Stories

Finding new ways to relate to women was an important job for Hot in Cleveland

This one's for the girls!

Marjorie Lord from The Danny Thomas Show wanted stronger women on TV

Guess the show should’ve been called "Make Room for Mommy!" instead!

Ted Lange loved the perks that came along with The Love Boat

Ted Lange fell in love with The Love Boat and all the perks that came with working on a cruise ship.

Jean Stapleton was a Hollywood star, but she lived in rural Pennsylvania

Stapleton was a real-life Hollywood Hillbilly. From Los Angeles to Pennsylvania, she liked living two different lifestyles.

Tom Bosley shared a lot in common with his Happy Days character

Bosley built a career on being a dad.

LaWanda Page said Redd Foxx rehearsed with her so she wouldn't get fired

When producers wanted to replace Page, Foxx stood up for his longtime friend and rehearsed lines with her.

Barry Williams chose The Brady Bunch over his social life

Barry Williams didn't need a girlfriend as a young man, he was already in love with The Brady Bunch.

Ron Howard used Happy Days as a chance to shed his ''Opie'' image

His role as Richie helped him grow up and grow out of his "Opie" character.

Despite his role in My Three Sons, William Frawley was ''undomesticated''

The character was the authority on cooking, cleaning and caretaking; the actor lacked that skill set.

Buddy Ebsen believed classic TV viewers needed a father figure

Ebsen thought Jed Clampett could be the dad everyone needed and wanted in the ’60s.

1971 saw Jean Stapleton bring home the gold to an adoring Pennsylvania crowd

Edith got a warm Chambersburg, PA welcome after winning her first Emmy

Here's the advice Audrey Meadows would get from Honeymooners fans

Meadows received advice from women all over the country on how to handle her fictional husband!

Vivian Vance traveled over 3,000 miles to work on The Lucy Show

Vivian Vance was a Hollywood legend who lived in Connecticut. She must have had a lot of frequent flyer miles.

Critics couldn’t shake Tom Bosley or Happy Days

These critics had seen happier days.

Jean Stapleton was thankful she didn't have to choose between family and career

One could argue that her career was family.

A real experience made Vivian Vance an advocate for mental health

Vivian Vance had a big role to play as Lucille Ball's sidekick.

Penny Marshall didn't care about what the critics had to say

And with a number one show on television, why would she?

Here's what made The Monkees a bunch of millionaires

What happens when a guy in his early 20s becomes a millionaire over night? Michael Nesmith has the answer!

Robert Reed lived in half of a mansion during The Brady Bunch

Robert Reed lived in a giant mansion in the early '70s! Well, he lived in half of one actually.

Alan Hale Jr. was constantly mistaken for his father in the '60s

Everyone thought Alan Hale Jr. was Alan Hale Sr. throughout his acting career. A real like father, like son moment.

Here's how Vicki Lawrence really felt about Carol Burnett

"We're a lot alike," said Lawrence.

Gale Gordon wasn't concerned with awards during his time on Here's Lucy

Award or no award. Gordon had everything he needed in Here’s Lucy.

Desi Arnaz Jr. revealed that his superstar parents were actually just like everybody else

"We put them on a pedestal and think of them as being different. Even I bought into that!"

Fred Grandy said he ''reached a plateau'' on The Love Boat, so he pivoted to politics

Gopher was a politician, too!

Norman Lear had a special message hidden inside Sanford and Son and All in the Family

Norman Lear did what he wanted and didn't care who saw — even if it was thousands of TV viewers.

At 20, Don Grady was an actor, a writer and composer for My Three Sons

Grady became a triple threat at the age of 20!

At first, Henry Winkler didn't know the impact The Fonz would have on TV

In the hearts of classic TV fans, he’ll always be The Fonz.

Jean Stapleton was never interested in the role of the leading lady

"I knew where I belonged," said the actor.

Judd Hirsch wanted Taxi fans to step up after the series was put on hold by NBC

On paper, Taxi had everything it needed to succeed, but in reality, the series had many ups and downs.

