Why did Flo (the show) fail? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Yong Fang · 03-15-2010, 06:54 AM

Howdy!

I was a child in the 1970's before the era of cable and internet.

I was too young and do not remember "Flo" the TV show, but I would be interested to know why this show failed. I think that Flo was the big draw on "Alice", so what happened?

Jude The Obscure · 03-15-2010, 11:34 PM

The show was given a mid season birth on CBS's Monday night lineup--after M*A*S*H--naturally huge ratings....easy renewal. The following fall CBS moved the show to a deadly time slot, where ratings fell instantly. Also the fact that Flo was meant to be a comic sidekick, not a lead straight woman.

Marvo301 · 03-16-2010, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

The show was given a mid season birth on CBS's Monday night lineup--after M*A*S*H--naturally huge ratings....easy renewal. The following fall CBS moved the show to a deadly time slot, where ratings fell instantly. Also the fact that Flo was meant to be a comic sidekick, not a lead straight woman.

Being a great comic sidekick is no guarantee you will be able to carry your own show. Just look at Joey Tribbiani. Great as a sidekick on Friends but bombed as the lead on the spinoff Joey.

catlover79 · 03-16-2010, 01:33 AM

Great points, both Jude and Marv.

TVFactFan · 03-16-2010, 09:31 PM

It failed because Mel, Alice, and Vera seemed to be missing in every episode-lol,

catlover79 · 03-16-2010, 09:36 PM

Well, Vic Tayback (Mel) DID guest on one Flo episode entitled "What Are Friends For?" It aired on March 14, 1981.

Jude The Obscure · 03-24-2010, 12:09 AM

^Probably was the highest rated Flo episode too!

catlover79 · 03-24-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

^Probably was the highest rated Flo episode too!

I wouldn't doubt it!!

OOliver · 04-10-2010, 02:57 PM

Being a great comic sidekick is no guarantee you will be able to carry your own show. Just look at Joey Tribbiani. Great as a sidekick on Friends but bombed as the lead on the spinoff Joey.

True, but before Joey Tribbiani, there were the characters "Rhoda Morgenstern", "Phyllis Lindstrom", "Maude Findlay", "Florida Evans", and "George Jefferson". Each character started as a 'sidekick' on CBS sitcoms who spun-off to star in their own show with great success just a few seasosn before "Florence Jean Castlebury". I think CBS was looking at these shows back in 1980, and never thought a spin-off could fail.

magellan333 · 04-27-2010, 05:33 PM

True, but before Joey Tribbiani, there were the characters "Rhoda Morgenstern", "Phyllis Lindstrom", "Maude Findlay", "Florida Evans", and "George Jefferson". Each character started as a 'sidekick' on CBS sitcoms who spun-off to star in their own show with great success just a few seasosn before "Florence Jean Castlebury". I think CBS was looking at these shows back in 1980, and never thought a spin-off could fail.[/QUOTE]

Don't forget another spin-off dud was "Checking In" starring Marla Gibbs, ironically as Florence....

GameShowFanMan66 · 06-16-2010, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OOliver

Being a great comic sidekick is no guarantee you will be able to carry your own show. Just look at Joey Tribbiani. Great as a sidekick on Friends but bombed as the lead on the spinoff Joey.

True, but before Joey Tribbiani, there were the characters "Rhoda Morgenstern", "Phyllis Lindstrom", "Maude Findlay", "Florida Evans", and "George Jefferson". Each character started as a 'sidekick' on CBS sitcoms who spun-off to star in their own show with great success just a few seasosn before "Florence Jean Castlebury". I think CBS was looking at these shows back in 1980, and never thought a spin-off could fail.

Remember too, "Maude", "Good Times" & "The Jeffersons" all had Norman Lear too.

comedyfreak · 06-17-2010, 05:43 AM

I didn't like the setting or her supporting cast it should have been done better. I would have had it set in a diner she now managing with a better cast. I also didn't care much for the theme either.

rcbrad · 06-17-2010, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comedyfreak

I didn't like the setting or her supporting cast it should have been done better. I would have had it set in a diner she now managing with a better cast. I also didn't care much for the theme either.

Yes, I agree. The problem was the show itself, it was just not very good. It was a far cry from the quality production of Alice. I loved the show Alice, and even at the time, I did not really care much for the show Flo. It really did not hold my attention, it just seemed kind of bland. Polly Holiday was marvelous in the role though.

catlover79 · 06-17-2010, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcbrad

Yes, I agree. The problem was the show itself, it was just not very good. It was a far cry from the quality production of Alice. I loved the show Alice, and even at the time, I did not really care much for the show Flo. It really did not hold my attention, it just seemed kind of bland. Polly Holiday was marvelous in the role though.

