Was Lou Grant Suppose to be An Alcoholic??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-10-2011, 11:38 PM

Was he meant to be a heavy drinker or was that blown out of proportion by the media? I've read a few critics articles that complained that Lou Grant was an alcoholic, just curious for some opinions...

Retro4Life · 05-10-2011, 11:44 PM

I'd say Lou was right on the edge of "problem drinker". He never seemed to miss work because of it, nor did it have a significant effect on his personal life. But he did turn to the bottle a lot in times of stress, and he did have a pint in his office desk. He was emblematic of a lot of guys of that era; men who were alive during WWII and the Depression, who just assumed that drinking was the traditional way of dealing with conflict, as well as having a good time.

Marvo301 · 05-11-2011, 12:01 AM

Lou definitely used alcohol to deal with stress but like Retro4Life said he probably stopped just short of abusing it.

catlover79 · 05-11-2011, 02:27 AM

He was pretty close to the edge!!!

Marvo301 · 05-11-2011, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

He was pretty close to the edge!!!

Yes! He was very close to the edge. But like Retro4Life said his use of alcohol never prevented him from doing his job or keeping an appointment or anything like that.

old grouch · 05-12-2011, 10:14 AM

If this show was on during the 80's or 90's, they probably would have had a 'very special episode' where Lou realizes that he has a drinking problem.

05-10-2011, 11:38 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 Lou Grant Suppose to be An Alcoholic??? Was he meant to be a heavy drinker or was that blown out of proportion by the media? I've read a few critics articles that complained that Lou Grant was an alcoholic, just curious for some opinions...
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05-10-2011, 11:44 PM	#2
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I'd say Lou was right on the edge of "problem drinker". He never seemed to miss work because of it, nor did it have a significant effect on his personal life. But he did turn to the bottle a lot in times of stress, and he did have a pint in his office desk. He was emblematic of a lot of guys of that era; men who were alive during WWII and the Depression, who just assumed that drinking was the traditional way of dealing with conflict, as well as having a good time.
	__________________ 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."

05-11-2011, 12:01 AM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	Lou definitely used alcohol to deal with stress but like Retro4Life said he probably stopped just short of abusing it.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

05-11-2011, 02:27 AM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	He was pretty close to the edge!!!
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05-12-2011, 10:14 AM	#6
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	If this show was on during the 80's or 90's, they probably would have had a 'very special episode' where Lou realizes that he has a drinking problem.