Lauren Tewes credited her Love Boat co-stars with helping her adjust to The Love Boat

"I'm surrounded by a wonderful professional cast," said the actor.

Marlo Thomas was a girl who just wanted her privacy

She liked to keep her guard up at all times — sometimes quite literally — as she often had issues with the press.

Norman Lear revealed All in the Family's British roots

The producer spilled the beans (and toast!)

When she wasn't filming, Vicki Lawrence was a real 'Mama' at home

Not only did Vicki Lawrence play a full-time Mama on Mama's Family, but she also played a full-time mom at home.

Ted Knight's character on The Mary Tyler Moore Show was a lot like him

There were some days Ted Knight would look in the mirror and only see Ted Baxter.

Here's why Betty White's humor never got old

She proved that laughter really is the golden ticket!

Alan Hale Jr. was focused on becoming a ''working actor'' like his father

The actor wasn't concerned with stardom.

Vivian Vance said that ''there was no boss'' on the set of I Love Lucy

Vance also said that she and Lucille Ball balanced each other out.

Carol Burnett was afraid of being typecast in the early 1970s

Carol Burnett was known for being a queen of comedy, and that was part of her problem.

Maureen McCormick on why she doesn't like to watch The Brady Bunch

The actor wasn't a fan of reruns.

Here's what the ''drinks'' on The Love Boat were actually made of

Ted Lange, who played Isaac Washington, revealed the truth.

Marilu Henner helped real-life cab drivers when she wasn't acting on Taxi

Marilu Henner took her Taxi fame for a ride straight to the streets of New York!

Anson Williams wasn't the only singer on the Happy Days cast

Think of all the musical acts we could have had!

Demond Wilson recalled the moment he and Redd Foxx became friends

The Sanford and Son stars' friendship began with a hilarious story about Wilson being asked to stick his head in a tire!

Here's what everyone was doing after The Dick Van Dyke Show ended

The Dick Van Dyke Show was a hard series to leave behind, but these stars had future plans!

Harvey Korman said that he didn't look for ''comedy'' in sketches on The Carol Burnett Show

Korman was a professional.

Lauren Tewes on the similarities between herself and her character on The Love Boat

"There's a lot of me in her, but there's really none of her in me."

Ron Howard enjoyed living in the 1950s for his Happy Days role

Ron Howard was living in two decades at the same time.

Vicki Lawrence got her start through Carol Burnett when she was only 17

Vicki Lawrence and Carol Burnett's friendship started in one of the most unique ways.

Jean Stapleton was a true American revolutionary, according to Carroll O'Connor

"Edith helped work a change in America," O'Connor wrote.

Cindy Williams loved playing the role of Shirley on Laverne & Shirley

Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall were surprised when Laverne & Shirley became one of the most-watched TV series in the country.

How Marlo Thomas gave Danny Thomas the worst Father’s Day gift possible

The decision to act came easily for everyone—except Marlo's parents.

Harvey Korman on the type of chemistry it took to make The Carol Burnett Show work

Korman was proof that cast chemistry was key to comedy gold!

Lucille Ball's minor injuries on I Love Lucy showed her dedication to performing

Lucille Ball was a bundle of bruises, sprains and scratches.

The Love Boat's Fred Grandy preferred to be on land

When Grandy wasn't filming for The Love Boat, he said he would avoid boats altogether.

At first, Norman Lear was against Sammy Davis Jr. appearing in All in the Family

The popular episode that almost never was.

R.I.P. Demond Wilson, Lamont on Sanford and Son

The Sanford and Son star known for playing Lamont has passed away at 79.

This was Carol Burnett's favorite sketch on The Carol Burnett Show

"We were over the top. "

Gavin MacLeod went from playing villains to being considered a comedy hero

When Gavin MacLeod lost his hair, he started getting typecasted as the big, bald, bad guy.

Art Carney on the realism of The Honeymooners

"People accepted us that way," said the actor.

Vicki Lawrence called Thelma Harper ''a lonely old lady''

"She parallels many people in everybody's family," Lawrence said.

Marlo Thomas was an inspiration to strong, independent women

Marlo Thomas stood on business.

