Is this what led to the decline of the show in last 2 seasons and not the timeslot? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 04-15-2012, 07:16 PM

Changes in the last 2 seasons according to the Primetime TV Directory

1. Rhoda's seperation from joe
2. The phase out of Joe from the show
3. On and Off again romance with Johnny Venture
4. Rhoda's new job at a struggling Costume Company
5. Rhoda's mother being a single woman

What do you think?

Mr. Television · 04-15-2012, 07:36 PM

I think a lot of that did cause the show to lose viewers. CBS promoted the Wedding of Rhoda and Joe as a national event. Then 2 years later, they decided to break them up. I'm sure a lot of people felt like they wasted their time getting so involved with that. They probably felt cheated. Rhoda was never in the same category as The Mary Tyler Moore Show as far as quality was concerned but it was a good show with a fine cast. The producers tried to turn the show into another MTM but they failed miserably. They brought in some new characters that weren't well received. They made Rhoda a MTM clone. Joe was gone by the 4th season and losing Nancy Walker for part of the time also hurt it as I think she was one of the show's main assets. I've barely watched any of the later day shows when I caught it in syndication. I've still never seen the last episode.

TVFactFan · 04-15-2012, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

I think a lot of that did cause the show to lose viewers. CBS promoted the Wedding of Rhoda and Joe as a national event. Then 2 years later, they decided to break them up. I'm sure a lot of people felt like they wasted their time getting so involved with that. They probably felt cheated. Rhoda was never in the same category as The Mary Tyler Moore Show as far as quality was concerned but it was a good show with a fine cast. The producers tried to turn the show into another MTM but they failed miserably. They brought in some new characters that weren't well received. They made Rhoda a MTM clone. Joe was gone by the 3rd season and losing Nancy Walker for part of the time also hurt it as I think she was one of the show's main assets. I've barely watched any of the later day shows when I caught it in syndication. I've still never seen the last episode.

That's right because Nancy walker had two projects going on during 1976 which was the Nancy Walker show and Blansky Beauties. I also read that Rhoda had a new girlfriend who was a divorced 39 year old woman who worked for the airlines

Jude The Obscure · 04-15-2012, 09:13 PM

^Wasn't that Sally played by Anne Meara? I know that once Joe was gone, I was too.

ZeldaGilroy · 04-15-2012, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

^Wasn't that Sally played by Anne Meara? I know that once Joe was gone, I was too.

Yes, and while I like Anne Meara, she did not really fit in on "Rhoda." I love this show. It's one of my favorites (I actually prefer it to The Mary Tyler Moore Show) but the last couple of seasons were a disappointment. The things I liked the least was Rhoda's job at the costume shop and Johnny Venture! The original premise of the show was completely lost by the end. It was as if every episode became some kind of joke.

Jude The Obscure · 04-15-2012, 10:31 PM

It's like the end message is.....so you were a schlub and in the end, you will still be a schlub.

Brian Damage · 04-18-2012, 09:49 AM

There must have been a reason why Rhoda broke off with Joe though. Audiences must have not liked the pairing and the writers broke them up. That is a guess of course.

Mr. Television · 04-18-2012, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

There must have been a reason why Rhoda broke off with Joe though. Audiences must have not liked the pairing and the writers broke them up. That is a guess of course.

I read that it was the writers and producers who didn't like them being married. The show was a top 10 hit when they were married. The show completely tanked afterwards.

Brian Damage · 04-18-2012, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

I read that it was the writers and producers who didn't like them being married. The show was a top 10 hit when they were married. The show completely tanked afterwards.

That is very bizarre then. When ratings started to tank, why not put them back together? Was it too late?

TVFactFan · 04-18-2012, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

That is very bizarre then. When ratings started to tank, why not put them back together? Was it too late?

Probably was too late by that time since the chemistry was already destroyed

Mr. Television · 04-18-2012, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

That is very bizarre then. When ratings started to tank, why not put them back together? Was it too late?

Yea it was probably too late. The show went from being ranked at #8 for the 1975-76 season to not being in the top 30 the following season. It was in the same timeslot too.

TVFactFan · 04-18-2012, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

Yea it was probably too late. The show went from being ranked at #8 for the 1975-76 season to not being in the top 30 the following season. It was in the same timeslot too.

Hopefully Rhoda can land on Me-TV or Hallmark sometime soon

Mr. Television · 04-18-2012, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Hopefully Rhoda can land on Me-TV or Hallmark sometime soon

That would be good. I haven't seen it since I believe N@N aired it.

TVFactFan · 04-18-2012, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

That would be good. I haven't seen it since I believe N@N aired it.

I remember trying to watch it in the mid 80's on local philly station but my mom told me to......."TURN THE TV OFF" LOL

Brian Damage · 04-18-2012, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

I remember trying to watch it in the mid 80's on local philly station but my mom told me to......."TURN THE TV OFF" LOL

Why? LOL

04-15-2012, 07:16 PM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,065	Is this what led to the decline of the show in last 2 seasons and not the timeslot? Changes in the last 2 seasons according to the Primetime TV Directory 1. Rhoda's seperation from joe 2. The phase out of Joe from the show 3. On and Off again romance with Johnny Venture 4. Rhoda's new job at a struggling Costume Company 5. Rhoda's mother being a single woman What do you think?

04-15-2012, 07:36 PM	#2
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I think a lot of that did cause the show to lose viewers. CBS promoted the Wedding of Rhoda and Joe as a national event. Then 2 years later, they decided to break them up. I'm sure a lot of people felt like they wasted their time getting so involved with that. They probably felt cheated. Rhoda was never in the same category as The Mary Tyler Moore Show as far as quality was concerned but it was a good show with a fine cast. The producers tried to turn the show into another MTM but they failed miserably. They brought in some new characters that weren't well received. They made Rhoda a MTM clone. Joe was gone by the 4th season and losing Nancy Walker for part of the time also hurt it as I think she was one of the show's main assets. I've barely watched any of the later day shows when I caught it in syndication. I've still never seen the last episode.
	__________________ Sonny

04-18-2012, 09:49 AM	#7
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	There must have been a reason why Rhoda broke off with Joe though. Audiences must have not liked the pairing and the writers broke them up. That is a guess of course.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

04-15-2012, 09:13 PM	#4
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	^Wasn't that Sally played by Anne Meara? I know that once Joe was gone, I was too.

04-15-2012, 10:31 PM	#6
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	It's like the end message is.....so you were a schlub and in the end, you will still be a schlub.