I've adored her since watching her on "The New Dick Van Dyke Show" in the early 70s. A truly lovely lady & gifted actress and singer. Yowzer.....she could really belt out a tune !!
She packed so much energy and motivation into that character. She made it all look effortless. This show might have done well. Not sure how it would have stacked up to MTM though.
Interesting show, in that style of rapid banter "behind the scenes show biz" comedy Carl Reiner was famous for going back to the Dick Van Dyke show in the 1960's. You see the beginning of the 1970's Mary Tyler Moore show's style of comedy with the quirky collection of characters, music, even opening gritty filmed title scenes. Dussault was a fantastic singer with incredible vocal technique, obviously classically trained but who could belt and move between the two styles...the precursor of Chenowith, O'Hara, and McDonald. Her cabaret style TV shows in the 1980's displayed her musicianship and versatility.
Thanks. It was a little busy, but enjoyable. I wonder why it wasn't picked up. I never felt like Nancy was used that well on Too Close For Comfort so it was nice to see her in a starring role.
How right you are ! What a dynamite singer ! I can see why she was such a big success on Broadway ! Of course, I already knew she was a wonderful comedic actress.
No, because she was taken a backseat to Ted knight and jm j.bullock very funny antics and shenanigans, acting as an competent straight woman.but fortunately she got to sing every now and then on her series.
This was a well done pilot. I am quite surprised another network didn't pick this up. NBC was really hurting for a comedy in the early 70's. However this may have been added to the long list of shows that didn't make a full season at NBC. CBS ruled that genre then competing with some very good shows on ABC. In the mid 70's I don't think I ever changed the channel from ABC. I need to look at some old TV guides to see what my memory is lacking.
This pilot was telecast as part of CBS' "TRIPLE PLAY" movie "special" on May 8, 1973 (the other pilots- also considered for the network's 1973-'74 season- were "TWO'S COMPANY" and "THE TED BESSELL SHOW"). Carl Reiner, of course, wrote the script. This was part of a deal Dick had with the network to attempt to sell them a series through his "Cave Creek" production company [which also produced his own series at the time].
It feels almost like an apology for dumping Dussault from the cast of "The New Dick Van Dyke Show" (on which Reiner served as writer, director, and creative consultant) when the premise was changed from "talk show host in Arizona" to "soap opera actor in Hollywood."
I honestly believe Carl- and Dick, who produced the pilot- wanted to give Nancy a chance to be her own star. Unfortunately, CBS had too many successful sitcoms on their 1973-'74 schedule to find room for a series featuring her.
I just watched this and really enjoyed it. I wish they had done more. I so enjoyed seeing Nancy and Karen together. This was quite good. I just love Too Close for Comfort and am so glad Nancy was in it with Ted Knight for 6 seasons.
Trivia note: This pilot had an unusual second life when it was shown to test audiences _supposedly_ as a potential new show. What the audiences didn't know was they were actually being tested for their response to the new commercials being run during the program.
I remember seeing this on TV for the first time many years ago and I was oblivious to the fact that it was written by Carl Reiner and that is directed by Dick Van Dyke.
I rather liked this. Bright, funny, a little goofy in spots. Lots of personality. Nancy Dussault (who I knew mostly from "Good Morning America") was charming and adorable. Rather interesting they kept the "raw" audience laughter.
Thanks for posting. Hollywood types like Reiner became, assume tv audiences are just waiting to make all broadway stars tv stars. NOPE! Audiences could never relate to this show! Now, Nancy was GREAT on too close for comfort.
This is the first time I've seen the pronunciation of the star's name included in the opening credits. Of course this being a pilot, it was intended to be shown to network execs, not likely ever the public.
She's lovely, some very funny lines, but where would you go from here? First fight, meet the parents, chance for a nationwide tour, etc. But situation comedies thrive with characters, not the situation.
The Case of the Hidden Kitchen ! Very cute & entertaining pilot. A shame it didn't get picked up by the network. Could have been a fascinating look at the backstage life of Broadway folk in the early 70s. Been a LONG time fan of the wonderfully talented Nancy Dussault. Thank you SO much for uploading for us to enjoy ! Though I can't recommend marrying someone on such short notice. 😎👍
I sat through this whole show. It reminds me of Barefoot in the Park. It should have gotten an order for a few episodes but I can understand why it didn’t. Where was it going to go?
It's interesting to see Karen Morrow in this. I once read an interview with Morrow who said that Nancy Dussault was one of the reasons she never quite became a big star on Broadway. Dussault she said, "had something special" that she (Morrow) lacked.
She'd have better luck with Ted Knight, though. Carl Reiner may have created this show under Cave Creek Enterprises, but to me, this feels more like MTM Enterprises could've done something like this, considering it filmed at their CBS Studio Center.
