A Dead Horse - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Smartboy · 11-21-2008, 12:28 AM

I know that after reading this post, a lot of people will think that I am really beating a dead horse on this issue! However I am trying one more time because I would really like to get some feedback on this topic! On November 2nd, I posted a message called "Credit for Larry". This was to pay tribute to the unsung heroe known as Larry Rhine. He did a lot of producing and directing on this sereis as well as All in the Family, The Odd Couple, Mr. Ed and others. In terms of the Facts of Life and Gimme a Break! he can wear two hats. In the first place, he was involved in the production of some of the episodes of these shows as well. On top of this, his surviving wife (Hazel Shermet) made two guest appearances in the former and three in the latter. I thought she was great! Because of this, I have posted a bunch of messages about both of them on both of these sites. However, this topic does not seem to have too much interest anywhere! At this point, my "Credit for Larry" thread has twenty-nine views and zero responses. However, I am well aware that new people are coming to boards like this all the time. Maybe this time around I will come across some people who have something to say about this couple!

Tweety · 11-21-2008, 11:20 PM

He seems to have had a pretty good career, here's his link at imdb:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0722289/#writer1930

His writing credits included seven episodes of the Brady Bunch:

# The Subject Was Noses (9 February 1973) - Writer (written by)
# The Great Earring Caper (2 March 1973) - Writer (written by)
# Never Too Young (5 October 1973) - Writer (written by)
# Try, Try Again (16 November 1973) - Writer (written by)
# The Cincinnati Kids (23 November 1973) - Writer (written by)
# Out of This World (18 January 1974) - Writer (written by)
# Welcome Aboard (25 January 1974) - Writer (written by)

I like the first five, but not the last two episodes on this list...

He also wrote a lot of All in the Family stuff, most of it after Mike and Gloria had moved out of the Bunker house.

He had a nice career, and it's nice that sites like IMDB allow people to really get a sense of everything people like Larry accomplished.

Unfortunately, it's mostly when someone passes away that interest in what they did begins to develop among more than a few people. Several actors and writers have passed away over the last few years, and I've been amazed to go to IMDB and see a listing of everything they've done. I just had no idea.

But let's face it... most writers work in annonomity for their whole careers. Obviously, it's the people in front of the camera that get all the credit...with the exception of the nights when award shows like the Emmys or Oscars air... but other than that, most people don't give writers a second thought.

I love Seinfeld, for example, but except for Seinfeld himself and Larry David, I couldn't tell you who the writers were for that show, other than Alec Berg, but then only because his name was worked into the show as a character (the guy who gives Jerry playoff hockey tickets). Once I'd made the connection with Berg's character's name, I always noticed his name when it ran in the credits. As for the other writers, I couldn't tell ya.

Smartboy · 11-23-2008, 12:08 AM

The first thing that I would like to do is tell everyone how happy I am that a post of mine on this topic finaly got a response! Also I would like to thank the last poster for all of the information that he or she offered me and everyone else interested! One thing that I think is interesting is the three episodes of "Gimme a Break!" that he was involved in. They were an entirely different three than the three that his surviving wife appeared in. Maybe they liked to keep their personal life and their work life seperate. Who knows? Because of how much I admire Hazel Shermet (his wife) I think a lot about parts that she might have been good in. She could have played a relative of the Bradys or a mother of one of the children's friends. In the third season of the "Facts of Life" there was an episode called "Green Eyed Monster". In this episode she played a music teacher. In the "Brady Bunch" there were a lot of episodes that involved teachers and other staff members at the schools that the various children attended. Maybe she would have been good at playing one of them.

catlover79 · 11-23-2008, 01:49 AM

There are sure a lot of unsung writers of classic television throughout the years, and Mr. Rhine certainly is one of them.

When I read the title of this thread, I thought you were referring to the Bradys' horse sculpture.

sixfingers · 11-23-2008, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

When I read the title of this thread, I thought you were referring to the Bradys' horse sculpture.

Oh come now, they made a movie about it!

catlover79 · 11-23-2008, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixfingers

Oh come now, they made a movie about it!

I remember that well!!

Smartboy · 11-24-2008, 12:12 AM

I found the misunderstanding about which "horse" I was writing about to be so amusing that I decided to share it with my buddies on the "Gimme a Break!" page of this site! The last time I checked, the most recent post on that page was by me and it was called "A Horse Sculpture". Right under it was another post of mine called "Speed Buggy". You would have to read the posts themselves to understand why I gave them these names. The last time that I visited that page, both posts had several veiws but no responses. However, that was about six hours ago. I will be returning there shortly to see if things have changed!

