Question - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Pug Lover · 11-06-2003, 05:22 AM

I haven,t seen all of this show,s episodes.Did Mike ever come back to visit in any of the later episodes?I know actor Tim Considine had some disagreements with some of the studio writers,which was part of why he left the show.Was he ever referred to after he left?Or was the character totally abandoned like Richie Cunningham,s older brother Chuck?

Geoff · 11-06-2003, 09:41 AM

Tim Considine expressed a desire to direct some future episodes of the series in late 1964 (he directed the next to last Black and White episode) and after having a falling out with Executive Producer Don Fedderson, left the series. He and co-star Meredith MacRae were "married" in the very first color episode broadcast on CBS, and were referred to several times throughout the sixth season (the first color season). Mentioned for the last time in the second episode of the seventh season, Mike and Sally were never referred to by name again in the show, although there are subtle references in later episodes without giving away names (such as when Robbie learns Katie is pregnant and seems to get all the attention... and Steve tells Robbie that 'when your mother had her first baby'...).

But yes, Mike was sent to TV oblivion and like Chuck Cunningham on "Happy Days" (who actually was played by three different actors... Ric Carrott in the Pilot, Gavan O'Herlihy and Randolph Roberts!) was forgotten about and never referred to again. The reasons for this were obvious: Ernie is adopted into the family, keeping the show's title intact but many viewers still remembered Mike (and for that matter Bub). When the series switched networks in 1965 (from ABC to CBS) the Color episodes were in reruns for many years and the Black and White episodes were not. Only viewers of the original airings and subsequent reruns would have even remembered the time before Ernie and Uncle Charley!

One of the rifest topics on our messageboards is the lack of Mike and Sally in the Color years and how the family changes neglected to bring them back for 'momentous' events like Robbie's wedding, the birth of his and Katie's triplets and father Steve eventually remarrying again; not to mention Chip and Polly's elopement. Not surprisingly, many people believe Tim Considine just quit and didn't want to be brought back, and while the latter part is closer to fact than fiction, I can actually tell you that Tim Considine's directorial debut on the series was filmed well before the eventual airdate in early 1965, and by that time he had told the Producers of his intention to leave. This allowed the writers sufficent time to handle the transition. I have correspondence from a former actor named Hank Jones who worked the show and notes that Tim Considine wasn't around alot at the end of the fifith season as the decision to phase him out had already started; he was only on the set to observe filming and fill out his contractual obligation to the show. Once that was done, and Barry Livingston was brought in full time to the Douglas family, there was really no need for Mike's character, although in hindsight it should never have happened... to move back East and become a Psychology instructor and out of the series for good.

He did make an appearance of sorts well after the series ended in 1972. He appeared with his "three" siblings in the 1977 Thanksgiving Reunion Special which was made in conjunction with "The Partridge Family". Strangely enough, the special itself was pretty lame, typical mid 70's fare, but it was good seeing "Mike" back in the family, along with father Steve and all the wives (including Sally). And in true M3S form, another sibling (Dawn Lyn as Dodie - who via email told me she was not invited to participate) has mysteriously disappeared and never is there a mention! It is as if the Douglas family is somehow cursed by never being able to all appear in the same room together!

Hope this answers some of your questions. It really amazes me that people are still so intrigued about oldest son Mike, who as played by Tim Considine arguably remains the favourite of the original 'sons'.

regards, Geoff Brown
Editor "My Three Sons at TV Tome"
http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet...et/showid-1349

Pug Lover · 11-06-2003, 05:28 PM

Thank you so much for your fully detailed reply.Yes that answers all my questions perfectly.It seems that any kind of fall out with studio directors and such will do it[cast an actor and their character out of the series].It,s happened in quite a few other shows over the years.Thanks again.

