If there had been a 4th season - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Fanofoldtvshows · 12-16-2009, 12:03 AM

Do you think they would changed the opening to the show to included the actor who played Ross? Do you think he would still only have been mention in the closing credits?

TV Guy · 12-16-2009, 12:51 AM

Maybe. They would have had to refilm the credits regardless, because the show would have been in color (UA's unwillingness to finance the show's conversion to color is the reason it didn't continue for a fourth year).

Fanofoldtvshows · 12-16-2009, 02:37 AM

Okay,thank you.

MickeyMac · 12-16-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Guy

Maybe. They would have had to refilm the credits regardless, because the show would have been in color (UA's unwillingness to finance the show's conversion to color is the reason it didn't continue for a fourth year).

I never knew that.

I thought the show was only three seasons because the ratings dropped.

1960'sTVfan · 12-16-2009, 10:53 PM

As the previous poster said, a 4th season didn't take place because the show would have had to change to color for the 1966-67 season and it was decided the show would be too costly to produce in color. Ratings for season 3 were still decent, had this been the #1 rated sitcom in 1965-66 I imagine they might have been more motivated to come up with the money for another season and color episodes. But Patty was tiring of the series playing in the dual role, she was ready to move on to movies and do some dramatic acting. So it's probably just as well the show ended it's run after the 3rd season.

Paul O'Keefe should have been in the show's opening credits from the beginning, I don't have an answer as to why he only got a mention in the closing credits. William Schallert and Jean Byron weren't in the opening credits of season 1, but starting with season 2 they get a mention.

Fanofoldtvshows · 12-17-2009, 01:24 AM

Some good points, I agree Paul O' Keefe should of been in the opening credits from the start of the series. If they had been a 4th season I hope they would have him in the opening credits. We will never know if they would have.

TV Knowledge Fan · 12-17-2009, 02:00 AM

...at the beginning of the "fourth season". Not only that, it would have looked great in color! And I'm quite sure Sidney Sheldon, even if he had continued to devote himself full-time to "I DREAM OF JEANNIE" by writing every episode, would have contributed some great scripts, dealing with Patty's evolving maturity, her occcasional conflicts with Cathy, her parents, Ross, and Richard. There might have been at least one episode where Martin Lane butts heads with his new editor on the subject of, say, "journalistic responsbility". Ross, of course, might experience his "first love", and the heartbreak that goes with it. Of course, there would have been the inevitable "high school graduation" episode at the end of the season, and an ongoing storyline towards the spring of 1967 as to whether Patty would seriously consider Richard's marriage proposal...especially when he lets it slip, in one penultimate episode, that he took Cathy out on a date- and she didn't mind one bit when she let him kiss her, leading to a two-part episode where...well, you get the idea.

1960'sTVfan · 12-17-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

...at the beginning of the "fourth season". Not only that, it would have looked great in color! And I'm quite sure Sidney Sheldon, even if he had continued to devote himself full-time to "I DREAM OF JEANNIE" by writing every episode, would have contributed some great scripts, dealing with Patty's evolving maturity, her occcasional conflicts with Cathy, her parents, Ross, and Richard. There might have been at least one episode where Martin Lane butts heads with his new editor on the subject of, say, "journalistic responsbility". Ross, of course, might experience his "first love", and the heartbreak that goes with it. Of course, there would have been the inevitable "high school graduation" episode at the end of the season, and an ongoing storyline towards the spring of 1967 as to whether Patty would seriously consider Richard's marriage proposal...especially when he lets it slip, in one penultimate episode, that he took Cathy out on a date- and she didn't mind one bit when she let him kiss her, leading to a two-part episode where...well, you get the idea.

Would have been interesting to see a 4th season with color episodes, that is for sure. Some people wouldn't have liked this, but if the shows producers were concerned about cost they could have cut Cathy's character out from the show and just let Patty be Patty. They could have made the 4th season opening episode with Cathy and had her move back with her father or move elsewhere to continue her education. There was that 3rd season episode where Cathy debated about moving, they could have elaborated on that. They wouldn't have had to do away with her character completely, every few episodes or so they could have had Cathy "phone in" to the family and update them on what's been going on in her world. I don't see where scenes like that would have been too expensive to film.

To replace Cathy, they could have introduced a new character, a young lady who would have been Ross first steady girlfriend. I picture her as a tomboy type, mischievious like Ross. The two of them could have drove poor Patty crazy. They could have made an episode where Ross and his girl and Patty and Richard double date and they get into all kinds of mischief. If Sally Field wouldn't have been busy filming Gidget, maybe they could have signed her up for the part. Patty Duke and Sally Field in the same show. How would THAT have been for star quality??!!

A lot of possibilities there, but unfortunately a 4th season wasn't meant to be. But we can dream in our minds eye what season 4 might have been like.

randyrandy · 12-17-2009, 03:38 PM

Based on the quality of Season Three, as compared to Seasons One and Two, it probably is a good thing they didn't do a fourth season.

