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.
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Fred-1726 May 1999
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biz-711-20758421 April 2019My husband and I have been watching Bagdad Cafe (the movie) for years. It is one our favorite go-to movies when we're feeling discouraged about Life. The Bagdad Cafe as portrayed in the movie couldn't be much more desolate-looking. And the people who live there have become vulnerable to its desolation. The wind blows through them, like the scattered trash blown about by the wind. Even Jasmine gets sort of blown in by the wind, and the discouraging circumstances of her own life.
But even this seemingly godforsaken place reveals hints of its magic: the strange lights in the sky, the beauty of the sunsets, the unrecognized "family" that exists between a group of unrelated people out in the middle of nowhere. All that is needed is for someone who cares to polish the tarnished lamp, like Alladin, and to believe that magic can be called forth wherever you are, if you can summon the courage to open your heart, take the first step, and see where it leads you.
Oddly, this first step often involves cleaning, which may be where the saying "Cleanliness is next to godliness" comes from. Because when you're done and step back to survey the results, it lifts your spirit, and you think "I deserve an aesthetic/well-ordered place to live or work in." It is a tangible kind of self-respect.
I had a friend who once went to jail for political reasons. His cellmates were predictably discouraged people, there for more serious reasons. One of my friend's first actions was to requisition brooms and dustpans, etc., and he got everyone improving their living space, with very positive results. Personally, I hate cleaning, so this story, and this movie, are good incentive. :-) But of course this is just one small part of a lovely story. Come and see for yourself.
PS -- Oh yes! And would someone please make the TV version with Whoopi Goldberg and Jean Stapleton available for viewing? With those two dynamos in it, you know it's got to be great. -
anshueratne18 August 2014Hi there anyone,I am writing about the TV series,Bagdad Cafe,starring Whoopie Goldburg. Please let me know how I can buy the same,the TV series of Bagdad Cafe starring Whoopie Goldburg. I have searched the internet but could not find any seller. Please help me. I really do wish to purchase this lovely series.If anyone has the series recorded,please let me know.I watched the TV series in the 90s and this has haunted me ever since.I just gotta have it!Why don't they make a DVD set of the series,I wonder?I am sure many people like me would want to buy them.Can one write to the producers of this series?please let me know whom to contact.Thank you so much for reading this and hopefully responding to this.Greetings from New Zealand from Anshumala.
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karian3331 November 2005I loved the movie Bagdad Cafe with CCH Pounder and really liked the little I saw of the TV series with Jean Stapleton and Whoopi Goldberg. I would love to have those original TV episodes. I think there were 15 episodes. Does anyone know where I could get them? I read where there was one full season and part of a second season. There were 13 episodes shown here in the States and I saw on one website that there were 2 more shown in England. If anyone knows where I might be able to locate these 15 episodes, I would be very grateful. The theme song for the TV series was the same as in the movie. It was very haunting and very beautiful.
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blair-5622 October 2005Well, further to the previous comment you should note at the top that it says TV Servies next to the title. This means that you are indeed incorrect about Whoopi Goldberg as she played the character in the TV Series, but not as you point out in the film version.
I must be bored too - and now I have to fill in the prerequisite number of lines. I don't think this correction was worth the time or effort, but never mind.
I have never seen the film, but remember enjoying the TV series when it was on some years ago, though i was quite young at the time and one should never revisit these things as they have a habit of disappointing you.