What direction would you have liked the show to go in?

[counrfk]

The first 3 seasons were pure gold, very well-done and high quality. The episodes from seasons 1, 2, and 3 are the kind that you can watch over and over again and not get tired of. Those were the classic episodes. I noticed a small decline starting with season 4. The show wasn't quite as good, but it was still high quality.

Starting with season 5, there was a more drastic decline. I wish it had taken a different direction. I think that Julie getting married was actually good. Max was a good character addition and was a good match for Julie. Julie was never the college type so it made sense that she didn't go. However, I wish they had had Barbara continue in college rather than quiting. The local community college thing was good because it kept her character in the show.

Barbara should have gotten a degree and worked a while before getting married. There was plenty of time for her to marry. They could have waited to have her character marry. I would have liked to see Barbara maybe go into business, maybe work in Ed's company. This would have made for some good episodes. It would have also made some more Ed episodes, and I would have loved seeing more of Ed.

I think letting Ed and Vicki have kids would have been goof. There could have been some episodes with Julie and Barbara being jealous of Ed's second family, further in keeping with the divorce theme of the show. I think that Nick and Alex should have only been around for a few episodes. I think it was a good idea to have the storyline about Ann being the "other woman" like Vicki had been, Alex resenting her, and Barbara understanding his feelings. This was a good way to show Ann on the other side of the fence and also show a young boy's point of view in divorce. But, after a few episodes, Nick and Alex should have been done. Ann taking Alex in to raise was totally unrealistic.

They definitely should have had Ann get married again, but not to Sam. I couldn't stand him. Hated his character. Wow, Ed was SO much better!! In my opinion, none of the men that Ann dated throughout the whole series even held a candle to Ed. However, I always enjoyed the David character from season 1. I sort of wish that they had gotten together years later. Maybe have him come back and have changed his mind about wanting kids. In any event, they could have found a better man for Ann than Sam! And then the moving to London thing was totally unrealistic and UNNECESSARY.

[RetroTVNitekatt]

Originally Posted by counrfk

The first 3 seasons were pure gold, very well-done and high quality. The episodes from seasons 1, 2, and 3 are the kind that you can watch over and over again and not get tired of. Those were the classic episodes. I noticed a small decline starting with season 4. The show wasn't quite as good, but it was still high quality.

Starting with season 5, there was a more drastic decline. I wish it had taken a different direction. I think that Julie getting married was actually good. Max was a good character addition and was a good match for Julie. Julie was never the college type so it made sense that she didn't go. However, I wish they had had Barbara continue in college rather than quiting. The local community college thing was good because it kept her character in the show.

Barbara should have gotten a degree and worked a while before getting married. There was plenty of time for her to marry. They could have waited to have her character marry. I would have liked to see Barbara maybe go into business, maybe work in Ed's company. This would have made for some good episodes. It would have also made some more Ed episodes, and I would have loved seeing more of Ed.

I think letting Ed and Vicki have kids would have been goof. There could have been some episodes with Julie and Barbara being jealous of Ed's second family, further in keeping with the divorce theme of the show. I think that Nick and Alex should have only been around for a few episodes. I think it was a good idea to have the storyline about Ann being the "other woman" like Vicki had been, Alex resenting her, and Barbara understanding his feelings. This was a good way to show Ann on the other side of the fence and also show a young boy's point of view in divorce. But, after a few episodes, Nick and Alex should have been done. Ann taking Alex in to raise was totally unrealistic.

They definitely should have had Ann get married again, but not to Sam. I couldn't stand him. Hated his character. Wow, Ed was SO much better!! In my opinion, none of the men that Ann dated throughout the whole series even held a candle to Ed. However, I always enjoyed the David character from season 1. I sort of wish that they had gotten together years later. Maybe have him come back and have changed his mind about wanting kids. In any event, they could have found a better man for Ann than Sam! And then the moving to London thing was totally unrealistic and UNNECESSARY.

Some interesting thoughts here.

The direction the show took was clearly due to Mac being fired - most likely she would have had a Baby earlier if she was still on the show full time. Season 5 we got Max was the "5th Character" that finally worked - and that is due to the writing and Michael Lembeck's comedic timing. (and he had good chemistry with Mac.)

I do think they would have kept Barbara in College but without Mac they had to change Barbara's character arc. Even after Mac and Mike returned as reoccurring characters, the focus by then was on Barbara. Mark came in at the right time.

Alex was a "filler" for Julie, which is why they kept him when they killed off Nick. Season 6 was the show trying to find it's creative footing they lost due to Mac being fired.

