Can you think of any shows that were ruined when they moved the series' setting to California? I can only think of three-1)"My Three Sons"-When they moved the setting from Bryant Park,Kansas,to California,it took on a more domestic comedy -type show than what it was originally intended as-a show about a widow raising three sons,with the help of a father-in-law (Bub) and later uncle(Uncle Charley) 2)"The Lucy Show"-Why the show was moved from back East,with Lucy a widow raising 2 kids,living with a divorced friend(Vivian Vance)raising a son,and the format was changed with Lucy moving to California,sans(without)kids,I'll never know. and 3)"Laverne and Shirley"-What was the reason for moving the setting from Milwaukee to Los Angeles? Besides these three,know of any others?

From what I read about "The Lucy Show", there wasn't going to be a season four at all. Two of the staffers came up with an idea for Lucy in Hollywood and she loved the script so much that she decided to make the fourth season, afterall. So in this case it was either the California seasons or no seasons at all.

1)"My Three Sons"-When they moved the setting from Bryant Park,Kansas,to California,it took on a more domestic comedy -type show than what it was originally intended as-a show about a widow raising three sons,with the help of a father-in-law (Bub) and later uncle(Uncle Charley)

I'm certain you meant to say widower.

Certainly not "ruined" in my opinion -- of course you are entitled to yours. The series evolved with some great cast additions (notably the permanent addition of Barry Livingston, who I regard as a better actor than his brother Stan, and of course later Tina Cole, Beverly Garland, and Ronne Troupe). There continued to be some top-notch episodes in the California years.

Fred MacMurray's character Steve continued to be absent too frequently as part of Fred's filming accomodations, so as far as raising the boys, he never was the most hands-on dad on TV sitcoms.

Notable guest stars in the color seasons included Vera Miles, Jan Clayton, Yvonne Craig, Jaye P. Morgan, Leslie Parrish, Anne Francis, Sherry Jackson, Rose Marie, Angela Cartwright, Eleanor Audley, Joan Blondell, Sylvia Sidney, Doris Singleton, Jeremy Clyde, Butch Patrick, and Micky Dolenz (some of those were still in Bryant Park).

'My Three Sons' was not ruined by the move to California-at least until season 12, when the absense of Don Grady and the arrival of Fergus ruined the show.

By the way, was Bryant Park really in Kansas??? I don't remember them ever mentioning the state.

When it switched locales from Danfield, NY to California. The storylines in season three were still funny but couldn't continue. By moving the show to California it gave more opportunity for Lucy to get involved. Lucy was smart to approve the move and it gave us three more excellent seasons of The Lucy Show. Otherwise, the series would have ended at the end of the third season. Lucy still managed to carry the series. Afterall, she was the star. The kids role in the series was basically reduced to nothing during season three and the six episodes that Vivian Vance were absent from during season three were some of the best Lucy Shows, i.e. the Ann Sothern episodes, Jack Benny and Danny Kaye episodes. :lol:

I didn't care much for California years of Nip/Tuck.

I do not think that any of these shows were ruined due to a move to CA. It was a way to keep the shows fresh and come up with new story lines. IMHO, My three sons was always a domestic comedy through the entire run.

Many people dislike the L & S CA episodes, but I enjoyed those about as much as the Milwaukee ones. I guess as many (but not all) sitcoms progress, (even without a move) they can become tiresome during the last season or two.

L&S - without a doubt of all the 3 sitcoms listed here.

In spite of a few good eps., the show just seemed more ridiculous at times during the California-era.

The exit of Cindy Williams towards the end of L&S made matters worse.