I noticed that Ms. Leachman played the Ruth Martin role, 57-58. I did NOT know that. Hell, I remember Ron Howard was in an episode, but I sure don't remember Ms. Leachman. Anyone know why June Lockheart was replaced for 26, at least, episodes?
shareAccording to an interview with Jon P. that I heard on 5/16/08 she simply decided she didn't want to do the show, and made that *very* clear on the set so they allowed her to break her contract, and re-cast the role of mother and father. Bruce
The audiences responded very negatively to both Leachman and Jon Shepodd, who originated the roles of Ruth and Paul Martin. Cloris didn't have much warmth as the mother and she was unhappy, so the producers were happy to let her go.
For years, the Leachman episodes weren't included in the syndication package, so it's not surprising that many people don't know she played Ruth Martin. Those episodes finally started airing as "Lassie" started a cable run, first on Nick and later on Discovery Channel.
You can catch a bit of Cloris in the role here. She seems plenty warm and motherly enough to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZnAPQnDJGA
Im sure Cloris is a warm, beautiful motherly type, charming soul that she is.
But it's audience response. I've never seen her eps. I guess nobody can out-do June as the epitome of a mother, tho.
What's funny is that ME-TV is running a marathon now, and they're showing mostly episodes with Cloris Leachman. And those are the episodes that are remembered the least, since they were withheld from syndication for years.
And yeah, I don't get the audience reaction - Cloris certainly does seem likable enough. But Jan Clayton was something special, and anyone who followed her was going to suffer in comparison. And Jon Shepodd, as the first Paul Martin, comes across as kind of a cold fish.
Yup, that's why I'm here, too!!!!! LoL
*The shape-shifter is in and will take your calls now.
I'm actually seeing what is unlikable about her. She seems too restrained in this role, not at all at ease.
Oh no! I missed it. I had no clue that METV was airing Lassie. The last I've heard it was on the Canadian TVLand Channel in 2008/2009 and that was it.
How I wish I had known this in advance and could have recorded it :(!
My husband just checked METV on the program guide (the next 6 days) and "Lassie" is not scheduled any longer, it was probably only on 12/16.
What a pity!!!
In case somebody reads this and knows on which other channel "Lassie" is aired or will be aired soon, please let me know at walden pond 88 at hot mail dot com.
THANKS!!!
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I have Dish satellite and Lassie is on the AngelTwo network from 3:30 to 4:30 EST every weekday. They recently started with the very first episode and are now airing the Jon Provost/Cloris Leachman/Jon Sheppod shows. The very first several of those from late 1957.
shareThe video of Cloris Leachman portraying "Ruth Martin" on "Lassie" is no longer available at the You Tube address "rob-949" provided.
But I agree with you there is nothing especially unbelievable about Leachman in her portrayal of "Timmy's" first (second, if one counts Jan Clayton's "Ellen Miller" as an unofficial mom) mother. It is only June Lockhart was so especially charming in her portrayal of "Ruth Martin," and Clayton was so warm as the mother of "Jeff Miller" (Tommy Rettig), and as a transitional mom to "Timmy," that Leachman had some tough shoes to fill.
The real reason Cloris Leachman was relieved of her duties as "Ruth Martin" by the "Lassie" producers is Leachman wasn't especially happy in the role, and stated in a radio interview (that I'd love to hear) her own family chicken soup recipe (probably with matzoh balls) was better than the soup made by the "Lassie" series' sponsor, the Campbell Soup Company. This may have been a deliberate tactic on Leachman's part, knowing she'd be let go if she criticized the primary sponsor of the television series by which she was employed. So Leachman and co-star Jon Shepodd (who played the first "Paul Martin") were both fired from the "Lassie" series, probably a "package deal" that if one went, the other also went with.
For the record, Jon Provost (who played "Timmy Martin," and interesting he, like Shepodd, spells his given name without the usual "h") has stated he has had no contact with Leachman since she departed "Lassie," but has remained friendly with Shepodd, who visited Provost and his family at their home. Of course it was Hugh Reilly who portrayed the second and most familiar "Paul Martin." Provost also maintained contact with Reilly up until his death. And Provost and Lockhart are still very close and very much in contact, sometimes making personal appearances together in connection with "Lassie."
By the way, Leachman wasn't incorrect about the soup. I grew up eating the main line of Campbell's Soups, which, while perfectly fine, certainly weren't as filling or tasty as some of the homemade soups I ate later in life. In fact, even Campbell's must have realized their products warranted improvement, as they later manufactured the heartier "Manhandler" soups in their main line, and a newer line of "Chunky" soups.
I wonder which soup "Lassie" prefers?
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Cloris Leachman was hired in a rush after Cleveland (Gramps) died. She was unhappy with the role and made sure everyone on set knew it. She never signed her contract, because it required her to make Campbell's Soup commercials, which she refused. She wasn't received well by audiences. Recasting her part was inevitable.
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