Penny Marshall was afraid of stardom during her time on Laverne & Shirley

Penny Marshall dealt with different degrees of pressure during her time on the show. One of those pressures came from herself.

Jean Stapleton considered herself an introvert

Offstage, she was much more reserved.

Here's why Family Affair's Sebastian Cabot didn't like working with dogs

No dog? No problem. Cabot didn't like working with dogs for one big reason.

Here's the advice Lucille Ball gave to aspiring actors and entertainers

What's Lucy's secret to success? Grape stomping, bear wrestling, silliness and a lot of hard work.

When Gilligan's Island ended, an exhausted Bob Denver got a boat of his own

The actor had worked a three-year tour with just one day off.

Richard Moll was once called himself ''The Midwest Mr. T''

A bald, seemingly intimidating actor who overcame many obstacles in life — textbook Mr. T and Mr. Moll.

There was nothing in the norm when it came to George Wendt's success on Cheers

George Wendt loved many things about playing the role of Norm, but surprisingly, drinking beer wasn't one of them.

Carol Burnett and Vicki Lawrence shared an unforgettable reunion during the second season of Palm Royale

Burnett said that seeing her friend was "like old times."

This was Jill Whelan's real opinion on her on-screen father, Gavin MacLeod

"It's a great show to work on," said Whelan.

The role of The Fonz almost went to a Monkee

It came down to him and Henry Winkler.

Lucille Ball helped Carol Burnett early in her career

These two ladies had a powerful bond.

Jean Stapleton vetoed this plot point and changed an All in the Family script

The actress worked hard to shape her character.

Taxi's Tony Danza traded in his boxing gloves for a yellow cab

Like in boxing, he went with the punches and worked hard on his acting career.

Susan Olsen used to get bullied at school because of Cindy Brady

Cindy Brady killed Susan Olsen's playground popularity.

The Love Boat's Lauren Tewes was said to be the next Mary Tyler Moore

Lauren Tewes had a few things in common with Mary Tyler Moore, including her love for acting.

That Girl's Ted Bessell wanted to leave the series with a little dignity

A little dignity goes a long way.

Success was the only thing keeping Rob Reiner and Penny Marshall apart

The timeless couple just wanted to have a little more time with each other.

Carl Reiner once said that Mary Tyler Moore was like his daughter

"I'm just crazy about the girl."

Despite his stardom, Desi Arnaz said that he was a ''family man'' at heart

"The public does not think of me as a homebody," said the actor.

Harvey Korman considered himself a variety show survivor

Harvey Korman was one of the many talented actors to be affected by both the rise and decline of variety shows.

Richard Moll didn't have a lot in common with his character on Night Court

This incredible actor looked like he would "bite the heads off of chickens." His words, not ours.

Anne Schedeen thanked ALF for bringing her up to star status

All she needed was a working spaceship to help her land her star status.

The Odd Couple helped Jack Klugman overcome his ''gangster'' image

Before he was the lovable odd guy from The Odd Couple, he struggled with being the odd man out.

Lucille Ball enjoyed The Lucy Show because her fictional husband wasn't involved

No husband? No problem. Everyone already loved Lucy.

Penny Marshall enjoyed drinking milk and Pepsi as a child, long before she starred on Laverne & Shirley

Laverne and Penny shared a drink of choice.

All in the Family changed Sally Struthers over the course of nine seasons

Sally Struthers changed her attitude because of her role in All in the Family. It also brought her closer to her real-life family.

Vivian Vance's acting career had a parallel in mental health

She was much more than just Ethel Mertz.

The younger cast members of Happy Days would often go to Tom Bosley for advice

Bosley's costars often turned to the actor for wisdom.

Just like The Beverly Hillbillies, Max Baer Jr. went from rags to riches

Max Baer Jr. was the definition of a starving artist. Before The Beverly Hillbillies, he was eating beans out of a can.

Compared to My Three Sons, Fred MacMurray said being a father was harder at home

Fatherhood was so much easier for MacMurray when it was written out in My Three Sons.

Cindy Williams explained the secret to a good television series was a bit of stupidity

"We take television to its dumbest," said the actor.