Had to be tempting to give Mr. Carlin a spin-off - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

vitoscotti · 03-15-2025, 10:13 AM

Jack Riley (appeared in 49 episodes) was an integral part of TBNS. But, the Mr Carlin character with his own show might of worked. The wacko character oddly was a shrewd ruthless successful multimillionaire real estate developer. So there was a lot to him to work off of.

I always thought that he and Mary Ann Chinn (S5 E14 Love is Blindest) would of been a hilarious team together as a couple in a spin-off. They'd have to catch lightning in a bottle though with a stellar supporting cast and writers.

Alan Brady's Hair · 03-15-2025, 11:59 AM

I think that he might be the first all-purpose "insult machine" in sitcoms, and I've wondered if he might have inspired Carla of Cheers, so I could see Carlin playing a bigger role on a show.

It's a very resilient role, Riley playing either Carlin or someone exactly like him multiple times after Bob Newhart.

03-15-2025, 10:13 AM	#1
vitoscotti Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 14, 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,072	Had to be tempting to give Mr. Carlin a spin-off Jack Riley (appeared in 49 episodes) was an integral part of TBNS. But, the Mr Carlin character with his own show might of worked. The wacko character oddly was a shrewd ruthless successful multimillionaire real estate developer. So there was a lot to him to work off of. I always thought that he and Mary Ann Chinn (S5 E14 Love is Blindest) would of been a hilarious team together as a couple in a spin-off. They'd have to catch lightning in a bottle though with a stellar supporting cast and writers.

03-15-2025, 11:59 AM	#2
Alan Brady's Hair Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 30, 2014 Posts: 1,822	I think that he might be the first all-purpose "insult machine" in sitcoms, and I've wondered if he might have inspired Carla of Cheers, so I could see Carlin playing a bigger role on a show. It's a very resilient role, Riley playing either Carlin or someone exactly like him multiple times after Bob Newhart.