Jude The Obscure · 11-25-2008, 08:32 PM

Just curious, Smartboy, why is it so important that you get responses to every post you make? I've made plenty of posts here that never got a response--sure, it bugged me sometimes, but not to the point I have to post about not getting a response every time. I'm not saying this in a mean spirit, just honsetly curious as to why you need a response for everything?

Smartboy · 11-25-2008, 09:42 PM

I have no problem understanding where the last poster is coming from! I know that a lot of my posts do get a little rudundant at times! It is just that I would like to think that the topics that I post about are of some interest to some people. I think that this particular thread is a good case and point. In my opinion, Larry Rhine and Hazel Shermet are two people who have had very interesting lives! On top of this, a lot of the shows that they were involved in were very popular. While I am on this topic, I would also like to mention something about Hazel that I find to be quite ironic! She worked as a photographer yet there are very few pictures of her anywhere! In my opinion the time that this actress really outdid herself was during her three appearances in "Gimme a Break!" Like I mentioned earlier in this thread, I had recently started two new threads on that page of this site. They were "A Horse Sculpture" and "Speed Buggy". I have since posted another thread on that page called "Mamma Mia!" I think that this might be of interest to some of you because, people who grew up with "The Brady Bunch" are probably just about old enough (and corny enough) to appreciate the music of ABBA! On top of this, Christine Barnanski was in this movie that this thread is about and she was Marcia's friend Paula in "The Slumber Caper". Those of you who are interested in reading more about her can go to another thread of mine on this page called "Sexy in Boots". Have fun!

Jude The Obscure · 11-26-2008, 01:41 PM

We can always find connections of The Brady Bunch with other movies, shows, etc. Part of the fun is putting the pieces together. For instance, anyone want to do Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon to any member of the Bunch?
Go ahead......I'm sure it is possible!

Smartboy · 12-08-2008, 07:57 PM

If you go to the second to last responce, you will see that it is by me and that in it I mentioned the "Mamma Mia!" movie. I am bringing this thread to the top to celebrate the fact that we are only a week and a day from the time that this film gets released on a two-disk DVD special! Are other fans excited about this reality? What do other people think of Christine Barnaski? My favorite performance by her is one that took place in between the "Brady Bunch" and "Mamma Mia!" This appearance was that of "Marci X"! This was my favorite movie of all times! The rap song known as "The Power in My Purse" is my favorite song ever! However, "Dancing Queen" is a very close second. The fact that this song is featured in this movie is one more reason why I am very excited about its realease!

Smartboy · 01-09-2009, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

There are sure a lot of unsung writers of classic television throughout the years, and Mr. Rhine certainly is one of them.

When I read the title of this thread, I thought you were referring to the Bradys' horse sculpture.

The is the last of three threads that I am bringing to the top of this page in an attempt to stimulate some new conversation. If you read the last posts on the two threads below this one, you will know the Brady-related topics that I am interested in feedback regarding. In any event, I am choosing this quote as the one to use in my post because I am still very amused about this poster seeing the word "horse" and thinking that I was writing about the horse sculpture in the Bardy's living room!

kooky12 · 01-09-2009, 03:23 AM

Hey Smartboy, as far as I'm concerned, you can beat the dead horse as much as you like. Whenever I watch the "old" sitcoms, I am impressed by the stuff the actors do over time, like seeing Natalie Schafer on the Brady Bunch. I like to see the more obscure stuff, like Bonnie Franklin on the Munsters, or even Kirstie Alley on Match Game, if that can be considered "obscure". But I know that I don't know too much - or pay enough attention to - the producers, directors - of these shows, though SOMETIMES I do catch connections from one show to the other and remember the names. Anyway, I appreciate the comments!

Tweety · 01-09-2009, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kooky12

Hey Smartboy, as far as I'm concerned, you can beat the dead horse as much as you like. Whenever I watch the "old" sitcoms, I am impressed by the stuff the actors do over time, like seeing Natalie Schafer on the Brady Bunch. I like to see the more obscure stuff, like Bonnie Franklin on the Munsters, or even Kirstie Alley on Match Game, if that can be considered "obscure". But I know that I don't know too much - or pay enough attention to - the producers, directors - of these shows, though SOMETIMES I do catch connections from one show to the other and remember the names. Anyway, I appreciate the comments!

FYI, Bonnie Franklin did appear in an episode of "The Munsters", as you mentioned... that was in 1966.

Franklin also appeared in a couple of episodes of the "Gidget" TV show... we have the one and only season of Gidget on DVD, which was filmed in color, unlike The Munsters. Franklin wasn't exactly a redhead in those days, her hair in the Gidget show was brown.... but you can defintily tell it's her (this was about 10 years before "One Day At A Time" debuted).

