Maude, a television sitcom created by producer Norman Lear ran from 1972-1978. The show was in the top ten Neilsen ratings until just before it's cancellation. Maude starred Beatrice Arthur, Bill Macy, Conrad Bain, Adrienne Barbeau and Rue McClannahan. Cast members included Esther Rolle, Hermione Baddeley, Marlene Warfield, J. Pat O'Malley, Brian Morrison and Kraig Metzinger.
Maude, as attested to in the theme song "And Then There's Maude" was "uncompromisin', enterprisin', anything but tranquilizin." According to Beatrice Arthur, the Maude character was "an obstinate, opinionated do-gooder, who was always doing the right thing, was politically correct, but somehow wound up being made to look the fool." Bill Macy, as Walter, Maude's fourth husband, was an appliance store owner. Walter loved Maude despite their many arguments.
Beatrice Arthur was chosen specifically to play Maude, although she only had two things in common with her character - she was tall, and she had a deep voice. She would win a PrimeTime Academy Award in 1977 for her portrayal of Maude.
Maude dealt with controversial subjects of the times. such as women's lib, and abortion, while delving into other unhappy subjects such as suicide and homelessness. Maude also provided audiences with hours of laugh out loud comedy. There were well-known guests such as Henry Fonda, Roscoe Lee Browne, Nanette Fabray and John Wayne. The show remains a favorite and can still be seen in reruns.
Elva Diane Green, the author of this book, has continued her book writing achievements with this fun, well-researched and interesting book. Elva's two prior books are the award-winning biography of her father "Eddie Green The Rise of an Early 1900s Black American Entertainment Pioneer" and "The Jeffersons A fresh look back."