This episode is a little eerie to watch, realizing what was about to happen to Barbara Colby. It's not unlike watching Dorothy Kilgallen's final appearance on What's My Line. At any rate, I forgot how this show had it's laugh out loud moments.
Ms. Leachman made playing Phyllis Lindstrom look effortless [indeed there were probably many who thought she might be a bit like this in real life], but such 'effortlessness' is almost always the sign of formidable talent, - evident here in these episodes. Leachman intuitively understood the camp pathos behind Phyllis (and the buffoonery in us all) and, via her signature gift for timing, delivered a tour de force, turning what might merely have been a one note narcissistic bitch supporting character on MTM into a cultural icon.
What a great show, I had no idea Phyllis had a spinoff of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, only Rhoda which I love, Im enjoying these episodes, thank you for sharing.
Cloris mentioned on more than one occasion that dealing with the death of Barbara Colby was one of the most difficult deaths she'd ever dealt with, and she had a lot of them, including one of her own children who died at age 29.
She was killed with a single shot, no warning, no provocation, apparently by 2 gang members. It could have been some kind of initiation into the gang, but I wonder whether they checked on her estranged husband and whether he might have hired the killer. Her boyfriend James Kiernan was able to provide some info before he died from the same incident. Generally a killer would ensure the man was dead if 1) he wanted to kill them both or 2) the man was the primary target. Nothing was stolen. So maybe Barbara was the target. Or maybe the killer who shot her was more experienced than he other. The police said it appeared ro be a random attack.
Jimmy Burrows (who directed and acted in this episode), and one of the greatest comedy directors in history, mentioned that Cloris was always a challenge to work on "Phyllis" with because she wanted to try every scene like five different ways. There wasn't time to do that, obviously!
@@travisjames1437 Thank you Travis. You are 100% Correct. I'm sorry I mispoke. Mother Dexter's first episode was Season 1, Episode 7, Leaving Home. Enjoy the show!
Jane Rose.... I remember there was a time when I was not wild about her performances. I always thought she was overly broad as Audrey. As time has gone by, I appreciate her more and more. She could be funny. I think she eventually got a "Best Mother-in-law" award, very posthumously. Henry Jones outlived her by 20 years, sadly enough. She died not long after Phyllis ended. Mother Dexter (Judith Lowry) died in 1976, Jane died in 1979, and Lisa Gerritsen retired from acting completely after the final episode aired in 1977.
Barbara Colby: comedic talent! It's wonderful to see the great chemistry between her and Cloris Leachman. But so TACKY! Poor Barbara Colby didn't even get a one-line tribute at the end, such as, "in loving memory of our friend, Barbara Colby" after her life was so brutally cut short." I know Cloris tried, and recorded a tribute but the network nixed it.
He kissing her like that was a violation of her personal space or boundaries . As individuals, we each need three feet of space. Cloris ( an unusual name)) & Barbara were very talented actors. 🙏 to both.
Rest in peace Barbara and friend. We liked her so much and were SO disappointed when she was off the show. I don't recall if we knew the reason why--we were pretty young, and no internet. My parents probably knew but didn't say. She and a friend were shot in a parking lot after leaving an acting class, and her companion managed to tell police he didn't know the two assailants, before he died. One person would be a nut, two people says to me it was a hit job. The crime remains unsolved.
Barbara Colby’s death really put a dark cloud over the show. I think them changing the format during the 2nd season also affected the show. They obviously tried to avoid adding younger cast members to detract from Cloris’s age. She looked like a million bucks but she was playing a mature character with a grown daughter and she needed a strong supporting and consistent cast and the constant turnover hurt the show.
@@jtinamanSadly, (IMHO) Audrey, Leo, and Jonathan just weren’t likable neither were the entire Season 02 additions. Harriet was a poor man’s Rhoda. Odd that Bess was so underused. Liz Torres tried her best, but it was an impossible task to replace Colby.
This is funny, but stupid. Lars cheated on Phyllis at least once (Sue Ann Nivens) or even 2 or 3 times, yet she thinks having a fling, or whatever, would sully what she had with her now dead husband? Yes, woman are definitely a different species altogether than men.
Oh to make comedy today such as this!! WITHOUT fake laugh track!! Hilarious show!!!!!
An amazingly funny Funny show! Loved it!!!
This episode is a little eerie to watch, realizing what was about to happen to Barbara Colby. It's not unlike watching Dorothy Kilgallen's final appearance on What's My Line.
At any rate, I forgot how this show had it's laugh out loud moments.
RIP Cloris 📺
Ms. Leachman made playing Phyllis Lindstrom look effortless [indeed there were probably many who thought she might be a bit like this in real life], but such 'effortlessness' is almost always the sign of formidable talent, - evident here in these episodes. Leachman intuitively understood the camp pathos behind Phyllis (and the buffoonery in us all) and, via her signature gift for timing, delivered a tour de force, turning what might merely have been a one note narcissistic bitch supporting character on MTM into a cultural icon.
Well put.
What a great show, I had no idea Phyllis had a spinoff of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, only Rhoda which I love, Im enjoying these episodes, thank you for sharing.
I agree
Thanks for posting Phyllis! Comedy timing, a real and unique pro!!! Thanks Cloris will enjoy binging- spending time with you
Cloris mentioned on more than one occasion that dealing with the death of Barbara Colby was one of the most difficult deaths she'd ever dealt with, and she had a lot of them, including one of her own children who died at age 29.
