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World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

The Honeymooners (1955-1956)

25 votes

I Love Lucy (1951-1957)

24 votes

Burns & Allen (1950-1958)

10 votes

Sgt Bilko (The Phil Silvers Show) (1955-1959)

10 votes

Ozzie & Harriet (1952-1966)

3 votes

Andy Griffith (1960-1968)

13 votes

Abbott & Castello (1952-1953)

10 votes

Many Loves of Dobie Gillies (1959-1963)

7 votes

Make Room for Daddy (1953-1964)

4 votes

Leave it to Beaver (1957-1963)

14 votes

My Favorite Martian (1963-1966)

10 votes

Car 54 Where are You? (1961-1963)

11 votes

Mister Ed (1961-1966)

12 votes

Donna Reed Show (1958-1966)

4 votes

Real McCoys (1957-1963)

2 votes

Hazel (1961-1966)

2 votes

Frayed Knot Jan 24 2011 09:53 AM

Select (by any criteria you wish) the shows you liked best to move on to the next round by selecting Up to Eight (8) choices. Voting will close automatically (so no use asking for extensions) on Friday at the same time this thread was first posted.

Edgy DC Jan 24 2011 09:57 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

"Barn, this fella stuck us in the fifties bracket. What all you think we should do?"

batmagadanleadoff Jan 24 2011 10:01 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Here's an article I've considered in the past whenever I was in the mood to take on, through DVD season sets, a TV show that I never watched before . http://www.time.com/time/specials/packa ... 41,00.html The TIME magazine piece turned me on to Arrested Development and The Shield. I'm dissapointed that The Monkees didn't make your poll. It might be my favorite of the wacky-setting 60's sitcoms. The Monkees probably aged better than its' contemporaries. http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/ ... 05,00.html

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 24 2011 10:03 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Anyone else have a weird weakness for Dobie? And Hazel? Que?

Edgy DC Jan 24 2011 10:04 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Monkees made Group B. Group A covered the fifties and Andy Griffith apparently fell backwards into it. I couldn't roll with Hazel. Not a protagonist I could identify with.

Edgy DC Jan 24 2011 10:05 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

How did The Honeymooners go only two seasons?

batmagadanleadoff Jan 24 2011 10:07 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Edgy DC wrote: Monkees made Group B. Group A covered the fifties and Andy Griffith apparently fell backwards into it. I couldn't roll with Hazel. Not a protagonist I could identify with. I'm so happy to hear this. You made my day, which had taken a turn for the crummy about an hour ago. Really. I'm not being ironic or anything like that.

themetfairy Jan 24 2011 10:41 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

My Car 54 vote is partially a result of the fact that I can still sing the theme song.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 24 2011 10:43 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Edgy DC wrote: Monkees made Group B. Group A covered the fifties and Andy Griffith apparently fell backwards into it. It does seem a better fit here, though. Perhaps "Golden Age"/"Silver Age" would have worked better?

sharpie Jan 24 2011 10:45 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Hazel and Donna Reed being shut out so far. I got Real McCoys off the schneid.

Edgy DC Jan 24 2011 11:06 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

"Somebody didn't vote Honeymooners!?"

Edgy DC Jan 24 2011 11:09 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Monkees made Group B. Group A covered the fifties and Andy Griffith apparently fell backwards into it. It does seem a better fit here, though. Perhaps "Golden Age"/"Silver Age" would have worked better? Understood. The Patty Duke Show ran from 1963 to 1965 but I always associated with the fifties. She didn't make either decade and is reportedly beside herself.

sharpie Jan 24 2011 11:32 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Phil Silvers makes it but not McHale's Navy? Sgt. Bilko a better show than it's standing in this race. Andy Griffith overrated here. Recently watched a couple of episodes of the latter. Truly unfunny.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 24 2011 11:36 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

I'm glad I'm not the only one who voted for Burns and Allen. I always got a kick out of Gracie Allen. I'd love to see that show again. There are some shows on this list that I never really saw (like Donna Reed) and others that never much held my interest (like My Favorite Martian.) I cast four votes: Honeymooners, Lucy, Burns and Allen, and Car 54. The latter show was one I had never seen as a kid, but watched sometimes years later on cable, either on Nick at Nite or TV Land. A surprisingly funny show. I remember one scene where Toody and Muldoon were driving in their squad car, and Toody was off on a long monologue about which of the current Yankees were more nonchalant than the others. Stupid, but wonderfully funny as well.

Edgy DC Jan 24 2011 11:39 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

sharpie wrote: Phil Silvers makes it but not McHale's Navy? Sgt. Bilko a better show than it's standing in this race. Andy Griffith overrated here. Recently watched a couple of episodes of the latter. Truly unfunny. I'm an AGS supporter.

TheOldMole Jan 24 2011 11:55 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Honeymooners, Abbott and Costello (not Castello), Burns and Allen, Sgt. Bilko, Car 54. No Jack Benny? No Jimmy Durante?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 24 2011 12:33 PM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Sit-Com vs. Variety. (No Your Show of Shows, either.)

