Watched the True Hollywood story and would really like the answers to these questions - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 08-19-2012, 03:20 PM

1. When the producer said the Lana character didn't work out what exactly did he mean? Was there letters from fans or feedback from the network?

2. The Producers said they were looking for someone like Don Knotts to replace Norman Fell but..........."never said why"

3. Norman Fell said he wasn't told he couldn't return to Three's Company but never mentioned how he was able to do a guest appearance a year later

4. Why did the producers think 25 year old Priscilla Barnes was too old for the show?

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 08-19-2012, 08:48 PM

- They probably initially brought in the Lana character as a sort of fill-in for the void Mrs. Roper left behind. They probably couldn't find as many story lines for her as they'd liked, so they dropped her.

- Don Knotts was already an icon at that point, am I correct? I assume they wanted someone big enough to fill Norman Fell's shoes. That but at the same time they probably envisioned someone very different from the Mr. Roper character so it didn't seem like they were trying to replicate him. It's not too far fetched that Don Knotts came to mind.

- If he wasn't told he couldn't return, then that means he could return. Unless that's a typo, there's your answer. Otherwise, I'm sure they negotiated something.

- Because they were *******s.

Mr. Television · 08-19-2012, 09:01 PM

Lana just wasn't working out. I noticed that right away. She was just a one note character. I don't know how long they could have kept her throwing herself at Jack and he rejecting her. It would get old.

I remember they said they wanted a DK type. Knotts at the time was mainly starring in a series of Disney films with Tim Conway. They probably never thought they'd get him because they didn't know he wanted to return to tv.

It's one thing to do guest appearances then to be part of the cast. I honestly think if DK or whomever replaced him and Audra wouldn't have connected with the audience then the Ropers would have returned.

TVFactFan · 08-19-2012, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Pleasant Tomorrow*

- They probably initially brought in the Lana character as a sort of fill-in for the void Mrs. Roper left behind. They probably couldn't find as many story lines for her as they'd liked, so they dropped her.

- Don Knotts was already an icon at that point, am I correct? I assume they wanted someone big enough to fill Norman Fell's shoes. That but at the same time they probably envisioned someone very different from the Mr. Roper character so it didn't seem like they were trying to replicate him. It's not too far fetched that Don Knotts came to mind.

- If he wasn't told he couldn't return, then that means he could return. Unless that's a typo, there's your answer. Otherwise, I'm sure they negotiated something.

- Because they were *******s.

No he said that he was told he was no longer needed on Three's Company so it would have been nice if someone asked him

"well since you were told you won't be on the show anymore what made you decide to do a guest appearance a year later?"

But the questioned never came up

TVFactFan · 08-19-2012, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

Lana just wasn't working out. I noticed that right away. She was just a one note character. I don't know how long they could have kept her throwing herself at Jack and he rejecting her. It would get old.

I remember they said they wanted a DK type. Knotts at the time was mainly starring in a series of Disney films with Tim Conway. They probably never thought they'd get him because they didn't know he wanted to return to tv.

It's one thing to do guest appearances then to be part of the cast. I honestly think if DK or whomever replaced him and Audra wouldn't have connected with the audience then the Ropers would have returned.

The true hollywood story could have been so much better if they had better interviewers-lol Damm, they don't know how to FOLLOW UP with another question?

Does Chris Mann have a contact email ?

Mr. Television · 08-19-2012, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

The true hollywood story could have been so much better if they had better interviewers-lol Damm, they don't know how to FOLLOW UP with another question?

Does Chris Mann have a contact email ?

I was actually shocked they managed to get all the living cast together for that one. That was a coup.

TVFactFan · 08-19-2012, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

I was actually shocked they managed to get all the living cast together for that one. That was a coup.

Yup they got all of them for sure, no one was missing.

If I wanted to be overanalytical, I could say the only person that was missing was

"Linda.........Jack's girlfriend

Mr. Television · 08-19-2012, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Yup they got all of them for sure, no one was missing.

