"Alice" producers talk about the show - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Larryc · 08-10-2012, 04:20 PM

Two separate video interviews on EmmyTVLegends.org have producers talking about what it was like to work on "Alice."

When first season producer Harvey Bullock is asked about Linda Lavin, he says to the interviewer, "You are a troublemaker, aren't you? You want me to talk about Linda Lavin? I don't know if I want to talk about Linda Lavin. No -- I'll pass."

And Bob Carroll & Madelyn Davis (who produced seasons 2-9) pause somewhat awkwardly and simply say "Very talented." (That's all they'll say about her.)

They do have GOOD things to say about the other cast members, especially Polly Holliday and Vic Tayback.

Jude The Obscure · 08-10-2012, 04:23 PM

I always wondered why there was a change in the executive producers after the first season.

Mr. Television · 08-10-2012, 04:29 PM

They were going to talk about Alice and didn't like to talk about Linda Lavin. What did they think they were going to talk about? lol

Larryc · 08-10-2012, 04:34 PM

Carroll & Davis confirm that Warner Brothers was going to drop the show after the first season, when they were asked to come in and take it over.

They won't talk about Lavin -- but they do share thoughts on the other cast members and the writers.

przy · 08-14-2012, 01:16 PM

I was born in the late 70's and remember watching the show as a young child. So I did not know about this stuff about Linda Lavin. Was she a cancer? The show lasted for several seasons, so she must have done some things right. What is it about her that the producers did not want to talk about her so many years later? I would appreciate any insight, since this is a revelation to me. Thanks.

likewow · 11-01-2012, 02:18 PM

Wow

I had NO idea there was tension behind the scenes. All these years, I haven't heard it mentioned. Disheartening.

Big3sCompanyFan · 11-01-2012, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by przy

I was born in the late 70's and remember watching the show as a young child. So I did not know about this stuff about Linda Lavin. Was she a cancer? The show lasted for several seasons, so she must have done some things right. What is it about her that the producers did not want to talk about her so many years later? I would appreciate any insight, since this is a revelation to me. Thanks.

I'd like to know too.

If Linda Lavin was so bad then how did the show last so long and become one of the top rated shows on TV? What Linda do to cause her to be disliked?

likewow · 11-01-2012, 05:04 PM

I wouldn't be surprised if Linda Lavin wanted a more realistic show. 'Alice' could be very broad. Which I like a lot

but I could see where she'd want such a well acted program to be less silly. I mean, one of the scripts in season one was a direct steal from 'The Flintstones'

But I did like the little touches that gave season one such camaraderie: Mel and Flo going outside to look at a big fish that someone caught, Alice and Flo being concerned about protecting the dignity of the food critic who died, and the heartfelt revelations that came out during the storm and Vera's attempted suicide.

The later seasons didn't show the closeness of the group as well, especially when Flo became so antagonistic with Mel, and Alice rolled her eyes every time Flo mentioned men

08-10-2012, 04:20 PM	#1
Larryc Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 08, 2005 Posts: 7	"Alice" producers talk about the show Two separate video interviews on EmmyTVLegends.org have producers talking about what it was like to work on "Alice." When first season producer Harvey Bullock is asked about Linda Lavin, he says to the interviewer, "You are a troublemaker, aren't you? You want me to talk about Linda Lavin? I don't know if I want to talk about Linda Lavin. No -- I'll pass." And Bob Carroll & Madelyn Davis (who produced seasons 2-9) pause somewhat awkwardly and simply say "Very talented." (That's all they'll say about her.) They do have GOOD things to say about the other cast members, especially Polly Holliday and Vic Tayback.

08-10-2012, 04:29 PM	#3
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	They were going to talk about Alice and didn't like to talk about Linda Lavin. What did they think they were going to talk about? lol
	__________________ Sonny

08-10-2012, 04:23 PM	#2
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	I always wondered why there was a change in the executive producers after the first season.

08-10-2012, 04:34 PM	#4
Larryc Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 08, 2005 Posts: 7	Carroll & Davis confirm that Warner Brothers was going to drop the show after the first season, when they were asked to come in and take it over. They won't talk about Lavin -- but they do share thoughts on the other cast members and the writers.

08-14-2012, 01:16 PM	#5
przy Member First Time Poster Join Date: Sep 20, 2011 Location: Monticello, MN Posts: 1	I was born in the late 70's and remember watching the show as a young child. So I did not know about this stuff about Linda Lavin. Was she a cancer? The show lasted for several seasons, so she must have done some things right. What is it about her that the producers did not want to talk about her so many years later? I would appreciate any insight, since this is a revelation to me. Thanks.

11-01-2012, 02:18 PM	#6
likewow Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 28, 2003 Posts: 217	Wow I had NO idea there was tension behind the scenes. All these years, I haven't heard it mentioned. Disheartening.

11-01-2012, 05:04 PM	#8
likewow Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 28, 2003 Posts: 217	I wouldn't be surprised if Linda Lavin wanted a more realistic show. 'Alice' could be very broad. Which I like a lot but I could see where she'd want such a well acted program to be less silly. I mean, one of the scripts in season one was a direct steal from 'The Flintstones' But I did like the little touches that gave season one such camaraderie: Mel and Flo going outside to look at a big fish that someone caught, Alice and Flo being concerned about protecting the dignity of the food critic who died, and the heartfelt revelations that came out during the storm and Vera's attempted suicide. The later seasons didn't show the closeness of the group as well, especially when Flo became so antagonistic with Mel, and Alice rolled her eyes every time Flo mentioned men