Why Was the Lou Grant Spinoff A Drama? Wouldn't Have Been Better As A Sitcom? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 03-21-2010, 08:15 PM

I haven't seen the show since I was a kid, but I remember hating it.

Mr. Television · 03-21-2010, 08:46 PM

Lou Grant was a good show but it's not a show a kid would enjoy. My Mom used to always watch the show and I hated it. Years later I watched it in reruns on A&E and I liked it. The show addressed topics that I just didn't care about when I was young. The dramas I watched back then always had a sense of humor to them and Lou Grant was so serious all the time. On the other hand, I do think that Lou Grant could have worked as a sitcom too. That character was that powerful.

Brian Damage · 03-21-2010, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

Lou Grant was a good show but it's not a show a kid would enjoy. My Mom used to always watch the show and I hated it. Years later I watched it in reruns on A&E and I liked it. The show addressed topics that I just didn't care about when I was young. The dramas I watched back then always had a sense of humor to them and Lou Grant was so serious all the time. On the other hand, I do think that Lou Grant could have worked as a sitcom too. That character was that powerful.

Interesting take Sonny, I just wonder why they did a 180 degree turn with the character and make him so serious. I mean this was Lou Grant from MTM for crying out loud. If anything, they should've made this a dramedy.

dlemond · 03-21-2010, 08:55 PM

Never really watched Lou Grant.

As a kid I didn't have too much interest in straight up drama series.
I do remember thinking that it was neat that they took a sitcom character and made a drama about him.

I think the fact that it was a drama took a huge burden off the show to follow up one of best regarded sitcoms of all time. It allowed it to take the character of Lou Grant and let the show shine on its own.

Pretty sure it was received well.

Brian Damage · 03-21-2010, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlemond

Never really watched Lou Grant.

As a kid I didn't have too much interest in straight up drama series.
I do remember thinking that it was neat that they took a sitcom character and made a drama about him.

I think the fact that it was a drama took a huge burden off the show to follow up one of best regarded sitcoms of all time. It allowed it to take the character of Lou Grant and let the show shine on its own.

Pretty sure it was received well.

How long did it last?

Marvo301 · 03-21-2010, 09:02 PM

I suspect making Lou Grant a drama was an attempt to distance the character from his roots as a character on TMTMS and therefore distance him from any expectations to live up to that pedigree. I think that was actually a very good idea.

Mr. Television · 03-21-2010, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Interesting take Sonny, I just wonder why they did a 180 degree turn with the character and make him so serious. I mean this was Lou Grant from MTM for crying out loud. If anything, they should've made this a dramedy.

I think that's what disappointed me back then. I was a big fan of the Mary Tyler Moore Show and when I watched the show, it was so serious. They seperated themselves from MTM pretty fast too. I think they just mentioned his old life in the first episode. It was sort of how they addressed Trapper John M.D. and MASH. Unlike Lou Grant though, Trapper John had a lot of humor and I liked that show. If anyone watched Lou Grant without ever watching him on MTM, I think they would have a different perspective.

Brian Damage · 03-21-2010, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I suspect making Lou Grant a drama was an attempt to distance the character from his roots as a character on TMTMS and therefore distance him from any expectations to live up to that pedigree. I think that was actually a very good idea.

It was an interesting idea no doubt about that. If I am not mistaken, it was the first time in tv history a sitcom character moved over to drama. With all that said, Rhoda was spun off into a comedy as was Phyllis. What made Lou different?

Brian Damage · 03-21-2010, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

I think that's what disappointed me back then. I was a big fan of the Mary Tyler Moore Show and when I watched the show, it was so serious. They seperated themselves from MTM pretty fast too. I think they just mentioned his old life in the first episode. It was sort of how they addressed Trapper John M.D. and MASH. Unlike Lou Grant though, Trapper John had a lot of humor and I liked that show. If anyone watched Lou Grant without ever watching him on MTM, I think they would have a different perspective.

You see, I don't like that. I understand you want to set Lou apart from MTM, but why just one little mention? I guess that answers my other question if anybody from MTM ever visited for a guest role.

Marvo301 · 03-21-2010, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

It was an interesting idea no doubt about that. If I am not mistaken, it was the first time in tv history a sitcom character moved over to drama. With all that said, Rhoda was spun off into a comedy as was Phyllis. What made Lou different?

I think the subject matter lent itself more to drama than comedy. Lou Grant left WJM to take a job as a newspaper editor. As such he dealt with very series issues as well as the series business of running a newspaper. I think that just worked better as a drama.

Mr. Television · 03-21-2010, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

You see, I don't like that. I understand you want to set Lou apart from MTM, but why just one little mention? I guess that answers my other question if anybody from MTM ever visited for a guest role.

Yea I understand what you mean. It would have been great seeing the old gang on Lou Grant. In reality though, the show was only Lou Grant in name only. Ed Asner really could have played a completely different character and had the same results. I think they just used the name because of name recognition and I think it was produced by MTM Enterprises. It was nominated for many emmys and I think it won a few so it was well received.

Brian Damage · 03-21-2010, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I think the subject matter lent itself more to drama than comedy. Lou Grant left WJM to take a job as a newspaper editor. As such he dealt with very series issues as well as the series business of running a newspaper. I think that just worked better as a drama.

Thanks for the heads up on that, but, no humor at all?

Brian Damage · 03-21-2010, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

Yea I understand what you mean. It would have been great seeing the old gang on Lou Grant. In reality though, the show was only Lou Grant in name only. Ed Asner really could have played a completely different character and had the same results. I think they just used the name because of name recognition and I think it was produced by MTM Enterprises. It was nominated for many emmys and I think it won a few so it was well received.

I guess in a way, it's like Solomon's theory of Florida Evans on Maude and Florida Evans on Good Times. Same name, but different characters. lol

Mr. Television · 03-21-2010, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I guess in a way, it's like Solomon's theory of Florida Evans on Maude and Florida Evans on Good Times. Same name, but different characters. lol

I wonder if Solomon would consider this a spinoff?

Marvo301 · 03-21-2010, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Thanks for the heads up on that, but, no humor at all?

You have to remember that on TMTMS Ed Asner was surrounded by an ensemble of brilliant comic actors and actresses. But on Lou Grant the cast were all dramatic actors. So I guess they played to their strength.

03-21-2010, 08:15 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Why Was the Lou Grant Spinoff A Drama? Wouldn't Have Been Better As A Sitcom? I haven't seen the show since I was a kid, but I remember hating it.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

03-21-2010, 08:46 PM	#2
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,127	Lou Grant was a good show but it's not a show a kid would enjoy. My Mom used to always watch the show and I hated it. Years later I watched it in reruns on A&E and I liked it. The show addressed topics that I just didn't care about when I was young. The dramas I watched back then always had a sense of humor to them and Lou Grant was so serious all the time. On the other hand, I do think that Lou Grant could have worked as a sitcom too. That character was that powerful.
	__________________ Sonny

03-21-2010, 09:02 PM	#6
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	I suspect making Lou Grant a drama was an attempt to distance the character from his roots as a character on TMTMS and therefore distance him from any expectations to live up to that pedigree. I think that was actually a very good idea.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

03-21-2010, 08:55 PM	#4
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	Never really watched Lou Grant. As a kid I didn't have too much interest in straight up drama series. I do remember thinking that it was neat that they took a sitcom character and made a drama about him. I think the fact that it was a drama took a huge burden off the show to follow up one of best regarded sitcoms of all time. It allowed it to take the character of Lou Grant and let the show shine on its own. Pretty sure it was received well.