Anybody Remember the 1986 Sitcom Flop 'The Redd Foxx Show'???

[Brian Damage]

ABC's 'The Redd Foxx Show' in 1986 tried a new approach. This time, instead of being a cantankerous old coot, Redd would play nice-guy newstand owner Al Hughes.

In the show, Al has 'adopted' a street-wise little white girl Toni (Pamela Segall). Also featured in the cast were Nathaniel "Rollo" Taylor (as 'Jim-Jam'), Barry Van Dyke ('Diagnosis Murder'), Theodore Wilson ('Sanford Arms'), Sinbad and "Iron Jaw" Wilson. The theme song was by Kool and the Gang. One notable episode featured guest-star Carroll O'Connor ('Archie Bunker'), a first time meeting of these 70s sitcom greats.

After filming just a handful of episodes, 'The Redd Foxx Show' was re-tooled. Out went the kid and in came Al's combative ex-wife Felicia (Beverly Todd) to generate tension and a few insults.

Despite some bright moments, 'The Redd Foxx Show' lasted only four months.

http://www.tvparty.com/mysfoxx2.html

[Mr. Television]

I think I saw one episode but I didn't care for it. It was no S&S. The Royal Family was much better too. I do remember seeing Carroll O'Connor and Redd doing a commercial for the show but I never saw that episode.

[Brian Damage]

Interesting, I guess nobody wanted to see a nicer, gentler Redd Foxx. LOL

[TV_on_the_Porch]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Interesting, I guess nobody wanted to see a nicer, gentler Redd Foxx. LOL

Sadly, that's a valid point. Though scheduling it at 8PM Saturdays was a huge strike against it, I do recall that the premiere episode's ratings were promising, that there was significant interest in the show and a lot of viewers not usually watching ABC in that time period did check it out. But by the following week it was clear the the audience had not been impressed. I think it was pretty much game-over at that point as far as generating buzz.

I personally liked it and watched the first several weeks up to and including the Carroll O'Connor debacle. As I recall, he wrote the episode and it was just a bizarre mess. After that, Redd appeared in a promo pretending to read a letter from the network, saying they loved his show, but the producers sucked. "Well, we got rid of them." It was an unusual attempt to appear frank and candid, but it reeked of desperation. The subsequent retooling to mold the show in the image of Sanford drove away the (few) old fans and attracted no new ones.

[catlover79]

I've heard of it, but I never saw it.

[TV_on_the_Porch]

I've been thinking about that promo some more, and I'm pretty sure that the supposed letter from the network praised Redd and criticized his producer--singular. That led to Redd saying the rather more harsh "We got rid of that guy."

Sorry, things get a little hazy after a quarter century or so.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

ABC's 'The Redd Foxx Show' in 1986 tried a new approach. This time, instead of being a cantankerous old coot, Redd would play nice-guy newstand owner Al Hughes.

In the show, Al has 'adopted' a street-wise little white girl Toni (Pamela Segall). Also featured in the cast were Nathaniel "Rollo" Taylor (as 'Jim-Jam'), Barry Van Dyke ('Diagnosis Murder'), Theodore Wilson ('Sanford Arms'), Sinbad and "Iron Jaw" Wilson. The theme song was by Kool and the Gang. One notable episode featured guest-star Carroll O'Connor ('Archie Bunker'), a first time meeting of these 70s sitcom greats.

After filming just a handful of episodes, 'The Redd Foxx Show' was re-tooled. Out went the kid and in came Al's combative ex-wife Felicia (Beverly Todd) to generate tension and a few insults.

Despite some bright moments, 'The Redd Foxx Show' lasted only four months.

http://www.tvparty.com/mysfoxx2.html

I thought the show was very watchable and enjoyed the episode with Carroll O Connor since that was the closet thing to Fred meeting Archie-LOL

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by TDRyan

Sadly, that's a valid point. Though scheduling it at 8PM Saturdays was a huge strike against it, I do recall that the premiere episode's ratings were promising, that there was significant interest in the show and a lot of viewers not usually watching ABC in that time period did check it out. But by the following week it was clear the the audience had not been impressed. I think it was pretty much game-over at that point as far as generating buzz.

I personally liked it and watched the first several weeks up to and including the Carroll O'Connor debacle. As I recall, he wrote the episode and it was just a bizarre mess. After that, Redd appeared in a promo pretending to read a letter from the network, saying they loved his show, but the producers sucked. "Well, we got rid of them." It was an unusual attempt to appear frank and candid, but it reeked of desperation. The subsequent retooling to mold the show in the image of Sanford drove away the (few) old fans and attracted no new ones.

The Redd Foxx Show couldnt grab those viewers from Gimmie a Break on Saturday Night-lol

[angiefan]

Yep,I loved that show!

[bencasey]

I transfered mine recently. Think I might be missing one.

[Reverend Jim]

[Blackout]

i want to see an episode of this

[MikeLutton]

http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...58l0.2.2.2l6l0

here you go found some on you tube enjoy

[TMC]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

I thought the show was very watchable and enjoyed the episode with Carroll O Connor since that was the closet thing to Fred meeting Archie-LOL

[cloggedmind]

I had all the original airings on one tape.. lost somewhere in all my stuff. I need to find that b/c the first episode had a different opening, without all the animation and stop motion effects. It was just live action videotaped clips with the stars' names superimposed.