Barbara and/or Alex crushes? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Alex Cooper · 02-16-2016, 11:51 PM

Did anyone else have simultaneous crushes on Barbara and Alex? Valerie Bertinelli was definitely my first TV crush at 5 or 6 years of age. Then, I was about 9 when Glenn Scarpelli was added...and I couldn't figure out who made me sigh more. They had a nice on screen chemistry: platonic on Barbara's part, though I think Alex had a crush on her. I distinctly remember the scene where Barbara pulled the shirt off Alex's back, to sew it, or something, and he was so cutely embarrassed, though ya know he loved it. And, of course, Alex sulking in the bathroom with Babs in the tub.
Thank you, Antenna TV, for rerunning this show, and returning all these conflicting emotions to me.

opus · 02-16-2016, 11:54 PM

Ummm, hi new poster. Interesting story....

Alex Cooper · 02-16-2016, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opus

Ummm, hi new poster. Interesting story....

Thank you!

Bonniegirl · 02-17-2016, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Cooper

Did anyone else have simultaneous crushes on Barbara and Alex? Valerie Bertinelli was definitely my first TV crush at 5 or 6 years of age. Then, I was about 9 when Glenn Scarpelli was added...and I couldn't figure out who made me sigh more. They had a nice on screen chemistry: platonic on Barbara's part, though I think Alex had a crush on her. I distinctly remember the scene where Barbara pulled the shirt off Alex's back, to sew it, or something, and he was so cutely embarrassed, though ya know he loved it. And, of course, Alex sulking in the bathroom with Babs in the tub.
Thank you, Antenna TV, for rerunning this show, and returning all these conflicting emotions to me.

My crush is on neither!! I like Max!

Oh wow! So you are saying that you are bisexual? At first very young you thought Barbara was hot,at that early age you didn't realize that you were also attracted to males? Than when Alex came on the show and you thought he was hot too? Cause by that time you were older!?

Well cool. I never thought about it before, because I'm female and totally only,always liked males, but I guess if you are bisexual or gay you would have crushes on celebrities of both sexes or your own sex!

I hope I'm not being too personal or rude ( I'm not meaning to be at all) by asking if you are still indeed bisexual or just completely gay now? Alex (Glenn Scarpelli) turned out to be gay too!!

Alex Cooper · 02-17-2016, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

My crush is on neither!! I like Max!

Oh wow! So you are saying that you are bisexual? At first very young you thought Barbara was hot,at that early age you didn't realize that you were also attracted to males? Than when Alex came on the show and you thought he was hot too? Cause by that time you were older!?

Well cool. I never thought about it before, because I'm female and totally only,always liked males, but I guess if you are bisexual or gay you would have crushes on celebrities of both sexes or your own sex!

I hope I'm not being too personal or rude ( I'm not meaning to be at all) by asking if you are still indeed bisexual or just completely gay now? Alex (Glenn Scarpelli) turned out to be gay too!!

Bonniegirl, you are not being personal or rude, you hit the nail on the head.

I too find it interesting that Glenn is out. In adult life, my experiences have more been with males. But if Valerie showed up at my door, even now, I would totally let her in.

I'm more currently familiar with Michael Lembeck from "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" with his longer and feathered locks. I just saw his ODAAT look for the first time today (courtesy of Antenna TV) in quite a few years. He's more subdued but still the looker; I can understand your crush.

opus · 02-17-2016, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Cooper

Did anyone else have simultaneous crushes on Barbara and Alex? Valerie Bertinelli was definitely my first TV crush at 5 or 6 years of age. Then, I was about 9 when Glenn Scarpelli was added...and I couldn't figure out who made me sigh more. They had a nice on screen chemistry: platonic on Barbara's part, though I think Alex had a crush on her. I distinctly remember the scene where Barbara pulled the shirt off Alex's back, to sew it, or something, and he was so cutely embarrassed, though ya know he loved it. And, of course, Alex sulking in the bathroom with Babs in the tub.
Thank you, Antenna TV, for rerunning this show, and returning all these conflicting emotions to me.

I originally read it as you being 15, then 19. I'll stick to the characters though. A 21 year old Barbara, who got engaged and married during the Alex years, wasn't interested that way in him at all. In fact, she called him the brother she never had. A straight Alex, although it was never directly stated he felt that way about her, probably couldn't help but notice.

