I miss Shirley Hemphill. She was hilarious. R.I.P

Shirley Hemphill was one of the funniest people. Occasionally I still pick up an episode of what's happening or what's happening now, she still makes me laugh

@Quartzquiz333

Жыл бұрын

Forget Rerun, I always thought that Shirley was the breakout character from What's Happening!!

@teresapflaumer5717

Жыл бұрын

@@Quartzquiz333 Rerun was overrated. Shirley was the comedic spark of the show.

@bernadettepotenti301

Жыл бұрын

she always cracked me up rip shirley

@David-yw2lv

6 ай бұрын

Shirley and Ernest Thomas were the best ones on that show.

@Darva-sl3jh

Ай бұрын

​@@David-yw2lv and Dee. But let's not take from Rerun either.

The comedic insults between rerun and Shirley on what’s happening were absolutely hilarious.

Loved watching what’s happening in reruns as a kid in the 80’s. RIP Shirley

Shirley would've been great as a not ready for prime time player on SNL

How I loved Shirley. I remember being 12 or 13 when "What's Happening" started and she would always hold my attention, no matter what she was doing or saying.

Shirley did a great vocal on the "One In A Million" theme song! :)

@christopherramon-reid9841

Жыл бұрын

Yes!!!!! I wish she did more singing!

@Mister_Listener

5 ай бұрын

It is kind of awful but i still like it. Haha.

Thank-You for doing a tribute for Shirley Hemphill. Gone, Yet Not Forgotten.

Thank you for posting this. This is the BEST tribute I’ve seen dedicated to Shirley Hemphill’s work. I didn’t even remember her singing the theme song. An underrated talent 🙏

I never saw the show, but it looks really good to me. It seems like it was an excellent showcase for Shirley's talents and for those of the entire cast and crew. Clearly, the only reason this show didn't make it was due to inept network scheduling. It really deserved better.

Great as always. You should do one on Profit (1995). One of my top "gone too soons"

@andrewbarton2590

Жыл бұрын

Profit. Some Fox affliates almost screwed that show because of the content and Aaron Spelling was peeved because it was constantly losing the lead in audience from his Melrose Place, especially given Time and Entertainment Weekly had been full of praise to Profit and catty to Melrose Place. Not to mention Adrian Pasdar turned down the role of Jake Hanson on Melrose when it was offered to him by Spelling.

@ethansloan

Жыл бұрын

Profit was amazing.

It may be obvious why most of the shows you cover failed, but like "Square Pegs" and "Aaagh! It's the Mr. Hell Show", this one deserved better than it got. Shirley Hemphill was so naturally funny and likable that just putting her on camera would guarantee a good watch, and this video was really a nice tribute to her. RIP.

It's ironic that One in a Million got slaughtered against the number 3 network in the 1979-80 season that had NO Top 10 shows (yep, NBC). CHiPs and Little House, however, were still strong shows, top 20 (ok, I watched CHiPs in 1980). I think this sitcom could have made it if it ran on Tuesday. But of course Laverne and Shirley returned to anchor Happy Days at 8:30 and Ted Knight's new sitcom Too Close for Comfort debuted after the #1 sitcom Three's Company. I would have liked to see a full season of Shirley Hemphill's talent. R.I.P. ❤

It is a secret that have a few comfort food sitcoms and One In A Million is one of them! It’s a little campy, but Shirley is so sweet in the show. Every so often, i like to watch an episode, there are still a few i havent seen yet. Lol. I dont care as much for What’s Happening. The relationship she has with her parents in the show is nice too…the entire premise is feel good, sacchrine stuff and sometimes it is the exact warm blanket i need.

Narrator: Shirley was _the_ standout performer on What's Happening!!" . Fred "Re-Run" Berry: Hold my beer...

I remember watching "One in a Million". I liked Shirley in "What's Happening" and hoped this one would last, but back then a good time slot meant life or death. Thanks for this. P.S. - Please do "The Ropers"!

@Quartzquiz333

Жыл бұрын

The Ropers would make a good subject for Slightly Longer than 13 Week Theater. Norman Fell never wanted to do the show and was promised that he could return to Three's Company if the show was canceled within a year. The show was canceled JUST OVER a year later so ABC refused.

@PabSungenis

Жыл бұрын

Alfonzo: remember last week when I said a Patreon exclusive was on its way?

@Quartzquiz333

Жыл бұрын

Pab: I had a feeling!

@grgman8637

Жыл бұрын

240-Robert reruns with Mark Harmon would fill the One in a Million Saturday at 8 time slot in May of 1980 and do quite well. Unfortunately Harmon had moved on to Flamingo Road. ABC tried to capitalize on the renewed success of 240 and order new eps for March of 81...unfortunately the audience had moved on.

