U think Wanda shoulda been a regular - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

nerrad · 04-08-2004, 09:02 AM

That old lady was quite funny. Helen Martin. I liked her in 227 also, always sitting in the window. And she was in the movie Dummy, which is one of my favorites. She literally cracked me up inthose comedy gangster movies.

Anyway, I think she shoulda been a regular. Kinda cried too much, but... I can still remember the Fisbone episode when she stood up and something to the effect, "watch it momma. I'm doin' this wake". I think she was talking to Fishbone, who was dressed as a woman. I guess she was the "designated cryer".

TVFactFan · 04-08-2004, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nerrad
That old lady was quite funny. Helen Martin. I liked her in 227 also, always sitting in the window. And she was in the movie Dummy, which is one of my favorites. She literally cracked me up inthose comedy gangster movies.

Anyway, I think she shoulda been a regular. Kinda cried too much, but... I can still remember the Fisbone episode when she stood up and something to the effect, "watch it momma. I'm doin' this wake". I think she was talking to Fishbone, who was dressed as a woman. I guess she was the "designated cryer".

She didn;t really do anything for me

nerrad · 04-08-2004, 09:26 AM

That Fishbone episode was the funniest thing she did, to think about it.

marvin g · 04-08-2004, 10:43 PM

I think she should have had a recurring role where she would always show up to talk about the funerals she had been to and talk about the quality of the food.

jamesanthony · 04-10-2004, 03:47 PM

Helen Martin also appeared opposite Esther Rolle in a PBS production of Raisin in the Sun. Esther was the mother Lena and Danny Glover played Sidney Poitier's role. Helen was a nosy neighbor similar to Wanda (except she didn't cry). Her part was in the original late 1950s play but not in the Sidney Poitier movie from 1961.

If I remember right Wanda was in it off and on through almost the whole show. She was in at least one when James was in it and I remeber her being in one of the ones in season 6.

TVFactFan · 04-10-2004, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jamesanthony
Helen Martin also appeared opposite Esther Rolle in a PBS production of Raisin in the Sun. Esther was the mother Lena and Danny Glover played Sidney Poitier's role. Helen was a nosy neighbor similar to Wanda (except she didn't cry). Her part was in the original late 1950s play but not in the Sidney Poitier movie from 1961.

If I remember right Wanda was in it off and on through almost the whole show. She was in at least one when James was in it and I remeber her being in one of the ones in season 6.

I think she was twice when James was there. Rent Party and the episode when the FBI was ivestgating the Evans

Vince 887 · 08-14-2005, 03:31 AM

At least a semi regular.

Dwaynew · 08-14-2005, 03:10 PM

I love Helen Martin. I think Florida needed more friends instead of Wilona. It could have been written with Wanda included in the Evans family matrix.

Ireneparalegal · 08-14-2005, 06:33 PM

Helen Martin also appeared in the first "Death Wish" movie. She was the old woman who speaks to the newscaster about fending off a would-be mugger.

Brian Damage · 08-14-2005, 10:26 PM

Nah, she was only good in real small doses.

Ireneparalegal · 08-14-2005, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Nah, she was only good in real small doses.

I agree with you. I could only take a little of her as Wanda. To be honest, that crying got on my nerves.

Brian Damage · 08-14-2005, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I agree with you. I could only take a little of her as Wanda. To be honest, that crying got on my nerves.

:

nlearfan · 08-16-2005, 10:48 PM

I think she could've survived as a regular - I just think we are so used to this cast that it would seem weird. I could see her in place of Willona from the start (nothing against Willona or DuBois though).

catlover79 · 06-11-2007, 07:58 PM

She was best as a minor character, like Lootin' Lenny, Sweet Daddy Williams and Alderman Davis. I think someone on the Jump the Shark board called her Wanda, "the professional cryer."

TVFactFan · 06-12-2007, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

She was best as a minor character, like Lootin' Lenny, Sweet Daddy Williams and Alderman Davis. I think someone on the Jump the Shark board called her Wanda, "the professional cryer."

The only appearance of Wanda i liked was when she was acting normal, like in the "Rent Party" and The Investigation" She was not doing that crying mess in those eps

04-08-2004, 09:02 AM	#1
nerrad Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 06, 2003 Location: pfunkytown Posts: 1,253	U think Wanda shoulda been a regular That old lady was quite funny. Helen Martin. I liked her in 227 also, always sitting in the window. And she was in the movie Dummy, which is one of my favorites. She literally cracked me up inthose comedy gangster movies. Anyway, I think she shoulda been a regular. Kinda cried too much, but... I can still remember the Fisbone episode when she stood up and something to the effect, "watch it momma. I'm doin' this wake". I think she was talking to Fishbone, who was dressed as a woman. I guess she was the "designated cryer".

06-11-2007, 07:58 PM	#14
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	She was best as a minor character, like Lootin' Lenny, Sweet Daddy Williams and Alderman Davis. I think someone on the Jump the Shark board called her Wanda, "the professional cryer."
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

04-08-2004, 09:26 AM	#3
nerrad Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 06, 2003 Location: pfunkytown Posts: 1,253	That Fishbone episode was the funniest thing she did, to think about it.

04-08-2004, 10:43 PM	#4
marvin g Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 30, 2003 Location: Chicago,IL Posts: 1,217	I think she should have had a recurring role where she would always show up to talk about the funerals she had been to and talk about the quality of the food.

04-10-2004, 03:47 PM	#5
jamesanthony Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 2,180	Helen Martin also appeared opposite Esther Rolle in a PBS production of Raisin in the Sun. Esther was the mother Lena and Danny Glover played Sidney Poitier's role. Helen was a nosy neighbor similar to Wanda (except she didn't cry). Her part was in the original late 1950s play but not in the Sidney Poitier movie from 1961. If I remember right Wanda was in it off and on through almost the whole show. She was in at least one when James was in it and I remeber her being in one of the ones in season 6.

08-14-2005, 03:31 AM	#7
Vince 887 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 29, 2005 Posts: 110	At least a semi regular.

08-14-2005, 03:10 PM	#8
Dwaynew Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 19, 2005 Posts: 108	I love Helen Martin. I think Florida needed more friends instead of Wilona. It could have been written with Wanda included in the Evans family matrix.

08-14-2005, 06:33 PM	#9
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Helen Martin also appeared in the first "Death Wish" movie. She was the old woman who speaks to the newscaster about fending off a would-be mugger.

08-14-2005, 10:26 PM	#10
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: 63,107	Nah, she was only good in real small doses.

08-16-2005, 10:48 PM	#13
nlearfan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 01, 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 230	I think she could've survived as a regular - I just think we are so used to this cast that it would seem weird. I could see her in place of Willona from the start (nothing against Willona or DuBois though).