I think McLean Stevenson's post-M*A*S*H career was cursed... - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 11-26-2007, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Nothing. But when you've got a great gig like Cheers, you hold onto it as long as you can! She could have done Cheers and done movies during the off season from the show.

I just think after years of struggle trying to find stardom, she should have held onto her meal ticket and done movies on the side. Instead, she ended up without stardom and a dismal movie career.

I must admit that Troop Beverly Hills is still both a guilty pleasure and a soft spot. It reminds me of my days as a Girl Scout.

Dr. Thong · 11-27-2007, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I must admit that Troop Beverly Hills is still both a guilty pleasure and a soft spot. It reminds me of my days as a Girl Scout.

Her movie career started fairly promising, but it seemed like once she'd finally left Cheers, that was pretty much it. Michael J. Fox could have easily left Family Ties around 1986, as Back To The Future made him a major film star, but he stayed with the show through its entire run and still appeared in successful feature films.

Mr. Television · 11-27-2007, 07:26 PM

You notice David Caruso has learned his lesson. He left NYPD Blue looking for movie stardom and when he flopped he returned to TV in CSI: Miami. I haven't heard a peep out of him since that show premiered.

Jude The Obscure · 02-17-2008, 12:46 AM

Actually David Caruso came back to TV for CBS in a series called "Michael Hayes", a one season wonder, before getting the CSI gig.

As for McLean, do you think NBC could not have kept Hello, Larry going for another season? Not as if NBC's fortunes were greatly improving at that point.

TVFactFan · 02-17-2008, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude86

Actually David Caruso came back to TV for CBS in a series called "Michael Hayes", a one season wonder, before getting the CSI gig.

As for McLean, do you think NBC could not have kept Hello, Larry going for another season? Not as if NBC's fortunes were greatly improving at that point.

I haven't found the ratings for Hello Larry yet like I did for most short-lived shows

Jude The Obscure · 02-17-2008, 12:52 AM

What was the timeslot for HL during its second season? Was it at that time displaced by FOL behind Diff'rent Strokes?

TVFactFan · 02-17-2008, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude86

What was the timeslot for HL during its second season? Was it at that time displaced by FOL behind Diff'rent Strokes?

aired on wednesday nights at 9:30pm after Different strokes

Jude The Obscure · 02-17-2008, 01:03 AM

hmmmmmmm, you would think it would have still been enough of a followup hit to get renewed. Or perhaps NBC knew it would be better to invest in a show that truly had a DS legacy, Facts of Life?

TVFactFan · 02-17-2008, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude86

hmmmmmmm, you would think it would have still been enough of a followup hit to get renewed. Or perhaps NBC knew it would be better to invest in a show that truly had a DS legacy, Facts of Life?

It's a shame those crossovers with DS didn't help at all. There were 3 crossovers, 1 in Portland and 2 in NYC

Jude The Obscure · 03-06-2008, 06:37 PM

I also admit to watching McClean's ABC sitcom, "Condo"

Dr. Thong · 03-06-2008, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude86

I also admit to watching McClean's ABC sitcom, "Condo"

I remember seeing a couple episodes myself. It co-starred Luis Avalos from The Electric Company. It was so long ago, I don't remember if it was good or bad.

Mr. Television · 03-06-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

I remember seeing a couple episodes myself. It co-starred Luis Avalos from The Electric Company. It was so long ago, I don't remember if it was good or bad.

I enjoyed it very much. It was paired with Bea Arthur's Amanda's which I did not like.

Dr. Thong · 03-06-2008, 06:57 PM

I remember reading an interview with McLean Stevenson in the early '80s where he said that if M*A*S*H did an episode where Henry Blake turned up alive at the 4077th, his body having been found floating in the sea of Japan with a pound of kelp up his nose, he'd have done it.

In other words..."I screwed up."

needles1987 · 03-06-2008, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

I remember reading an interview with McLean Stevenson in the early '80s where he said that if M*A*S*H did an episode where Henry Blake turned up alive at the 4077th, his body having been found floating in the sea of Japan with a pound of kelp up his nose, he'd have done it.

In other words..."I screwed up."

I'd agree with McLean. But the show would jump the shark if that happened.

rusty spike · 07-12-2022, 10:54 AM

I think he rubbed people the wrong way and I'm not sure if it was intentional or not.

Mind you this is based on his "celebrity" appearances from Match Game where I believe McLean played himself. He seemed to go out of his way to act obnoxious.

I think there was one part in the game where the winning contestant spun a wheel and McLean was landed to answer the Super Match. I think the match was (blank) cake.

I think the woman contestant mentioned that someone in her life just had a birthday so her answer was - birthday.

And McLean wrote rake and rambled something about needing to clean up his yard. Gene Rayburn chewed him out, but McLean acted like he was out of it.

I'm wondering if he appeared to be unlikeable at times.

11-27-2007, 07:26 PM	#18
Mr. Television 20 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 61,812	You notice David Caruso has learned his lesson. He left NYPD Blue looking for movie stardom and when he flopped he returned to TV in CSI: Miami. I haven't heard a peep out of him since that show premiered.
	__________________ Sonny

02-17-2008, 12:46 AM	#19
Jude The Obscure Retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,476	Actually David Caruso came back to TV for CBS in a series called "Michael Hayes", a one season wonder, before getting the CSI gig. As for McLean, do you think NBC could not have kept Hello, Larry going for another season? Not as if NBC's fortunes were greatly improving at that point.

02-17-2008, 12:52 AM	#21
Jude The Obscure Retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,476	What was the timeslot for HL during its second season? Was it at that time displaced by FOL behind Diff'rent Strokes?

02-17-2008, 01:03 AM	#23
Jude The Obscure Retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,476	hmmmmmmm, you would think it would have still been enough of a followup hit to get renewed. Or perhaps NBC knew it would be better to invest in a show that truly had a DS legacy, Facts of Life?

03-06-2008, 06:37 PM	#25
Jude The Obscure Retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,476	I also admit to watching McClean's ABC sitcom, "Condo"

03-06-2008, 06:57 PM	#28
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,389	I remember reading an interview with McLean Stevenson in the early '80s where he said that if MAS*H did an episode where Henry Blake turned up alive at the 4077th, his body having been found floating in the sea of Japan with a pound of kelp up his nose, he'd have done it. In other words..."I screwed up."

07-12-2022, 10:54 AM	#30
rusty spike Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 08, 2015 Location: Southwest Posts: 891	I think he rubbed people the wrong way and I'm not sure if it was intentional or not. Mind you this is based on his "celebrity" appearances from Match Game where I believe McLean played himself. He seemed to go out of his way to act obnoxious. I think there was one part in the game where the winning contestant spun a wheel and McLean was landed to answer the Super Match. I think the match was (blank) cake. I think the woman contestant mentioned that someone in her life just had a birthday so her answer was - birthday. And McLean wrote rake and rambled something about needing to clean up his yard. Gene Rayburn chewed him out, but McLean acted like he was out of it. I'm wondering if he appeared to be unlikeable at times.