When a sibling disappears for no reason or a kid ages five years between seasons?

Do producers think viewers are stupid?? In a word, YES. :rolleyes: :mad:

Yes. And writers also think that as well.

Yes. And writers also think that as well.
Not to mention the worst of all - the people who run the networks. GRRR...:mad:

Secret growth hormones. And any absenses? Aliens. And the government doesn't like these kinds of questions.
-_-

I've often asked myself that.

I agree with all that was said above.

when you consider the dire state of US sitcoms not just right now, but say since 4 or 5 years ago, then yes. although writers can also be blamed as well. the problem being is that they seem to forget that when a show jumps the shark, they don't seem to realise that it is because of their ideas, changes whatever that has got the show in the mess that it becomes. the majority of the large networks are probably so arrogant that they assume that the audience wouldn't notice but in fact, we do