# Duplicate episodes in different series **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted\ **Created:** [August 1, 2022, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900 "2022-08-01T01:44:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2022, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900/41 "2022-08-03T01:06:01Z")
Back in the late 1950s-early 1960s, Warner Brothers churned out a bunch of detective shows which featured the same format - a handsome, sophisticated older private investigator, a handsome, eager young detective, and an even younger, hip supporting character to appeal to the “youth market.” The only distinguishing feature were the shows’ settings, Los Angeles/Hollywood, Miami, New Orleans, Hawaii, and (for some reason) the 1920s. They recycled both scripts and guest stars into a homogenous blur until the fad finally burned out. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2022, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900/42 "2022-08-03T01:23:46Z")
There’s a B&W episode of _ **Combat!** _ with Lt Hanley, in which the Americans and Germans call a truce so they can rescue a French woman’s child who’s fallen into a well. Two or three years later, there was a virtually identical episode of _ **The Rat Patrol** _ in living color, though the woman was North African instead of French. (It was also only half as long.) That episode is probably best remembered for the squib and blood pack under Hitchcock’s shirt being clearly visible just before he’s shot in the shoulder. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2022, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900/43 "2022-08-03T03:09:46Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > Back in the late 1950s-early 1960s, Warner Brothers churned out a bunch of detective shows which featured the same format - a handsome, sophisticated older private investigator, a handsome, eager young detective, and an even younger, hip supporting character to appeal to the “youth market.” The only distinguishing feature were the shows’ settings, Los Angeles/Hollywood, Miami, New Orleans, Hawaii, and (for some reason) the 1920s. They recycled both scripts and guest stars into a homogenous blur until the fad finally burned out. Can you tell us which shows you were thinking of? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2022, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900/44 "2022-08-03T03:48:34Z")
Of _course_ there’s a trope for that. > **[Recycled Script - TV Tropes](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RecycledScript)** > > When two or more shows share the same pool of writers (or when a freelance scriptwriter is a particular combination of industrious and lazy), it's not unknown for tight deadlines to be handled by the expedient of taking a script already used by … ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2022, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900/45 "2022-08-03T04:02:48Z")
The writers on _ **Bewitched** _ ran out of original ideas long before Dick York left the series. Eventually, every situation was resolved by Samantha saying it was all part of an advertising campaign. By the fifth year they were reusing old stories with almost exactly the same scripts: **DARRIN:** Sam, I told you NO WITCHCRAFT! **SAMANTHA:** I didn’t. I used my imagination. I have some too, you know. **DARRIN:** You expect me to BELIEVE that?!? **SAMANTHA:** Are you calling me a liar? **DARRIN:** IF THE SHOE FITS! Darrin really was a dick, wasn’t he? I don’t know what Samantha ever saw in him. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2022, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900/46 "2022-08-03T04:07:56Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > Back in the late 1950s-early 1960s, Warner Brothers churned out a bunch of detective shows which featured the same format - a handsome, sophisticated older private investigator, a handsome, eager young detective, and an even younger, hip supporting character to appeal to the “youth market.” The only distinguishing feature were the shows’ settings, Los Angeles/Hollywood, Miami, New Orleans, Hawaii, and (for some reason) the 1920s. They recycled both scripts and guest stars into a homogenous blur until the fad finally burned out. This was beautifully parodied in the movie _Network_. Barbara Schlesinger (Conchata Ferrell) is pitching TV show ideas to Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway): > [@](#): > > These are those four outlines submitted by Universal for an hour series. You needn’t bother to read them; I’ll tell them to you. > > The first one is set at a large Eastern law school, presumably Harvard. The series is irresistibly entitled “The New Lawyers.” The running characters are a crusty-but-benign ex-Supreme Court justice, presumably Oliver Wendell Holmes by way of Dr. Zorba; there’s a beautiful girl graduate student; and the local district attorney who is brilliant and sometimes cuts corners. > > The second one is called “The Amazon Squad.” The running characters include a crusty-but-benign police lieutenant who’s always getting heat from the commissioner; a hard-nosed, hard-drinking detective who thinks women belong in the kitchen; and the brilliant and beautiful young girl cop who’s fighting the feminist battle on the force. > > Up next is another one of those investigative reporter shows. A crusty-but-benign managing editor who’s always gett… > > _[Diana cuts her off]_ ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2022, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900/47 "2022-08-03T04:10:59Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Up next is another one of those investigative reporter shows. A crusty-but-benign managing editor who’s always gett Lou Grant! ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2022, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900/48 "2022-08-03T16:10:36Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Can you tell us which shows you were thinking of? In order, _77 Sunset Strip, Surfside 6, Bourbon Street Beat, Hawaiian Eye_ and _The Roaring 20s._ ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900/49 "2022-08-04T15:00:25Z")
