To get ready for next Monday’s GREASE 2 Blogathon, I thought I’d devote this week’s “What Ever Happened to” to two stars from that film, Jean and Liz Sagal.
While Michelle Pfeiffer was probably the biggest star to come from GREASE 2, in some ways you can say that the Sagal twins were the FIRST stars to emerge from it.
Jean and Liz came from a show business family. Their father, Boris Sagal, was the director of THE OMEGA MAN, RICH MAN POOR MAN and other films and TV shows (he was tragically killed in 1981). Their sister, Katey, would later go on to fame as Peg Bundy on MARRIED WITH CHILDREN.
The twins began as dancers, and were two of the most memorable Doublemint Twins in the famous commercials.
Then came GREASE 2, where they played the cheerleaders. You remember them, at the opening, greeting Miss Mason.
“I love your hair Miss Mason.”
“Oh, thanks” She leaves
The twins in unison “All 300 pounds of it”.
They were there in most of the big musical numbers, and sang, “Brad” in the talent show.
After the release, while Michelle Pfeiffer was still doing supporting roles in features (and afterschool specials like ONE TOO MANY, anyone remember that?), the Sagal twins went on to star in the leads in an NBC sitcom, DOUBLE TROUBLE.
DOUBLE TROUBLE had an interesting history. It ran on NBC in 1984-1985, where the girls played the daughters of a single father (Donnelly Rhodes) who ran an exercise studio (allowing the girls plenty of time for dancing). Patricia Richardson (who would go on to star in HOME IMPROVEMENT) played his girlfriend.
Then, it came back as a midseason replacement, only it was revamped, set in New York, with the girls living with their aunt, Barbara Barrie. I didn’t care for this format as much, but it ran longer than the earlier season. It was soon cancelled, but lived on in reruns for years.
They worked together again in episodes QUANTUM LEAP, 21 JUMP STREET and a 1992 episode of PICKET FENCES.
On their own, Liz appeared in HOWARD THE DUCK as one of Lea Thompson’s bandmates and a few TV episodes. Jean appeared in a lot of episodic TV (CAGNEY AND LACEY, TRAPPER JOHN M.D., KNOT’S LANDING).
But since the early 90’s, they have retired from acting.
So, what ever happened to them?
They are both still in the industry, both behind the camera.
Jean wrote and directed several sitcoms, including JUST SHOOT ME and even MAD TV. She directed a TV series starring the Olsen Twins. I guess she probably was a good choice to work with them. She is now married and has a child.
Liz has written for such shows as MAD ABOUT YOU, TWO GUYS AND A GIRL, and was a story editor on CHARMED.
It is good to see they are still working, but I'd love to see them in front of the camera again. Maybe do a DOUBLE TROUBLE reunion movie. Ya think? Or at least release the series on DVD. 23 episodes, that could fit in one box set.
For even more information, be sure to visit SagalTwins.com
Thursday, June 07, 2007
What Ever Happened To: Jean and Liz Sagal
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17 comments:
Oh man! Here I thought I was the only one who remembered the sitcom Double Trouble. Never knew that those were the same two girls from Grease 2 (which I've seen only once) and those gum commercials! Too bad they couldn't turn their "twin fame" into the kind of multi-zillion empire the Olsens did.
Who could forget DOUBLE TROUBLE!! It aired on USA even in the 90's.
And yes, they were much more talented than the Olsens. But, I guess they started too late.
I remember this show and the Sagal twins fondly. Thanks for this balst from the past...but it was Barbara Barrie and not Cloris Leachmanwho played the aunt in season two. Cloris took over for the girls on Facts of Life.
Thank you for the correction! I knew when I was writing I had to doublecheck that it was Leachman, but posted before I did. Like I said, I haven't seen it in years.
I guess I got my 80's sitcoms confused.
Both Jean & Liz have emailed me that they will be at the GREASE 2 25th anniversary reunion this July 20/21 in Burbank, California! Stop by and say hello because they have never done an autograph show before and are interested in meeting everyone!
http://www.hollywoodcollectorshow.com/Burbank.htm
Wow! Both are going to be at the convention? That makes me want to fly out for it.
I went to the Grease 2 reunion at the Hollywood Collectors show specifically to meet Liz & Jean. They were every bit as sweet and nice and playful as any fan could ever dare dream they'd be!
I'm still on cloud 9!!
I miss this show. Why don't they ever play reruns. I was just a little girl when it airred but for some reason I remember so vividly the Maxie Burger Commercial Episode! Maxi Burger, Maxi Buger yum yum yum Maxi Burger, Maxi Burger makes you wanna hmmmmmm.
I'm a little embarassed that I know that! I hope it makes it to DVD soon.
I had no idea they were related to Katey Sagal, yet my earliest memories of them predate her by several years. Learn something new every day, right? ;-)
These two ladies have always been on my mind! I loved that show and seeing them even more. Great to know that they are together and doing well. Definitely a teenage boys dream at that time of my life 6th - 7th grade.
I may be wrong but isn't that a Sagal twin sitting next to the 800 lb gorilla on a jetliner in the new commercial. She looks alot like sister Katey.
It's worth noting that "DOUBLE TROUBLE" also featured, as the twins' friends, Jonathan Schmock and James Vallely, who worked as a comedy team called "The Funny Boys." They had sketches that aired on shows like "NIGHT FLIGHT" and "TELEVISION PARTS" with Mike Nesmith, and they each worked with John Hughes. Schmock is probably best recognized as the snooty (or is it snotty) maitre'd at Chez Quis in FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF.
After having watched Dazed and Confused, I believe Michelle Renee Thomas (played Jodie Kramer) must be a clone of either Jean or Liz Sagal.
I remember seeing TELEVISION PARTS during the run of DOUBLE TROUBLE and recognizing the two.
Although I liked the early years of the show better than when they joined the cast.
WOW, I'm not the only one who remembers this show!! I use to have all the episodes on tape...I wish I still had it. I thought it was a cute show. Glad to see Liz and Jean are still in the business.
The maxi burger episode was great..and I remembered the jingle too lol. would love to see this show on DVD.
I miss the show Double Trouble. I use to watch it all the time. I wish they would put on their reruns. I would really enjoy watching them dance.
I remember them, I think they were also in quantum leap - now that was a great programme
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