Famous Sitcom Cliches

[TMC]

Examples:
-Newborn babies rapidly age in-between a season while the other characters remain relatively around the same age. The primary excuse that tends to come along with this is that the producers simply feel that they want to *do more* with the new characters. It usually seems like when new kids are introduced, it raises the number of kids in the family from three to four.

-"Special Episodes" (occasional episodes that focus on more serious subjects) end with the cast members making a tagged on public service announcement.

-Some minor characters that were around since the show began are ultimately phased out of the show soon afterwards without much of a strong explaination concerning their where-abouts.

-Originally intended secondary characters ultimately become a major focal point for the show as they become more and more popular and noticed.

-During the opening or closing credits, we're told that the show has been filmed live in front of a studio audience.

-If women go into labor, some unusual situation has to be thrown in along the way.

-Christmas themed episodes maybe designed as take-offs of "A Christmas Carol" or "It's a Wonderful Life."

-If the show focuses on single parents, it may most likely focus on fathers who's wives recently died.

-The main characters' friends may be more out-going or cartoon-like.

-The main characters are given somebody to frequently fued and rival with (e.g. a in-law, neighbor, or co-worker).

-There has to be at least one episode in which the stars get to play multiple roles.

-Half way through the show's run, the theme song will be reworked in some form (e.g. the same lyrics but with a different style).

-Instead of hearing an actual theme song, the opening credits play over the very first scenes.

-The audience reacts to kissing or a woman wearing a nice dress by saying "whoo!" and reacts to "heartfelt" moments by saying "ahh!"

[PomeranzFan1]

The Xmas eps. have a lot of jingle bells thrown in their theme songs/music (don't they?)

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Felix: "Responsibility" is my middle name, Mister!

Oscar: And "Pest" is your FIRST name, Mister!

[TMC]

I almost forgot about "Flashback Episodes" in which the characters repeatedly go through various past events that are some how related to the current storyline. Of course, the flashbacks are primarily made up of a string of clips from old episodes. When shows get to a "Flashback Episode" it's almost serves as a sign that the show doesn't have much time left. Either that, or the show is running low on fresh ideas and/or is trying to save some money in the process.

[Biskitbarrel]

Don't forget the "getting locked into something" episode, ie. meat locker, log cabin or whatever, usualy with a character that the other character doesnt like.

[Ian]

and dont forget the episode every sitcom has........yes you guessed it "the handcuffed episode", where two main characters are handcuffed together, almost every sitcom has had that one!!

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loooking goood!!!

[silentbri]

Wow... you guys have named the entire Holy Trinity of sit-coms! Once a sit-com has gone through the trinity, it can become a classic.

The "Locked In" Episode
The "Handcuffed" Episode
The "Flashback" Episode

Of course, there are a few other hurdles to go over before you can be a "classic"... Hurdles such as:

The Restaurant Episode: The main character(s) end up having to run a restaurant with little or no past experience! Hillarity ensues!

The Twin Episode: One of the main characters comes face-to-face with a person who looks exactly like them, only slightly different hair color or facial hair. Put them together, and it spells COMEDY!

The Baby Episode: The main character(s) discover that taking care of a baby isn't as easy as it looks.. but it *is* a sure-fire recipe for laughs! Expect at least one character to not want to give the baby back to the parents.




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[LaverneShirley]

All right! Then my show's a classic! Shirley got handcuffed to a criminal. Shirley, Squiggy, and Frank got locked in a wine cellar. We saw L&S move in to their apartment through the wonders of flashback. They babysit a baby and it disappears when the leave it with Lenny and Squiggy. Shirley meets her boyfriend's ex-wife, who looks exactly like her (not to mention Squiggy gets confused with a look-alike Russian ballet dancer). And of course, there's the diner episode. "Betty please. Pick up."