They actually put how to pronounce her name, that's hilarious. Funniest thing about this dreary pilot. Dew Sew sounds a lot like Mary Tyler Moore in her successful series, probably intentionally. I'm surprised she didn't take her hat off and throw it in the air. I liked Too Close For Comfort, but not because of her. This is just a poor setup that relies too much on snappy patter that isn't snappy and character comedy from characters who aren't particularly funny.
@@trueshy Actually, I do. Of course, nowadays, on Star Trek Discovery, we have the female character of Michael Burnham. You could also mention (Miss) Jeff Donnell, who played support in many movies from the 40s on. Apparently she got the nickname Jeff from the old Mutt & Jeff comics. I remember her as being one of two actresses to play Peter Parker's Aunt May on the 1970s Spider-Man TV series, but she was on General Hospital for years.
The talented and lovely stage and TV star Nancy Dussault celebrated her 85th birthday earlier this year.
I've adored her since watching her on "The New Dick Van Dyke Show" in the early 70s. A truly lovely lady & gifted actress and singer. Yowzer.....she could really belt out a tune !!
I think she was on Too Close for Comfort” also.
Not a bad little show. Nancy Dussault is really a great actress. This show deserved to make it past a pilot.
I heartily concur ! A wonderful actress & singer !
She packed so much energy and motivation into that character. She made it all look effortless. This show might have done well. Not sure how it would have stacked up to MTM though.
Dude, I am an expert on obscure TV shows and I am AMAZED at what you have here !!!!! I never even HEARD of this !
Because it's a pilot show and was not picked up as a series. I'm curious where he did find the pilot
You know what is funny, the apartment set looks almost exactly like the Mary Tyler More apartment set!
So many 1960s and 1970s faces!🤗warms my heart...especially Burt Mustin. He did EVERYTHING!!!!
Too bad this wasn't picked up. I really enjoyed it.
I agree 100 per cent !
same here...love to have followed this
Interesting show, in that style of rapid banter "behind the scenes show biz" comedy Carl Reiner was famous for going back to the Dick Van Dyke show in the 1960's. You see the beginning of the 1970's Mary Tyler Moore show's style of comedy with the quirky collection of characters, music, even opening gritty filmed title scenes. Dussault was a fantastic singer with incredible vocal technique, obviously classically trained but who could belt and move between the two styles...the precursor of Chenowith, O'Hara, and McDonald. Her cabaret style TV shows in the 1980's displayed her musicianship and versatility.
Well said and well put ! THANK YOU for a refreshingly perceptive comment !
This pilot was made three years after the Mary Tyler Moore started in 1970.
I thought his apartment was very much in the style of Mary :’s apartment in St. Paul/Minneapolis., with the exception of the kitchen wall.
Thanks. It was a little busy, but enjoyable. I wonder why it wasn't picked up. I never felt like Nancy was used that well on Too Close For Comfort so it was nice to see her in a starring role.
How right you are ! What a dynamite singer ! I can see why she was such a big success on Broadway ! Of course, I already knew she was a wonderful comedic actress.
No, because she was taken a backseat to Ted knight and jm j.bullock very funny antics and shenanigans, acting as an competent straight woman.but fortunately she got to sing every now and then on her series.
This was a well done pilot. I am quite surprised another network didn't pick this up. NBC was really hurting for a comedy in the early 70's. However this may have been added to the long list of shows that didn't make a full season at NBC. CBS ruled that genre then competing with some very good shows on ABC. In the mid 70's I don't think I ever changed the channel from ABC. I need to look at some old TV guides to see what my memory is lacking.
You had me at Rip Taylor
Indubitably ! Always a huge Rip Taylor fan !
Same!
😂👍
This pilot was telecast as part of CBS' "TRIPLE PLAY" movie "special" on May 8, 1973 (the other pilots- also considered for the network's 1973-'74 season- were "TWO'S COMPANY" and "THE TED BESSELL SHOW"). Carl Reiner, of course, wrote the script. This was part of a deal Dick had with the network to attempt to sell them a series through his "Cave Creek" production company [which also produced his own series at the time].
It feels almost like an apology for dumping Dussault from the cast of "The New Dick Van Dyke Show" (on which Reiner served as writer, director, and creative consultant) when the premise was changed from "talk show host in Arizona" to "soap opera actor in Hollywood."
I honestly believe Carl- and Dick, who produced the pilot- wanted to give Nancy a chance to be her own star. Unfortunately, CBS had too many successful sitcoms on their 1973-'74 schedule to find room for a series featuring her.
There was another pilot in the 1960s titled "Two's Company." It became "That Girl," which coincidentally co-starred Ted Bessell.
Yep.
Wow I loved that...it was wonderful.
You said it ! I enjoyed it too. Well written & well cast. LOTS of familiar faces !
