# When TV shows break continuity: The Chuck Cunningham Syndrome **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 12, 2010, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207 "2010-05-12T19:14:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207/141 "2012-08-14T14:25:28Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > On one episode of The Big Bang Theory, Leonard threatens to get a cat to the consternation of Sheldon, who was apparently allergic to cats. In a later episode Sheldon gets a whole room full of cats after breaking up with Amy Farrah Fowler. An in-show explanation is that Sheldon is a hypochondriac and his afflictions are arbitrary at his whims and desires. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207/142 "2012-08-14T14:55:42Z")
His arbitrary whims and quirks are usually the prime driver of the episodes. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207/143 "2012-08-14T15:14:40Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > On _Bonanza_, producers were trying to give Adam a graceful exit (Pernell Roberts hated the show and wanted out of his contract.) They brought in a “cousin,” Will Cartwright, for five episodes and were all set to have him move permanently to the Ponderosa. > > The Roberts decided to do another season of the show. Will Cartwright was never mentioned again. (The actor, Guy Williams, was offered what was supposed to be the starring role in _Lost in Space_.) At the end of _that_ season, Roberts finally did leave the show, and Adam was never spoken of again. > > A few years later, Dan Blocker died, and Hoss Cartwright was never spoken of again. > > Life was cruel in Virginia City. Last night at a get-together, I read your post to a couple of my friends. “Life was cruel in Virginia City,” is now one of our catch-phrases. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207/144 "2012-08-14T15:56:55Z")
> [@Reloy3](#): > > …Proof that every crisis is also an opportunity. The Chinese have a word for that! ---
**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 14, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207/145 "2012-08-14T17:37:30Z")
> [@janis\_and\_c0](#): > > As for Hawkeye’s “Mom & Sis” remark, my theory was that he had a sister die in infancy, & was referring to his father visiting a graveyard, but maybe that’s a little morbid. And mother and daughter were buried side by side? Doubly morbid! ☹ ---
**Author:** ![SirRay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@SirRay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirRay)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207/146 "2012-08-14T17:39:29Z")
> [@jrepka](#): > > I’ve always thought that one of the classics of this genre was The Odd Couple. > A few years in, they did a flashback episode in which Felix and Oscar, both adults, meet while serving on jury duty. Subsequently the opening was changed to"…with nowhere else to go he appeared at the home of his _friend_ Oscar Madison." Is that the episode where Oscar and Felix meet briefly in some room as little kids in the 1930s? (I think Oscar’s dad was a bookie, and Felix’s dad was (perhaps) a lawyer?) However, this wasn’t the Odd Couple continuity error that came to my mind first, but rather the layout of Oscar’s apartment which changed drastically, from a squarer layout based on the movie set in the early episodes (with a hallway that had an iron gate divider), to a more ‘TV filming friendly’ set - the apartment with the low platform area just inside the main apartment entrance (and the set walls angled out, centered on the living room). Checking, I find IMDB agrees with my memory: "During the first season (1970-71), the show was filmed in the same apartment as the one in the 1968 movie in single camera format with a laugh track. Beginning with the second season, the show was filmed in a studio in three camera format before a live audience. " Ah, you say, perhaps the in-series explanation was that Oscar and Felix moved to a new apartment over the series - except for one episode where they think the apartment is haunted (IIRC the air conditioner was making odd noises), Felix asks Oscar how he found the apartment in the first place, and Oscar replied he scanned the obituaries to find recently deceased people who had lived in good apartments. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207/147 "2012-08-14T17:43:22Z")
> [@SirRay](#): > > However, this wasn’t the Odd Couple continuity error that came to my mind first, but rather the layout of Oscar’s apartment which changed drastically, from a squarer layout in the early episodes (with a hallway that had an iron gate divider) - based on the Movie Set, to a more ‘filming friendly’ set - the apartment with the low platform area just inside the main apartment entrance (and the set walls angled out, centered on the living room). Checking, I find IMDB agrees with my memory: > "During the first season (1970-71), the show was filmed in the same apartment as the one in the 1968 movie in single camera format with a laugh track. Beginning with the second season, the show was filmed in a studio in three camera format before a live audience. " There are a LOT of series with that type of continuity break, though. _Happy Days_, for one…the Cunningham house early on had the front door on the left. Then they switched to the layout that held for most of the series, with the front door on the right. It should probably also be noted that in that later layout, the front and back doors (the one in the kitchen) are on the same side of the house! ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207/148 "2012-08-14T18:20:08Z")
What about the oldest son on My Three Sons who got shunted out after the first season, to be replaced by Ernie? ---
**Author:** ![vislor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vislor/32/5933_2.png) [@vislor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vislor)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207/149 "2012-08-14T19:17:48Z")
> [@Jormungandr](#): > > In the pilot episode of “MacGyver,” he and Peter Thorton don’t know each other. Yet, in “Partners,” Thorton is shown to be the one who hired him. Same actor, different character. ["MacGyver" Pilot (TV Episode 1985) - IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165375/) - Pilot Dana Elcar plays Andy Colson. [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0638745/](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0638745/) - Episode where he plays Peter Thornton for the first time. I don’t remember the series enough to know if they got it right from there. ---