You do have the perfect screen name for your story.

Bonniegirl · 02-17-2016, 02:12 PM

I think Barbara and Alex had a big sister/little brother relationship! Francine was the one Alex had the crush on! The beautiful MUCH older woman!!!!

Alex Cooper. That is a cool, cleaver screen name!! And yes, I think it is cool that Glenn came out as being gay! Good for him!! In this day and age a person's sexual preference shouldn't have to stay in the closet! And Valerie still looks good ,she aged well. Doesn't look like she is mid 50's!

And Michael/Max .Wow he's a grey haired senior citizen now! A family man/Grand father even! Where do the years go?

mstewart · 02-17-2016, 03:57 PM

My crush was on Bonnie Franklin especially after she cut her hair. She looked better with short hair and not do plain looking

Alex Cooper · 02-18-2016, 10:14 PM

mstewart, I agree. Ann/Bonnie's shorter hair was more appealing.

Bonniegirl and opus, I agree too. I didn't think the show even implied any attraction between Barbara and Alex; this was just more by own fantasy. Certainly Alex was too young for the level-headed Barbara. But for Alex, who I assume was an only child, to be suddenly thrust into a living situation with an attractive, intelligent, and outgoing young woman, must have at least made an impression.

Just wondering too, if anyone has thought about it, how do you "watch" the Alex character in retrospect? As, what was established, a straight male, or, as I like to think, a closeted or uncertain young man who later came out as an adult? Too bad there was never a reunion movie!

Does anyone know if Glenn knew he was gay at a younger age, or if it was a later realization?

(Sorry for the long-winded post.)

02-16-2016, 11:51 PM	#1
Alex Cooper Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 16, 2016 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,705	Barbara and/or Alex crushes? Did anyone else have simultaneous crushes on Barbara and Alex? Valerie Bertinelli was definitely my first TV crush at 5 or 6 years of age. Then, I was about 9 when Glenn Scarpelli was added...and I couldn't figure out who made me sigh more. They had a nice on screen chemistry: platonic on Barbara's part, though I think Alex had a crush on her. I distinctly remember the scene where Barbara pulled the shirt off Alex's back, to sew it, or something, and he was so cutely embarrassed, though ya know he loved it. And, of course, Alex sulking in the bathroom with Babs in the tub. Thank you, Antenna TV, for rerunning this show, and returning all these conflicting emotions to me.

02-16-2016, 11:54 PM	#2
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,442	Ummm, hi new poster. Interesting story....

02-17-2016, 02:12 PM	#7
Bonniegirl AKA Hazel Horvath Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 10, 2014 Posts: 65,738	I think Barbara and Alex had a big sister/little brother relationship! Francine was the one Alex had the crush on! The beautiful MUCH older woman!!!! Alex Cooper. That is a cool, cleaver screen name!! And yes, I think it is cool that Glenn came out as being gay! Good for him!! In this day and age a person's sexual preference shouldn't have to stay in the closet! And Valerie still looks good ,she aged well. Doesn't look like she is mid 50's! And Michael/Max .Wow he's a grey haired senior citizen now! A family man/Grand father even! Where do the years go?

02-17-2016, 03:57 PM	#8
mstewart mstewart Senior Member Join Date: Jan 25, 2002 Location: California Posts: 1,780	My crush was on Bonnie Franklin especially after she cut her hair. She looked better with short hair and not do plain looking

02-18-2016, 10:14 PM	#9
Alex Cooper Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 16, 2016 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,705	mstewart, I agree. Ann/Bonnie's shorter hair was more appealing. Bonniegirl and opus, I agree too. I didn't think the show even implied any attraction between Barbara and Alex; this was just more by own fantasy. Certainly Alex was too young for the level-headed Barbara. But for Alex, who I assume was an only child, to be suddenly thrust into a living situation with an attractive, intelligent, and outgoing young woman, must have at least made an impression. Just wondering too, if anyone has thought about it, how do you "watch" the Alex character in retrospect? As, what was established, a straight male, or, as I like to think, a closeted or uncertain young man who later came out as an adult? Too bad there was never a reunion movie! Does anyone know if Glenn knew he was gay at a younger age, or if it was a later realization? (Sorry for the long-winded post.)