When Polly Holliday left the series, her absence was explained by having Flo take a job as a hostess at a restaurant in Houston. However, she was sidetracked and opened her own place, which was the basis for Polly Holliday's spin-off series Flo (1980).
The one actor missing was Dave Madden, who played Earl throughout the series run. An odd omission since Earl and Flo dated off and on.
Star Linda Lavin had a problem getting along with some of her co-stars which is the reason Flo (Polly Holliday) left this series.