Why was Belle aka Diane Ladd replaced? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-26-2007, 11:03 PM

Anybody know why?

JAlanRuss72 · 05-27-2007, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Anybody know why?

I have read in a variety of places, including a Dianne Ladd website, that she did not get along with Linda Lavin and felt the cast and crew were "cold" to her on the set. It also wasn't easy to replace a character as popular and beloved to audiences as Flo. "Replacing Polly Holliday was like replacing Jesus Christ," an admiring Ladd recalls. "I don't think America was ready to let Flo go."

Ireneparalegal · 05-27-2007, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAlanRuss72

I have read in a variety of places, including a Dianne Ladd website, that she did not get along with Linda Lavin and felt the cast and crew were "cold" to her on the set. It also wasn't easy to replace a character as popular and beloved to audiences as Flo. "Replacing Polly Holliday was like replacing Jesus Christ," an admiring Ladd recalls. "I don't think America was ready to let Flo go."

I wasn't ready. Belle was too similar to Flo and it only made me ache for Flo. Belle was a nice lady, she was beautiful and cute, however, she resembled Flo too much (in attitude, accent and overall personality).

Do you think Alice should have just waited a while to get another person to fill those shoes? Why hurry? They could have used Marie for awhile knowing that someone would eventually come along.

JAlanRuss72 · 05-27-2007, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I wasn't ready. Belle was too similar to Flo and it only made me ache for Flo. Belle was a nice lady, she was beautiful and cute, however, she resembled Flo too much (in attitude, accent and overall personality).

Do you think Alice should have just waited a while to get another person to fill those shoes? Why hurry? They could have used Marie for awhile knowing that someone would eventually come along.

You know what, Irene, I think that would have been a good idea. Also more realistic. Audiences already KNEW Marie, and she could have been used as a 'temporary' for a while. In the meantime, that would have given audiences a chance to get use to the show without Flo. I know seeing Belle on there just made me miss Flo all the more. I kept thinking "how would Flo have responded in this episode and made it funnier?" Also, they would have been wise to follow the formula of MASH or Cheers and get a TOTALLY different personality/character to replace Flo. Even someone who was difficult to get along with/thought she was better than the others or something. Just a thought.

Ireneparalegal · 05-27-2007, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAlanRuss72

You know what, Irene, I think that would have been a good idea. Also more realistic. Audiences already KNEW Marie, and she could have been used as a 'temporary' for a while. In the meantime, that would have given audiences a chance to get use to the show without Flo. I know seeing Belle on there just made me miss Flo all the more. I kept thinking "how would Flo have responded in this episode and made it funnier?" Also, they would have been wise to follow the formula of MASH or Cheers and get a TOTALLY different personality/character to replace Flo. Even someone who was difficult to get along with/thought she was better than the others or something. Just a thought.

I think you are so correct abt following with a totally different character. Jolene was perfect (other than the accent) she was nothing like Flo and not like Belle. Had they waited a while and came upon Jolene, that would have been great.

mstewart · 05-31-2007, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAlanRuss72

I have read in a variety of places, including a Dianne Ladd website, that she did not get along with Linda Lavin and felt the cast and crew were "cold" to her on the set. It also wasn't easy to replace a character as popular and beloved to audiences as Flo. "Replacing Polly Holliday was like replacing Jesus Christ," an admiring Ladd recalls. "I don't think America was ready to let Flo go."

I heard the same thing as well. Belle was a funny character and if I had a choice between her and Jolene I take Belle and "my little voice told me."

I guess Linda Lavin and Celia Weston got along because Jolene was not a threat to the show since she was not likable.

There were reports even from those who were guest stars on Alice that Linda Lavin threw her weight around projecting that she is the star of the show.

Scoobiedoo30 · 05-31-2007, 02:22 PM

I guess her Contract was up and she did not to renew her Contract

sm95fan · 08-18-2025, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAlanRuss72

You know what, Irene, I think that would have been a good idea. Also more realistic. Audiences already KNEW Marie, and she could have been used as a 'temporary' for a while. In the meantime, that would have given audiences a chance to get use to the show without Flo. I know seeing Belle on there just made me miss Flo all the more. I kept thinking "how would Flo have responded in this episode and made it funnier?" Also, they would have been wise to follow the formula of MASH or Cheers and get a TOTALLY different personality/character to replace Flo. Even someone who was difficult to get along with/thought she was better than the others or something. Just a thought.

Wasn't Marie Mel's first choice in Whom The Belle Toils but it was revealed she made too much $$ at her current job to quit and work for Mel?

TheLittleFaerie · 08-19-2025, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sm95fan

Wasn't Marie Mel's first choice in Whom The Belle Toils but it was revealed she made too much $$ at her current job to quit and work for Mel?

Yeah it's funny how one site had Marie listed as Flo's OFFICIAL replacement and as an official waitress lol, I think that was a stretch!

DEH55 · 09-20-2025, 12:33 PM

Diane Ladd came right out and said her and Linda Lavin did not get along. Ladd was not happy on that set.

Edward216 · 02-13-2026, 03:55 AM

Basically it was because Diane Ladd and Linda Lavin DIDN'T get along at all.

Ed.

BestTVever · 02-13-2026, 08:17 AM

Diane had heard about the tensions on the set with Polly but the producers told her that was all bunk. She immediately found out she was lied to. Tensions were so high that they would film scenes separately so there was no chance for someone to step on someone's line or dare take Linda's thunder away. If you notice she did not even finish the season. She disappears for one episode and in the next one they say she moved away.

05-26-2007, 11:03 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Why was Belle aka Diane Ladd replaced? Anybody know why?
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05-31-2007, 02:22 PM	#7
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	I guess her Contract was up and she did not to renew her Contract
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09-20-2025, 12:33 PM	#10
DEH55 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 19, 2020 Posts: 319	Diane Ladd came right out and said her and Linda Lavin did not get along. Ladd was not happy on that set.

02-13-2026, 03:55 AM	#11
Edward216 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 18, 2014 Location: Central Time Zone Posts: 4,625	Basically it was because Diane Ladd and Linda Lavin DIDN'T get along at all. Ed.

02-13-2026, 08:17 AM	#12
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,874	Diane had heard about the tensions on the set with Polly but the producers told her that was all bunk. She immediately found out she was lied to. Tensions were so high that they would film scenes separately so there was no chance for someone to step on someone's line or dare take Linda's thunder away. If you notice she did not even finish the season. She disappears for one episode and in the next one they say she moved away.