# Name and Exemplify Sitcom Syndromes **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 16, 2005, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218 "2005-08-16T04:35:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JerH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bb73d2/32.png) [@JerH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerH)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218/21 "2005-08-16T15:36:45Z")
**Who Does All The Work?** Syndrome - This is related the the _Who’s Minding The Store?_ Syndrome already discussed; it is when a business manages to operate with a significantly smaller staff than would normally be required. Examples include _Cheers_ (2 bartenders and 1 or 2 waitresses keeping the place open 7 days/week, at least 12 hours/day) and _Just Shoot Me_ (entire staff for a magazine is 1 chief editor, a photographer, a writer, and 2 other random people who don’t really do anything). **No Visible Means of Support** Syndrome: Where characters manage to live decent lives and have money despite no apparent job, savings, or personal wealth. Typical examples are Bo and Luke Duke. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218/22 "2005-08-16T15:37:48Z")
**The Very Special Syndrome** : There will be at least one episode where someone is raped, almost raped, offered drugs, hit on by an uncle or suffers some other serious event. This only seems to happen to shows with kids and no matter how traumatic the event, it’s effects will last only one episode. Two, if it’s a two parter. **The Time Dilation Syndrome** Historical eras that the show is set in last as long as the show. Longer, in fact, than they did in real life. MASH is the example for this. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218/23 "2005-08-16T15:39:48Z")
> [@Fionn](#): > > _That 70’s Show_ did this with Donna’s sister. In the first season, she had a 14-year-old sister she had to watch while her parents were out of town, then, poof, she was gone. No mention of whether she got sent to reform school, got hit by a bus, nothing. I think they did make light of it in one of the season ending segments where the camera pans to each character and the narrator says something about what they are thinking or doing. But how about this? Though one sister appeared and disappeared, there was another sister referenced. Donna mentions her sister_s_! So, there was one sister that disappeared without ever appearing! > [@](#): > > My favorite sitcom/drama cliche is the **Instant Addiction** : a character takes a single pill/drink/etc and plunges instantly into the throes of addiction, which will be resolved in at very most in one more episode and will thereafter never be mentioned again. My favorite example is Donna on _90210_, who went from taking a pill from a friend to ease an injury to raiding a doctor’s office cabinet in about 15 minutes. It was still better than Jessie’s addictions to No-Doze on Saved By The Bell! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218/24 "2005-08-16T15:40:12Z")
> [@middleman](#): > > **YOU SURE MEET A LOT OF FAMOUS PEOPLE!** - Where ordinary people tend to encounter a lot of celebs (for the purpose of having a no-brainer guest star). These celebs will not just sign an autograph. They will come to your home and talk to your kid about the dangers of dirt bikes. The worst offender of this one has to be _Alice_. It took place in a dingy Waffle-House-like diner in (Phenix or Tucson) and yet their clientele over the years included Art Carney, George Burns, Telly Savalas, Robert Goulet and Joel Grey among others. (Though not apropos to the syndrome, they also had a cross-over from Boss Hogg and Enos of _Dukes of Hazzard_ fame, one of the worst in TV history.) Speaking of _Alice_, **The Linda Lavin Syndrome** (though it didn’t originate with her, she was one of the worst abusers)- a star of the sitcom really sees themselves as a singer, so they work it into the plot at every given opportunity. Examples include **Gimme a Break** (which was the exception to the rule in that Nell Carter’s musical numbers were actually a welcome respite from the terrible plots), **Blossom** (when Joey took to singing in real life and on the show) and **Designing Women** (where Julia sang everything from _Amazing Grace_ to _Sweet Georgia Brown_ in various episodes). Speaking of _D.W._, **The “BLACK MAN! BLACK MAN!” SYNDROME** - an all white show has one non-white cast member and seemingly all of his/her plotlines and dialogue are directly based on race and “isn’t it funny when a black guy says white people are weird?” paradigm. Anthony of _Designing Women_ is the obvious example from the title, but also includes _Silver Spoons_ (the sassy black maid in a few episodes) and a reverse case with Officer Hoppy (and mom) in _Sanford and Son_. Luckily, Jack Benny and Rochester came around too early for this one. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218/25 "2005-08-16T15:42:29Z")
> [@JerH](#): > > \*\ ***No Visible Means of Support** Syndrome: Where characters manage to live decent lives and have money despite no apparent job, savings, or personal wealth. Typical examples are Bo and Luke Duke. Doesn’t “mooch” count as a career? (Seriously, I think it was implied that they were moonshine runners for that shady Uncle Jesse.) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218/26 "2005-08-16T15:44:35Z")
