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What was Bonnie Franklin's/Ann Romano's greatest challenge?

Bonnie Franklin died a year ago as of last Saturday, and as we remember her and her indelible sitcom character, Ann Romano, from "One Day at a Time," we should reflect on the many challenges that faced her. What was the greatest?

by Anonymousreply 203June 23, 2020 4:22 PM

That HAIRCUT!

by Anonymousreply 1March 4, 2014 11:55 PM

That haircut made her look like a giant orange mushroom.

by Anonymousreply 2March 4, 2014 11:56 PM

Did David actually hold her?

by Anonymousreply 3March 5, 2014 12:00 AM

No--she [italic]needed[/italic] him to hold her, but he wasn't there for her anymore. That's what made it so challenging.

by Anonymousreply 4March 5, 2014 12:04 AM

Coming to grips with Alex's homosexuality

by Anonymousreply 5March 5, 2014 12:06 AM

I could never understand her characters' appeal I'm sure she was a fine actress, but I found myself not caring at all about her character

by Anonymousreply 6March 5, 2014 12:10 AM

leaving a perfectly good, hard working handsome older husband and uprooting her two daughters to a brand new city so she could "find" herself. Couldn't she have waited until they graduated high school?

Having an affair with a married man?

Killing Nick Handris in a drunken driving accident so she could get her hands on his flamboyant son in order to replace her drug addicted, cult member daughter?

Killing Ginny Roblicki in a flight of blind rage because she dared to upstaged her?

Sexually molesting her young male secretary and thinking it was cute?

Faking a heart attack to get attention?

Slapping the shit out of Julie for getting involved with Timothy Hutton's father?

Putting a show on for the random elderly once a year?

Marrying your daughter's creepy father in law, Johnny Fever?

by Anonymousreply 7March 5, 2014 12:14 AM

Acting with subtlety.

by Anonymousreply 8March 5, 2014 12:18 AM

I HEART R7.

by Anonymousreply 9March 5, 2014 12:19 AM

That fucking tiny apartment when they didn't even use the area under the window.

by Anonymousreply 10March 5, 2014 12:19 AM

I'd say it was that she was a fictional character, OP. what an idiot.

by Anonymousreply 11March 5, 2014 12:29 AM

You can pretend you were there OP.

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by Anonymousreply 12March 5, 2014 12:30 AM

I HEART YOU TOO, R9!

by Anonymousreply 13March 5, 2014 12:33 AM

[quote]I'd say it was that she was a fictional character, OP. what an idiot.

Ah, the impotent rage of the irony-challenged.

by Anonymousreply 14March 5, 2014 12:57 AM

The most annoying episode was when Ann Romano turned 30 or 35. There was a big party for her in that dumpy 1970s apartment. Upset with another major birthday, she escaped into her bedroom where launched into an inane, poorly written monolog. The bitch was aiming for an Emmy; her performance was hammy and contrived. She bounced around the damned room bemoaning lost youth, talking to herself the whole time with sagging tits flopping around in one of those high 1970s clinging disco dresses that obviously did not flatter her.

Of course, the woman herself had abysmal taste in clothes. She was like a middle aged Little Orphan Annie drag queen. I'm surprised she escaped the Mr. Blackwell list - but maybe she was too dull to mention.

by Anonymousreply 15March 5, 2014 5:24 AM

[all posts by tedious, racist idiot removed.]

by Anonymousreply 16March 5, 2014 5:29 AM

I agree with a poster on the old Jump the Shark site who imagined Ann Romano always smelled like dirty pantyhose.

by Anonymousreply 17March 5, 2014 5:57 AM

One thing I never got was how she could have a last name like Romano (which was her maiden name) and have such red hair.

Her fiery Italian background was supposed to explain why she was so feisty.

I still wonder why they cast her. She was weirdly professional, but she was so unlikable all the same. In the 70s they often thought the central character had to be the straight person to the comic secondary actors (like Judd Hirsch on "Taxi") based on The Mary Tyler Moore Show's model--but what they didn't get was that MTM may have been saner than nearly anyone around her but she was also very funny (in her very subtle way). Bonnie Franklin was devoid of humor.

by Anonymousreply 18March 5, 2014 6:06 AM

I keep thinking of those giant funbags flopping around under those polyester cowlneck green sweaters. That must have hurt like hell.

by Anonymousreply 19March 5, 2014 5:18 PM

Being a cum dumpster

by Anonymousreply 20March 5, 2014 5:24 PM

[quote]One thing I never got was how she could have a last name like Romano (which was her maiden name) and have such red hair.

