Monday, March 17, 2014

"Why 'Major Dad' Ended So Abruptly (And Why I Was Barely Involved With It When It Did)"


This first part is weird.  And a little disreputable.

Major Dad had a “First Season” order for twenty-two episodes.  At the completion of the twenty-second episode, I had arranged for a week’s visit to that Fitness Spa I recently wrote about in Mexico, for some desperately needed “R. and R.”

Then, out of the blue, the network decided to order four additional episodes.  That would normally be great news, but not to someone who was physically drained and emotionally exhausted, crawling gaspingly to a “Finish Line”, which had unfortunately been moved back. 

Despite the fact that production had been extended, I decided nevertheless to depart for the spa on schedule, insuring first that ”Episode 23’s” script was in good shape, and feeling comfortable that my “Second-in-Command” was capable of handling things in my absence.  (Let me assert in the loudest possible parentheses that my decision to escape to the spa despite the now altered productions arrangements was unprofessional, stiff-neck-ed and wrong.) 

During my “Spa Week”, when I called in to check in on the show, I was informed that there was absolute chaos on the set.  Major Dad’s star, rejecting the climactic scene in the script, had written a “Replacement Scene” of his own, and was now insisting that that “Replacement Scene” be filmed. 

Such behavior is entirely unheard of, an indefensible breach in the way things are done.  (Asserted the man who had abandoned the show four weeks before it had finished production.)

When I came back the following Monday, I was asked “point blank” if I would be returning to the show for the following season.  I replied that, as a result of the Major Dad’s star’s unacceptable actions, I most emphatically would not. 

Major Dad ran for four years.  I was only in charge of it for one.

I left a couple of things out – such as a detached retina that (to some degree, mercifully) excused me from “Shows 25 and 26” – but that, in a nutshell, is why I was no longer running Major Dad at the time that it was cancelled. 

(My departure did not entirely sadden me.  I do not enjoy running shows, and, my no longer having to allowed me the opportunity to return to my office and devote my now available time to developing new ideas for future sitcoms.)

I began Major Dad’s “Second Season” as a consultant, which I did conscientiously, and thoroughly enjoyed.  Then, around the season’s midpoint, my former “Second-in-Command” – now Major Dad’sFirst-in-Command” – I could say “conspired” but I shall be nice and say arranged, in collusion…I mean in an agreement with the show’s star, to have me banned from the production, both physically and creatively. 

Then tragedy struck.  (Not “life and death” tragedy, it is just a show, after all.  But it is the turning point of this story.)

During Major Dad’s third and most successful season, Universal’s likable, capable and enthusiastic “President of Television” left the studio, and was replaced by a man who was none of those things.  This marked the “Beginning of the End.”

The first shoe that dropped was that, under this new and inadequate leadership, Major Dad was allowed, with minimal visible resistance, to be moved from the most watched evening of the week – Monday – to arguably the least watched evening of the week – Friday.  (Especially for Major Dad fans, for whom Friday was “High School Football Night.”  And this was before DVR’s.)  

The result of this move was that, during its “Fourth Season”, Major Dad plummeted precipitously in the ratings.

After the season ended, I was informed by my agent that Major Dad had been cancelled, though the official network announcement had yet to be made.  The information shocked me, because despite its (inevitable Friday-slotted) ratings slide, Major Dad’s strong overall performance predicted another season at least.

I immediately (and highly uncharacteristically) jumped into action.  I arranged a meeting with “The Most Powerful Executive in the Studio” (not counting the mostly figurehead “Top Guy” who nobody approached unless they were heads of state from another country.) 

Quaking in my loafers, I explained to this “Master of the Studio Universe” that a substantial financial entity (for both the studio and myself) was on the precipice of extinction.  (Though it is unlikely I employed that precise wording.) 

I urged him to take action at the highest levels to salvage the situation – negotiate some generous-to-the-network fifth-year pickup deal, or broker a concessionary half-season renewal.

Whatever heroic efforts were attempted, they did not succeed in saving the patient.  Major Dad was announced DOA after four years on the air.  (Many attributing its demise to “Executive Malpractice”, rather than to its continuing viability as the series.)

Why did Major Dad end so abruptly, inquired commenter “senica”?

