Watching the Season 7 set I noticed 2 episodes so far ("It Happened One Night" and "Wrecker's Ball") have outdoor scenes in them which is surprising because I'm pretty sure there's never been a scene that takes place outside during the other six seasons (not counting the Vacation movie). :lol:

In the episode where Steven's father dies, he goes to visit his mother and brother. There is a scene where he is outside at his father's grave.

Yes, very few episodes had scenes outside. The other thing is that you never see what the outside of the house looks like. You see the porch sometimes, but that's it.

In the episode where Steven's father dies, he goes to visit his mother and brother. There is a scene where he is outside at his father's grave.

Yes, very few episodes had scenes outside. The other thing is that you never see what the outside of the hosue looks like. You see the porch sometimes, but that's it.

I completely forgot about that episode. :lol: It's been a few years since I've seen it. I guess I was only thinking of outdoor scenes with the family. Now I'm wondering if there are anymore episodes I forgot about.

I completely forgot about that episode. :lol: It's been a few years since I've seen it. I guess I was only thinking of outdoor scenes with the family. Now I'm wondering if there are anymore episodes I forgot about.

I don't think there were any other scenes outdoors with the family.

I don't know if you want to count this, but "The Real Thing" (Part 2) does briefly show an outside shot of Alex driving his car. But yeah- it does seem there were not many outdoors shots on Family Ties. I suppose it was just cheaper to use the indoor sets...

It was a videotaped show, and most of the time, videotaped shows don't have the budget to go on location, like filmed ones do.

Ah- well, there you go then. (But not literally go since we don't have the budget for it.;) :) :cool: )

Most sitcoms shot in front of live studio audiences have prerecorded footage or pictures of the exteriors of the houses.

I think it was a smart choice not to do that on Family Ties. I usually find that phony. Everyone knows there really on a set. Often the picture of a real house does not match with the sets.

Plus by not doing that it gave them more time for the actors. Most of all it makes the show feel Theatre, a play. Which I think is great. Perfect example is "A, My Name is Alex" It really is not that removed from other episodes. If another show did an episode like that, a show that usually as outdoor shots, it would be jarring to have an episode so different.

Always thought it was weird they NEVER showed exterior shots of the Keaton home during the entire run of the series. :rolleyes:

Always thought it was weird they never showed exterior shots of the Keaton home during the entire run of the series.

It could be like someone else mentioned that it was cheaper not to videotape exterior shots.

It would have been an interesting question for Gary David Goldberg, the creator of Family Ties. It's too bad that he passed away last year.