Lots of Italians (mostly of northern origin) are fair-skinned and have red or blonde hair. Don't buy into stereotypes.

by Anonymousreply 21March 5, 2014 6:10 PM

Romano is not a name of Northern origin in Italy. It is used for people who came from Rome.

by Anonymousreply 22March 5, 2014 6:42 PM

This is it, this is it

This is life, so take a shit and eat it all

This is it, this is it

Don't be straight be a gay and masturbate your balls

And while your here don't be a Jew

Only Christianity will do

And eat your muddled poo

Cause homos are sick, homos are sick

So suck toes and feet (Suck toes and feet)

From where there's homos pissing

Eat shit from an ass

And smell his awful gas

One Time at a day (one time at a day)

by Anonymousreply 23March 5, 2014 6:53 PM

[quote]Lots of Italians (mostly of northern origin) are fair-skinned and have red or blonde hair. Don't buy into stereotypes

There are many non-Irish etc people with red hair. A relative's cousin through marriage is a red haired green eyed Puerto Rican!

One of my dad's former work buddies was a red haired green eyed Italian and a close friend of mine is a blond Cuban. Isn't Cameron Diaz part Mexican?

My paternal great grandfather was a blond haired green eyed Sicilian as was his wife! Not all Sicilians have olive skin, dark hair and brown eyes. Wasn't Carmela Soprano supposed to be of Sicilian descent?

by Anonymousreply 24March 5, 2014 6:53 PM

Ann Romano's greatest challenge?

Trying to look as if she actually had a waist!

by Anonymousreply 25March 5, 2014 6:56 PM

She died? No! Hold me David, I'm scared.

by Anonymousreply 26March 5, 2014 7:00 PM

RE: Ann Romano's name, what was really insane was her ex-husband was played by a guy of very obvious Italian extraction whose name was "Cooper." Strawberry-blonde, freckled, pert-nosed Ann was the one who was Italian. WTF? Once they cast those performers, why not change the surnames? It was never important to the show in any way that Ann be Italian and Ed be British/WASP.

BTW, "Italian" Ann in one episode made minestrone soup and pronounced it "min-uh-STROHN." Ugh.

by Anonymousreply 27March 5, 2014 7:38 PM

[quote]Ann Romano's name, what was really insane was her ex-husband was played by a guy of very obvious Italian extraction whose name was "Cooper."

You mean like me?

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by Anonymousreply 28March 5, 2014 7:42 PM

Pat Cooper's real name was Pasquale Caputo, R29. Not sure I see your point.

by Anonymousreply 29March 5, 2014 8:12 PM

I put his real name in the signature. The point is that people CAN CHANGE THEIR NAMES. So why couldn't Ann's ex (or his father) do so as well?

by Anonymousreply 30March 5, 2014 8:16 PM

I'd forgotten that they added the youngster Alex to the show, in classic sitcom "jump the shark" fashion. You know a show is dying when they add a tyke.

by Anonymousreply 31March 5, 2014 8:24 PM

I guess he could have,though people tend to not change both names unless they're 1) in show business, or 2) criminals. Ed Cooper was a salesman or something.

by Anonymousreply 32March 5, 2014 8:50 PM

I think her greatest challenge was getting the world to address her properly as "MS. Romano":

Random Male Chauvinist Pig: "What can I do for you, Mrs. Romano?"

Bonnie (quietly, bravely, FIRMLY): "It's MIZ Romano."

'70s TV Audience: *applause*

by Anonymousreply 33March 5, 2014 9:12 PM

Coming up with a slogan for ice cream using the devil angle.

by Anonymousreply 34March 12, 2014 7:33 PM

[all posts by tedious, racist idiot removed.]

by Anonymousreply 35March 12, 2014 9:05 PM

I've known a number R36. But I'm not sure hers was natural, if you know what I mean.

by Anonymousreply 36March 12, 2014 9:08 PM

Your suggestions are great, OP.

But I think Bonnie Franklin's greatest challenge was reining in all that talent, intelligence and hutzpah to fit the small screen.

Thank GOD she found other outlets for her amazing talents and skills.

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by Anonymousreply 37March 12, 2014 9:12 PM

Woody Allen and Jackie Mason are gingers.

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by Anonymousreply 38March 12, 2014 9:17 PM

Don't forget me, ladies!

by Anonymousreply 39March 12, 2014 9:25 PM

Cancer

by Anonymousreply 40March 12, 2014 9:28 PM

[all posts by tedious, racist idiot removed.]

by Anonymousreply 41March 12, 2014 9:35 PM

Bonnie was oddly privileged. She went to Beverly Hills High (one of the wealthiest high schools in the country) and then went to Smith, graduating in 1961. In those days women couldn't get in to any of the Ivies, so the Seven Sisters were considered the best and most prestigious colleges in the country for women to attend--and of them, Smith was in those days considered the very best academically. So Bonnie must have been an absolutely excellent student.