Mind you Ratings (Viewership and position) for Seasons 5,6 and 7 are very close so the loss of Mac and the keeping of Alex did not hurt the show. (The timeslot move mid season 8 was what affected that seasons ratings and season 9's back-half move was more about the show having an end-date used as filler-counter-programing and if Bonnie and Val had signed for a 10th Year, CBS would have given it a better slot)

David's guest shot in Season 6 (Which was also the last appearance of Nick!)was to "clear the deck" of any possibility of Ann and David - as he says "You Can't Go Home Again." (and at the end of the episode, Nick also takes his relationship with Ann down a couple of notches - they already knew he wasn't going to be in season 7 - the episodes shot but held over don't feature or even mention him but Alex is featured in at least one of them!)

Ed was basically written out as an on-screen character by season 4 and we don't see him for 4 seasons till Barbara's wedding. (Which was shot out of order most likely so they could work around Joe Campanella's schedule) So it would be unlikely they would have gone down the "Ed and Vickie have a kid second family stuff" route if would have thrown the balance off.

Bonnie was the one who wanted Ann to Marry Sam - she wanted the character progression as a term to sign for a 9th Season - she almost walked after the 8th. Season 9 is really two shows - the focus on Ann and Sam and the focus on Barbara & Mark and Max and while she was there,Julie. (who's presence is felt after Mac quit/fired again) Having gone from being the focus to being supporting when your the star of the show did bother Bonnie alot as you can tell from post-series interviews.

The show took the best direction possible once Mac was fired the first time,and viewers stuck with the show which is all that mattered. By not introducing a "5th Regular Character" in Season 3 and 4 to replace David/Ginny was the smartest move possible - they waited till the time and progression was right to bring in Max and Marry Julie. Season 3 and 4 focusing on Barbara in High School and Julie pursuing design worked,along with Ann succeeding in advertising.

The regular and reoccurring/regular guest cast got bigger as the show went on beyond the "5th Regular Character" which did expand story possibilities and progression. (Shelly was only a regular in Season 8 and Nan was only a regular in Season 9 for instance. Beyond they they were reoccurring/guest as was Boyd in season 7 and Howard in Season 8)

The show had some of the best writers in Norman Lear's stable and given the situations they did a good job - perhaps better than what happened with "Good Times" (There is parallels with introducing Penny and Keeping Alex if you think about it.)

Ann didn't give up her independence when she married Sam, she was comfortable in it and was ready to go on with the next chapter in her life - The Ann who takes the job in London - a new challenge for her - is not the Ann we meet in the first episode - That's the point they were making by it.

[Anna Karenina]

Originally Posted by counrfk

The first 3 seasons were pure gold, very well-done and high quality. The episodes from seasons 1, 2, and 3 are the kind that you can watch over and over again and not get tired of. Those were the classic episodes. I noticed a small decline starting with season 4. The show wasn't quite as good, but it was still high quality.

Starting with season 5, there was a more drastic decline. I wish it had taken a different direction. I think that Julie getting married was actually good. Max was a good character addition and was a good match for Julie. Julie was never the college type so it made sense that she didn't go. However, I wish they had had Barbara continue in college rather than quiting. The local community college thing was good because it kept her character in the show.

Barbara should have gotten a degree and worked a while before getting married. There was plenty of time for her to marry. They could have waited to have her character marry. I would have liked to see Barbara maybe go into business, maybe work in Ed's company. This would have made for some good episodes. It would have also made some more Ed episodes, and I would have loved seeing more of Ed.

I think letting Ed and Vicki have kids would have been goof. There could have been some episodes with Julie and Barbara being jealous of Ed's second family, further in keeping with the divorce theme of the show. I think that Nick and Alex should have only been around for a few episodes. I think it was a good idea to have the storyline about Ann being the "other woman" like Vicki had been, Alex resenting her, and Barbara understanding his feelings. This was a good way to show Ann on the other side of the fence and also show a young boy's point of view in divorce. But, after a few episodes, Nick and Alex should have been done. Ann taking Alex in to raise was totally unrealistic.

They definitely should have had Ann get married again, but not to Sam. I couldn't stand him. Hated his character. Wow, Ed was SO much better!! In my opinion, none of the men that Ann dated throughout the whole series even held a candle to Ed. However, I always enjoyed the David character from season 1. I sort of wish that they had gotten together years later. Maybe have him come back and have changed his mind about wanting kids. In any event, they could have found a better man for Ann than Sam! And then the moving to London thing was totally unrealistic and UNNECESSARY.