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"Well, Laverne is sort of childish" -Shirley

"Childish? Childish? Coming from a grown woman who throws tea parties for her stuffed cat!" -Laverne

"Well at least I don't sew L's on everything I wear!" -Shirley

"Well that would be pretty stupid considering your name's Shirley!" -Laverne

[80skid]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by TMC:
[B]Examples:
-Newborn babies rapidly age in-between a season while the other characters remain relatively around the same age.


TMC - are you using Growing Pains's "Chrissy" as an example? Hehe, if so, I agree!

[silentbri]

Laverne and Shirley was the series I based "The Holy Trinity" on, actually http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/smile.gif Didn't they have a Baby episode as well?

And regarding the inexplicable aging of children... I know it happened on Growing Pains, but didn't it also happen on other shows? Oh, wait! Got it! Family Ties!

[LaverneShirley]

You're right, bri, they did! I forgot to put that one in. It was "The Baby Show" (non-Shirley) and guest starred Vicki Lawrence, back as Srgt. Alvinia Plout (Of the United States Army Amen!). This time she was pregnant (I believe her husband was in the Navy but I could be thinking of her boyfriend in "Out Out Damned Plout"), and she and Laverne enter a contest to win free baby food for a year or life time or such. The first three done with the first round of the contest go on to the finals. Laverne comes in third, Plout in fourth. Then they find out that Laverne isn't really pregnant, it's just a pillow. Sometime later, the day of the finals, Laverne and Plout go to some guys funeral and Plout ends up going into labor. They name the baby Goober L. Plout (The L stands for Laverne). Poor kid.

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"Well, Laverne is sort of childish" -Shirley

"Childish? Childish? Coming from a grown woman who throws tea parties for her stuffed cat!" -Laverne

"Well at least I don't sew L's on everything I wear!" -Shirley

"Well that would be pretty stupid considering your name's Shirley!" -Laverne

[A.J.]

Let's see, The Facts of Life had a flashback episode, The Way We Were. The girls got snowed in at a ski cabin. Jo handcuffed herself to Blair once. They lost Blair's sister Bailey. But I don't think they ever had to run a resturant or bumped into someone who looked just like one of them. Almost classic.

[LaverneShirley]

Actually, FOL did have a restaurant episode. It was either the eighth or ninth season. Blair gets a job working with Natalie at some fast food taco place.

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"Well, Laverne is sort of childish" -Shirley

"Childish? Childish? Coming from a grown woman who throws tea parties for her stuffed cat!" -Laverne

"Well at least I don't sew L's on everything I wear!" -Shirley

"Well that would be pretty stupid considering your name's Shirley!" -Laverne

[silentbri]

...I'd also consider any episodes where the girls work at Edna's Edibles as a "Restaurant Episode". Heck, there's one in the credits where Nat spreads flour all over a kitchen while they're making pizzas! Yeah, plenty of restaurant episodes there...

[A.J.]

Oh, yeah. I was just thinking of those off the top of my head. I completely forgot about Fast Food and A Slice of Life, but I don't guess they had a look alike episode.

[silentbri]

There *had* to be one... there just HAD to be! Think hard.... Ooh! I've got it! Don't know the name of the episode, but Joe and Blair are registering for their classes, and they brought Mrs. Garret with them. Mrs. Garret runs in to someone dressed and with hair just like hers! I *think* we can slip that one in on the technicality...

[heather78]

I've got a good one. Ever notice how in sitcoms one of the stars comes in contact with their worst enemy, then they have to work together to get out of trouble they learn alot about each other in the process, almost become good friends but when the tragedy is over the enemy hates the person again?

[Becky W]

These are the recurring themes I've noticed:

Babies often are introduced in the last couple of years of a show, maybe to improve ratings or add cuteness.

Sometimes cute little kids are added in the final seasons of a show, either through intermarriage, or because they are orphans or have parents who abuse them, and so they come to live with the original cast. This happened with Facts of Life, Good Times, All in the Family, Night Court, The Brady Bunch, and The Cosby Show.

There is usually an episode or two where the whole cast goes on a holiday, and the episode is filmed on location... like when the Bradys went to Hawaii, or the cast of Blossom went to Europe, etc...

