Quoting steeler83 (Reply 21): Now, regarding the remark about All in the Family and its spinoffs, I believe Maude and the Jeffersons were spun off while All in the Family was still in production. Bea Arthur made an appearance in the Spring 1972 All in the Family episode when all the characters were sick; she was Edith's liberal cousin. The network decided that they could take her character and make a series around that, which they did, and it ran from 1972 until 1977. The Jeffersons started after the Network had George and "Weesie" move out (move on up) after his dry cleaning business took off. That show ran for a good while, from 1975 all the way until 1985. |
Actually, an earlier
All In the Family episode that same season featured Archie & Edith heading over to Tuckahoe for Carol's wedding. This episode was likely the springboard/pilot for the
Maude spin-off series. Marcia Rodd played Carol in that episode; Adrienne Barbeau would pick up the role later prior the start of the
Maude series. Maude, Walter & Arthur (Bea Arthur, Bill Macy & Conrad Bain) would also appear in that
All In the Family episode.
Maude actually lasted into the early part of 1978 BTW.
Quoting steeler83 (Reply 21): I could see them writing a series around Berta. I'm sure the creators and writers of such a show will come up with something for a "second life" for her outside of being Charlie and Walden's housekeeper. What did they do with Florida when she left Maude and went on Good Times? |
With
Good Times, the writers essentially stripped the characters (Florida & her husband) of all references and connections to its
Maude parent series. The setting being Chicago rather than New York City and Florida's husband being named James whereas in the
Maude series, he was a firefighter named Henry. They could do similar regard Berta of
Two-And-A-Half Men. BTW, the actress that played Berta (Conchata Ferrell) appeared on an episode of
Maude as an applicant for Maude's maid (after Florida left) in 1974.
All In the Family,
Maude &
Good Times reruns are now shown on the
Antenna TV channel.
"TransEastern! You'll feel like you've never left the ground because we treat you like dirt!" SNL Parady ad circa 1981