> [@Fionn](#): > > My favorite sitcom/drama cliche is the **Instant Addiction** : a character takes a single pill/drink/etc and plunges instantly into the throes of addiction, which will be resolved in at very most in one more episode and will thereafter never be mentioned again. My favorite example is Donna on _90210_, who went from taking a pill from a friend to ease an injury to raiding a doctor’s office cabinet in about 15 minutes. Yes but when Taxi did this to Rev Jim it was a classic hillarious moment and one of the first sightings of Tom Hanks. James Brooks reused the almost exact flashback, instant addiction for Barney on the Simpsons and it was almost as funny. > [@](#): > > Captain Amazing Quote: > > > [@](#): > > > > Originally Posted by MsRobyn > > The eldest child on “My Three Sons” disappeared after five seasons. (I know, five years is longer than one year, but Mike disappeared first.) > > Yeah, but I’m pretty sure they explained he got married and moved away. They didn’t just disappear him. I only saw it once but there was a multipart episode with the Wedding. But they did stop talking about him completely and that does qualify as lame. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218/27 "2005-08-16T15:46:07Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > **The Time Dilation Syndrome** Historical eras that the show is set in last as long as the show. Longer, in fact, than they did in real life. MASH is the example for this. Although _That 70s Show_ is gaining ground on them. This one was mentioned in its own thread a while back, but \*_The Special Date_ syndrome- a character has a date, often blind, with someone who turns out to be a really great person, but has a noticeable demerit in appearance (either they’re obese or in a wheelchair or have CP or something similar). Invariably the main character, who at first has reservations, goes with the date and ends up having a wonderful time and realizes the person is actually wonderful beneath their difference. After which, the character is never seen or referred to again. Examples: Alex’s date with the obese operator on _Taxi_, Suzanne’s date with the blind guy on _D.W._, Charlene’s date with the really fat guy on _D.W._, Zack’s date with the girl in the wheelchair on _Saved by the Bell_. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218/28 "2005-08-16T15:46:14Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > **The Linda Lavin Syndrome** (though it didn’t originate with her, she was one of the worst abusers)- a star of the sitcom really sees themselves as a singer, so they work it into the plot at every given opportunity. Examples include **Gimme a Break** (which was the exception to the rule in that Nell Carter’s musical numbers were actually a welcome respite from the terrible plots), **Blossom** (when Joey took to singing in real life and on the show) and **Designing Women** (where Julia sang everything from _Amazing Grace_ to _Sweet Georgia Brown_ in various episodes). Speaking of _D.W._, Great call. Non-sitcom offenders: Mandy Patikan from Chicago Hope and Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner from ST:TNG. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218/29 "2005-08-16T15:49:05Z")
> [@JerH](#): > > **Who Does All The Work?** Syndrome - _Just Shoot Me_ (entire staff for a magazine is 1 chief editor, a photographer, a writer, and 2 other random people who don’t really do anything). Just shoot me showed background supporting staff, accountants and IT weenies even. They always showed non-talking characters as fillers. The Staff meetings were lame though. Is this what you meant? ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218/30 "2005-08-16T15:49:44Z")
> [@jrfranchi](#): > > I only saw it once but there was a multipart episode with the Wedding. But they did stop talking about him completely and that does qualify as lame. I think this one may qualify as a different category then: **OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND** - When a cast member leaves (often to do movies) and though they were a huge part of the characters’ lives, they are rarely,if ever, mentioned again. Fortunately a new, SIMILIAR character will magically appear to fill that void. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218/31 "2005-08-16T15:50:04Z")
**The Why Are You Friends With Him/Her?** syndrome- when a character is friends with a totally obnoxious person who is always using them and offers absolutely nothing and is in fact mean and totally selfish, but said character never just tells them to go straight to hell and never come around again. Examples include Charlie the obnoxious neighbor on _Empty Nest_, Donna’s friendship with (what’s her name- the snooty one) on _That 70s Show_ and anybody’s friendship with the title character on _Roseane_). ---
**Author:** ![av8rmike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@av8rmike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/av8rmike)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218/32 "2005-08-16T15:51:01Z")
Aren’t these all basically just causes for a show to Jump The Shark[sup]TM[/sup]? ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218/33 "2005-08-16T16:00:17Z")