Some shows, like The Cosby Show, Fresh Prince, and Full House, have guest appearances by famous musicians who perform for the cast as part of an episode.

Individual shows have their own cliches, something that happens either every episode or very often, such as:

In All in the Family, Archie and another cast member often get stuck in a doorway together.

In the Jeffersons, Mother Jefferson will often come over unannounced, Louise answers the door, and George narrowly escapes insulting his mother because he doesn't realize it's her until the last minute.

In Malcolm in the Middle, the youngest boy (can't remember his name!) gets lost and goes on huge adventures but returns before anyone notices his absence.

Just to name a few...

[Mary Covey]

There are also kids who say things extremely smart adults would say! It's so funny. And I don't know if this one was mentioned, but how about when a character has gone into labor, some fiasco event keeps them from safely delivering the baby.

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*princessjasmine_mary~14fol* (if I was ever able to change my name, I was dumb enough to use my real name!)

[joblairtootnatmrs.g]

THere's also been some where someone's hair gets dyed a different color-the facts of life,diff'rent strokes just to name a few.

[Meg07945]

On alot of shows about teenagers or just people in high school, they have a class where the get married, or they have to take care of an egg or something. I can't remember if this happened on Saved by the Bell, but it did happen on the Facts of Life. This happened on other shows, I can't remember which though. BH 90210 maybe?

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~Meg~

"Nixon's gone, but rock lives on!
Ya, we're still rockin' in Wisconsin!!"

Opportunity does not knock, and then ring the doorbell, and then knock again, and then leave a note that says, "Sorry I missed you" and then call you on the phone...

[Landofrapeandhoney]

How about, whenever a guy dresses up in drag, no matter whether he has 5 O'clock shadow or turns out to be a rather unattractive looking woman, some guy will ALWAYS hit on her. Even though it would be obvious to anyone with any shred of common sense that it is just a guy in a wig and a dress, not only do these guys think it's a woman, they feel the need to throw themselves at them. This has to be the lamest recurring gag I've seen in sitcoms over the years, and I actually wonder whether people are sitting at home laughing out loud to this nonsense.

[Dody]

Or whenever the adults go away for a romantic weekend-- the teenage characters always seem to show up and ruin the getaway.

[dawsongirl]

How about amnesia victims? Right off the top of my head I can only think of I Dream of Jeannie, but it seems like characters are always getting amnesia.

[LaverneShirley]

Originally posted by dawsongirl:
How about amnesia victims? Right off the top of my head I can only think of I Dream of Jeannie, but it seems like characters are always getting amnesia.

Shirley on Laverne & Shirley once fell down the stairs, and woke up thinking she was a stripper named Roxy Latuer.

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"Well, Laverne is sort of childish" -Shirley

"Childish? Childish? Coming from a grown woman who throws tea parties for her stuffed cat!" -Laverne

"Well at least I don't sew L's on everything I wear!" -Shirley

"Well that would be pretty stupid considering your name's Shirley!" -Laverne

[Mossopp]

Originally posted by Meg07945:
On alot of shows about teenagers or just people in high school, they have a class where the get married, or they have to take care of an egg or something. I can't remember if this happened on Saved by the Bell, but it did happen on the Facts of Life. This happened on other shows, I can't remember which though. BH 90210 maybe?




Maggie and Dwayne had to look after an egg as a class experiment in "Different World".

[factsoflife]

Originally posted by Meg07945:
On alot of shows about teenagers or just people in high school, they have a class where the get married, or they have to take care of an egg or something. I can't remember if this happened on Saved by the Bell, but it did happen on the Facts of Life. This happened on other shows, I can't remember which though. BH 90210 maybe?




actually both of these happened on saved by the bell, in the same episode.,. and on sbtbthe new class. never on 90210.

