On November 18, 2007 it will be the 60th anniversary of the debut of “Mary Kay and Johnny.” The show, debuted in the year 1947. It was the very first sitcom, which means, the sitcom genre turns 60 on November 18th!

Let’s take this thread to talk about important moments in sitcom history, from 1947 to 2007.

I’ll list a couple, and let others list more. I don’t want to hog this thread, lol.

“I Love Lucy” debuts on October 15, 1951. This show was groundbreaking for many reasons. It was the first sitcom to have an interracial married couple. It was the first sitcom to do the three cameras/live studio audience (thanks to Desi Arnaz!) and it was the first really big hit. When Lucy got pregnant in real life, they wrote it into the show. It wasn’t as simple as that, though. And even when they were okay to do the pregnancy storyline, they weren’t allowed to say the word “Pregnant.” They had to say “expecting,” lol. The sitcom would be very different today if Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz had never gotten together to work on their show and joined with William Frawley and Vivian Vance to make “I Love Lucy,” quite possibly the most popular sitcom ever.

“All in the Family” debuts on January 12, 1971. This show changed the course of sitcoms for good or bad. There was no turning back. Of course, because of it’s popularity, CBS got rid of such shows as “Green Acres,” “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “Mayberry, R.F.D.” But this show, in my opinion is the most groundbreaking sitcom ever. The character of Archie Bunker remained on television for 13 seasons, outlasting the original players (Edith, Mike and Gloria).

Okay, now, let's celebrate the sitcom!

Great thread!

Off the top of my head, one important moment was the "Maude" episode in which Maude called Walter a "son of a bitch," the first time that word was used in primetime.

Great thread!

Off the top of my head, one important moment was the "Maude" episode in which Maude called Walter a "son of a bitch," the first time that word was used in primetime.

I didn't know that. I'm learning stuff from this thread already, lol.

When Lucy got pregnant in real life, they wrote it into the show. It wasn’t as simple as that, though. And even when they were okay to do the pregnancy storyline, they weren’t allowed to say the word “Pregnant.” They had to say “expecting,” lol.

Ah, but Mary Kay and Johnny had already done that, writing Mary Kay Stearns' pregnancy into the storyline of the series, and her son (with co-star and real-life husband Johnny) would later appear on the series as well. The one episode I have seen, at the Paley Center for Television, only referred to Christopher (the baby boy) off-screen.

CBS was known for groudbreaking sitcoms in the 70s...For instance, although I don't believe they ever USED the word, M*A*S*H was the first sitcom to show a couple having an affair ( Frank and HotLips.....Twenty years earlier on the same network, married couple Lucy and Desi couldnt even sleep in the same bed together! ) and a transvestite in a regular role.
The Mary Tyler Moore show presented the world of the working woman, and woman's "lib" in a way that made it non-threatening to men, and I am SURE had something to do with modern attitudes about working women. ( I know it did on myself )
Good times showed a black family, as a family, only a handful of years before, the only families blacks had on TV, were the white families they worked for, as domestics.
And of course The Jeffersons poked fun at black and white "roles" in monetary and mixed marriage terms. ( Unfortunately, after a promissing begining, this show became more slapstick comedy, than a serious discussion of race issues...mores the pitty )

For better or worse, the sitcom is still here, thank goodness.

Always evolving, but still retaining the core elements that have defined it.

Let's see the "reality" TV genre try to make it to 60!

;)

"The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" could be considered special not only for its extremely long history on radio and television, but also for the unusual fact that not only did the Nelson family all play themselves, but when each other boys got married in real life, their wives joined the cast of the show as well, playing themselves. Not to mention that the exterior used for the Nelsons' home was their actual home and the soundstage created for the TV home was a replica of the actual house.

Married with Children was a big one because it reveloutionized the sitcom since no other networks at the time were take that much risk with story plots. The plots for the show in that time were considered unfit for tv but, now every show is like it. I guess time has changed what they think is acceptable. This helped change things for the better back in 1987.

The seventies was definitely the most groundbreaking era for TV. Not only did we have all the shows on CBS, like MTM and All in the Family. ABC also gave us Three's Company, which we saw nothing else like at the time.

