The End of Maude - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

NCVARick · 07-20-2001, 12:07 PM

I was wondering if anyone here if anyone here knows the real story behind the demise of "Maude." If you've seen the final three-part episode of the series, it's clear the producers were trying to change the format. They had written the characters of Carol, Vivian, and Arthur off of the show, and moved Maude and Walter location to Washington, D.C., where Maude had just become a congresswoman, and added two new characters (her congressional staff and a maid). In spite of this big change, apparently intended to boost the ratings, the ended. At the time, I remember news reports that Bea Arthur had decided to leave the show, so the producers were planning to recast Maude with another actress, but ultimately decided "nobody but Bea Arthur" could play Maude. Therefore, they would just end the series.

This explanation seems implausible to me. First of all, I don't think Bea Arthur would just all of a sudden decide to quit, after the writers and producers had gone to the trouble to come up with a new format for the show. Second, I find it really hard to believe the producer, even for a second, could have thought of recasting the role of Maude. That character, like Archie Bunker, was so closely associated with the star and couldn't possibly be accepted by viewers with another actor in the role. Surely they could have figured that out without a moment's thought. Third, the show, in its last two seasons, had fallen out of the top 20 in the ratings. Personally, I think CBS simply cancelled the show and for publicity reasons, allowed this story of Bea Arthur quitting to be circulated.

I wonder, however, what the show would have been like had it gone on for at least another season with the new format. Imagine the stories they could have come up with, involving Maude campaigning, going before the House of Representatives to speak, perhaps confronting the president, butting heads with her colleagues in the House. It could have been a lot of fun, don't you thing?

boechsner · 07-22-2001, 04:02 AM

Bea Arthur has said in recent interviews that for Maude "she thought 6 years was enough." For The Golden Girls, she said that "we had 7 wonderful years, and I want out." I frankly don't buy the line that they were looking to replace Bea Arthur with another actress on Maude. That would be like replacing Carroll O'Connor with another actor on All in the Family.

Drew · 07-25-2001, 02:30 PM

This is what i know, Bea Arthur likes leaving shows. yes she did decide not to return for the 7th season on Maude and on the Golden Girls Ive heard the same to, she said she had 7 great years and wanted out. I believe she said this to both, but wish she would have stayed to do each show at least one more season.

------------------
Designing Women
JULIA~"...And that Margerie, is the night the lights went out in Georgia.

All in the Family
EDITH to ARCHIE~"Im not sure who married the meathead, Gloria or me."

mstewart · 01-22-2003, 07:00 PM

I only wish more actor/actresses and producers have Bea's sense of pulling the plug enough to leave the audience wanting more.

07-20-2001, 12:07 PM	#1
NCVARick Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 08, 2001 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 186	The End of Maude I was wondering if anyone here if anyone here knows the real story behind the demise of "Maude." If you've seen the final three-part episode of the series, it's clear the producers were trying to change the format. They had written the characters of Carol, Vivian, and Arthur off of the show, and moved Maude and Walter location to Washington, D.C., where Maude had just become a congresswoman, and added two new characters (her congressional staff and a maid). In spite of this big change, apparently intended to boost the ratings, the ended. At the time, I remember news reports that Bea Arthur had decided to leave the show, so the producers were planning to recast Maude with another actress, but ultimately decided "nobody but Bea Arthur" could play Maude. Therefore, they would just end the series. This explanation seems implausible to me. First of all, I don't think Bea Arthur would just all of a sudden decide to quit, after the writers and producers had gone to the trouble to come up with a new format for the show. Second, I find it really hard to believe the producer, even for a second, could have thought of recasting the role of Maude. That character, like Archie Bunker, was so closely associated with the star and couldn't possibly be accepted by viewers with another actor in the role. Surely they could have figured that out without a moment's thought. Third, the show, in its last two seasons, had fallen out of the top 20 in the ratings. Personally, I think CBS simply cancelled the show and for publicity reasons, allowed this story of Bea Arthur quitting to be circulated. I wonder, however, what the show would have been like had it gone on for at least another season with the new format. Imagine the stories they could have come up with, involving Maude campaigning, going before the House of Representatives to speak, perhaps confronting the president, butting heads with her colleagues in the House. It could have been a lot of fun, don't you thing?

07-22-2001, 04:02 AM	#2
boechsner Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2000 Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 2,212	Bea Arthur has said in recent interviews that for Maude "she thought 6 years was enough." For The Golden Girls, she said that "we had 7 wonderful years, and I want out." I frankly don't buy the line that they were looking to replace Bea Arthur with another actress on Maude. That would be like replacing Carroll O'Connor with another actor on All in the Family.

07-25-2001, 02:30 PM	#3
Drew Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 12, 2001 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 300	This is what i know, Bea Arthur likes leaving shows. yes she did decide not to return for the 7th season on Maude and on the Golden Girls Ive heard the same to, she said she had 7 great years and wanted out. I believe she said this to both, but wish she would have stayed to do each show at least one more season. ------------------ Designing Women JULIA~"...And that Margerie, is the night the lights went out in Georgia. All in the Family EDITH to ARCHIE~"Im not sure who married the meathead, Gloria or me."

01-22-2003, 07:00 PM	#4
mstewart mstewart Senior Member Join Date: Jan 25, 2002 Location: California Posts: 1,780	I only wish more actor/actresses and producers have Bea's sense of pulling the plug enough to leave the audience wanting more.