Final Episode...A letdown? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

That Other Fan · 12-04-2003, 06:06 PM

It was the end of an era, the end of Lucy's reign on CBS (in the sitcom arena) and she gave the whole thing to Lucie. Make no mistakes, I'm not bashing Lucie (or Lucy, or Here's Lucy, LOL), I just feel the final episode should've been all Lucy...Not Lucie!

Anyone share this opinion?

I do like the undertone of the episode. IMO, it says "I'm leaving, and there will be imitators, but they won't touch what I've done"

Am I alone in this observation as well?

hawaii five-o · 12-04-2003, 08:32 PM

What happened on the final episode???

bb25 · 12-04-2003, 10:23 PM

Keep in mind that while "Lucy Fights the System" was the final episode aired, it was "Meanwhile, Back at the Office" that was the final episode that was filmed. I imagine it was the networks decision which ep to air last...

kazombie · 12-05-2003, 08:43 AM

I believe that Gale Gordon's last line summed it up perfectly for the end show. For those who haven't seen it, it goes something like this. A mad patron has grabbed a pie and is threatening to throw it at the manager of the restaurant. Of course, the pie gets thrown, the manager ducks and hits Gale right in the face. When the pie hits him, he doesn't go ballistic. He just quietly wipes the pie from his eyes, waits a few seconds and says "I knew it would end like this!" A perfect way to end the show, in my opinion.

That Other Fan · 12-05-2003, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bb25
Keep in mind that while "Lucy Fights the System" was the final episode aired, it was "Meanwhile, Back at the Office" that was the final episode that was filmed. I imagine it was the networks decision which ep to air last...

Yes, the episodes were filmed out of sequence, but nothing points to "Lucy Fights The System" not being the choice for all involved to be the final episode aired.

If that makes any sense whatsoever!

SPLAIN · 12-05-2003, 10:27 AM

Yeah, i loved Gale's line, but probably i was too sad to appreciate any comedy here, it was indeed the end of a great era!

kazombie · 12-05-2003, 10:36 AM

I think Gale Gordon was a great character actor. I had the honor to receive 2 letters from him in the late 1980's. He was telling me he tried out for a part on the TV show and didn't get it. He didn't mention what program it, but I am sure it would have been better with Gale.

bweir · 12-05-2003, 05:13 PM

Somebody turned Gale down?! Let me at the dirty rat!

SPLAIN · 12-07-2003, 05:09 PM

Well, the man did have his share of projects over the years, do you know how many series the man acted in in his varied career Brock?

bb25 · 12-07-2003, 10:00 PM

That's true, and also, when an actor is as old as Gale was in the late 80s, it is very hard for them to get regular jobs on sitcoms or TV, because of the infamous insurance physical, not because they didn't want Gale...remember, it is rumored that Viv was to have become a permanent character on Rhoda, but she was not in good health at the time...

bweir · 12-08-2003, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SPLAIN
do you know how many series the man acted in in his varied career Brock?

Of course I do!

kazombie · 12-08-2003, 08:26 AM

Can you list them? Also, I remember a TV special with Gale. The only thing I can remember is the announcer announces his name and he come walking out on the stage (he was one of many people introduced) I don't know if this is a Lucy special or not...but it was the mid to late 70's.

SPLAIN · 12-08-2003, 10:41 AM

I knew you did Brock, i thought you would at least list them as you are the only person in the world to have a Gale Gordon website.

bweir · 12-08-2003, 08:09 PM

Since this is SitcomsOnline just a selection of series he's been had a recurring role in are:

The Adventures of Ozzy and Harriet
I Love Lucy
Our Miss Brooks
Sally
Pete and Gladys
Dennis the Menace
The Lucy Show
Here's Lucy
Bungle Abbey
Life With Lucy
...and a number of other pilots.

Radio (off the top of my head):
The Wonder Show
Our Miss Brooks
Burns and Allen
My Favorite Husband
The Great Gildersleeve
Fibber McGee and Molly
...and TONS more!

And I think that special you may be referring to is Lucy Moves to NBC

SPLAIN · 12-09-2003, 10:29 AM

How old was he Brock, the last time he did a cartwheel on the air?