@andrewbarton2590

Жыл бұрын

@@grgman8637 Ironically Flamingo Road was scheduled against an ABC show, Aaron Spelling's Hart to Hart.

Richard Paul was on "Carter Country".

@Quartzquiz333

Жыл бұрын

Mayor Teddy Burnside, won by a landslide. Handle it, Roy. Handle it! Handle it! What's Happening!! and Carter Country were both from the same production company, so no surprise there.

@tomflorio7363

Жыл бұрын

He was also in the episode of WKRP as the religious dude who wants to censor the music the station plays under threat of advertiser boycott

@PabSungenis

Жыл бұрын

Richard Paul was one of the go-to character actors of the 1970’s. If you wanted pompous and self-righteous you went to him.

@blackamerican40

Жыл бұрын

@@PabSungenis Handle it Roy. Handle it, Handle it!!

@amparolopez6236

Жыл бұрын

he was also the religious zealot in "Hail to the Chief"

Good one! I have episodes of this. Shirley Hemphill (What's Happening!!) sing this show's theme song.

@Quartzquiz333

Жыл бұрын

And sings it very well, too!

I’m surprised you didn’t mention “My Buddy,” Redd Foxx’s 1979 TV sitcom pilot which had exactly the same plot, except with Foxx instead of Shirley Hemphill.

@teresapflaumer5717

Жыл бұрын

Wow, I never heard of that show! Gonna do some thorough research. Foxx did return as Fred Sanford on NBC in 1980 (Sanford). March 13 1980 to July 10 1981.

@Quartzquiz333

Жыл бұрын

@@teresapflaumer5717 Sanford. No Lamont, no bueno.

Either way, I loved Angie. Now that was a good series. It had a good cast with Robert Hayes and Donna Pescow and the wonderful Doris Roberts and Debralee Scott. The series was a good solid show and had a heartwarming side to it

@teresapflaumer5717

Жыл бұрын

And the theme song "Different Worlds" from Maureen McGovern was a Billboard top 30 hit.

@Quartzquiz333

Жыл бұрын

@@teresapflaumer5717 For many years the theme from Angie was the only thing I remembered about the show...and I saw it every week when I was a kid!

@gaywizard2000

Жыл бұрын

I only remember the balloons right now!

@someguy23475

10 ай бұрын

Angie’s problem was the show kept changing. The house, jobs, lifestyle, etc. That’s a lot for a season and a half. They shouldn’t have married her so soon.

One in a million aired one week before I was born! This show seems awesome. Shirley is hilarious.

CHiPs was also the timeslot killer for Rhoda when CBS shifted that to Saturday too.

@Quartzquiz333

Жыл бұрын

Didn't do Good Times any favors, either. The only reason that show got another season was because Norman Lear brokered a deal with CBS so that Good Times could get more episodes for its eventual syndication package. Meanwhile Rhoda tanked hard at its new Saturday time slot (The unpopular divorce from the previous season didn't help matters AT ALL), getting canceled in the middle of its fifth season with four episodes left unaired. It ended up ranked 95 out of 114 shows that season.

@andrewbarton2590

Жыл бұрын

@@Quartzquiz333 Speaking of Rhoda's divorce - in addition to the ratings slump to add on this ,David Groh, aka Joe received hate mail from angry viewers. Surprised he got that when James L Brooks, who initiated the whole storyline got a free pass.

@teresapflaumer5717

Жыл бұрын

@@andrewbarton2590 in 1974 "Rhoda's" writers were "encouraged" by CBS head of programming Fred Silverman to get Rhoda and Joe married early in the series. The 2 part Wedding episode was a ratings blockbuster (over 50 million viewers), but hurt the series in the long run, as Brooks ran out of comedic situations for Harper. That's why he painfully decided to get Rhoda and Joe divorced because Brooks felt Rhoda would be funnier as a single woman. That had a severe backlash, especially on poor David Groh (fans sent concerning letters to the fictional couple while others sent mean letters to Groh). Despite Rhoda rebounding in season 4 with Nancy Walker's return, it was axed halfway into season 5 (CHiPs did kill it). Groh was given a lame CBS sitcom called "Another Day" with Joan Hackett which lasted only 4 episodes (April 8- April 28 1978) and his character played a sexist ( very bad role after becoming a target of hatred on Rhoda). I wish Brooks ignored Silverman's demands and kept Rhoda single for the 1st season.

Thanks so much! Another great episode!

We need this series, on Blu Ray!

@Kirkvanhouten55

Жыл бұрын

It's on Crackle

Your poignant words at the end are a nice touch.

@christopherramon-reid9841

Жыл бұрын

Agreed 🙏

Omg, I do not remember something from 1980! I was probably watching Chips or Angie!?

1:23 I'll be here with Black Pride, Black Beauty and the Creature From The Black Lagoon. 🤣😂😂 I remember that episode very well.

Very good episode.

