Surprising Stories from the Set of the Sitcom Alice

If you’ve seen Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, you know Alice’s late husband wasn’t exactly Prince Charming. In the 1974 film, he’s portrayed as violent and abusive, and flashbacks — plus Alice’s own words — make that painfully clear. It’s a much heavier backstory than the sitcom ever lets on.

When Alice became a TV series, though, that element quietly disappeared. The show chose not to reference the abuse at all, deciding it would alienate viewers and clash with Alice’s relatable, everywoman vibe. Instead, the sitcom leaned into resilience and reinvention — keeping the tone lighter while still honoring her strength.