Why did "Checking In" (the Florence) spin-off fail

[TMC]

It only lasted four episodes in April 1981 before Florence/Marla Gibbs was sent back to The Jeffersons. I don't want to believe the Marla Gibbs was necessarily the problem per se. I mean, 227 seemed to prove that she could carry her own series. I wonder if the real problem was that she didn't have as good of supporting cast (I know that Larry Linville, AKA Frank Burns on MASH was on Checking In) like on 227.

[James"Thunder"Early]

It was definitely the fact that the supporting cast was not strong. Marla Gibbs is good, but no one can carry a show alone no matter how good they are.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by James"Thunder"Early

It was definitely the fact that the supporting cast was not strong. Marla Gibbs is good, but no one can carry a show alone no matter how good they are.

I'm guessing that Checking In didn't do very well because they didn't know what to do with the Florence character once she was free from George Jefferson. Had they had a better show runner, Marla Gibbs may have made it on her own.

The weird thing is that on 227, Marla Gibbs more or less, played a hyper-moralistic shrew. Mary Jenkins could be considered a more unlikable variation of Louise Jefferson. At least, 227 benefited from the presence of Jackee and Helen Martin.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by TMC

It only lasted four episodes in April 1981 before Florence/Marla Gibbs was sent back to The Jeffersons. I don't want to believe the Marla Gibbs was necessarily the problem per se. I mean, 227 seemed to prove that she could carry her own series. I wonder if the real problem was that she didn't have as good of supporting cast (I know that Larry Linville, AKA Frank Burns on MASH was on Checking In) like on 227.

Maybe because her role was similar on Checking In? Insulting her boss like she was on the Jeffersons

Maybe if she was on a show where she was in a relationship and they showed her home life with her and the guy the show would have caught more eyes

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by TMC

I'm guessing that Checking In didn't do very well because they didn't know what to do with the Florence character once she was free from George Jefferson. Had they had a better show runner, Marla Gibbs may have made it on her own.

The weird thing is that on 227, Marla Gibbs more or less, played a hyper-moralistic shrew. Mary Jenkins could be considered a more unlikable variation of Louise Jefferson. At least, 227 benefited from the presence of Jackee and Helen Martin.

She succeeded on 227 because it dealt with her being married and having a family versus being at a job talking back to her boss

[seedub]

Larry Linville was somewhat of an exception. He's got good comic timing, and he and Gibbs seemed to have a pretty decent dynamic.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by seedub

Larry Linville was somewhat of an exception. He's got good comic timing, and he and Gibbs seemed to have a pretty decent dynamic.

They should have put all 4 eps on the DVD instead of 1

[JJM]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

They should have put all 4 eps on the DVD instead of 1

Agreed, I think it may have been for the best that it did fail. She was still needed on the Jeffersons! It wasn't as funny when she went on to Checkin' in.

[TVFactFan]

Surprised CBS put it as a lead show on Thursday Night when it was a midseason replacement

[glickmam]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Surprised CBS put it as a lead show on Thursday Night when it was a midseason replacement

You know, I think that also could have been another factor for its early demise. Now, if if had The Jeffersons as a lead-in, it probably could have succeeded.