Thanks! I’m going to find those shows (hopefully get to watch the first episode of each). I find that intriguing! . Oh, for anyone who needs to be reminded what “that” is: > [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > Warner Brothers churned out a bunch of detective shows which featured the same format - a handsome, sophisticated older private investigator, a handsome, eager young detective, and an even younger, hip supporting character… ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900/50 "2022-08-04T15:27:47Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > and an even younger, hip supporting character… Kookie! And his comb! ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900/51 "2022-08-05T06:11:18Z")
Somebody who is familiar with the work of Quinn Martin should review _Cannon,_ _Barnaby Jones_, _The Streets of San Franciso_ and _The FBI_ (in color) because I’m sure there was a plethora of recycleds in there. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900/52 "2022-08-05T14:46:07Z")
Does Star Trek TOS “The Naked Time” and TNG “The Naked Now” count? The second episode of the new series and they’re already ripping off the original. I remember thinking at the time “Wow, they’re out of ideas already?” (Luckily Riker grew a beard and the series got way better.) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900/53 "2022-08-05T14:50:03Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Does Star Trek TOS “The Naked Time” and TNG “The Naked Now” count? The second episode of the new series and they’re already ripping off the original. I remember thinking at the time “Wow, they’re out of ideas already?” It was an easy/sneaky way to introduce the new cast of characters and all their little quirks. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900/54 "2022-08-05T15:57:11Z")
_The Naked Now_ doesn’t really count because the references to finding the clues in the original Enterprise make it clear the episode is more of a sequel. That’s a lot less of duplicate ripoff than _Bewitched_ having Esmerelda reenact Aunt Clara’s incompetent witchcraft. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900/55 "2022-08-05T16:54:41Z")
_The Brady Bunch_ borrowed several plots from _My Three Sons_ - One of the kids is allergic to the family dog - The youngest son is desperate to win a trophy because everyone else in the family has one. - One of the kids discovers he has a double at school ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900/56 "2022-08-05T17:47:45Z")
I’ve seen this plot before – at _least_ once – and I never watched either of those two shows. It’s a very hoary trope. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900/57 "2022-08-05T17:54:42Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > and an even younger, hip supporting character to appeal to the “youth market.” Kookie, lend me your comb. Rats! Ninja’d. 77 Sunset Strip was just a door. We used to drive by looking for it. ---
**Author:** ![Jay\_Z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Jay\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay_Z)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900/58 "2022-08-05T18:05:38Z")
> [@CaptMurdock](#): > > Somebody who is familiar with the work of Quinn Martin should review _Cannon,_ _Barnaby Jones_, _The Streets of San Franciso_ and _The FBI_ (in color) because I’m sure there was a plethora of recycleds in there. Some of these shows were so formulaic that they really didn’t need to borrow plots. Barnaby Jones, for example. There’s always a death at the beginning. Often murder, but there was manslaughter and cases where the perpetrator probably wouldn’t even have been charged, just an inconvenient death in their presence, but for some reason they needed to cover it up. Either a relative would hire Barnaby to investigate, or he got hired by an insurance company (usually “California Meridian”) and would just show up. Regardless of why the first death happened, there was ALWAYS another mid show murder. The climax would come, the perpetrator would be fleeing Barnaby, shoot once, miss, then Barnaby would shoot the perp in the arm, always the arm, and capture them. The exception was if the perp was a woman. Some of the women had men to do their dirty work, then that man would be the one to get shot. But even for the women that were actually murderers, even if they pulled a gun on Barnaby at the end, he would always just talk them out of it or get the gun away somehow without having to shoot them. There was one early episode where Barnaby shot David Wayne twice and likely killed him. That was one where Wayne was killing relatives of his wife so she could be first in line for an inheritance. That was one of the better episodes. And once they added the JR character they did start breaking up the formula a bit more. There were several backdoor pilots, those didn’t use the formula either. Cannon, every episode was different. No formula at all. One of the better detective shows. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2022, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900/59 "2022-08-06T05:50:47Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > _The Brady Bunch_ borrowed several plots from _My Three Sons_ > > - One of the kids is allergic to the family dog > - The youngest son is desperate to win a trophy because everyone else in the family has one. > - One of the kids discovers he has a double at school Also “But I wanna be part of the family orchestra!” In Bobby’s case, glee club. Mike and Carol suggested he learn an instrument, so he brought home a drum kit and deafened everyone in the house. But I can’t remember – is that how the M3S episode played out? Oh, and that first one. Neither kid was really allergic. Jan was allergic to Tiger’s new flea powder, which everyone had been dousing him with. I think the kid on M3S was allergic to the flowers in the yard, which the dog was probably rolling in. And another thing was recycled: the scene of Alice bathing Tiger was reused in the episode with the trading stamps and the house of cards. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2022, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900/60 "2022-08-06T06:21:36Z")
The New Twilight Zone riffed on this trope (as you’d expect from TZ) in it’s _The Shadow Man_ episode, > **[The Shadow Man](https://twilightzone.fandom.com/wiki/The_Shadow_Man)** > > The Shadow Man is an episode of The New Twilight Zone. Eric frightens a boy named Danny Hayes, and is called chicken. Danny is then lectured by his mother about sleeping with all the lights, television, and radio on. A mysterious entity then comes... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duplicate-episodes-in-different-series/968900.md?page=4)