It seems like every era reminds me of something different. The 50's were the simple, black and white shows that really had no continuing storylines. The 60's to me was the urban era, because we had shows like Green Acres. The 70's was the groundbreaking era, then the 80's brought us family sitcoms like Cosby and Family Ties. The 90's seemed to focus on working families and more raunchy shows. Then, today's sitcom is the downfall.

Ah, but Mary Kay and Johnny had already done that, writing Mary Kay Stearns' pregnancy into the storyline of the series, and her son (with co-star and real-life husband Johnny) would later appear on the series as well. The one episode I have seen, at the Paley Center for Television, only referred to Christopher (the baby boy) off-screen.

I forgot, that's right. Heck, they even let Mary Kay and Johnny sleep in the same bed (or so I hear). For some reason after this show, married couples went to twin beds. I believe the first sitcom to have a married couple in the same bed (after Mary Kay and Johnny) was "Bewitched."

So it seems that after "Mary Kay and Johnny" they took a step back.

And before anyone corrects me, when I say 60 years, I'm referring to television. I know that through radio, sitcoms have been around longer. Many of the early sitcoms came from radio shows. Amos 'N' Andy, for one.

I didnt know that They showed Ozzie and Harriet's actual house.....a nice place but, not TOO showy...more Hollywood types could have learned from their example

I forgot, that's right. Heck, they even let Mary Kay and Johnny sleep in the same bed (or so I hear). For some reason after this show, married couples went to twin beds. I believe the first sitcom to have a married couple in the same bed (after Mary Kay and Johnny) was "Bewitched."

So it seems that after "Mary Kay and Johnny" they took a step back.
the resoan sitcoms "took a step back" with the beds after "MARY KAYE AND JOHNNY" was because; after the show went off; people complained about them sleeping in the same bed; so in 1951 the F.C.C. (Federal Communications Commision-the "boss" of TV) formed the "TELEVISION CODE"; a set of rules that broadcasters had to follow that forbid them showing married couples sleeping in the same bed, people using the word "pregnant", and I don't know what else.
However; I've always been puzzled by the bed rule-you're right; "BEWITCHED" was the first show to show a married couple in the same bed; according to most people. But some people say it was "THE FLINTSTONES" but other people say don't count that since that show was animated (guess they think animated couples don't have sex:lol: :lol: ) while some other people say it was Fred and Ethel on a 1954 episode of "I LOVE LUCY"-whatever; I've always wondered why Rob and Laura Petrie always slept in single beds right up until the end of "THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW" in 1966. And ontvobscurities.com the guy who runs it told me once that he seems to remember Ozzie & Harriet Nelson in the same bed once on an episode of their show.

On November 18, 2007 it will be the 60th anniversary of the debut of “Mary Kay and Johnny.” The show, debuted in the year 1947. It was the very first sitcom, which means, the sitcom genre turns 60 on November 18th!

Let’s take this thread to talk about important moments in sitcom history, from 1947 to 2007.

I’ll list a couple, and let others list more. I don’t want to hog this thread, lol.

“I Love Lucy” debuts on October 15, 1951. This show was groundbreaking for many reasons. It was the first sitcom to have an interracial married couple. It was the first sitcom to do the three cameras/live studio audience (thanks to Desi Arnaz!) and it was the first really big hit. When Lucy got pregnant in real life, they wrote it into the show. It wasn’t as simple as that, though. And even when they were okay to do the pregnancy storyline, they weren’t allowed to say the word “Pregnant.” They had to say “expecting,” lol. The sitcom would be very different today if Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz had never gotten together to work on their show and joined with William Frawley and Vivian Vance to make “I Love Lucy,” quite possibly the most popular sitcom ever.

“All in the Family” debuts on January 12, 1971. This show changed the course of sitcoms for good or bad. There was no turning back. Of course, because of it’s popularity, CBS got rid of such shows as “Green Acres,” “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “Mayberry, R.F.D.” But this show, in my opinion is the most groundbreaking sitcom ever. The character of Archie Bunker remained on television for 13 seasons, outlasting the original players (Edith, Mike and Gloria).

Okay, now, let's celebrate the sitcom!you're wrong about a couple things. CBS got rid of all those "rural" shows because they were starting to become known as "the rural network". However; I've also heard it was because they wanted to start showing more "adult" comedies like "ALL IN THE FAMILY", "THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW", etc.-which would explain why they also cannceled "THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW" & "THE RED SKELTON SHOW" that same year.

