Why did Belle leave after only 1 season?? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

SitcomsHeydayfan · 04-21-2018, 11:27 PM

Jolene wasn't bad but I preferred Belle after Flo left. I'm really surprised especially considering she was in the original movie!

So can someone tell me why she quit after only 1 season??

howilu · 04-22-2018, 09:37 AM

From what I read, Ladd didn't fit in with Linda Lavin and the other cast members. I did remember she played Flo in the movie that Alice was based on Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.

TMC · 06-07-2018, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howilu

From what I read, Ladd didn't fit in with Linda Lavin and the other cast members. I did remember she played Flo in the movie that Alice was based on Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.

Linda Lavin simply put, wasn't too comfortable with others "stealing her shine". I think that's one big reason why she had issues with Polly Holliday. It annoyed Linda that Polly had become the breakout star when it was supposed to be Linda's show. I'm guessing that Linda didn't have many issues with Cecilia Weston (Jolene) because she didn't pose enough of a threat like Polly Holliday and Diane Ladd.

SitcomsHeydayfan · 06-07-2018, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

Linda Lavin simply put, wasn't too comfortable with others "stealing her shine". I think that's one big reason why she had issues with Polly Holliday. It annoyed Linda that Polly had become the breakout star when it was supposed to be Linda's show. I'm guessing that Linda didn't have many issues with Cecilia Weston (Jolene) because she didn't pose enough of a treat like Polly Holliday and Diane Ladd.

But that's so bizarre because the show was called ALICE not Belle! Linda Lavin was always going to get top billing because it was her show! Belle was better than Jolene and should've stayed on.

Flo was the best 3rd waitress as far as overall acting goes. Then Belle then Jolene. As far as looks go Belle takes it in a landslide!

TMC · 07-16-2018, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SitcomsHeydayfan

But that's so bizarre because the show was called ALICE not Belle! Linda Lavin was always going to get top billing because it was her show! Belle was better than Jolene and should've stayed on.

Flo was the best 3rd waitress as far as overall acting goes. Then Belle then Jolene. As far as looks go Belle takes it in a landslide!

Linda Lavin however, could've taken the path that Mary Tyler Moore or Bob Newhart took on their respective sitcoms. They were humble enough and wise to realize that they had such a strong supporting cast that it would be better suited for them to be "straight-men". The same problem happened with Cybill Shepherd on her '90s sitcom. She wasn't simply content with being the "straight-woman" to Christine Baranski's more flamboyant or showy sidekick character, Cybill wanted to be the "wacky" one or the main laugh magnet too.

rcbrad · 07-17-2018, 08:03 PM

I think part of Linda's problem also was with some of the material as in the script department. I think Linda is a wonderful actress, but occasionally during the run of Alice she acts rather bland and blah, maybe she was unhappy or bored? Maybe this had to do with her problems with her co stars? I noticed during season 2 at times it looks like she was wearing little or no makeup either? Not sure why for either of these two observations.

liane60 · 08-30-2018, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howilu

From what I read, Ladd didn't fit in with Linda Lavin and the other cast members. I did remember she played Flo in the movie that Alice was based on Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.

I herd Linda Lavin was hard to get along with.

TheLittleFaerie · 09-03-2018, 04:43 AM

I noticed toward the end of the show, Jolene started getting a lot of laughs and many of the shows centered around her. I wonder if Linda had issues with that?

But to me, Belle was sorta a cross between Flo and Jolene.

TMC · 09-22-2018, 08:10 PM

Is it true that Diane Ladd said Linda Lavin stopped speaking to her some few episodes into her run? Also, apparently when Polly Holliday was leaving the set I think for the last time, she told Diane good luck in a kind of ominous way. That was her first clue that dealing with Linda Lavin was going to be a nightmare.

SitcomsHeydayfan · 09-24-2018, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcbrad

I think part of Linda's problem also was with some of the material as in the script department. I think Linda is a wonderful actress, but occasionally during the run of Alice she acts rather bland and blah, maybe she was unhappy or bored? Maybe this had to do with her problems with her co stars? I noticed during season 2 at times it looks like she was wearing little or no makeup either? Not sure why for either of these two observations.

If she was bland & boring then she should've welcomed Belle because she really spiced things up! And she was by far the hottest waitress of all of them in the history of the show.

TMC · 12-12-2018, 03:48 PM

Is it really that surprising to assume that Linda Lavin would not be okay with Diane Ladd? She was nominated for an Oscar for playing Flo in the movie! Also, they made Belle (the Diane Ladd character) and aspiring singer. Why would they think Linda would be OK with another singer on the show?

SitcomsHeydayfan · 12-13-2018, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

Is it really that surprising to assume that Linda Lavin would not be okay with Diane Ladd? She was for an Oscar for playing Flo in the movie! Also, they made Belle (the Diane Ladd character) and aspiring singer. Why would they think Linda would be OK with another singer on the show?

But Linda already KNEW that ahead of time so why hire Ladd at all?? You're supposed to hire the BEST person for each role!

