The episode about Carl having cancer which was way too serious and depressing for a sitcom. I mean they dealt with it the right way and revealed it at the end of the episode but that's just a topic that has no place in the sitcom world

Agree or Disagree?

I think they were just trying to get some real world situations in. While a comedy, I don't think of it as a feel good comedy where nothing goes wrong and it's all sunshine and roses. I think they handled the Carl thing all wrong anyway. I mean, Florida shows herself to be a devout Christian and she runs off and marries a guy that's an atheist, then she comes back without a word about him.
To get back to your main point, I don't think it's out of place on this sitcom.

I think they were just trying to get some real world situations in. While a comedy, I don't think of it as a feel good comedy where nothing goes wrong and it's all sunshine and roses. I think they handled the Carl thing all wrong anyway. I mean, Florida shows herself to be a devout Christian and she runs off and marries a guy that's an atheist, then she comes back without a word about him.
To get back to your main point, I don't think it's out of place on this sitcom.

I think that's why I always liked the Jeffersons better because it was a fun show and always happy theme episodes and never too serious. A great show to fall back on and watch and laugh.


Now they did have a episode about a kidney transplant but nothing like Cancer

It handled wrong. Starting off with the doctor sharing with Bookman about Carl's condition. Now I cannot watch that episode objectively because when I got sick my former employer was discussing with my sister about what was going on with me. With HIPPA you cannot discuss a patient's case with an outsider.

With Carl having cancer and talking about it that is the norm for Norman Lear's sitcoms.

I think that's why I always liked the Jeffersons better because it was a fun show and always happy theme episodes and never too serious. A great show to fall back on and watch and laugh.


Now they did have a episode about a kidney transplant but nothing like Cancer
I agree. sometimes I want to just kick back and watch a show from a simpler time where the worst thing to happy is Greg smoking (gasp)!

I agree. sometimes I want to just kick back and watch a show from a simpler time where the worst thing to happy is Greg smoking (gasp)!


Yup, Or like Three's Company......"Jack's broken leg"

The episode about Carl having cancer which was way too serious and depressing for a sitcom. I mean they dealt with it the right way and revealed it at the end of the episode but that's just a topic that has no place in the sitcom world

Agree or Disagree?

I think that just about all of Norman Lear's sitcoms dealt with a heavy topic, so I think that it fit. What didn't fit was Carl, he should have never been on the show period.

I think that just about all of Norman Lear's sitcoms dealt with a heavy topic, so I think that it fit. What didn't fit was Carl, he should have never been on the show period.


These Norman Lear shows had no heavy topics

The Jeffersons
Gloria
Checking In

These Norman Lear shows had no heavy topics

The Jeffersons
Gloria
Checking In

The Jeffersons - Lousie's Father & They Don't Make Preachers Like Him Anymore

Checking In I've never seen an episode, but I know it didn't last long enough to have a heavy deep episode, the same with Gloria.

The Jeffersons - Lousie's Father & They Don't Make Preachers Like Him Anymore

Checking In I've never seen an episode, but I know it didn't last long enough to have a heavy deep episode, the same with Gloria.


Louise Father was a "serious topic" not "heavy topic"

Louise Father was a "serious topic" not "heavy topic"

Same thing. And you said that there weren't any in the Jeffersons, I thought the Jeffersons were your fav show :lol:

Same thing. And you said that there weren't any in the Jeffersons, I thought the Jeffersons were your fav show :lol:

It is my favorite show and what I mean by heavy is there was never any topics about DRUG ABUSE or CANCER

It is my favorite show and what I mean by heavy is there was never any topics about DRUG ABUSE or CANCER

But you didn't specify that in your post, and on the Jeffersons they dealt with Charlie being a alcoholic.

But you didn't specify that in your post, and on the Jeffersons they dealt with Charlie being a alcoholic.


i was talking about compared to Good Times when you saw the girl shooting up dope

i was talking about compared to Good Times when you saw the girl shooting up dope

No matter the drug of choice it's still a heavy episode, that dealt with a subject that not all sitcoms deals with. But with Good times it was the nature of the show. Good times dealt with a lot of heavy episodes, Penny getting abused by her mother, the neighbor lady eating dog food, JJ getting shot, Penny almost getting raped, James dying, their friend attempting suicide, Keith's alcohol abuse. So Carl having lung cancer shouldn't be a shock.

