Master Index of Archived Threads


The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Taxi (1978-1983)

23 votes

Cheers (1982-1993)

24 votes

Cosby Show (1984-1992)

15 votes

Newhart (1982-1990)

13 votes

Family Ties (1982-1989)

14 votes

It’s Gary Shandling’s Show (1986-1990)

9 votes

Night Court (1984-1992)

16 votes

Alice (1976-1985)

1 votes

Three’s Company (1976-1984)

7 votes

Mork & Mindy (1978-1982)

7 votes

Different Strokes (1978-1986)

8 votes

Facts of Life (1979-1988)

5 votes

Silver Spoons (1982-1987)

2 votes

Alf (1986-1990)

4 votes

Who’s the Boss? (1984-1992)

4 votes

Golden Girls (1985-1992)

7 votes

Frayed Knot Jan 25 2011 09:29 AM

Choose [u:3mjvdixx]Up to eight (8)[/u:3mjvdixx] shows that you wish to move on to Round 2 Voting will close mid-day Saturday

Benjamin Grimm Jan 25 2011 09:44 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Again, I voted for the first seven listed: Taxi (1978-1983) Cheers (1982-1993) Cosby Show (1984-1992) Newhart (1982-1990) Family Ties (1982-1989) It’s Gary Shandling’s Show (1986-1990) Night Court (1984-1992) I wavered over Cosby; I liked it enough at first, but it became unwatchable well before it ended its run. And I despised Three's Company.

Ceetar Jan 25 2011 09:47 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

And I despised Three's Company. Chandler: Oh, I think this is the episode of Three's Company where there's some kind of misunderstanding. Phoebe: Then I've already seen this one! (turns off the TV)

Edgy DC Jan 25 2011 09:50 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Again, I voted for the first seven listed: Taxi (1978-1983) Cheers (1982-1993) Cosby Show (1984-1992) Newhart (1982-1990) Family Ties (1982-1989) It’s Gary Shandling’s Show (1986-1990) Night Court (1984-1992) I wavered over Cosby; I liked it enough at first, but it became unwatchable well before it ended its run. Which is more than one can say about Family Ties.

Willets Point Jan 25 2011 09:56 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

I'm surprised Growing Pains didn't make the cut. It was better than Family Ties and Alf at very least. Not to mention the Seaver and Koosman connections.

dgwphotography Jan 25 2011 09:58 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Newhart: Best closing punchline for a show - evah!

themetfairy Jan 25 2011 10:01 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Newhart: Best closing punchline for a show - evah! Agreed :)

seawolf17 Jan 25 2011 10:03 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

I vote for every one of these shows.

Frayed Knot Jan 25 2011 10:06 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Bob Newhart fans have to make sure to not confuse their Newhart/Chicago votes (Group C) with their Newhart/Vermont votes (Group D).

Willets Point Jan 25 2011 10:24 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Frayed Knot wrote: Bob Newhart fans have to make sure to not confuse their Newhart/Chicago votes (Group C) with their Newhart/Vermont votes (Group D). Doesn't matter, I voted for both of them.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 25 2011 10:33 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Upon further consideration, Newhart/Vermont was a really, really friggin' odd show. Didn't they just up and change the framing a few years in out of nowhere-- from innkeeper to something else entirely? Went for Taxi, Cheers, Cosby, Newhart, Shandling (brillliant stuff), Diff'rent Strokes (if only for the VSE-ness of it all), and the Girls.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 25 2011 10:36 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

No, Newhart's was an innkeeper the whole way through, at least until the big "reveal" at the end of the final episode. He was also a writer of do-it-yourself books.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 25 2011 10:40 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

This is what confused me-- it only seemed like they left the inn. At the beginning of the second season, Newhart was re-tooled and Dick began hosting a low-rated talk show on the town's local television station. As the series progressed, episodes focused increasingly on Dick's TV career and the quirky townsfolk, to the point where it seems the Loudons hardly ever have any guests at their inn. As the years went by, some characters were dropped and others were added.

metsguyinmichigan Jan 25 2011 10:42 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Larry, Darryl and Darryl were awesome!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 25 2011 10:47 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

And I despised Three's Company. Chandler: Oh, I think this is the episode of Three's Company where there's some kind of misunderstanding. Phoebe: Then I've already seen this one! (turns off the TV) Well Geez, 3C was better than Friends, I know that's not saying much.

G-Fafif Jan 25 2011 10:51 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

No WKRP (1978-1982) on the ballot?

