Why Did They Try To "Rhoda-ize" Brenda Morgenstern??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-19-2011, 11:34 PM

I guess what I mean is, Brenda was what Rhoda use to be when she was on the Mary Tyler Moore Show. Insecure etc...Then during 'Rhoda's run, changed Brenda into a slim more confident woman. People loved Brenda because of what she use to be. It's almost as if the tv executives forced her to lose weight to "look better" on TV.

catlover79 · 06-19-2011, 11:47 PM

I think they'd realized what a train wreck the show had become and were trying to figure out a working formula. Obviously, it didn't work.

Brian Damage · 06-19-2011, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I think they'd realized what a train wreck the show had become and were trying to figure out a working formula. Obviously, it didn't work.

Brenda became the best thing about 'Rhoda' and they ruined her. IMO

catlover79 · 06-20-2011, 12:19 AM

At least Julie Kavner got an Emmy for the role of Brenda Morgenstern (years before she and the rest of The Simpsons cast got tons of hardware for their voiceover work). This clip at the 1978 Emmy Awards are for the Supporting Actor/Actress in a Comedy Series. Rob Reiner got presented his Emmy by his very own father, Carl.

Then Rob quickly recovers to present the next award for Supporting Actress. Julie's acceptance speech comes at the 4:25 mark.

Brian Damage · 06-20-2011, 12:27 AM

Thanks for the clip Monika! She definitely deserved an emmy for her work as Brenda. In a way, it's kinda sad that she is more known for her work as Marge Simpson, because she really was that good as Brenda.

catlover79 · 06-20-2011, 12:41 AM

My pleasure!!! It sure is fun watching the award shows of the past - when the shows and people involved with them were actually worth watching (not to mention seeing Polly Holliday without her "Flo" get-up.

).

Brian Damage · 06-20-2011, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

My pleasure!!! It sure is fun watching the award shows of the past - when the shows and people involved with them were actually worth watching (not to mention seeing Polly Holliday without her "Flo" get-up.

).

Yeah and "Meathead" without his wig!

catlover79 · 06-20-2011, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Yeah and "Meathead" without his wig!

Not to mention "Mel" without his white shirt and navy hat!!

Brian Damage · 06-20-2011, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Not to mention "Mel" without his white shirt and navy hat!!

All very cool!

catlover79 · 06-20-2011, 01:10 AM

Definitely!!!

zevonsky72 · 06-20-2011, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I guess what I mean is, Brenda was what Rhoda use to be when she was on the Mary Tyler Moore Show. Insecure etc...Then during 'Rhoda's run, changed Brenda into a slim more confident woman. People loved Brenda because of what she use to be. It's almost as if the tv executives forced her to lose weight to "look better" on TV.

I just can't agree with that. Yes, Brenda slimmed down and matured throughout the series' run, but I thought it was handled in a realistic way. She couldn't remain exactly the same forever. But her character remained true to herself and vibrant as ever. (Let's not forget she won her Emmy AFTER she slimmed down.) Even after she lost weight, she was still anxious about her nose, her hair, and her clothes. And in the end, she never totally outgrew her insecurities, getting married to Benny, who was only slightly more mature than Lenny Fiedler or Nick Lobo.

06-19-2011, 11:34 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	Why Did They Try To "Rhoda-ize" Brenda Morgenstern??? I guess what I mean is, Brenda was what Rhoda use to be when she was on the Mary Tyler Moore Show. Insecure etc...Then during 'Rhoda's run, changed Brenda into a slim more confident woman. People loved Brenda because of what she use to be. It's almost as if the tv executives forced her to lose weight to "look better" on TV.
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06-19-2011, 11:47 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I think they'd realized what a train wreck the show had become and were trying to figure out a working formula. Obviously, it didn't work.
	__________________ "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

06-20-2011, 12:19 AM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	At least Julie Kavner got an Emmy for the role of Brenda Morgenstern (years before she and the rest of The Simpsons cast got tons of hardware for their voiceover work). This clip at the 1978 Emmy Awards are for the Supporting Actor/Actress in a Comedy Series. Rob Reiner got presented his Emmy by his very own father, Carl. Then Rob quickly recovers to present the next award for Supporting Actress. Julie's acceptance speech comes at the 4:25 mark.

06-20-2011, 12:27 AM	#5
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	Thanks for the clip Monika! She definitely deserved an emmy for her work as Brenda. In a way, it's kinda sad that she is more known for her work as Marge Simpson, because she really was that good as Brenda.

06-20-2011, 12:41 AM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	My pleasure!!! It sure is fun watching the award shows of the past - when the shows and people involved with them were actually worth watching (not to mention seeing Polly Holliday without her "Flo" get-up. ).

06-20-2011, 01:10 AM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Definitely!!!