Surprising Stories from the Set of the Sitcom Alice

Vic Tayback played Mel Sharples in the 1974 film, but his return for the 1976 TV series wasn’t automatic. Early development reportedly considered reworking the character, and there were discussions about whether to keep the same actor for the sitcom adaptation.

Ultimately, Tayback reprised the role, and it was a crucial choice. His gruff delivery and perfect comic timing gave the show continuity with the film. Without him barking orders behind the counter, Alice might have felt like a completely different diner altogether.