Ben seemed like such a better choice than Carl - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 12-04-2006, 10:19 AM

I know fans of the show AND Esther Rolle, rejected the character of Carl. I wonder if they would have accepted Ben a lot more if he was made into a regular? He seemed to have so much more in common with Florida and genuinely seemed to make Florida happy.

Ireneparalegal · 12-04-2006, 12:57 PM

God, I know. I loved Ben. Why the writers felt they needed that ugly Carl to fill James' shoes is beyond me. Ben was perfect. The writers wanted the Carl character to be brass, loud, somewhat like James. Florida and Ben, with his gentle manners, low-keyed voice and his stature made him a good-looking match with Florida.

TVFactFan · 12-04-2006, 01:01 PM

Ben's Personality was TOO DRY for me. He didn't have enough Energy

Ireneparalegal · 12-04-2006, 01:03 PM

We didn't see Ben but only one episode. His personality didn't get a chance to "shine". How he behaved in the club is one thing, but how abt in everyday life? How would he have been around the kids? We saw how loud and abrasive Carl was because of certain predicaments. We only saw Ben in a club, he wasn't going to show much there especially with only five minutes of screen time. You can't judge anyone on that. Even with just those five minutes, I could see Ben was someone who I would have loved to see with Flo.

SitcomGyrl1955 · 12-04-2006, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

We didn't see Ben but only one episode. His personality didn't get a chance to "shine". How he behaved in the club is one thing, but how abt in everyday life? How would he have been around the kids? We saw how loud and abrasive Carl was because of certain predicaments. We only saw Ben in a club, he wasn't going to show much there especially with only five minutes of screen time. You can't judge anyone on that. Even with just those five minutes, I could see Ben was someone who I would have loved to see with Flo.

I liked Ben too........much more than I did Carl. Carl's grating voice just got on my last nerve.

Ireneparalegal · 12-04-2006, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SitcomGyrl1955

I liked Ben too........much more than I did Carl. Carl's grating voice just got on my last nerve.

Because of all them damn cigars no doubt!

Lamont · 12-04-2006, 08:36 PM

ANYONE was better than Carl!

Ireneparalegal · 12-04-2006, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lamont

ANYONE was better than Carl!

Sweet Jesus, you are so right!

Brian Damage · 12-05-2006, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

Ben's Personality was TOO DRY for me. He didn't have enough Energy

I think Ben would've been accepted more than Carl by the audience, because he was softer and gentler. He was a gentleman and much more believable as someone who Florida could fall in love with rather than grumpy ass Carl.

Ireneparalegal · 12-05-2006, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I think Ben would've been accepted more than Carl by the audience, because he was softer and gentler. He was a gentleman and much more believable as someone who Florida could fall in love with rather than grumpy ass Carl.

Thank you. I know I would have loved having him around.

Lamont · 12-05-2006, 03:14 PM

we always called carl
THE BLACK LURCH!

Ireneparalegal · 12-05-2006, 03:17 PM

He was on The Jeffersons last night. He was just as annoying, if not worse, on that show as well. The only time I really could deal with him as an actor was on Little House on the Prairie playing Joe Kagan. Especially when he put Mrs. Olsen in her place.

BigBroDee3x · 04-05-2007, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

He was on The Jeffersons last night. He was just as annoying, if not worse, on that show as well. The only time I really could deal with him as an actor was on Little House on the Prairie playing Joe Kagan. Especially when he put Mrs. Olsen in her place.

Moses Gunn was a good actor. I also liked him as Hawk's mentor in the short lived "Man Called Hawk", with Avery Brooks. The only role that I saw him in that I hated was as Carl. He was totally wrong for Florida, being that Florida was a devout Christian, and he (the character) was an atheist.

sugamama · 04-08-2007, 01:31 PM

I totally do not remember Ben... Who was the actor that played that character. Also I did not like Carl for Florida, but I thought he was a good actor. I also liked him on Little House.

TVFactFan · 04-08-2007, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sugamama

I totally do not remember Ben... Who was the actor that played that character. Also I did not like Carl for Florida, but I thought he was a good actor. I also liked him on Little House.

Ben was the older bald headed man with glasses that Florida met when she went out to a Bar with Willona. Ben was never in the Evans apt just at the Bar

12-04-2006, 10:19 AM	#1
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	Ben seemed like such a better choice than Carl I know fans of the show AND Esther Rolle, rejected the character of Carl. I wonder if they would have accepted Ben a lot more if he was made into a regular? He seemed to have so much more in common with Florida and genuinely seemed to make Florida happy.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

12-04-2006, 12:57 PM	#2
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	God, I know. I loved Ben. Why the writers felt they needed that ugly Carl to fill James' shoes is beyond me. Ben was perfect. The writers wanted the Carl character to be brass, loud, somewhat like James. Florida and Ben, with his gentle manners, low-keyed voice and his stature made him a good-looking match with Florida.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

12-04-2006, 08:36 PM	#7
Lamont Lamont says Smile! Forum Veteran Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Deep in the Heart of Nowhere Posts: 5,217	ANYONE was better than Carl!
	__________________ I have not been trading for some time now, so please do not ask---- sorry, i cannot help you!

12-04-2006, 01:01 PM	#3
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,067	Ben's Personality was TOO DRY for me. He didn't have enough Energy

12-04-2006, 01:03 PM	#4
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	We didn't see Ben but only one episode. His personality didn't get a chance to "shine". How he behaved in the club is one thing, but how abt in everyday life? How would he have been around the kids? We saw how loud and abrasive Carl was because of certain predicaments. We only saw Ben in a club, he wasn't going to show much there especially with only five minutes of screen time. You can't judge anyone on that. Even with just those five minutes, I could see Ben was someone who I would have loved to see with Flo.

12-05-2006, 03:14 PM	#11
Lamont Lamont says Smile! Forum Veteran Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Deep in the Heart of Nowhere Posts: 5,217	we always called carl THE BLACK LURCH!

12-05-2006, 03:17 PM	#12
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	He was on The Jeffersons last night. He was just as annoying, if not worse, on that show as well. The only time I really could deal with him as an actor was on Little House on the Prairie playing Joe Kagan. Especially when he put Mrs. Olsen in her place.

04-08-2007, 01:31 PM	#14
sugamama Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 22, 2007 Posts: 77	I totally do not remember Ben... Who was the actor that played that character. Also I did not like Carl for Florida, but I thought he was a good actor. I also liked him on Little House.