On 3/18/2018 at 3:00 AM, amybrickwallace said:

 

That's true, but if they are musical artists, I tend not to count musical/variety shows. I tend to count sitcoms and dramas, where they are out of their comfort zone.

Fair enough but I will include music/variety when aperformer renowned in that area fails to make aconnection doing what they are known for.

 

Dean Martin managed to go on to TV success with his show that captured his laidback persona and viewers loved it.

But one time partner Jerry Lewis had 2 failed TV series that couldnt adapt his frenetic style for TV.

Edited March 20, 20187 yr by Paul Raven

10 hours ago, amybrickwallace said:

I noticed that the sitcom was never brought up in her episode of Unsung.

 

Frankly, I'm shocked they found enough material to fill an entire episode.

16 minutes ago, Khan said:

 

Frankly, I'm shocked they found enough material to fill an entire episode.

 

 So mean...but accurate!

Let's be honest: Melba Moore has her fans, yes, but I don't recall her EVER setting the music charts on fire, if you know what I mean.  Which is not to say she isn't talented -- because she is -- but she's just never been that lucky.

Edited March 18, 20187 yr by Khan

Melba did much better on the R&B charts - at least one solo #1 and some hit duets with Freddie Jackson. She never made the Hot 100 - ever!! 😨

2 hours ago, amybrickwallace said:

Melba did much better on the R&B charts - at least one solo #1 and some hit duets with Freddie Jackson. She never made the Hot 100 - ever!! 😨

Far more popular in Britain, as well. A handful of Top 40 singles there. But, true, nothing extraordinary.

 

She made the Hot 100 twice, but, again, never higher than #47.

Mickey Rooney had 3 attempts at a sitcom over his long career but none of them clicked.

Edited March 20, 20187 yr by Paul Raven

He had the chance to play Archie Bunker...and turned it down!! Then the role was offered to Carroll O'Connor and and the rest is history.

Edited March 20, 20187 yr by amybrickwallace

Debbie Reynolds tried a zany Lucy type character for her sitcom.

RE: "One of the Boys" -- years ago, Dana Carvey was on some talk show (forget which one) and he talked about that show and about Mickey Rooney.  According to DC, Rooney, IRL, thought he was gay and Nathan Lane was straight, when, in actuality, it was the other way around.

On Sunday, March 18, 2018 at 2:07 AM, Paul Raven said:

Fair enough but I will include music/variety when aperformer renowned in that area fails to make aconnection doing what they are known for.

 

Dean Martin managed to go on to TV success with his show that captured his laidback persona and viewers loved it.

But one time partner Jerry Lewis had 2 failed TV series that couldnt adapt his frenetic style for TV.

 

A music star who did manage to have a successful sitcom was Reba McEntire. I do think that she deserved a much better vehicle than Reba. Her sense of humor and sharp comedic timing was easily the best part of that show.

Paul Lynde was given 2 attempts at a sitcom, trading on his popular guest star appearances on other sitcoms, variety shows and , of course Hollywood Squares.

Sean Hayes is the Paul Lynde of our generation: he can't carry a series on his own either.

Paul Lynde was also shoehorned into sitcom Temperatures Rising after his own sitcom failed. The original format of TR was well received, but they retooled it several times and changed the cast. Cleavon Little was the only original cast member kept for the entire series. Joan Van Ark was in the first season, but was let go with the retooling. The wikipedia entry is a good read about all the backstage and network antics. 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperatures_Rising

I think Paul Lynde was better as a supporting type actor, he just didn't seem like lead actor material