What show do you prefer and why?

Family Ties was funnier and better written, but Kurt was so hot. I used to watch Growing Pains just to see him.

I'm with Kimberly. I used to watch G.P mostly to see Kirk, but I also admired Carol's hairstyles and clothes. F.T is still #1.

I like Growing Pains better. Ive seen WAY more eps of it, than FT. So, Ive kinda grown attached to it. I personally think GP is funnier than FT. Plus, the father on FT annoys me.

Boy, this is a really hard question to answer. Both shows are very similar but I think I like Family Ties just a little bit better, but it's incredibly close.

Very tough here, too. I think GP was funny from year 2 till year 6. I only liked FT for about 3 years, but am a life-long MJFox fan (liked him a lil more than Kirk), which kind of makes me put it first, but barely over GP.

Well although I did like Growing Pains, Family Ties was definitely better, in my opinion.

Sincerely,

Daniel Hofverberg
Webmaster, Family Ties Home Page
http://www.familyties.f2s.com

I was too young to like Family Ties better than Growing Pains. Besides, I thought that Growing Pains was cooler and Kirk was definitely hotter than MJF. Also, since it's more recent, it didn't seem so dated.

I'm 18 and I loved watching "Growing Pains" reruns growing up and still do sometimes. I've only recently discovered "Family Ties" on N@N and I love it! I'm gonna have to go with "Family Ties" on this one.

I like both but I like Growing Pains better.

they're both okay, but i have to go with FT on this one. its not like i dont like GP, but i do like FT more

I liked both shows. If i wanted a funny, well written show - I watched Family Ties. If I wanted to see Kirk Cameron's handsom face, amazing butt, and perfect muscles - I watched Growing Pains.

They're both good but I definately like Familt Ties a whole lot better.

Family Ties, all the way baby!

Originally posted by Kimberly
Family Ties was funnier and better written, but Kurt was so hot. I used to watch Growing Pains just to see him.
Um i have to say Growing pains because my older sis used to watch it when i was little it grew on me like part of the family

Definitely Family Ties

Since I haven't seen an ep. of Growing Pains but have been
watching Family Ties on N@N I would have to say FT by default.
Interesting to note both Justine Bateman on FT and Kirk Cameron
on GP are well known Christians now.

I'd have to say Growing Pains, although I did grow up with both.

GP, by far, was better written and acted!!!

;)

Family Ties, without a doubt. Much better show, overall.

Growing Pains, I tried to watch some Family Ties...but it doesnt really hit me

I like Growing Pains better. I like the episodes and the characters better.

I Like The Show Growings Pains Because It Is A Funny Show And
I Wish ABC Family Would Bring It Back To The Line Up.

Take Care
Aaron The News Repoter

For me, I liked Family Ties a lot better. They were a really happy, sweet little family and had a lot of respect for each other as individuals.
On Growing Pains, the kids were more the "lying-scammer" type
and the parents were really rigid. It was always and "at war" kind of thing. I did enjoy the show sometimes, but when compared to family ties ....... whew.

Hard to choose, which do you like better? I have to go with Growing Pains, although I do like both:)

Family Ties.

Michael J. Fox.

Need I say more?

Family Ties

Family Ties.

It's not hard to chose at all. Family Ties, without a doubt.

Family Ties

Family Ties

I hate Kirk Cameron

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
Family Ties

I hate Kirk Cameron

:confused: Why you don't even know him :confused:

Originally posted by Topanga
:confused: Why you don't even know him :confused:

I don't like fundamentalist homophobic conservative Christians, I have the right not to (I'm not personally a fan of Lisa Whelchel either, but I loved her as Blair enough to forgive it)

FAMILY TIES

Growing Pains

Growing Pains

I like both but I give the edge to Family Ties.

I like both but I like Family Ties more.

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
I don't like fundamentalist homophobic conservative Christians, I have the right not to (I'm not personally a fan of Lisa Whelchel either, but I loved her as Blair enough to forgive it)

I don't think he's ever gone on record with anything political or homophobic.

Family Ties by a long shot.

Meredith Baxter Birney is far better looking than Joanna Kerns.

has to be Family Ties :)

Family Ties. A much better show with better writing, acting, directing and producing. The stories were more relateable and less cheesy. PLUS Alan Thicke is so annoying so i don't like GP.

