Baghdad Cafe ran for two seasons on CBS. It had a different plot than the movie. It centered on a desert hotel and cafe owner (played by Whoppi Goldberg) whose husband (played by Cleavon Little) left after an argument. She was then left with the task of running the hotel, the cafe, and taking care of her family. Jean Stapleton played a older woman whose husband threw her out of the car after a argument. Stapleton winds up at the cafe and hotel and an unusual friendship then begins. Secondary characters included Rudy (played by the wonderful James Gammon) a desert artist who becomes romantically involved with Stapleton's character. They first season he just flirted with her, which was funny. The second season brought changes. Exceutive producer Mort Lachman was out and was replaced by Tom Patchett and Kenneth Kauffman. Goldberg's son went to college. Two new characters were added: an African-American Sheriff (played by William Shockley) and Rudy's nephew Dewey (played by Sam Whipple) who became the cook in the restaurant. The show did not see a complete second season and was canceled shortly into the second season. Despite the changes this show went through, the quality did not waver. The writing was excellent and the pairing of Stapleton and Goldberg was magnificent. It also had a magnificent supporting cast. Too bad it only got two seasons. It deserved better.
