A Few Words on Suzanne's Last Season - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Sean Snow · 09-20-2001, 06:15 PM

I was just thinking: It was the producers who had the real problems, not Suzanne.
By late 1980, she wanted to return, and (I Think) ABC still wanted her to return. But the producers, who were just plain dumb, started to have the real ego problem. Now, this excludes Don Nicholl because he passed away before the dispuit. I mean, one Larry Hagman show let him back after a long dispuit.
And I Think the Entire Cast Should of Had Raises. The show had been the #1 Sitcom from 1978-1982, and Alan Alda, who's MASH wasn't in the top 10, made more then Joyce+Suzanne.

Also, if the producers loved TC so much, why did they make a decision many people don't like 20 years after the incident. All of the cast and most of the crew has admited that 'the audience just missed Chrissy'

BTW, did anyone notice that most of the replacements didn't even compare?

------------------
Marianne: Well, look! It's Pocahantas Purneli, the town halfbreed! Half indian, and half dressed! Come in Poke!
Pocahantas: Maryanne, I know there's something desperatly missing in your life!
Maryanne: How did you know?
Pochantas: I saw it in your eyes, I read it in your face, I read it on your bumpersticker that says "Welcome, Shriners"!

Shirley: Rhonda, if your not out of here on the count of three, Laverne here will shave your head, and you can be in "The King and I"!

The Silver Spoons/ALF/TC Spinoffs Pettion

TV Guy · 09-20-2001, 11:07 PM

I agree that Suzanne's demands weren't entirely unreasonable -- all the lead actors should have gotten a small percentage of the profits in the show. This is a frequent practice today.

Her main problem was trying to negotiate this raise after shooting for the season had already started. This is a major no-no in Hollywood, and an extremely bad business practice (her husband screaming at the producers during negotiations didn't help, either). And her comments to the press, such as encouraging fans not to watch the show, were very inflammatory.

That said, the producers handled the situation extremely poorly -- during any kind of business negotiation, you should never back your opponent into a corner or humiliate them. You always need to give the person on the other side of the table a way to gracefully come to terms. They didn't do this with Suzanne.

Sean Snow · 09-21-2001, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TV Guy:

Her main problem was trying to negotiate this raise after shooting for the season had already started. This is a major no-no in Hollywood, and an extremely bad business practice (her husband screaming at the producers during negotiations didn't help, either). And her comments to the press, such as encouraging fans not to watch the show, were very inflammatory.

I agree with that. She should've either done it before or after the season. And the fact that their was a Hollywood Actors Strike that year didn't help either.

09-20-2001, 06:15 PM	#1
Sean Snow moo Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,407	A Few Words on Suzanne's Last Season I was just thinking: It was the producers who had the real problems, not Suzanne. By late 1980, she wanted to return, and (I Think) ABC still wanted her to return. But the producers, who were just plain dumb, started to have the real ego problem. Now, this excludes Don Nicholl because he passed away before the dispuit. I mean, one Larry Hagman show let him back after a long dispuit. And I Think the Entire Cast Should of Had Raises. The show had been the #1 Sitcom from 1978-1982, and Alan Alda, who's MASH wasn't in the top 10, made more then Joyce+Suzanne. Also, if the producers loved TC so much, why did they make a decision many people don't like 20 years after the incident. All of the cast and most of the crew has admited that 'the audience just missed Chrissy' BTW, did anyone notice that most of the replacements didn't even compare? ------------------ Marianne: Well, look! It's Pocahantas Purneli, the town halfbreed! Half indian, and half dressed! Come in Poke! Pocahantas: Maryanne, I know there's something desperatly missing in your life! Maryanne: How did you know? Pochantas: I saw it in your eyes, I read it in your face, I read it on your bumpersticker that says "Welcome, Shriners"! Shirley: Rhonda, if your not out of here on the count of three, Laverne here will shave your head, and you can be in "The King and I"! The Silver Spoons/ALF/TC Spinoffs Pettion

09-20-2001, 11:07 PM	#2
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	I agree that Suzanne's demands weren't entirely unreasonable -- all the lead actors should have gotten a small percentage of the profits in the show. This is a frequent practice today. Her main problem was trying to negotiate this raise after shooting for the season had already started. This is a major no-no in Hollywood, and an extremely bad business practice (her husband screaming at the producers during negotiations didn't help, either). And her comments to the press, such as encouraging fans not to watch the show, were very inflammatory. That said, the producers handled the situation extremely poorly -- during any kind of business negotiation, you should never back your opponent into a corner or humiliate them. You always need to give the person on the other side of the table a way to gracefully come to terms. They didn't do this with Suzanne.