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The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1966)

20 votes

Get Smart (1965-1970)

22 votes

Bewitched (1964-1972)

14 votes

Addams Family (1964-1966)

14 votes

My Three Sons (1960-1972)

7 votes

I Dream of Jeannie (1965-1970)

19 votes

The Munsters (1964-1966)

13 votes

Gilligan’s Island (1964-1967)

15 votes

F Troop (1965-1967)

12 votes

Beverly Hillbillies (1962-1971)

6 votes

Gomer Pyle USMC (1964-1969)

3 votes

Green Acres (1965-1971)

5 votes

Hogan’s Heroes (1965-1971)

12 votes

Petticoat Junction (1963-1970)

0 votes

That Girl (1965-1971)

2 votes

Monkees (1966-1968)

19 votes

Frayed Knot Jan 24 2011 09:56 AM

Select (by any criteria you wish) the shows you liked best to move on to the next round by selectiing 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.

batmagadanleadoff Jan 24 2011 10:20 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

I'm having a problem setting a criteria by which to vote on these shows. A large number of the shows in this group are the shows I was raised on (albeit in reruns). But although I loved shows like Get Smart and others in this group as a pre-teen, most of these shows have aged poorly; I find many, if not most shows on this list unwatchable today. BTW, where's Batman? Did you know that Batman won an Emmy in the comedy category?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 24 2011 10:28 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

Gilligan? Gilligan! (Shakes fist, gets bonked by non sequitur coconut)

themetfairy Jan 24 2011 10:42 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

These are the shows of my youth. I remember watching the shows more than I remember the shows themselves.

Edgy DC Jan 24 2011 11:01 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

What lesson can we learn from Bewitched and Jeannie taking the early lead?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 24 2011 11:04 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

bitchezz be hottt

metsguyinmichigan Jan 24 2011 11:06 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

Holy omissions! No Caped Crusader? A cable networks is running the series again. It's at some obscene hour, but my wife programmed the tivo-like thing for me. Julie Newmar. Wow. Didn't appreciate her much as a six-year old.

Willets Point Jan 24 2011 11:11 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

Wasn't Batman an hour-long program?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 24 2011 11:13 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

I only got to know it in syndication (as with pretty much all of these), but there, it was paired half-hour episodes with a cliffhanger in the middle.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 24 2011 11:13 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

I think (too lazy right now to look it up to verify) that Batman ran two 30-minute shows per week; it held two slots in the prime time schedule. So each story ran 60 minutes, but each episode was only 30.

Edgy DC Jan 24 2011 11:15 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

Batman had two half-hour episodes would air on different nights. (At least, the first two seasons.) I don't know if it got bumped to the seventies bracket or eliminated on a technicality for having neither canned laughter nor a live audience. Interesting fact: NBC was going to take over the show after ABC cancelled it, but bailed when they learned that ABC had already demolished the sets.

dgwphotography Jan 24 2011 11:18 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

I'm just surprised that anything is ahead of the Dick Van Dyke show

Frayed Knot Jan 24 2011 11:18 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

'Batman' was discussed but ultimately rejected in the original thread, both for reasons of the twice-weekly format and that it didn't really fit the 'sit-com' idea. Sorry fans, you'll just have to muddle through.

Willets Point Jan 24 2011 11:19 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: I only got to know it in syndication (as with pretty much all of these), but there, it was paired half-hour episodes with a cliffhanger in the middle. This must have been how I saw the show too. I think the stories would carry over more than 2 half-hour increments though.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 24 2011 11:44 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

I voted for six shows in this round. My favorites, in order: Dick Van Dyke, Jeannie, Get Smart, Green Acres, Bewitched, Hogan's Heroes. Hogan's was borderline, but I decided to be charitable. Dick Van Dyke was everything a sitcom ought to be. Barbara Eden was not only super sexy, but she also wins out over Samantha because of her wonderful sense of mischief. Where Samantha was forced by her uptight husband to hold back on her powers, or use them on the sly, Jeannie was free to have fun. (What the hell was Darren's problem, by the way? If I had a wife like Samantha there's no way I'd spend every day toiling under the thumb of Larry Tate!) I haven't seen Green Acres in years. I loved the wackiness when I was a kid; I wonder how it would stand up now.

TheOldMole Jan 24 2011 11:52 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

Get Smart, Addams Family, My Three Sons, Dick Van Dyke.

Edgy DC Jan 24 2011 11:53 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

Benjamin Grimm wrote: (What the hell was Darren's problem, by the way? If I had a wife like Samantha there's no way I'd spend every day toiling under the thumb of Larry Tate!) Mad Men explains some of the Bewitched Paradox, though, doesn't it? Succeeding as a Madison Avenue ad man was a crucible of masculinity, and for a borderline milquetoaste/borderline alcoholic like Darren Stevens, marrying a superpowered and kindhearted foxy witch wasn't enough to bolster his crippling insecurity. He had to earn her. A good stand-in for men of that era, I think, as Eisenhower-era certainty gave way to post-Kennedy-era insecurity. (A gross over-simplification, but what the hell.)

sharpie Jan 24 2011 01:07 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

How is The Munsters beating Addams Family? How?

themetfairy Jan 24 2011 01:42 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

sharpie wrote: How is The Munsters beating Addams Family? How? Because of the Fregosi Curse?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 24 2011 02:02 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

sharpie wrote: How is The Munsters beating Addams Family? How? If they were on opposite each other I'd watch the Munsters. I just would.

