Does Anybody Think that Dolph Sweet's Death Should've Been the End to 'Gimme A Break? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 07-26-2010, 10:31 PM

I think the show lost too much once Dolph Sweet passed unexpectedly. Should the show have continued as it did, or should it have been wrapped up?

Mr. Television · 07-26-2010, 10:44 PM

The show was never the same after Dolph died. It was just as much his show as it was Nell's. I think the show should have ended a year later before they retooled it. NBC forced the producers to dump the girls and redirect the show. If I was them, I would have ended it. The season 6 premiere would have made a great final episode. That last season was just too subpar.

Marvo301 · 07-26-2010, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

The show was never the same after Dolph died. It was just as much his show as it was Nell's. I think the show should have ended a year later before they retooled it. NBC forced the producers to dump the girls and redirect the show. If I was them, I would have ended it. The season 6 premiere would have made a great final episode. That last season was just too subpar.

Smartboy · 07-27-2010, 12:25 AM

I agree with everyone about how bad the last season was! I found it very forced and artificial! The season in between the death of the chief and the move to New York was watchable but just barely.

Wildchats · 07-27-2010, 08:30 PM

I also didn't like the re-tooling. That was a good episode to close the show, but Sam should have stayed in College in the area and moved there and came home on weekends, Julie/Jonathan move to a city close by so they could visit at times, Addy would have gotten a job at a big University near Glenlawn, Katie would have gotten a job closer to Glenlawn as a buyer, and only Nell, Grandpa and Joey would have the whole house to themselves. That would have been a better ending if the show ended with the season 6 premiere, only putting it as the season 5 finale.

greelywinger · 07-27-2010, 08:59 PM

The only bright spots in Season 6 was whenever Sam appeared.

Mr. Television · 07-27-2010, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greelywinger

The only bright spots in Season 6 was whenever Sam appeared.

Yea I agree. And she didn't appear enough.

chacha6581 · 04-25-2011, 09:00 PM

He was the rock of the show. Seeing him deteriorate was heart breaking, and then the episode where they speak of his passing, well I cry every time. I do not like the changes that they made, as the Chief passing was already enough. The girls lost both of their parents, and I think this would have made them want to stick together. They all went in opposite directions!!

Marvo301 · 04-25-2011, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chacha6581

He was the rock of the show. Seeing him deteriorate was heart breaking, and then the episode where they speak of his passing, well I cry every time. I do not like the changes that they made, as the Chief passing was already enough. The girls lost both of their parents, and I think this would have made them want to stick together. They all went in opposite directions!!

I agree. The death of their sole remaining parent should have drawn the girls closer together not sent them in separate directions!

megamanj2004 · 05-03-2011, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

The show was never the same after Dolph died. It was just as much his show as it was Nell's. I think the show should have ended a year later before they retooled it. NBC forced the producers to dump the girls and redirect the show. If I was them, I would have ended it. The season 6 premiere would have made a great final episode. That last season was just too subpar.

THIS!

The 5th season had a few ok eps. but the way the producers had the girls go their separate ways, combined with the passing of Dolph Sweet just rubbed more salt wounds on the show.

Guy Incognito · 05-03-2011, 11:16 AM

I'd go as far as to say that Season Five was a washout, too. Not as bad as Season Six, obviously, but the show just didn't work without The Chief. As difficult as it can be to watch Dolph's deterioration during Season Four, at least he was still there and his presence lent a much-needed gravitas to the entire series. Everything was just too frivolous and over-the-top without him around to counteract Nell Carter's bravuristic tendencies.

MikeLutton · 05-04-2011, 02:55 AM

i know one thing i couldnt stand that johnathen charactor at all

champipple77 · 05-16-2011, 03:02 AM

I just checked because I saw you guys mentioning Dolph's deterioration, and the reason I checked is I could've sworn when they mentioned his death right before his final show that it was listed as a heart-attack. Also wasn't his final show the one where he slapped the oldest?