It's just a shame that Polly Holliday never had another breakthrough role. But I DID love her recurring role as Jill's mom on Home Improvement.

JAlanRuss72 · 06-17-2010, 04:45 PM

The show could have been much better. I read that Holliday wanted a show where Flo was more of a "fish out of water" or even in Washington dating a politician, which might have been more interesting. One problem was that Flo was "right at home", surrounded by a bunch of good ole boys. In my opinion, what made her far more interesting on Alice was the conflict of all the different characters. They all had DIFFERENT outlooks on things, which made situations funnier. Shows like AITF, Barney Miller, The Golden Girls, Night Court, all had characters with totally unique personalities in conflict with each other (even though they were friends) from show to show, which seemed to keep the situations fresh and interesting. Everyone seemed too much alike on Flo, IMHO.

03-15-2010, 06:54 AM	#1
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,072	Why did Flo (the show) fail? Howdy! I was a child in the 1970's before the era of cable and internet. I was too young and do not remember "Flo" the TV show, but I would be interested to know why this show failed. I think that Flo was the big draw on "Alice", so what happened?

03-16-2010, 01:33 AM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Great points, both Jude and Marv.
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06-17-2010, 05:43 AM	#12
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,058	I didn't like the setting or her supporting cast it should have been done better. I would have had it set in a diner she now managing with a better cast. I also didn't care much for the theme either.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

06-17-2010, 04:45 PM	#15
JAlanRuss72 Eternal Member Eternal Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 22, 2006 Location: Cookeville, TN Posts: 488	The show could have been much better. I read that Holliday wanted a show where Flo was more of a "fish out of water" or even in Washington dating a politician, which might have been more interesting. One problem was that Flo was "right at home", surrounded by a bunch of good ole boys. In my opinion, what made her far more interesting on Alice was the conflict of all the different characters. They all had DIFFERENT outlooks on things, which made situations funnier. Shows like AITF, Barney Miller, The Golden Girls, Night Court, all had characters with totally unique personalities in conflict with each other (even though they were friends) from show to show, which seemed to keep the situations fresh and interesting. Everyone seemed too much alike on Flo, IMHO.
	__________________ Jeff Russell Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/Jrussell1972

03-15-2010, 11:34 PM	#2
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,519	The show was given a mid season birth on CBS's Monday night lineup--after MAS*H--naturally huge ratings....easy renewal. The following fall CBS moved the show to a deadly time slot, where ratings fell instantly. Also the fact that Flo was meant to be a comic sidekick, not a lead straight woman.

03-16-2010, 09:31 PM	#5
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,965	It failed because Mel, Alice, and Vera seemed to be missing in every episode-lol,

03-16-2010, 09:36 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Well, Vic Tayback (Mel) DID guest on one Flo episode entitled "What Are Friends For?" It aired on March 14, 1981.

03-24-2010, 12:09 AM	#7
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,519	^Probably was the highest rated Flo episode too!

04-10-2010, 02:57 PM	#9
OOliver Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 28, 2009 Location: Providence RI Posts: 569	Being a great comic sidekick is no guarantee you will be able to carry your own show. Just look at Joey Tribbiani. Great as a sidekick on Friends but bombed as the lead on the spinoff Joey. True, but before Joey Tribbiani, there were the characters "Rhoda Morgenstern", "Phyllis Lindstrom", "Maude Findlay", "Florida Evans", and "George Jefferson". Each character started as a 'sidekick' on CBS sitcoms who spun-off to star in their own show with great success just a few seasosn before "Florence Jean Castlebury". I think CBS was looking at these shows back in 1980, and never thought a spin-off could fail.

04-27-2010, 05:33 PM	#10
magellan333 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 26, 2003 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 822	True, but before Joey Tribbiani, there were the characters "Rhoda Morgenstern", "Phyllis Lindstrom", "Maude Findlay", "Florida Evans", and "George Jefferson". Each character started as a 'sidekick' on CBS sitcoms who spun-off to star in their own show with great success just a few seasosn before "Florence Jean Castlebury". I think CBS was looking at these shows back in 1980, and never thought a spin-off could fail.[/QUOTE] Don't forget another spin-off dud was "Checking In" starring Marla Gibbs, ironically as Florence....