This is an "In Memoriam" post for actress, Polly Holliday, who passed away on September 9, 20025. Ms. Holliday was probably best known for her portrayal of, "Flo," from the popular television sitcom, "Alice."
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I have three issues of TV Guide in my collection, which feature her likeness on the cover. This first one is from July of 1977.
This issue also included an article about the actress.
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The writer mentions her iconic catchphrase, "Kiss mah grits!", and compares it to Fonzie's "Sit on it!" in popularity. And now I'm wondering, are there any current TV characters (other than Bart Simpson), who have a famous catchphrase?
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This next issue is from April of 1978. The cover story article in this one was about Vic Tayback, one of the co-stars on "Alice," so I did not include it here. The cover artwork was done by famed artist, Richard Amsel, who created the covers for more than 40 issues of TV Guide, between 1972 and 1985.
Polly Holliday's character on "Alice" was an instant hit with viewers, and after four seasons, her character was "spun off" into her own series titled, "Flo." This November 1980 issue of TV Guide featured an article about her and the brand new show.
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Apparently, Warner Bros. was interested in spinning off "Flo" into her own series, after the very first season of "Alice." But it took another three years for it to actually happen.
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It sounds like the actress was pretty down-to-earth, considering that even after her success on TV, she kept her small apartments, her 1972 Chevy, and continued to shop at Pic 'N' Save!
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Of course, "Flo" was not Polly Holliday's only role as an actress. She also appeared as Betty White's sister on "The Golden Girls," and the antagonist, "Ruby Deagle," in the movie, "Gremlins." She also played the mother-in-law of "Tim "The Toolman" Taylor" on the TV show, "Home Improvement." For even more of her film and television credits, you can always check out IMDB or Wikipedia.
Rest in peace, Polly Holliday!
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4 comments:
A very nice Polly Holliday memoriam, Tokyo!. And thank you for posting the TV Guide articles; I learned a lot about Ms. Holliday from them.
I don't think I watched a single episode of "Alice" or "Flo". Maybe there was something else on a different channel at the same time. Or maybe it was because we didn't have a local CBS station during those years.
I do remember seeing her in a few other TV series and movies over the years; "Home Improvement" comes to mind (as you noted).
Thanks, Tokyo!
JB, I didn't watch "Alice" in it's first season. I guess I discovered it the following year, although I did catch up on those earlier episodes when it aired in syndication. I would say that the best of all nine seasons are the first four, which were all before Polly Holiday left the show. And the show currently airs in the evenings, on "Antenna TV".....just in case you were interested. ;-)
I watched "Alice" regularly from its debut to the end. Polly Holliday was the standout on that show for me.
I didn't realize there was a spin off though. Never watched that.
Love the TV Guide covers. Especially the one with the rose and Polly.
Nice memoriam, TM!
Ken, I agree, Polly Holliday was the standout on that show. I always wondered why Polly Holiday's replacement, Diane Ladd, only lasted one season. But there's a lot of stuff on the internet today, claiming that she majorly rubbed Linda Lavin the wrong way. I wonder if every time she showed up for work, she told Ms. Lavin, "I was in the theatrical film that your TV show is based on......AND YOU WEREN'T!"
The "Flo" spinoff was a mid-season replacement, and then it ran for one full season after that, for a total of one and a half seasons. I can't believe you missed it. Joyce Bulifant was in it! Remember her.....star of "The Happiest Millionaire"? (Bye-Yum Pum Pum!)
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