Why did the Sophia character change? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

clj2 · 10-05-2011, 03:11 AM

I've mentioned this before on here, but since Sophia is my favorite of the 'Girls', I thought I would give this topic its own thread.

I've been watching the final season the past few days, and have really been noticing how the Sophia character's personality changed with that season. She became more 'childlike'/'innocent' (using those words loosely) and seemed more affectionate towards Dorothy. It also seemed that her New York accent was toned down some and she delivered her lines differently. It may be hard to notice, but watch an episode from the earlier seasons, then watch one from season 7, and you can definitely tell a big difference. She was extremely sharp-tongued, loud, critical, and at many times, downright rude in the earlier seasons (1-4, especially). She retained a lot of those traits in the later episodes, but something's just different. She definitely softened. I know it was said that Estelle had trouble remembering her lines towards the end (she later had dementia), so I don't know if that had anything to do with it or not.

So...what gives? Did the writers decide to tone the Sophia character down some, is it just me, or what? I've also noticed that Dorothy's character mellowed out a little bit as time went on, when compared to the earlier seasons (especially 1-4). In the episodes when her hair became longer, her personality was toned down a bit, but it seems that more of her original personality was prevalent again in S7.

JR1 · 10-16-2011, 10:10 AM

Yes- both Dorothy and Sophia had changed a little bit starting with season 5. You'll note that Dorothy's sarcastic comebacks were few and far between from then on- it probably had to do with the new writing team that came on- i think it was around that time.

As for Sophia- keep in mind that Estelle's condition was starting up around that time; I think one of the "girls" had said that she was having trouble with lines, needed cue cards, that sort of thing. So that may have had an effect on how she played Sophia, too.

For me, those last few seasons do not compare to the first four overall. There are some good episodes in there, for sure, but some of the jokes are too predictable/forced and not LOL funny like they once had been.

clj2 · 10-20-2011, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR1

Yes- both Dorothy and Sophia had changed a little bit starting with season 5. You'll note that Dorothy's sarcastic comebacks were few and far between from then on- it probably had to do with the new writing team that came on- i think it was around that time.

As for Sophia- keep in mind that Estelle's condition was starting up around that time; I think one of the "girls" had said that she was having trouble with lines, needed cue cards, that sort of thing. So that may have had an effect on how she played Sophia, too.

For me, those last few seasons do not compare to the first four overall. There are some good episodes in there, for sure, but some of the jokes are too predictable/forced and not LOL funny like they once had been.

I agree! The Dorothy character's change, actually started with the Chronic Fatigue episodes, which were the first two episodes of season 5. It seems like she gained a little of her old personality back in the last season. The comebacks and one-liners in the first four seasons were priceless. I love those. The changes in the Sophia character became very noticeable in season 6.

I believe it was Rue that I remember mentioning that they should have known something was wrong with Estelle's memory, given that she had problems remembering her lines. If she was having to read cue cards, it's likely that she was unable to do that and the exaggerated accent she always used both.

JR1 · 10-20-2011, 11:32 PM

Dorothy's sarcastic comebacks (like when Blanche or Rose would ask her why she was upset when it was obvious) never really returned once they left, though- I recall one line Dorothy had in season five. Rose asked her if she was upset about Michael, and she shot back, "No, I'm upset because I can't make any sense out of those commercials for Obsession..."

Those were my favorites. That, and when Dorothy would say, 'You'll have to excuse my mother..." and give a reason why she said the offensive thing she just said.

The changes did start with season 5, for both Dorothy and Sophia, but Dorothy to a greater extent. The CFS may have had an effect on her, but also, like said, the change in writers.

10-05-2011, 03:11 AM	#1
clj2 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2005 Location: SC Posts: 3,501	Why did the Sophia character change? I've mentioned this before on here, but since Sophia is my favorite of the 'Girls', I thought I would give this topic its own thread. I've been watching the final season the past few days, and have really been noticing how the Sophia character's personality changed with that season. She became more 'childlike'/'innocent' (using those words loosely) and seemed more affectionate towards Dorothy. It also seemed that her New York accent was toned down some and she delivered her lines differently. It may be hard to notice, but watch an episode from the earlier seasons, then watch one from season 7, and you can definitely tell a big difference. She was extremely sharp-tongued, loud, critical, and at many times, downright rude in the earlier seasons (1-4, especially). She retained a lot of those traits in the later episodes, but something's just different. She definitely softened. I know it was said that Estelle had trouble remembering her lines towards the end (she later had dementia), so I don't know if that had anything to do with it or not. So...what gives? Did the writers decide to tone the Sophia character down some, is it just me, or what? I've also noticed that Dorothy's character mellowed out a little bit as time went on, when compared to the earlier seasons (especially 1-4). In the episodes when her hair became longer, her personality was toned down a bit, but it seems that more of her original personality was prevalent again in S7.
	__________________ -Chris

10-16-2011, 10:10 AM	#2
JR1 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 07, 2009 Location: USA Posts: 742	Yes- both Dorothy and Sophia had changed a little bit starting with season 5. You'll note that Dorothy's sarcastic comebacks were few and far between from then on- it probably had to do with the new writing team that came on- i think it was around that time. As for Sophia- keep in mind that Estelle's condition was starting up around that time; I think one of the "girls" had said that she was having trouble with lines, needed cue cards, that sort of thing. So that may have had an effect on how she played Sophia, too. For me, those last few seasons do not compare to the first four overall. There are some good episodes in there, for sure, but some of the jokes are too predictable/forced and not LOL funny like they once had been.

10-20-2011, 11:32 PM	#4
JR1 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 07, 2009 Location: USA Posts: 742	Dorothy's sarcastic comebacks (like when Blanche or Rose would ask her why she was upset when it was obvious) never really returned once they left, though- I recall one line Dorothy had in season five. Rose asked her if she was upset about Michael, and she shot back, "No, I'm upset because I can't make any sense out of those commercials for Obsession..." Those were my favorites. That, and when Dorothy would say, 'You'll have to excuse my mother..." and give a reason why she said the offensive thing she just said. The changes did start with season 5, for both Dorothy and Sophia, but Dorothy to a greater extent. The CFS may have had an effect on her, but also, like said, the change in writers.