> [@JerH](#): > > **Who Does All The Work?** Syndrome - This is related the the _Who’s Minding The Store?_ Syndrome already discussed; it is when a business manages to operate with a significantly smaller staff than would normally be required. Examples include _Cheers_ (2 bartenders and 1 or 2 waitresses keeping the place open 7 days/week, at least 12 hours/day) and _Just Shoot Me_ (entire staff for a magazine is 1 chief editor, a photographer, a writer, and 2 other random people who don’t really do anything). At least on _JSM_, they always had a bunch of extras wandering around in the background, pretending to work. I think the worst offenders are _Wings_ and _Becker_. Could two brothers run a commuter airline all by themselves? Aren’t there regulations about how many hours pilots are allowed to fly? Roy’s airline was even worse - you never saw any of his employees, yet he supposedly had a whole fleet of planes. Lowell was apparently the mechanic for both of them - would that even be possible, one mechanic for two commuter airlines? And the lunchcounter. Helen ran that all by herself, making food, serving customers, cleaning up (not to mention all the other things involved in running a small business, like accounting and ordering), and she often did it in stylish outfits that never got dirty or mussed. And with Big Hair! On _Becker_, Reggie (and then Chris) runs a diner, also all by herself, and apparently does the same thing as Helen on _Wings_. She cooks, takes orders, cleans, does all the ordering, and whatever else is needed. And she also is neatly dressed - never an apron in sight. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218/34 "2005-08-16T16:01:50Z")
> [@davmilasav](#): > > Interesting that in the 2 worst examples the lead characters are architects… :dubious: Mike Brady was an architect, but Steven Keaton was in management at a local public television station. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218/35 "2005-08-16T16:04:44Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > Mike Brady was an architect, but Steven Keaton was in management at a local public television station. Elyse Keaton was an architect. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218/36 "2005-08-16T16:16:59Z")
Don’t forget the **George Bailey** syndrome and the **Scrooge** syndrome. I trust I don’t need to explain these. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218/37 "2005-08-16T16:17:44Z")
> [@BiblioCat](#): > > Elyse Keaton was an architect. Ah. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218/38 "2005-08-16T16:19:40Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Don’t forget the **George Bailey** syndrome and the **Scrooge** syndrome. I trust I don’t need to explain these. Best example (imo): _Married With Children_’s Wonderful Life Parody Worst example (imo): another vote for _Alice_ (Mel’s Scrooge meets Gift of the Magi Christmas) ---
**Author:** ![JerH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bb73d2/32.png) [@JerH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerH)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218/39 "2005-08-16T16:24:10Z")
OK, I’ll acknowledge that Just Shoot Me apparently had other workers. (I really shouldn’t make generalizations about shows I only ever watched a couple times.) But I stand behind my Cheers characterization. I also like **jrfranchi** ’s note about staff meetings - they never seem to involve the whole staff, and the folks invited to the meetings are never even vaguely the decision-makers at a company. Another office one: **Where’s the Receptionist?** - where the receptionist (or the low-level employee who should probably be serving that function) sits nowhere near the entrance, and there is apparently no other staff member performing that function. Visitors thus have to wander around until they find someone who can tell them where they’re supposed to be going. Abusers include _Newsradio_ and possibly _Just Shoot Me_. The **Maybe The Kids Have Cars?** Syndrome - the children, no matter the age, never need to be driven to school, sports practices, or friends’ houses. ---
**Author:** ![Fionn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fionn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fionn)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218/40 "2005-08-16T16:24:48Z")
**The “I have four friends ONLY” syndrome** See _Friends, That 70s Show_ and numerous others. These friends are always together, will go to college together if they graduate from high school, and rarely, if ever, mention anyone else. Sometimes, a new friend will be introduced, only to be cast aside when the main character realizes they’re taking time away from the character’s FOUR TRUE FRIENDS. I understand writers don’t want to clutter up the focus, but sheesh. **Who Knew That College Was There?** If characters graduate from high school, they not only stay together, but they also attend the heretofore unmentioned university conveniently located in their hometown. Sunnydale sprouted UC Sunnydale, California University popped up for both Saved by the Bell and 90210. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-and-exemplify-sitcom-syndromes/317218.md?page=3)