I was reading a post on here by a white supremacist who said that the Norman Lear shows made him less prejudiced and was wondering are there any moments from any sitcom that actually changed your perspective, attitude or your life? I think Norman Lear is the only sitcom producer who claims that he set out to do a show (All in the Family) to educate people and change lives. I guess he succeeded to some extent in giving people an understanding of how a racist thinks, and the dynamics of how the generation gap impacts upon a family.

One show that actually impacted upon me was Get Smart which I began watching at age 5. Seeing that Maxwell Smart was a clod and yet still brilliantly solved the cases through his outside of the box thinking gave me self-confidence and seeing Agent 99 gave me an appreciation for women who were independent like her.

I can't recall any TV show doing that for me.

Funny you ask the question,I posted the impact on my life on the Chico and the Man message board days ago.:)

I think if you ask any gay man or lesbian who was a teenager in 1997, they will tell you Ellen. I was 17 and closeted at the time the episode aired. The fact that someone such as Ellen Degeneres, who was America's sweetheart, and was seen as a positive influence, was able to proclaim to the world "I'm gay" made things so much easier for gay/lesbian youth throughout the country, gave us someone we can relate to who wasn't a hasbeen 80's pop singer. I think Ellen coming out affected every gay/lesbian/bisexual teenager in 1997, because she finally gave us someone we could relate to and was in her peak.

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
I think if you ask any gay man or lesbian who was a teenager in 1997, they will tell you Ellen. I was 17 and closeted at the time the episode aired. The fact that someone such as Ellen Degeneres, who was America's sweetheart, and was seen as a positive influence, was able to proclaim to the world "I'm gay" made things so much easier for gay/lesbian youth throughout the country, gave us someone we can relate to who wasn't a hasbeen 80's pop singer. I think Ellen coming out affected every gay/lesbian/bisexual teenager in 1997, because she finally gave us someone we could relate to and was in her peak.

Ellen was BIG in 97.... but I'd say she hit her peak (so far) in 2003.

But as for a TV show that has made an impact on my life.... none really. Although, they have made me laugh -- which is worth more than anything.

I don't know if it "impacted my life" but when Ben died on "Scrubs", I cried. I was more-or-less unfamiliar with the character (I didn't really watch it much the 1st season) but it was just shocking and unexpected (I thought they were going to Jack's birthday party :( :crying: :( ).

Originally posted by Sitcomwriter
I don't know if it "impacted my life" but when Ben died on "Scrubs", I cried. I was more-or-less unfamiliar with the character (I didn't really watch it much the 1st season) but it was just shocking and unexpected (I thought they were going to Jack's birthday party :( :crying: :( ).

I don't watch Scrubs. Who's Ben?

Actually, I just saw an episode of Frasier that changed the way I look at life.

The episode started with Frasier planning to go to a "speed dating service", but got to talking about how every decission can change your life. He was debating over whether to wear his suit jacket or a sweater.
From there, the episode split into 2 different paths -- one if he had worn the jacket, and one if he had worn the sweater.

When he picked the sweater, he went on to his "speed dates".

But the path he took with the jacket got him knocked over by a beautiful woman whom he began to date.

It showed me that every little choice I make can change my life forever.

Originally posted by barwars
Actually, I just saw an episode of Frasier that changed the way I look at life.

The episode started with Frasier planning to go to a "speed dating service", but got to talking about how every decission can change your life. He was debating over whether to wear his suit jacket or a sweater.
From there, the episode split into 2 different paths -- one if he had worn the jacket, and one if he had worn the sweater.

When he picked the sweater, he went on to his "speed dates".

But the path he took with the jacket got him knocked over by a beautiful woman whom he began to date.

It showed me that every little choice I make can change my life forever. If you liked that episode (Sliding Frasiers), and haven't seen the film that inspired it, it's worth checking out: Sliding Doors, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, John Hannah and John Lynch.

I had never lived in the US before. I moved to a ivy league college town so when I saw Roseanne I found it very interesting. most teenagers problems are their parents drive them to school in the town car.