Smartboy · 04-27-2009, 12:17 AM

This is one more thread that I am bringing to the top of this page in celebration of the birthday of actress Charlotte Rae. For those of you who are new to this site, I have a tradition every time a chick that I admire has a birthday past forty. After posting a thread about her birthday or responding to the thread of someone else, I go to the pages of a bunch of other shows and bring to the tops of those pages threads about older babes on that show. I have already brought two such threads to the top of this page. Because I did not manage to generate any responses, I have decided to bring up two more! After raising this one to the top, I will bring up the one that is presently right under it. Earlier in this thread, I mentioned actress Hazel Shermet. For the record, I would like it to be know that she is my favorite older lady of all times! I just wish that there was more information about her available! See you in a few minutes!

11-21-2008, 12:28 AM	#1
Smartboy Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 06, 2007 Location: South Orange, NJ Posts: 4,231	A Dead Horse I know that after reading this post, a lot of people will think that I am really beating a dead horse on this issue! However I am trying one more time because I would really like to get some feedback on this topic! On November 2nd, I posted a message called "Credit for Larry". This was to pay tribute to the unsung heroe known as Larry Rhine. He did a lot of producing and directing on this sereis as well as All in the Family, The Odd Couple, Mr. Ed and others. In terms of the Facts of Life and Gimme a Break! he can wear two hats. In the first place, he was involved in the production of some of the episodes of these shows as well. On top of this, his surviving wife (Hazel Shermet) made two guest appearances in the former and three in the latter. I thought she was great! Because of this, I have posted a bunch of messages about both of them on both of these sites. However, this topic does not seem to have too much interest anywhere! At this point, my "Credit for Larry" thread has twenty-nine views and zero responses. However, I am well aware that new people are coming to boards like this all the time. Maybe this time around I will come across some people who have something to say about this couple!

11-23-2008, 01:49 AM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	There are sure a lot of unsung writers of classic television throughout the years, and Mr. Rhine certainly is one of them. When I read the title of this thread, I thought you were referring to the Bradys' horse sculpture.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

11-21-2008, 11:20 PM	#2
Tweety Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 18, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 6,804	He seems to have had a pretty good career, here's his link at imdb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0722289/#writer1930 His writing credits included seven episodes of the Brady Bunch: # The Subject Was Noses (9 February 1973) - Writer (written by) # The Great Earring Caper (2 March 1973) - Writer (written by) # Never Too Young (5 October 1973) - Writer (written by) # Try, Try Again (16 November 1973) - Writer (written by) # The Cincinnati Kids (23 November 1973) - Writer (written by) # Out of This World (18 January 1974) - Writer (written by) # Welcome Aboard (25 January 1974) - Writer (written by) I like the first five, but not the last two episodes on this list... He also wrote a lot of All in the Family stuff, most of it after Mike and Gloria had moved out of the Bunker house. He had a nice career, and it's nice that sites like IMDB allow people to really get a sense of everything people like Larry accomplished. Unfortunately, it's mostly when someone passes away that interest in what they did begins to develop among more than a few people. Several actors and writers have passed away over the last few years, and I've been amazed to go to IMDB and see a listing of everything they've done. I just had no idea. But let's face it... most writers work in annonomity for their whole careers. Obviously, it's the people in front of the camera that get all the credit...with the exception of the nights when award shows like the Emmys or Oscars air... but other than that, most people don't give writers a second thought. I love Seinfeld, for example, but except for Seinfeld himself and Larry David, I couldn't tell you who the writers were for that show, other than Alec Berg, but then only because his name was worked into the show as a character (the guy who gives Jerry playoff hockey tickets). Once I'd made the connection with Berg's character's name, I always noticed his name when it ran in the credits. As for the other writers, I couldn't tell ya.

11-23-2008, 12:08 AM	#3
Smartboy Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 06, 2007 Location: South Orange, NJ Posts: 4,231	The first thing that I would like to do is tell everyone how happy I am that a post of mine on this topic finaly got a response! Also I would like to thank the last poster for all of the information that he or she offered me and everyone else interested! One thing that I think is interesting is the three episodes of "Gimme a Break!" that he was involved in. They were an entirely different three than the three that his surviving wife appeared in. Maybe they liked to keep their personal life and their work life seperate. Who knows? Because of how much I admire Hazel Shermet (his wife) I think a lot about parts that she might have been good in. She could have played a relative of the Bradys or a mother of one of the children's friends. In the third season of the "Facts of Life" there was an episode called "Green Eyed Monster". In this episode she played a music teacher. In the "Brady Bunch" there were a lot of episodes that involved teachers and other staff members at the schools that the various children attended. Maybe she would have been good at playing one of them.

