Joan's death

[whitelighter53]

To my knowledge, we are never told when or how Joan died. I kind of got the impression that it was of natural causes but that it happened kind of suddenly. I know actress Diana Hyland died of cancer, but that seems unlikely to be the cause of Joan's death.
My best guess - something like an aneurysm, probably around April of '77 (even though I know the last episode of season 1 didn't air until August).
Does anyone know if this theory contradicts anything that was stated on the show?

[McGillicuddy]

To my knowledge, we are never told when or how Joan died. I kind of got the impression that it was of natural causes but that it happened kind of suddenly. I know actress Diana Hyland died of cancer, but that seems unlikely to be the cause of Joan's death.
My best guess - something like an aneurysm, probably around April of '77 (even though I know the last episode of season 1 didn't air until August).
Does anyone know if this theory contradicts anything that was stated on the show?

Haven't seen the show in awhile, but I remember a scene where Nicolas was talking about "when Mom gets home..." I believe it was Elizabeth who sat down, and tried to help him understand she wasn't coming home.

This must be before the Christmas episode, which ended up being a tribute to Diana Hyland, imo.

[Jude The Obscure]

I never understood why another actress wasn't simply hired to replace Diana in the Joan role--it's not like Diana Hyland played her for 2-3 seasons and that is not meaning any disrespect for Diana.

[OH Nuts!]

I dunno but that is a good point. Why they chose to go the way they did I'm not sure - but it did work. Betty Buckley was fantastic as Abby.

[Stuck In The '70's]

I think the cast formed an attachment to Ms. Hyland and they probably figured out of respect for her, they wouldn't recast the role. I think it was smart. It prvided new storylines for the show.

[Jude The Obscure]

Personally, don't you think he remarried a tad too soon?

[Dr. Thong]

Personally, don't you think he remarried a tad too soon?

In real life terms, yes. In TV show terms...well, the show was about a couple raising a family and the void had to be filled.

[Stuck In The '70's]

Personally, don't you think he remarried a tad too soon?
I think in the story line they had her die about a year before. It was kind of fast but I still think it provided good stories and it showed a family coming together after they lost a loved one.

[TV Guy]

Some of the reference books claim that when the show returned for its second season in the fall of 1977, that Joan had been dead for about a year. But that's inaccurate. In the Christmas 1977 episode, Tom is already remarried to Abby, and they find a gift that Joan had bought Tommy earlier that year, before she died. Tom laments, "I guess Joan only had time for Tommy this year." But the show generally glossed over Tom's quick remarriage, because ABC insisted that the producers marry him off quickly if they weren't willing to recast the role of Joan. They were not interested in a single parent show, even though the producer, Bill Blinn, wanted Tom to be single for a while.

The circumstances of Joan's death remained a mystery to us viewers, other than the fact that it was sudden - Tom told Abby when they were dating that he never had the chance to say goodbye to Joan.

[Dr. Thong]

On Knots Landing, the character of Sid Fairgate was killed off after the 2nd season when actor Don Murray left the show.

For the entire third season, Karen Fairgate remained a widow, although she did go on a date or two.

The producers said later that having her alone for an entire season was a mistake and that they should have gotten someone in there at some point during that year.

[McGillicuddy]

The circumstances of Joan's death remained a mystery to us viewers, other than the fact that it was sudden - Tom told Abby when they were dating that he never had the chance to say goodbye to Joan.

I'm almost finished with season 1. Its so strange. One moment, Joan's there, then she's not. She was missing in episode 4 then back for episode 5, then gone again. And there's no mention of her absence. I always assumed she was off caring for a sick relative (the usual explanation with major characters missing).

It seems to me Diana passed away soon after her last appearance. They must have shut down production of EiE, atleast a short time, to mourn Ms. Hyland, and to rewrite scripts.

[Dr. Thong]

Not to change the subject, but didn't Mark Hamill play David in the pilot?

[catlover79]

Personally, don't you think he remarried a tad too soon?
Well, in real life, my then-pastor lost his wife in June 1994 and remarried in December 1994. Then again, he was already in his 70s with all grown children, but it does happen in real life.

[catlover79]

Not to change the subject, but didn't Mark Hamill play David in the pilot?
Yes.

[Jude The Obscure]

In real life terms, yes. In TV show terms...well, the show was about a couple raising a family and the void had to be filled.

which goes back to my original point....they could have simply hired another actress, but we've covered that and it's moot.

[Jude The Obscure]

Well, in real life, my then-pastor lost his wife in June 1994 and remarried in December 1994. Then again, he was already in his 70s with all grown children, but it does happen in real life.

That is an exception though...Dick Van Patten's character was in his 40s I think at the time, but if what was stated earlier is true--that when the second season started, it was announced that a year had gone by, that's fine. I guess I'll wait til the second season to see if it plays out like that.

[catlover79]

Hopefully, the 2nd season DVD will see the light of day this century!!!!

[Stuck In The '70's]

That is an exception though...Dick Van Patten's character was in his 40s I think at the time, but if what was stated earlier is true--that when the second season started, it was announced that a year had gone by, that's fine. I guess I'll wait til the second season to see if it plays out like that.
And I'm not 100% sure I was accurate. I was going by what certain books stated. It's been years since I've seen Eight is Enough and although I watched it quite often when it was originally on, I did not watch it every week . I do know that Abby fit right in with the cast real fast though.

[comedyfreak]

The toughest member to win over was Tommy whom resented Abby at first. He was the most sensative over the loss of his Mom.

[Jude The Obscure]

And the Christmas episode seemed to help him bond a little with Abby, IIRC.

[catlover79]

The toughest member to win over was Tommy whom resented Abby at first. He was the most sensative over the loss of his Mom.
Wasn't she one of his teachers or something?

[Prince Michael]

I remember the episode where Abby first appeared . Tommy broke his leg, the school sent over a tutor so he wouldn't fall behind, and Abby was that tutor .

[catlover79]

^ Thanks!!

[Johnny be good!]

John Travolta said that he didn't want Diana Hyland to take the role, but she really wanted it.