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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Soaplover" data-source="post: 437581" data-attributes="member: 336">After the initial set up, the show did seem to become a standard sitcom with each episode having a formula that each character fit into.   I think that's partly why Diane Ladd struggled during her stint because she was given a caricature to play instead of a character that she could make her own.   The show did sort of course correct with Jolene's character with eventually writing to what Celia Weston could play vs the initial characterization that Jolene was introduced with (i.e. she was a truck driver with a hot temper in her first episode or two before her character changed).I think the formula started to change a bit in the final season or two when Vera became less of a dingbat and more of a fully fleshed out character with a marriage, house, etc... and Jolene being more of a warm and nurturing presence especially between her and Vera. Even Linda Lavin was bored playing Alice so in the final season or two.. she either would appear in either one scene as Alice.. or she would play that elderly lady that eventually rents a room in Vera's place in the final season.  The catch phrase 'Kiss my Grits' only worked because of how Polly delivered it... but the show couldn't leave well enough alone and tried to give the others a catch phrase.</blockquote>

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