11-24-2008, 12:12 AM	#7
Smartboy Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 06, 2007 Location: South Orange, NJ Posts: 4,231	I found the misunderstanding about which "horse" I was writing about to be so amusing that I decided to share it with my buddies on the "Gimme a Break!" page of this site! The last time I checked, the most recent post on that page was by me and it was called "A Horse Sculpture". Right under it was another post of mine called "Speed Buggy". You would have to read the posts themselves to understand why I gave them these names. The last time that I visited that page, both posts had several veiws but no responses. However, that was about six hours ago. I will be returning there shortly to see if things have changed!

11-25-2008, 08:32 PM	#8
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,519	Just curious, Smartboy, why is it so important that you get responses to every post you make? I've made plenty of posts here that never got a response--sure, it bugged me sometimes, but not to the point I have to post about not getting a response every time. I'm not saying this in a mean spirit, just honsetly curious as to why you need a response for everything?

11-25-2008, 09:42 PM	#9
Smartboy Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 06, 2007 Location: South Orange, NJ Posts: 4,231	I have no problem understanding where the last poster is coming from! I know that a lot of my posts do get a little rudundant at times! It is just that I would like to think that the topics that I post about are of some interest to some people. I think that this particular thread is a good case and point. In my opinion, Larry Rhine and Hazel Shermet are two people who have had very interesting lives! On top of this, a lot of the shows that they were involved in were very popular. While I am on this topic, I would also like to mention something about Hazel that I find to be quite ironic! She worked as a photographer yet there are very few pictures of her anywhere! In my opinion the time that this actress really outdid herself was during her three appearances in "Gimme a Break!" Like I mentioned earlier in this thread, I had recently started two new threads on that page of this site. They were "A Horse Sculpture" and "Speed Buggy". I have since posted another thread on that page called "Mamma Mia!" I think that this might be of interest to some of you because, people who grew up with "The Brady Bunch" are probably just about old enough (and corny enough) to appreciate the music of ABBA! On top of this, Christine Barnanski was in this movie that this thread is about and she was Marcia's friend Paula in "The Slumber Caper". Those of you who are interested in reading more about her can go to another thread of mine on this page called "Sexy in Boots". Have fun!

11-26-2008, 01:41 PM	#10
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,519	We can always find connections of The Brady Bunch with other movies, shows, etc. Part of the fun is putting the pieces together. For instance, anyone want to do Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon to any member of the Bunch? Go ahead......I'm sure it is possible!

12-08-2008, 07:57 PM	#11
Smartboy Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 06, 2007 Location: South Orange, NJ Posts: 4,231	If you go to the second to last responce, you will see that it is by me and that in it I mentioned the "Mamma Mia!" movie. I am bringing this thread to the top to celebrate the fact that we are only a week and a day from the time that this film gets released on a two-disk DVD special! Are other fans excited about this reality? What do other people think of Christine Barnaski? My favorite performance by her is one that took place in between the "Brady Bunch" and "Mamma Mia!" This appearance was that of "Marci X"! This was my favorite movie of all times! The rap song known as "The Power in My Purse" is my favorite song ever! However, "Dancing Queen" is a very close second. The fact that this song is featured in this movie is one more reason why I am very excited about its realease!

01-09-2009, 03:23 AM	#13
kooky12 Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 06, 2005 Posts: 2,022	Hey Smartboy, as far as I'm concerned, you can beat the dead horse as much as you like. Whenever I watch the "old" sitcoms, I am impressed by the stuff the actors do over time, like seeing Natalie Schafer on the Brady Bunch. I like to see the more obscure stuff, like Bonnie Franklin on the Munsters, or even Kirstie Alley on Match Game, if that can be considered "obscure". But I know that I don't know too much - or pay enough attention to - the producers, directors - of these shows, though SOMETIMES I do catch connections from one show to the other and remember the names. Anyway, I appreciate the comments!

04-27-2009, 12:17 AM	#15
Smartboy Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 06, 2007 Location: South Orange, NJ Posts: 4,231	This is one more thread that I am bringing to the top of this page in celebration of the birthday of actress Charlotte Rae. For those of you who are new to this site, I have a tradition every time a chick that I admire has a birthday past forty. After posting a thread about her birthday or responding to the thread of someone else, I go to the pages of a bunch of other shows and bring to the tops of those pages threads about older babes on that show. I have already brought two such threads to the top of this page. Because I did not manage to generate any responses, I have decided to bring up two more! After raising this one to the top, I will bring up the one that is presently right under it. Earlier in this thread, I mentioned actress Hazel Shermet. For the record, I would like it to be know that she is my favorite older lady of all times! I just wish that there was more information about her available! See you in a few minutes!