[factsoflife]

Originally posted by Meg07945:
On alot of shows about teenagers or just people in high school, they have a class where the get married, or they have to take care of an egg or something. I can't remember if this happened on Saved by the Bell, but it did happen on the Facts of Life. This happened on other shows, I can't remember which though. BH 90210 maybe?

yes it did happen on saved by the bell... i do not know about 90210. i remember a Hogan family episode in which the younger boys had to pretend to marry a girl for a project.. and i remember a particulary boring dawson' s creek when pacey and joey had to pretend to be married. and i also think it may have happened on boy meets world.

[Mike Brennan]

You are forgetting three sitcom cliches. 1-The "special" friend. A friend who is usually a minority or person with a handicap (ex. Jo's cousin on Facts of Life) . 2- The new characters who are introduced and are the focus of a single episode who "suprisingly" spin-off into their own show (Remember the Brady's neighbors who adopted 3 kids of different races?). 3- The changing of a character's history to fit the episode (Hot Lips' father mysteriously becomes undead and is able to visit her at 4077)

[FOL-FAN]

1-The "special" friend. A friend who is usually a minority or person with a handicap (ex. Jo's cousin on Facts of Life).[/B]

That was Blair's cousin not Jo's.

[MARFAR104]

THE"WHOO!!!!!!!" BY THE AUDIENCE WHEN THERE IS A KISSING SCENE. THAT REALLY GETS ON MY NERVES!

[MARFAR104]

THE"WHOO!!!!!!!" BY THE AUDIENCE WHEN THERE IS A KISSING SCENE. THAT REALLY GETS ON MY NERVES!

[Dody]

Originally posted by factsoflife:
Originally posted by Meg07945:
On alot of shows about teenagers or just people in high school, they have a class where the get married, or they have to take care of an egg or something. I can't remember if this happened on Saved by the Bell, but it did happen on the Facts of Life. This happened on other shows, I can't remember which though. BH 90210 maybe?

yes it did happen on saved by the bell... i do not know about 90210. i remember a Hogan family episode in which the younger boys had to pretend to marry a girl for a project.. and i remember a particulary boring dawson' s creek when pacey and joey had to pretend to be married. and i also think it may have happened on boy meets world.



It also happened on an episode of Silver Spoons.

[Scorpio]

Two sitcom cliches that irk me...

1. The aforementioned "Whooo" every time characters kiss.

2. Pausing when the 'uber-character' appears on the scene while the audience goes nuts with applause & cheering. Examples: The Fonz & Steve Urkel. It gets on my nerves that the show has to stop so that the audience can cheer & applaud...meanwhile, said character smiles or has a goofy look on his/her face (depending on the character) as they look around the room at other characters or at the audience.

[Downpour]

How about sitcom characters who attempt to fix something or redo a room by themselves, when they have no idea how to do it. This is usually a bathroom. I know Perfect Strangers and Family Matters did it off of the top of my head. I know there are more.

[majhoulihan]

Originally posted by Downpour:
How about sitcom characters who attempt to fix something or redo a room by themselves, when they have no idea how to do it. This is usually a bathroom. I know Perfect Strangers and Family Matters did it off of the top of my head. I know there are more.

The Lucy Show: Lucy and Viv attempt to turn a closet into a shower and nearly drown.

Just about every episode of Home Improvement.

The Golden Girls: The girls attempt to install a toilet by themselves.


K. Lively http://www.livelywriter.com

[majhoulihan]

Originally posted by Becky W:

Some shows, like The Cosby Show, Fresh Prince, and Full House, have guest appearances by famous musicians who perform for the cast as part of an episode.


To expand on this, there is the cliche that the show's main character promise a big name for a community concert/event/whatever, then have to convince the said special guest star to perform. At the last minute, when it appears the guest will not come, they do and perform:

Evening Shade: Michael Jeter's character tries to get Reba McIntire to show up for something.

227: Mary tries to get Run DMC to perform at her daughter's prom.

Who's the Boss? Tony and Sam try to get Wilson Phillips to perform for a concert, but this show ends differently as WP does not guest.

Gimme a Break: Nell tries to get Sammy Davis Jr. to perform for a benefit, which leads to another related cliche, The Switch.