If I wanted to be overanalytical, I could say the only person that was missing was

"Linda.........Jack's girlfriend

She ended up starring on Alf so....they should have done a story on that show since the cast hated it.

TVFactFan · 08-19-2012, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

She ended up starring on Alf so....they should have done a story on that show since the cast hated it.

Priscilla Barnes is a damm good actress because I never saw any indication that she was MISERABLE

She wanted to leave the show after 3 episodes and they was like HELL NO, LOL

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 08-20-2012, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

The true hollywood story could have been so much better if they had better interviewers-lol Damm, they don't know how to FOLLOW UP with another question?

Does Chris Mann have a contact email ?

He's on facebook. We're bros.

TVFactFan · 08-20-2012, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Pleasant Tomorrow*

He's on facebook. We're bros.

Well I definitely need to talk to him because it's too many HOLES in the Three's Company story

JR1 · 08-24-2012, 06:43 PM

Supposedly, Norman Fell claimed that he was given the option of returning to TC if the spin-off didn't work out. But, then, the show wouldn't have it- but they did let the Ropers come back for that one guest shot after the spin-off ended.

TVFactFan · 08-24-2012, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR1

Supposedly, Norman Fell claimed that he was given the option of returning to TC if the spin-off didn't work out. But, then, the show wouldn't have it- but they did let the Ropers come back for that one guest shot after the spin-off ended.

I already know that, my question was how did they get in touch with him a year later to do a guest spot after telling him he wasn't needed anymore

USATVFAN · 08-24-2012, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

I already know that, my question was how did they get in touch with him a year later to do a guest spot after telling him he wasn't needed anymore

They most likely had his Phone Number just like any other Employer who keeps Employees Phone Numbers. They also probably had his Manager/Agent number and Contact information as well so they probably could have just contacted his Manager/Agent.

70s show watcher · 08-24-2012, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Pleasant Tomorrow*

He's on facebook. We're bros.

he folllows me on twitter

08-19-2012, 03:20 PM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,015	Watched the True Hollywood story and would really like the answers to these questions 1. When the producer said the Lana character didn't work out what exactly did he mean? Was there letters from fans or feedback from the network? 2. The Producers said they were looking for someone like Don Knotts to replace Norman Fell but..........."never said why" 3. Norman Fell said he wasn't told he couldn't return to Three's Company but never mentioned how he was able to do a guest appearance a year later 4. Why did the producers think 25 year old Priscilla Barnes was too old for the show?

08-19-2012, 08:48 PM	#2
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	- They probably initially brought in the Lana character as a sort of fill-in for the void Mrs. Roper left behind. They probably couldn't find as many story lines for her as they'd liked, so they dropped her. - Don Knotts was already an icon at that point, am I correct? I assume they wanted someone big enough to fill Norman Fell's shoes. That but at the same time they probably envisioned someone very different from the Mr. Roper character so it didn't seem like they were trying to replicate him. It's not too far fetched that Don Knotts came to mind. - If he wasn't told he couldn't return, then that means he could return. Unless that's a typo, there's your answer. Otherwise, I'm sure they negotiated something. - Because they were *******s.
	__________________ my name is ashlee Welcome! Everything is fine.

08-19-2012, 09:01 PM	#3
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,128	Lana just wasn't working out. I noticed that right away. She was just a one note character. I don't know how long they could have kept her throwing herself at Jack and he rejecting her. It would get old. I remember they said they wanted a DK type. Knotts at the time was mainly starring in a series of Disney films with Tim Conway. They probably never thought they'd get him because they didn't know he wanted to return to tv. It's one thing to do guest appearances then to be part of the cast. I honestly think if DK or whomever replaced him and Audra wouldn't have connected with the audience then the Ropers would have returned.
	__________________ Sonny

08-24-2012, 06:43 PM	#12
JR1 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 07, 2009 Location: USA Posts: 742	Supposedly, Norman Fell claimed that he was given the option of returning to TC if the spin-off didn't work out. But, then, the show wouldn't have it- but they did let the Ropers come back for that one guest shot after the spin-off ended.