why Marisa Tomei was let go - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

jamesanthony · 07-17-2006, 08:45 AM

Did anyone hear about this? I read in the paper that Debbie Allen said the reason Marisa Tomei was let go was that Debbie wanted to do a storyline where her character had a black boyfriend and he took her home for Thanksgiving and shocks his parents and that NBC didn't want to do that storyline.

This seems kind of strange. Not the storyline or NBC not wanting to do it, but why is she coming clean about this now? And that would've only been one episode that would've aired several episodes into the season. I think there was more going on than what Debbie Allen is claiming.

GSU2004 · 07-17-2006, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesanthony

Did anyone hear about this? I read in the paper that Debbie Allen said the reason Marisa Tomei was let go was that Debbie wanted to do a storyline where her character had a black boyfriend and he took her home for Thanksgiving and shocks his parents and that NBC didn't want to do that storyline.

This seems kind of strange. Not the storyline or NBC not wanting to do it, but why is she coming clean about this now? And that would've only been one episode that would've aired several episodes into the season. I think there was more going on than what Debbie Allen is claiming.

Logically based on the storylines of the show, it would have made no sense. Marisa's character was a BLACK college which would have placed her in the minority automatically thus it wouldn't have been no surprise if she would have dated a black man. Her parents had to know Hillman was a black college and so on.

It does back the claim that has been discussed her and at the old TVTome about her leaving on her own but too many details are left out for one to believe the stories. I simply think with the reformatting of the series for season two, there was simply nothing else to do with her character and she was not offered another contract.

Brian Damage · 07-17-2006, 04:41 PM

I read the same story. I think it has more to do than just that. It was one episode for crying out loud! I think they wanted to keep the emphasis on the black characters once Denise left the show. It was retooled and she was a casualty.

Ireneparalegal · 07-17-2006, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I read the same story. I think it has more to do than just that. It was one episode for crying out loud! I think they wanted to keep the emphasis on the black characters once Denise left the show. It was retooled and she was a casualty.

Which I am glad they did because I found it so hard to believe (and others I know as well) that this girl would choose to go to a black majority college. Just not believable. Is it me, or did they end up showing ALL black students eventually? I can't recall seeing any "white" students after Denise and Marisa were no longer part of the show. It's as if it turned to an ALL BLACK COLLEGE...which I found to be more suitable for the show and more entertaining.

GSU2004 · 07-18-2006, 09:47 AM

I thought about the storyline again last night and if they really wanted to do it (really make it work), they would have given her a racist grandparent or some other relative that would appear at a family gathering. Of course, this relative would not have known that Hillman was a black college.

GSU2004 · 07-18-2006, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I read the same story. I think it has more to do than just that. It was one episode for crying out loud! I think they wanted to keep the emphasis on the black characters once Denise left the show. It was retooled and she was a casualty.

Most of my friends who went to historically black colleges always griped about the first season of the show not being too realistic of a black college. They thought the first season looked more like a state university.

Brian Damage · 07-18-2006, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Which I am glad they did because I found it so hard to believe (and others I know as well) that this girl would choose to go to a black majority college. Just not believable. Is it me, or did they end up showing ALL black students eventually? I can't recall seeing any "white" students after Denise and Marisa were no longer part of the show. It's as if it turned to an ALL BLACK COLLEGE...which I found to be more suitable for the show and more entertaining.

After Denise left, it was completely 100% an all black college.

TVFactFan · 07-18-2006, 03:41 PM

Did it mention in season 1 where Marissa's character was from? Because if she chose an All black college that would mean she grew up around black people. I couldn't see a White girl who grew up in the suburbs deciding to go to an all black college

Brian Damage · 07-18-2006, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

Did it mention in season 1 where Marissa's character was from? Because if she chose an All black college that would mean she grew up around black people. I couldn't see a White girl who grew up in the suburbs deciding to go to an all black college

I don't think it ever mentioned Hillman being an all black college until season 2. They were plenty of whites at school in season 1.

jamesanthony · 07-19-2006, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I don't think it ever mentioned Hillman being an all black college until season 2. They were plenty of whites at school in season 1.