With the Switch, the show's character scheme to pass somebody off as a celebrity. In Gimme a Break, when Nell can't get SD, Jr., she finds a lookalike (Sammy in another role).

Alice did a similar episode where Alice impersonates Robert Goulet in a Vegas club to help the club (Goulet eventually shows up). On the Lucy Show, Lucy meets Ethel Merman thinking she is somebody else and gets her to impersonate Ethel Merman to her kids!

K. Lively http://www.livelywriter.com

[that70sgrrl]

When the actors work in their own special talents such as singing, dancing, drums, ect.

The wacky nextdoor neighbor.

The hugs and or kisses at the end of the episode.

When a character says something like "(Insert character name here) wouldn't do that" and in walks said character doing what they said they wouldn't do.

When characters lie, they make it so obvious.

[that70sgrrl]

The catchphrase, and how the audience (or laugh track) goes nuts whenever it's said. The catchphrases are usually beaten to death and get old fast.

Also, characters that are unbelievably dumb seem to be a popular element in sitcoms.

[Sean Snow]

Three's Company is a CLASSIC!

Special Episode- Three's Christmas

Small people turn into bigger ones- Larry

Studio Audience- Closing Credits

Fued- Sort of with Mr. Roper and Furley

Twins-Jack plays his fake brother Austin

Theme Song- Re-recorded a BUNCH of times

Whooooooo!- Lots of Times!!

Flashbacks- Some episodes they talk about how they met....and on the Best of Three's Company two-parter.

Handcuffed- Jack and Chrissy

Locked up- In a deli freezer

Restaurant- Jack owns one

Looks the Same- The Cop and the robber in #25.

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Janet(talking about buying Roper's car): Chrissy, it's the answer to ourprayers.
Chrissy:That's not true. Nobody prayed.
Janet:Okay, then let's start. Please, God, make Chrissy change her mind.
Jack: Or better yet give her one!

[Robert Tilton]

Originally posted by TMC:
Examples:
-Newborn babies rapidly age in-between a season while the other characters remain relatively around the same age. The primary excuse that tends to come along with this is that the producers simply feel that they want to *do more* with the new characters. It usually seems like when new kids are introduced, it raises the number of kids in the family from three to four.

-"Special Episodes" (occasional episodes that focus on more serious subjects) end with the cast members making a tagged on public service announcement.

-Some minor characters that were around since the show began are ultimately phased out of the show soon afterwards without much of a strong explaination concerning their where-abouts.

-Originally intended secondary characters ultimately become a major focal point for the show as they become more and more popular and noticed.

-During the opening or closing credits, we're told that the show has been filmed live in front of a studio audience.

-If women go into labor, some unusual situation has to be thrown in along the way.

-Christmas themed episodes maybe designed as take-offs of "A Christmas Carol" or "It's a Wonderful Life."

-If the show focuses on single parents, it may most likely focus on fathers who's wives recently died.

-The main characters' friends may be more out-going or cartoon-like.

-The main characters are given somebody to frequently fued and rival with (e.g. a in-law, neighbor, or co-worker).

-There has to be at least one episode in which the stars get to play multiple roles.

-Half way through the show's run, the theme song will be reworked in some form (e.g. the same lyrics but with a different style).

-Instead of hearing an actual theme song, the opening credits play over the very first scenes.

-The audience reacts to kissing or a woman wearing a nice dress by saying "whoo!" and reacts to "heartfelt" moments by saying "ahh!"
www.jumptheshark.com (http://www.jumptheshark.com)

They deal with the cliched sitcom subjects like Puberty, Same Character Different Actor, Moving, I Do, They Did It stuff like that.

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Riches & Glory are in the vow of faith! Send a check or money order for at least $1000, preferably to my account in Zurich; I have a ski lodge up there!

[djbc2001]

On almost all sitcoms, the sofa is almost always in the middle of the living room floor facing the wall.

