However, there are factors involved that would disprove this theory. The biggest reason why this Lee Grant-led sitcom failed was where it was placed on the schedule. It aired opposite the 2nd half of CBS' The Waltons. ABC's lineup included Barney Miller and another freshman sitcom, On The Rocks.
Creatively, Fay had no shortage of talent involved. Comedy legend Danny Thomas served as executive producer in what I think was his only project for Universal. Thomas moved his tack to MGM in January 1976 for his own series, The Practice. Son Tony and future partners Paul Junger Witt & Susan Harris were also involved. Harris was the show's creator and head writer. Grant appeared to have a solid supporting cast behind her, too, including Joe Silver as Fay's ex-husband, character actor Norman Alden (ex-Rango), and Audra Lindley, later of Three's Company. Coincidentally, Norman Fell, who would be paired with Lindley on Company and its spin-off, The Ropers, was Lindley's on-screen husband on this show, too.
Footage is hard to find, but check out this sample:
Update, 1/26/21: Gilmore Box has added an open, with the title song sung by Chuck Barris' future muse, Jaye P. Morgan:
Of course we know what Susan Harris came up with next, a little spoof called Soap that weathered the storm of controversy two years later, and became a hit for ABC.
No rating. My folks alternated between Barney Miller and The Waltons at home.
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