Willets Point Jan 24 2011 03:19 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: sharpie wrote: How is The Munsters beating Addams Family? How? If they were on opposite each other I'd watch the Munsters. I just would. I'd turn off the tv and read a book.

Vic Sage Jan 24 2011 03:39 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

FK, it might be helpful to the discussion if you could post links to the original threads so those who didn't participate in the discussion could at least read how the final nominees were determined.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 24 2011 05:33 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

I'm pretty sure clusterfucky discussion of who oughta be nominated killed this. [url]http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/12700/f2_t12724.shtml

Fman99 Jan 24 2011 06:40 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

Dyke Addams Munsters Gilligan F Troop Beverly Hogan Monkees

Willets Point Jan 24 2011 07:07 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

Benjamin Grimm Nov 04 2009 06:48 PM Re: WORLD SERIES I have an idea for a parallel endeavor that I'll (if my motivation holds up) roll out when the voting starts. I'm not at liberty to say any more just now! I'm intrigued. I wonder if Grimm even remembers what he planned to do.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 24 2011 08:08 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

No! But maybe it will come to me.

batmagadanleadoff Jan 24 2011 08:43 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I'm pretty sure clusterfucky discussion of who oughta be nominated killed this. [url]http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/12700/f2_t12724.shtml It's too late now, but after reading that thread, I came up with an idea that would've avoided all of the clusterfuckiness over which shows should or shouldn't have gotten nominated. I would've included as many shows as reasonably possible in the poll, and any sitcom that a forum member suggested. My brackets would've been all inclusive, like the old MLB Hall of Fame ballots where even someone like Jim Beauchamp gets on the ballot at least one time. The voting, rather than the nominating process would've taken care of the weeding out.

Ashie62 Jan 24 2011 09:32 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

Here we come walkin down your street, haven't found a ballclub we couldn't beat.. HEY, HEY, WERE THE METS!

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 25 2011 10:02 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

Were the Mets what? Van Dyke, Smart, Bewitched, Addams, Jeannie, Munsters (yeah, yeah), Hillbillies, Ho-GAN. No Monkees, please.

Edgy DC Jan 25 2011 10:24 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

The Monkees was brilliant. The Monkees was comedy born of art born of pain. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvLWSxbg8Hw

Willets Point Jan 25 2011 10:26 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

Edgy DC wrote: The Monkees was brilliant. The Monkees was comedy born of art born of pain. The pain was my pain of hearing their ham-fisted "jokes" and crappy Beatles ripoffs.

themetfairy Jan 25 2011 10:30 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

I had a thing for Davy. There, I said it....

Benjamin Grimm Jan 25 2011 10:32 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

You're just trying to increase your Marcia Brady sim score.

Edgy DC Jan 25 2011 10:36 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

If you don't like the music, you don't like. That's cool, but I don't consider that a ripoff. The Beatles sound that the initial Monkees sound referenced was more or less the Rubber Soul sound, which was a vein the Beatles moved on from long before it tapped out. Composition-wise, they were employing some of the best writers around, including Brill Building vets who influenced the Beatles as well as being influenced by them. Their ongoing fight for autonomy was such that the recently passed Don Kirshner would only work on cartoon music after that, so the actor-musicians would do what he told them.

Vic Sage Jan 25 2011 10:58 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

preach it, edgemeister! i think i had a discussion on this topic with Soupcan in the great music battle threads, when i championed the monkees to an unlikely victory over... who was it? the red hot chili peppers? if only the thread fairy could make a link suddenly appear!

Edgy DC Jan 25 2011 11:01 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

Google took me about three seconds. http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/4200/f22_t4230.shtml

G-Fafif Jan 25 2011 11:04 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

This was, with a few precious exceptions, the decade of shows I watched as opposed to watchable shows. Given every opportunity by TV Land, et al, I avoid most of them.

themetfairy Jan 25 2011 11:14 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

Benjamin Grimm wrote: You're just trying to increase your Marcia Brady sim score. Yeah, but I liked him because he was short. Seriously - as a short kid with self-esteem issues, it meant a lot for me to see a character on a show who could be self-deprecating about his height.

seawolf17 Jan 25 2011 11:26 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

Edgy DC wrote: Google took me about three seconds. http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/4200/f22_t4230.shtml Wow. I go all Valadius at the end of that thread. (Reading back through it, I'm still stunned.)

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 25 2011 11:38 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

I don't know why I didn't vote in that poll but I have it 10-0 Monkees over the band for gay straight guys who like white black music.