I would have killed to have seen Bonnie play Martha in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" at the Pittsburgh Public Theater in 1998. She must have been the most annoying and hateful Martha of all time. I cannot even imagine how horrible it would have been to see her do that role--so of course I wish I had seen it!

by Anonymousreply 42March 12, 2014 9:37 PM

She was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. I'm guessing that diagnosis was.

by Anonymousreply 43March 12, 2014 9:39 PM

Stealing the scenes from Ginny Wroblicki.

by Anonymousreply 44March 12, 2014 9:42 PM

Of all the actresses who were talented and funny who were the right age (and there were a number of them at the time) why the hell did Norman Lear pick Bonnie?

After the success of All in the Family, CBS kept coming to Norman Lear to ask him to create sitcoms, and he for some reason exactly had his finger on the pulse of what America wanted in the 70s, and everything he did turned to gold.

he had a weird fascination with doing TV shows about his superannoying wife Frances, who was a loud and outspoken feminist and who had a difficult relationship with their teenage daughter. So first he created "Maude" about just an outspoken feminist, and it was from the get-go an enormous #1 hit, and there he wisely cast a genius comedienne (Beatrice Arthur) in the lead role. I think he was getting his aggression out when he made "One Day at a Tome" since this time (where the relationship between the feminist and her rebellious elder daughter took center stage) he cast someone who was not funny at all but who was just deeply annoying as Ann Romano, perhaps because her annoyingness reminded him all the more of Frances.

Weirdly enough, One Day at a Time became a huge hit despite itself, mostly because what people really responded to was a TV show about a divorcee and the generation gap with her daughters: it was exactly the right time for such a show. The fact that it wasn't funny seemed to be beside the point: really, the show was more like a half-hour drama with wisecracks than a comedy.

Eventually Norman and Frances divorced and she got a HUGE divorce settlement. She used it to start Lear's Magazine, which was never really a success (though it got a lot of attention before it folded). Then she died of cancer.

by Anonymousreply 45March 12, 2014 9:44 PM

Glenn Scarapelli, who played Alex, grew up to be sort of hot. He's out and has an even hotter husband and they do very well for themselves in Sidona, Arizona. Here's a picture of them from about 10 tears ago--Glenn is on the left.

Glenn more recently seems to have had plastic surgery and his face now looks weird.

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by Anonymousreply 46March 12, 2014 9:47 PM

Veteran TV director Alan Rifkin wrote a book called "Cue the Bunny on the Rainbow." Prior to the first "ODAAT" he went to seen Bonnie Franklin in a play in LA. He couldn't believe how loud she was. As I recall, Rifkin said Bonnie's agent was the only one she would listen to...she wouldn't take any direction from him.

by Anonymousreply 47March 12, 2014 9:49 PM

Here's what Glenn looks like now. He's still handsome, I guess, but his face has an odd plastic quality to it.

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by Anonymousreply 48March 12, 2014 9:49 PM

I not only created the show but gave birth to America's greatest late in life, lesbian, sitcom mom.

by Anonymousreply 49March 12, 2014 9:50 PM

He obviously made the right choice, considering the many years this series aired.

by Anonymousreply 50March 12, 2014 9:55 PM

Probably the time when Julie was upset over Chuck having his eye on 'Trish the dish' and she had to say this line (with a straight face) "C'mon Julie, you know you're knock-out"

by Anonymousreply 51March 12, 2014 10:08 PM

Bonnie Franklin's greatest challenge; Acting

by Anonymousreply 52March 12, 2014 10:14 PM

having children who bore absolutely no resemblance to her.

by Anonymousreply 53March 20, 2014 1:57 PM

Uncrossing her teeny tiny little jew like eyes and passing for gentile.

by Anonymousreply 54March 22, 2014 5:53 AM

Julie's husband Max, played by Michael Lembeck, was sex itself.

by Anonymousreply 55March 22, 2014 6:26 AM

Her biggest acting challenge was not being distracted by Macenzie Phillip's horrendous skin

by Anonymousreply 56March 22, 2014 6:38 AM

Trying to upstage Schneider when he was holding a hand tool.

by Anonymousreply 57March 22, 2014 7:00 AM

Wondering if anyone else on here is aware that Bonnie apparently bared those giant floppy tits to a horny public's eyes in a production of FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE that I believe played the Bucks County Playhouse/Pocono Playhouse circuit in like the late '80s or early '90s? I did not see it, but I remember reading an interview with Bonnie where she discussed her feelings about getting naked on stage. Reading this interview was definitely a disturbing experience for me.

by Anonymousreply 58March 22, 2014 3:18 PM

Dear God, can you imagine that Bozo-the-clown-orannge bush?

