Was Martha Raye overused as a guest? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Jude The Obscure · 03-22-2008, 08:17 PM

I think she was, esp in the later seasons--esp as a ruse for when Vic was unable to tape episodes. Why not have Doris Roberts on as Alice's mom again? Or someone else?

GARFIELDKOOL · 03-22-2008, 08:47 PM

Not to me. She didn't wear her welcome out, and she brought much needed energy, especially in the post-Flo years. The interaction between her and Vic Tayback is classic. Plus, everytime she appeared, the audience gave her an applause. They didn't get tired of her either. You could tell she was in high demand.

Jude The Obscure · 03-22-2008, 08:54 PM

Not meaning to say I didn't LIKE her. But maybe she should have just been promoted to semi-regular status like Earl or Henry? Notice how some of the diner regulars seemed to drop off as the years went by......like we saw less and less of Chuck and the other two truckers seemed to have disappeared.

GARFIELDKOOL · 03-22-2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude86

Not meaning to say I didn't LIKE her. But maybe she should have just been promoted to semi-regular status like Earl or Henry? Notice how some of the diner regulars seemed to drop off as the years went by......like we saw less and less of Chuck and the other two truckers seemed to have disappeared.

I know, we started seeing more of Artie and those other clowns. I could have done without Vera's husband. If you ask me, they rushed a husband character for her. While I am on the subject, these later years, the waitresses had became very unlikable. I mean they really mouthed off to Mel a lot more than they ever did and they could have showed him more respect. It's like they didn't listen to a damn word he told them. I guess those bitches forgot who signed the paychecks.

Jude The Obscure · 03-22-2008, 09:08 PM

I don't recall who Artie is. But Doug?? he was just some background customer who came in and then got quickly scared of something and now, he has actual lines??

Jolene, IMO, is very disrespectful--something I don't she has even earn the right to be. And the increased putdown of Mel's cooking is really aggravating. I mean, Mel's chili was prized as good stuff in the early seasons and now all of sudden, it's supposed to be dog food quality?

GARFIELDKOOL · 03-22-2008, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude86

I don't recall who Artie is. But Doug?? he was just some background customer who came in and then got quickly scared of something and now, he has actual lines??

Jolene, IMO, is very disrespectful--something I don't she has even earn the right to be. And the increased putdown of Mel's cooking is really aggravating. I mean, Mel's chili was prized as good stuff in the early seasons and now all of sudden, it's supposed to be dog food quality?

She had some nerve, she had the least seniority at the dinner and took jabs at Mel's cooking. They ALL needed their jobs and Mel's cooking is the reason why they have jobs. Mel took her hapless ass in, didn't he? Yeah, when he fired their asses, they all found a way to crawl back. I think Mel would have been better off wit that robot.

FredScuttle · 03-22-2008, 11:29 PM

Artie was that dimwitted security guard dude that had a crush on Jolene.

Jude The Obscure · 03-23-2008, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredScuttle

Artie was that dimwitted security guard dude that had a crush on Jolene.

Thanks Fred.....now I recall him. Actor Tony Longo (before he let himself go physically).

TVFactFan · 03-23-2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude86

I don't recall who Artie is. But Doug?? he was just some background customer who came in and then got quickly scared of something and now, he has actual lines??

Jolene, IMO, is very disrespectful--something I don't she has even earn the right to be. And the increased putdown of Mel's cooking is really aggravating. I mean, Mel's chili was prized as good stuff in the early seasons and now all of sudden, it's supposed to be dog food quality?

Yeah i know what you mean, it would have looked better if ALICE or VERA was insulting MEL since they were there from Day 1

Jude The Obscure · 03-23-2008, 02:23 PM

If we ever get around to seeing season 1 again, we will see what a HUGE difference time made on the show. Season 1 wasn't by far a good season, but in comparison, I think I'd rather rewatch those again.

TVFactFan · 03-23-2008, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude86

If we ever get around to seeing season 1 again, we will see what a HUGE difference time made on the show. Season 1 wasn't by far a good season, but in comparison, I think I'd rather rewatch those again.

The Diner had a more CRUSTY look to it in 1976 vs 81 and after

Jude The Obscure · 03-23-2008, 02:53 PM

I'd say more rustic, more in keeping with the Southwest look of cowboys and cactus LOL

Ireneparalegal · 03-25-2008, 07:53 PM

Martha Raye was alright, nothing spectacular. I really could have done without her mug in the DO YA THINK I'M SEXY episode.

friendsfan77 · 03-26-2008, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Martha Raye was alright, nothing spectacular. I really could have done without her mug in the DO YA THINK I'M SEXY episode.

That was just creepy. *shudders*

catlover79 · 04-01-2008, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by friendsfan77

That was just creepy. *shudders*

Yes, it was.

03-22-2008, 08:17 PM	#1
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Was Martha Raye overused as a guest? I think she was, esp in the later seasons--esp as a ruse for when Vic was unable to tape episodes. Why not have Doris Roberts on as Alice's mom again? Or someone else?

03-25-2008, 07:53 PM	#13
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Martha Raye was alright, nothing spectacular. I really could have done without her mug in the DO YA THINK I'M SEXY episode.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

03-22-2008, 08:47 PM	#2
GARFIELDKOOL Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 02, 2004 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 7,204	Not to me. She didn't wear her welcome out, and she brought much needed energy, especially in the post-Flo years. The interaction between her and Vic Tayback is classic. Plus, everytime she appeared, the audience gave her an applause. They didn't get tired of her either. You could tell she was in high demand.

03-22-2008, 08:54 PM	#3
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Not meaning to say I didn't LIKE her. But maybe she should have just been promoted to semi-regular status like Earl or Henry? Notice how some of the diner regulars seemed to drop off as the years went by......like we saw less and less of Chuck and the other two truckers seemed to have disappeared.

03-22-2008, 09:08 PM	#5
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	I don't recall who Artie is. But Doug?? he was just some background customer who came in and then got quickly scared of something and now, he has actual lines?? Jolene, IMO, is very disrespectful--something I don't she has even earn the right to be. And the increased putdown of Mel's cooking is really aggravating. I mean, Mel's chili was prized as good stuff in the early seasons and now all of sudden, it's supposed to be dog food quality?

03-22-2008, 11:29 PM	#7
FredScuttle Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 31, 2005 Posts: 477	Artie was that dimwitted security guard dude that had a crush on Jolene.

03-23-2008, 02:23 PM	#10
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	If we ever get around to seeing season 1 again, we will see what a HUGE difference time made on the show. Season 1 wasn't by far a good season, but in comparison, I think I'd rather rewatch those again.

03-23-2008, 02:53 PM	#12
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	I'd say more rustic, more in keeping with the Southwest look of cowboys and cactus LOL