Someone stated that Alice was a "depressing show" to watch because..... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 06-12-2012, 10:03 PM

it was a show about three single middle aged woman with no ambition for or prospects for a better life than to work at a diner.

This was stated on another board. I wouldn't say the show was depressing just weird that 3 women that age was working at a diner for so long. But I still enjoyed it

Big3sCompanyFan · 06-12-2012, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

it was a show about three single middle aged woman with no ambition for or prospects for a better life than to work at a diner.

This was stated on another board. I wouldn't say the show was depressing just weird that 3 women that age was working at a diner for so long. But I still enjoyed it

Wow! The 1st season is on DVD?? When did that happen?

I like Alice too but the depressing part is how the show has been completely forgotten and ignored and not shown anywhere or given any decent DVD release!

I believe it was a top 5 sitcom at its ratings peak!

TVFactFan · 06-12-2012, 10:27 PM

Yeah Finally, it took long enough

Brian Damage · 06-12-2012, 10:28 PM

I wouldn't say the show was depressing, but that poster does have a point. lol

TVFactFan · 06-12-2012, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I wouldn't say the show was depressing, but that poster does have a point. lol

You know if that was a black show the NAACP would have got involved and said..."Why are these black women working in a dirty diner without health benefits?

Brian Damage · 06-12-2012, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

You know if that was a black show the NAACP would have got involved and said..."Why are these black women working in a dirty diner without health benefits?

You may be right

The NAACP I am sure weren't Alice fans anyway considering there was never a black character on it. (I think???)

TVFactFan · 06-12-2012, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

You may be right

The NAACP I am sure weren't Alice fans anyway considering there was never a black character on it. (I think???)

Reurn from What's happenening off the top of my head

Yong Fang · 06-16-2012, 08:21 AM

In real life, Alice probably could have gotten something better than working at Mel's Diner. She would not have worked there, for what, seven to nine years, making minimum wage plus tips?

Sorry, but Alice Hyatt (Linda Lavin) just sucked as a singer.

Even Flo and Belle were unrealistic because again, no one would work at Mel's for over a year before finding something else better to do. Flo went back to Texas and Belle went on to be in every single one of her daughter's films.

Vera was probably the most realistic because she was a goofy airhead and this was the best she could do. Note, the "straw explosion" in the opening credits was the only one used in the entire run of the show.

Mel was pretty realistic too, a working class character. Alice and him bonded because they were from the same geographical area. As a kid, this show actually taught me the word "Moonlighting" because Mel hated it so much.

Another unrealistic point, how many hours a day was this diner open? Unlike the movie, this place was never busy. Alice and the gals actually left this job early enough to "Moonlight"? I have been a server before and it is a hard job, and there are a lot of work besides just service to the customer. Cleaning, doing side work, running side work, you name it. One is so tired, there is no moonlighting. If you are over 40 like Alice was, one would look for less taxing work or find a husband.

Even if Alice was talented (she wasn't, but in the show's universe she was) her lot would be playing cowboy joints and piano bars and this is also WORK with little pay and reward.

The show lacked realism. I have not seen it since it went off the air in the early 80's and would love to see it again, especially for Flo. Flo kicked ass. The show should have been called Flo. Flo was the hit and this is why Lavin hated her. Oh well.

Big3sCompanyFan · 06-16-2012, 09:19 AM

But the show was still good or even better with Belle and then Jolene.

As far as it being unrealistic, it's a TV show! They have to bend reality for the sake of the storyline. Just like how it made no sense how the roomates in 3's Company kept on having trouble getting just $100 each for rent every month when they all usually had decent enough jobs!

Why were they always broke?? Because it was often part of the storyline!

Leslie Eckhardt · 06-18-2012, 11:41 AM

Alice ranks right up there with One Day at a Time as my least favorite long running sitcoms of all time.

