Ted Baxter Was Going To Get His Own Spin-off, But Lucille Ball Put An End To That!? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 07-21-2011, 10:41 PM

Just read an article online dated June 5th 1974, from the Ledger-Post that stated that MTM wanted to spin-off Ted Knight's character (Ted Baxter) but CBS wanted Rhoda instead because Lucille Ball was retiring and the network wanted another strong female led sitcom for Monday Nights. Not sure if this was 100% accurate, but it was interesting.

catlover79 · 07-22-2011, 01:19 PM

Interesting...

Retro4Life · 07-22-2011, 02:58 PM

That is interesting.

It's funny, I'm sitting here thinking you COULD argue that even when Knight got his sitcom, "Too Close for Comfort", it was a show that showcased females, as my guess is the majority of people who tuned in to it were there to see the 'sexy symbol" daughters, rather than Knight.

It's just a theory, and looking back, I think it may have been a mistake to play up the "3's company" parallels with the girls looking a bit like Chrissy and Janet and Knight being a sort of stuffy Mr. Roper/Mr. Furley analog. Knight was a very strong comedic actor and I think he could have held his own without the 'sexy" angle.

Then again, I DO think that both of the girls were good actresses so I'm not suggesting they shouldn't have been part of the show, just less emphasis on the "wink and a nudge" stuff.

catlover79 · 07-23-2011, 02:17 PM

I don't think a Ted Baxter spinoff would've worked. His vanity would've been too much to take as a lead character - otherwise you'd have to water the character down like they did with Phyllis when she got her own show.

Retro4Life · 07-23-2011, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I don't think a Ted Baxter spinoff would've worked. His vanity would've been too much to take as a lead character - otherwise you'd have to water the character down like they did with Phyllis when she got her own show.

Agreed. Some characters were meant to be supporting, not leads, and Baxter was definitely one of them.

scotsguy · 07-23-2011, 02:46 PM

Also, it took Ted Knight all his time on TMTMS to stay on as Ted as he was

so worried,people would think he was as stupid as Ted Baxter,that he'd

never would have agreed to a Ted Baxter spinoff show.

catlover79 · 07-23-2011, 05:35 PM

Exactly, and that's a big reason why Ted was given a girlfriend (and later wife) in Georgette. He wanted Ted to be more human.

07-21-2011, 10:41 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	Ted Baxter Was Going To Get His Own Spin-off, But Lucille Ball Put An End To That!? Just read an article online dated June 5th 1974, from the Ledger-Post that stated that MTM wanted to spin-off Ted Knight's character (Ted Baxter) but CBS wanted Rhoda instead because Lucille Ball was retiring and the network wanted another strong female led sitcom for Monday Nights. Not sure if this was 100% accurate, but it was interesting.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

07-22-2011, 01:19 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Interesting...
	__________________ "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

07-22-2011, 02:58 PM	#3
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	That is interesting. It's funny, I'm sitting here thinking you COULD argue that even when Knight got his sitcom, "Too Close for Comfort", it was a show that showcased females, as my guess is the majority of people who tuned in to it were there to see the 'sexy symbol" daughters, rather than Knight. It's just a theory, and looking back, I think it may have been a mistake to play up the "3's company" parallels with the girls looking a bit like Chrissy and Janet and Knight being a sort of stuffy Mr. Roper/Mr. Furley analog. Knight was a very strong comedic actor and I think he could have held his own without the 'sexy" angle. Then again, I DO think that both of the girls were good actresses so I'm not suggesting they shouldn't have been part of the show, just less emphasis on the "wink and a nudge" stuff.
	__________________ 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."

07-23-2011, 02:17 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I don't think a Ted Baxter spinoff would've worked. His vanity would've been too much to take as a lead character - otherwise you'd have to water the character down like they did with Phyllis when she got her own show.

07-23-2011, 02:46 PM	#6
scotsguy Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 25, 2002 Location: Edinburgh,Scotland Posts: 696	Also, it took Ted Knight all his time on TMTMS to stay on as Ted as he was so worried,people would think he was as stupid as Ted Baxter,that he'd never would have agreed to a Ted Baxter spinoff show.

07-23-2011, 05:35 PM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Exactly, and that's a big reason why Ted was given a girlfriend (and later wife) in Georgette. He wanted Ted to be more human.