Although it would have been great to see the show in color. Just for curiosity's sake.

Fanofoldtvshows · 12-17-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

Would have been interesting to see a 4th season with color episodes, that is for sure. Some people wouldn't have liked this, but if the shows producers were concerned about cost they could have cut Cathy's character out from the show and just let Patty be Patty. They could have made the 4th season opening episode with Cathy and had her move back with her father or move elsewhere to continue her education. There was that 3rd season episode where Cathy debated about moving, they could have elaborated on that. They wouldn't have had to do away with her character completely, every few episodes or so they could have had Cathy "phone in" to the family and update them on what's been going on in her world. I don't see where scenes like that would have been too expensive to film.

To replace Cathy, they could have introduced a new character, a young lady who would have been Ross first steady girlfriend. I picture her as a tomboy type, mischievious like Ross. The two of them could have drove poor Patty crazy. They could have made an episode where Ross and his girl and Patty and Richard double date and they get into all kinds of mischief. If Sally Field wouldn't have been busy filming Gidget, maybe they could have signed her up for the part. Patty Duke and Sally Field in the same show. How would THAT have been for star quality??!!

A lot of possibilities there, but unfortunately a 4th season wasn't meant to be. But we can dream in our minds eye what season 4 might have been like.

Some good ideas.I would watch the 4th season if there was one,but would most likely perfer the 1st 3 seasons.

1960'sTVfan · 12-30-2009, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyrandy

Based on the quality of Season Three, as compared to Seasons One and Two, it probably is a good thing they didn't do a fourth season.

It's a matter of personal taste, I like the 3rd season best but there are good episodes in all the seasons.

Back in the day when they were making these older sitcoms, the episodes were mainly considered "throwaways" and made to entertain for the moment. Not many people were thinking ahead to syndicated TV and reruns, the home video industry and VHS/DVD. It's good that we live in this modern era and many favorite shows are available for purchase so fans can enjoy them anytime they like.

12-17-2009, 02:00 AM	#7
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	I believe everyone would have gotten full credit... ...at the beginning of the "fourth season". Not only that, it would have looked great in color! And I'm quite sure Sidney Sheldon, even if he had continued to devote himself full-time to "I DREAM OF JEANNIE" by writing every episode, would have contributed some great scripts, dealing with Patty's evolving maturity, her occcasional conflicts with Cathy, her parents, Ross, and Richard. There might have been at least one episode where Martin Lane butts heads with his new editor on the subject of, say, "journalistic responsbility". Ross, of course, might experience his "first love", and the heartbreak that goes with it. Of course, there would have been the inevitable "high school graduation" episode at the end of the season, and an ongoing storyline towards the spring of 1967 as to whether Patty would seriously consider Richard's marriage proposal...especially when he lets it slip, in one penultimate episode, that he took Cathy out on a date- and she didn't mind one bit when she let him kiss her, leading to a two-part episode where...well, you get the idea.

12-17-2009, 03:38 PM	#9
randyrandy Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 29, 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 172	Based on the quality of Season Three, as compared to Seasons One and Two, it probably is a good thing they didn't do a fourth season. Although it would have been great to see the show in color. Just for curiosity's sake.
	__________________ Randy Patty Duke Photo Group http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group...e_Photo_Group/

12-16-2009, 12:03 AM	#1
Fanofoldtvshows Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 15, 2009 Posts: 42	If there had been a 4th season Do you think they would changed the opening to the show to included the actor who played Ross? Do you think he would still only have been mention in the closing credits?

12-16-2009, 12:51 AM	#2
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	Maybe. They would have had to refilm the credits regardless, because the show would have been in color (UA's unwillingness to finance the show's conversion to color is the reason it didn't continue for a fourth year).

12-16-2009, 02:37 AM	#3
Fanofoldtvshows Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 15, 2009 Posts: 42	Okay,thank you.

12-16-2009, 10:53 PM	#5
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,094	As the previous poster said, a 4th season didn't take place because the show would have had to change to color for the 1966-67 season and it was decided the show would be too costly to produce in color. Ratings for season 3 were still decent, had this been the #1 rated sitcom in 1965-66 I imagine they might have been more motivated to come up with the money for another season and color episodes. But Patty was tiring of the series playing in the dual role, she was ready to move on to movies and do some dramatic acting. So it's probably just as well the show ended it's run after the 3rd season. Paul O'Keefe should have been in the show's opening credits from the beginning, I don't have an answer as to why he only got a mention in the closing credits. William Schallert and Jean Byron weren't in the opening credits of season 1, but starting with season 2 they get a mention.

12-17-2009, 01:24 AM	#6
Fanofoldtvshows Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 15, 2009 Posts: 42	Some good points, I agree Paul O' Keefe should of been in the opening credits from the start of the series. If they had been a 4th season I hope they would have him in the opening credits. We will never know if they would have.