Why did Ann take custody of Alex when Nick died?? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Dr. Thong · 09-20-2003, 12:32 PM

I haven't seen these episodes since their original airing, but why on earth did Ann Romano take custody of Alex when Nick passed away? I don't remember if Alex's mom was alive or not, but even if she'd passed away, wouldn't a family member like an aunt or uncle take him in?

I only ask this because I found Alex to be annoying and an unnecessary add-on character.

It's funny that I first saw Ron Rifkin (Nick) on this show, as he's emerged in recent years as a villain in many movies such as The Negotiator and TV shows such as Alias.

I like him much better as a villain. Maybe if they ever do a One Day At A Time reunion movie, Rifkin could come back as Nick's evil twin brother and finish off his snotty nephew Alex. I'd pay to see that!!

ClassicTV4Ever · 09-20-2003, 04:44 PM

I don't remember all the details, I just remember that Alex's mom came to get him when Nick died but he didn't want to go with her, so Ann offered to keep him where he'd have more stability. So I'm guessing his mom and stepfather moved around a lot or worked a lot or something.

PracTz · 04-30-2004, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dr. Thong
I haven't seen these episodes since their original airing, but why on earth did Ann Romano take custody of Alex when Nick passed away? I don't remember if Alex's mom was alive or not, but even if she'd passed away, wouldn't a family member like an aunt or uncle take him in?

I only ask this because I found Alex to be annoying and an unnecessary add-on character.

It's funny that I first saw Ron Rifkin (Nick) on this show, as he's emerged in recent years as a villain in many movies such as The Negotiator and TV shows such as Alias.

I like him much better as a villain. Maybe if they ever do a One Day At A Time reunion movie, Rifkin could come back as Nick's evil twin brother and finish off his snotty nephew Alex. I'd pay to see that!!

That's a very good question! I think there was an episode in which Alex and Ann had a HUGE row in which he revealed that his mother had never wanted him (at all) and that's why even when his father was alive, she'd spent little time with him and had no probs dumping him on her late ex's business partner. .yet, by the next season, Alex was gone without any explanation so one may presume that he and his mother reconsiled and she took custody.
BTW, I agree with your assement of Alex but, oddly enough, my grandmother liked him!

Dr. Thong · 04-30-2004, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PracTz
BTW, I agree with your assement of Alex but, oddly enough, my grandmother liked him!

Thanks. I just thought he was annoying and unnecessary. They should have just written Alex and his Dad off by saying the partnership / relationship ended and Nick left town to start a new life.

mstewart · 05-01-2004, 07:59 PM

First of all what needs to know was why Nick was written out of the series. Nick and Alex were not good additions to the series. Ron Rifkin and Bonnie Franklin did not have any romantic chemistry between them whatsoever. They tried to make a male version of Julie out of Alex and it was not working.

It would had been better if they would had taken them both off at the same time. It would had been funnier if they did more stories with Ann and Francine. Shelley Fabares was great in that role, even though I could not stand the character of Francine, and the sparks between them would had make great comedy. Nanette Fabares, also, could had taken up the slack after Mackenzie Phillips was let go.

Pug Lover · 07-06-2004, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PracTz
That's a very good question! I think there was an episode in which Alex and Ann had a HUGE row in which he revealed that his mother had never wanted him (at all) and that's why even when his father was alive, she'd spent little time with him and had no probs dumping him on her late ex's business partner. .yet, by the next season, Alex was gone without any explanation so one may presume that he and his mother reconsiled and she took custody.
BTW, I agree with your assement of Alex but, oddly enough, my grandmother liked him!

Actually I recall just after Ann and Sam had married,Ann telling someone that Alex had decided to spend the rest of his semester with his mom.

jamesanthony · 07-06-2004, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pug Lover
Actually I recall just after Ann and Sam had married,Ann telling someone that Alex had decided to spend the rest of his semester with his mom.

I recall Ann saying this to Boyd Gaines in the episode when Ann and Sam returned form their honeymoon. It's the 2nd year 9 episode. Alex wasn't missed IMO.

Anna Karenina · 08-03-2018, 12:02 AM

His own mother was too busy with her new husband getting their burgeoning adult film company off the ground.

No room for a kid.

09-20-2003, 12:32 PM	#1
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Why did Ann take custody of Alex when Nick died?? I haven't seen these episodes since their original airing, but why on earth did Ann Romano take custody of Alex when Nick passed away? I don't remember if Alex's mom was alive or not, but even if she'd passed away, wouldn't a family member like an aunt or uncle take him in? I only ask this because I found Alex to be annoying and an unnecessary add-on character. It's funny that I first saw Ron Rifkin (Nick) on this show, as he's emerged in recent years as a villain in many movies such as The Negotiator and TV shows such as Alias. I like him much better as a villain. Maybe if they ever do a One Day At A Time reunion movie, Rifkin could come back as Nick's evil twin brother and finish off his snotty nephew Alex. I'd pay to see that!!

09-20-2003, 04:44 PM	#2
ClassicTV4Ever Coming November 27th! Senior Member Join Date: May 02, 2002 Location: TV Land! Posts: 1,421	I don't remember all the details, I just remember that Alex's mom came to get him when Nick died but he didn't want to go with her, so Ann offered to keep him where he'd have more stability. So I'm guessing his mom and stepfather moved around a lot or worked a lot or something.

05-01-2004, 07:59 PM	#5
mstewart mstewart Senior Member Join Date: Jan 25, 2002 Location: California Posts: 1,780	First of all what needs to know was why Nick was written out of the series. Nick and Alex were not good additions to the series. Ron Rifkin and Bonnie Franklin did not have any romantic chemistry between them whatsoever. They tried to make a male version of Julie out of Alex and it was not working. It would had been better if they would had taken them both off at the same time. It would had been funnier if they did more stories with Ann and Francine. Shelley Fabares was great in that role, even though I could not stand the character of Francine, and the sparks between them would had make great comedy. Nanette Fabares, also, could had taken up the slack after Mackenzie Phillips was let go.

08-03-2018, 12:02 AM	#8
Anna Karenina Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 09, 2006 Posts: 10,086	His own mother was too busy with her new husband getting their burgeoning adult film company off the ground. No room for a kid.