Why Was Paul Lynde Never In A Long Term TV Series?

I don't mean as a once in a while character like in Bewitched.

Wasn’t Hollywood Squares on for 63 years?

He's had a virtual afterlife as the star of a long-running series, as Roger the Alien of "American Dad."

He's basically Uncle Arthur, just expanded upon a little.

He had his own eponymous show.

R4 Also, The New Temperatures Rising Show.

R5 r4

Not long term

R4, yes he did, but it wasn't long-running (one season), and if you watch it, it's clear why.

His persona was terribly abrasive and yes, a little of it was absolutely delightful, especially when he was delivering quips or taking the piss out of someone deserving. But a lot of it was way too much.

He was in 1963’s “Bye Bye Birdie” and even though he only appeared in 11 episodes of “Bewitched,” his ‘Uncle Arthur’ character was one of the most well liked and remembered characters from that show. He had is own sitcom for one season and was THE Center Square on “The Hollywood Squares” during its original run.

R6 It depends how you take OP's question, I thought OP was asking why he was never in a regular series, instead of guest spots. Both were intended to be long-term series, they just didn't work out.

He was also known for not being very nice when he had a couple or more of drinks.

Never got the appeal of this guy. Very skeevy and unattractive. Long, terrible teeth too. You could tell he had a very nasty side to him.

I went to see Sally Kellerman's cabaret act at Studio One back in the day, and Paul was so drunk he went up on stage to kiss her and didn't take his cigarette out of his mouth.

Then there was this incident at the Sir Francis Drake in SF, in which Paul's young trick -- uh, rentboy -- sorry, I meant "platonic friend" -- fell(?) out the window to his death.

[quote]He was also known for not being very nice when he had a couple or more of drinks.

Tell me about it

I do remember from "Hollywood Squares" that Paul Lynde looked like he might have a nice hairy chest from what peeked out of his sometimes unopened shirt. Plus he was funny and had a nice smile. Yes, he was kind of cute when he was younger. My female friend who was in the chorus of kids of "Bye Bye Birdie" liked him back then, and smiled and said he was always flirting and going after the chorus boys in the cast. But her smile left her face when I asked her about Susan Watson, who played Kim.

I liked PL but my favourite game show gay was and will remain Charles Nelson Reilly.

He was totally committed to his center square.

Hollywood was very homophobic back in the day.

Bruce Vilanch discusses his show(s), including "The Paul Lynde Show", & "The Paul Lynde Halloween Special". Essentially, he was only good as an ingredient, not the main dish.

Paul Lynde. starred in the Kenly Players production of "Plaza Suite" ....performed at Memorial Hall in Dayton, Ohio during the week of July 6, 1971,,,, interviewed by Bette Rogge.......

like most fruits, he wanted a respectable role than being regulated to sheer camp. . . but he was known fruit. And overall, his acting was just so-so.

but being fruity was enough, contrary to popular belief, there's still airs to that stigma in theatre (yes, even musical theatre)... and most of hollywood still does, and now with the pc-approved label as we come full circle where now it's only pc for gay actors to play gay characters, etc.

He was a comic genius, but a very, very nasty drunk. To paraphrase Bruce Vilanch, when Paul was sober, he was pleasant. After two martinis, he was Joseph Mengele.

What was the problem with Susan (FOLLIES!) Watson, r15?

Because he was a bitter closet case. Drunk and obnoxious.

I thought Paul was hysterically funny.

I, also, never understood the appeal. He just seemed mean and not funny. His teeth look awful at R13.

A little, if any, of Paul Lynde, would go a long, long way.

He could’ve forged a whole new career, as a dramatic character actor, in the 1980s. Comedians can really act in a high drama. Robin Williams and Jackie Gleason are perfect examples.

Because he was a Gay American, and they weren't well-liked in 1965

[quote]R21: like most fruits, he wanted a respectable role than being regulated to sheer camp. . . but he was known fruit. And overall, his acting was just so-so.

Oh, dear. Oh, dear. Oh, dear. Oh, dear. Oh, dear. Oh, dear.

[quote]but being fruity was enough, contrary to popular belief, there's still airs to that stigma in theatre (yes, even musical theatre)... and most of hollywood still does, and now with the pc-approved label as we come full circle where now it's only pc for gay actors to play gay characters, etc.

Oh, dear. Oh, dear. Oh, dear. Oh, dear. Oh, dear. Oh, dear. Oh, dear. Oh, dear. Oh, dear.

R15 More Bye, Bye Birdie behind the scenes info, please!

Don't really have other than Chita Rivera and Dick van Dyke were really nice. For some reason, my friend just didn't like Susan Watson. Maybe she didn't hang out or talk much to the other kids in the cast since she was a principal.

[quote]Because he was a Gay American, and they weren't well-liked in 1965

There were gays that were successful, Rock Hudson, Raymond Burr, Jim Nabors to name but a few.

[quote]Then there was this incident at the Sir Francis Drake in SF, in which Paul's young trick -- uh, rentboy -- sorry, I meant "platonic friend" -- fell(?) out the window to his death.

Could've happened to anyone

[quote] He's had a virtual afterlife as the star of a long-running series, as Roger the Alien of "American Dad."

Roger is by far the best thing about AMERICAN DAD, which has been running on fumes for nearly a decade.

[QUOTE] There were gays that were successful, Rock Hudson, Raymond Burr, Jim Nabors to name but a few.

With the possible exception of Nabors, those men could "pass". Lynde was like a gay Christmas tree.

[quote] Because he was a bitter closet case. Drunk and obnoxious.

Bingo. He was a handful and nobody in Hollywood has time for than much high-maintenance for a potential liability.

He had a small but memorable role in Rock Hudson and Doris Day's final romcom Send Me No Flowers playing a convivial funeral director. "Don't forget your green stamps."

Don't get me started!

Was his dentist a drunk too or did he go to a dental student on their first day working?

His shows flopped. As Vilanich said, a little went a long way. he was fine as a supporting player or guest star but no more.

Love that movie, r37.

"You really enjoy your work, don't you."

"Sure do. I'm a people person."