I like the show, but I just recently realized that almost every episode of Family Ties has the same exact format!!

It begins with a scene at the kitchen table, and usually Andy or Steven are involved in some side storyline. Then the kids come in either from the back door or from their rooms, and they talk about some plans, dates, or parties (which will be the main storyline). Then the scenes focus on the main living room, and some person (a date or a friend) comes to the door to pick up one of the kids.

Then there is a scene at the party, restaurant, or whatever, and something goes wrong there. Then they show the kitchen again where the side storyline finishes up. Right after that, the kid(s) come in from the back door of the kitchen and tell their parents what happened on their date or whatever. The parent starts to give them some advice, and right then the same person from the date comes to the back door. Then the parents leave the kitchen so the kids can talk alone, and they solve their problems, usually ending with a hug.

Has anyone else noticed this??? :-)

Yup, it's so formulaic. At the end of every episode, the kids or whoever having the problems that week usually resolve things by talking it over in the kitchen. So after 30 minutes, everything's fine and dandy again and they live happily ever after.

I enjoyed watching Family Ties as a kid (my favourites were definitely when Alex met Ellen) but I've since grown to appreciate TV shows like Roseanne more. The characters in Roseanne aren't usually lovey dovey by the end of the episode (or ever) and the same problems continue to persist episode after episode. Dysfunctional characters are so much more real.

Oh yeah, while I'm typing, don't you think Scott Valentine's character was just so not credible? Even as a kid, I could tell it was bad acting.

Yeah, the show is too predictable sometimes... In the later season I'd always know Alex was going to tell some economic joke or economic line, but was funny, but got old.. the show was good all the way through though

I don't think the show is predictable most of the time, and about them usually starting in the kitchen... most sitcoms start in the kitchen or family room if they are family related most of the time...

Most shows have this formala, it wasn't only Family Ties. Look at shows of today like Raymond or That 70s Show..they all have their dicussions in the kitchen and end up resolving things towards the end. It may not be as cheesy but the plan is still the same and it works :)