Why was Marcia Rodd dropped after the pilot? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

BestTVever · 04-28-2025, 06:36 AM

Actress Marcia Rodd played Maude's daughter in the pilot but then was switched to Adrienne Barbeau. Anyone know why?

BestTVever · 04-28-2025, 12:04 PM

............

BestTVever · 04-29-2025, 04:22 AM

I can only guess that Marcia was the mini-me of Maude. They were so much alike. Adrienne was much softer and a contrast to Maude which worked better. But I am curious if anyone knows why the change was made. The pilot worked really well IMHO.

Alan Brady's Hair · 04-29-2025, 09:52 AM

I don't see anything that's documented. A few internet posters say she didn't want to leave New York, which she'd have to do to be a show regular.

BestTVever · 04-29-2025, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Brady's Hair

I don't see anything that's documented. A few internet posters say she didn't want to leave New York, which she'd have to do to be a show regular.

I couldn't find anything either. I was hoping someone read the book on Maude and something was mentioned. She was on an episode of All In The Family before Maude and then made another appearance in one of the last seasons of Maude as another character. She was a busy actress especially with Norman Lear who must of liked her.
However things get changed all the time in pilot episodes. For example the gay housekeeper was axed on Golden Girls. I wonder if some executive thought there should be a warmer and more laid back, clever kind of daughter. But that is only a hunch.

ThisLittlePiggy · 04-29-2025, 12:31 PM

In this episode, Carol is portrayed by actress Marcia Rodd. When Maude (1972) became its own series, the role of Carol went to actress Adrienne Barbeau (reportedly Marcia - primarily a theater actress - decided not to join the spinoff). Bea Arthur was quoted as saying she would rather have had Marcia Rodd carry on playing Carol throughout the spin-off, regarding Barbeau's portrayal as too soft, while Rodd played her as hard-edged. Rodd did guest star as a different character in "Walter's Temptation" during the final season of "Maude".

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0509890/trivia/

BestTVever · 04-29-2025, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThisLittlePiggy

In this episode, Carol is portrayed by actress Marcia Rodd. When Maude (1972) became its own series, the role of Carol went to actress Adrienne Barbeau (reportedly Marcia - primarily a theater actress - decided not to join the spinoff). Bea Arthur was quoted as saying she would rather have had Marcia Rodd carry on playing Carol throughout the spin-off, regarding Barbeau's portrayal as too soft, while Rodd played her as hard-edged. Rodd did guest star as a different character in "Walter's Temptation" during the final season of "Maude".

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0509890/trivia/

Thank you for sharing. Interesting. Its incredible someone would turn down a Norman Lear spin off.

ThisLittlePiggy · 05-02-2025, 10:15 AM

You're welcome.

icecream · 05-02-2025, 12:19 PM

Jan Brady finally got her way removing a Marcia.

Bonniegirl · 05-02-2025, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icecream

Jan Brady finally got her way removing a Marcia.

Bonniegirl · 05-02-2025, 01:13 PM

Wasn't Marcia Rodd also the one who played the Mother of the little boy who claimed Mike was his Father on an All in the family episode?

Duster76 · 05-02-2025, 02:57 PM

I don't believe for a minute that it was Marcia Rodd's decision not to continue in the role of Carol. Barbeau gave the character a lighter touch, and let's face it she's a lot more pleasing on the eyes.

BestTVever · 05-02-2025, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

Wasn't Marcia Rodd also the one who played the Mother of the little boy who claimed Mike was his Father on an All in the family episode?

Yes she was on All In The Family with Mike's mystery child episode. The actor who played Frank Lorenzo played a judge on Maude too.

opus · 05-02-2025, 04:32 PM

Marcia Rodd was also in the original pilot of One Day At A Time (then called Three To Get Ready) as a character who did not carry over when they redid it.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9740412...job_1_cdt_t_66

opus · 05-03-2025, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opus

Marcia Rodd was also in the original pilot of One Day At A Time (then called Three To Get Ready) as a character who did not carry over when they redid it.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9740412...job_1_cdt_t_66

Julie, Ann, and Gail, umm, getting ready I guess

04-28-2025, 06:36 AM	#1
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,874	Why was Marcia Rodd dropped after the pilot? Actress Marcia Rodd played Maude's daughter in the pilot but then was switched to Adrienne Barbeau. Anyone know why?

05-02-2025, 12:19 PM	#9
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,606	Jan Brady finally got her way removing a Marcia.
	__________________ Top 200 TV Shows https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...14#post6225214 Top 150 Movies https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...84#post6175384 Top 1100 Scripted TV Characters https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=493306 Top Rookie TV Shows by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=365017 Top Movies by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=473533

04-28-2025, 12:04 PM	#2
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,874	............

04-29-2025, 04:22 AM	#3
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,874	I can only guess that Marcia was the mini-me of Maude. They were so much alike. Adrienne was much softer and a contrast to Maude which worked better. But I am curious if anyone knows why the change was made. The pilot worked really well IMHO.

04-29-2025, 09:52 AM	#4
Alan Brady's Hair Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 30, 2014 Posts: 1,822	I don't see anything that's documented. A few internet posters say she didn't want to leave New York, which she'd have to do to be a show regular.

04-29-2025, 12:31 PM	#6
ThisLittlePiggy Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Nov 02, 2013 Posts: 83,179	In this episode, Carol is portrayed by actress Marcia Rodd. When Maude (1972) became its own series, the role of Carol went to actress Adrienne Barbeau (reportedly Marcia - primarily a theater actress - decided not to join the spinoff). Bea Arthur was quoted as saying she would rather have had Marcia Rodd carry on playing Carol throughout the spin-off, regarding Barbeau's portrayal as too soft, while Rodd played her as hard-edged. Rodd did guest star as a different character in "Walter's Temptation" during the final season of "Maude". https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0509890/trivia/

05-02-2025, 10:15 AM	#8
ThisLittlePiggy Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Nov 02, 2013 Posts: 83,179	You're welcome.

05-02-2025, 01:13 PM	#11
Bonniegirl AKA Hazel Horvath Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 10, 2014 Posts: 65,399	Wasn't Marcia Rodd also the one who played the Mother of the little boy who claimed Mike was his Father on an All in the family episode?

05-02-2025, 02:57 PM	#12
Duster76 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2008 Location: New jersey Posts: 1,639	I don't believe for a minute that it was Marcia Rodd's decision not to continue in the role of Carol. Barbeau gave the character a lighter touch, and let's face it she's a lot more pleasing on the eyes.

05-02-2025, 04:32 PM	#14
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,053	Marcia Rodd was also in the original pilot of One Day At A Time (then called Three To Get Ready) as a character who did not carry over when they redid it. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9740412...job_1_cdt_t_66