Barbara Colby was once the daughter-in-law of Ethel Merman. Colby was a wonderful performer who got cut down long before her time. RIP.
This was her last episode.
@@brianphillips1374 thankyou I didn't know that. I loved her in MTM show
She was killed with a single shot, no warning, no provocation, apparently by 2 gang members. It could have been some kind of initiation into the gang, but I wonder whether they checked on her estranged husband and whether he might have hired the killer.
Her boyfriend James Kiernan was able to provide some info before he died from the same incident. Generally a killer would ensure the man was dead if 1) he wanted to kill them both or 2) the man was the primary target. Nothing was stolen. So maybe Barbara was the target. Or maybe the killer who shot her was more experienced than he other.
The police said it appeared ro be a random attack.
He also was MARY RICHARDS lawyer when she charged with contempt of court.
Jane Rose was the BEST!!!!!
Thank you for sharing, Mr. Hunt.
i used to live for this show.
Never even new this show existed, it is hilarious.
: )--"
james borrows making cameo as phone guy. he did same on bob newhart
Thanks for that.
Audrey is a delightful character
In real-life, CL wanted an epilogue in honor of Barbara Colby (since it was her final episode), but was denied by the producers.
Really? That was very nice of Cloris. It's terrible that they didn't do it.
@@Texaslawhorn They recorded it, but never aired it. whatever happened to it, who knows?
@@travisjames1437 Hmm. That makes it even more baffling. 🤷♂️
It was denied by the network not the producers
Jimmy Burrows (who directed and acted in this episode), and one of the greatest comedy directors in history, mentioned that Cloris was always a challenge to work on "Phyllis" with because she wanted to try every scene like five different ways. There wasn't time to do that, obviously!
The late Barbara Colby and Cloris Leachman were left-handed.
apologies if someone said already said this, but James Burrow is the telephone repairman
John McMartin also played MTM's lawyer in that revealing sources case.
He looks a little like Grant Tinker.
Jerome dodged a bullet.
Where's Mother Dexter? I was just a kid, and mom said I could watch 'Phylis' which I enjoyed. And when those two met, it was comic gold!
@@brianmoore6306 No, she came in Season 01.
@@travisjames1437 Thank you Travis. You are 100% Correct. I'm sorry I mispoke. Mother Dexter's first episode was Season 1, Episode 7, Leaving Home. Enjoy the show!
Jane Rose.... I remember there was a time when I was not wild about her performances. I always thought she was overly broad as Audrey. As time has gone by, I appreciate her more and more. She could be funny. I think she eventually got a "Best Mother-in-law" award, very posthumously. Henry Jones outlived her by 20 years, sadly enough. She died not long after Phyllis ended. Mother Dexter (Judith Lowry) died in 1976, Jane died in 1979, and Lisa Gerritsen retired from acting completely after the final episode aired in 1977.
. This show was much better than Rhoda.
“Rhoda” started going downhill in Season 03. It was dreadful by the time it ended.
I never liked Joe all that much.
@@Texaslawhorn Nope. Me either.
Have to disagree on that one. Valerie Harper and Nancy Walker were comedy gold as daughter and mother...truly iconic chemistry.
@@showmebear A little of those two went a long way. When NW left the show, it went really downhill. When she returned, the show had lost “something.”
Barbara Colby: comedic talent! It's wonderful to see the great chemistry between her and Cloris Leachman. But so TACKY! Poor Barbara Colby didn't even get a one-line tribute at the end, such as, "in loving memory of our friend, Barbara Colby" after her life was so brutally cut short." I know Cloris tried, and recorded a tribute but the network nixed it.
Good for Phyllis
They guy standing next to Phyllis was in Rhoda and Mary
Lars cheated on Phyllis with Sue ann noven didnt he
Way better than the stupid and unfunny RHODA.
He kissing her like that
was a violation of her personal space or boundaries .
As individuals, we each need three feet of space.
Cloris ( an unusual name)) & Barbara were very talented actors. 🙏 to both.
Sadly, Barbara Colby was murdered, literally, just a few hours after filming this episode.
So shocking!!
Rest in peace Barbara and friend. We liked her so much and were SO disappointed when she was off the show. I don't recall if we knew the reason why--we were pretty young, and no internet. My parents probably knew but didn't say. She and a friend were shot in a parking lot after leaving an acting class, and her companion managed to tell police he didn't know the two assailants, before he died. One person would be a nut, two people says to me it was a hit job. The crime remains unsolved.
Two Weeks after, not hours.
Barbara Colby’s death really put a dark cloud over the show. I think them changing the format during the 2nd season also affected the show. They obviously tried to avoid adding younger cast members to detract from Cloris’s age. She looked like a million bucks but she was playing a mature character with a grown daughter and she needed a strong supporting and consistent cast and the constant turnover hurt the show.
@@jtinamanSadly, (IMHO) Audrey, Leo, and Jonathan just weren’t likable neither were the entire Season 02 additions. Harriet was a poor man’s Rhoda. Odd that Bess was so underused. Liz Torres tried her best, but it was an impossible task to replace Colby.
This is funny, but stupid. Lars cheated on Phyllis at least once (Sue Ann Nivens) or even 2 or 3 times, yet she thinks having a fling, or whatever, would sully what she had with her now dead husband?
Yes, woman are definitely a different species altogether than men.
Maybee chronic irrational guilt was part of Phyllis' character?
Boring inauthentic