That Good Times episode was just on recently.

This show COMPLETELY escaped my notice when it was aired. I don't think she was entirely happy on the set of "What's Happening!!". During a reunion of the cast on the Phil Donahue, she was her usual outgoing self, but she said that was groped on the set by some of the male cast members.

The theme song along is enough for me to say I would have watched the heck out of this show!

If there are anymore live Norman Lear specials, they should do What’s Happening.

@taylordowning2533

Жыл бұрын

That would be awesome

@teresapflaumer5717

Жыл бұрын

Actually, this was created by Eric Monte & produced by Lear's former partner Bud Yorkin and his TOY Productions (Bud Yorkin-Saul Turtletaub, Bernie Orenstein), who also produced Lear's Sanford & Son.

Have you ever done a show on the barbary coast?

@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc

10 ай бұрын

William Shatner starred on the Barbary Coast.

@kevingiven3463

10 ай бұрын

not yet but I will!@@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc

I don’t remember this show, but my mom did and she thought it was a spin-off What’s Happening.

I enjoyed Shirley on What's Happening! but have no memory of this show. Watching the clips I actually laughed several times. A shame it was canceled, but as noted, Hemphill still had a successful career afterward.

It seems as though ABC didn't really give this show a chance. It had all the right ingredients for a hit show. R.I.P. Shirley Hemphill.

@teresapflaumer5717

Жыл бұрын

This sitcom is a criss between "Benson" and "Arnie". Benson had the brains while his whute counterpaets were not so smart and Arnie (CBS 1970-72) was a ling time blue collar wirker who was suddenly promoted to a executive position in his company (fish-out-of-water effect).

The odds must be, indeed, One in a Million, that the, like, one successful show on NBC at the time is the one that this poor show was up against!

I think that there could be a whole video about TV shows that failed because of bad time slots.

@Quartzquiz333

Жыл бұрын

The Associates is a very good example of this.

She was very good on What's Happening and the sequel. How would her Good Times character have been spun off? The criminal record would be a problem. Ironically, her past came back to haunt her on an episode of One in a Million. That led to her confronting a senator. Another time she said about the only thing going up like the price of gold was hamburger. The show had a catchy theme song. Richard Paul was funny on Carter Country and other series. The fat jokes on What's Happening got old. They seem even worse after the deaths of Shirley, Fred Berry, and Mabel King. Shirley once got referenced in a SNL game show sketch about Food, Sex, or Cars.

Call me cynical, but no way on Earth I'd give up 200 million 1980 U.S. dollars (Worth OVER 720 MILLION today!), principals or not. Sorry, I can only suspend disbelief so much. Let's not even mention how the stock value of a Fortune 500 company would tumble if the recently deceased CEO was replaced by a taxicab driver with ZERO corporate experience. TV is escapism, but this is TOO much!

@teresapflaumer5717

Жыл бұрын

That's show business!

@MrArgus11111

Жыл бұрын

Everyone else is a drooling idiot so her "down to earth" ideas are sure winners each time. It's godawful.

Anyone else think that was the same apartment that Mr. Kotter lived in?

@Quartzquiz333

Жыл бұрын

That set was also used on at least one episode of Chico and the Man.

@gaywizard2000

Жыл бұрын

Total Chico and the man vibes for me!

This actually looked like a good show

@mh2584

Жыл бұрын

I remember it sorry it wasn't

This is an example of a great comedic actress being given a shitty series. She was just awesome in what’s happening. Given the right Scripts and the right premise it would’ve been a success with her in it.

Shirley Hemphill is a badass to make it in show business at that time as a Black woman. Can you imagine how much hatefulness, racism, and sexism she faced?

@jcollins1305

Жыл бұрын

All that racism, sexism, whatever ism landed her a network tv show! WHEN THERE WERE ONLY 3 NETWORKS! Give me a break!

@jamesauburn

Жыл бұрын

^^^ One of those "Obama got elected, so racism doesn't exist" guys

@samuelosler1994

Жыл бұрын

She probably put up with more mean comments about her weight than anything

@samuelosler1994

Жыл бұрын

There were TONS of Black led sitcoms in the 70s and 80s (Sanford and Son, Jeffersons, Good Times, Fat Albert, What's Happening! etc), you act like she was the only Black actress on TV. It's bizarre....

there is one epi on youtube i dont think it would have made it even if it didnt have competition in the time slot lets be frank....most 80s sitcoms were duds

How about “Flo” starring Polly Holiday?

@Quartzquiz333

Жыл бұрын

Another show that's a candidate for Slightly Longer Than 13 Week Theatre. Boy, was I disappointed with the show as a kid! I LOVED Flo on Alice, her chemistry with Vic Tayback's Mel was brilliant! On her own show she was...DULL! Seems like most people felt the same was as I did. The show was number 7 in the Nielsen ratings in its first season but fell out of the Top 40 in its second, though to be fair CBS moved it around the schedule so much you'd be lucky to find it.

