# Sitcoms! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 18, 2004, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805 "2004-02-18T16:25:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805/1 "2004-02-18T16:25:24Z")
Sitcoms. So since I don’t have a TV any more, all I can do is talk about the TV I used to watch. I love sitcoms. They make me happy. I know that they’re usually crap, my husband is embarassed of my little fixation (but he watches those appalling sci-fi shows that I find almost painful) and I’m almost embarassed too … but not quite. If there was a cable channel that was All Sitcoms, All the Time, I might even buy a TV to get it. Obviously Cheers is the best one ever. Other ones I have seen too many reruns of: - Who’s the Boss, Growing Pains, Night Court, Three’s Company, Gilligan’s Island, Green Acres (signs of a misspent youth … I’m sure they’re not actually funny, but as a kid I didn’t know any better!) - Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (was on eight or nine times a day for about four years) - Married with Children (hilarious! For ages I didn’t watch it, thinking it was too low-brow, but when I finally did I was very pleasantly surprised. I laughed out loud quite often.) - Seinfeld (I still haven’t seen them all! And I haven’t seen enough reruns, either … for instance, what I wouldn’t give to see the Frogger episode again!) What are/were your faves? ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805/2 "2004-02-18T17:10:48Z")
I’ve been watching my DVDs of “Green Acres” and laughing up a storm. The fact that something nearly 30 years old can still double you over in laughter says something. It’s just so rediculous you can’t help but laugh at Lisa’s hotcakes and Oliver’s porch railing. And Arnold puts Lassie and Skippy and Flipper all to shame. Outdone by a couch potato pig. I will say that for the first 4 years and the 1st episode of the 5th season “Newsradio” was, in my opinion, the best TV that there ever was. Concerning my other two favorites one I haven’t seen in far too long and the other I’ve seen too much of, even though it’s still great. Those are “Get Smart” and Seinfeld" respectively. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805/3 "2004-02-18T17:18:47Z")
I like sitcoms until they start to take themselves seriously. If there’s a Very Special Episode (a la _Friends_ - which I hate, _Will and Grace_ or _Frasier_) I ain’t watchin’ it. I’m pretty much left with _Arrested Development_ (excellent show on Fox), _Reno 911!_, _Seinfeld_ re-runs and _Curb Your Enthusiasm_. _Newsradio_was great and so was _Working_. ---
**Author:** ![Jabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@Jabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jabba)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805/4 "2004-02-18T17:23:08Z")
I have seen people on the boards referring to Very Special Episodes. What does this mean? ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805/5 "2004-02-18T18:10:36Z")
> [@Fern Forest](#): > > I’ve been watching my DVDs of “Green Acres” and laughing up a storm. The fact that something nearly 30 years old can still double you over in laughter says something. I feel that way about _The Dick Van Dyke Show._ Some bits are a little dated, but overall, it’s still very, very funny. For current sitcoms, nothing beats _Scrubs._ It’s the funniest one on. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805/6 "2004-02-18T18:23:23Z")
> [@Jabba](#): > > I have seen people on the boards referring to Very Special Episodes. What does this mean? If you were alive in the 80s, you may remember… _soft voiced announcer guy_ Tonight, on a very special _Blossom_/_Growing Pains_/_Full House_… It was usually someone trying drugs, or some minor character dying, or something really _serious_ that we’d all learn a valuable lesson from. ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805/7 "2004-02-18T19:02:07Z")
I think the “Very Special Episode” can also refer to weddings, births, proposals, or the non-death exit of a “cherished character.” The current code for a “Very Special Episode” is “This is one episode you can’t miss” or “It’s all led up . . . to THIS.” The “Very Special Episode” can also be detected by its placement within the season, as it tends to air around sweeps. Though not a comedy, ER is particularly egregious in capitalizing on their VSEs. Soft-voiced announcer guy remains the same, however. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805/8 "2004-02-18T19:11:31Z")
I’ve never really be a sitcom fan… usually I like a sitcom for a season or two, then get bored of them. (Malcolm in the Middle, Spin City, Drew Carrey, are just the tip of the iceburg when listing victims of my short attention span). There aren’t any sitcoms on at the moment that I watch even occasionally; I don’t even bother watching new sitcoms to see if they’ll be any good for the most part. I liked The Random Years and Andy Ritchter, see what happens when I make an effort? That said, there have been a handful sitcoms over the years that I _did_ watch most episodes of. Those would be: Roseanne (missed most of the last season though) The Golden Girls Norm Two Guys and a Girl Growing Pains yeah, that’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805/9 "2004-02-18T19:20:59Z")
Ugh, ‘Very Special Episodes’ are really awful. Do sitcoms still have those “tender moments” near the end when soft music plays and they resolve the conflict? Full House was the worst offender (it was the worst offender for many crimes, actually), but it ruined many a good Night Court episode, as well. That’s why I always loved Cheers, no “very special” moments (except for the last episode, and other important things like Coach dying, or Fredrick Sternon-Crane’s first word). Scrubs. Fergot about that one. I’ve seen it a few times, and it’s great indeed. Anyone remember the one with Jim J Bullock and the cartoonist with a cow (moose?) puppet? ---