[Robyn]

Originally posted by Meg07945:
On alot of shows about teenagers or just people in high school, they have a class where the get married, or they have to take care of an egg or something. I can't remember if this happened on Saved by the Bell, but it did happen on the Facts of Life. This happened on other shows, I can't remember which though. BH 90210 maybe?




Hey, this also happened to Urkel and Laura on Family Matters! Ironically, they did end up getting married in the end...well, engaged, anyway.

So what about shows that didn't follow this formula of cliches? I think the Simpsons is a pretty good example. They always seem to have something different gong on!

[Davester713]

Saved By The Bell is deffinitely a classic.


The restaurant episodes: any at the Max when one of them is working
They had the married episode, where 3 couples turned into 2 families.
They also had an episode where Zack takes care of Kelly's brother.
They also got stuck in quite a few places. They got stuck in an elevator, but didn't Kelly and Jesse get stuck somewhere as well?


Also, Two of a Kind had a marraige episode.

Did the Brady Bunch have an episode where they took care of a baaby? They fit every other description of a Classic Episode.


BTW, on promising for a singer to perform, and then they do come,
Marcia had Davy Jones come.

[TV Guy]

How about when a character leaves the show, and is replaced by that characters's relative? Producers seem to think that we'll accept the new characters if they are related to the old ones.

Judy McCoy replaces her sister, Julie, on "Love Boat".

Mrs. Garrett's sister, Beverly Ann, takes over as housemother on "The Facts of Life".

Mr. French's brother fills in for him on "Family Affair".

Kate Bradley's sister, Helen, fills in as hotel manager on "Petticoat Junction".

Bub's brother, Charley, takes over as housekeeper on "My Three Sons".

And the "Designing Women" double-whammy: Carlene replaces her sister, Charlene, and Allison replaces her cousin, Suzanne.

I'm sure there are many, many more.

I just know that if I quit my job, one of my brothers would be willing (and qualified) to step in.

[EKWROCKS]

I agree about the flashback episodes!! Only when The Golden Girls did it I thought it was okay cause that show is so damn funny!!

[-MCG-]

Originally posted by TV Guy:
How about when a character leaves the show, and is replaced by that characters's relative? Producers seem to think that we'll accept the new characters if they are related to the old ones.

Judy McCoy replaces her sister, Julie, on "Love Boat".

Mrs. Garrett's sister, Beverly Ann, takes over as housemother on "The Facts of Life".

Mr. French's brother fills in for him on "Family Affair".

Kate Bradley's sister, Helen, fills in as hotel manager on "Petticoat Junction".

Bub's brother, Charley, takes over as housekeeper on "My Three Sons".

And the "Designing Women" double-whammy: Carlene replaces her sister, Charlene, and Allison replaces her cousin, Suzanne.

I'm sure there are many, many more.

I just know that if I quit my job, one of my brothers would be willing (and qualified) to step in.

Don't forget Three's Company! Chrissy (Suzanne Summers) left, and was replaced by her cousin.

[kickassk8]

About the relative replacement,

The best example of that has to be Coy and Vance replacing Bo and Luke on the the Duke's of Hazzard. I think the story was that Bo and Luke had to fulfill their commitment to the Army reserves or something and were replaced, only to return partway through the season.

[Ishqs]

STORYLINES THAT COME IN EVERY TV SITCOM

1) To make someone feel like a hero, the characters plan a fake robbery, but then a real burglar comes instead.

2) The family’s house is robbed, so they install a security system or get all scared and obsessed with burglars. The security system also keeps being falsely set off and everyone complains about the noise.

3) A team sucks at a sport or one of the players is a klutzy dork who sucks, but then at the end they have to put that player in or they let the person play out of pity even though they think this will cause them to lose. Then they always have a slow motion miracle at the last second where the player who sucks wins the game for them like an amazing victory with slow facial expressions. (also appears greatly in movies)

4) A main character is somehow stuck with a supposedly unattractive or nerdy date, so they try to ditch them, but then suddenly realize that they too have feelings, so that character decides to be all sensitive and considerate...just for that one episode that is.

