The Commentary for "Catherine Moves On"

[Adamantium]

Have you notcied that the commentary for that episode, kind of mirrors what happens in the episode. In the episode, Catherine announces she's leaving and the staff (one by one) tells Jimmy why she left. But all of their reasons are different. None of them really know why she left.

On the commentary, no one knew for sure why Khandi Alexander left. They were all giving their own thoughts on why she left. And by the end of the commentary, we still don't know why she left.

Some say she left for a bigger role on "ER".
Others say she left because of the arrival of Lauren Graham.
Others say it was simply creative differences.

So I found that a little humorous.

[Skywalker]

I never noticed that before, but you're right. I remember when I first heard the commentary for this episode, I was a little disappointed with it. Not that it wasn't entertaining, it was, but I was really looking forward to finding out exactly why Khandi left "Newsradio". It surprised me that none of them seemed to know why, I pretty much assumed that they talked about this or at least Paul talked to her about it before she left. IMO, I think she left because of Lauren Graham and also because the writers never really gave her much to do on the show so she just decided to move on. It's a shame too, cause I always liked Catherine. I thought she had great chemistry with the rest of the cast and she did have some memorable scenes with Bill, Joe and Matthew.

[Adamantium]

The thing with Catherine, for me anyways, is that I liked her. However, when she left the show, it was still great. In fact a few of my favorite episodes are in that period after she left and before Bill died.

I've often wondered how different the show would have been if Catherine never left and in the fifth season got to work with Max Louis. I don't see them as a good couple though. Where she kind of liked Bill, I don't see her liking Max at all. I don't think they would of been as funny together, either.

The writers did seem like they just wrote stuff for Catherine because she was a cast member and not because they had great ideas for her. That's why after she left, it's almost as if a burden was lifted. And that's terrible to say, I know, but I mean that in the way of the writers not having to think up stuff for Catherine, whereas the other characters were fun to write for.

Still though, I wish Catherine had stayed for all five seasons.

[Skywalker]

Originally Posted by Adamantium

I've often wondered how different the show would have been if Catherine never left and in the fifth season got to work with Max Louis. I don't see them as a good couple though. Where she kind of liked Bill, I don't see her liking Max at all. I don't think they would of been as funny together, either.

The writers did seem like they just wrote stuff for Catherine because she was a cast member and not because they had great ideas for her. That's why after she left, it's almost as if a burden was lifted. And that's terrible to say, I know, but I mean that in the way of the writers not having to think up stuff for Catherine, whereas the other characters were fun to write for.

Still though, I wish Catherine had stayed for all five seasons.

I agree, I don't think Catherine and Max would have had any real chemistry. If she had stayed, I would have liked to seen her and Joe hook up. I think they would have made a good couple. The writers just toyed around with it for a couple of episodes but nothing ever happened and I never quite understood why. It would have been interesting to see them together as the "office couple" since Dave and Lisa had already broken up by that time.

[Adamantium]

Originally Posted by Skywalker

I agree, I don't think Catherine and Max would have had any real chemistry. If she had stayed, I would have liked to seen her and Joe hook up. I think they would have made a good couple. The writers just toyed around with it for a couple of episodes but nothing ever happened and I never quite understood why. It would have been interesting to see them together as the "office couple" since Dave and Lisa had already broken up by that time.

By the commentary, you get the feeling that Paul Simms and the writers didn't like writing for relationships. And I'm kind of glad of that. I mean Dave and Lisa was great to have them together. I think it would have been a different show if more characters started hooking up with one another. I like it as it is, they are just co-workers and friends. However, in real life, I think Catherine and Joe would have gotten together.

I also wish that Jimmy would have found a wife during his wife list search. He's a billionaire! How could he not find anyone? LOL She wouldn't have to be in the cast, he could just mention his wife once in a while.

Now that I think of it, none of the characters were married. They were all single living in apartments, just getting by.

When it comes to Max, I sort of feel sorry for him that he didn't end up with Beth. Maybe they would have been a good couple and maybe not. Okay, not, lol. That would be going against what I just said about how I like that only Dave and Lisa got together and none of the other characters.