by Anonymousreply 59March 22, 2014 3:33 PM

Get this.....YEARS ago I was contracted to design her costumes for a touring production of Annie Get Your Gun......!!!!!!!!....it never came to pass as she demanded they cut ALL the guns and Indians out of the show....dead serious.........

by Anonymousreply 60March 22, 2014 3:36 PM

Keeping the secret that Barbra over stirred the cake mix- and then remedied the dilemma by backwards stirring. Very scandalous for the time!

by Anonymousreply 61March 22, 2014 3:53 PM

Not being swallowed simultaneously by her orange bowl cut & the ginormous cowl neck of her orange sweater. She often looke like she was auditioning for "Little Shop of Citrus"

by Anonymousreply 62March 22, 2014 4:15 PM

[all posts by tedious, racist idiot removed.]

by Anonymousreply 63March 22, 2014 5:45 PM

She made such a big impact on gay men who came of age in the 70s. She seemed both admirable (outspoken, strong) and appalling (foulmouthed, violent).

by Anonymousreply 64March 22, 2014 5:50 PM

Bonnie Franklin a big impact on gay came men who came of age in the 1970s???? As a gay man who came of age in the 1970s, she had positively no impact upon me. Many gay men identified strongly with and lived vicariously through Mary Tyler Moore, Rhoda and Maude. I did. Bonnie Franklin and One Day at a Time? She was shrill and strident (not in an interesting or humorous way), her fashion sense was abysmal, She had a tacky, dumpy apartment and two rebellious daughters. How in the hell could that appeal to a gay man?

Of course, I could never stand Bonnie Franklin either. She looked like H.R. Pufnstuf with the clothes to match.

by Anonymousreply 65March 22, 2014 8:34 PM

Her crossed eyes might have been a great challenge.

by Anonymousreply 66March 22, 2014 8:41 PM

[quote]Bonnie Franklin and One Day at a Time? She was shrill and strident (not in an interesting or humorous way), her fashion sense was abysmal, She had a tacky, dumpy apartment

Well, that describes exactly 95% of Dataloungers.

by Anonymousreply 67March 22, 2014 9:11 PM

"She made such a big impact on gay men who came of age in the 70s."

I learned the value of a sturdy bra.

by Anonymousreply 68March 23, 2014 2:58 PM

[all posts by tedious, racist idiot removed.]

by Anonymousreply 69March 25, 2014 4:30 PM

Claudia Lonow should've played Barbara.

by Anonymousreply 70April 22, 2014 4:51 PM

Franklin looks like one of those women toiling in a clerical job (library, hospital, college). High IQ, but maybe because of a glass ceiling, family obligations, etc. they are relegated to cube hell.

by Anonymousreply 71April 22, 2014 8:42 PM

I voted for the plant

by Anonymousreply 72April 22, 2014 8:51 PM

What was Ann Romano's job?

I was never a fan of the show. Actually, I didn't like any shows where the characters lived in shabby homes and yelled a lot. Despised All in the Family and Sanford and Sons.

by Anonymousreply 73April 22, 2014 8:51 PM

Other: Her show never getting a full DVD release.

by Anonymousreply 74May 10, 2014 5:54 AM

Only season 1.

by Anonymousreply 75May 10, 2014 5:57 AM

Singing on pitch.

by Anonymousreply 76May 10, 2014 9:01 PM

"What was Ann Romano's job?"

I think she worked for an ad agency doing...I'm not sure. I remember an episode where she was feeling lonely, no man in her life. She invited a talented young man who had just started work at the company to her apartment to discuss "work." She makes a blatant pass at him and he's shocked. Later when everybody finds out what happened she's humiliated. Everybody finds out that she kissed him; "it was just a friendly kiss", she explains. "Most kisses are", Barbara said wisely. At the end of the show she tries to make things right and tells her boss that the young man has a great future with the company. And her boss tells her that the young man quit the company, no doubt due to the sexual harassment he endured. I'm not sure what the episode was trying to say; that women are capable of sexual harassment, too?

by Anonymousreply 77May 10, 2014 11:39 PM

[quote]I'm not sure what the episode was trying to say; that women are capable of sexual harassment, too?

That no one wanted to kiss Ann Romano ever, for any amount of money.

by Anonymousreply 78May 10, 2014 11:41 PM

[quote]Other: Her show never getting a full DVD release.

Can you imagine if it did?

"Ooh, I just got the hard-to-attain season 6: where Ann and Barbara and Ann's mom perform 'Triplets' at the nursing home! Now my collection is complete!"

by Anonymousreply 79May 10, 2014 11:43 PM

[quote] Did they ever say why Ann and her ex-husband got divorced?

