Did People Solely Tune Into 'Maude' For The Controversy? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 10-17-2011, 12:05 AM

'We Ran Out of Controversy' is what Bea Arthur said following 'Maude's' cancellation. "We've accomplished what we set out to accomplish. We brought good theater to television. I may be kidding myself, but I think we gave quality shows to television.

So to me personally it sounded like if it wasn't a hot topic button to push, there was just no need for the show....

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstra...DC405B888BF1D3

Kasey · 10-18-2011, 05:39 PM

While Maude started out a hot-button show, as the seasons went on it became obvious they could do straight comedy and still be successful and entertaining. There's nothing controversial about a broken punch bowl, a college reunion, or sucking up your employee's dead husband's ashes in the vacuum. Actually, the non-issue episodes were much better, but it's the stories such as Maude's abortion that people still talk about.

OH Nuts! · 10-18-2011, 06:43 PM

I can only speak for myself. I didn't - Maude was a little too "liberal" for me - but I really like Bea so seeing Bea in anything was nice. And Maude was a hoot on AITF.

But the character Maude was a bit over the top -

TVFactFan · 10-18-2011, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

'We Ran Out of Controversy' is what Bea Arthur said following 'Maude's' cancellation. "We've accomplished what we set out to accomplish. We brought good theater to television. I may be kidding myself, but I think we gave quality shows to television.

So to me personally it sounded like if it wasn't a hot topic button to push, there was just no need for the show....

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstra...DC405B888BF1D3

Well that right there sums it up why Maude is not popular in syndication. The show soared due to the times it aired on CBS and now that those times are gone, ....................................."SO ARE THE LAUGHS"

Brian Damage · 10-18-2011, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OH Nuts!

I can only speak for myself. I didn't - Maude was a little too "liberal" for me - but I really like Bea so seeing Bea in anything was nice. And Maude was a hoot on AITF.

But the character Maude was a bit over the top -

I think she was better on AITF than her own show. IMO

Brian Damage · 10-18-2011, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Well that right there sums it up why Maude is not popular in syndication. The show soared due to the times it aired on CBS and now that those times are gone, ....................................."SO ARE THE LAUGHS"

So the show was essentially too dated?

OH Nuts! · 10-21-2011, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I think she was better on AITF than her own show. IMO

Yes I think so too. The AITF ep she's in is priceless; my favorite of the series. Archie doesn't get away with a thing with Maude; she gives what she gets.

(I'm surprised I'm watching Maude more than I thought -- guess its because I really like Bea -- its certainly not the character she's playing)

Besides Bea is much better than the show - proven by her stellar performance on The Golden Girls.

Mr. Television · 10-21-2011, 05:22 PM

I agree with practically nothing that Maude agrees with and I always loved the show. It's a testament to Bea that she made you care about Maude even when she was over the top. lol

Retro4Life · 10-21-2011, 05:53 PM

I think the controversy was part of it, but the characters were interesting and funny and as others have said, even the non issue shows were good.

shotzette · 10-22-2011, 04:10 AM

Norman Lear designed "Maude" to be the other side of the coin of "All in the Family". AitF gave us a ridiculously conservative and ignorant Archie Bunker, while "Maude" gave us a ridiculously liberal and over compensating Maude Finley. Maude's being female also gave the writers a first person voice for strongest decade of feminism.

OH Nuts! · 10-28-2011, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

I agree with practically nothing that Maude agrees with and I always loved the show. It's a testament to Bea that she made you care about Maude even when she was over the top. lol

I'm discovering that too. Bea really was a marvelous actress--and IMO attractive too. When I saw Maude on the Antenna TV lineup I didn't think I'd watch it that much - but I find myself taping (DVD-ing) it almost every night. Last night I saw the ep where John Wayne came as a guest to Maude's house. It was nice to see old Maudie ultimately get the bug out of her a** and treat him warmly.

TVFactFan · 10-28-2011, 06:13 PM

Maude seems to be doing well in the ratings for Antenna TV so far and maybe the show can get more exposure and new fans that will lead to a new DVD release?

OH Nuts! · 10-29-2011, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Maude seems to be doing well in the ratings for Antenna TV so far and maybe the show can get more exposure and new fans that will lead to a new DVD release?

Interesting point Soloman. Although if you can see see show, and copy it to DVD for free, there's less of a need to buy it. On the hand, the "professionally" released Season sets are usually sans the commercials, and store more eps on each DVD.

TVFactFan · 10-29-2011, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OH Nuts!

Interesting point Soloman. Although if you can see see show, and copy it to DVD for free, there's less of a need to buy it. On the hand, the "professionally" released Season sets are usually sans the commercials, and store more eps on each DVD.

Don't forget the unedited version on DVD

Edison · 10-30-2011, 02:02 AM

It's a Maude Maude Maude Maude World.

10-17-2011, 12:05 AM	#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	Did People Solely Tune Into 'Maude' For The Controversy? 'We Ran Out of Controversy' is what Bea Arthur said following 'Maude's' cancellation. "We've accomplished what we set out to accomplish. We brought good theater to television. I may be kidding myself, but I think we gave quality shows to television. So to me personally it sounded like if it wasn't a hot topic button to push, there was just no need for the show.... http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstra...DC405B888BF1D3
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

10-21-2011, 05:22 PM	#8
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I agree with practically nothing that Maude agrees with and I always loved the show. It's a testament to Bea that she made you care about Maude even when she was over the top. lol
	__________________ Sonny

10-21-2011, 05:53 PM	#9
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I think the controversy was part of it, but the characters were interesting and funny and as others have said, even the non issue shows were good.
	__________________ 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."

10-30-2011, 02:02 AM	#15
Edison Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 01, 2006 Posts: 2,430	It's a Maude Maude Maude Maude World. Attached Images

10-18-2011, 05:39 PM	#2
Kasey Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 22, 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,143	While Maude started out a hot-button show, as the seasons went on it became obvious they could do straight comedy and still be successful and entertaining. There's nothing controversial about a broken punch bowl, a college reunion, or sucking up your employee's dead husband's ashes in the vacuum. Actually, the non-issue episodes were much better, but it's the stories such as Maude's abortion that people still talk about.

10-18-2011, 06:43 PM	#3
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	I can only speak for myself. I didn't - Maude was a little too "liberal" for me - but I really like Bea so seeing Bea in anything was nice. And Maude was a hoot on AITF. But the character Maude was a bit over the top -

10-22-2011, 04:10 AM	#10
shotzette Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 30, 2004 Posts: 1,782	Norman Lear designed "Maude" to be the other side of the coin of "All in the Family". AitF gave us a ridiculously conservative and ignorant Archie Bunker, while "Maude" gave us a ridiculously liberal and over compensating Maude Finley. Maude's being female also gave the writers a first person voice for strongest decade of feminism.

10-28-2011, 06:13 PM	#12
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,064	Maude seems to be doing well in the ratings for Antenna TV so far and maybe the show can get more exposure and new fans that will lead to a new DVD release?