Why was Linda Purl fired? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Dr. Thong · 12-04-2020, 08:21 PM

Why was Linda Purl let go after season 10 and her character written out of the show as a result?

The only thing I can think of -- and this is pure specualtion -- is that maybe with Erin Moran and Scott Baio returning to the cast is that maybe budget-wise, they couldn't afford to keep her character on

Crystal Bernard and Kathy Silvers were also let go, so maybe money considerations were the issue.

If anyone knows the real reason, please let me know.

Dr. Thong · 12-11-2020, 08:11 PM

Anyone?

PracTz · 12-14-2020, 10:46 AM

I guess they might have decided that Fonzie having a permanent 'steady' who happened to have a child of her own was OK but then since the Cunninghams were supposed to be HIS family, having him becoming a husband and father would have somewhat challenged the show's dynamics so they decided that the show was better off without her for the next (and, as it turned out, last) season.

Of course, with the whole deal of all performers shouting their lines at each other so the nosebleed section of the studio audience could hear instead of actually TALKING to each other somewhat made any kind of character growth or depth a bit challenging.

Dr. Thong · 12-15-2020, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PracTz

I guess they might have decided that Fonzie having a permanent 'steady' who happened to have a child of her own was OK but then since the Cunninghams were supposed to be HIS family, having him becoming a husband and father would have somewhat challenged the show's dynamics so they decided that the show was better off without her for the next (and, as it turned out, last) season.

Of course, with the whole deal of all performers shouting their lines at each other so the nosebleed section of the studio audience could hear instead of actually TALKING to each other somewhat made any kind of character growth or depth a bit challenging.

Yeah, HD was a pretty loud show. But it's part of the deal when you do a live show, because you have to "project" and "play to the back rows."

A sitcom with a studio audience is essentially a filmed stage play.

opus · 12-16-2020, 11:49 PM

Did you guys know Linda Purl performed live with Donny Most? (You probably did. I just found out though).

https://youtu.be/sJcmMxYE-hs

merlinjones · 12-19-2020, 07:06 AM

Clearly that season with Linda Purl and the Poltegeist girl didn't work (not their fault).

TV Guy · 12-24-2020, 01:09 AM

I’m sure they were dealing with budget realities, too, with Erin Moran and Scott Baio coming back to the show, with their relatively big salaries. That’s why we saw Potsie and Roger appear less in season 11, and why so many others left.

From a creative standpoint, Fonzie with a steady girlfriend - or at least that steady girlfriend - didn’t work. And the actress who played the daughter was not good in front of a studio audience.

Dr. Thong · 12-25-2020, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Guy

I’m sure they were dealing with budget realities, too, with Erin Moran and Scott Baio coming back to the show, with their relatively big salaries. That’s why we saw Potsie and Roger appear less in season 11, and why so many others left.

From a creative standpoint, Fonzie with a steady girlfriend - or at least that steady girlfriend - didn’t work. And the actress who played the daughter was not good in front of a studio audience.

I thought it worked okay. It was getting to the point where Henry Winkler was pushing 40 in real life and it seemed creepy he was still pursuing girls who were barely in their 20s.

tmac81s · 01-31-2021, 10:17 AM

I’ve read it was due to budget.

DEH55 · 02-20-2021, 08:31 PM

I agree it was likely budget. Joanie and Chachi were more important to them.

It was only natural that The Fonz got a regular girlfriend. He was older, Richie and Ralph were gone, at some point you have to move on from snapping your fingers at college girls. Especially when you are a school teacher. Lol

paul.austin · 03-13-2021, 11:20 PM

Heather O'Rourke is great in Poltergeist, but on Happy Days she has to worry about a studio audience, which wouldn't be easy for a child.

SledgeBarone · 05-17-2021, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opus

Did you guys know Linda Purl performed live with Donny Most? (You probably did. I just found out though).

https://youtu.be/sJcmMxYE-hs

The funny thing about this is that Linda and Donny were stars in a period piece involving the early days of rock-and-roll, but here they are over 3 decades later singing in the style that rock was starting to overtake in the 1950s.

