Some observations

[TV Guy]

I’ve been watching the show for the first time in about 30 years. Some things I’ve noticed:

1. The early episodes are really good. The Christmas episode, where Hazel works in the department store to buy a gift for Dorothy, is particularly good. Hazel is clever and funny in these episodes.

2. The episodes with George’s sister always follow the same arc: Snobby Deirdre disapproves of Hazel not knowing her place; Hazel somehow saves the day; Deirdre learns to appreciate Hazel a bit more. Until the next time, when Deirdre is on her high horse again. Deirdre in reality needs a good smackdown, but no one ever gives it to her.

3. Dorothy Baxter is very easy on the eyes. Great face and figure. I saw in her in an episode of “Family” recently (strangely, her real-life daughter Meredith Baxter Barney didn’t appear in that episode). While she didn’t look much older in that episode, made about 10 years after her last Hazel, she had longer darker hair and wasn’t nearly as stunning as she was in Hazel.

4. What really helps the show is that Hazel, although annoying, genuinely loves Dorothy (whom she presumably helped raise as her family’s maid) and her family. The show doesn’t work nearly as well when Hazel works for Steve and Barbara Baxter, because she doesn’t have that loving relationship with them. And what the hell was wrong with George and Dorothy for abandoning Harold like that? I realize they wanted to get away from their maid with that made-up story about Saudi Arabia, but at least they could have taken Harold along.

[biffbronson]

Originally Posted by TV Guy

3. Dorothy Baxter is very easy on the eyes. Great face and figure. I saw in her in an episode of “Family” recently (strangely, her real-life daughter Meredith Baxter Barney didn’t appear in that episode). While she didn’t look much older in that episode, made about 10 years after her last Hazel, she had longer darker hair and wasn’t nearly as stunning as she was in Hazel.

In Whitney’s final season, she can be seen with a longer hairstyle on the opening where everyone is searching for the car keys, and throughout the season. I wonder, since there was an episode that year in which she appears with short hair again, was that ep held over from an earlier season?

I really like the longer style on Hazel. The sideswept look brings attention to her eyes, with a generous strand of hair falling on her left eyebrow. Quite sexy.

How would you describe her hair length on Family? Was it right around her shoulders? When she did Love, American Style, she had a straight shoulder-length do with the front pulled straight back, and flipped/curly ends. It was darkish blonde. Thanks for any info.

[stevea]

I think there were a couple of season 3 episode not used in that season, and used in season 4. You can tell, since they used the season 3 opener, slightly modified.

[Coffeecup]

You do wonder why Bobby was allowed to continue his role as Harold, if Harolds father had a job change. I did read one poster who said Shirley didn't feel that great in later episodes in the last season and the show was canceled. It might have been different if Hazel had a new family with out Harold in season 5.

[TV Guy]

Originally Posted by Coffeecup

You do wonder why Bobby was allowed to continue his role as Harold, if Harolds father had a job change. I did read one poster who said Shirley didn't feel that great in later episodes in the last season and the show was canceled. It might have been different if Hazel had a new family with out Harold in season 5.

I’m sure it was for two reasons: the actor wasn’t that expensive, and it helped with continuity. Season 5 is so different, and I think the producers went out of their way to have a few familiar faces around other than Hazel. You’ll notice that Rosie comes to visit a few times, and George and Steve’s sister Deirdre turns up a few times more than she did in the previous season.