No matter the drug of choice it's still a heavy episode, that dealt with a subject that not all sitcoms deals with. But with Good times it was the nature of the show. Good times dealt with a lot of heavy episodes, Penny getting abused by her mother, the neighbor lady eating dog food, JJ getting shot, Penny almost getting raped, James dying, their friend attempting suicide, Keith's alcohol abuse. So Carl having lung cancer shouldn't be a shock.


Based on the topics of Good Times, it was All in the Family's "second cousin"

LOL

Based on the topics of Good Times, it was All in the Family's "second cousin"

LOL

But Good Times dealt with more heavy topics than All in the Family. I can only think of 3 serious episodes of All in the Family.

But Good Times dealt with more heavy topics than All in the Family. I can only think of 3 serious episodes of All in the Family.


both shows dealt with the same serious topics

drugs
unemployment
home burglary
cancer
rape
surgery
death
violence

both shows dealt with the same serious topics

drugs
unemployment
home burglary
cancer
rape
surgery
death
violence

When was there a home burglary on Good Times? The surgery episodes and the unemployment episodes were not serious, deep or drama filled at all.

When was there a home burglary on Good Times? The surgery episodes and the unemployment episodes were not serious, deep or drama filled at all.


when the CBS executive came in the evans apartment in 1979 and cleaned them out because the show was cancelled-lol

Robbery by the two girls after the family won the lotto. It was also considered kidnapping since the family was being kept from leaving their apartment.

Robbery by the two girls after the family won the lotto. It was also considered kidnapping since the family was being kept from leaving their apartment.


Yeah I forgot about that episode-lol

Robbery by the two girls after the family won the lotto. It was also considered kidnapping since the family was being kept from leaving their apartment.


Technically they weren't robbed because the girls never got the money, they were just held up for a couple hrs. Now JJ was robbed of their TV in one episode :lol:

Cousin Naomi and the topic of teen alcoholism.

Keith sufferring from depression and turning to alcohol which in turn caused him to slap his wife.

JJ getting involved with dope and prostitution although he thought he was only dealing with illegal gambling.

Cousin Naomi and the topic of teen alcoholism.

Keith sufferring from depression and turning to alcohol which in turn caused him to slap his wife.

JJ getting involved with dope and prostitution although he thought he was only dealing with illegal gambling.


Yeah I forgot that one...alcoholism. Jeffersons had that topic too late in the series

Alcoholism was also touched upon in "Florida's Big Gig" the commercial for Vita-Brite. Although Vita-Brite was a supposed health drink, it also had a high content of alcohol. Florida was worried about being the spokesperson for a health tonic that could turn kids into gutter drunks.

Child abuse: Penny

Robbery in the episode featuring Cleatus.

Smoking: The burning couch episode.

Suicide is the topic in the episode with the college basketball player.

Gambling addiction was touched upon twice. James friend visits and stays with the family, ends up taking Florida's silver salt and pepper shakers. Also, Cousin Raymond, who loved to play the horses.

Teen Pregnancy with JJ's friend, Henrietta.

Disabilities: The girl in the wheelchair in "Breaker Breaker" and the deaf guy who is a fellow art student with JJ and begins to date Willona. There was that kid, Larry, who had a hearing problem too.

Sex education was discussed in the episode where Thelma dated the college guy with the thesis. There was also that episode where Penny was being hidden from the realities of sex education.

Religion and atheism with Carl Dixon. Religion was also a recurring theme in the Black Jesus episode and anything related to Florida trying to hammer some sense into James.

Social Security: you all know that episode. It is also touched upon in the episode when Grandpa visits with his girlfriend. Florida is upset at them living together, but Grandpa mentions the fact they can't get married or else one of them will lose their social security benefits.

Death: James and the old man who wanted to be surrounded by the Evans on New Years.