She wouldn't swallow.

by Anonymousreply 80May 11, 2014 1:51 AM

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

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by Anonymousreply 81July 22, 2014 2:53 PM

Dammit Antenna TV marathon!

by Anonymousreply 82July 23, 2017 12:29 AM

Poor Bonnie gets no respect, even in death!

by Anonymousreply 83July 23, 2017 3:17 AM

Dammit Barbra!

by Anonymousreply 84May 6, 2018 6:47 PM

Any necromancers around here who could raise Bonnie from beyond the grave?

by Anonymousreply 85May 6, 2018 7:02 PM

I think she faked her death.

by Anonymousreply 86May 6, 2018 7:04 PM

Suck it bitches. And line up to BUY it.

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by Anonymousreply 87May 6, 2018 7:10 PM

Kind of funny how Mac has emerged so well off now and gets steady work apart from her counseling duties.

She is also very close with Glenn and his partner.

by Anonymousreply 88May 6, 2018 11:34 PM

She gets steady work?

by Anonymousreply 89May 7, 2018 1:13 AM

Makes sense that she faked her death.

She's still alive.

Who else would bump up this thread about this horrible, horrible woman and character.

by Anonymousreply 90May 7, 2018 2:20 PM

Her lazy eye.

by Anonymousreply 91May 7, 2018 2:23 PM

That time in the first season's opening credit when she crashes her car.

Seemed perky about it though.

by Anonymousreply 92May 7, 2018 2:59 PM

Ann Romano was always trying to have a hip conversation with the kids - by sitting on the arm of that shabby couch - with her feet (in boots) on the seat cushions. Even as a small child that seriously annoyed me.

by Anonymousreply 93May 7, 2018 3:33 PM

Bonnie Franklin and Linda Lavin, both had delusions that they were entertaining. I never understood why the audience was subjected to their tapping and singing.

by Anonymousreply 94May 7, 2018 3:36 PM

Overcoming the fact that NOBODY liked her.

by Anonymousreply 95May 7, 2018 4:41 PM

The fact she made Linda Lavin seem personable, talented, witty, and attractive.

by Anonymousreply 96May 7, 2018 4:44 PM

Her greatest challenge would seem to be, judging from her IMDb, getting work after the show ended.

by Anonymousreply 97May 7, 2018 4:45 PM

Getting her show released on DVD. They gave up after season one!

by Anonymousreply 98May 7, 2018 4:49 PM

Coming to terms with the fact that even many fans (all dozen of them) favorite season the is the final one, where she’s featured less prominently.

by Anonymousreply 99May 7, 2018 4:51 PM

Given the fact she died from pancreatic cancer I’d be tempted to go with that, but I’ll say her lack of Emmy recognition.

To my knowledge they never even threw her a “oh you’re still on air?” win or nom.

by Anonymousreply 100May 7, 2018 4:54 PM

Those not particularly high high notes in A Wonderful Guy.

by Anonymousreply 101May 7, 2018 4:56 PM

That post-incest revelation Mack Phillips has gotten more work than she did post-ODAAT.

by Anonymousreply 102May 7, 2018 5:01 PM

Maintaining her everywoman —suited the character! — look despite the legion of Hollywood stylists, surgeons, and makeup artists at her disposal.

by Anonymousreply 103May 7, 2018 5:03 PM

Being able to crack the top five

by Anonymousreply 104May 7, 2018 5:21 PM

Her appearance on the 1978 Tony Awards, where she provided a voice over narration throughout the entire broadcast.

by Anonymousreply 105May 7, 2018 8:41 PM

Norman Lear was the worst thing to ever happen to civilization.

I swear that man brought out the worst in people everywhere by their desire to watch his shows with nothing but screaming obnoxious people.

God's punishment to the human race for all its sins.

by Anonymousreply 106May 7, 2018 9:09 PM

Pity Ann Romano. Living in Indianapolis is a huge fucking challenge.

by Anonymousreply 107May 7, 2018 9:53 PM

Containing all that spunk of hers to such small, small dinner theatre venues once ODAAT ended.

by Anonymousreply 108May 8, 2018 2:54 PM

R106 is Truly Tender to the Touch

by Anonymousreply 109May 8, 2018 2:58 PM

[quote] That post-incest revelation Mack Phillips has gotten more work than she did post-ODAAT.