@christopherramon-reid9841

Жыл бұрын

@@Quartzquiz333 Yes. Her chemistry with Tayback was amazing indeed!!! On her own show, I don't think she was dull, it was the supporting characters. Btw, thanks for sharing the facts about the ratings and scheduling. I didn't know that part.

@Quartzquiz333

Жыл бұрын

@@christopherramon-reid9841 Not a problem, and you're right about Flo and the supporting characters. Poor Polly had to pretty much carry the show by herself. Still can't believe how dull the show was, I was really looking forward to it.

The tyranny of Happy Days. I mean, I was there (as a kid; I'm not THAT old), and I still don't get it. I actually preferred Laverne & Shirley because I thought Lenny and Squiggy were funnier than anything on Happy Days. Oh, whatever. I only mention it because so many interesting and possibly great shows - like THIS one - died crashing against the Gibraltar of The Fonz. America must've been in a "No! NO MORE NORMAN LEAR!" mood or something. It seems deliberate, as you imply. "No Happy Days? I'M TURNING OFF THE TV. So there! Nyah!"

Shriley Hempill was the voice of reason, and funnier.

Now to be fair, on Happy Days didn't Ron Howard leave during the 1980 season and the show was never the same? Also, the Ropers; hopefully a future episode just like Sydney and Wizards and Warriors, first premiered on Sundays against 60 Minutes. So, around 1980, ABC had several messes on their hands. The only savior was the silly adult themed comedy: Three's Company. Of course, later that year, Suzanne Somers would get the boot for asking for more money. I was 12 when all this happened and know firsthand.

@teresapflaumer5717

Жыл бұрын

ABC moving Laverne & Shirley out of Tuesday night 8:30 and onto Friday at 8 was a disaster (as L&S never ranked below #2 in the Nielsens before 79-80). It returned to its original slot in 80-81 but the ratings were never the same (the move to Hollywood sucked).

@andrewbarton2590

Жыл бұрын

Cindy Williams quit Laverne and Shirley later to add. Before the show was cancelled, Penny Marshall was happy to commit to another season, but wanted the production of the show moved to NYC from LA. ABC, citing cost concerns and declining ratings,refused.

@Quartzquiz333

Жыл бұрын

@Teresa Pflaumer Actually it was moved to Thursday nights at 8pm in 1979. ABC was basically trying to take over every single night of television that season, including infamously moving Mork and Mindy to Sunday nights against Archie Bunker's Place. L&S took over Mork's old time slot and got beat in the ratings by The Waltons and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century badly. The next season: Off to California. Anthony: The Ropers actually ran on Tuesday nights at 10, the same night as Three's Company. It was reran in August on Sunday nights. Then in the fall of 1979 (There's that year again!) ABC moved it to Saturday night at 8pm as part of their scheme to conquer all of television. Like One in a Million would later do it got thumped by CHiPs.

@blackamerican40

Жыл бұрын

@@Quartzquiz333 Good old Alfonzo. Always there to correct the situation.😒😏 Hey? Has Pab ever done any shows you might have suggested. Just curious!

@Quartzquiz333

Жыл бұрын

@Anthony Ogans Yes, The New Monkees and Amanda's. I'm just happy for whatever gets posted, my suggestions or not. I'm almost fifty, I saw lots of television growing up and my mind is too filled with useless knowledge.

Shirley was so funny. She died too young.

@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc

10 ай бұрын

She didn't take care of herself. She refused to lose weight and exercise.

Against the established CHiPs in the same timeslot, it was never going to succeed. Especially given CHiPs was a Top 20 show when One In A Million debuted.

@Quartzquiz333

Жыл бұрын

I first heard about One in a Million in the mid-80s and wondered how I missed that show when it originally came on. Now that I know it went against two of my sister's favorite shows, CHiPs and later Little House on the Prairie, I can easily see how.

😁 *PromoSM*

This show couldn't stand up to CHiPs? That's an assault against nature.

@Quartzquiz333

Жыл бұрын

Don't be shocked, CHiPs was quite popular for a little while.

@andrewbarton2590

Жыл бұрын

@@Quartzquiz333 Same thing with Dallas and Falcon Crest at their peak.

@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc

11 ай бұрын

The show wasn't very good.

If you want to remember her, learn how to pronounce her name. It's Hemp hill, not Hemfill.

Lousy supporting characters. As usual in these 80s sitcoms where a breakout character gets their own show. Same thing with “Flo”.

I don't get it. She seems like and awful actress to me. What was all the fuzz around her about?🤔

@Quartzquiz333

Жыл бұрын

Charisma and personality. People appreciate somebody that puts all their effort into what they're doing despite not necessarily being the best at what they do.