What would have been your IDEAL "Flo Visits" episode?

[TheLittleFaerie]

I know most of us fans are disappointed that Flo never made a visit nor was even mentioned again after her departure... some I'm wondering, if Flo HAD visited.... What would have been a good episode? When should it have happened ~ During the Belle era or the Jolene era~ and what should the plot have been like?


I could propose a similar thing about Belle, but she was never as big as Flo's character, I think with Belle it'd be simple, she would show up and she and Jolene would end up being best friends lol

[sm95fan]

She buys the diner from Mel and makes it part of Flo's Yellow Rose...

[BestTVever]

None. It would have made me sad to have her show up and not be part of the regular cast anymore. Her visit would have been out of her element, no longer living in a trailer in Phoenix and just visiting. It would not have been the same. When Belle left and Flo got cancelled was the perfect time to ask her to come back. I know it would have never happened but just dreaming.

[DEH55]

A interviewer asked Polly if Her show didnt last would she ever return to Alice and she said No.

[cloggedmind]

Originally Posted by DEH55

A interviewer asked Polly if Her show didnt last would she ever return to Alice and she No.

Yeah, she wisely chose not to revisit the character, much like Jean Stapleton refused to reprise her characterization of Edith Bunker.

However, if "Flo" ever returned to the Alice series, I could imagine an episode where Flo comes to town and gets suckered into trying to reconcile Jolene with her original, trucker boyfriend in a jealousy scheme employing Jim Varney as Milo, who would pretend to be Jolene's fiancé. Hijinks ensue when the plan backfires and Milo falls for Jolene and Burt for Flo.

It ends up being a silly mix-up that Alice or Mel has to fix, as always.

[DJM77]

Originally Posted by cloggedmind

Yeah, she wisely chose not to revisit the character, much like Jean Stapleton refused to reprise her characterization of Edith Bunker.

I don't see how Jean could've reprised her role anyway since Edith died.

[sm95fan]

Originally Posted by DJM77

I don't see how Jean could've reprised her role anyway since Edith died.

https://news.google.com/newspapers?n...g=5097,1314820

[TheLittleFaerie]

Originally Posted by cloggedmind

Yeah, she wisely chose not to revisit the character, much like Jean Stapleton refused to reprise her characterization of Edith Bunker.

However, if "Flo" ever returned to the Alice series, I could imagine an episode where Flo comes to town and gets suckered into trying to reconcile Jolene with her original, trucker boyfriend in a jealousy scheme employing Jim Varney as Milo, who would pretend to be Jolene's fiancé. Hijinks ensue when the plan backfires and Milo falls for Jolene and Burt for Flo.

It ends up being a silly mix-up that Alice or Mel has to fix, as always.

That would be a good plot lol, once I dreamed I turned on Alice and Flo and Jolene were BOTH waitresses lol I was like WHEN did this happen?!

[cloggedmind]

Originally Posted by DJM77

I don't see how Jean could've reprised her role anyway since Edith died.

Well, despite efforts to get her to do a bit of the voice or just some random line in character, she always refused. There was one talk show, don't remember which but it was the last time she and Carrol O'Connor were together as guests, where the host asked her to regale the audience with a little "Edith" and she politely refused, insinuating that it would constitute a performance that no one could afford.

Well, insultingly (IMHO!) the host produced a twenty dollar bill or somesuch and encouraged others to hold up cash like Stapleton was offering services for sale!

Again, she turned them down with dignity and grace, always refusing to reprise any bit of that characterization. A wise choice and a classy lady!

[cloggedmind]

Originally Posted by TheLittleFaerie

That would be a good plot lol, once I dreamed I turned on Alice and Flo and Jolene were BOTH waitresses lol I was like WHEN did this happen?!

Heh! Now, that would be something to see!

They would probably be constantly at odds with one another competing for attention from all the local lads!

[TheLittleFaerie]

Originally Posted by cloggedmind

Heh! Now, that would be something to see!

They would probably be constantly at odds with one another competing for attention from all the local lads!

Oh I think Flo and Jolene would have gotten along, Jolene was easygoing enough I think most anyone would get along with her, I don't think she would have competed with Flo for attention. BUT both Flo and Jolene together would have driven Mel crazy with constant insults lol I could see also Belle and Jolene being good friends

The conflict I see would be between Flo and Belle, they would be friends at heart, but constantly at odds for attention

[Rich3]

I can picture her on a show where she is dating a country singer who is passing through the town on his tour.

[TheLittleFaerie]

Originally Posted by Rich3

I can picture her on a show where she is dating a country singer who is passing through the town on his tour.

Those same truckers who ate at Mel's were supposedly passing through Texas were Flo was, it would have been nice if one occasionally mentioned, "Oh I saw Flo the other day, and she...."

[hch]

It’s a travesty we never got a "Flo-stalgic" reunion! Given the egos and the behind-the-scenes drama, your "dreaming" is probably the only place it could have happened perfectly.
If we're talking IDEAL scenarios, here is how the ultimate Flo homecoming should have gone:

The Era: Early Jolene (Season 6)
While the Belle era would have provided a "battle of the redheads," it likely would have been too tense. The Jolene Era was much lighter. Jolene was the perfect "sweet Southern foil" to Flo’s "spicy Southern sass."

The Plot: "The Yellow Rose Blooms in Phoenix"
Flo rolls up to the diner in a flashy, pink Cadillac (or a tour bus), decked out in rhinestones. She’s not there for a job; she’s there on her way to a big hospitality convention or accompanying a country star she met at The Yellow Rose.

The Conflict: Mel is being particularly cheap/cranky with the new staff. Flo walks in, sees Jolene, and within five minutes, they are tag-teaming Mel with insults.

The "Jim Varney" Twist: Your idea of bringing in Milo (Jim Varney) is brilliant. Imagine Flo trying to "coach" Jolene on how to handle a man like Milo, leading to a ridiculous double-date at the diner where Mel has to wait on them.

The Heart: The episode would have to end with a quiet moment at the counter between Alice and Flo—the two "anchors" of the show—acknowledging that while they’ve both moved on, the diner was where they truly became family.

Why it works:
Mel’s Blood Pressure: Having Flo and Jolene together would have sent Mel into a "stow it!" spiral that would have been comedy gold.

The Passing of the Torch: It would have given Jolene the "Flo Seal of Approval," which the fans really needed to fully accept her as the permanent third waitress.

Your point about Jean Stapleton is spot on; some actors know when a character has reached their peak and don't want to dilute the magic. But man, seeing Flo tell Mel to "Kiss my grits!" one last time while Jolene cheers her on would have been the highest-rated episode of the decade.
If Flo had returned to buy the diner from Mel, what do you think she would have renamed it? (I’m putting my money on "Flo’s Phoenix Rose")

[sm95fan]

Originally Posted by hch

It’s a travesty we never got a "Flo-stalgic" reunion! Given the egos and the behind-the-scenes drama, your "dreaming" is probably the only place it could have happened perfectly.

Egos can be tamed with enough $$ involved. I'm surprised Flo didn't come back, even if she just dropped into the diner for a couple episodes during sweeps month. It would have been the ratings bonanza the last few seasons needed.

It obviously would have involved Flo passing through Phoenix in pursuit of a man.