Mary Louise Wilson's Autobio - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

PracTz · 11-08-2015, 12:14 PM

For ODAAT fans, she seemed to have hated her experience of being Ginny, disliked how the sitcom was performed and was downright contemptuous re Bonnie Franklin herself (not even saying she was sorry to hear of her death). The ONLY positive remark she made about the experience was how professional former colleague of hers played a drunk without actually spilling liquid. Ironically, she said that Pat Harrington was hilarious OFFSCREEN but thought his character was a dud on the show . Lastly, neither Mackenzie Phillips or Valerie Bertinelli seem to have been considered more than wallpaper for her.

Oh and I'm not sure she misquoted Norman Lear or Norman Lear made a false claim but she says he told her that Nancy Walker was initially unhappy doing "Rhoda" but came around- AND that "Rhoda" had been produced by Mr. Lear [WRONG!].

Bonniegirl · 11-08-2015, 12:46 PM

Sounds like sour grapes for being let go from the show!

PracTz · 11-08-2015, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

Sounds like sour grapes for being let go from the show!

Yes, I agree that it seemed like sour grapes. However; by Miss Wilson's account she begged to be let out of the show and was relieved to have had that happened. All-in-all, I think that her exit was best for ALL parties concerned.

opus · 11-08-2015, 05:35 PM

- After 30+ years, those grapes aren't sour, they're fermented

-I'm surprised Pat Harrington never did a book. He's been in show biz since the '50's and must have a ton of stories to tell.

Bonniegirl · 11-08-2015, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opus

- After 30+ years, those grapes aren't sour, they're fermented

-I'm surprised Pat Harrington never did a book. He's been in show biz since the '50's and must have a ton of stories to tell.

And she called your Valerie "Wallpaper"!!!

PracTz · 11-08-2015, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

And she called your Valerie "Wallpaper"!!!

To be fair , Miss Wilson did NOT actually call Miss Bertinelli or Miss Phillips 'wallpaper' but that WAS the impression she gave in her book as to how she seemed to have viewed them. Yeah, I think the grapes were downright vinegary by this point and it's too bad that Miss Wilson didn't at least try to make the best of things instead of seeming to seek out faults and looking down her nose at those not as 'theatre' as she.

Well, perhaps Mr. Harrington MAY write a bio in the future which would be amazing since he worked with everyone from Danny Thomas to Lucy to Miss Bertinelli . Let's not forget that in the last few months Charlotte Rae HAS written one detailing her showbiz past so why not him?

TMC · 01-21-2023, 06:58 AM

According to her memoir, she A) Never watched television so she wasn't familiar with this comedy B) Never read any scripts from previous episodes, so she wasn't familiar with the tone of the show or its humor C) Didn't want to leave Broadway for LA because she loved being a Broadway musical theater actress, and had no desire to be on a weekly sitcom.

But her agent at the time told her to take the role - so she did. And hated every minute of it.

CJMD03 · 08-20-2023, 04:44 PM

An was never one to have a “wacky” friend.

CJMD03 · 08-20-2023, 09:30 PM

MLW actually wasn’t in that many episodes when she was on the show. She def loathed BF, though.

opus · 08-20-2023, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJMD03

MLW actually wasn’t in that many episodes when she was on the show. She def loathed BF, though.

Was in 13 of the 24 episodes of her one season. So about half of it.

CJMD03 · 08-21-2023, 10:37 PM

That’s still not too many. As I said, Ann didn’t need a “wacky” friend. The show also had enough storylines without Ginny. She was superfluous.

11-08-2015, 12:14 PM	#1
PracTz Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2002 Location: United States of America [Happily Living in the 20th Century] Posts: 2,711	Mary Louise Wilson's Autobio For ODAAT fans, she seemed to have hated her experience of being Ginny, disliked how the sitcom was performed and was downright contemptuous re Bonnie Franklin herself (not even saying she was sorry to hear of her death). The ONLY positive remark she made about the experience was how professional former colleague of hers played a drunk without actually spilling liquid. Ironically, she said that Pat Harrington was hilarious OFFSCREEN but thought his character was a dud on the show . Lastly, neither Mackenzie Phillips or Valerie Bertinelli seem to have been considered more than wallpaper for her. Oh and I'm not sure she misquoted Norman Lear or Norman Lear made a false claim but she says he told her that Nancy Walker was initially unhappy doing "Rhoda" but came around- AND that "Rhoda" had been produced by Mr. Lear [WRONG!].

11-08-2015, 12:46 PM	#2
Bonniegirl AKA Hazel Horvath Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 10, 2014 Posts: 65,588	Sounds like sour grapes for being let go from the show!

11-08-2015, 05:35 PM	#4
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,260	- After 30+ years, those grapes aren't sour, they're fermented -I'm surprised Pat Harrington never did a book. He's been in show biz since the '50's and must have a ton of stories to tell.

01-21-2023, 06:58 AM	#7
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,403	According to her memoir, she A) Never watched television so she wasn't familiar with this comedy B) Never read any scripts from previous episodes, so she wasn't familiar with the tone of the show or its humor C) Didn't want to leave Broadway for LA because she loved being a Broadway musical theater actress, and had no desire to be on a weekly sitcom. But her agent at the time told her to take the role - so she did. And hated every minute of it.

08-20-2023, 04:44 PM	#8
CJMD03 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 18, 2018 Posts: 422	An was never one to have a “wacky” friend.

08-20-2023, 09:30 PM	#9
CJMD03 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 18, 2018 Posts: 422	MLW actually wasn’t in that many episodes when she was on the show. She def loathed BF, though.

08-21-2023, 10:37 PM	#11
CJMD03 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 18, 2018 Posts: 422	That’s still not too many. As I said, Ann didn’t need a “wacky” friend. The show also had enough storylines without Ginny. She was superfluous.