Growing Pains

Family Ties! :woohoo:

Growing Pains :D

Growing Pains without a doubt.

They're both cheesy, but I like Family Ties and it's clash of Hippie parents vs Capitalist son, gave the show a much more interesting angle than the standard family sitcom, which Growing Pains was.

Originally posted by mstewart
Family Ties by a long shot.

Meredith Baxter Birney is far better looking than Joanna Kerns.

I agree.
But thats not my reason.
Family Ties was a good show, that wasnt cheesy.
Growing Pains was a good show, that WAS cheesy.

And Family Ties made me laugh more, so it wins.
And I despise the "new" sister on Growing Pains, so that helps a little.

Originally posted by H. E. Pennypacker
They're both cheesy, but I like Family Ties and it's clash of Hippie parents vs Capitalist son, gave the show a much more interesting angle than the standard family sitcom, which Growing Pains was.

After the second season the hippies vs. capitalist son went away and it became a show more about Alex. The year that Bush was elected the 60s vs 80s ideas came back on Family Ties. There were so many things they could had done that without placing good actors Meredith Baxter Birney and Michael Gross in the background.

Originally posted by mstewart
After the second season the hippies vs. capitalist son went away and it became a show more about Alex. The year that Bush was elected the 60s vs 80s ideas came back on Family Ties. There were so many things they could had done that without placing good actors Meredith Baxter Birney and Michael Gross in the background.

See i disagree. I think that Family Ties was able to keep a good balance for most of the series run. Alex was certinly the breakout character, but i believe that the focus of the show remained largley on the whole family. Mallory had just as many storylines as Alex did.

Growing Pains

I love both shows, but I will choose Growing Pains.

(I had to flip a coin to make a choice)

I like both of them.

But there's two thing that I don't like about Family Ties:
After Mallory started looking awful, I stopped having a crush on her.
I can't stand Nick "Nicky Martini" Moore, he really pisses me off. I'd kick his @$$ if I see him.

I don't have a problem with anybody on Growing Pains. So my pick is Growing Pains.

FT!!!!!!!! :rock:

Definitely Family Ties by a long shot. :nod: :)

Family Ties

Family Ties-Justine Bateman and Tina Yothers.

Growings Pains

I like both shows. I liked Growing Pains because Kirk Cameron was cute and he is a christian(like me). I like Family Ties because it was alot funnier and I could relate more too it. Also because I love Michael J. Fox. So I will definetly have to say FAMILY TIES!!!!!!! :D

"Family Ties" was much better than "Growing Pains". It was much funnier and Alex P. Keaton was definitely a character that made the show a success and enjoyable to watch making it funny most of the time. I hated "Growing Pains". Mike Seaver was annoying and was not funny at all.

MOST people are Christian. Kirk Cameron's just a fundamental psychotic one.

I watched the E! THS of Growing Pains yesterday. It was great to see Julie McCullough vocally bashing him. Kirk really became a psycho during the last 3 seasons of the show by telling ABC that the writers were pornographers, etc....

Family Ties was all around a better series IMO, and Growing Pains was mostly a Family Ties carbon copy.

I like both, but enjoyed Growing Pains alot more :)

Family Ties

I like Growing Pains, but I LOVE Family Ties.

Family Ties, hands down!

Considering Family Ties having a roadblock aka the kitchen table on the leftside of its set and Growing Pains on the rightside of theirs, I believe that Growing Pains has a better detour choice than Family Ties. Therefore, Growing Pains is promotionally considered and my choice is final.

While I like both shows, I'll say Growing Pains.

I liked both, but I liked Growing Pains more. Kirk Cameron is a great actor. I loved his character. And I liked the banter between him and his sister. Too bad she left the show for anorexia.

Definetly Growing Pains for me, but maybe thats because I used to watch it a lot.

Although I enjoyed them both for different reasons, my vote would have to go to Family Ties. Michael J. Fox's Alex P. Keaton will forever be the classic 80s character!!! :)

Family Ties all the way! The Keatons were a little more attractive than the Seavers, plus MJF was HOT!