5) A family vacation involving some danger, mystery, or ancient legends. Also at least one of the characters always falls in love during these vacations.

6) Two characters who hate each other get locked or stranded together, so they end up having some profound conversation and bond instead.

7) A kid is “forced” by his/her parents to play an instrument or dance or join a sport that they don’t really like, but they don’t want to hurt their parents’ feelings.

8) Two characters accidentally get handcuffed together, and for some reason they decide not to let people know this, even if it means looking like fools at some important meeting.

9) Two people are going to get married and then break up at the last minute.

10) The mother of a family with already enough grown kids suddenly gets pregnant...conveniently when the show is about to go off the air or when its ratings are down.

11) A character has to be in two places at once so they keep switching.

12) Some characters are going to elope, and when the whole family comes to try to stop them, they see a couple who resembles them from the back standing at the altar, so they yell at and/or pull them away...but it always turns out to be the wrong people!

13) Someone who’s on a diet is always caught cheating, and it’s supposed to be funny but it’s so boring and overdone.

14) Someone can’t read and tries to hide it.

15) Some character(s) always ends up in jail and are trapped with all these big scary thugs (who sometimes turn into softies).

16) The parents go on a romantic getaway and meanwhile the kids get into some trouble.

17) A runaway and/or shoplifting kid or teen comes into the main characters’ lives..often going on to live with them.

18) A character has a girlfriend/boyfriend that everyone warns them about, saying that he/she is only using the character for money or is cheating on them or just wants them for sex. The character never believes these friends and gets angry, until they realize for themselves and then they are sorry.

19) Someone always ends up out on the ledge of a building..especially during the 80’s.

20) A character has to take care of a pet for someone and it dies or gets lost, so they always try to fool the owner by replacing it with a new one.

21) In the Christmas episode, there’s always a miracle that happens, so people are supposed to think it’s Santa Claus and that he exists.

22) Whenever someone has to secretly tape record someone else, they make it so obvious by sticking their whole chest in the person’s face.

23) One episode goes crazy and devotes the whole show to one character’s fantasy sequence – usually a black-and-white detective story or a western, always featuring the same actors as the sitcom but in different roles. These are undoubtedly the most boring episodes.

24) The character(s), who are common everyday people, get to meet celebrities or have famous stars over at their house or even have love affairs with them – very realistic.

25) Some family member feels left out or unwanted or no longer needed.

26) The dad thinks he’s dying just because someone his age dies.

27) Someone is on the brink of killing themselves (on a suicide hotline, on the ledge of a building), and the main character(s) always talk them out of it, so the suicidal person is suddenly all better and wants to get the help they need.

28) Characters imagine what they’ll be like when they’re older.

29) Someone who has sexual feelings toward another character keeps saying the wrong words on accident – such as “breasts” instead of “facts” or “kiss” instead of “list”. What kind of imbecile does this?

30) A character doesn't want to do something or go somewhere....until they spot a "hot" member of the opposite sex, and suddenly they change their mind.

31) One of the kids plans on cheating on some test, but then they realize that they know all the stuff or they feel bad, so they don't use the cheat sheet. But then the teacher finds it and everyone thinks the kid cheated.

32) A character always ends up seeing another character naked, usually in the shower. Haven’t these people ever heard of a lock?

33) Someone always decides to model nude for an art class, and another character is in that class.

34) One of the characters suddenly gets to teach some class, and another character from the show ends up being in their class.

35) And finally….a person/animal/concept comes in one episode and becomes a part of the characters’ lives, but then they never mention or show it again!

[Ishqs]

STORYLINES THAT COME IN EVERY TV SITCOM

1) To make someone feel like a hero, the characters plan a fake robbery, but then a real burglar comes instead.

2) The family’s house is robbed, so they install a security system or get all scared and obsessed with burglars. The security system also keeps being falsely set off and everyone complains about the noise.