Frayed Knot Jan 24 2011 01:04 PM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Abbott and Costello (not Castello), Actually that was supposed to read: Abbott and Castillo, the best-forgotten sit-com about middle infielders who weren't nearly as good as NYM fans hoped. Not much hilarity ensued.

Vic Sage Jan 24 2011 01:33 PM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

didn't we go thru this exercise last year?

Benjamin Grimm Jan 24 2011 01:34 PM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

We picked the nominees, but never proceeded to the actual voting.

batmagadanleadoff Jan 24 2011 02:30 PM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

TheOldMole wrote: Honeymooners, Abbott and Costello (not Castello), Burns and Allen, Sgt. Bilko, Car 54. No Jack Benny? No Jimmy Durante? I voted almost exactly like Mole --- except that I voted for Lucy and not for Car 54. After casting my votes, I realized that I was voting for my favorites from among the shows on the list that I watched. There were several on this list that I didn't watch, and I wonder if this disqualifies me from deciding which from the list are the best. I watched some B&A eps recently. Gracie Allen was a genius dimwit.

Fman99 Jan 24 2011 06:32 PM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

I could only really remember watching eight of these shows and I voted for seven of them: Honeymooners Andy Griffith Dobie Gilles Beaver Martian Car 54 Mister Ed I NEVER understood the appeal of Lucille Ball... they should've given Fred Mertz his own spinoff. I'd watch that guy mow his lawn.

batmagadanleadoff Jan 24 2011 08:52 PM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Here's an article I've considered in the past whenever I was in the mood to take on, through DVD season sets, a TV show that I never watched before . http://www.time.com/time/specials/packa ... 41,00.html The TIME magazine piece turned me on to Arrested Development and The Shield. I'm dissapointed that The Monkees didn't make your poll. It might be my favorite of the wacky-setting 60's sitcoms. The Monkees probably aged better than its' contemporaries. http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/ ... 05,00.html Here's how the TIME magazine guy chose his top 100, if anyone's interested: http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/ ... 89,00.html

Edgy DC Jan 24 2011 09:19 PM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Fman99 wrote: I could only really remember watching eight of these shows and I voted for seven of them: Honeymooners Andy Griffith Dobie Gilles Beaver Martian Car 54 Mister Ed I NEVER understood the appeal of Lucille Ball... they should've given Fred Mertz his own spinoff. I'd watch that guy mow his lawn. Well, vote for it for Fred's sake. I voted for it for the Babaloo's sake.

Ashie62 Jan 24 2011 09:29 PM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Shirley Booth gets no respect. I am grateful some of these shows are before my time.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 25 2011 09:54 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Burns & Allen on radio was great. 'Mooners, Lucy, Burns, Griffith, Dobie, Make Room, Beaver, Martian, Mr. Ed. (Big Hall!)

G-Fafif Jan 25 2011 11:07 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Exposure to Dobie Gillis was limited but it left an impression.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 25 2011 11:23 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

I was a Dobie Man too, watched a good bit of it on Nick at Night in 1990. Tuesday Weld made me happy in the pants.

G-Fafif Jan 25 2011 11:26 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Tuesday Weld made me happy in the pants. As might a good tailor.

TheOldMole Jan 25 2011 12:12 PM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Here's one you forgot.

Vic Sage Jan 26 2011 08:51 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

where are you BURNS & ALLEN and BILKO voters? C'mon dudes. After HONEYMOONERS and LUCY, they're clearly the best shows on this list.

batmagadanleadoff Jan 26 2011 08:54 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Vic Sage wrote: where are you BURNS & ALLEN and BILKO voters? C'mon dudes. After HONEYMOONERS and LUCY, they're clearly the best shows on this list. I voted for both B&A and Bilko. Mole, too. Did you vote for The Monkees? What about Soap?

Benjamin Grimm Jan 26 2011 08:56 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

I never watched much Bilko, (the actual original name was You'll Never Get Rich, wasn't it?) but I'd rank Burns and Allen above Lucy, and below the Honeymooners.

RealityChuck Jan 26 2011 10:02 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

It's Dobie Gillis. Dobie Gillies was a distant relation to the Islander's Hall of Famer. But it's Burns and Allen for the win.

Vic Sage Jan 26 2011 03:03 PM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

My take: The Honeymooners - It towers over the genre like Babe Ruth. A little angrier, sadder, and funnier than you may remember. I Love Lucy - TV's first hot redhead; that's good enough for me. For evidence of comedy content, see "candy conveyor belt", "vitametavegamin", and "grape-crushing" episodes. Burns & Allen - took the 4th wall and hit you over the head with it; a perfect show and granddaddy of post-modern sitcom. Sgt Bilko (The Phil Silvers Show) - I was watching TOP CAT, and my brother said, "you know, this is just a remake of SGT BILKO". So, years later, i watched some BILKO episodes and he was right. It had that mean/funny thing down pat. Ozzie & Harriet - from whence came the family sitcom, for which it should be properly repudiated. Andy Griffith - small town life made so unappealing to me; why would you stay in such a place? Abbott & Castello - i loved the movies, but the show was -- eh. "Oooh, i'll give you such a pinch!" Many Loves of Dobie Gillis - My brothers would speak of it fondly, but i was too young. Don't remember seeing it in re-runs, either. Make Room for Daddy - Danny Thomas was funny enough, but this show meant nothing to me. Leave it to Beaver - i remember this show, and i hated it. My Favorite Martian - i liked it. Why? i was a kid, and ray walston had antennas coming out his head. Car 54 Where are You? - i have no recollections of it at all. Mister Ed - i could sing the whole theme song. I loved that horse. Donna Reed Show - don't remember it Real McCoys - i have a vague memory of old Walter brennan in this show, so i must have watched it with some regularity. Hazel - i watched it but don't remember my feelings about it.

