Why cancelled? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

OOliver · 02-04-2009, 05:14 PM

I remember the last airing of RHODA was in early December, 1978...just a few months into the fifth season. I think the episode was Brenda asking for Ida's "blessing" on her engagement, which Ida was relunctant to give at first.

The show never aired again (although a few other episodes were in 'the can', which were finally aired in syndication/Nick at Nite many years later). I think the very last epsiode filmed (but never aired) was 'Brenda Runs Away' when Brenda felt everyone was interfering with her wedding plans. (Correct me if I'm wrong on these two eps).

Does anyone know why the show was cancelled? I would imagine it had to do with ratings, especially since CBS gave it the 'graveyard' shift of saturday evenings 8-8:30. I would imagine it did better on Monday eves and Sunday eves, as it had run the four seasons prior.

Does anyone have any other info or ratings info? I have always been curious about this.

catlover79 · 02-04-2009, 09:27 PM

I'm not sure, but I think it probably had mostly to do with ratings. Maybe Solomon can look into this.

McGillicuddy · 02-09-2009, 12:14 PM

Rhoda and Joe's divorce, Martin and Ida's separation (How Awful!!), David Groh, Harold Gould, and especially Nancy Walker leaving; it was as only Valerie Harper and Julie Kavner carrying the show. Nobody seems to remember Benny, Gary or that boss of Rhoda's in the last 2 seasons. It just never had the solid cast of TMTMS. Nancy Walker came and went, I don't think she was meant to be a regular character. Besides she was doing other things such as McMillan and Wife and Blansky's Beauties not to mention the Bounty Paper Towel commercials(haha).

OOliver · 02-09-2009, 12:41 PM

I don't think the addition of 'Sally Gallagher' (the single airline stewardess) or Johnny Venture (the Vegas-style singer) helped much either. It seems the producers threw characters together, without much thought or creativity behind them. (Not to mention Anne Meara was horribly miscast as 'Sally').

ThomasE · 02-09-2009, 01:53 PM

Speaking of Anne Meara, almost every show she was on, Jerry Stiller was tagging along behind her. The only time the script was flipped was when she played his girlfriend on "King of Queens" for a few episodes.

OOliver · 02-09-2009, 02:09 PM

Very true - I never realized that!

ThomasE · 02-09-2009, 02:14 PM

I kinda observed that. Everytime Anne Meara had a love interest, it would be Jerry himself. In turn, she was his on "K.O.Q.".

McGillicuddy · 02-09-2009, 03:55 PM

They are the parents of Ben Stiller. (Now were getting off the subject here!)

Sally Gallagher, another forgettable character.

02-04-2009, 05:14 PM	#1
OOliver Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 28, 2009 Location: Providence RI Posts: 569	Why cancelled? I remember the last airing of RHODA was in early December, 1978...just a few months into the fifth season. I think the episode was Brenda asking for Ida's "blessing" on her engagement, which Ida was relunctant to give at first. The show never aired again (although a few other episodes were in 'the can', which were finally aired in syndication/Nick at Nite many years later). I think the very last epsiode filmed (but never aired) was 'Brenda Runs Away' when Brenda felt everyone was interfering with her wedding plans. (Correct me if I'm wrong on these two eps). Does anyone know why the show was cancelled? I would imagine it had to do with ratings, especially since CBS gave it the 'graveyard' shift of saturday evenings 8-8:30. I would imagine it did better on Monday eves and Sunday eves, as it had run the four seasons prior. Does anyone have any other info or ratings info? I have always been curious about this.

02-04-2009, 09:27 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I'm not sure, but I think it probably had mostly to do with ratings. Maybe Solomon can look into this.
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02-09-2009, 12:14 PM	#3
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	Rhoda and Joe's divorce, Martin and Ida's separation (How Awful!!), David Groh, Harold Gould, and especially Nancy Walker leaving; it was as only Valerie Harper and Julie Kavner carrying the show. Nobody seems to remember Benny, Gary or that boss of Rhoda's in the last 2 seasons. It just never had the solid cast of TMTMS. Nancy Walker came and went, I don't think she was meant to be a regular character. Besides she was doing other things such as McMillan and Wife and Blansky's Beauties not to mention the Bounty Paper Towel commercials(haha).
	Last edited by McGillicuddy; 02-09-2009 at 03:52 PM.

02-09-2009, 01:53 PM	#5
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	Speaking of Anne Meara, almost every show she was on, Jerry Stiller was tagging along behind her. The only time the script was flipped was when she played his girlfriend on "King of Queens" for a few episodes.
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02-09-2009, 12:41 PM	#4
OOliver Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 28, 2009 Location: Providence RI Posts: 569	I don't think the addition of 'Sally Gallagher' (the single airline stewardess) or Johnny Venture (the Vegas-style singer) helped much either. It seems the producers threw characters together, without much thought or creativity behind them. (Not to mention Anne Meara was horribly miscast as 'Sally').

02-09-2009, 02:09 PM	#6
OOliver Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 28, 2009 Location: Providence RI Posts: 569	Very true - I never realized that!

02-09-2009, 02:14 PM	#7
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	I kinda observed that. Everytime Anne Meara had a love interest, it would be Jerry himself. In turn, she was his on "K.O.Q.".

02-09-2009, 03:55 PM	#8
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	They are the parents of Ben Stiller. (Now were getting off the subject here!) Sally Gallagher, another forgettable character.