Also, "I LOVE LUCY" was also the first show to show reruns. When Lucy was pregnant and couldn't work a full schedule they had no choice but to repeat some episodes.

Great thread!

Off the top of my head, one important moment was the "Maude" episode in which Maude called Walter a "son of a bitch," the first time that word was used in primetime.
I never knew that about "MAUDE". I think it was also groundbreaking in another way, too. It was the first sitcom to show a character openly discussing having an abortion (when Maude became pregnant) and was the first sitcom to deal with a late-in-life pregnancy.

"The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" could be considered special not only for its extremely long history on radio and television, but also for the unusual fact that not only did the Nelson family all play themselves, but when each other boys got married in real life, their wives joined the cast of the show as well, playing themselves. Not to mention that the exterior used for the Nelsons' home was their actual home and the soundstage created for the TV home was a replica of the actual house.
I never knew that about the Nelsons house.

CBS was known for groudbreaking sitcoms in the 70s...For instance, although I don't believe they ever USED the word, M*A*S*H was the first sitcom to show a couple having an affair ( Frank and HotLips.....Ten years earlier on the same network, married couple Lucy and Desi couldnt even sleep in the same bed together! ) and a transvestite in a regular role.
The Mary Tyler Moore show presented the world of the working woman, and woman's "lib" in a way that made it non-threatening to men, and I am SURE had something to do with modern attitudes about working women. ( I know it did on myself )
Good times showed a black family, as a family, only a handful of years before, the only families blacks had on TV, were the white families they worked for, as domestics.
And of course The Jeffersons poked fun at black and white "roles" in monetary and mixed marriage terms. ( Unfortunately, after a promissing begining, this show became more slapstick comedy, than a serious discussion of race issues...mores the pitty )I also never knew that about "MASH".

And you're right about MTM, however; "THAT GIRL" in the 60s was the first sitcom to show a single woman living alone and working in "the big city"-thanks to Marlo Thomas, who also produced it. ABC wanted the character to be living with her aunt or someone, and to show her occaisonaly having disagreements with her parents. But she insiscted they not have any of that. And the sponsor, Clairol, wanted her to get married in the last season-but again; she insisted that she not.

It's really a shame that no episodes of Mary Kay and Johnny have survived. It makes me so mad that shows like these were just trashed like they were nothing. It's also hard to believe that only few people assumed anybody would want to see the shows again.

It's really a shame that no episodes of Mary Kay and Johnny have survived. It makes me so mad that shows like these were just trashed like they were nothing. It's also hard to believe that only few people assumed anybody would want to see the shows again.


I know what you mean. I would love to see the show.

Here's a photo of Mary Kay and Johnny

The show "Julia" doesn't seem to get the respect it deserves. This was a show about a black single mom and started in 1968. Today, if a show about a black single mom started, we would just say a show about a single mom. Her skin color wouldn't come into it. But in 1968, it was groundbreaking. As the Tim Brooks and Earl Marsh book states, "Singer Diahann Carroll became the first black female to star in her own comedy series in a 'prestige" role (i.e. not as a domestic such as Beulah or a second bannana)."

Also, Julia's late husband was killed in Vietnam. That seems big for a show from that era, to have a character die in Vietnam.

It's been a while since I've seen "Julia" from TV Land. I'd like to see it again, sometime.

that's right; I forgot about that one. I'd also like to see it again; TV LAND showed a few episodes a few years ago.

The show "Julia" doesn't seem to get the respect it deserves. This was a show about a black single mom and started in 1968. Today, if a show about a black single mom started, we would just say a show about a single mom. Her skin color wouldn't come into it. But in 1968, it was groundbreaking. As the Tim Brooks and Earl Marsh book states, "Singer Diahann Carroll became the first black female to star in her own comedy series in a 'prestige" role (i.e. not as a domestic such as Beulah or a second bannana)."

Also, Julia's late husband was killed in Vietnam. That seems big for a show from that era, to have a character die in Vietnam.

