It was OK. Hokey on viewing it now. But who really made the show was Vic Tayback and Polly Holliday. It was meant as a vehicle for Linda Lavin, but I thought she was the weak spot on the show (an odd choice to take over from the film version’s Ellen Burstyn). Beth Howland was oddly endearing (you always wanted to give the poor girl a hug).
As what happens frequently, Lavin was badly outshone by Tayback and especially Holliday, who became an instant star. Lavin apparently really hated Holliday stealing her thunder, and was happy when they gave her a spin-off show, which (unfortunately like “Checking In” and “The Ropers”) was a fiasco, although it did get her an Emmy nomination. They didn’t bring her back (though curiously they did bring in Diane Ladd, who originated Flo in the film, but she played a different character. She didn’t prove as popular, though). Although Polly Holliday has continued to work, she never quite had that stardom again.
Not particularly interested in these remakes. Hollyweird needs to do something original for a change.
BTW, I see they had the premiere of the Roseanne backstabbers show. Refused to watch it for obvious reasons. There’s something to be said for loyalty. Another FReeper said if any of them tried to quit, they’d have been sued by ABC lawyers. I said all they had to do was say they agreed with Roseanne (or that she had the right to air her opinion)
and they’d have been fired. They all should’ve stood together and done that. Other than for Goodman, most of the cast would never have been heard of were it not for her.
How about “The White Shadow”?
White cracker in south side Chicago. Show lasts 5 minutes with cracker’s drive-by death.