Willets Point Jan 25 2011 12:12 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

Hee-hee. My past self made my present self laugh aloud. Willets Point Aug 03 2006 03:50 PM Before the pics go up I just want to point out that one band has a member who wears a sock cap while the other band wears socks on their members. How's that for a contrast? I'm probably the only who found this funny now or then.

Vic Sage Jan 26 2011 02:42 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

My take: Dick Van Dyke Show - funny & sexy; maybe the best ever. I vividly remember the walnuts episode to this day! Get Smart - Mel Brooks' goofy JAMES BOND spoof worked great, up until they brought in Hymie. Loved Barbara Feldon, but she was no Diana Rigg! Bewitched - As a big fan of BELL, BOOK & CANDLE, i had a soft spot for this show, and a hard spot for Elizabeth Montgomery (and her crinkly little nose). But the show was formulaic, the supporting cast unexceptional (regardless of which Darren you prefer). Addams Family - not nearly as bizarre as i wanted to be, it still had fun and John Astin played it with gusto. My Three Sons - yuch. I Dream of Jeannie - Where BEWITCHED stopped, this one started. hotchamagatcha! Barbara Eden's bellybutton! The Munsters - I should have liked this show, but i didn't. Gilligan’s Island - even as a pre-schooler, i couldn't get why they were still stuck on the island. And the skipper seemed a little too buddy-buddy with his lil' buddy... NTTAWWT F Troop - I just loved this show, without pretending it was particularly good. I wanted wrangler jane to throw a rope on me. And the Jewish indians killed me. "Make left at rock that look like bear, make right at bear that look like rock." Beverly Hillbillies - ooh, Donna Douglas was smokin' hot, but that didn't make this bit of hillbilly humor watchable. Gomer Pyle USMC - This one didn't even have Donna Douglas. Gollllly! Green Acres - bizarro-land version of southern gothic. The pig was the best thing in it. Hogan’s Heroes - while i remember watching it, i also remember thinking "why are nazis funny?" answer: they're not. not in my house. Petticoat Junction - 3 nubiles swimmin' in the water tower. The opening credits were worth it, the rest of the show (like its other rural cousins), not so much. That Girl - I wanted Donald to smack her. Is that wrong? Monkees - Not a sitcom; i'm not sure what i was thinking including it on the list. But i watched it and loved it at the time. Saw it recently with my son, however, and we both found it unwatchable.

batmagadanleadoff Jan 26 2011 03:51 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

My take: Monkees - Not a sitcom; i'm not sure what i was thinking including it on the list. But i watched it and loved it at the time. Saw it recently with my son, however, and we both found it unwatchable. Fine by you. But I removed you from my list of people I'd consider asking to rec a Sturges movie. The Monkees has every single element that would qualify it as a sitcom, notwithstanding that the band performs a song in every episode. Is it the music that leads you to think that it's not a sitcom?

batmagadanleadoff Jan 26 2011 04:01 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

My take: Monkees - Not a sitcom; i'm not sure what i was thinking including it on the list. But i watched it and loved it at the time. Saw it recently with my son, however, and we both found it unwatchable. Fine by you. But I removed you from my list of people I'd consider asking to rec a Sturges movie. The Monkees has every single element that would qualify it as a sitcom, notwithstanding that the band performs a song in every episode. Is it the music that leads you to think that it's not a sitcom? Now I'm confused because I read in the other thread that you voted for The Monkees. I'm guessing you voted based on enjoying the show as a youngster.

TheOldMole Jan 26 2011 04:27 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

Ozzie and Harriet was also a sitcom with songs -- well, in the later stages of its existence. As was a rather less well-known entry, Those Whiting Girls.

G-Fafif Jan 26 2011 06:24 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

For its first couple of years, The Beverly Hillbillies was actually quite hilarious. Then came color. Too bad.

dgwphotography Jan 26 2011 06:48 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

Vic Sage wrote: Dick Van Dyke Show - funny & sexy; maybe the best ever. I vividly remember the walnuts episode to this day! I still vividly, and fondly remember the sexy look on Laura's face when she slid out of the closet....

Vic Sage Jan 26 2011 09:12 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group B: the Sixties

My take: Monkees - Not a sitcom; i'm not sure what i was thinking including it on the list. But i watched it and loved it at the time. Saw it recently with my son, however, and we both found it unwatchable. Fine by you. But I removed you from my list of people I'd consider asking to rec a Sturges movie. The Monkees has every single element that would qualify it as a sitcom, notwithstanding that the band performs a song in every episode. Is it the music that leads you to think that it's not a sitcom? Now I'm confused because I read in the other thread that you voted for The Monkees. I'm guessing you voted based on enjoying the show as a youngster. i voted for it because: a) yes, i loved it at the time, and b) there was very little else like it, ever. I guess my hesitation was based on that very lack of similarity to anything, which, in a genre like the sitcom (which is so overrun by formula, spinoffs, and familiarity) makes it, on first blush, very unsitcommy. But, it does have the necessary elements... a 1/2 comedy with a cast of continuing characters going thru... um... situations. The music doesn't disqualify it necessarily, but is just another atypical element to deal with.