I just watched an interview where she says that Andy Williams Aunt Cornelia taught her to play piano. Cloris thanked Cornelia Williams Hulbut in her Academey Award speech. She had so many talents. RIP sweet angel!
I never had a chance to see this show before when I was in college, I don't see why it was cancelled-- I rarely laugh out loud at sitcoms but this one is hilarious!
This show has had me in tears of laughter throughout its run. I was saddened when it was cancelled due to the unfortunate incidents that happened to the stellar cast! Love Cloris Leachman to the moon and beyond.
The show was good in the first season. Changing the work setting from the photography studio to the political office in season two was the death knell.
Cloris was an outstanding pianist and at one time, had two grand pianos. So, this was a good episode for her - one of the funniest. Jimmy Burrows (king of comedy directors), who directed this one and some others, did mention at one point that directing Cloris was always a challenge because she wanted to try everything. She'd want to do a scene like five different ways and take the one that worked the best and there was usually not time for that.
@@tjames9698 I never ever thought that Lou Grant would ever get a DVD release, and it did. I never thought Rhoda would get its 13 episode 5th season released, but it did. Of course, I am still not going to get my hopes up... If SHOUT! can release it, I really hope it wouldn't be a season 1 Rhoda situation, where a lot of the episodes were the crappy, poor quality syndicated versions. As you can tell from the video length, this episode is the syndicated version, as the usual total length is around 25:30 minutes, so I hope a DVD release does come out, or maybe if it at least get a release on iTunes or Hulu in the best resolution possible, using the original broadcast episodes.
I don't know why it never has. I'm sure it is because of sales. They just don't think it will sell well and you know, it probably would not. Phyllis was not a strong sitcom. As I've said before in many comments on here on other episodes, she needed Mary and Rhoda alongside her. Without them, it usually failed. I remember reading somewhere that Season 1 of "Mary Tyler Moore" was expected to sell like crazy. 250,000 copies were printed up, thinking that they would fly off the shelves in the stores. This was 20 years ago. Only about 50,000 of them sold fast - not bad when you think about it, that's an average of about 1,000 people in every United State buying them. I later read that after about 12 months, only 85,000 total had sold. That left another 165,000 copies that were basically "junk", floating around out there looking for buyers. They did release the rest of the seasons but VERY slowly and with very few special features after Season 1. And it was indeed Shout that finally released "Rhoda". I doubt it sold well, it's not the kind of show that would - a lot of people thought it was a bad show (not me, I LOVE it!) But I think Shout prints only small numbers or maybe it's even printed on demand (you order, we manufacture the DVDs.) "Phyllis" never even made the cut at Shout. I think it "Phyllis" actually improved in the second season - but once Judith Lowry and Burt Mustin died and Bess gets married and announces her pregnancy, well...that was it. By then the ratings were in the gutter - they were actually good for the first year. Betty White's show (not a spinoff) with Georgia Engel, "The Betty White Show" (actually it that was her fourth show of that title, there were 3 others in the 50s and 60s) - was canned after a mere half-season because it was so bad. Not even the great Betty could make it work.
I haven't seen this episode since it originally aired, and I haven't watched this video yet, but I remember character actress Ruth McDevitt was her piano teacher. And I especially remember her saying, 'Are you going to sit there until hell freezes over? 😂
Cloris was a fine pianist, she played throughout her life. I guess this was the way they felt it best to work it into a storyline, weird though it is. It's got a few good moments though...like the "Phyllis can really hold her liquor" line, that's just priceless. Ruth McDevitt was a good choice for the piano teacher...she was in so much film and TV. Remember the pet store scene at the beginning of "The Birds"? That was her. She looked about the same then!
I wonder if she’s really playing that piano piece (Paderewski’s minuet). It sure looks like it. The reason I know the piece is because I used to play it when I was younger. It takes a lot of practice, and I didn’t have time.
Does anyone know where the name Phyllis came from? Grant Tinker had a sister named Phyllis. And Lou Grant was from Grant Tinker as well. I'll bet maybe one person other than me knows Phyllis' maiden name before she married Lars. Or, maybe I'm underestimating people, there are a lot of geeks out there who know all this and more probably!
It's a shame this series didn't last longer. Top notch casting & scripts. I wonder why Beth called her mother by her first name. If that was ever explained on the "Mary Tyler Moore" show, where the characters first appeared, I must have missed it. I know that if I had a daughter or son, I wouldn't like it if they called me by my first name. But "to each his own" as they say. It takes all kinds to make a world.
BRAVO! Ms. Leachman plays a mean piano!
2:07. A masterclass in dramatic and comedic excellence, from Cloris Leachman. RIP.
Love this show, Cloris is such a class act so bloody talented 👏
I just watched an interview where she says that Andy Williams Aunt Cornelia taught her to play piano. Cloris thanked Cornelia Williams Hulbut in her Academey Award speech. She had so many talents. RIP sweet angel!
I never had a chance to see this show before when I was in college, I don't see why it was cancelled-- I rarely laugh out loud at sitcoms but this one is hilarious!
This show has had me in tears of laughter throughout its run. I was saddened when it was cancelled due to the unfortunate incidents that happened to the stellar cast! Love Cloris Leachman to the moon and beyond.
I laughed out loud! Something I rarely do with sitcoms these days.
The show was good in the first season. Changing the work setting from the photography studio to the political office in season two was the death knell.
Writing on this episode is excellent!
I'm a piano teacher.
She really was playing that piece - and well.
Paderewski’s Minuet in G
that was awesome. nothing beats MTM production values
The theme song was terrible though. Usually MTM did a great job there.
@@jeffw1267 But you have to admit Phyllis's nasty glare at the end was hilarious. IT SURE ISN'T YOOOOOOOU
@@farrellmcnulty909 agreed! The lyrics were very funny, too.
