Anyone know why the spinoff Phyllis didn't last as long as the spinoff Rhoda? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 03-22-2003, 10:49 AM

I watched the MTM Show and never really seen the spinoff Phyliis but have seen Rhoda. Just wondering why Phyllis didn't last as long as Rhoda since they were both friends of Mary.

Kristen · 03-22-2003, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SOLOMON
I watched the MTM Show and never really seen the spinoff Phyliis but have seen Rhoda. Just wondering why Phyllis didn't last as long as Rhoda since they were both friends of Mary.

Well nobody knows for sure, but I personally think the character of Phyllis really only worked b/c of her banter with Rhoda. Once that was removed, the audience didn't want to see her anymore. She's just not the kind of character who can be a lead character on a sitcom.

Kristen

TVJunkie101 · 03-22-2003, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kristen
Well nobody knows for sure, but I personally think the character of Phyllis really only worked b/c of her banter with Rhoda. Once that was removed, the audience didn't want to see her anymore. She's just not the kind of character who can be a lead character on a sitcom.

Kristen

I'm not 100% sure either, but I heard it did very well the first season, but it changed timeslots, or nights, or both the 2nd season and sunk in the ratings. Again, not very sure though. So, don't quote me, lol.

TVFactFan · 03-22-2003, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TVJunkie101

I'm not 100% sure either, but I heard it did very well the first season, but it changed timeslots, or nights, or both the 2nd season and sunk in the ratings. Again, not very sure though. So, don't quote me, lol.

I checked the Tv lineups for the 75-76 and 76-77 season and the tmeslot and day was the same for the show Phyllis which was Monday at 8;30pm. One change in the 76-77 season was that Little House on the Prairie was on the same time as Phyllis so that can be the reason.

scotsguy · 03-27-2003, 11:32 AM

I think what happened with "Phyllis",was,that after a great pilot episode,the quality of scripts began to go downhill and the character of Phyllis began to be watered down.
Phyllis went from an academic know all,Lording it over Rhoda,to the foil of other wacky characters although Chloris Leachman is so good,it was always 100%,from her.
Judith Lowry,Jane Rose and Henry Jones were fantastic and great support,the funniest bits in the show,invloved them.
The character of Phyllis' way out fashion suddenly got really trendy and Phyllis'wigs gave way to trendy hairstyles.
In the 2nd season,Phyllis working in an office,it was obvious the show was losing where it wanted to be,and finished at the end of the 2nd seaon.
There were good episodes of "Phyllis",usually involving Mother Dexter and if more writers from MTM had been involved,think it would have worked better.

treky · 03-29-2003, 02:50 AM

I agree. I haven't seen it in years, since it was first on, but I remember it wasn't that good.

Oh, wait! I just remembered, I saw the first episode on NICK AT NITE once, a while ago, and even that wasn't very good.

benjamoon · 05-03-2003, 05:31 PM

I believe it was in the Top 10 shows during the 1975-1976 season, but apparently it wasn't good enough - because it got a major rehaul which flopped in the 2nd season

I don't think it's very funny. Phyllis is great as a supporting character but just annoying as a lead

ClesStahn · 05-22-2003, 08:36 AM

It probably DID do fairly well in the first season because MTM was so popular and people wanted to check out this show and get into it.

Pitooey · 05-22-2003, 09:00 AM

I really never sat and watched it back then because I thought she played a better supporting actress on the MTM show but, when the Rhoda show came out I watched!

ClesStahn · 05-22-2003, 01:33 PM

Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen a full episode of it either.

catlover79 · 03-07-2007, 04:44 PM

Personally, I never thought Phyllis was a strong enough character to center a show around. All due respect to Ms. Leachman, but Phyllis was meant to be a supporting character. Then when you factor in all the back stage calamity (real life deaths, change of scenery), it's not hard to see why this show didn't last long.