She's appeared on a few eps of the new ODAAT (not as Julie)

by Anonymousreply 110May 8, 2018 2:59 PM

Getting wop on her feet.

by Anonymousreply 111May 8, 2018 3:04 PM

" Getting wop on her feet. "

I thought such anti-Italian slurs had died out by that time, but no.

by Anonymousreply 112May 8, 2018 3:05 PM

Too bad Ol' Bonnie's not alive to make an appearance. She'd make the rest of the cast seem good by comparison. She could've played a dewy-eyed, tap-dancing ICE agent.

by Anonymousreply 113May 8, 2018 3:07 PM

Failing to trend on Twitter when she died.

by Anonymousreply 114May 8, 2018 3:09 PM

Glenn Scarpelli's upcoming #MeToo revelations against her.

by Anonymousreply 115May 8, 2018 3:09 PM

Getting that production of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, which she demanded contain no guns or Indians, off the ground.

by Anonymousreply 116May 8, 2018 3:22 PM

Recovering from the controversy that was that Tony Awards show her network turned into a vehicle for her.

by Anonymousreply 117May 8, 2018 3:29 PM

Remembering that monologue from the episode where she turns 36. It went on forever. It just felt like it.

by Anonymousreply 118May 8, 2018 3:44 PM

Goin' thru life with bli--

Oh, wait. That wasn't her.

by Anonymousreply 119May 8, 2018 3:51 PM

R113 Funny, since the new show is, by far, even better than the old one.

by Anonymousreply 120May 8, 2018 4:19 PM

[quote]She'd make the rest of the cast seem good by comparison.

[quote]Funny, since the new show is, by far, even better than the old one.

Faint praise. The original was truly awful. I'd rather listen to twenty-five minutes of knuckle-cracking than the (non)-talents of Ehmm-Ezzz Franklin.

by Anonymousreply 121July 6, 2018 1:40 PM

I bet Bonnie's spinning in her grave that the remake's been renewed for a third season.

by Anonymousreply 122July 10, 2018 1:42 PM

Her greatest challenge was trying to get the stink out of her pantyhose.

by Anonymousreply 123July 10, 2018 1:43 PM

How much of what people now disdain about Ann Romano is the result of Franklin's interpretation? How much of it was carried over from the way Whitney Blake created her? How much was due to Norman Lear always pushing for in-your-face delivery and situations?

by Anonymousreply 124July 10, 2018 1:57 PM

This may be the best poll in the entire history of datalounge.

by Anonymousreply 125July 10, 2018 2:44 PM

Sitting on the seat of a couch instead of the arm.

by Anonymousreply 126July 11, 2018 11:05 AM

Working with Mackenzie Phillips.

by Anonymousreply 127July 11, 2018 6:30 PM

The poor workmanship of her apartment and its building, that necessitated the employment of a full-time handyman.

by Anonymousreply 128July 12, 2018 12:07 PM

Trying to get the producers to include showcases for her "talents".

by Anonymousreply 129July 12, 2018 12:08 PM

Schneider was borderline DOABLE.

by Anonymousreply 130July 12, 2018 12:11 PM

Trying to disguise the seething rivers of rage that ran through her when Mary Louise Wilson was on camera on *her* show.

by Anonymousreply 131July 12, 2018 12:13 PM

Attempting to surpass that bafflingly fawning reviews she somehow received for APPLAUSE.

by Anonymousreply 132July 12, 2018 12:15 PM

R127, Bonnie worked with Lauren Bacall in Applause, which would have prepared her to work with anyone.

by Anonymousreply 133July 12, 2018 12:16 PM

Regarding the "One Day at a Time" reboot:

Mackenzie Phillips has appeared in 3 episodes.

Valerie Bertinelli hasn't appeared in any episodes.

Michael Lembeck (Max) directed 1 episode.

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by Anonymousreply 134July 12, 2018 12:58 PM

Overcoming comparisons to Justina Machurro.

by Anonymousreply 135July 12, 2018 1:13 PM

r134, Mackenzie Phillips looks really good.

It would be amazing if Mackenzie and Valerie would appear in an episode together.

by Anonymousreply 136July 12, 2018 2:32 PM

Valerie had Mackenzie as a guest on her cooking show.

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by Anonymousreply 137July 12, 2018 3:01 PM

It was probably challenging trying to get the BO out of those horrid cowl neck sweaters.

by Anonymousreply 138July 12, 2018 3:06 PM

It's still not too late for Valerie and Mack to do a tasteful nude pictorial together...

by Anonymousreply 139July 12, 2018 4:58 PM

Unfunny, dour main character? Hello!

by Anonymousreply 140July 12, 2018 11:00 PM

Continuing in that performance of "Frankie and Johnny in Clair de Lune" after several audience members threw up.

by Anonymousreply 141July 13, 2018 1:44 PM

The ODAAT filming shcedule, which dragged on (notably to Mary Louise Wilson's objections) due to Bonnie's demands that the other actors be present for her reactions in close-ups.

by Anonymousreply 142July 13, 2018 1:50 PM

Not finding employment anyway. Wasn't she an advertising executive with no prior experience, college, connections, time in the industry, likability, and little demonstrable work ethic or talent.