11-06-2003, 05:22 AM	#1
Pug Lover Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 05, 2003 Location: Hamilton Ontario Canada Posts: 467	Question I haven,t seen all of this show,s episodes.Did Mike ever come back to visit in any of the later episodes?I know actor Tim Considine had some disagreements with some of the studio writers,which was part of why he left the show.Was he ever referred to after he left?Or was the character totally abandoned like Richie Cunningham,s older brother Chuck?
	__________________ "Well here,s another nice mess you,ve gotten me into."Laurel & Hardy

11-06-2003, 05:28 PM	#3
Pug Lover Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 05, 2003 Location: Hamilton Ontario Canada Posts: 467	Mystery solved. Thank you so much for your fully detailed reply.Yes that answers all my questions perfectly.It seems that any kind of fall out with studio directors and such will do it[cast an actor and their character out of the series].It,s happened in quite a few other shows over the years.Thanks again.

11-06-2003, 09:41 AM	#2
Geoff Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Location: Australia Posts: 75	Tim Considine expressed a desire to direct some future episodes of the series in late 1964 (he directed the next to last Black and White episode) and after having a falling out with Executive Producer Don Fedderson, left the series. He and co-star Meredith MacRae were "married" in the very first color episode broadcast on CBS, and were referred to several times throughout the sixth season (the first color season). Mentioned for the last time in the second episode of the seventh season, Mike and Sally were never referred to by name again in the show, although there are subtle references in later episodes without giving away names (such as when Robbie learns Katie is pregnant and seems to get all the attention... and Steve tells Robbie that 'when your mother had her first baby'...). But yes, Mike was sent to TV oblivion and like Chuck Cunningham on "Happy Days" (who actually was played by three different actors... Ric Carrott in the Pilot, Gavan O'Herlihy and Randolph Roberts!) was forgotten about and never referred to again. The reasons for this were obvious: Ernie is adopted into the family, keeping the show's title intact but many viewers still remembered Mike (and for that matter Bub). When the series switched networks in 1965 (from ABC to CBS) the Color episodes were in reruns for many years and the Black and White episodes were not. Only viewers of the original airings and subsequent reruns would have even remembered the time before Ernie and Uncle Charley! One of the rifest topics on our messageboards is the lack of Mike and Sally in the Color years and how the family changes neglected to bring them back for 'momentous' events like Robbie's wedding, the birth of his and Katie's triplets and father Steve eventually remarrying again; not to mention Chip and Polly's elopement. Not surprisingly, many people believe Tim Considine just quit and didn't want to be brought back, and while the latter part is closer to fact than fiction, I can actually tell you that Tim Considine's directorial debut on the series was filmed well before the eventual airdate in early 1965, and by that time he had told the Producers of his intention to leave. This allowed the writers sufficent time to handle the transition. I have correspondence from a former actor named Hank Jones who worked the show and notes that Tim Considine wasn't around alot at the end of the fifith season as the decision to phase him out had already started; he was only on the set to observe filming and fill out his contractual obligation to the show. Once that was done, and Barry Livingston was brought in full time to the Douglas family, there was really no need for Mike's character, although in hindsight it should never have happened... to move back East and become a Psychology instructor and out of the series for good. He did make an appearance of sorts well after the series ended in 1972. He appeared with his "three" siblings in the 1977 Thanksgiving Reunion Special which was made in conjunction with "The Partridge Family". Strangely enough, the special itself was pretty lame, typical mid 70's fare, but it was good seeing "Mike" back in the family, along with father Steve and all the wives (including Sally). And in true M3S form, another sibling (Dawn Lyn as Dodie - who via email told me she was not invited to participate) has mysteriously disappeared and never is there a mention! It is as if the Douglas family is somehow cursed by never being able to all appear in the same room together! Hope this answers some of your questions. It really amazes me that people are still so intrigued about oldest son Mike, who as played by Tim Considine arguably remains the favourite of the original 'sons'. regards, Geoff Brown Editor "My Three Sons at TV Tome" http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet...et/showid-1349