In hindsight, does MTM suffer from having too many nasty/mean-spirited characters - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 09-29-2018, 04:19 AM

Lou Grant, Sue Ann Nivens, Phyllis Lindstrom (before she had to be watered down for her own sitcom), and Ted Baxter.

KatieAnn · 03-01-2019, 12:06 PM

I was just watching MTM and thinking about how much I dislike Ted. It's the episode where he has a chance to go to New York and host a game show and Lou convinces him to stay, and I couldn't figure out why any character on that show would want him to stay or say they'd miss him, and why would he stay? He's really NOT a "newsman" and he would be getting so much more money working on the game show.

I don't know if the show suffers from having too many nasty characters, because I think the writers/producers or whoever must have thought that there was something likeable about even the nastiest character on the show.

Ted and Phyllis are characters I could do without (I feel like I'm in the minority on this) but I thought Lou managed to show a good side and Sue Ann was annoying but tolerable.

Other than Ted or Phyllis it's Georgette that I can't stand. I've been muting her scenes because her voice is so annoying, she sounds so ridiculous - that voice and soft sweetness is OTT for me.

09-29-2018, 04:19 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,208	In hindsight, does MTM suffer from having too many nasty/mean-spirited characters Lou Grant, Sue Ann Nivens, Phyllis Lindstrom (before she had to be watered down for her own sitcom), and Ted Baxter.

03-01-2019, 12:06 PM	#2
KatieAnn Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 15, 2011 Posts: 520	I was just watching MTM and thinking about how much I dislike Ted. It's the episode where he has a chance to go to New York and host a game show and Lou convinces him to stay, and I couldn't figure out why any character on that show would want him to stay or say they'd miss him, and why would he stay? He's really NOT a "newsman" and he would be getting so much more money working on the game show. I don't know if the show suffers from having too many nasty characters, because I think the writers/producers or whoever must have thought that there was something likeable about even the nastiest character on the show. Ted and Phyllis are characters I could do without (I feel like I'm in the minority on this) but I thought Lou managed to show a good side and Sue Ann was annoying but tolerable. Other than Ted or Phyllis it's Georgette that I can't stand. I've been muting her scenes because her voice is so annoying, she sounds so ridiculous - that voice and soft sweetness is OTT for me.