**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:** [February 18, 2004, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805/10 "2004-02-18T19:32:59Z")
> [@cowgirl](#): > > All Sitcoms, All the Time That’s a pretty good description of [TV Land](http://www.tvland.com/schedule/), especially during Prime Time. > [@](#): > > - > > - Who’s the Boss, Growing Pains, Night Court, Three’s Company, Gilligan’s Island, Green Acres (signs of a misspent youth … I’m sure they’re not actually funny, but as a kid I didn’t know any better!)\* “Night Court” is probably the funniest show ever to be on TV. Of course, I’m a sucker for sight gags and physical comedy. Then there’s stuff that I can’t believe I used to watch, like “Full House” or “Silver Spoons”. ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805/11 "2004-02-18T19:51:41Z")
**Jeff** : Night Court was a pretty great show (except for the annoying “Tender Moments” at the end). It and Cheers were always rivals in my mind: NC had much better jokes but was overall less consistently great than Cheers. Maybe we should start a Night Court thread … I haven’t seen it in so long that I’ve forgotten most of the beauty of it. So many half-remembered jokes … (“Murray!! I told you to wait in the car!”) I’m chuckling just remembering. ---
**Author:** ![Airblairxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Airblairxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airblairxxx)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805/12 "2004-02-18T20:57:19Z")
> [@cowgirl](#): > > Anyone remember the one with Jim J Bullock and the cartoonist with a cow (moose?) puppet? [Too Close for Comfort,](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080299/) with Ted Knight. _Cheers_ really did set the bar high for the sitcom. Since then, in my opinion, the only ones to speak of in the same sentence are _Newsradio, Andy Richter Controls the Universe,_ and _Arrested Development_, my current fave. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805/13 "2004-02-18T21:25:57Z")
Ah, yes, I fogot about Andy Richter’s show. Good stuff. Tony Shalhoub’s short-lived sitcom, _Stark Raving Mad_ was also pretty funny. ---
**Author:** ![Gail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Gail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gail)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805/14 "2004-02-19T02:05:43Z")
_ **Tony Shalhoub’s short-lived sitcom, Stark Raving Mad was also pretty funny.** _—Juanita Tech Speaking of Tony Shalhoub, He’s one of my favorites. I used to watch the sitcom “Wings” because his character had the funniest lines. Now I enjoy him in “Monk”—kind of a sitcom. I too love sitcoms, much to my husband’s dismay. Maybe I just don’t have the serious nature and attention span that hour-long dramas demand. But, I too get bored with them after a few years. I’ve pretty much given up on “Frasier” and “Friends”. Right now, I’m into “Grounded For Life”. Not always hilarious, but the characters are likable and so far, no “very special episodes”. ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805/15 "2004-02-19T02:22:49Z")
hmmmm, I love sitcoms as well. I’ll do my best to remember the ones I love. - **Sports Night** -Cheers -Frasier - **Two Guys and a Girl** -Dharma and Greg - **3rd Rock from the Sun** -I Love Lucy -Family Ties -Spin City -Everybody Loves Raymond - **Scrubs** -Married With Children -Arrested Development -Yes Dear -Friends -2 1/2 men - **Seinfeld** I have also recently discovered the awesomeness that is **Curb Your Enthusiasm**. I live in canada so don’t get HBO and don’t get the movie network so I can only see them when I’m at my parents place. Scrubs is the best on television, without question. If the quality stays where it is for another few seasons, it should be ranked as one of the best ever (in my opinion of course) Arrested Development shows promise though. ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805/16 "2004-02-19T05:55:47Z")
My current watch list is… Simpsons Malcolm in the Middle Arrested Development Frasier Scrubs Less than Perfect And I’m saddened that this thread got this far an no one mentioned Taxi, one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805/17 "2004-02-19T06:24:17Z")
I wonder if _Red Dwarf_ will ever make it to PBS. I doubt it; they only pick up the shit British shows (although I actually got my local station to start carrying _Only Fools and Horses_ …) ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805/18 "2004-02-19T06:37:37Z")
For me the top two are always going to be Simpsons and Seinfeld, but I have very fond memories of Night Court as well. I often cited Night Court as the reason I went to law school–I’m mostly joking, but I love the reactions it gets from overly-serious lawyers and law students. I’m still a fan of Harry Anderson to this day, or at least I would be if I knew what he was doing. My whole family used to love the physical comedy of Larry and Balki on Perfect Strangers, and I have more distant memories of us watching Taxi, Welcome Back Kotter, and Barney Miller together in the VERY early '80s, when I was really young. Later on, Fresh Prince of Bel-Aire was pretty amusing. The embarrassing ones I used to watch: Head of the Class, Who’s the Boss, Family Matters, and (eeurgh) Full House. What was I thinking, and why didn’t my parents make me read a book instead? I also watched Friends when it first started, but lost interest early on when I realized they were all pretty creepy. I guess the only current sitcoms I like are animated ones: Simpsons, South Park, and Family Guy. But we still watch Seinfeld reruns almost every night at dinner. ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805/19 "2004-02-19T15:58:36Z")
Man, now I _really_ want a TV, and that cable channel **Jeff Olsen** mentioned. Head of the Class ! Malcolm in the Middle ! Third Rock ! How could I have forgotten these pieces of comedic genius ! Does King of the Hill count as a sitcom? I think I love that one most of all. I have an enormous crush on Boomhower, but I can’t be the only one … ---
**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:** [February 19, 2004, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805/20 "2004-02-19T16:08:55Z")
> [@dutchboy208](#): > > I wonder if _Red Dwarf_ will ever make it to PBS. I doubt it; they only pick up the shit British shows (although I actually got my local station to start carrying _Only Fools and Horses_ …) Petition your local station. Rimmer, Lister, Cat, and Kryten have found a home on [Maryland Public Television](http://www.mpt.org/) on Saturday nights, right before a certain doctor from Gallifrey. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitcoms/229805.md?page=2)