Flo's last episode - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

sodalake · 01-04-2009, 03:07 PM

Did anyone else notice that in Flo's last episode where she announces she is leaving--Vera is sad to see her go but Alice looks and acts happy over the news I assume because she thought it was a big opportunity for Flo...

When watching this on the DVD, I thought wow Linda Lavin sure does not hide how thrilled she is to see Polly Holiday leave the show. She was just too cheery throughout the entire episode.

Dr. Thong · 01-04-2009, 03:15 PM

It's no secret that Linda Lavin and Polly Holliday did not get along and that their egos clashed mightily behind the scenes.

Lavin was none too happy that the supporting character of Flo was more popular and was a scene stealer. However, Lavin should have realized that the supporting characters almost always steal the show and end up more popular.

The lead characters have to be anchors and more down to earth. It's just the way it is.

Look at Marla Gibbs -- she had all those sassy one liners as Florence on The Jeffersons, but when she was later the star of her own show, 227, she was more of a "straight man" character while Jackee Harry was the sexy, sassy character who got all the great one-liners.

It's too bad that Holliday couldn't have returned to Alice once her show flopped, but I doubt she would have wanted to.

cleverfun3000 · 01-04-2009, 10:52 PM

mstewart · 01-05-2009, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

It's no secret that Linda Lavin and Polly Holliday did not get along and that their egos clashed mightily behind the scenes.

Lavin was none too happy that the supporting character of Flo was more popular and was a scene stealer. However, Lavin should have realized that the supporting characters almost always steal the show and end up more popular.

The lead characters have to be anchors and more down to earth. It's just the way it is.

Look at Marla Gibbs -- she had all those sassy one liners as Florence on The Jeffersons, but when she was later the star of her own show, 227, she was more of a "straight man" character while Jackee Harry was the sexy, sassy character who got all the great one-liners.

If you saw the episode with Eve Arden when Tommy went on the talk show Alice hardly ever looked in Flo's direction during the episode. When Tommy blabbed out on TV about Flo leaving Tommy by himself at her mobile home trailer when she watched him while Alice was out of town. You can see the tension between those two in the interacting when Flo told Alice that she was jealous and you can see Polly actually telling Linda that. Linda's reactions to Polly's Flo was hard and obvious that there was resentment that it was becoming Flo's show. The producers should had dealt with Linda on that instead they gave her own her show and not coming back to Alice after it failed

It's too bad that Holliday couldn't have returned to Alice once her show flopped, but I doubt she would have wanted to.

catlover79 · 01-05-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

It's no secret that Linda Lavin and Polly Holliday did not get along and that their egos clashed mightily behind the scenes.

Lavin was none too happy that the supporting character of Flo was more popular and was a scene stealer. However, Lavin should have realized that the supporting characters almost always steal the show and end up more popular.

The lead characters have to be anchors and more down to earth. It's just the way it is.

Look at Marla Gibbs -- she had all those sassy one liners as Florence on The Jeffersons, but when she was later the star of her own show, 227, she was more of a "straight man" character while Jackee Harry was the sexy, sassy character who got all the great one-liners.

It's too bad that Holliday couldn't have returned to Alice once her show flopped, but I doubt she would have wanted to.

She should've realized it because she just came from an exceptional ensemble comedy (Barney Miller). But I digress. To me, Alice was more The Mel Show. Vic Tayback NEVER failed to make me laugh, God bless him.

Jude The Obscure · 01-05-2009, 09:57 PM

The show succeeded when it was more "Mel's Diner" than it was "Alice"

catlover79 · 01-05-2009, 10:11 PM

To me, Alice was the least interesting of the main characters. Vera was often often annoying and shrill, but at least she wasn't boring. Mel was by far the funniest character on the show, and not for nothing did Vic Tayback win two Golden Globes for the role.

sodalake · 01-05-2009, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

The show succeeded when it was more "Mel's Diner" than it was "Alice"

I think some people refer to the show as Mel's Diner when they think and talk about the show rather than just Alice.

Jude The Obscure · 01-05-2009, 10:59 PM

it would have made a great syndication title!

catlover79 · 01-05-2009, 11:01 PM

Where's Charles and his Photoshop when you need him?

