In Rhoda: Minneapolis to New York... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JMFabiano524 · 12-19-2008, 05:15 PM

...did anyone else ever wonder why Phyllis WASN'T at the (not-)going-away party?

I watched the episode last night, in honor of the news of Rhoda coming out on DVD.

Kristen · 12-19-2008, 06:25 PM

You know, I never thought about this before. It's a really good question, though! I imagine either Mary knew Rhoda wouldn't want Phyllis there, and didn't bother inviting her, or Mary DID invite her, and Phyllis was too busy w/ one of her thousands of organizations to go. I think the latter is probably more likely.

- Kristen

PGood97041 · 12-20-2008, 01:13 AM

Without time to go back and watch it, was Phyllis in that episode at all?

If she was in the episode but not in the party scene that would be REALLY odd, but if she wasn't in the entire episode, weren't there times Cloris Leachman was not 100 percent available because of other projects?

One would think the writers could have, and would have wanted to have, at least a line or two of great interaction between Rhoda and Phyllis.

As for a possible explanation...I think Mary would have invited Phyllis, and I don't even think Rhoda would have minded - I think she actually got a kick out of challenging Phyllis.
I would definitely more easily buy the "busy with her other organizations" excuse.

Kristen · 12-20-2008, 02:41 AM

Phyllis isn't in the ep, but she's def. mentioned. Rhoda says she gave notice to her on the apartment, and she attempted to buy a goldfish for Bess, but Phyllis wouldn't accept it. Maybe she was just too busy celebrating Rhoda's departure to come to the official party. LOL. I would've loved to see her face when Rhoda decided not to leave!

catlover79 · 12-20-2008, 11:46 AM

^ Me, too!!

Kristen · 12-22-2008, 12:01 AM

This topic got me thinking...are there any other instances of Phyllis being mentioned in an ep she's not actually in? I can't think of any. I know there are passing mentions after she moves to San Francisco, but I'm talking about in the first 4 seasons.

- Kristen

GrandGame1440 · 12-22-2008, 04:06 AM

I have one, but it's from the fifth season, yet before she moved:

"Neighbors"

...as Bess is staying with Mary when Phyllis and Lars are away. Very strange to see her without Phyllis as well.

EDIT: Thought of one more "But Seriously, Folks" from season three.

Mary: (to Rhoda, after looking for some scotch for Wes) Can you believe that Phyllis? She didn't want to give me a whole bottle of scotch, so she poured some into a mayonnaise jar!

Kristen · 12-22-2008, 05:19 AM

Ooh, you're right, Justin! I totally forgot about "Neighbors." I love that line from "But Seriously, Folks." It's something I can SO see Phyllis doing! LOL

12-19-2008, 05:15 PM	#1
JMFabiano524 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 04, 2002 Posts: 525	In Rhoda: Minneapolis to New York... ...did anyone else ever wonder why Phyllis WASN'T at the (not-)going-away party? I watched the episode last night, in honor of the news of Rhoda coming out on DVD.

12-19-2008, 06:25 PM	#2
Kristen Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2000 Location: New York, USA Posts: 4,042	You know, I never thought about this before. It's a really good question, though! I imagine either Mary knew Rhoda wouldn't want Phyllis there, and didn't bother inviting her, or Mary DID invite her, and Phyllis was too busy w/ one of her thousands of organizations to go. I think the latter is probably more likely. - Kristen
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12-20-2008, 11:46 AM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	^ Me, too!!
	__________________ "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

12-20-2008, 01:13 AM	#3
PGood97041 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 03, 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 747	Without time to go back and watch it, was Phyllis in that episode at all? If she was in the episode but not in the party scene that would be REALLY odd, but if she wasn't in the entire episode, weren't there times Cloris Leachman was not 100 percent available because of other projects? One would think the writers could have, and would have wanted to have, at least a line or two of great interaction between Rhoda and Phyllis. As for a possible explanation...I think Mary would have invited Phyllis, and I don't even think Rhoda would have minded - I think she actually got a kick out of challenging Phyllis. I would definitely more easily buy the "busy with her other organizations" excuse.

12-20-2008, 02:41 AM	#4
Kristen Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2000 Location: New York, USA Posts: 4,042	Phyllis isn't in the ep, but she's def. mentioned. Rhoda says she gave notice to her on the apartment, and she attempted to buy a goldfish for Bess, but Phyllis wouldn't accept it. Maybe she was just too busy celebrating Rhoda's departure to come to the official party. LOL. I would've loved to see her face when Rhoda decided not to leave!

12-22-2008, 12:01 AM	#6
Kristen Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2000 Location: New York, USA Posts: 4,042	This topic got me thinking...are there any other instances of Phyllis being mentioned in an ep she's not actually in? I can't think of any. I know there are passing mentions after she moves to San Francisco, but I'm talking about in the first 4 seasons. - Kristen

12-22-2008, 04:06 AM	#7
GrandGame1440 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 24, 2003 Posts: 557	I have one, but it's from the fifth season, yet before she moved: "Neighbors" ...as Bess is staying with Mary when Phyllis and Lars are away. Very strange to see her without Phyllis as well. EDIT: Thought of one more "But Seriously, Folks" from season three. Mary: (to Rhoda, after looking for some scotch for Wes) Can you believe that Phyllis? She didn't want to give me a whole bottle of scotch, so she poured some into a mayonnaise jar!

12-22-2008, 05:19 AM	#8
Kristen Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2000 Location: New York, USA Posts: 4,042	Ooh, you're right, Justin! I totally forgot about "Neighbors." I love that line from "But Seriously, Folks." It's something I can SO see Phyllis doing! LOL