Phyllis can really play the piano and her in laws actually looked proud of her.
And do quite an arabesque.
I remember this when it was new. Would you like to sit there until hell freezes over?
Boy, does she capture the essence of a music teacher.
Thank you for posting these, George Hunt! (I remember when the "helmet head" hair-do was popular).
Cloris was an outstanding pianist and at one time, had two grand pianos. So, this was a good episode for her - one of the funniest. Jimmy Burrows (king of comedy directors), who directed this one and some others, did mention at one point that directing Cloris was always a challenge because she wanted to try everything. She'd want to do a scene like five different ways and take the one that worked the best and there was usually not time for that.
"Phyllis can really hold her liquor." I love this show, when will it come out on dvd?
Never.
Prob never, sadly. Maybe SHOUT! could do it.
@@tjames9698 I never ever thought that Lou Grant would ever get a DVD release, and it did. I never thought Rhoda would get its 13 episode 5th season released, but it did. Of course, I am still not going to get my hopes up... If SHOUT! can release it, I really hope it wouldn't be a season 1 Rhoda situation, where a lot of the episodes were the crappy, poor quality syndicated versions. As you can tell from the video length, this episode is the syndicated version, as the usual total length is around 25:30 minutes, so I hope a DVD release does come out, or maybe if it at least get a release on iTunes or Hulu in the best resolution possible, using the original broadcast episodes.
If Mary Hartman can get a DVD release, so can this.
I don't know why it never has. I'm sure it is because of sales. They just don't think it will sell well and you know, it probably would not. Phyllis was not a strong sitcom. As I've said before in many comments on here on other episodes, she needed Mary and Rhoda alongside her. Without them, it usually failed. I remember reading somewhere that Season 1 of "Mary Tyler Moore" was expected to sell like crazy. 250,000 copies were printed up, thinking that they would fly off the shelves in the stores. This was 20 years ago. Only about 50,000 of them sold fast - not bad when you think about it, that's an average of about 1,000 people in every United State buying them. I later read that after about 12 months, only 85,000 total had sold. That left another 165,000 copies that were basically "junk", floating around out there looking for buyers. They did release the rest of the seasons but VERY slowly and with very few special features after Season 1. And it was indeed Shout that finally released "Rhoda". I doubt it sold well, it's not the kind of show that would - a lot of people thought it was a bad show (not me, I LOVE it!) But I think Shout prints only small numbers or maybe it's even printed on demand (you order, we manufacture the DVDs.) "Phyllis" never even made the cut at Shout. I think it "Phyllis" actually improved in the second season - but once Judith Lowry and Burt Mustin died and Bess gets married and announces her pregnancy, well...that was it. By then the ratings were in the gutter - they were actually good for the first year. Betty White's show (not a spinoff) with Georgia Engel, "The Betty White Show" (actually it that was her fourth show of that title, there were 3 others in the 50s and 60s) - was canned after a mere half-season because it was so bad. Not even the great Betty could make it work.
I love this show. She is such a amazing actress.
Lisa Gerritsen is the champion of child actresses.
She was great. It's a shame she didn't want to continue as an adult.
Love this episode...great characters! Inspired me to learn the Minuet in G for my piano repertoire!
Paderewski, composer
I haven't seen this episode since it originally aired, and I haven't watched this video yet, but I remember character actress Ruth McDevitt was her piano teacher. And I especially remember her saying, 'Are you going to sit there until hell freezes over? 😂
Why didn't she mentioned her brother BEN and his piano career
By the moment when Phyllis had her freeze attack by the piano,I really thought that my phone lagged....
And by the ways,Lisa Guaritssen looks alike Quinn Cummings,theyre almost twins🙎🙍
Cloris was a fine pianist, she played throughout her life. I guess this was the way they felt it best to work it into a storyline, weird though it is. It's got a few good moments though...like the "Phyllis can really hold her liquor" line, that's just priceless. Ruth McDevitt was a good choice for the piano teacher...she was in so much film and TV. Remember the pet store scene at the beginning of "The Birds"? That was her. She looked about the same then!
Most casual piano students played at a studio
thanx
I wonder if she’s really playing that piano piece (Paderewski’s minuet). It sure looks like it. The reason I know the piece is because I used to play it when I was younger. It takes a lot of practice, and I didn’t have time.
Phyllis was years ahead of her time. She would have made a delightful character on the Big Bang Theory!
I never watch it.
Your right this was a well done. I been watching alot of the episodes and Great to see cloris looking young agine.
…or maybe modern television has experienced retrograde motion since then… ;)
That'd be fun.
Do you think this was the episode that was submitted when she was nominated for the Emmy this year?
Does anyone know where the name Phyllis came from? Grant Tinker had a sister named Phyllis. And Lou Grant was from Grant Tinker as well. I'll bet maybe one person other than me knows Phyllis' maiden name before she married Lars. Or, maybe I'm underestimating people, there are a lot of geeks out there who know all this and more probably!
It's a shame this series didn't last longer. Top notch casting & scripts. I wonder why Beth called her mother by her first name. If that was ever explained on the "Mary Tyler Moore" show, where the characters first appeared, I must have missed it. I know that if I had a daughter or son, I wouldn't like it if they called me by my first name. But "to each his own" as they say. It takes all kinds to make a world.
I believe she wanted to be BESS best friend .
It was explained on MTM during season 1 that they want to raise Bess as an equal, as a small adult, so Bess always called her mother Phyllis.
Cringe every time the daughter calls her "Phyllis." Lack of respect IMO.
That is what Phyllis wanted!!! MODERN world.
It was the 70's; they were trying new things lol
It was the 70s, that was the wisdom of the time. It didn’t age well lol
It's explained on season 1 of the MTM show that it was a child rearing philosophy.