STD's in the episode that featured Jay Leno.

Race has been a topic throughout the series.

Gun control: James wants a gun, Florida doesn't.

Adoption: Penny

Women's liberation: Florida wanted to go to school but James didn't want her to. She had to explain to him how she wanted to better herself.

Sexism: Florida got the department store job instead of James. James felt it was laughable when he thought JJ had brought home the report on Sexual Behavior in the Ghetto, but when it turned out it was Thelma who brought it home, he had a different tune.

Politics was also mentioned in many episodes.

As for ALL IN THE FAMILY, these are some of the topics it tackled:

Racism, homosexuality, women's liberation, rape, miscarriage, abortion, breast cancer, the Vietnam War, menopause, and impotence.

Alcoholism was also touched upon in "Florida's Big Gig" the commercial for Vita-Brite. Although Vita-Brite was a supposed health drink, it also had a high content of alcohol. Florida was worried about being the spokesperson for a health tonic that could turn kids into gutter drunks.

Child abuse: Penny

Robbery in the episode featuring Cleatus.

Smoking: The burning couch episode.

Suicide is the topic in the episode with the college basketball player.

Gambling addiction was touched upon twice. James friend visits and stays with the family, ends up taking Florida's silver salt and pepper shakers. Also, Cousin Raymond, who loved to play the horses.

Teen Pregnancy with JJ's friend, Henrietta.

Disabilities: The girl in the wheelchair in "Breaker Breaker" and the deaf guy who is a fellow art student with JJ and begins to date Willona. There was that kid, Larry, who had a hearing problem too.

Sex education was discussed in the episode where Thelma dated the college guy with the thesis. There was also that episode where Penny was being hidden from the realities of sex education.

Religion and atheism with Carl Dixon. Religion was also a recurring theme in the Black Jesus episode and anything related to Florida trying to hammer some sense into James.

Social Security: you all know that episode. It is also touched upon in the episode when Grandpa visits with his girlfriend. Florida is upset at them living together, but Grandpa mentions the fact they can't get married or else one of them will lose their social security benefits.

Death: James and the old man who wanted to be surrounded by the Evans on New Years.

STD's in the episode that featured Jay Leno.

Race has been a topic throughout the series.

Gun control: James wants a gun, Florida doesn't.

Adoption: Penny

Women's liberation: Florida wanted to go to school but James didn't want her to. She had to explain to him how she wanted to better herself.

Sexism: Florida got the department store job instead of James. James felt it was laughable when he thought JJ had brought home the report on Sexual Behavior in the Ghetto, but when it turned out it was Thelma who brought it home, he had a different tune.

Politics was also mentioned in many episodes.

As for ALL IN THE FAMILY, these are some of the topics it tackled:

Racism, homosexuality, women's liberation, rape, miscarriage, abortion, breast cancer, the Vietnam War, menopause, and impotence.


And these are the reasons why I can't watch these shows anymore because there are too many serious episodes. Not the case with

Jeffersons
Sanford and Son
Three's Company
George Lopez
Friends
Seinfeld

Alcoholism was also touched upon in "Florida's Big Gig" the commercial for Vita-Brite. Although Vita-Brite was a supposed health drink, it also had a high content of alcohol. Florida was worried about being the spokesperson for a health tonic that could turn kids into gutter drunks.

As for ALL IN THE FAMILY, these are some of the topics it tackled:

Racism, homosexuality, women's liberation, rape, miscarriage, abortion, breast cancer, the Vietnam War, menopause, and impotence.

That word "Vitabrite" still keeps me amused with laughter. LOL.

Don't also forget that when AITF was renamed ABP that it dealt with Edith's death.

That word "Vitabrite" still keeps me amused with laughter. LOL.

Don't also forget that when AITF was renamed ABP that it dealt with Edith's death.


The Jeffersons dealt with death once unlike Good Times-lol

The Jeffersons dealt with death once unlike Good Times-lol


When I was younger, I used to think that it was a rule that somebody had to die in every tv show. LOL.

