The New York Season

[Dobson and Kelly]

In reading the book " Say Goodnight Gracie", it is mentioned that Harry Von Zell had the least to do and was partially wasted on the NY based episodes. In viewing these episodes, I can see the point being justifiable since Von Zell's main scenes are with the cigarette girl, and they wear thin after awhile. Actually, I feel the series that season was actually "slowed down" with the addition of Ronnie and while he is charming enough, it took away some interplay between the rest of the cast. Your thoughts?

[Etrulia63]

I think one of the reasons for the poor utilization of Von Zell's character in the New York season is that before Ronnie joined the cast, Von Zell was the only single main character; as a result, the writers used him as a friend of the Burnses and Mortons that was occasionally teased about his bachelorhood and also developed a lot of episodes about his "girl of the week." I guess that once Ronnie joined the show (and got in some of the same situations that Von Zell was in), the writers needed to integrate him into the cast somehow, and basically made Harry the comic relief of the show.

Even after the NY season, I still feel like Harry's character wasn't used as well as it could be. Basically the only times he popped up on the show was to be called stupid (or get fired) by George, or to participate in one of Gracie's schemes when no one else would. Regardless, I still consider the last two seasons to be my favorites.. the show seemed to move more fluidly, and the lines got even funnier.

[TV Knowledge Fan]

...WHY Harry was featured on the show. He was primarily their announcer, delivering the sponsor's commercials at appropriate "breaks". In the "live" episodes during the first two seasons- mostly posted on YouTube- you see why he was "integrated" into much of the show as possible (a tradition held over from radio). In syndicated/cable repeats, his commercials [Carnation, B.F. Goodrich, Betty Crocker] are missing, so most "modern" viewers are left wondering why Harry wasn't "seen" so much during the show.

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