[Skywalker]

Originally Posted by Adamantium

By the commentary, you get the feeling that Paul Simms and the writers didn't like writing for relationships. And I'm kind of glad of that. I mean Dave and Lisa was great to have them together. I think it would have been a different show if more characters started hooking up with one another. I like it as it is, they are just co-workers and friends. However, in real life, I think Catherine and Joe would have gotten together.

I also wish that Jimmy would have found a wife during his wife list search. He's a billionaire! How could he not find anyone? LOL She wouldn't have to be in the cast, he could just mention his wife once in a while.

Now that I think of it, none of the characters were married. They were all single living in apartments, just getting by.

When it comes to Max, I sort of feel sorry for him that he didn't end up with Beth. Maybe they would have been a good couple and maybe not. Okay, not, lol. That would be going against what I just said about how I like that only Dave and Lisa got together and none of the other characters.

I see your point, it might have turned into Friends or some other similar show where nearly all the main characters dated each other. I will say that I never wanted Bill and Catherine to become a couple again. I thought they had that certain chemistry where if they'd gotten together again, it would have hurt the show.

I felt bad for Jimmy. He was just a lonely guy looking for love. I think it would have been hilarious if they had him marry Loretta Swit.

When I first started watching Newsradio in syndication, I wanted to see Matthew and Beth together, believe it or not. Of course, looking back it's pretty ridiculous.

[HE Pennypacker]

Originally Posted by Adamantium

By the commentary, you get the feeling that Paul Simms and the writers didn't like writing for relationships. And I'm kind of glad of that. I mean Dave and Lisa was great to have them together. I think it would have been a different show if more characters started hooking up with one another. I like it as it is, they are just co-workers and friends. However, in real life, I think Catherine and Joe would have gotten together.

NBC has a bad habit of making the characters in all of their shows hook up, or having a major will they or won't they story arc. It's why I stopped watching Friends in utter disgust.* :

So I have to agree with you, that what made NewsRadio unique was the fact that they didn't spend too much time on that.

*Just as a further note, when I mentioned this on the Friends IMDB board once, the general response was "They didn't all hook up!" which I thought was a pretty foolish response.

[Adamantium]

Originally Posted by HE Pennypacker

*Just as a further note, when I mentioned this on the Friends IMDB board once, the general response was "They didn't all hook up!" which I thought was a pretty foolish response.

I think "That '70s Show" (a show I like) was worse than "Friends", though with relationships inside the little gang. Eric and Donna dated. Kelso and Jackie dated. Then Jackie and Hyde hooked up. Then in the end, Jackie and Fez got together. While Randy (the new guy) dated Donna for a time in the final season.

And Skywalker, instead of Matthew and Beth, I could see Joe and Beth (after Catherine "moved on." They were just buddies as it turns out, but a relationship between them would - in my mind - be believable.

[Skywalker]

Originally Posted by Adamantium

I think "That '70s Show" (a show I like) was worse than "Friends", though with relationships inside the little gang. Eric and Donna dated. Kelso and Jackie dated. Then Jackie and Hyde hooked up. Then in the end, Jackie and Fez got together. While Randy (the new guy) dated Donna for a time in the final season.

And Skywalker, instead of Matthew and Beth, I could see Joe and Beth (after Catherine "moved on." They were just buddies as it turns out, but a relationship between them would - in my mind - be believable.

One of the (many) things I hated about the final season of That 70's Show was seeing Jackie and Fez hooking up. I liked Kelso and Jackie as a couple and it took me a little while to get used to "Hyde and Jackie" but "Fez and Jackie" was just ridiculous and I'm glad they at least waited till the end of the series to get them together.

I never thought about the possibility of Joe and Beth as a couple before but it probably would have been interesting to see them go out on a date or something, much like when Matthew went out with Lisa that one time.

[Adamantium]

Originally Posted by Skywalker

much like when Matthew went out with Lisa that one time.

Matthew: Lisa Milner.

Dave: Well it's Lisa Miller. Yes I know her. Now what about her?

Matthew: I kind of have a thing for her.

Dave laughs.

Dave: Oh wait, you're serious.

Matthew: Yeah.

Dave continues laughing.

LOL