These Norman Lear shows had no heavy topics

The Jeffersons
Gloria
Checking In

also Sanford & Son

The Jeffersons dealt with death once unlike Good Times-lol

I don't think they even made reference to Mother Jefferson after Zara Cully passed away early in the series!

When I was younger, I used to think that it was a rule that somebody had to die in every tv show. LOL.


The Norman Lear rule

I don't think they even made reference to Mother Jefferson after Zara Cully passed away early in the series!


Yes they did in season 5

These Norman Lear shows had no heavy topics...The Jeffersons
Yes they did. Racism was touched upon during the KKK episode and other episodes.

Adult illteracy was a topic when that young man did an ad for Jefferson Cleaners and it was discovered he couldn't read.

Homosexuality was touched on a bit when Lionel had to do an essay on the topic.

Suicide, gun control, and impotence were topics as well.

Not so much a heavy topic, but there was that Christmas episode where George reveals to Louise how he has been a family's "Santa" for several years by helping them out financially because he remembered how it was growing up poor.

Yes they did. Racism was touched upon during the KKK episode and other episodes.

Adult illteracy was a topic when that young man did an ad for Jefferson Cleaners and it was discovered he couldn't read.

Homosexuality was touched on a bit when Lionel had to do an essay on the topic.

Suicide, gun control, and impotence were topics as well.

Not so much a heavy topic, but there was that Christmas episode where George reveals to Louise how he has been a family's "Santa" for several years by helping them out financially because he remembered how it was growing up poor.


There were serious topics on the Jeffersons but they dealt with it in a funny way unlike Good Times

There were serious topics on the Jeffersons but they dealt with it in a funny way unlike Good Times
I realize that. Norman Lear was steering away from the heavy topics and wanted more fun with his sitcoms, but I was responding to your comment, "The Jeffersons did not have heavy topics." You may have meant something different, but going by what you posted, it meant something else.

I realize that. Norman Lear was steering away from the heavy topics and wanted more fun with his sitcoms, but I was responding to your comment, "The Jeffersons did not have heavy topics." You may have meant something different, but going by what you posted, it meant something else.


I was saying the Jeffersons dealt with heavy topics but was able to do it in a FUN WAY. Like in the KKK episode, there was a lot of laughter even though it was a serious topic. Same thing with Alcoholism when Charlie was drinking a lot that was another fun way they dealt with it.

The only time it was serious moments on the Jeffersons when it was not a funny moment is when the episode was going off like when baby jessica got a hold of the gun and george found out the gang member was killed.


Good Times had a actual man die on the set, had a character reveal he had lung cancer, had a 11 year old get abused by her mother and burnt with a iron and the Father get killed off. That's the difference between the shows

I was saying the Jeffersons dealt with heavy topics but was able to do it in a FUN WAY. Like in the KKK episode, there was a lot of laughter even though it was a serious topic. Same thing with Alcoholism when Charlie was drinking a lot that was another fun way they dealt with it.

The only time it was serious moments on the Jeffersons when it was not a funny moment is when the episode was going off like when baby jessica got a hold of the gun and george found out the gang member was killed.


Good Times had a actual man die on the set, had a character reveal he had lung cancer, had a 11 year old get abused by her mother and burnt with a iron and the Father get killed off. That's the difference between the shows

Well, the episodes of Good Times, All in the family that were mentioned all had funny and light moments in the episode. The GT Lung cancer episode wasn't that Heavy of an episode. The old man dying at the end of the Good Times episode wasn't really that sad because the whole episode was light and fun.

When I think of a heavy episode, the All in the Family episode when Beverly LaSalle was murdered, that was a true blue SAD episode. The episode when Edith was almost raped, that was a heavy episode, but nothing compared to the Beverly LaSalle episode.

the Jeffersons dealt with heavy topics but was able to do it in a FUN WAY
All of Normal Lear's shows were like that not just the Jeffersons. Even the episode where James was killed on GOOD TIMES had some light-hearted moments.

All of Normal Lear's shows were like that not just the Jeffersons. Even the episode where James was killed on GOOD TIMES had some light-hearted moments.