MRPITT · 05-17-2021, 11:14 PM

They also starred in a movie together directed by Jerry Paris and produced by Ron Howard’s Company.

biffbronson · 05-18-2021, 07:06 AM

I wish Linda had been on to the end, I think she looked her loveliest at that time:

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Dr. Thong · 05-19-2021, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffbronson

I wish Linda had been on to the end, I think she looked her loveliest at that time:

Attachment 264221

She looks like a hostage in this photo, with that scared look on her face.

12-04-2020, 08:21 PM	#1
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Why was Linda Purl fired? Why was Linda Purl let go after season 10 and her character written out of the show as a result? The only thing I can think of -- and this is pure specualtion -- is that maybe with Erin Moran and Scott Baio returning to the cast is that maybe budget-wise, they couldn't afford to keep her character on Crystal Bernard and Kathy Silvers were also let go, so maybe money considerations were the issue. If anyone knows the real reason, please let me know.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

01-31-2021, 10:17 AM	#9
tmac81s Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 06, 2011 Location: Kalispell, MT, USA Posts: 203	I’ve read it was due to budget.
	__________________ "Aaaaayyy"~~The Fonz, "Happy Days" "I've Heard it Both Ways"~~Shawn Spencer, "Psych" "Well how the hell should I know?”~~Thelma Harper, “Mama’s Family”/“Carol Burnett Show”

05-17-2021, 11:14 PM	#13
MRPITT Member Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2011 Posts: 1,678	They also starred in a movie together directed by Jerry Paris and produced by Ron Howard’s Company. Attached Images

12-11-2020, 08:11 PM	#2
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Anyone?

12-14-2020, 10:46 AM	#3
PracTz Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2002 Location: United States of America [Happily Living in the 20th Century] Posts: 2,711	I guess they might have decided that Fonzie having a permanent 'steady' who happened to have a child of her own was OK but then since the Cunninghams were supposed to be HIS family, having him becoming a husband and father would have somewhat challenged the show's dynamics so they decided that the show was better off without her for the next (and, as it turned out, last) season. Of course, with the whole deal of all performers shouting their lines at each other so the nosebleed section of the studio audience could hear instead of actually TALKING to each other somewhat made any kind of character growth or depth a bit challenging.

12-16-2020, 11:49 PM	#5
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,638	Did you guys know Linda Purl performed live with Donny Most? (You probably did. I just found out though). https://youtu.be/sJcmMxYE-hs

12-19-2020, 07:06 AM	#6
merlinjones Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 30, 2019 Location: los ángeles Posts: 933	Clearly that season with Linda Purl and the Poltegeist girl didn't work (not their fault).

12-24-2020, 01:09 AM	#7
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	I’m sure they were dealing with budget realities, too, with Erin Moran and Scott Baio coming back to the show, with their relatively big salaries. That’s why we saw Potsie and Roger appear less in season 11, and why so many others left. From a creative standpoint, Fonzie with a steady girlfriend - or at least that steady girlfriend - didn’t work. And the actress who played the daughter was not good in front of a studio audience.

02-20-2021, 08:31 PM	#10
DEH55 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 19, 2020 Posts: 322	I agree it was likely budget. Joanie and Chachi were more important to them. It was only natural that The Fonz got a regular girlfriend. He was older, Richie and Ralph were gone, at some point you have to move on from snapping your fingers at college girls. Especially when you are a school teacher. Lol

03-13-2021, 11:20 PM	#11
paul.austin Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 22, 2012 Posts: 674	Heather O'Rourke is great in Poltergeist, but on Happy Days she has to worry about a studio audience, which wouldn't be easy for a child.

05-18-2021, 07:06 AM	#14
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,525	I wish Linda had been on to the end, I think she looked her loveliest at that time: