Producers Didn't Want Linda Lavin to Sing On 'Alice'...Do You Agree? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 02-21-2011, 11:27 PM

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...1233%2C5763323

According to the article above, 'Alice' producers didn't want Alice to sing because they felt it was not interesting enough for a sitcom. That was according to Lavin in 1977. Of course, she does eventually sing, but what do you think? Did you like the singing episodes?

Marvo301 · 02-21-2011, 11:47 PM

I say if the star of your show is a talented singer (as Linda Lavin is!) make it a part of her character. Take advantage of it. I'm glad the producers of Alice finally figured that out. And yes I did enjoy the episodes when Linda Lavin sang on the show.

Dr. Thong · 02-22-2011, 10:31 AM

I could have lived without the singing. I watch a sitcom to laugh, not to hear someone belting out showtunes.

catlover79 · 02-22-2011, 11:13 AM

Well, the character of Alice in the movie Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore was an aspiring singer, so that stayed true throughout the TV show. That said, the singing could be a bit much sometimes.

howilu · 04-19-2011, 05:07 PM

Linda Lavin did sing the theme song "There's a New Girl in Town" before each episode.

rcbrad · 04-28-2011, 08:40 PM

I enjoy Linda Lavins voice and the occasions that she did sing. It seems that the producers felt that people would not enjoy singing within each or most episodes. It's supposed to be a sitcom and they thought that people would not want to sit through a song each week or on a frequent basis.

comedyfreak · 04-29-2011, 12:53 AM

It didnt bother me that was the premise so I had no problem with the singing.

shotzette · 04-29-2011, 11:17 AM

I never understood the appeal of Linda Lavin's voice. I found her to be shrill with a limited vocal range.

Torgo · 04-29-2011, 11:34 AM

I think Vic Tayback should have sang more.

CaliforniaKid · 04-29-2011, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgo

I think Vic Tayback should have sang more.

I agree I think Mel, Henry, Chuck and Earl made a helluva quartet.

mstewart · 04-29-2011, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shotzette

I never understood the appeal of Linda Lavin's voice. I found her to be shrill with a limited vocal range.

I have to disagree here. Linda was very powerful in her singing especially in her showtunes. The worst of her singing was her and Martha Raye on the show doing Do You Think I Am Sexy. That did a disservice to her. My favorite one she did was when she did It's Wonderful It's Marvelous. I hollared sing Linda when she did that song.

the_master68 · 05-05-2011, 07:42 AM

Personally, I hate all singing in TV shows, like this... The worst example would be season 5 of Sanford & Son...

glickmam · 05-20-2011, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcbrad

I enjoy Linda Lavins voice and the occasions that she did sing. It seems that the producers felt that people would not enjoy singing within each or most episodes. It's supposed to be a sitcom and they thought that people would not want to sit through a song each week or on a frequent basis.

Indeed, you're right. The producers probably felt that the only way that singing on a sitcom would work was if the premise was actually based around singing, i.e., The Monkees and The Partridge Family.

FredScuttle · 07-02-2011, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_master68

Personally, I hate all singing in TV shows, like this... The worst example would be season 5 of Sanford & Son...

I dunno if that's the worst...the last season of Petticoat Junction was pretty bad with the singing too.

Cloud9 Lorraine · 08-07-2011, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_master68

Personally, I hate all singing in TV shows, like this... The worst example would be season 5 of Sanford & Son...

Do you mean in "Ebenezer Sanford" when Fred sings "A Christmas Song"? Why didn't you like it? There were a few times throughout the series when Fred and his cronies would do a number, singing, dancing. Good, fun and entertaining. Redd Foxx got a lot of his old friends from his nightclub days roles on Sanford & Son.

02-21-2011, 11:27 PM	#1
Brian Damage Moderator Forum Legend I'm Rich Bitch Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 62,155	Producers Didn't Want Linda Lavin to Sing On 'Alice'...Do You Agree? http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...1233%2C5763323 According to the article above, 'Alice' producers didn't want Alice to sing because they felt it was not interesting enough for a sitcom. That was according to Lavin in 1977. Of course, she does eventually sing, but what do you think? Did you like the singing episodes? __________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

02-21-2011, 11:47 PM	#2
Marvo301 Forum Veteran I got a rock. Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 16,566	I say if the star of your show is a talented singer (as Linda Lavin is!) make it a part of her character. Take advantage of it. I'm glad the producers of Alice finally figured that out. And yes I did enjoy the episodes when Linda Lavin sang on the show. __________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Alfred Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

02-22-2011, 10:31 AM	#3
Dr. Thong Senior Member a/k/a "ACK!" Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 4,115	I could have lived without the singing. I watch a sitcom to laugh, not to hear someone belting out showtunes. __________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

02-22-2011, 11:13 AM	#4
catlover79 Moderator Forum Legend God Bless Val Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 67,885	Well, the character of Alice in the movie Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore was an aspiring singer, so that stayed true throughout the TV show. That said, the singing could be a bit much sometimes. __________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

04-29-2011, 12:53 AM	#7
comedyfreak Senior Member Where No One Has Gone Before Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 9,100	It didnt bother me that was the premise so I had no problem with the singing. __________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

04-19-2011, 05:07 PM	#5
howilu Forum Regular Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 887	Linda Lavin did sing the theme song "There's a New Girl in Town" before each episode.

04-28-2011, 08:40 PM	#6
rcbrad Frequent Poster Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Posts: 157	I enjoy Linda Lavins voice and the occasions that she did sing. It seems that the producers felt that people would not enjoy singing within each or most episodes. It's supposed to be a sitcom and they thought that people would not want to sit through a song each week or on a frequent basis.

04-29-2011, 11:17 AM	#8
shotzette Forum Regular De Facto Queen of Everything Join Date: Jun 30, 2004 Location: DC Metropolitan area Posts: 547	I never understood the appeal of Linda Lavin's voice. I found her to be shrill with a limited vocal range.

04-29-2011, 11:34 AM	#9
Torgo Senior Member The master would not approve. Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 3,364	I think Vic Tayback should have sang more. __________________ "I'm going to go do something productive. I'm gonna go watch television." - Ray Peterson, The 'burbs "I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries." - Stephen King

05-05-2011, 07:42 AM	#12
the_master68 Occasional Poster Member Join Date: Sep 22, 2010 Location: Charlotte Posts: 6	Personally, I hate all singing in TV shows, like this... The worst example would be season 5 of Sanford & Son...

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