I can't choose between these two shows because I liked and watched them both. However I would like to point out that both shows had Canadian content. Michael J. Fox is from Burnaby, British Columbia. Alan Thicke is from Kirkland Lake, Ontario. :wave:

Family ties

Hard to choose, which do you like better? I have to go with Growing Pains, although I do like both:)

Family Ties.

Not really a difficult choice, but while I am not a big Family Ties fan, it was a LOT better than Growing Pains.

I liked both but probably lean toward Family Ties... Kirk Cameron was cute but it was annoying listening to his voice crack even after he hit his 20's! LOL!

Have to go with Family Ties on this one ;)

I like them both but growing pains wins

Which show do you like better? Alot of poeple say these shows are similar, so let's put it to the test.

I vote Growing Pains. It's one of my favorite Sitcoms ever. Family Ties is okay, but it's no Growing Pains. ;)

I prefer Family Ties!
Alex P. Keaton was a riot!! :lol:

Growings Pains

This is really tough. A few months back I would've said Family Ties (keeping in mind i haven't seen this in over 20 yrs). But now I've re-visited Growing Pains on dvd, my vote will go to GP.

This may change back once (or if) Family Ties ever gets released.

Both!

I also prefer Family Ties. I love Justine Bateman!

Family Ties: Somehow it really 'connected' with me.

Family Ties by far.

Growing Pains. Much funnier and I liked the family on the whole much better.

Oh Man, Growing Pains is losing. :eek:

They are both very good but I'd say Growing Pains

Family Ties by a longshot.

Family Ties

Growing Pains

Both good shows but Family Ties is better

damn too bad there is no choice for both!

Family Ties

No question about it, FAMILY TIES.

Alex P. Keaton is awesome!

Family Ties

Yay for Family Ties!!!! :D

Family Ties

Family Ties! I love Michael J Fox! :)

Family Ties

Family Ties! Michael J Fox is sooo cuuute! :)

Family Ties, I prefer Alex P. Keaton over Mike Seaver and Mallory over Carol. Ben Seaver was a little more entertaining then Jeninfer, still I always preferred Family Ties over Growing Pains, even as a kid growing up watching both shows.

While both shows had their moments, Family Ties wins with me.

Family Ties

The one thing I like about Growing Pains over Family Ties is that we got to see Jason and Maggie's relationship more in depth. Steven and Elyse's marriage reminded me of Rob and Laura Petrie but it was not explored deeply enough with Alex being the breakout character. Another thing about Growing Pains I did like was that Mike Seaver was the breakout character but it did not push Alan Thicke and Joanna Kerns to the side like Family Ties did to Meredith Baxter Birney, which down the road she aired her unhappiness about it and it was retified in the final seaon, and Michael Gross. Alex was too one dimensional and Mike changed and grew up throughout the series even though I did not care for Kirk Cameron's behavior in the last few season's of the show.

In terms of the theme song I preferred Growing Pains over Family Ties. B.J. Thomas, who did the theme song of GP, have a powerful tenor voice and I liked it better in the first season when he did the theme song alone.

The one thing I like about Growing Pains over Family Ties is that we got to see Jason and Maggie's relationship more in depth. Steven and Elyse's marriage reminded me of Rob and Laura Petrie but it was not explored deeply enough with Alex being the breakout character. Another thing about Growing Pains I did like was that Mike Seaver was the breakout character but it did not push Alan Thicke and Joanna Kerns to the side like Family Ties did to Meredith Baxter Birney, which down the road she aired her unhappiness about it and it was retified in the final seaon, and Michael Gross. Alex was too one dimensional and Mike changed and grew up throughout the series even though I did not care for Kirk Cameron's behavior in the last few season's of the show.

In terms of the theme song I preferred Growing Pains over Family Ties. B.J. Thomas, who did the theme song of GP, have a powerful tenor voice and I liked it better in the first season when he did the theme song alone.
From reading some of your posts, it seems to me that you don't like Alex P Keaton or Michael J Fox very much.

I watched way more of Family Ties than I did of Growing Pains, so I pick Family Ties.