I think it was already established on Cosby that Hillman was a historically black college- which doesn't mean that non-blacks couldn't go there. I thought Marisa was an OK character for what season 1 was, but after Denise left she and Millie served no purpose.

Brieannas21 · 07-19-2006, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Which I am glad they did because I found it so hard to believe (and others I know as well) that this girl would choose to go to a black majority college. Just not believable. Is it me, or did they end up showing ALL black students eventually? I can't recall seeing any "white" students after Denise and Marisa were no longer part of the show. It's as if it turned to an ALL BLACK COLLEGE...which I found to be more suitable for the show and more entertaining.

No in the 4th season I believe Andrew Lowery guest starred for a season as Matthew, Freddies cousin. Who so happened to had dated Kim. So I think that whole Marisa Tomei Character dating a black student so that's why she left the show, is a bunch of crap.

Ireneparalegal · 07-19-2006, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brieannas21

No in the 4th season I believe Andrew Lowery guest starred for a season as Matthew, Freddies cousin. Who so happened to had dated Kim. So I think that whole Marisa Tomei Character dating a black student so that's why she left the show, is a bunch of crap.

Thanx for reminding me of him. I loved his character. Soooo, now that opens a door to something...why was it said by Allen that Marisa and an interracial relationship wasn't going to happen? Do you think the network finally gave in?

James"Thunder"Early · 07-19-2006, 10:39 PM

I'm not convinced that was the reason. Debbie Allen just wanted to move the show in a different direction and the character just didn't fit in with that.

Brieannas21 · 07-19-2006, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Thanx for reminding me of him. I loved his character. Soooo, now that opens a door to something...why was it said by Allen that Marisa and an interracial relationship wasn't going to happen? Do you think the network finally gave in?

I don't know, I doubt that the story is true. I think that she was just let go because the second season was totally different then the first. They just made changes and her character and others like Kim Wayans was let go.

TVFactFan · 07-19-2006, 11:49 PM

After watching 4 eps, They needed to get rid of Marissa Tomei's Character because the character was just strange

07-17-2006, 08:45 AM	#1
jamesanthony Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 2,180	why Marisa Tomei was let go Did anyone hear about this? I read in the paper that Debbie Allen said the reason Marisa Tomei was let go was that Debbie wanted to do a storyline where her character had a black boyfriend and he took her home for Thanksgiving and shocks his parents and that NBC didn't want to do that storyline. This seems kind of strange. Not the storyline or NBC not wanting to do it, but why is she coming clean about this now? And that would've only been one episode that would've aired several episodes into the season. I think there was more going on than what Debbie Allen is claiming.

07-17-2006, 04:41 PM	#3
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	I read the same story. I think it has more to do than just that. It was one episode for crying out loud! I think they wanted to keep the emphasis on the black characters once Denise left the show. It was retooled and she was a casualty.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

07-19-2006, 10:39 PM	#13
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,087	I'm not convinced that was the reason. Debbie Allen just wanted to move the show in a different direction and the character just didn't fit in with that.
	__________________ Esther Anderson: Get thee behind me, Satan, but I'm gon' get behind you, 'cause I'm gonna put my foot in your--- Peggy Mitchell: Get outta my pub! You better pray you get the last laugh, it's a kick in the teeth when you don't get it.

07-18-2006, 09:47 AM	#5
GSU2004 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 28, 2005 Posts: 764	I thought about the storyline again last night and if they really wanted to do it (really make it work), they would have given her a racist grandparent or some other relative that would appear at a family gathering. Of course, this relative would not have known that Hillman was a black college.

07-18-2006, 03:41 PM	#8
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,978	Did it mention in season 1 where Marissa's character was from? Because if she chose an All black college that would mean she grew up around black people. I couldn't see a White girl who grew up in the suburbs deciding to go to an all black college

07-19-2006, 11:49 PM	#15
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,978	After watching 4 eps, They needed to get rid of Marissa Tomei's Character because the character was just strange