Surprising Stories from the Set of the Sitcom Alice

In 1983, Linda Lavin filed a lawsuit against Universal Studios, claiming she was owed a percentage of the show’s profits as part of her contract renegotiation. Lavin argued that Alice had become profitable in syndication, and that she hadn’t received the compensation she was promised.

The case was settled out of court in 1984, reportedly for more than $1 million. It was a major behind-the-scenes moment that underscored how valuable the show had become. At Mel’s Diner, Alice might’ve struggled for tips — but off screen, the business side was very real.