Hot l Baltimore was a short-lived 1975 television
situation comedy series adapted from the hit
off-Broadway play by
Lanford Wilson.
Premise and run
The show took place in the Hotel Baltimore and drew its title from the cheap establishment's
neon marquis with a burned-out letter "e" that had never been replaced. The half-hour series premiered January 24, 1975
and was produced by
Norman Lear for
ABC. (It was, in fact the first Norman Lear property to air on ABC.) The cast included
Conchata Ferrell,
James Cromwell,
Richard Masur,
Al Freeman, Jr.,
Gloria LeRoy,
Jeannie Linero, and
Charlotte Rae. The series had several controversial elements, including two primary characters who were
prostitutes (one of whom was an
illegal immigrant) and one of the first
gay couples to be depicted on an
American television series. Because of the story lines the show was the first network television show to have a warning at its opening, cautioning viewers about mature themes. The network supported the show and gave it a full publicity campaign, but it failed to win an audience and was canceled after thirteen episodes; its last telecast was June 6, 1975.
