Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed Family Ties, but I think some of the writers were extremely LAZY. I absolutely hated there flashback episodes. I mean one is bad enough, but they had more than one. That is just lazy and unimaginative. Plus, they recycled the way Alex falls in love with his girlfriend. It starts off where they hate each other, then eventually they fall in love. Plus, how many times can you make Tom Hanks the troubled Uncle?!?

I think that flashback episodes are cool. No offense to you. I love Family Ties. I think that it is one of the funniest 80s shows. I haven't seen the ones with Ellen(Tracy Pollan) and I really want too. I think that Courtney Cox was good as Lauren. This is just my opinion. Everyone has their own opinion so I not trying to put down what you are saying I am just saying my opinion.

I agree, the flashback episodes totally sucked!! I think this show had more flashback eps, than any other show Iv'e ever seen.

I agree, the flashback episodes totally sucked!! I think this show had more flashback eps, than any other show Iv'e ever seen.

I agree, what the hell was the sense in that? If I was in the studio audience during a flashback episode, I would've felt RIPPED OFF! LOL

I agree, what the hell was the sense in that? If I was in the studio audience during a flashback episode, I would've felt RIPPED OFF! LOL

I always think that about the audience when I watch those episodes as well. They're basically getting about 5 minutes of new material, and 20 minutes of reruns.

I always think that about the audience when I watch those episodes as well. They're basically getting about 5 minutes of new material, and 20 minutes of reruns.


Exactly, and the new material is a bunch of corny jokes setting up a particular scene.

Flashback episodes are one of the best ways to save money, so this is probably why they are so popular. Most other popular 80s sitcoms produced at least one or two flashback episodes during their run. If a show was a hit in the ratings, they were obliged to produce more shows with limited time, hence the appeal of a flahsback show! :crazy:

Flashback episodes are one of the best ways to save money, so this is probably why they are so popular. Most other popular 80s sitcoms produced at least one or two flashback episodes during their run. If a show was a hit in the ratings, they were obliged to produce more shows with limited time, hence the appeal of a flahsback show! :crazy:

I can understand why a show would want to do flashback episodes from time to time to save a little money and stuff, I just thought it was overdone on this show. Thank goodness for the fast forward button. :lol:

...the "Family Ties" flashback episode parody on "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE" [when Justine Bateman was guest hostess in February 1988] was so on target!! I just saw it again this past weekend, and it was STILL hilarious!!!!

...the "Family Ties" flashback episode parody on "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE" [when Justine Bateman was guest hostess in February 1988] was so on target!! I just saw it again this past weekend, and it was STILL hilarious!!!!
i haven't seen that SNL parody in years but is that the one where steven accepts a job in another city and where jennifer is dying but in the end everything works out?
i could be wrong but i think that was the real set of family ties that they used.

i haven't seen that SNL parody in years but is that the one where steven accepts a job in another city and where jennifer is dying but in the end everything works out?
i could be wrong but i think that was the real set of family ties that they used.

Yep, that's the one. Definitely one of the funniest sketches Iv'e ever seen. I don't think it was the actual set though since FT filmed in California, while SNL films in New York. They wouldn't travel all the way to Cali for one sketch.

Season five and six the episodes became repetious and recycled regarding Alex but with a different spin. It was too bad that the writers couldn't get some storylines regarding Steven and Elyse. They were an excellent couple. They in many ways reminded me of Rob and Laura Petrie of the 80s. Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter Birney looked as though they could had been married in real life.

I know those flashback episodes were mediocre, but I think back in the 80's people didn't record those episodes and once it was broadcasted one time, you wouldn't see it for years. So it was probably fun in 1986 to see parts of episodes that you saw 4 years or 3 years ago. Nowadays, with dvds and reruns, those episodes don't have any value anymore.

And not just money, but those episodes padded the 22 ep requirement back then for sitcoms. But Ties must've set a record, yes. There were three that I could remember (which of course were two-parters): where the family tells "Alex" stories to Ellen; where a friend visiting tries to talk about her trip but ends up hearing Keaton stories; and where Andy is making his time-capsule.

Three's Company only did it once, but in the right format, having Lucille Ball host a real retrospective; Growing Pains only did it in their final ep; Wonder Years did it twice I think; Cheers only once in a real retro in an auditorium.

Flashback episodes annoy me too. Golden Girls, another 80s show, did quite a few. Almost one each season. Although some were newly created, so that wasn't TOO bad, but still ...