It's been a while since I've seen "Julia" from TV Land. I'd like to see it again, sometime.
I totally agree. If I recall correctly, the guys who wrote the pilot (two white men, I believe) made absolutely no mention whatsoever of Julia's race in the script. When they pitched it, they made no mention of it either. It was after NBC had already picked it up that they made it known that it was about a young black woman. Pretty brave move if you ask me. The last time "Julia" aired on TVLand was in March (or April) 2003. It was honored at that year's TVLand Awards, and all of the shows that received "big awards" were given their own Box Set marathon. I remember "Star Trek" was honored that year too and had a marathon.

And about "Mary Kay and Johnny," I've definitely read that some of the later episodes of the show exist, but in very low quality. Wikipedia says that TVLand showed a clip of it on an "Inside TVLand" special even.

I'm trying to think of some more stuff...

I think it was considered pretty big of "The Facts of Life" to incorporate the frequent guest star character of Cousin Geri, played by Geri Jewell, who has cerebal palsy.

that's right; TV LAND did show a couple clips from "MARY KAYE & JOHNNY" on an "INSIDE TV LAND" special they had a few years ago. I forgot about that. And someone said in a post in this thread that they've seen an episode of it. So; episodes DO exist!
That; and other groundbreaking sitcom episodes would make a GREAT DVD. They could call it something like TV TABOOS.

ALL IN THE FAMILY was the first sitcom to use a toilet flush for a laugh. I think it was in a flashback episode to where Mike & Gloria were getting married in the Bunkers living room. Archie and Gloria are at the top of the stairs, and Archie is supposed to lead his "little goil" down. All the guests are waiting, and Edith is playing the piano, but-no Archie and Gloria. After a couple minutes she calls up to them "GLORIA! ARCHIE!" Gloria yells down "JUST A MINUTE, MA! I'M WAITING FOR DADDY!" Just then you hear the toilet flush.:lol: :lol:
It was either that episode, or the pilot-I'm not sure.


And, I think LEAVE IT TO BEAVER was the first sitcom to show a toilet.

Great thread!

Off the top of my head, one important moment was the "Maude" episode in which Maude called Walter a "son of a bitch," the first time that word was used in primetime.
I remember watching this episode when it orginally aired, my parents went to bed and I stayed up and watched. After Maude said it, my Mom was like what are you watching? LOL. My Mom was so shocked.

I also never knew that about "MASH".

And you're right about MTM, however; "THAT GIRL" in the 60s was the first sitcom to show a single woman living alone and working in "the big city"-thanks to Marlo Thomas, who also produced it. ABC wanted the character to be living with her aunt or someone, and to show her occaisonaly having disagreements with her parents. But she insiscted they not have any of that. And the sponsor, Clairol, wanted her to get married in the last season-but again; she insisted that she not.
Yes its true thatThat Girl was the first show about a young single working woman, but, I chose MTM as the example because That Girl was about a girl looking for a more traditional womens career (Actress), whereas MTM was about a woman trying to make it in a career that was almost exclusively a male domain at the time, plus, MTM had many strong female roles, not just one. ( I loved both shows, btw )

I also loved Julia :)

In 1951, "Amos 'N' Andy" became a television show (it started on radio). It lasted two seasons, and was the first sitcom to star an all black cast. However, it was banned, I think in the late 60s, I may be wrong about that, though. I was lucky enough to get my hands on 71 episodes (they made 78, I believe and claim only 71 still exist). It was a pretty funny show, in my opinion. I can see why some people would be offended by it with all the stereotypes, but I still found it to be groundbreaking, for the reason I stated earlier, being the first sitcom with an all black cast.

When I watch old shows, I watch them in the mind set of the day they were made. That's how I best enjoy them.

And Treky, I wish they would make a TV Taboos DVD. I have something like it, with rare old shows. It contains one episode of The Jack Benny Program, The Burns and Allen Show, Ozzie and Harriet, The Red Skelton Show, an early episode of Make Room for Daddy, Beulah, Life with Elizabeth, I Married Joan, Topper and a few others I can't think of right now.

I may be wrong, but I can't think of another answer. But isn't "Full House" the first sitcom to have a baby in the first season and keep the same actress (or in this case actresses) and allow them to grow up on the show? Other shows, they recast once the baby gets a little older. But the Olsen twins played Michelle from the pilot, when they were like six months old to the finale when they were, what eight?

