Hello Larry

By HappiPuppi

Hello, Larry, starring MacLean Stevenson, is seen by some as a spin-off of sorts from Diff'rent Strokes (a three-parter with Stevenson as Larry is featured on disc 3 of the Diff'rent Strokes DVD set). But the show merely followed Diff'rent Strokes in NBC's Friday night lineup and had cast crossover appearances between the two shows.

Hello Larry features Larry Alder (MacLean Stevenson), who moves to Portland, Oregon following the breakup of his marriage. He gets a job as the host of his own radio call in show called, appropriately enough, Hello, Larry on KLOW. Larry also has a daughter or two at home and while he's good at communicating with his callers, he's not so great at it with his kids. Sort of a poor man's Frasier, I'd say.

The show struggled and the producers, who actually produced Diff'rent Strokes as well, decided to have Mr. Drummond buy the radio station. This tie-in did not have the desired effect on the ratings. Nor did adding Harlem Globetrotter Meadowlark Lemon (playing himself but also the owner of a sporting goods store).

The series ran for one full season, but was blasted by the critics and made fun of by just about everybody. The one thing this show did accomplish was the speed up the impending doom of MacLean Stevenson's TV career. Instead of third time's the charm in his post-M*A*S*H sitcom attempts, it's three strikes and you're out!

Before his passing on in February 1996, MacLean was last seen in a guest spot on The Golden Girls around '91 or '92 as the brother of Dorothy's ex-husband Stanley. MacLean was and always will be Lt. Col. Henry Blake of the 4077th.

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