2022, 04:47 PM

show was so much better with him

ThomasE · 03-27-2022, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

show was so much better with him

I think the first two seasons were the best. Seasons three and four seemed a bit watered down in content and kind of dry.

sm95fan · 03-27-2022, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

I see he did leave the show in season 2 and returned for that last appearance in season 4. The real question is why did he come back for that one episode

Just my personal guess....he was signed for 5 years so to get out of his contract after two, maybe he agreed to come back periodically for guest shots.

TVFactFan · 03-27-2022, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sm95fan

Just my personal guess....he was signed for 5 years so to get out of his contract after two, maybe he agreed to come back periodically for guest shots.

His character was how I got into the show and then had no idea he was leaving

TVFactFan · 03-27-2022, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasE

I think the first two seasons were the best. Seasons three and four seemed a bit watered down in content and kind of dry.

Billie and Gary keep it watchable

JSP · 03-27-2022, 11:47 PM

Martin Balsam just seemed kind of weird to me. I remember an episode where he was serving a ginger ale to Edith. The way he was holding the glass, it just seemed so unsanitary. May be a weird thing to focus on, but I would hope these days people are a little more germ-conscious.

sm95fan · 03-28-2022, 09:58 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGtH4KPi1sM

TVFactFan · 03-29-2022, 12:15 AM

Murray wouldnt be loving San Fran in 2022

TMC · 11-27-2022, 04:48 AM

It seemed like except for Danielle Brisebois, nobody wanted to stay on this show for too long. Besides Martin Balsam bailing out after two years (the same time producer Mort Lachman left to partner with Alan Landsburg for Gimme A Break! and Kate & Allie), Anne Meara left right before the final season, and a bunch of people came and went.

03-27-2022, 04:29 PM	#21
sm95fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 07, 2021 Location: Las Lunas Posts: 1,880	Balsam was brought in for a big time salary, $32.5k episode. The rest of the supporting cast made $7500/episode. The idea was for CoC and him to be 1 and 1A. But it just never worked out. They could never come up with a story for Murray where he was more than 2nd or 3rd banana. Even CoC lamented the Murray character remained underdeveloped. When you throw in Balsam still lived in NY and commuted every week, he only made it two seasons. https://blogger.googleusercontent.co...201981%20b.jpg
	Last edited by sm95fan; 02-29-2024 at 01:48 PM.

04-26-2021, 12:23 AM	#16
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,978	The guy who played Barney should have left the show

03-27-2022, 04:47 PM	#22
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,978	show was so much better with him

03-27-2022, 11:47 PM	#27
JSP Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 19, 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,735	Martin Balsam just seemed kind of weird to me. I remember an episode where he was serving a ginger ale to Edith. The way he was holding the glass, it just seemed so unsanitary. May be a weird thing to focus on, but I would hope these days people are a little more germ-conscious.

03-28-2022, 09:58 PM	#28
sm95fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 07, 2021 Location: Las Lunas Posts: 1,880	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGtH4KPi1sM

03-29-2022, 12:15 AM	#29
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,978	Murray wouldnt be loving San Fran in 2022

11-27-2022, 04:48 AM	#30
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,742	It seemed like except for Danielle Brisebois, nobody wanted to stay on this show for too long. Besides Martin Balsam bailing out after two years (the same time producer Mort Lachman left to partner with Alan Landsburg for Gimme A Break! and Kate & Allie), Anne Meara left right before the final season, and a bunch of people came and went.