Here's a list of all the sitcoms that debuted in the first decade (1947-1957). If I'm missing any, please let me know.

Mary Kay and Johnny (November 18, 1947-March 11, 1950)
The Growing Paynes (October 20, 1948-August 3, 1949)
The Goldbergs (January 10, 1949-October 19, 1954)
The Hartmans (February 27, 1949-May 22, 1949)
Wesley (May 8, 1949-August 30, 1949)
The Aldrich Family (October 2, 1949-May 29, 1953)
The Life of Riley (October 4, 1949-March 1950)
That Wonderful Guy (December 28, 1949-April 28, 1950)
Beulah (October 3, 1950-September 22, 1953)
The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (October 12, 1950-Sept 22, 1958)
The Stu Erwin Show (October 21, 1950-April 13, 1955)
Amos N’ Andy (June 28, 1951-June 11, 1953)
Young Mr. Bobbin (August 26, 1951-May 18, 1952)
I Love Lucy (October 15, 1951-September 1957)
Those Two (November 26, 1951-April 24, 1953)
Those Endearing Young Charms (March 30, 1952-June 17, 1952)
My Little Margie (June 16, 1952-August 24, 1955)
The Abbott and Costello Show (Fall 1952-1954)
Life with Luigi (September 22, 1952-June 4, 1953)
The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet (October 3, 1952-September 3, 1966)
Our Miss Brooks (October 3, 1952-September 21, 1956)
Leave it to Larry (October 14, 1952-December 23, 1952)
I Married Joan (October 15, 1952-April 6, 1955)
The Life of Riley (January 1953-August 1958)
Make Room for Daddy / The Danny Thomas Show (September 29, 1953-September 1965)
Colonel Humphrey Flack (October 7, 1953-July 2, 1954)
Topper (October 9, 1953-October 14, 1956)
Take it from Me (November 4, 1953-January 20, 1954)
That’s My Boy (April 10, 1954-September 13, 1959)
The World of Mr. Sweeney (June 30, 1954-August 20, 1954)
Willy (September 18, 1954-July 7, 1955)
Father Knows Best (October 3, 1954-April 5, 1963)
December Bride (October 4, 1954-April 20, 1961)
The Bob Cummings Show (January 2, 1955-September 15, 1959)
Those Whiting Girls (July 4, 1955-September 30, 1967)
The Honeymooners (October 1, 1955-September 1956)
The Charlie Farrell Show (July 2, 1956-September 19, 1960)
The Adventures of Hiram Holiday (October 3, 1956-February 27, 1957)
Blondie (January 4, 1957-September 1957)

Keep in mind this list is from fall of 1947 to the fall of 1957, not including the shows that debuted in the fall of '57. Those will be included in my list of the second decade of sitcoms, 1957-1967.

There are a lot of good shows on that list, too bad they are not played on tvland. I also loved Julia, it was my favorite at the time only seen it once on tvland.

In 1951, "Amos 'N' Andy" became a television show (it started on radio). It lasted two seasons, and was the first sitcom to star an all black cast. However, it was banned, I think in the late 60s, I may be wrong about that, though. I was lucky enough to get my hands on 71 episodes (they made 78, I believe and claim only 71 still exist). It was a pretty funny show, in my opinion. I can see why some people would be offended by it with all the stereotypes, but I still found it to be groundbreaking, for the reason I stated earlier, being the first sitcom with an all black cast.

When I watch old shows, I watch them in the mind set of the day they were made. That's how I best enjoy them.

And Treky, I wish they would make a TV Taboos DVD. I have something like it, with rare old shows. It contains one episode of The Jack Benny Program, The Burns and Allen Show, Ozzie and Harriet, The Red Skelton Show, an early episode of Make Room for Daddy, Beulah, Life with Elizabeth, I Married Joan, Topper and a few others I can't think of right now.
I think "AMOS & ANDY" was banned in the mid 60s, 1966 to be exact. I'm not 100% sure though. However; it IS on VHS and DVD and has been for a while.

All In The Family was the first TV show that dealt with controversial issues like abortion, women's liberation, homosexuality, breast cancer etc.in a forthright and sensitve way. I was 16 when the show debuted and it WAS MINDBLOWING to see a show do something like this in the early 70s--All In The Family was easily 25 years ahead of its time.