Temperatures Rising

This short-lived hospital sitcom set in Washington, DC lasted only two seasons but had three distinct versions during that time. The only constant throughout the show's run was Cleavon Little. After one season featuring Little, James Whitmore as an older doc, and several nurses and staffers, the show was reconfigured into "The New Temperatures Rising" with Paul Lynde, Alice Ghostley and Sudie Bond brought in as the family who owned the hospital and were primarily concerned with cutting costs. After a few months with them, the show was put on hiatus, only to return a few months later in a third version with more new cast members (plus Nancy Fox from the original cast) but without Lynde, Ghostley and Bond. Needless to say, a third season was not forthcoming. In all three versions, the laugh count was about average for this type of show (that is to say, too low). TV never has really managed to produce a top quality, long-running hospital sitcom; we'll have to see if "Scrubs" stands the test of time.

I am agreement with the previous comment. During the first season of the show I was in stitches. Cleavon Little was one funny man. The show could have been tighter, but overlooking its faults, it was a gas. Out went James Whitmore, in comes Paul Lynde, then down it went. I laughed little and eventually stopped watching. What the show needed was better writing, not new cast members. As funny as Paul Lynde is, he was not on this show. What started out on the right track, derailed in the second season. Too bad. I do not remember much about this show, but Cleavon Little and James Whitmore stand out most in my mind. They connected. For a hospital comedy, it could have had better writing, but the first season was funny and fun to watch.

Season One was out of this world. Our nation was in a dark, cynical mood in the early 70s. Our government had lied to us about Vietnam, gas was costing way more that it had, and racism was a huge issue. In this dark world Temperature's Rising exploded like a breath of fresh air. Cleavon Little owned this show with a perfectly supporting cast. He was a high-energy comedian portraying a very effective doctor who also loved fun in the workplace. With three gorgeous nurses, each with their own brand of comedy, and James Whitmore, a sterling straight-man, the comedy writers had plenty of horsepower and this show was LOL every episode. One of the earliest funny racist jokes was told by Cleavon Little, with a "flesh colored" band aid on his hand, he faked outrage and, like a doctor, commanded the nurse "and get some FLESH colored band aids!". LOL.

Season Two totally reeked. Funny Man Paul Lynde was in, James Whitmore was out, and the show's chemistry totally changed: only Mr Lynde was given funny lines, the nurses' lines were straight man, and Cleavon Little had like two lines the whole season, both serious. So whereas before comedy was coming from all directions with different styles, now the show became long setups for which Paul Lynde was to make funny observations. Yawn.

Paul Lynde's brand of comedy was to cynically speak a line while wiggling his head. His characters were great guest stars, when the cast could set up the jokes for his cynical comments. His characters HAD to follow Jeannie and Tony or Samantha and Darren, watch them put all the energy and comedy into a scenario, and then make his comment. Haha. His cynical-commenting character could not provide the energy to carry a show.

Too bad the original version of the show was never given the run it deserved. Season One deserves ten stars, it was as good as Scrubs. Season Two deserves zero stars, thanks to whatever genius changed (ruined) the show. Therefore I give five stars.

I recall this series and the first season was funny. OK, so as a 12 year old my tastes were a bit different than now, but regardless, I did find it funny. Clevon Little was (is?) a comic master and was allowed to be funny. Then the show was 're-configured' with some, eh, funny people and the emphasis was taken off Little and he was made essentially a straight man for some very marginally funny cast members. I don't recall the last season, maybe I just gave up at that point. The few past posts I've done and all future ones concerning TV will show what my true feelings are towards television executives. Too much responsibility placed on too little brain power.

There, I've said it.

I watched this show as a child and enjoyed it. It was groundbreaking to have an African American in a lead role. This show and "Julia." Would really love to stream it.