12-04-2003, 06:06 PM	#1
That Other Fan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 27, 2001 Posts: 191	Final Episode...A letdown? It was the end of an era, the end of Lucy's reign on CBS (in the sitcom arena) and she gave the whole thing to Lucie. Make no mistakes, I'm not bashing Lucie (or Lucy, or Here's Lucy, LOL), I just feel the final episode should've been all Lucy...Not Lucie! Anyone share this opinion? I do like the undertone of the episode. IMO, it says "I'm leaving, and there will be imitators, but they won't touch what I've done" Am I alone in this observation as well?
	__________________ Lucille Ball to Elizabeth Taylor: "You wash your hair in champagne? Oh really, I wash my hair in beer" (Here's Lucy, 1971 "Lucy MeetsThe Burtons")

12-05-2003, 08:43 AM	#4
kazombie Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Posts: 8	I believe that Gale Gordon's last line summed it up perfectly for the end show. For those who haven't seen it, it goes something like this. A mad patron has grabbed a pie and is threatening to throw it at the manager of the restaurant. Of course, the pie gets thrown, the manager ducks and hits Gale right in the face. When the pie hits him, he doesn't go ballistic. He just quietly wipes the pie from his eyes, waits a few seconds and says "I knew it would end like this!" A perfect way to end the show, in my opinion.
	__________________ Chris Carlisle

12-05-2003, 05:13 PM	#8
bweir Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 23, 2001 Posts: 293	Somebody turned Gale down?! Let me at the dirty rat!
	__________________ Lucy: Oh Mr. Mooney! You scared me half out of my wits! Mooney: Oh never give me an opening like that.

12-04-2003, 08:32 PM	#2
hawaii five-o Book 'Em, Dano Senior Member Join Date: Jun 27, 2003 Location: At home, eating cereal straight out of the box Posts: 1,406	What happened on the final episode???

12-04-2003, 10:23 PM	#3
bb25 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 22, 2002 Posts: 784	Keep in mind that while "Lucy Fights the System" was the final episode aired, it was "Meanwhile, Back at the Office" that was the final episode that was filmed. I imagine it was the networks decision which ep to air last...

12-05-2003, 10:27 AM	#6
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	Yeah, i loved Gale's line, but probably i was too sad to appreciate any comedy here, it was indeed the end of a great era!

12-05-2003, 10:36 AM	#7
kazombie Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Posts: 8	I think Gale Gordon was a great character actor. I had the honor to receive 2 letters from him in the late 1980's. He was telling me he tried out for a part on the TV show and didn't get it. He didn't mention what program it, but I am sure it would have been better with Gale.

12-07-2003, 05:09 PM	#9
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	Well, the man did have his share of projects over the years, do you know how many series the man acted in in his varied career Brock?

12-07-2003, 10:00 PM	#10
bb25 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 22, 2002 Posts: 784	That's true, and also, when an actor is as old as Gale was in the late 80s, it is very hard for them to get regular jobs on sitcoms or TV, because of the infamous insurance physical, not because they didn't want Gale...remember, it is rumored that Viv was to have become a permanent character on Rhoda, but she was not in good health at the time...

12-08-2003, 08:26 AM	#12
kazombie Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Posts: 8	Can you list them? Also, I remember a TV special with Gale. The only thing I can remember is the announcer announces his name and he come walking out on the stage (he was one of many people introduced) I don't know if this is a Lucy special or not...but it was the mid to late 70's.

12-08-2003, 10:41 AM	#13
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	I knew you did Brock, i thought you would at least list them as you are the only person in the world to have a Gale Gordon website.

12-08-2003, 08:09 PM	#14
bweir Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 23, 2001 Posts: 293	Since this is SitcomsOnline just a selection of series he's been had a recurring role in are: The Adventures of Ozzy and Harriet I Love Lucy Our Miss Brooks Sally Pete and Gladys Dennis the Menace The Lucy Show Here's Lucy Bungle Abbey Life With Lucy ...and a number of other pilots. Radio (off the top of my head): The Wonder Show Our Miss Brooks Burns and Allen My Favorite Husband The Great Gildersleeve Fibber McGee and Molly ...and TONS more! And I think that special you may be referring to is Lucy Moves to NBC

12-09-2003, 10:29 AM	#15
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	How old was he Brock, the last time he did a cartwheel on the air?