Well, it was the '70s.

by Anonymousreply 143July 13, 2018 1:52 PM

Trying to pretend to be happy as she saw Valerie Bertinelli and Pat Harrington win Golden Globes and an Emmy respectively.

by Anonymousreply 144July 13, 2018 1:54 PM

The time-slot changes.

by Anonymousreply 145July 13, 2018 1:55 PM

Living long enough to see her show that as successful as many fondly remember '70s sitcoms become almost totally forgotten once it went off air.

by Anonymousreply 146July 13, 2018 1:56 PM

Her dumpy frame.

by Anonymousreply 147July 13, 2018 1:56 PM

Does anyone here think Schneider was doable?

by Anonymousreply 148July 13, 2018 2:57 PM

Hells Yeah!

by Anonymousreply 149July 13, 2018 2:58 PM

R148 Sorta in the beginning.

by Anonymousreply 150July 13, 2018 3:03 PM

R134 that may be because Val could probably get a much higher per-ep fee than Mack. Val really is the one who had the showbiz longevity, with her miniseries, other scripted series including HOT IN CLEVELAND, her cooking series, spokesperson gigs, her bestselling books and celeb marriage.

by Anonymousreply 151July 13, 2018 3:34 PM

Joseph Campanella who played Bonnie Franklin's ex husband on the show-something tells me he was VERY WELL HUNG. Michael Lembeck who played Mackenzie Philips husband on the show- I betcha he was WELL HUNG too.

by Anonymousreply 152July 13, 2018 4:19 PM

Well, Miss R152, if your sixth sense says so, why, it's as good as gospel!

by Anonymousreply 153July 13, 2018 6:48 PM

I just *know* that one of you bitches purchased THIS and framed it for your parlor wall:

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by Anonymousreply 154July 13, 2018 7:22 PM

Thank you 153.

by Anonymousreply 155July 13, 2018 7:44 PM

Someone earlier in the thread said that Bonnie Franklin/Ann Romano didn't look Italian at all. Agreed. Her mother( Nanette Fabray)looked like a Mayflower WASP and I guess she was supposed to be Italian too.

by Anonymousreply 156July 13, 2018 7:48 PM

Actually the Norman Lear formula worked great for a few shows: "All in the Family" got the entire country talking, as did "Maude"; and Maude Findley was a hilarious creation, and Edith and Archie Bunker unforgettable ones. "The Jeffersons" could also be really funny sometimes too.

"One Day at a Time" and "Good Times" were not nearly so funny, but they were both groundbreaking: there had never been a show before about poorer African-Americans actually starring all African-Americans ("Beulah" doesn't count since she was the only black character on the show, and "Julia" was very middle-class). "One Day at a Time" was ground-breaking because there had never been a show starring a divorced mother raising kids (Vivian Vance was a divorced mother on "the Lucy Show," but she didn't talk much about being divorced and she wasn't the star). And it was much more of a drama than a comedy--in fact, it sort of paved the way for later "dramedies" that were much more high-toned, like "The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd") . It was wildly unrealistic (Anne Romano didn't look Italian-American at all, and how she got that job was never explained--and the father of Julie and Barbara was never around ever when they were high school students, which wasn't really explained), and her character was deeply annoying, but it was deeply watchable until Mackenzie Phillips's Julie left the first time. She generated tons of drama--Valerie Bertinelli 's Barbara was so well adjusted that except for a few memorable episodes (such as the one where she pretends to be on the Pill, which seems to be the episode everyone remembers the most except for the one where Alex smashes the plant--it's always the episodes where Ann became physically violent that stick out most in the mind!) she wasn't very interesting despite her cuteness.

by Anonymousreply 157July 13, 2018 7:54 PM

R154

Bonnie's greatest challenge: Getting her cheques to sell for more than she made them out for.

by Anonymousreply 158July 14, 2018 12:16 PM

Passing for a teenager on Gigdet.

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by Anonymousreply 159July 14, 2018 12:19 PM

...And The Musters:

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by Anonymousreply 160July 14, 2018 12:21 PM

aka "The Munsters".

by Anonymousreply 161July 14, 2018 12:23 PM

r159 r160 She was kind of cute when she was younger. She hit the wall hard as she got older.

by Anonymousreply 162July 14, 2018 12:28 PM

At the 1970 Theatre World Awards, with Bacall and her then lover Len Cariou, a fellow TWA recipient.

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by Anonymousreply 163July 14, 2018 12:29 PM

R162, Some say she was pushed.

by Anonymousreply 164July 14, 2018 12:30 PM

WTF?

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by Anonymousreply 165July 14, 2018 12:33 PM

I get a slight lesbian vide from Bonnie Franklin. She generally had short hair over the many decades.

by Anonymousreply 166July 14, 2018 12:34 PM

Maintaining her position as star of ODAAT. Mack could outact her by a mile, Scheidner probably got too many laughs for her liking, and Val was too pretty be believable as her daughter.

by Anonymousreply 167July 14, 2018 12:35 PM

Having to wear that awful 'do to Hollywood events must've been a challenge. Did she cut it herself?