Plus I'm shocked Lavin had SO much influence on cast decisions! The casting director and producers pick the cast! Look at John Ritter and Three's Company. John Ritter was a much bigger star than Lavin & Three's Company was a much bigger hit.

Yet when Suzanne Somers left the show John didn't pick who would replace her. There were 2 more blonde roommates after Chrissy yet John picked neither of them!

Why didn't the producers and casting director on Alice pick the cast like they're supposed to??

Wawwie · 12-19-2018, 09:15 PM

I always thought "Mel" was the real star of the show. The show should have been called "Mel's Diner." Not "Alice." Vic Tayback was a much better actor IMO and the character of Mel was irreplaceable.

'80sSitcoms · 12-19-2018, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wawwie

I always thought "Mel" was the real star of the show. The show should have been called "Mel's Diner." Not "Alice."

Some people think that's what the show was called anyway. And really, it should have been. It should have been an ensemble show called "Mel's Diner" (heck, some episodes were already "ensemble episodes" anyway).

Quote:

Originally Posted by SitcomsHeydayfan

Why didn't the producers and casting director on Alice pick the cast like they're supposed to??

I guess they did, but, they listened to Lavin's input. The show was a vehicle for her, centered around her, so she had clout.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

Also, apparently when Polly Holliday was leaving the set I think for the last time, she told Diane Ladd good luck in a kind of ominous way. That was her first clue that dealing with Linda Lavin was going to be a nightmare.

I've heard this too, and I can't remember what the original source of this legend is, but my question is, why would Diane Ladd and Polly Holliday have been on the "Alice" set at the same time? They didn't co-star in any episodes together. Flo left in one episode, and then Belle appeared in the next. They didn't interact on the show at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

Linda Lavin however, could've taken the path that Mary Tyler Moore or Bob Newhart took on their respective sitcoms. They were humble enough and wise to realize that they had such a strong supporting cast that it would be better suited for them to be "straight-men".

Yup. And America loved "their Mary". Marla Gibbs knew the same thing when "227" came along. Jackie's Sandra Clark became the breakout character, and early on when Jackee expressed concern with being too funny/outrageous, Marla encouraged her, "No, be funny! A funnier show is a better show" (paraphrasing---they discuss this on the "227" bonus features when interviewing the actors). Even though that apparently changed somewhat during the show's run, but the ladies are friendly with each other again now.

SitcomsHeydayfan · 12-20-2018, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wawwie

I always thought "Mel" was the real star of the show. The show should have been called "Mel's Diner." Not "Alice." Vic Tayback was a much better actor IMO and the character of Mel was irreplaceable.

I totally agree. It should've been called "Mel's Diner" from the start . There wasn't anything spectacular about Linda Levin anyway. She wasn't bad but just average.

I don't see how anyone who Alice couldn't say Vic Tayback was a better actor. He was probably the best actor on the show!

04-21-2018, 11:27 PM	#1
SitcomsHeydayfan Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 19, 2018 Location: The Show Me state Posts: 2,966	Why did Belle leave after only 1 season?? Jolene wasn't bad but I preferred Belle after Flo left. I'm really surprised especially considering she was in the original movie! So can someone tell me why she quit after only 1 season??

12-12-2018, 03:48 PM	#11
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,548	Is it really that surprising to assume that Linda Lavin would not be okay with Diane Ladd? She was nominated for an Oscar for playing Flo in the movie! Also, they made Belle (the Diane Ladd character) and aspiring singer. Why would they think Linda would be OK with another singer on the show?
	Last edited by TMC; 04-06-2019 at 04:37 AM.

04-22-2018, 09:37 AM	#2
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,963	From what I read, Ladd didn't fit in with Linda Lavin and the other cast members. I did remember she played Flo in the movie that Alice was based on Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.

07-17-2018, 08:03 PM	#6
rcbrad Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Posts: 479	I think part of Linda's problem also was with some of the material as in the script department. I think Linda is a wonderful actress, but occasionally during the run of Alice she acts rather bland and blah, maybe she was unhappy or bored? Maybe this had to do with her problems with her co stars? I noticed during season 2 at times it looks like she was wearing little or no makeup either? Not sure why for either of these two observations.

09-03-2018, 04:43 AM	#8
TheLittleFaerie Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 15, 2017 Posts: 1,948	I noticed toward the end of the show, Jolene started getting a lot of laughs and many of the shows centered around her. I wonder if Linda had issues with that? But to me, Belle was sorta a cross between Flo and Jolene.

09-22-2018, 08:10 PM	#9
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,548	Is it true that Diane Ladd said Linda Lavin stopped speaking to her some few episodes into her run? Also, apparently when Polly Holliday was leaving the set I think for the last time, she told Diane good luck in a kind of ominous way. That was her first clue that dealing with Linda Lavin was going to be a nightmare.

12-19-2018, 09:15 PM	#13
Wawwie Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 26, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 14,376	I always thought "Mel" was the real star of the show. The show should have been called "Mel's Diner." Not "Alice." Vic Tayback was a much better actor IMO and the character of Mel was irreplaceable.