Duet was a strange show. It started Laura the caterer, her boyfriend and their romantic drama but after a season or two the entire series was based around Laura's friend (Alison LaPlaca). Then it became retooled as Open House where Alison LaPlaca officially became the top star, and the Laura character decides to abandon her life-long dream of being a caterer and suddenly decides she's rather bake cookies for open house events. Oh, and the boyfriend's gone too. WTF?
Ben Coleman eventually became Laura Kelly's husband. They had married(it was written) between the end of season 2 and the beginning of season 3,and had gone on a two-year honeymoon. In the second episode of OPEN HOUSE,Laura announces her divorce from Ben. Ben and Laura didn't meet Richard's and Linda Phillips' daughter Amanda until after the honeymoon. She was born at the end of season 2. By the way,Linda was once Ben's girlfriend.
Ben and Laura once split up before they got married. They had differences and Laura started drinking. I remember one episode where Ben showed at one of Laura's Alcoholics Anonymous meeting saying,"I'm Ben Coleman,and I'm not an alcoholic,but I am in love with one." That was after Ben dumped Laura after a nasty argument. Ben and Laura reconciled after that AA meeting,but unbelievably,they divorced after a short marriage. Looks like Ben himself pulled the plug again.
I believe that DUET's 1988-89 rating was at an all-time low,and producers did the spinoff in an attempt to raise it again with a revamped cast. Whan that proved unsuccessful,OPEN HOUSE got the Nielsen axe in July 1990.
WOW this brings back tons of memories! My bro and I used to cut a rug to this theme song and at the end when he goes "chick-a" we would hop onto our beds and pose. so old but those were the best days.
I can't believe this is the only Youtube video featuring Alison La Placa, one of the best (and most underated) actresses on TV. She deserves a tribute video!!
What an odd show. As far as I can tell, this is the only instance of a series being canceled, a supporting character being spun off into their own show, and the parent show's lead being brought over and reduced to supporting. Very interesting. LaPlaca was brilliant, though...never got her due.
That's gotta be one of the worst theme songs I've ever heard. I bet some people even tuned out before the credits were over!
Ellen looked so cute then she still does might I add
softfishy 4 months ago
The August 27,1989 premiere of OPEN HOUSE.
arhuxtable 7 months ago
when I was 18 years of age I snuck on the set of OPEN HOUSE AND WAS TREATED RUdely by everyone except Alison laplaca.
myrabradwell40 7 months ago
I remember LOVING this show (and Duets) when I was about 7. It was always in the back of my mind; I finally looked it up today. Thanks for posting!!
Matalizari 9 months ago
Duet was a strange show. It started Laura the caterer, her boyfriend and their romantic drama but after a season or two the entire series was based around Laura's friend (Alison LaPlaca). Then it became retooled as Open House where Alison LaPlaca officially became the top star, and the Laura character decides to abandon her life-long dream of being a caterer and suddenly decides she's rather bake cookies for open house events. Oh, and the boyfriend's gone too. WTF?
nojunkorspam 9 months ago
Ben Coleman eventually became Laura Kelly's husband. They had married(it was written) between the end of season 2 and the beginning of season 3,and had gone on a two-year honeymoon. In the second episode of OPEN HOUSE,Laura announces her divorce from Ben. Ben and Laura didn't meet Richard's and Linda Phillips' daughter Amanda until after the honeymoon. She was born at the end of season 2. By the way,Linda was once Ben's girlfriend.
arhuxtable 7 months ago
Ben and Laura once split up before they got married. They had differences and Laura started drinking. I remember one episode where Ben showed at one of Laura's Alcoholics Anonymous meeting saying,"I'm Ben Coleman,and I'm not an alcoholic,but I am in love with one." That was after Ben dumped Laura after a nasty argument. Ben and Laura reconciled after that AA meeting,but unbelievably,they divorced after a short marriage. Looks like Ben himself pulled the plug again.
arhuxtable 7 months ago
Have the dvd's to this show if anyone's interested
carlofal123 1 year ago
I was only 4 and I remember this VIVIDLY! Wish I could actually see either show to see how funny it really was.
Surreal469 2 years ago
Where can i watch this? Or download? please. I can't find nothing but intro...
yamushka 2 years ago
What was the deal with Mary Page Kellar in the early 90's. Producers were obsessed with turning her into a star and it never happened.
adheckle 2 years ago
And she was talented too.
Surreal469 2 years ago
I hated this show because they killed Duet to do this crap! I wish that I could at least find the intro to "Duet". I loved that theme song.
Debutante24 3 years ago 3
Amen! I came here to see if someone had reposted it and no luck.
wutzernutzer 2 years ago
@Debutante24 believe it or this show was a spin off from duet because duet was failing in the ratings
amcstudio30 1 year ago
I believe that DUET's 1988-89 rating was at an all-time low,and producers did the spinoff in an attempt to raise it again with a revamped cast. Whan that proved unsuccessful,OPEN HOUSE got the Nielsen axe in July 1990.
arhuxtable 7 months ago
WOW this brings back tons of memories! My bro and I used to cut a rug to this theme song and at the end when he goes "chick-a" we would hop onto our beds and pose. so old but those were the best days.
audiolove1976 3 years ago
I remember watching reruns of this on USA Network at some point during the USAM block's run.
ekkostar 3 years ago
see, i have never heard of that show "Duet's".
Anyway, Ellen has come a long way.
StillaVirgin 3 years ago
I can't believe this is the only Youtube video featuring Alison La Placa, one of the best (and most underated) actresses on TV. She deserves a tribute video!!
bregman1155 3 years ago 5
Well, the Duet credits USED to be on here...but now they seem to be gone. :c(
ErsatzWino 3 years ago
If anyone has the intro please post it!
wutzernutzer 3 years ago
I can tell you for a fact that this wasn't the only YouTube video featuring Alison in 2008. Really, now.
VaultMasterDBT 2 months ago
Not as good as 'Duet', but I stil watched it.
azdalin2000 3 years ago
Funny how that "in stereo" credit brings back so many memories.
fossefan 3 years ago
I think I use to like this show. Than again, I was 11 when it was on. All I knew is that Alison La Placa was hot.
astrokatt 3 years ago
What an odd show. As far as I can tell, this is the only instance of a series being canceled, a supporting character being spun off into their own show, and the parent show's lead being brought over and reduced to supporting. Very interesting. LaPlaca was brilliant, though...never got her due.
That's gotta be one of the worst theme songs I've ever heard. I bet some people even tuned out before the credits were over!
ErsatzWino 3 years ago
And ironically I think the theme to Duet was one of the best ever.
Still have a crush on Chris Lemmon!
wutzernutzer 3 years ago 2
Duet was ABSOLUTELY one of the great TV themes! I still hum it.
ErsatzWino 3 years ago
The first season's theme
TSquared2001 2 years ago
There was only one season.
VaultMasterDBT 1 year ago