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

[TVFactFan]

I cant remember why Mel was in Houston to visit flo. So I guess if he came to Houston then she could have made a visit back to pheonix

[sm95fan]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

I cant remember why Mel was in Houston to visit flo. So I guess if he came to Houston then she could have made a visit back to pheonix

Flo's Yellow Rose was in 'Cowtown' and Mel was returning home after attending Mardi Gras.

[cloggedmind]

Absolutely brilliant!

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.
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")

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by sm95fan

Flo's Yellow Rose was in 'Cowtown' and Mel was returning home after attending Mardi Gras.

I guess since there was tension between her and Linda Lavin her returning to the show was out of the question

[TheLittleFaerie]

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.
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")

That would have been GREAT!! Your reply is some of that old-school tv discussion that I MISS nowdays!

I think Flo and Jolene together might be too much for Mel to handle lol They insulted him most of all, Belle did her share of insulting, but was not as aggressive and constant as Flo and Jolene. I always wanted to think there was some "romance" between Mel and Belle lol

And I always wanted to think if Flo visited, during the last couple minute epilogue of the show, Flo would already be gone, and either Jolene or Belle MIGHT utter KISS MY GRITS to Mel, it could have been funny but might would have ticked fans off, feeling like they stole Flo's classic line!

I guess realistically I always pictured a Flo visit happening during the Belle era, mainly b/c I'd assume Flo and Belle would already know each other, as they may have worked together at diner YEARS ago.


So lets hear your take on a Belle visit during the Jolene era

[BestTVever]

Funny this thread is active again. I just saw a video on youtube today 15 weird facts about Alice that you did not know. I knew most of them except for the one that Linda purposely banned Flo from coming back for any episodes after her series was cancelled.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by BestTVever

Funny this thread is active again. I just saw a video on youtube today 15 weird facts about Alice that you did not know. I knew most of them except for the one that Linda purposely banned Flo from coming back for any episodes after her series was cancelled.

If she did come back it would have only made Alice and Vera feel bad about their life lol So it was best that she stayed away

[TheLittleFaerie]

Originally Posted by BestTVever

Funny this thread is active again. I just saw a video on youtube today 15 weird facts about Alice that you did not know. I knew most of them except for the one that Linda purposely banned Flo from coming back for any episodes after her series was cancelled.

Another weird 'fact' I heard on fb. was Diane Ladd was originally supposed to play Jolene. Again since AI has practically overtook fb. it could be a glitch, b/c I'm thinking A.I. wrote it

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by TheLittleFaerie

Another weird 'fact' I heard on fb. was Diane Ladd was originally supposed to play Jolene. Again since AI has practically overtook fb. it could be a glitch, b/c I'm thinking A.I. wrote it

Its poster on here that keeps posting that fake **** not realizing its inaccurate

[TheLittleFaerie]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Its poster on here that keeps posting that fake **** not realizing its inaccurate

I THINK this was written when Dianne Ladd passed away, it mentioned she was originally cast as Jolene to replace Flo, but was changed to Belle, then the Jolene character was brought on later... But I'm thinking AI probably wrote it, as I'd never heard anything about it