The answer, for Major Dad, as well as for other series whose final episode failed to successfully wrap things up, is simple:

It did not know it was ending.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Happy St. Patrick's Day.  Interesting Factoid:  A classmate of mine at the Toronto Hebrew Day School had his birthday on St. Patrick's Day.  And his name - no lie - was Ricky Green.

That may not be earthshaking, but you know what is?  I could have said, "And his name - no lie - was Ricky Schwartz."

And I didn't.


36 comments:

Esther Nettleton said...

Ricky O'Schwartz, maybe, but not Schwartz.

Sooo, you missed $yndication by 4 episodes? I enjoyed MD quite a lot. Mac was good as the major which of course, doesn't speak to his person, but mostly I enjoyed watching Polly...Shanna Reed.

Canda said...

Did you consider a meeting with the lead to say you returning would have to be under "your conditions", i.e., that you were in charge of the scripts?

Anonymous said...

Was "General Disturbance" written and filmed before "Oops A Daisy" as the General is back after leaving?

Unknown said...

Unfortunately I was only 7 when this show was first aired, and didn't see it until it came on Hulu, which for me was about 2 years ago. Have you ever thought of maybe bringing it back? I know Hawaii Five-O is a remake of the earlier series, and it's doing well! Maybe see if Netflix will pick up the new show too? I'd certainly watch a new series of it. But, as a Marine myself, I'd recommend someone as lead actor that actually knows Marine Corps Sword Manual and update the uniforms to current (Woodland or Desert MARPAT cammies with OD green undershirt and matching OD green "silkies" shorts).

Unknown said...

Unfortunately I was only 7 when this show was first aired, and didn't see it until it came on Hulu, which for me was about 2 years ago. Have you ever thought of maybe bringing it back? I know Hawaii Five-O is a remake of the earlier series, and it's doing well! Maybe see if Netflix will pick up the new show too? I'd certainly watch a new series of it. But, as a Marine myself, I'd recommend someone as lead actor that actually knows Marine Corps Sword Manual and update the uniforms to current (Woodland or Desert MARPAT cammies with OD green undershirt and matching OD green "silkies" shorts).

Anonymous said...

If the show had survived to a 5th season, would it have been renamed "Lieutenant Colonel Dad"?

Arwynn said...

I can't help but believe that a "come back" or "re-creation" of Major Dad would be extremely beneficial in this new millennial day and age. Our country is in dire need of re-patronization and national pride. We should consider that President Trump's idea of making America great again would include some family shows rather than reality shows so that children can learn what it means to respect their parents. The 60's and 70's were filled with family shows that gave us morals and values and American Pride. Please, bring back a new version of Major Dad and not Major Mom or Major Transgender. We need to keep our families wholesome and traditional.

Unknown said...

I'm watching the first season now as I was actually in the Marines when it aired. There are a few Marine Corps references that are incorrect, but that's to be expected.

J Roman. said...

I remember this show from when it first aired. I joined the US Army on June 1990 so it was hard to follow in the days before the DVR. I recently found in Hulu and watched all 4 seasons and absolutely felt a nostalgic conection to the era and wished it had a longer run. I do have to ask why no one ever thought of bringing this show back to the air. Why cant they make a remake of this show based on today with a new cast? They keep remaking shows from the past and adapting Movies to TV. Bring Major Dad back

J Roman. said...

Yes that did throw me off as well.

J D Kuhlman said...

Major Dad was a patriotic conservative tv show. Hollywood is quite the opposite. They became liberal agenda pushing ,greedy self centered, no imagination and just plain stupid bunch of wussies.They wouldn't know a good thing if it was placed in the front of them in plain sight.i am saddened by seeing how Major Dad had ended but unfortunately not surprised either.A remake of Major Dad is highly unlikely due to Hollywood being ran by some of the sorriest bunch of liberal garbage on Earth. And if the did , they would ruin it with all kinds of stupidity. Please feel free to debate me. I ain't scared easily or butthurt like the pansies in Hollywierd.

J D Kuhlman said...

I am a retired Non Commissioned Officer of the US Army by the way!

J D Kuhlman said...

I wish I could find Major Dad on DVD . Does anyone know where I can find it?

Unknown said...

I doubt most completely that a sitcom of any sort is going to recreate national pride at a time when our White House is being occupied (intentional double entendre) by a president who inspires anything but. If it's national pride you're looking for, vote Donald Trump out of office. He is a national embarrassment!

