Was It A Mistake To Give Flo A Spinoff From 'Alice?' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 03-11-2011, 03:41 PM

Do you think Alice ever really recovered from the loss of her character? It seemed to be a double failure on both ends, not only did it hurt the parent show Alice, but the spinoff failed as well.

Frump · 03-12-2011, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Do you think Alice ever really recovered from the loss of her character? It seemed to be a double failure on both ends, not only did it hurt the parent show Alice, but the spinoff failed as well.

I DID actually like Jolene, I thought she had some funny lines, and she was about the only one who was decent to Vera.

Belle I could take or leave.

Dr. Thong · 03-12-2011, 12:37 PM

I think it was a mistake, but inevitable. Lavin and Holliday did not get along and this was a chance to get out of that situation and into her own show, where she (Holliday) would be the star of the show.

Besides, the networks were spinoff crazy in those days. I guess they figured a spinoff was a guaranteed hit, because the character was beloved and already on a hit show.

Of course, it just served to weaken Alice and Flo was not destined to be a long term show.

DavidDMI · 03-14-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Do you think Alice ever really recovered from the loss of her character? It seemed to be a double failure on both ends, not only did it hurt the parent show Alice, but the spinoff failed as well.

I think it was a mistake.Some stars,no matter how funny or appealing they are,work best as part of a team.They don't always have what it takes to "carry" a show of their own.I feel the same way about the Ropers spinoff.Removing them from 'Three's Company' was a huge mistake but I guess that's another thread,lol.

Retro4Life · 03-14-2011, 09:30 PM

^ Yes, the thing that made Flo so interesting was that her character was a counterpoint to Alice's more sedate and traditional one. That happens a lot where a character who is great in an ensemble kind of "loses their identity" when they launch their own series. I think one could say the same thing about Rhoda Morgenstern, actually.

DavidDMI · 03-15-2011, 05:18 AM

Exactly.

comedyfreak · 03-18-2011, 11:33 PM

It could have been a hit if they had took their time in developing her show, she didnt' have the right supporting cast imo. It seemed like the show was rushed into production, same with Marla Gibbs spinoff Checkin In.

Mr. Television · 03-19-2011, 12:11 AM

I only saw 3 or 4 episodes but the cast just didn't click with me. It did have a good theme song though.

gttiene · 05-15-2011, 04:01 AM

It wasn't so much a mistake giving her a spinoff, the problem was the spinoff wasn't very good. The supporting characters, the shows premise, the time slot. They should have aired it following Alice on Sunday nights and it would have kept the audience who loved the Flo character. If I remember right, the network moved the show around the schedule too much and killed it.

03-11-2011, 03:41 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 A Mistake To Give Flo A Spinoff From 'Alice?' Do you think Alice ever really recovered from the loss of her character? It seemed to be a double failure on both ends, not only did it hurt the parent show Alice, but the spinoff failed as well.
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03-12-2011, 12:37 PM	#3
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	I think it was a mistake, but inevitable. Lavin and Holliday did not get along and this was a chance to get out of that situation and into her own show, where she (Holliday) would be the star of the show. Besides, the networks were spinoff crazy in those days. I guess they figured a spinoff was a guaranteed hit, because the character was beloved and already on a hit show. Of course, it just served to weaken Alice and Flo was not destined to be a long term show.
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03-14-2011, 09:30 PM	#5
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	^ Yes, the thing that made Flo so interesting was that her character was a counterpoint to Alice's more sedate and traditional one. That happens a lot where a character who is great in an ensemble kind of "loses their identity" when they launch their own series. I think one could say the same thing about Rhoda Morgenstern, actually.
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03-18-2011, 11:33 PM	#7
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,060	It could have been a hit if they had took their time in developing her show, she didnt' have the right supporting cast imo. It seemed like the show was rushed into production, same with Marla Gibbs spinoff Checkin In.
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03-19-2011, 12:11 AM	#8
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I only saw 3 or 4 episodes but the cast just didn't click with me. It did have a good theme song though.
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03-15-2011, 05:18 AM	#6
DavidDMI Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 22, 2010 Location: San Jose,CA Posts: 46	Exactly.

05-15-2011, 04:01 AM	#9
gttiene Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 17, 2010 Location: KY Posts: 32	It wasn't so much a mistake giving her a spinoff, the problem was the spinoff wasn't very good. The supporting characters, the shows premise, the time slot. They should have aired it following Alice on Sunday nights and it would have kept the audience who loved the Flo character. If I remember right, the network moved the show around the schedule too much and killed it.