From reading some of your posts, it seems to me that you don't like Alex P Keaton or Michael J Fox very much.
It's not that I dislike Alex nor Michael J. Fox it was the fact that Alex became too one dimensional to a point that the episodes was repetious towards the end. It was a show about a family and it became more about Alex. Michael J. Fox is a great actor and my heart goes out to him in his struggle with Parkinson's Disease. I loved his Back to the Future movies. One of my favorite Alex moment was his 18th birthday when Elyse showed him up at the bar. I was screaming especially when they had it out at home when he told touching his belt buckle that he had 18 years under this belt. The final episode when him and Elyse in the room that was powerful. Michael J. Fox and Meredith Baxter Birney gave powerful performances in that scene in Alex's room.

Mine is family ties

Family Ties was far superior

I like Family Ties more.

family ties

Family Ties

Growing Pains

Growing Pains

Family Ties

I like both but Family Ties was better

Family Ties for sure

I have never seen an episode of Growing Pains. Having seen some episodes of Family Ties, that would get my vote by default.

I guess Family Ties i liked both though

Growing Pains

Family Ties. I like Growing Pains, but Family Ties IMO, is so much better in almost every way. Better characters, better stories and not to mention a lot funnier too.

I like both but I like Growing Pains more.

I'd say Family Ties was better/funnier - but having watched a lot more of GP growing up, it has the nostalgia factor going for it. But, if I'm trying to be objective, I'll have to go with FT. Close call though, both are great.

Having seen 2.5 seasons of FT and 4.5 of GP, I'd have to say Growing Pains, for the following reasons:

1. The first season of Family Ties is quite unwatchable if you ask me, the first season of Growing Pains is not.

2. I think Tracey Gold was hotter than Justine Bateman (I also prefer Carol Seaver over Mallory Keaton characterwise, I can relate to Carol quite a bit).

3. Whilst both shows were funny, I think GP is slightly funnier overall, particularly with the acts of one Michael Aaron Seaver (I've seen more of GP than FT as previously stated, so I may be a bit biased here)

That being said though, Alex P. Keaton is probably the most well-crafted out of all the characters from both shows, and is my favourite character from both shows (although Carol Seaver comes a VERY close second).

Having recently ran through a viewing of the entire Growing Pains series and currently going through Family Ties...

Family Ties is a much better all-around show, better written, and acted.

I just like the style of FT better, when they mix drama and comedy like they do...and as a whole, FT never really got bad like GP did in the final season...

Having recently ran through a viewing of the entire Growing Pains series and currently going through Family Ties...

Family Ties is a much better all-around show, better written, and acted.

I just like the style of FT better, when they mix drama and comedy like they do...and as a whole, FT never really got bad like GP did in the final season...

Well, FT never did a Cousin Oliver (as far as I know)

Well, FT never did a Cousin Oliver (as far as I know)
Actually, both shows did try to add "cute kids" later in the series with FT having Andy and GP having Chrissy, but neither were as bad as they could have been...

Having just finished FT walkthrough and now having seen both from start to finish, I still think FT is a better show. Too bad they were on different networks. It would have been an interesting crossover idea.

But, to say that Carol was hotter than Mallory? Blasphemy :)

Actually, both shows did try to add "cute kids" later in the series with FT having Andy and GP having Chrissy, but neither were as bad as they could have been...

Having just finished FT walkthrough and now having seen both from start to finish, I still think FT is a better show. Too bad they were on different networks. It would have been an interesting crossover idea.

But, to say that Carol was hotter than Mallory? Blasphemy :)

When I was talking about GP's Cousin Oliver, I was talking about Luke, not Chrissy. I'm pretty sure FT never did that.

No, no FT version of Luke...Leo DiCaprio is a great and talented actor, but I couldn't stand that kid...bleh

I think Family Ties and Growing Pains were the 2 best sitcoms of the 1980's. I like FT a little more though.

my vote goes for family ties!! i was never been fan of growing pains!! which is your favorite?

Family Ties

Family Ties

Family Ties

This is a hard one. I'd probably have to go with Growing Pains since I never watched a single episode of FT. Both shows had cringe-inducing theme songs.

This is a tough one.

Both had the blonde mom, the brunette dad, and (originally) three children, with the oldest child a brunette son, and the second child a brunette daughter. The third child was blond.

Both shows had a new baby, born in the fourth season. And of course the baby was quickly aged up to five or six.

Growing Pains had the annoying neighbor kid who was best friends with the oldest son, and Family Ties had... well, the same thing.

