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Eva Gabor hated ''flop'' shows and was grateful Green Acres became a hit
Flop show — a production that never saw success; one of the things Eva Gabor despised.
When a show becomes popular, it gives the cast and crew steady work — something many actors long for in an industry where productions are either a hit or miss. Often, depending on the writing, cast and genre, it's hard for productions to get past one season. Even worse, some ideas never make it past a pilot episode.
As viewers, we don't think about how tiresome it can be to put in the work for a show just for it to be unsuccessful. It's something that Eva Gabor said was exhausting.
In an interview with Fort Lauderdale News in 1966, the Green Acres actress talked about despising "flops."
"Nothing is more tiring than being unsuccessful," Gabor, who played Lisa Douglas on Green Acres, said. "It's so marvelous to be in a hit (show). Until Green Acres, it had been one disaster after the other. I can't stand flops; they're exhausting."
Green Acres premiered on September 15, 1965, less than seven months before this interview, and instantly became popular. According to the newspaper article, Gabor worked 12-hour days when the comedy aired, but had no complaints, as the show landed in the top 10.
The actress was adamant that the series, executive produced by Paul Henning, would last for years, and she enjoyed bringing the wife of Oliver Wendell Douglas to life. Gabor's busy schedule limited her fun, despite people thinking that she and her glamorous sisters "played all night."
"All I do, Dahling, is work and go home to bed. Everybody thinks a Gabor works all day and plays all night. But that is not true. I never get a chance to wear my beautiful clothes except on the show," she added.
They were beautiful clothes, indeed, and some had a hefty price tag. According to the article, in one episode of Green Acres, she wore about $20,000 worth of her glamorous attire.
The show and side ventures, like a wig company and fashion collection, helped her afford a life of luxury. It was one of the many reasons why she was grateful Green Acres became a hit.
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30 Comments
No fact at all: The first season of "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." was also in black and white.
And it's Sidney SHELDON -- later a best-selling novelist -- not Shelton.
So, I guess that cperrynaples isn't the TV/Movie trivia champ around here after all.
