"Audrey" really the downfall of "Phyllis"? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

OOliver · 03-29-2010, 12:52 PM

As I've been rewatching the series "Phyllis" on ALN, I can't help but notice one of the weakest characters on the show is her mother-in-law "Audrey". It seems the writers could not come up with an original character, so they decided to turn her into an 'upper-class' Edith Bunker. Been there, done that - on AITF.

She was the weakest link in the cast, IMO, and pretty much the downfall of "Phyllis".

scotsguy · 03-29-2010, 04:35 PM

I liked Audrey,I always felt Phyllis worked well in the home setting especially with the brilliant Mother Dexter.

They always seemed to be trying to have a "Ted Baxter" style character firstly with Richard Schaal's Leo in season1,now he could be a bit annoying but a lot better than the unfunny Leonard in season2.

OOliver · 03-31-2010, 02:59 PM

Leo/Leonard were two other wasted characters, as you mention - a carbn copy of Ted Baxter.

So if the writers came up with three original characters - instead of Edith and Ted - like they did with Mother Dexter, this show would have been so much more enjoyable.

Even the character of Julie (with Torres in the role) comes across as a female Lou Grant. Why bother?

LittleRickyII · 03-31-2010, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OOliver

As I've been rewatching the series "Phyllis" on ALN, I can't help but notice one of the weakest characters on the show is her mother-in-law "Audrey". It seems the writers could not come up with an original character, so they decided to turn her into an 'upper-class' Edith Bunker. Been there, done that - on AITF.

She was the weakest link in the cast, IMO, and pretty much the downfall of "Phyllis".

No way! Not at all. I LOVE Audrey!

03-29-2010, 12:52 PM	#1
OOliver Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 28, 2009 Location: Providence RI Posts: 569	"Audrey" really the downfall of "Phyllis"? As I've been rewatching the series "Phyllis" on ALN, I can't help but notice one of the weakest characters on the show is her mother-in-law "Audrey". It seems the writers could not come up with an original character, so they decided to turn her into an 'upper-class' Edith Bunker. Been there, done that - on AITF. She was the weakest link in the cast, IMO, and pretty much the downfall of "Phyllis".

03-29-2010, 04:35 PM	#2
scotsguy Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 25, 2002 Location: Edinburgh,Scotland Posts: 696	I liked Audrey,I always felt Phyllis worked well in the home setting especially with the brilliant Mother Dexter. They always seemed to be trying to have a "Ted Baxter" style character firstly with Richard Schaal's Leo in season1,now he could be a bit annoying but a lot better than the unfunny Leonard in season2.

03-31-2010, 02:59 PM	#3
OOliver Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 28, 2009 Location: Providence RI Posts: 569	Leo/Leonard were two other wasted characters, as you mention - a carbn copy of Ted Baxter. So if the writers came up with three original characters - instead of Edith and Ted - like they did with Mother Dexter, this show would have been so much more enjoyable. Even the character of Julie (with Torres in the role) comes across as a female Lou Grant. Why bother?