Does Anybody Know If Valerie Harper Was "Difficult" On The Set?

[Brian Damage]

I was doing some reading on Valerie's other series 'Valerie/Hogan Family' and things got really ugly with her and the network. Was she ever like that on the Rhoda or MTM set?

[scotsguy]

According tot he orginal producers of Rhoda and the creators of MTM,lan Burns and James L.Brooks never.

I did read somewhere that Valerie Harper,when she didn't show up on "Valerie",it was the same thing she'd done on "Rhoda",to get a pay increase but I don't know how true or untrue that is.

[OnTheMarkTexas]

Originally Posted by scotsguy

According tot he orginal producers of Rhoda and the creators of MTM,lan Burns and James L.Brooks never.

I did read somewhere that Valerie Harper,when she didn't show up on "Valerie",it was the same thing she'd done on "Rhoda",to get a pay increase but I don't know how true or untrue that is.

During during the whole VALERIE situation, I seem to remember reading that on RHODA, everyone seemed to get along but mention was made that when both Ron Silver and Anne Mera started to become a little too popular for her comfort, Ms. Harper did take on some diva-like behavior. Incidently, both actors had their characters written out shortly thereafter, so make of that what you will.

Also, once Rhoda was with Joe, Brenda started getting more screen time. Makes me wonder if that played a small part in the writers breaking them up so that Rhoda was again single and the show's focus was back on her.

And there was mention that at some point during the run of RHODA, she held out for more money and didn't show up for the taping of an episode to drive the point home.

By the show's final season, she had gotten a bit of a reputation in the industry and the producers had a hard time finding directors for the show. That's why Nancy Walker directed so many episodes during the last season.

But to be fair, any woman who is even remotely assertive automatically get a bad reputation. If a man acts that way, no one gives it a second thought.

As much as I love William Devane as an actor, he is one of the biggest Divas around. When he was on KNOTS LANDING, he would re-write every scene he was in, which was frustrating for his co-stars because they'd learn their lines, then he'd change it up right before the scene was filmed.

And Larry Hagman was allowed to run rough shot over any co-start he didn't get along with on DALLAS. Donna Reed, Susan Howard, and Dack Rambo were on the receiving end of his bullying behavior during their time on the show.