Series synopsis
Maude is an American comedy drama television series that premiered on CBS on September 12, 1972. It ended on April 22, 1978. It was created by Norman Lear. It stars Bea Arthur, Bill Macy, Adrienne Barbeau and Esther Rolle.
Well-educated and upper middle class, Maude Findlay is the archetypal feminist of her generation. She lives in suburban Tuckahoe, New York, with her fourth husband, Walter, their divorced daughter, Carol, and grandson Phillip.
Premise
Well-educated and upper middle class, Maude Findlay is the archetypal feminist of her generation. She lives in suburban Tuckahoe, New York, with her fourth husband, Walter, their divorced daughter, Carol, and grandson Phillip.
Premise: Liberal. Independent. Controversial. Hilarious.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Bea Arthur as Maude Findlay
- Bill Macy as Walter Findlay
- Adrienne Barbeau as Carol Traynor
- Esther Rolle as Florida Evans
- Hermione Baddeley as Nell Naugatuck
- Conrad Bain as Arthur Harmon
- Rue McClanahan as Vivian Harmon
- Tim O'Connor as Dr. Herbert Lester
Supporting cast
- Brian Morrison as Phillip
- Jack Dodson
- Richard Dysart
- Priscilla Morrill as Judy
- Larry Haines
- Marlene Warfield
- Dick O'Neill
- Philip Sterling
- Charles Lane
- Patsy Garrett as The Whisper Lady
- Cesare Danova as Russell Asher
- Vincent Gardenia as Judge Motorman
Guest cast
- Rue McClanahan as Vivian Harmon
- Tim O'Connor as Dr. Herbert Lester
- Brian Morrison as Phillip
- Jack Dodson
- Richard Dysart
- Priscilla Morrill as Judy
- Larry Haines
- Marlene Warfield
- Dick O'Neill
- Philip Sterling
- Charles Lane
- Patsy Garrett as The Whisper Lady
Episodes
This series spans 6 seasons with 141 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 22 | September 12, 1972 | March 20, 1973 |
| Season 2 | 24 | September 11, 1973 | March 5, 1974 |
| Season 3 | 23 | September 9, 1974 | March 31, 1975 |
| Season 4 | 24 | September 8, 1975 | March 15, 1976 |
| Season 5 | 24 | September 20, 1976 | April 4, 1977 |
| Season 6 | 24 | September 12, 1977 | April 22, 1978 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Maude's Problem (a.k.a.) Maude and the Psychiatrist Carol's odd behavior leads Maude to believe she's having an affair. When Maude learns Carol is really seeing a psychiatrist, she is determined to get to the bottom of the situation and find out why her daughter needs therapy. Maude promptly makes an enexpected visit to Carol's psychiatrist but soon finds herself being analyzed. |
September 12, 1972 |
| 2 |
Doctor, Doctor Carol and Maude thinks it's cute when they discover a curious Phillip playing doctor with Arthur's equally curious granddaughter. However, the prudish Arthur insists that Phillip be severely punished which leads to a debate between Maude, Cariol and Arthur over morals. |
September 19, 1972 |
| 3 |
Maude Meets Florida Maude hires a new housekeeper, Florida Evans, and from the moment she walks through the front door, Maude is determind to make her feel like an equal. However, her attempts lead Florida to decide to quit. Meanwhile, Walter is a bit disturbed to find Philip swearing into a tape recorder. |
September 26, 1972 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Walter's Problem (1) (a.k.a.) Life of the Party (1) After a wild evening of drinking, Maude, Walter and Arthur awake to discover some oddities. First, Maude and Arthur shared a bed, second the guys trashed the living room and third, Walter made an obscene phone call to Maude's mother. Carol suggests that perhaps Walter has a drinking problem but he refuses to face that fact. Maude and Walter later get into a big argument while they are both drunk and Walter slaps her. |
September 11, 1973 |
| 2 |
Walter's Problem (2) (a.k.a.) Life of the Party (2) After giving Maude a black eye, Walter continues to drink. Later, Arthur sends over a recovering alcoholic to talk some sense into Walter who adamantly refuses help. When Walter discovers Maude got rid of all the alcohol, he goes ballistic and she locks him in the closet. That's when Carol makes an announcement, she's taking Phillip and is moving out |
September 18, 1973 |
| 3 |
Walter's Holiday Walter declares the day ""National I Love You Day"" and gives gifts to one and all and plans to spend a romantic day with Maude. However, when a weepy, newly-divorced Vivian comes over for consolation from Maude, Walter's romantic plans get pushed aside and he takes refuge at the gym with Arthur. |
September 25, 1973 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Maude Meets the Duke As part of a publicity tour for a new movie, John Wayne makes a stop in Tuckahoe, to visit Arthur, his number one fan. However, when the ceiling caves in at the Harmons, Arthur talks Maude into hosting the party. Maude decides to have a verbal shootout with the Duke about woman's lib but finds her tongue tied when she actually meets him. |
September 9, 1974 |
| 2 |
The Kiss Maude becomes concerned when Walter begins smoking a pipe and wearing high heeled shoes. She suggests that perhaps he's going through male menopause. However, what really concerns both her and Arthur is when they catch Vivian and Walter sharing a kiss. This obviously leads to yet more marital strife between the Findlays and the Harmons. |
September 16, 1974 |
| 3 |
Walter's Heart Attack Walter is late for a special dinner with Maude because he is trying to stop his book keeper from committing suicide. However, while he is there, Walter has a heart attack and he ends up having much more than his health to worry about, when Maude discovers where he was. |
September 23, 1974 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Split Maude's political ambitions, and possible election as Senator, threaten her and Walter's marriage. |
September 8, 1975 |
| 2 |
Consenting Adults Walter moves out of the house and into bachelor digs when Maude persists with her political plans. |
September 15, 1975 |
| 3 |
Rumpus in the Rumpus Room Maude and Walter arrive at a party with ""dates"" of their own. |
September 22, 1975 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Vivian's First Funeral Vivian's first funeral is an ordeal for everyone. |
September 20, 1976 |
| 2 |
Maude and Chester Maude is stuck in a file closet with an ex-husband. |
September 27, 1976 |
| 3 |
Bert Moves In Mrs. Naugatuck's wedding plans run into problems, and Maude makes a bad situation worse. |
October 4, 1976 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Maude's Guilt Trip Maude extends an invitation to an annoying aunt out of guilt, but suffers for it. |
September 12, 1977 |
| 2 |
Phillip and Sam Maude invites Phillip and his male ""friend"" to spend the night, which puts her liberalism to the test. |
September 19, 1977 |
| 3 |
The Flying Saucer Maude sees a UFO but no one will believe her. |
September 26, 1977 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | CBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 12, 1972 |
| Last aired | April 22, 1978 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Monday, Tuesday, Saturday |