Who Knew? Sally Struthers Was *This* Close To Being Recast For The 1975 Season!!! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 04-02-2011, 11:19 PM

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...truthers&hl=en

In the article I read dated August 19th, 1975, Tandem Productions basically told Ms. Struthers to not bother to show up for work and don't dare make any tv appearances because they were going to recast the role of Gloria Stivic due to a contract dispute. Surprisingly (wink wink) Carroll O'Connor was silent....

Mr. Television · 04-02-2011, 11:27 PM

I never knew that. lol It's funny how many production problems AITF had. I guess it wasn't easy being #1.

Brian Damage · 04-03-2011, 12:21 AM

Tell me about it, it's no wonder Rob Reiner left acting to become a movie director.

catlover79 · 04-03-2011, 12:31 AM

Can you blame him??

Not to mention, Norman Lear & co. were having trouble with Sanford & Son's Redd Foxx and his contract negotiations at around this same time. Then they would have big time problems over at Good Times regarding Esther Rolle and John Amos.

Brian Damage · 04-03-2011, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Can you blame him??

Not to mention, Norman Lear & co. were having trouble with Sanford & Son's Redd Foxx and his contract negotiations at around this same time. Then they would have big time problems over at Good Times regarding Esther Rolle and John Amos.

Good points! lol I am starting to think Mr. Norman Lear was a bit of a tyrant himself.

Mr. Television · 04-03-2011, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Can you blame him??

Not to mention, Norman Lear & co. were having trouble with Sanford & Son's Redd Foxx and his contract negotiations at around this same time. Then they would have big time problems over at Good Times regarding Esther Rolle and John Amos.

Then you had Mackenzie Phillip's drug problems on ODAAT. Was there any Norman Lear sitcom that didn't have problems?

Brian Damage · 04-03-2011, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

Then you had Mackenzie Phillip's drug problems on ODAAT. Was there any Norman Lear sitcom that didn't have problems?

....And Then There's Maude!

catlover79 · 04-03-2011, 12:46 AM

You took the words right out of my mouth - I was just going to mention Mackenzie Phillips. Regarding Esther Rolle and John Amos, I believe it was more an issue of their show's integrity than it was about money. I'm surprised Norman Lear didn't have an ulcer once all was said and done.

catlover79 · 04-03-2011, 12:52 AM

Who else could you see as Gloria? Sally is so indelible in the role, but I'll make a case for Suzanne Somers. Then again, she may have been a bit TOO glamorous and California for the part.

Brian Damage · 04-03-2011, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Who else could you see as Gloria? Sally is so indelible in the role, but I'll make a case for Suzanne Somers. Then again, she may have been a bit TOO glamorous and California for the part.

Honestly I couldn't picture anyone else as Gloria, but if I had to guess, probably the girl who did the 1st pilot of 'AITF'

TVFactFan · 04-03-2011, 11:01 AM

And the only Norman Lear show where there was no contract disputes with the cast members was the..................Jeffersons-lol

Retro4Life · 04-03-2011, 11:44 AM

I think the only time recasts really "work" (if they ever do) is early in a show's run before the character is indelibly linked to the star. By the time 1975 rolled around, the show was in it's sixth season (the first year Mike and Gloria moved out) and I don't think the audience would have accepted anyone else in the role. We were all way too used to Sally by that point.

Would it have doomed the show? Probably not, since the other three main characters were still being played by the originals, but I think it would have diminished it a lot.

I wouldn't have wanted anyone else as Gloria, but if forced to make a choice just for the heck of it? How about Ann Jillian?

TVFactFan · 04-03-2011, 12:03 PM

No one would hav e lost sleep if Sally struthers was no longer on the show

Retro4Life · 04-03-2011, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

No one would hav e lost sleep if Sally struthers was no longer on the show

Well, I liked her.

catlover79 · 04-03-2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

I wouldn't have wanted anyone else as Gloria, but if forced to make a choice just for the heck of it? How about Ann Jillian?

Yeah, Ann Jillian would've been a good choice.

04-02-2011, 11:19 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: 63,108	*Who Knew? Sally Struthers Was This* Close To Being Recast For The 1975 Season!!!** http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...truthers&hl=en In the article I read dated August 19th, 1975, Tandem Productions basically told Ms. Struthers to not bother to show up for work and don't dare make any tv appearances because they were going to recast the role of Gloria Stivic due to a contract dispute. Surprisingly (wink wink) Carroll O'Connor was silent....
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

04-02-2011, 11:27 PM	#2
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,125	I never knew that. lol It's funny how many production problems AITF had. I guess it wasn't easy being #1.
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04-03-2011, 12:31 AM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Can you blame him?? Not to mention, Norman Lear & co. were having trouble with Sanford & Son's Redd Foxx and his contract negotiations at around this same time. Then they would have big time problems over at Good Times regarding Esther Rolle and John Amos.
	__________________ "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

04-03-2011, 11:44 AM	#12
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,706	I think the only time recasts really "work" (if they ever do) is early in a show's run before the character is indelibly linked to the star. By the time 1975 rolled around, the show was in it's sixth season (the first year Mike and Gloria moved out) and I don't think the audience would have accepted anyone else in the role. We were all way too used to Sally by that point. Would it have doomed the show? Probably not, since the other three main characters were still being played by the originals, but I think it would have diminished it a lot. I wouldn't have wanted anyone else as Gloria, but if forced to make a choice just for the heck of it? How about Ann Jillian?
	__________________ 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."

04-03-2011, 12:21 AM	#3
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: 63,108	Tell me about it, it's no wonder Rob Reiner left acting to become a movie director.

04-03-2011, 12:46 AM	#8
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	You took the words right out of my mouth - I was just going to mention Mackenzie Phillips. Regarding Esther Rolle and John Amos, I believe it was more an issue of their show's integrity than it was about money. I'm surprised Norman Lear didn't have an ulcer once all was said and done.

04-03-2011, 12:52 AM	#9
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Who else could you see as Gloria? Sally is so indelible in the role, but I'll make a case for Suzanne Somers. Then again, she may have been a bit TOO glamorous and California for the part.

04-03-2011, 11:01 AM	#11
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,949	And the only Norman Lear show where there was no contract disputes with the cast members was the..................Jeffersons-lol

04-03-2011, 12:03 PM	#13
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,949	No one would hav e lost sleep if Sally struthers was no longer on the show