Why Was Coco The Gay Housekeeper Dropped? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 09-05-2008, 09:44 PM

In case anyone doesn't know, Coco (played by Charles Levin) was a gay housekeeper in the girls' house. He was only seen in the pilot and then he was gone and never mentioned again.

Why was he dropped? Is there any story/more info. behind this that you know about? Thanks.

MikeLutton · 09-05-2008, 09:54 PM

guess with 4 girls living together he was not needed anymore and was dropped im glad he was gone to doubt fans noticed anyway

Kristen · 09-06-2008, 12:09 AM

I've always heard that the writers realized most of the girls' heart to heart conversations would happen in the kitchen, and having a guy there (gay or otherwise, lol) would get in the way. Plus with Sophia there, they didn't need a cook.

Joker85 · 09-06-2008, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kristen

I've always heard that the writers realized most of the girls' heart to heart conversations would happen in the kitchen, and having a guy there (gay or otherwise, lol) would get in the way. Plus with Sophia there, they didn't need a cook.

Exactly. What I've always heard, to build on the above, is that they didn't realize just what gold they had in Estelle Getty. Once they realized that she was going to be such a strong character they didn't really need Coco anymore.

LauraNamesake · 09-07-2008, 08:44 AM

Was he even mentioned after the pilot? I don't remember him ever being mentioned. And true that they couldn't have those cheesecake scenes. Ever since I started watching this show, I call my closest friends who I can tell everything to my "cheesecake friends". My sister liked it, so she uses it too. If they don't get it, I tell them to watch better TV.

Sven · 09-08-2008, 12:20 PM

Like previous posters said, he was dropped for Sophia being added to the show full time.

Scoobiedoo30 · 09-09-2008, 02:15 AM

Coco was funnie in the first episode

Loopie63 · 09-09-2008, 12:29 PM

I agree with Scoobie, he was pretty funny.

Scoobiedoo30 · 09-09-2008, 12:35 PM

They Should have Kept even with Dorothy Mom Moving in

JamesG · 09-10-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LauraNamesake

Was he even mentioned after the pilot? I don't remember him ever being mentioned.

Far as I am aware, no. Coco was never mentioned again after the pilot and no mention of the girls ever having a gay cook.

Scoobiedoo30 · 09-10-2008, 11:35 AM

He was also on Alice as Vera Husband

browneyes106 · 03-19-2009, 03:26 PM

I think it would be cool if maybe Coco was a recurring character.

80sTrivia · 03-19-2009, 04:54 PM

I really think with the four wonderful, amazing actresses already on the plate, another permanent character would have really been too distracting. Like everyone else has said, there was no need for a fifth Muskateer when you've already discovered gold with Bea, Betty, Rue and Estelle. Also, back in 1984, I don't know how ready the public was for an overtly gay character on a prime time sitcom. We don't think anything of it today of course, but it was a very different time back then, to say the least, and it could have affected the show's popularity, sad as it is to say.

JamesG · 03-19-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80sTrivia

Also, back in 1984, I don't know how ready the public was for an overtly gay character on a prime time sitcom.

Since you mentioned that you got me thinking, was that the reason the character Phil was never seen on the show; Sophia's cross-dressing son?

sodalake · 03-20-2009, 01:21 AM

Was Coco supposed to be a live-in housekeeper? Since the girls often complained about money woes as part of the storyline, I find it hard to believe they could afford a full time, live-in housekeeper nor would they need one. None of the girls worked full-time anyway did they?

09-05-2008, 09:44 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,136	Why Was Coco The Gay Housekeeper Dropped? In case anyone doesn't know, Coco (played by Charles Levin) was a gay housekeeper in the girls' house. He was only seen in the pilot and then he was gone and never mentioned again. Why was he dropped? Is there any story/more info. behind this that you know about? Thanks.

09-05-2008, 09:54 PM	#2
MikeLutton Mike Lutton DVD Legend! Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 05, 2005 Location: usa pennsyvania Posts: 6,887	guess with 4 girls living together he was not needed anymore and was dropped im glad he was gone to doubt fans noticed anyway
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09-06-2008, 12:09 AM	#3
Kristen Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2000 Location: New York, USA Posts: 4,042	I've always heard that the writers realized most of the girls' heart to heart conversations would happen in the kitchen, and having a guy there (gay or otherwise, lol) would get in the way. Plus with Sophia there, they didn't need a cook.
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09-07-2008, 08:44 AM	#5
LauraNamesake Oh Rob!!! Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 13, 2008 Location: MD Posts: 277	Was he even mentioned after the pilot? I don't remember him ever being mentioned. And true that they couldn't have those cheesecake scenes. Ever since I started watching this show, I call my closest friends who I can tell everything to my "cheesecake friends". My sister liked it, so she uses it too. If they don't get it, I tell them to watch better TV.
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09-08-2008, 12:20 PM	#6
Sven Golden Girls Database Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 24, 2008 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 188	Like previous posters said, he was dropped for Sophia being added to the show full time.
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09-09-2008, 02:15 AM	#7
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	Coco was funnie in the first episode
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09-09-2008, 12:29 PM	#8
Loopie63 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 06, 2008 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 250	I agree with Scoobie, he was pretty funny.

09-09-2008, 12:35 PM	#9
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	They Should have Kept even with Dorothy Mom Moving in

09-10-2008, 11:35 AM	#11
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	He was also on Alice as Vera Husband

03-19-2009, 03:26 PM	#12
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	I think it would be cool if maybe Coco was a recurring character.

03-19-2009, 04:54 PM	#13
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	I really think with the four wonderful, amazing actresses already on the plate, another permanent character would have really been too distracting. Like everyone else has said, there was no need for a fifth Muskateer when you've already discovered gold with Bea, Betty, Rue and Estelle. Also, back in 1984, I don't know how ready the public was for an overtly gay character on a prime time sitcom. We don't think anything of it today of course, but it was a very different time back then, to say the least, and it could have affected the show's popularity, sad as it is to say.
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03-20-2009, 01:21 AM	#15
sodalake Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 02, 2009 Posts: 109	Was Coco supposed to be a live-in housekeeper? Since the girls often complained about money woes as part of the storyline, I find it hard to believe they could afford a full time, live-in housekeeper nor would they need one. None of the girls worked full-time anyway did they?