Phyllis Analysis

[JohnMill]

Thanks to Nanny Fine I have aquired a complete set of "Phyllis" episodes and would like to offering the following analysis of the show. I think the show is unfairly labeled as a flop when there was some real substance to the issue. It was uncharted territory I believe with a widow trying to start a new life for herself and her daughter in a new city just as MTM was about a single woman trying to "make it on her own".

I think one problem that "Phyllis" and for that matter "Rhoda" ran into was that at times the ties to the original MTM show were overdone. I mean the openings of both shows seem to spoof the original MTM opening but that is where it should stop. Unfortunatley in my opinion they tried to make both "Phyllis" and "Rhoda" be more like Mary Richards in some ways instead of displaying their character's individual personalities and when they did it seemed over the top (for example: Phyllis' constant pandering to herself, it gets real dry after a few episodes)

The first season was decent and although the death of Barbara Colby was nothing short of tragic Liz Torres was a great replacement. Liz by the way can be seen now on "Gilmore Girls" as the rotund Miss Patty. Richard Schaal (Valerie Harper's husband at the time) was great as Leo the photographer who filled the 70s requirement of bumbling buffoon on a sitcom. I wish he would have stuck around for the second season but more on that later - truly an enjoyable character.

Henry Jones was also stellar as the wise Judge Dexter although you'd have to wonder why he married Audrey in the first place. "Audrey" was the worst character on the show and served no purpose. Jane Rose really didn't have much to work with I guess as the character is very annoying with her "airhead" remarks which would have been annoying if spouted from a "young dumb blonde character" but by an aged woman it just makes no sense and makes the character look ridiculous to no one's benefit. Mother Dexter (Judith Lowry) on the other hand shines in every scene and although her caustic nature might offend some and make some of her reactions to things (such as being pro sex and violence on tv) predictable it is also whjat defines her character.

Season two was also pretty good and I feel is superior to season one. Right off the bat they should have kept John Ritter who played Phyllis' original boss in season 2 on the payroll. He plays a crooked politician and literally steals the scene he is in. Although in fairness, nobody knew what a breakout success "Three's Company" was going to be. John Lawlor and Craig Wasson (both guest stars in other roles in season one) return as politicians in season 2 and Lawlor also shines in the "loveable fool" role. Which brings me to Craig's character Dan Valenti. This was another failing of the MTM spinoffs and that was trying to create lightning in a bottle by having a relationship between the older stodgy boss and the main character (Phyllis/Dan & Rhoda/Jack Doyle) - Ed Asner was great in his role of the stodgy "Lou Grant" but MTM should have not tried to recreate the success of the MTM storyline with these other characters.

Basically I think "Phyllis" should have remained on the air another few years (even without Lowry who passed away during the second season) as it was a pretty cool show. Although it might have suffered from MTM no longer being on the air although Mary's guest appearances on "Phyllis" were pretty unremarkable in my opinion

Later.

PS: Lisa Gerritsen was one hell of an actress probably the best on the show next to Cloris. Too bad she sort of disappeared after the series never to be heard from again

[scotsguy]

Hi John,
Like you I saw all of "Phyllis" thanks to Nanny Fine.
I agree the show had many funny moments and Mother Dexter was one of the best characters,the Mother Dexter wedding was one of my favourites.
The character of Phyllis after a cracking pilot,was watered down and if you compare the Phyllis from" The Mary Tyler Moore Show" to the spin off,Phyllis does lose the ablity to take over a room full of people,compared to MTMS.
This is in no way a criticism of Chloris Leachman who is a comedy genius,I love the episode where Phyllis is about to play the piano in company,very upset,so when Leo asks her to pose,she says she's too upset,then suddenly does a very dramatic pose!
I feel the writing of Phyllis wasn't up to the standard of MTM and early seasons of "Rhoda",I liked the photography studio but wasn't too keen on the office in season 2.
Funnily enough it is Mary Tyler Moore's second and final appearance in "Phyllis" that we see the old Phyllis reappear,when she calls Mary up and pretends there is an emergency to prove to Harriet she has a good friend who'll drop everything to help her!