TheOldMole Jan 25 2011 10:53 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Just two here -- Taxi and Cheers.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 25 2011 10:57 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Me:It's Garry Shandling's Show::Marty Noble:Dave Parker

G-Fafif Jan 25 2011 11:08 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

I guess we had the nominating discussion last year, but man, no Buffalo Bill?

seawolf17 Jan 25 2011 11:14 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

I loved Garry Shandling. Great, great show.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 25 2011 12:27 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

seawolf17 wrote: I loved Garry Shandling. Great, great show. I agree. I was surprised to see it here, though. I thought I remembered that we decided to omit cable shows. (Guess not. Perhaps it was just discussed and dismissed.)

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 25 2011 01:22 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Garry Shandling was his Fox anti-sitcom. Sanders was the HBO show, criminally excluded here. One might say that the whole concept falls apart without it.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 25 2011 01:30 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Garry Shandling was a Showtime show, later rerun on FOX.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 25 2011 01:49 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Ah, yes. (Estupido!) Guess it sneaks in since it had a network (second) run?

sharpie Jan 25 2011 03:48 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

This is where a bunch of shows appear that I've never seen.

batmagadanleadoff Jan 25 2011 08:00 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

This is where a bunch of shows appear that I've never seen. Me too. I virtually stopped watching television shows by the mid-80's. Seinfeld and then The Simpsons pulled me back in. I voted for three from this list: Taxi Cheers The Garry Shandling Show

Fman99 Jan 25 2011 08:14 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Only four votes for "Golden Girls"? Ridonkulous.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 25 2011 08:37 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Who are the jokers voting for Richard Moll and the gang?

Ashie62 Jan 25 2011 09:52 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

I can't get past the Newhart/Pleschette show. This group does little for me. Should "One day at a Time" be here?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 25 2011 09:57 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

That isn't Newhart/Pleschette. It's Newhart/Frann/many, many odd ducks.

dgwphotography Jan 26 2011 07:36 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Who are the jokers voting for Richard Moll and the gang? Me. Family Ties has more votes than Newhart? Really?

seawolf17 Jan 26 2011 07:42 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

dgwphotography wrote: LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Who are the jokers voting for Richard Moll and the gang? Me. Family Ties has more votes than Newhart? Really? Me too. "Night Court" was hiLARious.

Frayed Knot Jan 26 2011 07:45 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

I voted for one show here: CHEERS The rest I either never watched or saw only in passing.

Edgy DC Jan 26 2011 07:47 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Well, then, good thing this is all in your hands.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 26 2011 07:48 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

I liked Night Court well enough. And I did like Family Ties at the time, but I suspect I wouldn't care for it too much now. They both got my vote. I think I'd count Newhart as the best of these. Cheers started out great, but peaked early and had a long stretch where it was merely pretty good. (I don't think Shelly Long was irreplaceable, but she wasn't adequately replaced. Kirstie Alley was awful, and was a drag on the show. On the other hand, Woody and Frasier were good additions.)

themetfairy Jan 26 2011 08:22 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Frayed Knot wrote: I voted for one show here: CHEERS The rest I either never watched or saw only in passing. Same here.

Willets Point Jan 26 2011 09:03 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Benjamin Grimm wrote: (I don't think Shelly Long was irreplaceable, but she wasn't adequately replaced. Kirstie Alley was awful, and was a drag on the show. On the other hand, Woody and Frasier were good additions.) I felt opposite. I can't stand Shelly Long. Her absence from the show allowed Cheers to go from boring, predictable plots about "Sam & Diane" to a great ensemble comedy with the other characters (both old & new) more fleshed-out.

Vic Sage Jan 26 2011 09:07 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

and Kirstie Alley was way hotter, until she blimped out.

themetfairy Jan 26 2011 10:00 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

The bigger loss in Cheers was Coach after Sesaon 3. Woody was fine, but the loss of a layered character (someone who forgot more than most of us ever knew, due to being hit in the head by one two many basesballs for a more naive one hurt the show a lot.

Frayed Knot Jan 26 2011 11:09 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Cheers started out great, but peaked early and had a long stretch where it was merely pretty good. (I don't think Shelly Long was irreplaceable, but she wasn't adequately replaced. Kirstie Alley was awful, and was a drag on the show. On the other hand, Woody and Frasier were good additions.) This. Of the handful of sit-coms that I watched religiously in their day (Odd Couple, MASH, Cheers, Seinfeld, Scrubs) Cheers is the one that didn't hold up for me to the point where I rarely even watched it once it got to re-run syndication land - whereas the others, for the most part, I didn't tire of even after having memorized most or all of the dialog from repeated viewings.

Ashie62 Jan 26 2011 12:19 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Linda Lavin thanks CPF for her one vote.

Ashie62 Jan 26 2011 12:19 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Where is WKRP?

seawolf17 Jan 26 2011 12:20 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Cincinnati.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 26 2011 12:32 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Night Court? Hilarious? I thought so too... as an eight-year-old. Give me Blanche, Dorothy, Sophia, and slutty old Rose any day. (Oh, trust me-- I got that RIGHT.)