3) A team sucks at a sport or one of the players is a klutzy dork who sucks, but then at the end they have to put that player in or they let the person play out of pity even though they think this will cause them to lose. Then they always have a slow motion miracle at the last second where the player who sucks wins the game for them like an amazing victory with slow facial expressions. (also appears greatly in movies)

4) A main character is somehow stuck with a supposedly unattractive or nerdy date, so they try to ditch them, but then suddenly realize that they too have feelings, so that character decides to be all sensitive and considerate...just for that one episode that is.

5) A family vacation involving some danger, mystery, or ancient legends. Also at least one of the characters always falls in love during these vacations.

6) Two characters who hate each other get locked or stranded together, so they end up having some profound conversation and bond instead.

7) A kid is “forced” by his/her parents to play an instrument or dance or join a sport that they don’t really like, but they don’t want to hurt their parents’ feelings.

8) Two characters accidentally get handcuffed together, and for some reason they decide not to let people know this, even if it means looking like fools at some important meeting.

9) Two people are going to get married and then break up at the last minute.

10) The mother of a family with already enough grown kids suddenly gets pregnant...conveniently when the show is about to go off the air or when its ratings are down.

[ThomasE]

Did someone already mentioned the getting bullied storylines?

[Tracy]

You forgot these tired show cliques:

The Wedding-after living together for many years a couple decides to get married

The Teenaged Years-A geeky popular kid is asked to try drugs and decides to do it to be "cool"

The Famous Singer-To impress a child, boy/girlfriend a character says they know a famous singer and can get tickets to his or her show. The character of course does not know the singer, but somehow manages to find the hotel, get backstage and eventually get concert tickets for the show.

Just a Thiller-Some poor idiot attempts to moonwalk, but just walks backward.

[James]

Originally posted by dawsongirl:
How about amnesia victims? Right off the top of my head I can only think of I Dream of Jeannie, but it seems like characters are always getting amnesia.

Larry on "Perfect Strangers" fell down a stairway at the Chicago Chronicle and got amnesia. He even called his girlfriend Jennifer "Jessica"!

[James]

Originally posted by majhoulihan:
To expand on this, there is the cliche that the show's main character promise a big name for a community concert/event/whatever, then have to convince the said special guest star to perform. At the last minute, when it appears the guest will not come, they do and perform:

Don't forget Marcia Brady accompanying Davy Jones of the Monkees to her prom!

[James]

Originally posted by Davester713:
Did the Brady Bunch have an episode where they took care of a baaby? They fit every other description of a Classic Episode.

The closest TBB got to that was when Greg and Marcia were babysitters for the other four children while Mike and Carol (and possibly Alice) were gone.

[James]

Originally posted by Tracy:
The Famous Singer-To impress a child, boy/girlfriend a character says they know a famous singer and can get tickets to his or her show. The character of course does not know the singer, but somehow manages to find the hotel, get backstage and eventually get concert tickets for the show.

Just like Larry did for his pal Balki on "Perfect Strangers" when they were vacationing in Las Vegas--get Wayne Newton tickets! (Larry "pretended" Balki was on the brink of losing his hearing when he finally got in touch with the person selling tickets.)

[JT]

Here are some:

1)An episode in which a main child has to beat up a bully.(Ex.My Brother and Me)

2)Some characters are forced to watch a movie they don't like but doesn't want to hurt the other's feelings.(Ex.Three's Company's Christmas Special)

3)The kids try to cook.(Ex.Diff'rent Strokes)

4)Characters try to quit bad habits.(Ex.Alice)

5)Somebody is constantly being flirted on but that person is the only one who doesn't notice it.(Ex.Reba)

6)A teenager has a baby.(Ex.Roseanne)

7)Somebody is stuck in a very uncomfortable place.(Ex.I Love Lucy)

8)Somebody makes a dessert and everybody hates it but doesn't want to hurt the chef's feelings.(Ex.Rugrats)

[RKORadio]

How about when kid's rooms look like a display model from a store? all those ever so neat toys and things!