Alice was first seen in August of 1976 but was based on the 1975 film, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore starring Ellen Burstyn and centering around Alice Hyatt. The television series had Linda Lavin starring as Alice. After her husband, Donald, was killed in a truck accident, Alice Hyatt and her 12-year-old son, Tommy, moved out of their home in New Jersey and headed for Hollywood.

Alice's dream was to become a singer but for the time being she got work as a waitress in a greasy spoon, Mel's Diner after her car breaks down in Phoenix. Mel was gruff and demanding and constantly bossing his three waitresses around.

The other two waitresses, in the beginning were Flo and Vera. Flo was the man-hungry southern belle, who's favorite saying was "Kiss My Grits." The other waitress, Vera, was shy and quiet and somewhat, as Mel put it, "dingy." Flo left in 1980 for her own series and was replaced by Belle who was later replaced by Jolene.

In 1985, the series came to an end with Mel selling the diner, a married Vera, was now pregnant, Jolene was planning to open a beauty shop and Alice's dream was finally coming true, she became a lead singer with a band in Nashville.

Spin-offs: Flo

CBS Broadcast History

September-October 1976----Wednesdays----9:30 p.m. November 1976-September 1977----Saturdays----9:30 p.m. October 1977-October 1978----Sundays----9:30 p.m. October 1978-February 1979----Sundays----8:30 p.m. March 1979-September 1982----Sundays----9:00 p.m. October-November 1982----Wednesdays----9:00 p.m. March-April 1983----Mondays----9:00 p.m. April-May 1983----Sundays----9:30 p.m. June 1983-January 1984----Sundays----8:00 p.m. January-December 1984----Sundays----9:30 p.m. January-March 1985----Tuesdays----8:30 p.m. June-July 1985----Tuesdays----8:30 p.m.

Nielsen Ratings: (Top 60 or Better)

#30 in the 1976-1977 Season #8 in the 1977-1978 Season #13 in the 1978-1979 Season #4 in the 1979-1980 Season #7 in the 1980-1981 Season #5 in the 1981-1982 Season #25 in the 1983-1984 Season #60 in the 1984-1985 Season

First Telecast: August 31, 1976 Last Telecast: July 2, 1985

Episodes: 202 Color Episodes

Theme Song:

"There's a New Girl in Town" Written by: Alan and Marilyn Bergman and David Shire

Sung by: Linda Lavin