Diane Ladd's exit

[lucyandethel]

Linda Lavin had a tremendous ego, I can tell you that. Lavin was friends only with Beth Howland (who played Vera). I don't think she was chummy with too many other people.

[Dr. Thong]

It seems to me that Lavin felt threatened by anyone who asserted themselves (Holliday and Ladd) and was threatened by the popularity of the Flo character. Too bad.

[cocytus]

Originally Posted by lucyandethel

Linda Lavin had a tremendous ego, I can tell you that. Lavin was friends only with Beth Howland (who played Vera). I don't think she was chummy with too many other people.

I agree and that's a shame. Linda Lavin was a talented performer and her ego is probably the reason that she hasn't been offered any substantial roles in television since Alice left the air.

Maybe she didn't need the money, but she certainly could have used the work.

[mstewart]

If you would had saw the final season with Polly Holliday you can tell the tension between those two on screen. There were times Linda would roll her eyes to the back of her head when Polly would get a laugh. Flo was the breakout character of the show and that what made the show. Linda Lavin would not had done well with Norman Lear nor MTM shows because they were all ensemble shows except for Maude.

[McGillicuddy]

Originally Posted by cocytus

I agree and that's a shame. Linda Lavin was a talented performer and her ego is probably the reason that she hasn't been offered any substantial roles in television since Alice left the air.

Maybe she didn't need the money, but she certainly could have used the work.

That's what I was just wondering about. Lavin certainly hasn't had much exposure since Alice ended. Over the years I think I've seen both Holiday and Ladd turn up in movies or guest roles on sitcoms, or doing theatre much more than Lavin.

[catlover79]

Here's an interview with Diane Ladd from January 2010, where among other things she speaks of her Alice experience. Scroll down the page - she's interview #92.

http://onscreenandbeyond.com/OSBseason3Reruns.htm

[sm95fan]

https://youtu.be/G2UHdTFpEUo?si=XuVJl2m9-Lv1cKEC&t=320

[BestTVever]

Originally Posted by sm95fan

https://youtu.be/G2UHdTFpEUo?si=XuVJl2m9-Lv1cKEC&t=320

Thanks for posting. Polly and Diane were both really good. Its a shame Linda's jealousy almost ruined the show.

[sm95fan]

https://youtu.be/lirMjd3H-RY?si=u04QVRR7C-PyMeyH&t=1585

[BestTVever]

Originally Posted by sm95fan

https://youtu.be/lirMjd3H-RY?si=u04QVRR7C-PyMeyH&t=1585

That is the best interview so far explaining the tension on the set. I understand what she was explaining. The tension was so bad that the director would direct them in separate areas. When she said she could not sit at the same table with all the actors I agree its time to go. She also sort of infers that Polly was set up with a weak pilot just to get rid of her. Very sad because Alice was a great show. But it could of been better if Linda was not so jealous and competitive.

[DEH55]

God Bless Diane for her honesty because no one on that show ever touched that subject even years later. and of course Linda never talked about it.

[BestTVever]

Originally Posted by DEH55

God Bless Diane for her honesty because no one on that show ever touched that subject even years later. and of course Linda never talked about it.

I was only 10 when Flo left and was looking forward to her own show. I remember my parents explaining to me how Linda did not get along with Polly. With no internet in 1980 and parents explaining this to their child, this drama must of found a way to make it to the press. But I do agree that it was kept secret compared to today when actors leak or run to the press over any small thing. Look at the Golden Girls, it just came out recently that the reason Bea left was she refused to sign another contract with Betty White. It was not a secret that Linda was difficult to work with. They lied to Diane about that issue but it blew up in her face. Talk about a class act. Diane could have destroyed Linda in the press and hurt the show. Instead she just quietly left.