**Author:** ![vislor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vislor/32/5933_2.png) [@vislor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vislor)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207/150 "2012-08-14T19:20:12Z")
> [@Jim\_s\_Son](#): > > “Stargate” had a bunch of changes when it became a TV show. In the movie they make a big deal when linguist Daniel Jackson is cunningly able to translate what some advisors thought ancient Eqyptian would sound like if it evolved over 2,000 years. In the series, everyone on every planet speaks English. No universal translators like “Star Trek” or “Farscape”. In the movie the planet Abydos in in the Kaliem Galaxy far away in the universe. In the series it is suddenly relatively close to earth. Yes to Abydos. I assume the writers realized that might be too far? However, as to the other, IIRC, they do have him translate for a couple of episodes or I thought they at least shorthand his learning to talk the language? But I do know they knowingly dropped it because they wanted to get on with it and not have every new planet require the lines about the language, customs, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207/151 "2012-08-14T20:23:28Z")
It’s not uncommon for actors who have played a small role guesting in a show to do well-enough for them to be brought back to play regulars. _Hill Street Blues_ killed off Dennis Franz and then brought him back as another cop character, who nobody seemed to recall looking strangely like that corrupt guy who shot himself. In _Tru Calling_ the central characters had a sister who disappeared half-way through the run and was never referred to again. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207/152 "2012-08-14T20:26:14Z")
In an episode of Welcome Back Kotter, Vinnie Barbarino talked about his brothers and sisters, and mentioned that he shared a bed with his brother. In a later episode, he stated he was an only child. ---
**Author:** ![SirRay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@SirRay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirRay)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207/153 "2012-08-14T22:13:01Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > There are a LOT of series with that type of continuity break, though. _Happy Days_, for one…the Cunningham house early on had the front door on the left. Then they switched to the layout that held for most of the series, with the front door on the right. It should probably also be noted that in that later layout, the front and back doors (the one in the kitchen) are on the same side of the house! At least “Leave it to Beaver” explicity had the Cleavers moving to a new house at some point during the series (Wiki states the [move from Mapleton Drive to Pine Street](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leave_It_to_Beaver)occured between the second and third series). ---
**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 15, 2012, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207/154 "2012-08-15T01:50:52Z")
> [@SirRay](#): > > At least “Leave it to Beaver” explicity had the Cleavers moving to a new house at some point during the series (Wiki states the [move from Mapleton Drive to Pine Street](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leave_It_to_Beaver)occured between the second and third series). I think it coincided with the show’s switching networks (CBS to ABC). Apparently they could no longer film on their original lot for one reason or another. ---
**Author:** ![goonhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ebca7d/32.png) [@goonhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/goonhead)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207/155 "2012-08-15T02:26:56Z")
In a first season Simpsons episode called “Krusty Gets Busted”, Krusty the Clown has been accused of robbing the Quik-E-Mart, and reveals in court that he can’t read or write. However, in the season five episode “Lisa Vs. Malibu Stacy”, Lisa is in a studio getting ready to record sayings for a new “Lisa Lionheart” doll when Krusty bursts in, interrupting the session and reading through a group of notecards with Krusty doll sayings on them. I’ve never verified whether Krusty is revealed to have learned to read between these two episodes, so I’ve wondered if it was a case of continuity error. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207/156 "2012-08-15T14:46:26Z")
> [@goonhead](#): > > I’ve never verified whether Krusty is revealed to have learned to read between these two episodes, so I’ve wondered if it was a case of continuity error. Isn’t it just easier to assume he learned how to read? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207/157 "2012-08-15T14:55:53Z")
[156 _Simpsons_ continuity errors,](http://www.moviemistakes.com/picture62683)😃 ---
**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 15, 2012, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207/158 "2012-08-15T14:57:17Z")
> [@goonhead](#): > > In a first season Simpsons episode called “Krusty Gets Busted”, Krusty the Clown has been accused of robbing the Quik-E-Mart, and reveals in court that he can’t read or write. However, in the season five episode “Lisa Vs. Malibu Stacy”, Lisa is in a studio getting ready to record sayings for a new “Lisa Lionheart” doll when Krusty bursts in, interrupting the session and reading through a group of notecards with Krusty doll sayings on them. I’ve never verified whether Krusty is revealed to have learned to read between these two episodes, so I’ve wondered if it was a case of continuity error. The sayings were so short and so familiar to Krusty that he could recognize them even though he was functionally illiterate - or alternately, he was still trying to cover up his illiteracy by faking use of the notecards, having actually memorized the half-dozen phrases (that he uses every day), instead. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207/159 "2012-08-15T15:31:29Z")
Didn’t they have him learning to read at one point? I don’t recall a scene or anything, but wasn’t there a quick mention that he’s learning. Maybe I’m just confusing it with the “Give a hoot, read a book” posters. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207/160 "2012-08-15T16:07:26Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > [156 _Simpsons_ continuity errors,](http://www.moviemistakes.com/picture62683)😃 well thanks a lot, you sure sucked the fun out of that show. i’m never watching it again\*. - statement only extends until this evening when a syndicated episode is broadcast on a local channel. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-tv-shows-break-continuity-the-chuck-cunningham-syndrome/539207.md?page=9)