I just watched this and really enjoyed it. I wish they had done more. I so enjoyed seeing Nancy and Karen together. This was quite good. I just love Too Close for Comfort and am so glad Nancy was in it with Ted Knight for 6 seasons.
Too bad this wasn't picked up. It was enjoyable. Thank you for posting it. 😏❤💕🌹😘
This was great
good ol Burt Mustin 🙂
The guy who looked like he was 70 years old in high school
@@zaq55 You speak the truth, Kemo Sabe !
The great Noam Pitlik!
Very talented actor AND director !
@@jubalcalif9100 He directed the first season of Wings
Great cast. Would have been an excellent series.
Had the series been picked up, millions of people would have been able to pronounce her name properly.
Great Show. I would have watch the series. If they did a show number every week that would have made it different from the comidies for that time.
Trivia note: This pilot had an unusual second life when it was shown to test audiences _supposedly_ as a potential new show. What the audiences didn't know was they were actually being tested for their response to the new commercials being run during the program.
That song sounds like a Neely castoff from Valley of the Dolls.
As I do when I take off my hat, you make a good point.
She is talented! And the characterization in this is good.
We could've had a show with Rip Taylor as a regular. I'd like to visit that alternate universe!
I remember seeing this on TV for the first time many years ago and I was oblivious to the fact that it was written by Carl Reiner and that is directed by Dick Van Dyke.
Too bad this wasn't picked up. A lot of potential here.
I rather liked this. Bright, funny, a little goofy in spots. Lots of personality. Nancy Dussault (who I knew mostly from "Good Morning America") was charming and adorable. Rather interesting they kept the "raw" audience laughter.
Wow! A backstage show I definitely would have watched this
Thanks for posting. Hollywood types like Reiner became, assume tv audiences are just waiting to make all broadway stars tv stars. NOPE!
Audiences could never relate to this show!
Now, Nancy was GREAT on too close for comfort.
Good show. We can certainly see how the level of talent and writing for sitcoms has dropped from then to now.
If the Mary Tyler Moore Show and That Girl had a baby.
If this had gone to series--I would have watched it. Too bad it wasn't picked up.
I totally agree.
This is the first time I've seen the pronunciation of the star's name included in the opening credits. Of course this being a pilot, it was intended to be shown to network execs, not likely ever the public.
She's lovely, some very funny lines, but where would you go from here? First fight, meet the parents, chance for a nationwide tour, etc. But situation comedies thrive with characters, not the situation.
The Case of the Hidden Kitchen ! Very cute & entertaining pilot. A shame it didn't get picked up by the network. Could have been a fascinating look at the backstage life of Broadway folk in the early 70s. Been a LONG time fan of the wonderfully talented Nancy Dussault. Thank you SO much for uploading for us to enjoy ! Though I can't recommend marrying someone on such short notice. 😎👍
She was a real cutie back then.
I sat through this whole show. It reminds me of Barefoot in the Park. It should have gotten an order for a few episodes but I can understand why it didn’t. Where was it going to go?
I guess every episode would be about what he did for a living!
It's interesting to see Karen Morrow in this. I once read an interview with Morrow who said that Nancy Dussault was one of the reasons she never quite became a big star on Broadway. Dussault she said, "had something special" that she (Morrow) lacked.
Very interesting cast.
That living room looks a lot like Mary Richards' in The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
so its the Muppet show minus the muppets.
John Byner!
WOW !!!
This really could have worked. What a missed opportunity.
You can say that again !
She'd have better luck with Ted Knight, though.
Carl Reiner may have created this show under Cave Creek Enterprises, but to me, this feels more like MTM Enterprises could've done something like this, considering it filmed at their CBS Studio Center.
Liked her better in Too Close For Comfort and she wasa great with Alan Arkin in The In Lawqs w Peter Faulk.
Swanny on Sanford and Son
*"MURIELLLLLL!!"*
They actually put how to pronounce her name, that's hilarious. Funniest thing about this dreary pilot. Dew Sew sounds a lot like Mary Tyler Moore in her successful series, probably intentionally. I'm surprised she didn't take her hat off and throw it in the air. I liked Too Close For Comfort, but not because of her. This is just a poor setup that relies too much on snappy patter that isn't snappy and character comedy from characters who aren't particularly funny.
They actually had to tell us how to pronounce Nancy Dussault's name? Huh....
Do you remember MISS Michael learned from The Waltons also from the 70s (where they had to tell you she was a female & not a male LOL).
@@trueshy Actually, I do. Of course, nowadays, on Star Trek Discovery, we have the female character of Michael Burnham.
You could also mention (Miss) Jeff Donnell, who played support in many movies from the 40s on. Apparently she got the nickname Jeff from the old Mutt & Jeff comics.
I remember her as being one of two actresses to play Peter Parker's Aunt May on the 1970s Spider-Man TV series, but she was on General Hospital for years.