Moving to London was such a silly way to wrap up the show, I agree. She didn't need to move so far away to show she was liberated. Agree to disagree with you on that one, Steve R.

I also think they should have given Ed and Vicki some children but for some reason the writers grew tired of writing for Ed and just let him fade into the woodwork which I thought was short sighted of them.

Glad to see you back here.

[RetroTVNitekatt]

Originally Posted by Anna Karenina

Moving to London was such a silly way to wrap up the show, I agree. She didn't need to move so far away to show she was liberated. Agree to disagree with you on that one, Steve R.

I also think they should have given Ed and Vicki some children but for some reason the writers grew tired of writing for Ed and just let him fade into the woodwork which I thought was short sighted of them.

Glad to see you back here.

London must have sounded good to the writers at the time.

As the girls grew older, The presence of Ed wasn't really needed - he was mentioned from time to time infrequently - and that suited the show's need of the character from Season 4 onward.

[Anna Karenina]

Originally Posted by RetroTVNitekatt

London must have sounded good to the writers at the time.

As the girls grew older, The presence of Ed wasn't really needed - he was mentioned from time to time infrequently - and that suited the show's need of the character from Season 4 onward.

I think that is kind of sad actually. A slap in the face to the actor and the role that the father got to play in their lives. A role that was diminished so the main character could "find herself". To heck with the guy who found himself out in the cold with no signficant influence over his children's lives anymore.

Do you think this was a Bonnie Franklin decision? Did she and JC get along? He damn well should have been mentioned when his grand daughter was born at the very least.

[RetroTVNitekatt]

Originally Posted by Anna Karenina

I think that is kind of sad actually. A slap in the face to the actor and the role that the father got to play in their lives. A role that was diminished so the main character could "find herself". To heck with the guy who found himself out in the cold with no signficant influence over his children's lives anymore.

Do you think this was a Bonnie Franklin decision? Did she and JC get along? He damn well should have been mentioned when his grand daughter was born at the very least.

I think the writing off of Ed as an on-screen character was a creative choice, and nothing to do with Bonnie (for a change )

As it was he only played the role 6 times in 4 stories over the first 4 seasons. So his presence, on screen, was minimal, although he was referenced and "phone calls". (Much like Cliff who had an off-screen presence for a good season and a half after Scott stopped appearing - and he only did 6 episodes as well.) Heck,Bob appeared in 13 episodes between seasons 2 and 9 (with his 6th season appearance held till 7th and aired after the one he filmed for Season 7!. and no appearance in season 8) But I digress...

But the girls were getting older and we didn't need to keep seeing him pop up - yes, it would have been nice if he showed up once he had a grandchild or be mentioned more by the girls, but the writers didn't think of these little things as the show progressed - they left it up to the audience to assume these things happened.

So Ed continued to live his life in Logansport with his second wife...

[Anna Karenina]

Originally Posted by RetroTVNitekatt

I think the writing off of Ed as an on-screen character was a creative choice, and nothing to do with Bonnie (for a change )

As it was he only played the role 6 times in 4 stories over the first 4 seasons. So his presence, on screen, was minimal, although he was referenced and "phone calls". (Much like Cliff who had an off-screen presence for a good season and a half after Scott stopped appearing - and he only did 6 episodes as well.) (Heck,Bob appeared in 13 episodes between seasons 2 and 9)

But the girls were getting older and we didn't need to keep seeing him pop up - yes, it would have been nice if he showed up once he had a grandchild or be mentioned more by the girls, but the writers didn't think of these little things as the show progressed - they left it up to the audience to assume these things happened.

So Ed continued to live his life in Logansport with his second wife...

Well, a bunch of die hard ladies like myself are still mourning what could have been...

Ed, we hardly knew ye!

[Alex Cooper]

Definitely Barbara should have stayed in college, and no offense to Boyd Gaines or the Mark character, but the marriage should have been delayed too. I think this mostly because liberated Ann ended up with two daughters who followed the exact footsteps she did, an early marriage and no education. They could have kept Mark as Barbara's steady, a realistic move, as many young people stay committed but don't get married until they finish college and/or establish their careers.

I agree the Alex "adoption" angle was forced and unrealistic, but I think my Glenn-love is well documented, so I enjoyed his addition. He was there to fill a hole left by Julie's departure, but also probably to continue those "teen problem" episodes considering Barbara was then too old for them. Considering comparable additions such as cousin Oliver or Olivia Kendall, Alex's inclusion was less intrusive.

I would liked to have seen Ann eventually get married, but to a more likable character, and as the finale of the show...that would have been a good time for Babs to get married and move to the spin-off/continuation.