G-Fafif Jan 26 2011 12:33 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Ashie62 wrote: Linda Lavin thanks CPF for her one vote. Some over=the-air, quasi-network (Ion, I think) ran Alice nightly in the 7 o'clock hour a couple of years ago, and the missus and I grew hooked on it ... in the rubbernecking sense. These were the latter seasons of Alice when Flo was gone, Tommy was 23 and the cringe factor was high. Yet in its first years, Alice seemed more than watchable. In this balloting, however, it can kiss my grits.

metsmarathon Jan 26 2011 12:59 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

i voted night court as well. i love me some mel torme.

seawolf17 Jan 26 2011 12:59 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

seawolf17 wrote: Me too. "Night Court" was hiLARious. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Night Court? Hilarious? I thought so too... as an eight-year-old. Night Court (b. 1984) Seawolf (b. 1976)

Vic Sage Jan 26 2011 01:08 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

my take: Taxi - consistently funny "workplace comedy", with an original collection of oddball characters, from the demonic Louie to the angelic Latka, to the oh-so-human Reiger and wacked out Reverend Jim, it covered the waterfront. Cheers - watchable, but never a favorite of mine. The sexual tension of Sam & Diane could only sustain so long. Cosby Show - too self-consciously "socially responsible", as if written and produced as a form of social counterweight, to concern itself with actually being funny. Newhart - the show just got curiouser and curiouser.. and funnier and funnier... leading up to an all-time great final episode. Family Ties - I liked it at the time, but it hasn't held up well. It’s Gary Shandling’s Show - Taking a post-modern spin on the old Burns & Allen setup, this was a great show. Night Court - surprisingly funny over the years, especially LaRoquette. Alice - ok early on, but awful later. Three’s Company - even as a horny teen, this show made me wince. and not in a good way. Mork & Mindy - I loved the idea of Jonathan Winter's as Robin Williams' strange child. But there was alot else not very good here. Different Strokes - ugh. Facts of Life - double ugh. Silver Spoons - triple ugh. Alf - actually, a funny premise. but rarely a funny show. Who’s the Boss? - i didn't develop a thing for Alyssa Milano til she was much older. And that was the only thing going for this show. Golden Girls - Old ladies talking dirty. If you're into that sort of thing. It had its moments.

Willets Point Jan 26 2011 01:09 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

I have to admit I recently watched the first episode of Night Court online. I remembered the madcap comedy. I'd forgotten that there were scenes where Harry Anderson was preachy and moralistic in ways that made Alan Alda look subtle. Still it gets my vote for being mostly good, goofy fun.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 28 2011 07:37 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Geri Jewell, who played the disabled chick on "Facts of Life" has come out as a lesbian. Jo is still in the closet though.

Edgy DC Jan 28 2011 07:46 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

That show defintiely had a lesbian following. I'm sure there are threads devoted to it in lesbian chat forums to this day.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 28 2011 08:53 AM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

Speaking of which... I can't recall. Was Ellen up for consideration? (In Group E, more likely, but still.)

RealityChuck Jan 30 2011 05:39 PM Re: The World Series of TV Sit-Coms - Group D

My choices" Taxi -- Near great sitcom with an amazing cast. Cheers -- Greatmess, though it faded a bit after Shelley Long left. Cosby Show -- another great show that ran out of steam. When they started bringing in new cute kids, it was all over. Newhart -- Newhart had a great track record (I know why it wasn't mentioned, but his Bob was just as good as the rest). the classic ending clinched it. Family Ties -- Awful dreck. Not even Michael J. Fox could make it funny, and the smarmy emotion made it unwatchable. It’s Gary Shandling’s Show -- superb concept and well executed. Probably too strange to catch on, but a delight if you love metafiction. Night Court -- So-so. Anderson was a nice presence, but the show never managed to reach the top level. Alice -- The movie was better. Linda Lavin was a star, but anything that depends on the catchphrase "Kiss my grits" is sorely loacking. Three’s Company -- Godawful. Not funny in the slightest and the jokes were all oversold and could be seen a mile off. Mork & Mindy -- Robin Williams was great; the show was mediocre. Different Strokes -- At least Cosby knew how to do cute kids. Facts of Life -- Dismal as all hell. Obvious jokes and paper-thin characters. Silver Spoons -- I only watched a few minutes of this altogether. It was more than enough. Alf -- Better Than It Had Any Right To Be. It should have been godawful, but it managed to be better than average. That was a big victory. Who’s the Boss? -- Did anyone ever actually watch an episode of this? Who ever got the idea that Tony Danza was charming? Golden Girls -- Shows what happens when you create a sitcom purely for demographic reasons. The cast was fine, but the characters were appallingly contrived, something that became more and more obvious each show.