False, All in the Family, Maude, and Good Times all dealt with SERIOUS TOPICS which made some episodes depressing


The Jeffersons, Checking In and Gloria had no depressing moments

False, All in the Family, Maude, and Good Times all dealt with SERIOUS TOPICS which made some episodes depressing


The Jeffersons, Checking In and Gloria had no depressing moments

Checking In lasted 4 episodes, and Gloria, not many more. They never had a chance to take on serious topics!

And wouldn't Sanford & Son be with The Jeffersons, not having D.M.?

Checking In lasted 4 episodes, and Gloria, not many more. They never had a chance to take on serious topics!

And wouldn't Sanford & Son be with The Jeffersons, not having D.M.?


Sanford and Son is not one of Lear's shows.

Ok my mistake Sanford and Son was one of Lear's shows and yes the Jeffersons and Sanford and Son had no depressing moments

Ok my mistake Sanford and Son was one of Lear's shows and yes the Jeffersons and Sanford and Son had no depressing moments


I thought Florence losing her faith and talking to her dead pastor after the one guy ran away with the choir money was depressing.

I thought Florence losing her faith and talking to her dead pastor after the one guy ran away with the choir money was depressing.


Ok I give you that one, that was close to depressing but not really

Ok I give you that one, that was close to depressing but not really

I say the same about the episode where we find out that Carl has lung cancer.

I say the same about the episode where we find out that Carl has lung cancer.


Cancer should never be part of any sitcom episode. Way too serious and very depressing. I don't even like cancer commercials

Cancer should never be part of any sitcom episode. Way too serious and very depressing. I don't even like cancer commercials

I see what you're saying, but it was only for one episode and then it was never heard of again. I think the whole Carl character should have never happened.

I see what you're saying, but it was only for one episode and then it was never heard of again. I think the whole Carl character should have never happened.


Guess I;m the only good times fan who liked Carl:crazy:

I think the whole Carl character should have never happened.
According to the writers, it didn't. They swept Carl under the rug never to be heard or seen from again. Flo mentioned him once on her return to Chicago from Arizona, but after that...he never existed. Her last name remained Evans - it was never "Mrs. Dixon". :crazy:

According to the writers, it didn't. They swept Carl under the rug never to be heard or seen from again. Flo mentioned him once on her return to Chicago from Arizona, but after that...he never existed. Her last name remained Evans - it was never "Mrs. Dixon". :crazy:


They were never married, just engaged based on the on screen situations

The episode of All in the Family, where Edith almost got raped, was the most disturbing of all. (Speaking of: What Were They Thinking?!!):eek:

The only disturbing moment on the Jeffersons is when George would walk on Mr. Bently


To me it's kind of GAY for a man to walk on another man. I don't give a sh*t how much pain he is in:lol:

Thelma mentioned Carl and Flo being on their honeymoon. Only people who marry go on honeymoons. We didn't have to see a wedding to know that.

Thelma mentioned Carl and Flo being on their honeymoon. Only people who marry go on honeymoons. We didn't have to see a wedding to know that.


Well I see why people stopped watching in season 6 because she comes back from Arizona with no husband and no explanation and on top of all that, Thelma's football boyfriend breaks his leg and can't play football and J.J loses his job


People were probably fed up with SAD situations and no longer wanted to watch

Well I see why people stopped watching in season 6 because she comes back from Arizona with no husband and no explanation and on top of all that, Thelma's football boyfriend breaks his leg and can't play football and J.J loses his job


People were probably fed up with SAD situations and no longer wanted to watch


My mom said that she stopped watching it when they killed James off because he made the show.

My mom said that she stopped watching it when they killed James off because he made the show.


I figured she stopped watching after Penny's mother was ironing Penny's clothes with Penny in them LOL

I figured she stopped watching after Penny's mother was ironing Penny's clothes with Penny in them LOL

LOL, Tooooo FUNNY

Thelma mentioned Carl and Flo being on their honeymoon. Only people who marry go on honeymoons. We didn't have to see a wedding to know that.

That's right, they we're married.

That's right, they we're married.
;)