TVFactFan · 03-07-2007, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Personally, I never thought Phyllis was a strong enough character to center a show around. All due respect to Ms. Leachman, but Phyllis was meant to be a supporting character. Then when you factor in all the back stage calamity (real life deaths, change of scenery), it's not hard to see why this show didn't last long.

I think it finished #7 after it's first season and that was only because of the time slot in was it during the 75-76 season

mstewart · 03-08-2007, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Personally, I never thought Phyllis was a strong enough character to center a show around. All due respect to Ms. Leachman, but Phyllis was meant to be a supporting character. Then when you factor in all the back stage calamity (real life deaths, change of scenery), it's not hard to see why this show didn't last long.

That was the factor why Phyllis did not do well. With Barbara Colby's passing and Judith Lowry's passing the show was doomed from the gittyup. Then when they overhauled the show during the second season along Cloris Leachman getting the Dorothy Hamil haircut it was over. I did not like the second season. Phyllis was looking hot in the first season with her hair down.

Mr. Television · 03-08-2007, 03:01 AM

Judith Lowry was the funniest cast member on Phyllis. The show wasn't going to survive her death.

03-22-2003, 10:49 AM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,065	Anyone know why the spinoff Phyllis didn't last as long as the spinoff Rhoda? I watched the MTM Show and never really seen the spinoff Phyliis but have seen Rhoda. Just wondering why Phyllis didn't last as long as Rhoda since they were both friends of Mary.

03-27-2003, 11:32 AM	#5
scotsguy Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 25, 2002 Location: Edinburgh,Scotland Posts: 696	Phyllis Not Lasting I think what happened with "Phyllis",was,that after a great pilot episode,the quality of scripts began to go downhill and the character of Phyllis began to be watered down. Phyllis went from an academic know all,Lording it over Rhoda,to the foil of other wacky characters although Chloris Leachman is so good,it was always 100%,from her. Judith Lowry,Jane Rose and Henry Jones were fantastic and great support,the funniest bits in the show,invloved them. The character of Phyllis' way out fashion suddenly got really trendy and Phyllis'wigs gave way to trendy hairstyles. In the 2nd season,Phyllis working in an office,it was obvious the show was losing where it wanted to be,and finished at the end of the 2nd seaon. There were good episodes of "Phyllis",usually involving Mother Dexter and if more writers from MTM had been involved,think it would have worked better.

03-29-2003, 02:50 AM	#6
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	I agree. I haven't seen it in years, since it was first on, but I remember it wasn't that good. Oh, wait! I just remembered, I saw the first episode on NICK AT NITE once, a while ago, and even that wasn't very good.
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05-22-2003, 09:00 AM	#9
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	I really never sat and watched it back then because I thought she played a better supporting actress on the MTM show but, when the Rhoda show came out I watched!
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03-07-2007, 04:44 PM	#11
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Personally, I never thought Phyllis was a strong enough character to center a show around. All due respect to Ms. Leachman, but Phyllis was meant to be a supporting character. Then when you factor in all the back stage calamity (real life deaths, change of scenery), it's not hard to see why this show didn't last long.
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05-03-2003, 05:31 PM	#7
benjamoon Bewitched Senior Member Join Date: Jun 15, 2000 Location: New York Posts: 1,450	I believe it was in the Top 10 shows during the 1975-1976 season, but apparently it wasn't good enough - because it got a major rehaul which flopped in the 2nd season I don't think it's very funny. Phyllis is great as a supporting character but just annoying as a lead

05-22-2003, 08:36 AM	#8
ClesStahn Senior Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 30, 2001 Posts: 500	It probably DID do fairly well in the first season because MTM was so popular and people wanted to check out this show and get into it.

05-22-2003, 01:33 PM	#10
ClesStahn Senior Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 30, 2001 Posts: 500	Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen a full episode of it either.

03-08-2007, 03:01 AM	#14
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Judith Lowry was the funniest cast member on Phyllis. The show wasn't going to survive her death.
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