The Late McLean Stevenson Admitted That He Screwed Up 'Hello Larry' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-30-2011, 11:14 PM

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...e+sitcom&hl=en

In an interview dated April 14th, 1979 Mclean Stevenson said he felt responsible for the failure (Thus far) of his show 'Hello Larry.' He said he created the character Larry as a buffoon and then decided to "smarten him up" midway through the season. He also felt responible for its failure because he decreed himself the New Bonnie Franklin of TV despite his show being a lackluster ratings sitcom.

Mr. Television · 06-30-2011, 11:35 PM

Hello Larry should have been a hit. I don't really understand why it wasn't.

dakert · 07-01-2011, 01:26 AM

I only watched Hello Larry for KIM RICHARDS!!

Samme · 07-01-2011, 02:53 AM

I couldn't see the article, but I wonder if he thought being the "New Bonnie Franklin" was a good or bad thing? He was a funny guy on talk shows, but sadly, as an actor, he was the "New Bonnie Franklin."

biffbronson · 07-04-2011, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakert

I only watched Hello Larry for KIM RICHARDS!!

She was the main reason I watched way back then, too.

70s show watcher · 07-06-2011, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffbronson

She was the main reason I watched way back then, too.

me too although i did like mclean

biffbronson · 07-11-2011, 07:07 AM

I've been watching the early M*A*S*H episodes again -- what a terrific job McLean did. Perfect casting.

TVFactFan · 07-13-2011, 12:15 PM

The Alder Family should have just moved to NYC near the drummonds

TMC · 04-12-2018, 01:04 PM

I felt a little sorry for him. He was so beloved on MASH and it went straight to his head. He demanded more money, more episodes about him, etc. threatened to leave, and it was a huge deal. So they wrote him off the show, and not only that, KILLED his character. They made sure he could never come back.

He spent the next few years trying to crawl his way back on top and everything he did failed. Finally, became a regular on the Match Game (or something like that) where he just did his bad jokes.

Dr. Thong · 04-12-2018, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffbronson

I've been watching the early M*A*S*H episodes again -- what a terrific job McLean did. Perfect casting.

I'm pretty sure he regretted leaving M*A*S*H in his later years.

He had a perfect vehicle for his talents, but his ego wanted more.

icecream · 04-12-2018, 06:12 PM

I am glad McLean Stevenson left M*A*S*H. As a result we got Harry Morgan's wonderful portrayal of Colonel Potter.

Dr. Thong · 04-13-2018, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catsrule

I am glad McLean Stevenson left M*A*S*H. As a result we got Harry Morgan's wonderful portrayal of Colonel Potter.

I'll bet Harry Morgan was glad Stevenson left also.

Duster76 · 04-14-2018, 01:25 PM

I have a different take on Mclean Stevenson's decision to leave MASH, based on what he wanted for his career, it was the right decision and also a courageous one. He saw himself as a star not a supporting player, he wanted that, and was willing to put it all on the line to achieve it. He failed, no question about that, but there is an old saying, scared money can't win. At 44, Stevenson was no kid when he took the role as Henry Blake in MASH. He was almost 48 when he left, simply put, if not now, when. This was his one shot to be a big star, the aftermath was what it was, poor choices, bad execution or the plain fact he wasn't starring material in the first place, at the very least I give him credit for believing in himself and going for it. The saddest words in the English language, "it might have been".

Dr. Thong · 04-15-2018, 08:18 AM

In 1981, while the show was still on the air, Stevenson was interviewed for a book on M*A*S*H. In the interview, he said that if they came up with a plotline where they found Henry Blake's body, barely alive with a pound of seaweed up his nose, that he would be taken back to the 4077th and resume his duties.

