Who remembers Cloris Leachman's sitcom PHYLLIS?- Page 2

[phyllisfan]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 3:14am

I DO!

Hello, everyone.

The first "Mary Tyler Moore Show" spin-off, "Rhoda", is indeed having it's first hit season released on dvd in April. Shout!Factory is the company that has finally stepped up to the plate.

"Phyllis" followed in the wake of the success of "Rhoda", starting it's two year run in September of 1975. Brimming with promise it never lived up to, "Phyllis" was still an often hysterical sitcom.

"Phyllis" was so popular in it's first year, that it topped both "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Rhoda" in the Neilson ratings, finishing as the number six show of the 75-76 season. Mary Tyler Moore, Valerie Harper and Cloris Leachman all recieved a nomination for Best Actress In A Comedy Series, both at The Emmy Awards and The Golden Globes. Cloris won the Globe.

Both "Phyllis" and "Rhoda" had their share of up's and downs in the writing department. Both had several spotty, mediocre episodes. Still, when the were at their best, both had ep's that stand as fine as any classic television show that MTM turned out. In my view, the good outweighs the bad.

Barbra Colby was a very gifted actor, and made two memorable guest spots as a prostitute named Sherry, on TMTMS. Colby appeared as Julie Erskine in the first three shows filmed for "Phyllis". The chemistry that she had with Leachman was palpable, and when Richard Schaal was combined with these two, I feel that it was absolute comedy magic. Sadly, in July of 1975 Colby and Richard Kiernan were killed in a seemingly random shooting, after teaching an acting class together. Barbara died instantly. Kiernan (who had recently done a spot on "Rhoda") survived, and was able to describe the assailants to autorities. He died shortly thereafter. The case remains unsolved to this day.

Also featured in this superb cast were Henry Jones, Jane Rose, Judith Lowry, and of course, Lisa Gerritsen. Lisa did not appear in all of the episodes, as she was furthering her schoolastic education. Like Bess, Lisa was going to college.

Despite their success, both "Rhoda" and "Phyllis" were creamed by "Little House On The Prarie" in the 1976-77 season. The format of "Phyllis" was changed, and she was given a new job, in an attempt to boost the ratings, which had begun to slip. It finished as the # 40 show of the 76-77 season, with "Rhoda" not doing much better. However, "Phyllis" had lost another cast member: Judith Lowry, who played "Mother Dexter" (a real fan favorite) passed away before the end of 1976, as did Burt Mustin (who had played her suitor and husband). "Rhoda" was given another chance, a new timeslot, and rebounded. "Phyllis" was given the axe.

I would urge any of you that remember the show, and liked it, to go to www.shoutfactory.com, and ask for the release of "Phyllis" on dvd. I have done so on the message boards. Also, you have the opportunity to check out the upcoming release of "Rhoda".

I would love to discuss any favorite episodes of "Phyllis", and will try my best to answer any questions any of you might have.

Thanks,
Chris O

Shout Factory Updated On: 2/23/09 at 03:14 AM

[phyllisfan]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 10:59pm

By the way, Barbara Colby had quite a lot of experience in theatre. I don't know if any of it was ever filmed, but if anyone has any info, I'd love it.

Just as a tid-bit, she was said to be Ethel Merman's daughter-in-law. Apparently, Merman was quite upset about Barbara's passing. Truly, I have only seen this information listed from one source.

It looks like a couple of you have gone over to Shout Factory to request the "Phyllis" dvd release. Thank you! You can't get what ya want unless you ask for it...

[Q]

Posted: 2/24/09 at 11:06pm

"she was said to be Ethel Merman's daughter-in-law"

What does that mean? I would think she either was or wasn't.

[phyllisfan]

Posted: 2/25/09 at 7:06am

Dear Q,

EXACTLY!

I'm really not sure. I read that little detail at a rather sordid little site called findadath.com. I believe it was under Ethel's page. I found it trying to dig up info on Barbara Colby. The fact is, I'm not sure that it's true, as I've only ever seen it in that one place. That's why I phrased it the way I did.

WARNING: That dot com is pretty gruesome. There are some nice entries, but some of the items are haunting...no pun intended.

Anyway, there isn't much info on Colby available.
However...!
It seems that Cloris Leachman has written her autobiography with her ex-husband George Englund. It's called "Cloris: My Life Story". I'm hoping for some more info on Barbara, "Phyllis", and Cloris in general. I love her! It's due out in late March.

Best,
Chris

[nmartin]

Posted: 2/25/09 at 7:13am

IMDB says she was Merman's daughter in law. I lost my Merman books in a fire years ago, or I would look it up. I think I remember that name from those books.
Findadeath.com is gruesome but fascinating too.

Colby on IMDB Updated On: 2/25/09 at 07:13 AM

[phyllisfan]

Posted: 2/25/09 at 7:50am

Nmartin~

Wow! That is so cool! That's been updated, i have not looked at Colby's entry there for some time. Thank you so much for posting it!

Barbara's movie's roles were quite small. She did have a memorable turn on "Columbo", playing Lily LaSanka, blackmailer and murder victim. I loved her in that. Pitch perfect, she played the woman as a desperate, fairly awkward lonely-heart. She also appeared on "The Odd Couple" and "Gunsmoke". But I guess that's all on IMDB!

I'm very sorry about your loses in the fire. So devastating. I've lost some prized posessions by way of water damage.

Thanks again for clearing that up!

The carachter of Julie Erskine had to be retooled for Liz Torres, who was younger than Colby. This erased the plot line that Lar's had once asked Julie to marry him (much to Phyllis' chargrin!), and thus was lost Julie and Phyllis' one true connection. The bottom line is, Colby's "Julie" LIKED Phyllis, even if she was still exasperated by her. Liz as "Julie" humored her, but didn't really care for her too much. I don't believe the second season job switch would have happened if Colby had lived. I suppose that sounds crass. In terms of the show, I think it's key: in real life, Barbara's death was tragic.

Thanks, again. BTW, Ethel Merman was out of this world! Loved her little cameo in "Airplane!".

Chris

p.s. to Q: Queer love is simply LOVE. That my friend, is the BEST thing there is. LOVE by any other name...!

[Elphaba]

Posted: 2/25/09 at 10:43am

The Merman was amazing in ;It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World!"

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/25/09 at 2:46pm

I remember it on "Nick at Nite" :)

I also remember that her late husband's name was Lars and I always thought that that was funny!

[Elphaba]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 3:53pm

more importantly, who remembers I Married Joan, and My Little Margie?

I married Joan
What a girl, what a whirl, what a life.
Oh I married Joan
What a mind, love is blind what a wife.

Giddy and gay, all day she keeps my heart laughin'
Never know where her brain has flown.

Each to his own
Can't deny that's why I married Joan.

[phyllisfan]

Posted: 2/27/09 at 5:42pm

I watched "Phyllis" on Nick faithfully. I also tracked down the one and only vhs ever released of the show, which came out in 1992. It has the pilot, and the second ep, "Bess, Is You A Woman Now". Both ep's are VERY funny, especially the second, and they are unedited. I was amazed to see how much was cut from each for rebroadcast. Often some of the funniest bits!

I know about "I Married Joan". Cute show.