😂

There was a 6 hour tribute on BBC Radio 4 Extra today,featuring programmes with him plus reminiscences from those who had worked with him.

It seems to rarely get referenced among the great sitcoms of that era,but for me it’s right up there as one of the very best. Particularly the first two series.
Maybe it’s the fact that physical comedy is seen by some as less clever or worthy of appreciation. As the comment you mentioned suggests.

No,it was never released on Region 2. I have the R1 DVDs,so hadn’t realised that there was an issue with the Amazon Prime versions.

I’m glad it hasn’t stopped you writing about MTM. I guess it’s just the fact that the series is relatively little known here,despite its significance in the US. Even amongst TV comedy fans.

And all within a four year period.

Oh great to hear. I look forward to reading those.

Have loved reading both pieces you’ve done on the MTM Show on DirtyFeed. As a longtime fan of the series,it’s been so interesting to read all the stuff you’ve discovered there. Great work,John 👍

What did Jan McVerry say?

Just saw Patrick Mower in a 1976 Call My Bluff on BBC4. Looking pretty foxy too 😀

Thanks John. I’ve not seen those but will do so once I’ve read your pieces.

Oh yes. I remember the Franchise Affair.

I’m really looking forward to these. You probably know this anyway,so forgive me if so,but I think Wally Who? has had a relatively recent repeat on BBC Radio 4 Extra.

Still always think of her of Hepzibah in the 70s adaptation of Carrie’s War.

Yes,sadly no DVD release. I guess it’s mainly forgotten now although that first season was a big hit in the US,outrating both MTM and Rhoda. I think it was last shown here when the Family Channel on Sky repeated it about 30 years ago. Will be interesting to read your thoughts when you start watching

I’ve enjoyed reading your thoughtful and interesting posts on Rhoda in recent months.

I’m not sure how much input they would have had on a weekly basis,as Executive Producers,but I wonder how much the departure of Brooks and Burns after S3 might have had on some of the creative decisions from that point onwards?

Always interesting to read your thoughts as a first time viewer. I really like S3 so agree that it’s not just about the split from Joe. S4 does feel a bit more variable in quality. On the plus side,Ida’s back and I really like Gary. But,am a bit more ambivalent about characters like Benny and Jack.

Oh thanks Chris 👍

Great shot. Which episode is it from?

Oh thanks. That would be interesting to see.

Oh,that’s interesting. I didn’t know that. Neither wanting to take the blame then perhaps. It did hurt the show’s ratings but I think that third season is generally very good. Although it did miss the presence of Nancy Walker.

I don’t think so. I saw a TV interview on YouTube from the 90s with Valerie and David and she seemed very disappointed to have lost him from the show. So,I get the feeling it was the producers and writers. I think they were just struggling to come up with scenarios for a happily married Rhoda.

It feels like it was a very brave decision for the producers to change such a winning formula in that third season. Especially in the ultra commercial world of US Network TV,when the series was one of the Top 10 rated shows throughout its first two seasons.

Lol. Was certainly an interesting watch. I’m thinking it’s maybe the first time this series has been on British TV since the 60s.

If only. But I think they’re seen as being among the most essential characters under the current regime.

I’m convinced that the producers think the highly vocal Swarla obsessives are more representative of the general audience than they really are.

Although Vera did confess uncertainty to his paternity as she’d had an affair,Jack did say that
he still knew Terry was his son which seemed to put an end to any further speculation

One of my all time favourites.

It seemed to be almost the norm for BBC sitcoms in the 70s. But,sometimes with dramas too. I noticed recently that the final episode of the long running series The Brothers was recorded a mere 3 days ahead of its broadcast in December 1976.