Vic Sage Jan 26 2011 03:05 PM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Did you vote for The Monkees? What about Soap? yes, and yes.

TheOldMole Jan 26 2011 04:34 PM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Car 54 Where are You? was a real New York show, a send-up of Naked City. I was at a big downtown festival in Nashville one year, which included a show with Harlan Howard and several other legendary songwriters -- Nashville's greatest. But the biggest ovation of all went to Jay Livingston, and "A horse is a horse..."

G-Fafif Jan 26 2011 06:23 PM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Not on the ballot but worth mentioning from the early days of television: Life of Riley, with Jackie Gleason in the title role; a second version, starring William Bendix, came along later. Channel 11 ran the Gleason version for a while. Weird to have watched a sitcom made in the ancient-seeming 1940s in the 1970s.

TheOldMole Jan 27 2011 11:40 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

William Bendix was Riley on the radio.

Ashie62 Jan 28 2011 12:47 PM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

Desilu productions changed the way TV was aired. Filmed live and tapes (reel to reel) shipped coast to coast.

TheOldMole Jan 29 2011 09:06 AM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

I predict right now that The Honeymooners is going to win the whole enchilada.

RealityChuck Jan 29 2011 02:52 PM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

The Honeymooners -- TV greatness. Only possible flaw is that there weren't enough of them. I Love Lucy -- Not really a favorite. Lucy's antics get very tiresome even on the first go round. I dislike when people do things they know will be a disaster simply because it's funny. Burns & Allen -- Even greater than the Honeymooners. No one on TV was funnier than Gracie. Sgt Bilko (The Phil Silvers Show) -- Good show, but pales compared to many others/ Ozzie & Harriet -- Watchable, but not really a comedy (though not serious to be termed a drama). Andy Griffith -- Tedious claptrap. It wasn't until years after (Hearts of the West) that I discovered Griffith had any talent. Never particularly funny, nor were the characters anything more than stereotypes. Don Knotts didn't help, either. Abbott & Castello -- Interesting historically, but they were past their prime (and even their prime showed them to be inferior to most other teams) Many Loves of Dobie Gillies -- First class show. Makes the list, but not the top of it. Make Room for Daddy -- So-so. A family comedy that didn't have much to show, even by standards of the time. Leave it to Beaver -- Never better than mediocre, especially as Beaver got older. Too contrived./ My Favorite Martian -- Loved this as a kid because I loved science fiction. Saw it years later and realized how awful it really was. By far the worst on this list. Car 54 Where are You? -- Clever and well-written (by the same guy who did Bilko). It should have run longer, at least to spare Fred Gwynne (editor of the Harvard Lampoon and childrens book writer and illustrator) the indignity of playing Herman Munster. Mister Ed -- There's a reason why most of its run wasn't in prime time (it was shown Sunday afternoons). Gimmicky without much to show for it. Donna Reed Show -- nice family comedy. What Ozzie and Harriet and Make Room for Daddy aspired to be, if they had had any ambition at all. Real McCoys -- only saw a few of these, but Walter Brennan is always worth a look. Hazel -- I change my mind about My Favorite Martian

Edgy DC Jan 30 2011 01:15 PM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

I feel very differently about The Andy Griffith Show. I thought the characters weren't stereotypes, but unique oddballs. (How many queer Southern, sweethearted but naive, undereducated and overenthusiastic auto mechanics do you see in film, TV and literature?) I knew Andy Griffith had talent. I think Don Knotts is good stuff too. Andy Taylor never preaches, but stands as a fun example of how towns, neighborhoods, and societies run on the tolerance and even affection we can muster for the eccentrics in our midst, showing a town which prone to pettiness and moral snobbery how they all have a stake in each other's welfare, even that of the town drunk or lazy hillbillies. That he held together a town south of the Mason-Dixon Line while never carrrying a gun --- that's an element that would almost qualify as surreal today. The strange thing is that CBS was loaded with country programming and America loved it and loved Mayberry. But Mayberry was destroyed not for lack of ratings but because Fred Silverman decided those viewers, though a massive marketplace, weren't sophisticated enough to buy the gee-gaws that his sponsors were hawking, and so he instituted "The Rural Purge."

G-Fafif Jan 30 2011 02:01 PM Re: World Series of Sit-Coms - Group A, the Early Years

TAGS definitely had its charms, but I never cared for the way Braves kept interrupting Andy Griffith.