There was just a thread about Family Ties and racism. So which sitcom went serious the most? I’ll assume Norman Lear was involved. Maybe All In The Family?

There was just a thread about Family Ties and racism. So which sitcom went serious the most? I’ll assume Norman Lear was involved. Maybe All In The Family?
Probably a toss-up between All In the Family and M*A*S*H.

I'm thinking it had to be Diff'rent Strokes. It had a million of them--child kidnapping, bulimia, drinking and driving, child molestation, epilepsy, disability, the list goes on and on.

I'm thinking it had to be Diff'rent Strokes. It had a million of them--child kidnapping, bulimia, drinking and driving, child molestation, epilepsy, disability, the list goes on and on.

I don't think so. But the episode where Sam gets kidnapped is so scary and horrifying! Who on earth thought this was a good story idea for a family sitcom?! :eek::mad: I can't understand how it ever got made!

Ed.

Designing Women had many serious episodes. Also most '80's family sitcoms had some serious episodes. Add One Day at a Time to this list. I'm thinking the original version yet the reboot probably had their share. Most Norman Lesr sitcoms had serious themed episodes. He was one of the few who and intertwine emotions together so well.

I don't think so. But the episode where Sam gets kidnapped is so scary and horrifying! Who on earth thought this was a good story idea for a family sitcom?! :eek::mad: I can't understand how it ever got made!

Ed.
And the cringe laugh track from the audience doesn't help much either on those serious subjects.

And the cringe laugh track from the audience doesn't help much either on those serious subjects.

"Well I got AIDS, but other than that, I'm doing well."

All in The Family