Hot L Baltimore

Following Norman Lear's success with the controversial All In the Family, ABC pushed this off-beat sitcom heavily before its mid-season debut. Running gags were established almost immediately, including Ainsley's habit of getting caught in the revolving door entranceway every time he entered the hotel and Mrs. Belotti's tales about her crazy-but-never-seen son. Though short-lived, the show did run long enough for Ainsley to make a successful entrance, which he celebrated by throwing his fist in the air, right into the door frame.


Controversial figures for the time included April, a flamboyant prostitute and her hispanic coworker, as well as George and Gordon, an aging homosexual couple.


Whether because of the unappealing situation or lack of a likeable, breakout character, or because of the time slot behind another promising sitcom that turned out a ratings loser, The Odd Couple, Hot l Baltimore was cancelled after only a brief run.