Well, Kiss Our Grits! Here Are 10 Delicious Facts About TV Series ‘Alice’

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https://www.remindmagazine.com/artic...e-still-alive/

Karen Ruud
March 19, 6:38 pm

Based on Martin Scorsese’s 1974 film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Alice the sitcom carved out a special place in the hearts of viewers and critics alike. Premiering in 1976 on CBS, the show followed Alice Hyatt (Linda Lavin), a widowed mother who, with her young son, Tommy (Philip McKeon), rolled into Phoenix with dreams of a new life. Taking a waitressing job at Mel’s Diner, she found herself surrounded by a cast of unforgettable characters — sharp-tongued but big-hearted Flo (Polly Holliday), sweetly scatterbrained Vera (Beth Howland) and the trio’s surly but secretly soft boss, Mel Sharples (Vic Tayback). Timely storylines and a savvy cast turned this workplace comedy into a cultural touchstone.

Created by Robert Getchell, who also wrote the movie, Alice took the film’s dramatic premise and buffed it into comedy without losing its core themes of love, loss and resilience. Lavin — who had already guest-starred on the “strong single lady” sitcoms Phyllis and Rhoda — turned Alice into a subtly feminist role model, balancing single motherhood, a low-wage job and the dogged pursuit of her dreams. But she was often upstaged by Holliday’s sassy, catchphrase-spouting Flo — who turned “Kiss my grits!” into America’s favorite clapback, which cemented the show’s place in pop culture history.

Running for nine seasons, Alice tackled real-life issues like workplace struggles, female independence and changing social norms, and wrapped it snuggly in sitcom charm. Though it ended in 1985, Alice’s legacy lived on, influencing workplace comedies for decades to come. Though the show was considered groundbreaking, it was often a bridesmaid but never a bride when it came to the Emmy Awards. Alice earned eight nominations — three for its production, three for Polly Holliday, and one apiece for Lavin and Tayback — but never won.

To celebrate 40 years since Alice Hyatt hit the road for Nashville, here are a few fun facts about this gritty, unforgettable sitcom.