70s show watcher · 05-16-2011, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by champipple77

I just checked because I saw you guys mentioning Dolph's deterioration, and the reason I checked is I could've sworn when they mentioned his death right before his final show that it was listed as a heart-attack. Also wasn't his final show the one where he slapped the oldest?

no his last show was where juile ran off and married johnithan

kanisky7896 · 05-16-2011, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

The show was never the same after Dolph died. It was just as much his show as it was Nell's. I think the show should have ended a year later before they retooled it. NBC forced the producers to dump the girls and redirect the show. If I was them, I would have ended it. The season 6 premiere would have made a great final episode. That last season was just too subpar.

I agree that the show was never the same after Dolph Sweet died. I think that when he passed, much of the show's energy(and maybe, success) went with him. At the same time, they needed to show that a family can still survive and even thrive after the passing of both parents. Btw, I love your avatar, Sonny! I'm a Terp alum myself!

07-26-2010, 10:31 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	Does Anybody Think that Dolph Sweet's Death Should've Been the End to 'Gimme A Break? I think the show lost too much once Dolph Sweet passed unexpectedly. Should the show have continued as it did, or should it have been wrapped up?
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07-26-2010, 10:44 PM	#2
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	The show was never the same after Dolph died. It was just as much his show as it was Nell's. I think the show should have ended a year later before they retooled it. NBC forced the producers to dump the girls and redirect the show. If I was them, I would have ended it. The season 6 premiere would have made a great final episode. That last season was just too subpar.
	__________________ Sonny

07-27-2010, 08:30 PM	#5
Wildchats Me Senior Member Join Date: Jul 15, 2001 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,076	I also didn't like the re-tooling. That was a good episode to close the show, but Sam should have stayed in College in the area and moved there and came home on weekends, Julie/Jonathan move to a city close by so they could visit at times, Addy would have gotten a job at a big University near Glenlawn, Katie would have gotten a job closer to Glenlawn as a buyer, and only Nell, Grandpa and Joey would have the whole house to themselves. That would have been a better ending if the show ended with the season 6 premiere, only putting it as the season 5 finale.
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07-27-2010, 08:59 PM	#6
greelywinger That T Rex Guy Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 16, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 222	The only bright spots in Season 6 was whenever Sam appeared.
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04-25-2011, 09:00 PM	#8
chacha6581 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 08, 2008 Location: Flint,Mi Posts: 264	He was the rock of the show. Seeing him deteriorate was heart breaking, and then the episode where they speak of his passing, well I cry every time. I do not like the changes that they made, as the Chief passing was already enough. The girls lost both of their parents, and I think this would have made them want to stick together. They all went in opposite directions!!
	__________________ www.twitter.com/chacha6581

07-27-2010, 12:25 AM	#4
Smartboy Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 06, 2007 Location: South Orange, NJ Posts: 4,231	I agree with everyone about how bad the last season was! I found it very forced and artificial! The season in between the death of the chief and the move to New York was watchable but just barely.

05-03-2011, 11:16 AM	#11
Guy Incognito International Man of Misery Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 30, 2011 Location: The Solar System Posts: 83	I'd go as far as to say that Season Five was a washout, too. Not as bad as Season Six, obviously, but the show just didn't work without The Chief. As difficult as it can be to watch Dolph's deterioration during Season Four, at least he was still there and his presence lent a much-needed gravitas to the entire series. Everything was just too frivolous and over-the-top without him around to counteract Nell Carter's bravuristic tendencies.

05-04-2011, 02:55 AM	#12
MikeLutton Mike Lutton DVD Legend! Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 05, 2005 Location: usa pennsyvania Posts: 6,886	i know one thing i couldnt stand that johnathen charactor at all
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05-16-2011, 03:02 AM	#13
champipple77 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 15, 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 27	I just checked because I saw you guys mentioning Dolph's deterioration, and the reason I checked is I could've sworn when they mentioned his death right before his final show that it was listed as a heart-attack. Also wasn't his final show the one where he slapped the oldest?