Make of it what you will, but I interpreted that as him having regrets over his decision. Did he come out and say he regretted it? No. I read between the lines.

robyrob · 04-15-2018, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duster76

I have a different take on Mclean Stevenson's decision to leave MASH, based on what he wanted for his career, it was the right decision and also a courageous one. He saw himself as a star not a supporting player, he wanted that, and was willing to put it all on the line to achieve it. He failed, no question about that, but there is an old saying, scared money can't win. At 44, Stevenson was no kid when he took the role as Henry Blake in MASH. He was almost 48 when he left, simply put, if not now, when. This was his one shot to be a big star, the aftermath was what it was, poor choices, bad execution or the plain fact he wasn't starring material in the first place, at the very least I give him credit for believing in himself and going for it. The saddest words in the English language, "it might have been".

i buy that - I don't think he was arrogant, he just wanted more. I was never a fan of M*A*S*H so I didn't care that he left and enjoyed the work he did on HL and other shows even if they weren't all that good.

..and that doesn't mean that he didn't regret leaving a hit show, but at at least he took his chance for a shot at something bigger.

06-30-2011, 11:14 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	The Late McLean Stevenson Admitted That He Screwed Up 'Hello Larry' http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...e+sitcom&hl=en In an interview dated April 14th, 1979 Mclean Stevenson said he felt responsible for the failure (Thus far) of his show 'Hello Larry.' He said he created the character Larry as a buffoon and then decided to "smarten him up" midway through the season. He also felt responible for its failure because he decreed himself the New Bonnie Franklin of TV despite his show being a lackluster ratings sitcom.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

06-30-2011, 11:35 PM	#2
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Hello Larry should have been a hit. I don't really understand why it wasn't.
	__________________ Sonny

04-12-2018, 06:12 PM	#11
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,874	I am glad McLean Stevenson left MAS*H. As a result we got Harry Morgan's wonderful portrayal of Colonel Potter.
	__________________ Top 200 TV Shows https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...14#post6225214 Top 150 Movies https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...84#post6175384 Top 1100 Scripted TV Characters https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=493306 Top Rookie TV Shows by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=365017 Top Movies by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=473533

07-01-2011, 01:26 AM	#3
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	I only watched Hello Larry for KIM RICHARDS!!

07-01-2011, 02:53 AM	#4
Samme Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 01, 2001 Posts: 679	I couldn't see the article, but I wonder if he thought being the "New Bonnie Franklin" was a good or bad thing? He was a funny guy on talk shows, but sadly, as an actor, he was the "New Bonnie Franklin."

07-11-2011, 07:07 AM	#7
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,550	I've been watching the early MASH* episodes again -- what a terrific job McLean did. Perfect casting.

07-13-2011, 12:15 PM	#8
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,119	The Alder Family should have just moved to NYC near the drummonds

04-12-2018, 01:04 PM	#9
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 127,040	I felt a little sorry for him. He was so beloved on MASH and it went straight to his head. He demanded more money, more episodes about him, etc. threatened to leave, and it was a huge deal. So they wrote him off the show, and not only that, KILLED his character. They made sure he could never come back. He spent the next few years trying to crawl his way back on top and everything he did failed. Finally, became a regular on the Match Game (or something like that) where he just did his bad jokes.

04-14-2018, 01:25 PM	#13
Duster76 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2008 Location: New jersey Posts: 1,656	I have a different take on Mclean Stevenson's decision to leave MASH, based on what he wanted for his career, it was the right decision and also a courageous one. He saw himself as a star not a supporting player, he wanted that, and was willing to put it all on the line to achieve it. He failed, no question about that, but there is an old saying, scared money can't win. At 44, Stevenson was no kid when he took the role as Henry Blake in MASH. He was almost 48 when he left, simply put, if not now, when. This was his one shot to be a big star, the aftermath was what it was, poor choices, bad execution or the plain fact he wasn't starring material in the first place, at the very least I give him credit for believing in himself and going for it. The saddest words in the English language, "it might have been".

04-15-2018, 08:18 AM	#14
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	In 1981, while the show was still on the air, Stevenson was interviewed for a book on MASH*. In the interview, he said that if they came up with a plotline where they found Henry Blake's body, barely alive with a pound of seaweed up his nose, that he would be taken back to the 4077th and resume his duties. Make of it what you will, but I interpreted that as him having regrets over his decision. Did he come out and say he regretted it? No. I read between the lines.