What Led to 'Maude's' Downfall? Florida Leaving Or 'Happy Days?' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 07-10-2010, 09:01 PM

Maude completely dropped from the top 25 by the '76-77 season. Esther Rolle (Florida) left to begin her own series (Good Times) and Maude's successive maids didn't possess her wit or insight. Reality was proving to be a bit depressing for viewers as they wished to return to the innocence of their youth with shows such as Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley.

http://www.tvparty.com/70maude.html

catlover79 · 07-10-2010, 09:25 PM

I'd say probably a combination of both.

TVFactFan · 07-11-2010, 12:51 PM

Monday Night Football was one of the main reasons for the decline.

Retro4Life · 07-11-2010, 12:53 PM

I don't think Esther Rolle leaving had a lot to do with it, really. She was very good on the show, but she was only present for two seasons, and the show lasted for four years after that.

I think Maude had a good run. After six seasons it may have just played itself out. But yeah, the stiff competition surely played a hand in things, too.

TVFactFan · 07-11-2010, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

I don't think Esther Rolle leaving had a lot to do with it, really. She was very good on the show, but she was only present for two seasons, and the show lasted for four years after that.

I think Maude had a good run. After six seasons it may have just played itself out. But yeah, the stiff competition surely played a hand in things, too.

Not sure why Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley was mentioned since Maude never aired on Tuesday Nights.

Retro4Life · 07-11-2010, 01:08 PM

Well I don't think it was referenced as a ratings competition thing, just that the mood of the country may have switched to less serious, more nostalgic fare like those 50's themed shows.

MNF was the competition I meant.

TVFactFan · 07-11-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Well I don't think it was referenced as a ratings competition thing, just that the mood of the country may have switched to less serious, more nostalgic fare like those 50's themed shows.

MNF was the competition I meant.

Yeah but what viewers watched on Tuesdays wouldn't have any effect on a show that aired on Mondays.

Retro4Life · 07-11-2010, 01:26 PM

In a way, it would.

If Happy Days kind of turned people away from serious topic oriented comedy, it might have created a kind of tidal wave of mood change that would not have discriminated in regards to time. In other words, if after watching Happy Days on Tuesday, you just weren't in the mood for serious stuff, you have have been less willing to watch those types of shows on ANY day than you would have been had HD never existed.

I agree, it's a bit of a stretch, but it is possible. And also, HD premiered in 1974, while Maude continued for four more seasons. So if it would have had that drastic an impact you would have thought that the serious type shows would have ended more quickly. But Maude went on till 78, and AITF was still strong until 79. So I see your point, definitely.

TV_on_the_Porch · 07-11-2010, 11:03 PM

Maude aired on Tuesday nights at 8:00 for two full years--nine months of which was head-to-head with Happy Days!

That's a TV fact, Fan.

TVFactFan · 07-11-2010, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDRyan

Maude aired on Tuesday nights at 8:00 for two full years--nine months of which was head-to-head with Happy Days!

That's a TV fact, Fan.

The show aired on Tuesday Night but Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley wasnt on ABC during 1972 to 1974.

Get your TV Facts straight,

TV_on_the_Porch · 07-12-2010, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Not sure why Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley was mentioned since Maude never aired on Tuesday Nights.

How.
Dare.
You.

TVFactFan · 07-12-2010, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDRyan

How.
Dare.
You.

Never aired on Tuesday nights when those shows were on the AIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TV_on_the_Porch · 07-12-2010, 09:04 AM

A) Way to move those goalposts

B) STILL wrong. Happy Days premiered in January of 1974 opposite Maude, which didn't move to Mondays until that September. Read with comprehension, this is the second time I have stated their being in direct competition during those months in this thread.

TVFactFan · 07-12-2010, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDRyan

A) Way to move those goalposts

B) STILL wrong. Happy Days premiered in January of 1974 opposite Maude, which didn't move to Mondays until that September. Read with comprehension, this is the second time I have stated their being in direct competition during those months in this thread.

I'm still having trouble understanding what you mean because even though Maude was in direct competion with HD the show still finished the 1973-74 season ranked as the 6th best show while happy days finished at 16th

-STEFFY- · 07-12-2010, 07:49 PM

^^^ I don't think that's the point that TDRyan is trying to get across.

07-10-2010, 09:01 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: 63,107	What Led to 'Maude's' Downfall? Florida Leaving Or 'Happy Days?' Maude completely dropped from the top 25 by the '76-77 season. Esther Rolle (Florida) left to begin her own series (Good Times) and Maude's successive maids didn't possess her wit or insight. Reality was proving to be a bit depressing for viewers as they wished to return to the innocence of their youth with shows such as Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley. http://www.tvparty.com/70maude.html Attached Images
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

07-10-2010, 09:25 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I'd say probably a combination of both.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

07-11-2010, 12:53 PM	#4
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I don't think Esther Rolle leaving had a lot to do with it, really. She was very good on the show, but she was only present for two seasons, and the show lasted for four years after that. I think Maude had a good run. After six seasons it may have just played itself out. But yeah, the stiff competition surely played a hand in things, too.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

07-11-2010, 12:51 PM	#3
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,063	Monday Night Football was one of the main reasons for the decline.

07-11-2010, 01:08 PM	#6
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Well I don't think it was referenced as a ratings competition thing, just that the mood of the country may have switched to less serious, more nostalgic fare like those 50's themed shows. MNF was the competition I meant.

07-11-2010, 01:26 PM	#8
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	In a way, it would. If Happy Days kind of turned people away from serious topic oriented comedy, it might have created a kind of tidal wave of mood change that would not have discriminated in regards to time. In other words, if after watching Happy Days on Tuesday, you just weren't in the mood for serious stuff, you have have been less willing to watch those types of shows on ANY day than you would have been had HD never existed. I agree, it's a bit of a stretch, but it is possible. And also, HD premiered in 1974, while Maude continued for four more seasons. So if it would have had that drastic an impact you would have thought that the serious type shows would have ended more quickly. But Maude went on till 78, and AITF was still strong until 79. So I see your point, definitely.

07-11-2010, 11:03 PM	#9
TV_on_the_Porch anything good on? Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Posts: 879	Maude aired on Tuesday nights at 8:00 for two full years--nine months of which was head-to-head with Happy Days! That's a TV fact, Fan.

07-12-2010, 09:04 AM	#13
TV_on_the_Porch anything good on? Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Posts: 879	A) Way to move those goalposts B) STILL wrong. Happy Days premiered in January of 1974 opposite Maude, which didn't move to Mondays until that September. Read with comprehension, this is the second time I have stated their being in direct competition during those months in this thread.

07-12-2010, 07:49 PM	#15
-STEFFY- Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Jul 18, 2007 Location: USA Posts: 14,580	^^^ I don't think that's the point that TDRyan is trying to get across.