Was "Mel's Happy Hamburgers" the 1st time that Alice... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-04-2007, 01:34 AM

...got the showbiz bug? From the episodes that I have seen thus far, this is the first one where she really talks about dreaming about being a singer. She even sings a little in her apartment.

FredScuttle · 05-04-2007, 07:51 AM

What about the pilot episode...she's singing to the guy because she thinks he's an agent.

Brian Damage · 05-04-2007, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredScuttle

What about the pilot episode...she's singing to the guy because she thinks he's an agent.

Oh ok, I missed the pilot episode completely. It seems that they dropped the idea of her being a singer for awhile and put her in college. I am thinking the 'Happy Burger' episode was the rebirth of the singing idea.

mstewart · 05-04-2007, 10:48 AM

Here's what Linda Lavin stated on why the singing dream wasn't emphasized as much in the series as it was in the movie:
One of the things Lavin missed about the difference between the sitcom and the film was that, well, Alice doesn't sing here anymore (except for the show's theme song). Said Lavin: "The original concept of the show was that Alice would do some singing, play the local Ramada Inn, but concepts changed. The network thought the singing dream was too frustrating to work on, and that people wouldn't want to sit and listen to somebody in a sitcom sing for five minutes. But John Rich, one of the writers on the series, told me that 'So you won't sing on the show. You'll sing on other people's shows.' And he's right."

About three to five episodes a season there were episodes where Alice (Linda Lavin) got to sing and tried to pursue her singing dream. There were some good ones and not so good ones she did. The broadway tunes she did were her best but when she did Do You Think I Am Sexy with Martha Raye and in season 7 the song that Mel wrote for his musical after putting Joel Grey out was the worse for her. When Linda did It's Wonderful she had me at the palm of her hand on the episode, My Son the Dropout, in season 5 and in that same episode when she did Don't Fence Me In with Belle and Vera was great.

I don't if anyone remember or not she did a special in 1980, Linda In Wonderland, and it was very good. Her musical talent was definitely showcased and more emphasized.

Brian Damage · 05-04-2007, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstewart

Here's what Linda Lavin stated on why the singing dream wasn't emphasized as much in the series as it was in the movie:
One of the things Lavin missed about the difference between the sitcom and the film was that, well, Alice doesn't sing here anymore (except for the show's theme song). Said Lavin: "The original concept of the show was that Alice would do some singing, play the local Ramada Inn, but concepts changed. The network thought the singing dream was too frustrating to work on, and that people wouldn't want to sit and listen to somebody in a sitcom sing for five minutes. But John Rich, one of the writers on the series, told me that 'So you won't sing on the show. You'll sing on other people's shows.' And he's right."

About three to five episodes a season there were episodes where Alice (Linda Lavin) got to sing and tried to pursue her singing dream. There were some good ones and not so good ones she did. The broadway tunes she did were her best but when she did Do You Think I Am Sexy with Martha Raye and in season 7 the song that Mel wrote for his musical after putting Joel Grey out was the worse for her. When Linda did It's Wonderful she had me at the palm of her hand on the episode, My Son the Dropout, in season 5 and in that same episode when she did Don't Fence Me In with Belle and Vera was great.

I don't if anyone remember or not she did a special in 1980, Linda In Wonderland, and it was very good. Her musical talent was definitely showcased and more emphasized.

Thanks for the info

05-04-2007, 01:34 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	Was "Mel's Happy Hamburgers" the 1st time that Alice... ...got the showbiz bug? From the episodes that I have seen thus far, this is the first one where she really talks about dreaming about being a singer. She even sings a little in her apartment.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

05-04-2007, 07:51 AM	#2
FredScuttle Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 31, 2005 Posts: 477	What about the pilot episode...she's singing to the guy because she thinks he's an agent.

05-04-2007, 10:48 AM	#4
mstewart mstewart Senior Member Join Date: Jan 25, 2002 Location: California Posts: 1,780	Here's what Linda Lavin stated on why the singing dream wasn't emphasized as much in the series as it was in the movie: One of the things Lavin missed about the difference between the sitcom and the film was that, well, Alice doesn't sing here anymore (except for the show's theme song). Said Lavin: "The original concept of the show was that Alice would do some singing, play the local Ramada Inn, but concepts changed. The network thought the singing dream was too frustrating to work on, and that people wouldn't want to sit and listen to somebody in a sitcom sing for five minutes. But John Rich, one of the writers on the series, told me that 'So you won't sing on the show. You'll sing on other people's shows.' And he's right." About three to five episodes a season there were episodes where Alice (Linda Lavin) got to sing and tried to pursue her singing dream. There were some good ones and not so good ones she did. The broadway tunes she did were her best but when she did Do You Think I Am Sexy with Martha Raye and in season 7 the song that Mel wrote for his musical after putting Joel Grey out was the worse for her. When Linda did It's Wonderful she had me at the palm of her hand on the episode, My Son the Dropout, in season 5 and in that same episode when she did Don't Fence Me In with Belle and Vera was great. I don't if anyone remember or not she did a special in 1980, Linda In Wonderland, and it was very good. Her musical talent was definitely showcased and more emphasized.