Was it True that Bonnie Franklin Was Difficult on the Set? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 09-11-2010, 07:34 PM

I've read numerous articles where it stated that Ms. Franklin was a "female version" of Carroll O'Connor and demanded perfection on the set. She had people fired for different reasons, most notably Richard Massur & Mary Louise Wilson. Is this all true?

mstewart · 09-12-2010, 12:18 AM

I understand she had a hand in Mary Louise Wilson being written out of the show because she felt upstaged. It was another Linda Lavin situation there.

She was not happy with the way the show started off in the beginning and she did not want to do silly sitcom stuff. She wanted the show to be true to what it was saying about a divorced mom leaving the comfort of her husband and the town she was raised in to start a new life with no job skills and only a high school graduate.

On The Truth Behind the Sitcoms she stated how unhappy she was during the first season and she voiced her opinions. Thank God she did because I could not stand the show during the first season. The lawyer boyfriend thing was a bit much. He was too whiny and needy and she was but needing to breakaway from it to do what she needed to do. In the sixth season when Richard Masur guest starred it brought closure to that relationship and showed how much they have grown emotionally. They both knew they could not go back home.

catlover79 · 09-12-2010, 07:07 PM

Much as I like Richard Masur as an actor (and he was also SAG President at one point, I believe) - I could not stand the character of David Kane. He was such a lovesick, pushy, clingy puppy dog. That is not what Ann Romano wanted or needed in her life (it was nice that RM did a guest spot later on in the show's run to bring closure to that story).

The show was best when it focused just on Ann and her daughters (plus Schneider for comic relief). It's just a shame that Mackenzie Phillips' addictions ruined the show's momentum and nearly took her life. Good for Bonnie Franklin for voicing her opinions because the show would not have lasted had it stayed the way it was in the first season.

MikeLutton · 09-12-2010, 11:33 PM

who did mr o connor have fired from All in the family for differnt reasons

CJMD03 · 01-13-2024, 09:03 PM

Ann didn’t need a man, so RM’s character was irrelevant. The whole point is that Ann wanted to do things on her own in the world. And as far as the Ginny character went, Ann was NOT the type to need a “wacky” friend.

09-11-2010, 07:34 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	Was it True that Bonnie Franklin Was Difficult on the Set? I've read numerous articles where it stated that Ms. Franklin was a "female version" of Carroll O'Connor and demanded perfection on the set. She had people fired for different reasons, most notably Richard Massur & Mary Louise Wilson. Is this all true? 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*

09-12-2010, 07:07 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Much as I like Richard Masur as an actor (and he was also SAG President at one point, I believe) - I could not stand the character of David Kane. He was such a lovesick, pushy, clingy puppy dog. That is not what Ann Romano wanted or needed in her life (it was nice that RM did a guest spot later on in the show's run to bring closure to that story). The show was best when it focused just on Ann and her daughters (plus Schneider for comic relief). It's just a shame that Mackenzie Phillips' addictions ruined the show's momentum and nearly took her life. Good for Bonnie Franklin for voicing her opinions because the show would not have lasted had it stayed the way it was in the first season. Attached Images
	__________________ "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

09-12-2010, 11:33 PM	#4
MikeLutton Mike Lutton DVD Legend! Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 05, 2005 Location: usa pennsyvania Posts: 6,887	who did mr o connor have fired from All in the family for differnt reasons
	__________________ Tv And DVD Addict got over a hundred dvds in my collection more than anyone in the neighborhood. also huge Animal lover family man

01-13-2024, 09:03 PM	#5
CJMD03 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 18, 2018 Posts: 443	Ann didn’t need a man, so RM’s character was irrelevant. The whole point is that Ann wanted to do things on her own in the world. And as far as the Ginny character went, Ann was NOT the type to need a “wacky” friend.
	Last edited by CJMD03; 01-15-2024 at 04:43 PM.

09-12-2010, 12:18 AM	#2
mstewart mstewart Senior Member Join Date: Jan 25, 2002 Location: California Posts: 1,780	I understand she had a hand in Mary Louise Wilson being written out of the show because she felt upstaged. It was another Linda Lavin situation there. She was not happy with the way the show started off in the beginning and she did not want to do silly sitcom stuff. She wanted the show to be true to what it was saying about a divorced mom leaving the comfort of her husband and the town she was raised in to start a new life with no job skills and only a high school graduate. On The Truth Behind the Sitcoms she stated how unhappy she was during the first season and she voiced her opinions. Thank God she did because I could not stand the show during the first season. The lawyer boyfriend thing was a bit much. He was too whiny and needy and she was but needing to breakaway from it to do what she needed to do. In the sixth season when Richard Masur guest starred it brought closure to that relationship and showed how much they have grown emotionally. They both knew they could not go back home.