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by Anonymousreply 168July 14, 2018 12:36 PM

[quote]At the 1970 Theatre World Awards, with Bacall and her then lover Len Cariou, a fellow TWA recipient.

Welcome to the theater! Now get the fuck out, you talentless little bitch!

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by Anonymousreply 169July 14, 2018 5:03 PM

The picture at R160 looks like Travolta.

by Anonymousreply 170July 14, 2018 10:01 PM

R159: That's Barbara (Seagull) Hersey in the shot with Bonnie

by Anonymousreply 171July 14, 2018 10:19 PM

Managing to shoehorn all of her character choices -- the limp wrist on hip, the gum flapping and knowing eye roll, the overdone exasperated sigh before giving Julie/Barbara/Alex advice, the quick turn then stage jog to the door -- into as many scenes as possible.

by Anonymousreply 172July 15, 2018 4:37 PM

I'm a single mother her damn best

by Anonymousreply 173July 16, 2018 6:34 PM

*doing*

by Anonymousreply 174July 17, 2018 8:45 PM

Bump. Good thread.

by Anonymousreply 175September 16, 2018 3:52 PM

I remember a friend of mine calling shrill characters in sitcoms "Ann" characters.

by Anonymousreply 176September 16, 2018 3:53 PM

PHoto of Mack in R134,

there should have been a trigger warning:

Former acne pocked 70s sitcom star has suffered the effects of gravity.

by Anonymousreply 177September 16, 2018 3:55 PM

R54, just curious why the fuck are anti-Jewish comments acceptable on DL?

by Anonymousreply 178September 16, 2018 3:57 PM

The ep where Ann kisses "Craig" inappropriately was actually one of the stronger eps of ODAAT.

Very interesting that he just flat out quits the job.

Doesn't go to HR, doesn't file a lawsuit.

I remember that Ann's boss who calls her "M S Romano" scolds her that she was wearing a low cut blouse and tight slacks when Craig came to her apartment to work.

Ann: Were they tight? Ok. So I gained a few pounds. Is it a crime to gain few pounds?

Boss: If it were, my wife would be in prison for life.

Or some such nonsense, Normally the boss's stupid quips were just that, really stupid, but in this case, the stupid joke was actually funny b/c it allowed the audience to take a break from the very serious issue of Ann making an inappropriate pass at her junior colleague.

by Anonymousreply 179September 16, 2018 4:02 PM

The jog to the door was the absolute worst.

What was BF thinking?

by Anonymousreply 180September 17, 2018 1:44 AM

Fighting off corruption in the Ukraine.

by Anonymousreply 181November 21, 2019 9:07 PM

Looking nothing like any of her blood relatives?

by Anonymousreply 182June 23, 2020 1:08 PM

I love the coalescence around 'Being funny and unlikable...'

I remember when this thread was first made!

by Anonymousreply 183June 23, 2020 1:10 PM

Exhaling loudly and blowing her hair up over her head after slamming the door on whoever was just in her apartment aggravating the shit out of her.

by Anonymousreply 184June 23, 2020 1:19 PM

Judging by her reaction, being called 'Mrs' when she took her car to the shop.

by Anonymousreply 185June 23, 2020 1:21 PM

Interior design

by Anonymousreply 186June 23, 2020 1:21 PM

[quote]Interior design

That speaks to both Ann's apartment and Bonnie's real house in (I think) Montecito.

by Anonymousreply 187June 23, 2020 1:22 PM

Lack of syndication royalties.

by Anonymousreply 188June 23, 2020 1:23 PM

Reduced appearances in the final season due to budget cuts.

by Anonymousreply 189June 23, 2020 1:23 PM

Stephen Sondheim writing that letter to the TONYs scolding them for cutting awards from the live show to include prolonged internal monologues from Bonnie.

by Anonymousreply 190June 23, 2020 1:25 PM

Finding a hairstyle that suited her.

by Anonymousreply 191June 23, 2020 1:26 PM

Having to work with a sky-high Mackenzie Phillips.

by Anonymousreply 192June 23, 2020 1:26 PM

Her lazy eye, which necessitated daily naps when filming.

by Anonymousreply 193June 23, 2020 1:27 PM

Having to eat those overmixed cookies.

by Anonymousreply 194June 23, 2020 1:27 PM

Fluttering her eyelids/rolling her eyes constantly. The fluttering eyelids were the worst.

by Anonymousreply 195June 23, 2020 1:39 PM

She was a very mannered actress.

by Anonymousreply 196June 23, 2020 1:40 PM

Achieving the perfect blend of laughing and crying.

by Anonymousreply 197June 23, 2020 4:22 PM
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