I'd love to see him make a "Mel's Diner" title card.

Jude The Obscure · 01-06-2009, 12:12 AM

All they needed was the Mel's Diner sign already used in the opening credits with credits such as "Linda Lavin in......Mel's Diner......Also starring Vic Tayback.......etc"

catlover79 · 01-09-2009, 02:03 AM

Linda Lavin seemed very detached in Flo/Polly's last episode. But it makes a lot of sense if all the rumors are true!!

Willsatx · 01-09-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

To me, Alice was the least interesting of the main characters. Vera was often often annoying and shrill, but at least she wasn't boring. Mel was by far the funniest character on the show, and not for nothing did Vic Tayback win two Golden Globes for the role.

I thought the same thing, never thought Alice was very funny. But the rest of the cast was great.

Scoobiedoo30 · 01-11-2009, 01:15 PM

No I have not noticed that Linda was Smileing on Flo Last episode.

ThomasE · 01-18-2009, 11:07 AM

To me, Alice was still that star of that show. She was the anchor as someone had put it. It was still more Alice's show that Mel's IMO. The leads are anchors though. I do agree. Much like Isabel Sanford who was the lead character in "The Jeffersons" while Sherman was as well but she was the anchor while the co-star (Hemsley) had the over the top comedic humor. They played off each other extremely well. Esther Rolle and Jimmie Walker are two more examples.

01-04-2009, 03:07 PM	#1
sodalake Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 02, 2009 Posts: 109	Flo's last episode Did anyone else notice that in Flo's last episode where she announces she is leaving--Vera is sad to see her go but Alice looks and acts happy over the news I assume because she thought it was a big opportunity for Flo... When watching this on the DVD, I thought wow Linda Lavin sure does not hide how thrilled she is to see Polly Holiday leave the show. She was just too cheery throughout the entire episode.

01-04-2009, 03:15 PM	#2
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	It's no secret that Linda Lavin and Polly Holliday did not get along and that their egos clashed mightily behind the scenes. Lavin was none too happy that the supporting character of Flo was more popular and was a scene stealer. However, Lavin should have realized that the supporting characters almost always steal the show and end up more popular. The lead characters have to be anchors and more down to earth. It's just the way it is. Look at Marla Gibbs -- she had all those sassy one liners as Florence on The Jeffersons, but when she was later the star of her own show, 227, she was more of a "straight man" character while Jackee Harry was the sexy, sassy character who got all the great one-liners. It's too bad that Holliday couldn't have returned to Alice once her show flopped, but I doubt she would have wanted to.
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01-11-2009, 01:15 PM	#14
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	No I have not noticed that Linda was Smileing on Flo Last episode.
	__________________ Who Dat

01-18-2009, 11:07 AM	#15
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	To me, Alice was still that star of that show. She was the anchor as someone had put it. It was still more Alice's show that Mel's IMO. The leads are anchors though. I do agree. Much like Isabel Sanford who was the lead character in "The Jeffersons" while Sherman was as well but she was the anchor while the co-star (Hemsley) had the over the top comedic humor. They played off each other extremely well. Esther Rolle and Jimmie Walker are two more examples.
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01-04-2009, 10:52 PM	#3
cleverfun3000 Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 18, 2008 Location: Manhattan Posts: 1,685

01-05-2009, 09:57 PM	#6
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	The show succeeded when it was more "Mel's Diner" than it was "Alice"

01-05-2009, 10:11 PM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	To me, Alice was the least interesting of the main characters. Vera was often often annoying and shrill, but at least she wasn't boring. Mel was by far the funniest character on the show, and not for nothing did Vic Tayback win two Golden Globes for the role.

01-05-2009, 10:59 PM	#9
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	it would have made a great syndication title!

01-05-2009, 11:01 PM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Where's Charles and his Photoshop when you need him? I'd love to see him make a "Mel's Diner" title card.

01-06-2009, 12:12 AM	#11
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	All they needed was the Mel's Diner sign already used in the opening credits with credits such as "Linda Lavin in......Mel's Diner......Also starring Vic Tayback.......etc"

01-09-2009, 02:03 AM	#12
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Linda Lavin seemed very detached in Flo/Polly's last episode. But it makes a lot of sense if all the rumors are true!!