http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tG4QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BosDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7086,929454&dq=ted+knight&hl=en

A good article about how The Mary Tyler Moore Show pioneered "Reality Sitcoms." Of course we all know shows like Green Acres, Beverly Hillbillies and the like were canceled so TMTMS could air. Any die hard fans a little resentful about that or was it time for those shows to leave the schedule?

Well I was very young (like 6 or 7) when the more real sitcoms came around, but I remember really liking both of them and the less real ones. Honestly, I think as I grew older (and this is NO offense to fans of the older shows) I gravitated more and more toward the more real shows, because they seemed to speak to what was going on around me and the world in general more.

Today I think we've seen a move away from shows that have more real topics, actually this has been going on for a couple decades. The 80s were the last bastion of the more adult sitcoms; now we have Two and a Half Men and such. You really don't see issues being dealt with in a mature way anymore.

So to answer the question (finally), I think it's possible to enjoy both types of shows but I could sure see where fans of the older type of shows might be a bit resentful.

Well I was very young (like 6 or 7) when the more real sitcoms came around, but I remember really liking both of them and the less real ones. Honestly, I think as I grew older (and this is NO offense to fans of the older shows) I gravitated more and more toward the more real shows, because they seemed to speak to what was going on around me and the world in general more.

Today I think we've seen a move away from shows that have more real topics, actually this has been going on for a couple decades. The 80s were the last bastion of the more adult sitcoms; now we have Two and a Half Men and such. You really don't see issues being dealt with in a mature way anymore.

So to answer the question (finally), I think it's possible to enjoy both types of shows but I could sure see where fans of the older type of shows might be a bit resentful.


excellent post retro, I think there is room for both as well, but keep in mind the introduction to "reality sitcoms" also was the beginning of introducing shows with more sexual innuendos and the like. Some classic tv fans have a problem with that, which is fine.

excellent post retro, I think there is room for both as well, but keep in mind the introduction to "reality sitcoms" also was the beginning of introducing shows with more sexual innuendos and the like. Some classic tv fans have a problem with that, which is fine.

Yeah, I don't have a problem with it per se, but so many current shows seem to dwell on sexual themes just for their own sake, for shock value or because they think that's the only way to get people to notice them, and I find that a bit sad.

It's possible to be "mature" without being exploitative, and I wish more current shows would realize that.

Yeah, I don't have a problem with it per se, but so many current shows seem to dwell on sexual themes just for their own sake, for shock value or because they think that's the only way to get people to notice them, and I find that a bit sad.

It's possible to be "mature" without being exploitative, and I wish more current shows would realize that.


Oh I agree 100%, TMTMS was risque at times too, but they did it in such a way where it didn't clobber you in the face like say Two And A Half Men or Married...With Children.

Well I was very young (like 6 or 7) when the more real sitcoms came around, but I remember really liking both of them and the less real ones. Honestly, I think as I grew older (and this is NO offense to fans of the older shows) I gravitated more and more toward the more real shows, because they seemed to speak to what was going on around me and the world in general more.

Today I think we've seen a move away from shows that have more real topics, actually this has been going on for a couple decades. The 80s were the last bastion of the more adult sitcoms; now we have Two and a Half Men and such. You really don't see issues being dealt with in a mature way anymore.

So to answer the question (finally), I think it's possible to enjoy both types of shows but I could sure see where fans of the older type of shows might be a bit resentful.
I mentioned this in another thread . I think I grew up at the right time. I could watch the Real sitcoms at night and watch the reruns of the fantasy sitcoms in syndication during the day. There were so many great tv shows in that era. Even most of the flops that I saw, I liked. I never resented the new shows becauise I grew up with them. I think both could have aired side-by-side.

I think the fantasy sitcoms and the more real sitcoms both have their place. The more real shows are easier to relate to as they often deal with issues that are pertinent to our own lives and may even help us process what we are going through. The fantasy sitcoms on the other hand offer us an escape from reality and let us forget about the more serious issues of our lives for 30 minutes. So they both serve a purpose.

I think the fantasy sitcoms and the more real sitcoms both have their place. The more real shows are easier to relate to as they often deal with issues that are pertinent to our own lives and may even help us process what we are going through. The fantasy sitcoms on the other hand offer us an escape from reality and let us forget about the more serious issues of our lives for 30 minutes. So they both serve a purpose.


I absolutely agree with what you said. On that note however, do you think TMTMS was the precursor to more raunchier fare in later years?

I absolutely agree with what you said. On that note however, do you think TMTMS was the precursor to more raunchier fare in later years?
Well TMTMS show did show that not only was it okay for a woman to be single it was okay for her to have a social life. And I guess the next step after that would be for a single woman to be sexually active. So yes I guess TMTMS did open the door for the raunchier fare that followed.

Well TMTMS show did show that not only was it okay for a woman to be single it was okay for her to have a social life. And I guess the next step after that would be for a single woman to be sexually active. So yes I guess TMTMS did open the door for the raunchier fare that followed.


Interesting, thanks for the reply :)

I'm a big fan of shows like Green Acres and The Beverly Hillbillies, but by 1971 they had run their course. A bigger loss in my opinion was Mayberry RFD. But I don't begrudge TMTMS at all, and in fact I'm a fan of that show as well.

The "Rural Purge" is sometimes overstated -- some forget that Petticoat Junction had already ended one season earlier, and Hee Haw of course went on for years in syndication. Even the most ardent Beverly Hillbillies fan would probably admit that their final season was easily one of if not theworst of the series.

I'm a big fan of shows like Green Acres and The Beverly Hillbillies, but by 1971 they had run their course. A bigger loss in my opinion was Mayberry RFD. But I don't begrudge TMTMS at all, and in fact I'm a fan of that show as well.

The "Rural Purge" is sometimes overstated -- some forget that Petticoat Junction had already ended one season earlier, and Hee Haw of course went on for years in syndication. Even the most ardent Beverly Hillbillies fan would probably admit that their final season was easily one of if not theworst of the series.

another excellent post :)