Anonymous said...

Netflix seems to not play the PC card as much as typical "Hollywood" so I could see something more conservative on there. The Ranch was pretty openly conservative and nowhere near as wholesome as Major Dad.

Anonymous said...

I hope he doesn't. They would just ruin it like all the others they brought back.

Gee Smith said...

I just finished the series on Netflix. I found this blog because I went to seek out why it abruptly ended. I am not surprised to find someone whining and blaming others. Ever stop to ask yourself why people are watching these old sitcoms? Because we are fed up with the weirdness coming out of Hollywood! Even for the 90's the subtle liberal agenda came through in this series. I still enjoyed it simply because I was able to unwind with feel-good stories with no "big agenda" that was blatant and in your face.

Slap yourselves on the back. You all have done a great job of destroying family programming and making it into Luciferian Occult evil.

Unknown said...

Wow, I couldn't have said it better. I had just told my wife about this sitcom and how wholesome it was. What a shame that most if not all sitcoms and series dramas today are drenched in liberal propaganda and immorality.

Anonymous said...

Agreed, so glad Trump is out of office. He was the worst president this Country has ever had. I hope to see him behind BARS where he belongs after the disgrace at our nation's capital.��������

C. Ballard RN, BSN, Critical Care, Retiredd said...

WELL SAID!

artymgysgt said...

During Operation "Desert Shield" several days before Christmas 1990 some of the men in my section could not remember the words to the Marines' Hymn ( three official verses), so I checked around and the only person who had a Guidebook for Marines was the 1st Marine Division NGF Officer. Someone taught him right. We borrowed it and someone typed the Marines' Hymn and made copies . I took one and returned to my area. On Christmas morning I thought about the religious and gift giving aspect of the day. I had a couple pieces of thon plywood that I mounted the Hymn on and used sand to abrasively roughen the edges I then stained it with some MRE instant coffee and water mo give it an older look. Any way we gave it to Major Dad and asked if he would display it in his television show office. He said he would and after the war and returning to the states I swear that I saw it many times in the opening scenes of the show

artymgysgt said...

For those that don't know Major Dad was played by actor Gerald McRaney

Unknown said...

As a former marine I took pride and enjoyment watching Major Dad the show was wholesome and for the most part military correct. Gerald did an awesome job playing a marine along with the production team who attention to detail of Marine customs and were spot on

Unknown said...

Netflix has all 4 seasons. I just binge watched them all. Alot of good memories

Unknown said...

Actually Biden is the worst president we have ever had!

Joe said...

It on Netflix

Joe said...

No political allowed

Anonymous said...

Netflix is missing episode 4/14 the Piano Lesson, one of the few I remembered before I started rewatching it. I wonder what happened?

Anonymous said...

Major Mom is a reality after 20 years in Iraq and Aphaganistan. Respect for all who serve is what is truly American.

Anonymous said...

Kudos. Why are they afraid of proAmerica sitcoms? It makes money.

Anonymous said...

Like others I have came searching for answers as to the ending and why it was canceled. I just finished binge watching it on Netflix as it is ready to go away in a few days. I'm glad to see others felt the same way about the show as I do. It's a shame it didn't get another one or two seasons. I loved the characters, the era, the writing, the nostalgia, just makes my heart break to see those days gone. I need to find this on DVD or Blu-ray now. And I agree to whoever said about why people like us are searching out these kind of shows. There is a huge demand for normal if someone would just give it to us. No wokeness, no trans worship, no divisive nut jobs vilifying half the country.

Anonymous said...

That is just awesome!

Anonymous said...

I'm sad I just finished the entire series. I never watched it when it originally aired. Now it's time to research the cast and get depressed at how much time has passed. I know Gerald was the dad in Neverending Story and also starred in Simon and simon. He was great as the major. I love the entire cast. The music was also very charming and tender. Is there any other show out there from that era that has the same qualities?

Anonymous said...

And l think he did a superb job❣️

Bob W. said...

Looks like Earl passed away on March 7, 2020. Was hoping to see some replies to our posts. So sad. I wish they could have all went back in time and filmed a few more seasons.

Anonymous said...

Gerald McRaney was in a great show
Called Promised Land. Great family
Show depicting morals and values