What Might've Been: Karen (1975)

 Karen Valentine was just a year removed from Room 222 when 20th Century Fox called her back for a new series. 

Karen, not to be confused with the 1964-5 NBC entry of the same name with Debbie Watson, was a winter replacement for ABC that lasted 4 months. With Room 222 in syndication, this Karen was already fighting an uphill battle, despite the creative pedigree involved. Valentine was reunited with co-executive producer/co-creator Gene Reynolds, who'd shepherded the first year or two of Room 222, and he brought with him M*A*S*H creator Larry Gelbart and producer Burt Metcalfe.

Here, the M*A*S*H connection strikes again, with Edward Winter guest-starring as a Congressman who is Karen's boyfriend. Bob Hastings (All in The Family, ex-McHale's Navy) also guest stars.

Charles Lane (ex-Petticoat Junction) landed his first regular gig since Petticoat ended 5 years earlier, but he wasn't the antagonist he usually played.

Rating: B.