TVFactFan · 06-18-2012, 04:59 PM

The ALice sitaution is a lot more appealing than the One Day at a Time situation

3 waitresses working for a grumpy boss at a Diner

VS

a single mom taking care of two teenage daughters

I PICK ALICE

douglasjc · 06-21-2012, 09:59 PM

How many people work at their dream jobs? Alice did not stop looking for something better. she went to a local college and did moonlight in several episodes. I find the show realistic with real people not the phony people I see on tv these days. The reason many people are critical is because the show is about a blue collar restaurant and not some upscale Palm beach, New York restaurant

TVFactFan · 06-21-2012, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by douglasjc

How many people work at their dream jobs? Alice did not stop looking for something better. she went to a local college and did moonlight in several episodes. I find the show realistic with real people not the phony people I see on tv these days. The reason many people are critical is because the show is about a blue collar restaurant and not some upscale Palm beach, New York restaurant

She was a waitress for 10 years.

douglasjc · 06-21-2012, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

She was a waitress for 10 years.

Yet, She secured her dreams of a singing career after 10 years. Dreams take time to achieve

TVFactFan · 06-21-2012, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by douglasjc

Yet, She secured her dreams of a singing career after 10 years. Dreams take time to achieve

Well I will get to see how that happened one day on DVD or syndication

06-12-2012, 10:03 PM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,070	Someone stated that Alice was a "depressing show" to watch because..... it was a show about three single middle aged woman with no ambition for or prospects for a better life than to work at a diner. This was stated on another board. I wouldn't say the show was depressing just weird that 3 women that age was working at a diner for so long. But I still enjoyed it

06-12-2012, 10:28 PM	#4
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	I wouldn't say the show was depressing, but that poster does have a point. lol
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

06-12-2012, 10:27 PM	#3
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,070	Yeah Finally, it took long enough

06-16-2012, 08:21 AM	#8
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,073	In real life, Alice probably could have gotten something better than working at Mel's Diner. She would not have worked there, for what, seven to nine years, making minimum wage plus tips? Sorry, but Alice Hyatt (Linda Lavin) just sucked as a singer. Even Flo and Belle were unrealistic because again, no one would work at Mel's for over a year before finding something else better to do. Flo went back to Texas and Belle went on to be in every single one of her daughter's films. Vera was probably the most realistic because she was a goofy airhead and this was the best she could do. Note, the "straw explosion" in the opening credits was the only one used in the entire run of the show. Mel was pretty realistic too, a working class character. Alice and him bonded because they were from the same geographical area. As a kid, this show actually taught me the word "Moonlighting" because Mel hated it so much. Another unrealistic point, how many hours a day was this diner open? Unlike the movie, this place was never busy. Alice and the gals actually left this job early enough to "Moonlight"? I have been a server before and it is a hard job, and there are a lot of work besides just service to the customer. Cleaning, doing side work, running side work, you name it. One is so tired, there is no moonlighting. If you are over 40 like Alice was, one would look for less taxing work or find a husband. Even if Alice was talented (she wasn't, but in the show's universe she was) her lot would be playing cowboy joints and piano bars and this is also WORK with little pay and reward. The show lacked realism. I have not seen it since it went off the air in the early 80's and would love to see it again, especially for Flo. Flo kicked ass. The show should have been called Flo. Flo was the hit and this is why Lavin hated her. Oh well.

06-16-2012, 09:19 AM	#9
Big3sCompanyFan Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2003 Posts: 2,493	But the show was still good or even better with Belle and then Jolene. As far as it being unrealistic, it's a TV show! They have to bend reality for the sake of the storyline. Just like how it made no sense how the roomates in 3's Company kept on having trouble getting just $100 each for rent every month when they all usually had decent enough jobs! Why were they always broke?? Because it was often part of the storyline!

06-18-2012, 11:41 AM	#10
Leslie Eckhardt Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 24, 2011 Posts: 293	Alice ranks right up there with One Day at a Time as my least favorite long running sitcoms of all time.

06-18-2012, 04:59 PM	#11
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,070	The ALice sitaution is a lot more appealing than the One Day at a Time situation 3 waitresses working for a grumpy boss at a Diner VS a single mom taking care of two teenage daughters I PICK ALICE

06-21-2012, 09:59 PM	#12
douglasjc Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 318	How many people work at their dream jobs? Alice did not stop looking for something better. she went to a local college and did moonlight in several episodes. I find the show realistic with real people not the phony people I see on tv these days. The reason many people are critical is because the show is about a blue collar restaurant and not some upscale Palm beach, New York restaurant