MovieChat Forums > The Larry Sanders Show (1992) Discussion > Really Love the Show but Why Change the ...

Really Love the Show but Why Change the Wife?

posted 8 years ago by MrCharmingMan
15 replies | jump to latest

I really Love The Larry Sanders Show, and its even just as enjoyable today as many of the episodes are a good flashback nostalgic trigger into the 90's and what was relevant back then.

What I never understood was why did they switch out Larry's wife after the first season though?

I like the first wife she was more likable and hotter in my opinion. The second wife wasn't as likable and attractive as the first?

They never really explained this either right? They kind of just threw in the 2nd wife as if everything was normal and the same from 2nd season on?

[–] liberius 8 years ago

Well, why does anything happen in TV shows? Plot requirements. Career changes. Personality conflicts. Ratings. We know Shandling's real girlfriend, Linda Doucett, was let go at the end of season four after their real-life relationship ended, but that's neither here nor there.

I liked both Megan Gallagher and Kathryn Harrold, but Harrold as Francine was the better actor and she seemed more real. But each to their own. We all have our favorites. Gallagher was cuter with nice big tits, so no harm done there. And she got a return appearance in season four, which Harrold never did.

The show ran for six seasons and each wife was featured for one season only, so most of the show was Larry on his own so perhaps the writers and Shandling himself thought that was the best way to portray the character.

[–] MrCharmingMan 7 years ago

Totally get it bro, but it just always bothered me that they kinda pulled a fast one on us the audience as if we are idiots for not even noticing?

I was pretty much a kid when this show aired, and now as an adult I totally appreciate it a lot more since I fully understand everything and the awesome flashbacks and nostalgia of the current events of the 90's.

I agree the first wife was hotter and more likable the second wife was like masculine she even wore like men's clothes and men's pants like WTF? I don't know she just really didn't do it for me.

I am re-watching the series over and I'm still on season 2. I forgot the wives are only there for a season each LOL.

[–] shelemm 7 years ago

The series starts off with him married to his second wife, and in the first season we see the deterioration of his marriage, from episodes 9-13. Starting with the second season, his wife files for divorce which kicks off a special hour long episode that shows Larry having a heart attack. When he is well enough to go on air again, he begins dating several actresses/guests on the show. He winds up bumping into his first wife waiting for the elevator and find that she has really changed. They start dating again. I do not believe he remarries her or even if she moves in permanently with him (there is some talk that she prefers maintaining her own place). They eventually split up. This is all explained on the show.

[–] Squeeth2 7 years ago

Artie saw through her immediately ans so did I. Her coincidental meeting at the lift was deliberate and in one episode she assumed a somewhat submissive posture on the settee in Larry's office; when Artie walked in unawares, he spotted the manipulation straight away and backed out. Her reaction showed that she knew she'd been caught red-handed. I forgave her anyway as she was the Earthgov Pres in Bab 5 and a complete babe.

Marlon, Claudia & Dimby the cats 1989-2010. Clio the cat, July 1997 - 1 May 2016.

[–] damazywlodarczyk 7 years ago

I dont understand the problem. The first wife(from the first season) left him, the second returned to Larry after a few years, and also left him.

[–] MrCharmingMan 7 years ago

Yeah I'm re-watching all the episodes now and totally forgot they did this with the 2 wives and how they pretty much had no wife for the later seasons, which enabled them to have more fun with Larry's dating life.

[–] damazywlodarczyk 7 years ago

Also the first wife was hot, but the second much hotter and interesting.

[–] MrCharmingMan 7 years ago

We are gonna have to agree to disagree on that one bro. I found the first wife to be much hotter and likable.

The second wife, was not bad, but she was wearing like pants and dressing quite masculine for some reason? perhaps that was 90's fashion, but then again 90's fashion was quite horrible from what i recall.

[–] CanSteve3 7 years ago

Garry and one of the producers said in a dvd commentary, they changed then got rid of 2nd wife because they thought having Larry single to date celebs would provide more story ideas. A married Larry was too limited

[–] MrCharmingMan 7 years ago

@CanSteve3

Yeah I re-watched it again recently and totally forgot that they did that to expand Larry's love life, which was indeed the right call.

I just think the 2nd wife was pointless. She was not as hot or likable as the first one. The first wife was still hotter than most of the celebs Larry ended up dating.

I'm on the final season now, its sad to see the show come to an end as I'm watching it over as if its still on TV today lol. Its really a great show and I totally love all the 90's flashback topics that they incorporated into the show.

Its even interesting to see which 90's celebs from the show are still relevant today and most are not.

RIP Garry he's still the MAN!

[–] CanSteve3 7 years ago

I thought the 2nd wife played a great role in the classic Hankerciser episode, otherwise yeah she was not so great.

Speaking of 90s celebs from the show, and who's relevant and not, see my thread on all the actors who appeared on the show who are now dead.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103466/board/flat/177177199

[–] MrCharmingMan 7 years ago

@CanSteve3

Interesting topic. Yes I think Hollywood over all does have a higher fatality list than other industries and genres. Perhaps its the living in the fast lane life style, the pressure of being a star and the fame? Or just being a target from so many parasites and shady people out to get you.

Your list is pretty much evidence of this. From that list Chris Farley was probably one of the youngest if not the youngest right? He pretty much had the brightest future ahead of him. I think had he lived he'd be bigger than the SNL stars combined. He was truly just a likable underdog who had natural comedic presence and timing.

Phil Hartman, OMG he probably also was robbed the most of life. I mean getting shot in your sleep by your deranged wife is probably the most unfair way to go. Phil was an amazing talent as well!

A lot of these other guys were up there in age so we might just have to chalk it up to old age mixed with the things I already mentioned.

John Ritter was a huge favorite of mine growing up watching Three's Company. I always felt he should have transitioned into becoming a huge Movie Star, but I guess back then you pretty much were one or the other. Him dying of heart failure all of a sudden really shocked me, especially since those TV studios should have the best medical attention staff on stand by, or at least you would assume right?

Another HBO show ENTOURAGE was a show that had a really high fatality list as well. The list for that show is probably about 3 times the list of yours.

[–] BelleStar82 7 years ago

I did not like either, I liked seeing Larry date the celebs. It was more fun and a lot like Seinfeld & his girlfriends where they would be there for just 1 episode.

The first wife was an awful character! She moped around and hated everything Larry was about. She had all the time and money to do anything she wanted/worthwhile, but she said she was just depressed and slept all day. He's in the middle of working when she brings up divorce. Then, after leaving him, she comes back to lead him on and slept with Hank! Not that the rest of the cast were saints, but at least they were funny/interesting. I didn't see anything particularly compelling about Jeannie and the martyr routine.

[–] dkgambler (158) 6 years ago

Yeah I get the idea of having Larry single. Especially the Sharon Stone arc, which brought in the great David Paymer to play the publicist..."You're dating Joanie Baloney who gives a shit.. but Sharon Stone? I'm wetting myself!"

Anyway, back to the "who's hotter" debate between the two. Megan Gallagher was hot, with wonderful tits, but Kathryn Harrold is one of the most beautiful, classy women to ever walk this planet.

[–] liscarkat (16515) a year ago

I much preferred Harrold and the character she played, and I liked her tits, especially when she was braless and had visible nipple bumps. Gallagher's character was whiney. Good boobs, but always squished and hidden in those tops she wore.