Growing Pains had the better theme song, but Family Ties had the 'hippies vs. commercialism' theme that worked quite well. Both shows used portraits of the family members in the opening theme. Draw.

In both shows, the oldest son meets an intelligent woman, and she's eventually added to the show's cast. The oldest daughter gets a steady boyfriend, too, but he's an idiot.

Both shows ran for seven seasons. Both shows had at least one TV movie.

Growing Pains had the better set, with a studio set (including porch and garage) that closely resembled the exterior shots of the home. That attention to detail was a nice touch. I don't think we ever even saw the exterior of the Keaton home. Point to GP.

Sadly, Growing Pains gave us Kirk Cameron, who thinks America's sinfulness causes hurricanes (http://www.eonline.com/news/878928/kirk-cameron-stirs-controversy-over-hurricane-irma-comments). Point to FT.

I can't decide yet.

Family Ties has the edge for me.

This is a hard question because I love both shows for different reasons. I guess I've watched more episodes of Growing Pains so if I were forced to chose I'd choose that, but honestly I love both shows.

I like Growing Pains. Although yeah the last couple seasons weren't so great with the actress who played an older Chrissy (I just didn't care for her) and adding Leonardo DiCaprio as that runaway Luke did absolutely nothing for the show either.

Now DiCaprio's a huge movie star and I still don't understand his popularity.

Ed.

The one major difference is that in real life the FT mom was expecting (she had twins), but not the GP mom.

Growing Pains depending on whom you ask, was ABC's attempt to remake Family Ties, but dumbed down and even more formulaic facsimile. The thing about Family Ties, is that it may have officially been a sitcom, but it often had the tone of a dramedy.

Having recently ran through a viewing of the entire Growing Pains series and currently going through Family Ties...

Family Ties is a much better all-around show, better written, and acted.

I just like the style of FT better, when they mix drama and comedy like they do...and as a whole, FT never really got bad like GP did in the final season...

I think that Growing Pains (https://www.burghnerd.com/2019/05/22/growing-pains-vs-family-ties/) is what we may have gotten if you took Family Ties and made it less socially relevant.

I like both equally.

When you think about it, they were really the same show: blonde mom and brunette dad have three kids. The oldest child, the son, is the break-out star. The second child is the girl, who is made fun of by the older son. Most of the plots revolve around the parents and the two oldest children; sometimes, the plot includes the two older children's friends. The third child, a blond kid, is rarely integral to the show. In the fourth season, a fourth child is born, and a major storyline that season is the mom's pregnancy. Eventually, the fourth child is aged up, going from age two to age five overnight.

Eventually, the oldest son begins college and finds a serious girlfriend. The original girlfriend, with lighter-colored hair, is abruptly replaced with a new girlfriend with darker hair. The second oldest child, the girl, eventually finds romance, too, but her boyfriend is just comic relief. The third child, the blond character, never finds a steady significant other.

In the final season, the oldest son leaves the nest, as he plans to move.

Originally posted by dlemond
Family Ties.

Michael J. Fox.

Need I say more?No ya dont buddy..... I say Family Ties also!!

To Whom It Concerns,
I'm 42 years old and I like Growing Pains better! I relate with the fear some of the kids showed towards the father! I remember the episode where the father was bill paying and it was unbelievable for him when he found out how much the one month phone bill was!

I believe there won't ever be a show exactly like Growing Pains again!

Sincerely,

David Martin

6QXjg4dij-4

Two similar sit-coms from the '80s. Both lasted 7 seasons and were top 5 programs at their peak. Let's examine these two iconic TV shows! And yes, I grabbed the wrong logo, it was supposed to be ABC not CBS, my bad.

I merged 5-6 threads into one mega thread.

Family Ties is the better and funnier sitcom. The cast had great chemistry. There was no major behind the scenes drama. They never had a E! True Hollywood Story. Family Ties had more star power with Michael J. Fox.

Family Ties was still going pretty strong the final season. The final season of Growing Pains really fell off and finished in 75th place.

Thank you Todd....... Yes FT is much better! (Just for Marty alone)

Originally posted by Spin C.T.
What show do you prefer and why?Def Family Ties!!


I love Marty Mcfly!!