Can you name any that you have observed? I know one that I see constantly. It is a teenager character starting on the show as a sixteen year old. That happens a lot. Another is having the kids on the show stay the same age of two years. ie Family Matters, Step by Step.

The pain the neck, often silly neighbor such as Norton on The Honeymooners, Kramer on Seinfeld or Howard on The Bob Newhart Show.

The pain in the neck, my life's a mess, sister such as the one on Mad About You, Yes Dear or Still Standing.

The wisecracking character such as Buddy and Sally on the Dick Van Dyke Show, Rhoda on MTM, Florence on The Jeffersons, Carla on Cheers, Flo on Alice, Jack and Karen on Will & Grace, and what's his name on Becker...

The know-it-all character such as Dietrich on Barney Miller, Ted Baxter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Cliff Clavin on Cheers.

Decent! Any others? I know. The dreaded "I hate you mom and dad" thing that you see on shows.

There's always the classic dimwitted, zany but loveable best friend such as Ed Norton, Gilligan, Barney Fife, the Coach on Cheers, and Luther Van Dam on Coach.

Then there's the grouch or the hollerer with the heart of gold. Ralph Kramden, Archie Bunker, Lou Grant, George Jefferson, Sgt. Carter on Gomer Pyle USMC, The Skipper on GI, Oscar Madison, Mr. Drysdale, Frank Costanza on Seinfeld, Hayden Fox on Coach, Arthur on King of Queens, Frank Barone on Raymond, and Becker.

There's the dim-witted husband and father, like Homer Simpson and Ray Barone.

There's also the very weird, dim-witted guy like Matthew from NewsRadio, Lowell from Wings, and Reverend Jim from Taxi.

There's also the simple-minded, naive guy like Antonio from Wings, Woody from Cheers, and Joey from Friends.

There's also the smart-alecky little kid and the baby that ages while the older kids don't.

Many shows do the skit from The Christmas Carol, where the arrive in the future to see what their life would be like, and after they relize what their future holds for them, they decide to change their life.

What about, "the most popular guy/girl asked me to the dance!"

What about "I'll be the laughing stock of the school".

Smart people going airheaded. That is another one.

Originally posted by ThomasE
Smart people going airheaded. That is another one.
That's right. Mallory Keaton was bright in the early days of Family Ties.
Same deal with Chrissy Snow on Three's Company and Rebecca Howe on Cheers.

Originally posted by Janice
There's always the classic dimwitted, zany but loveable best friend such as Ed Norton, Gilligan, Barney Fife, the Coach on Cheers, and Luther Van Dam on Coach.

Then there's the grouch or the hollerer with the heart of gold. Ralph Kramden, Archie Bunker, Lou Grant, George Jefferson, Sgt. Carter on Gomer Pyle USMC, The Skipper on GI, Oscar Madison, Mr. Drysdale, Frank Costanza on Seinfeld, Hayden Fox on Coach, Arthur on King of Queens, Frank Barone on Raymond, and Becker.

Vera from "Alice" fits perfectly in the first category, and Mel from "Alice" would be right there in the second category.

There's also the "bookworm" type character on some shows such as Janet from "Three's Company," Carol from "Growing Pains," Jessie from "Saved by the Bell," Kerry from "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter," and Nancy from first season "Facts of Life."

Originally posted by Janice
what's his name on Becker...

You Mean Bob ... Yeah hes pretty Funny But I wouldnt classify him as the Smartmouth Type I think Reggie was more of a Smartmouth But thats mainly because she reminds me of ME AND WELL EVERYONE knows I'm A Smartmouth

I love when you have the leading man and the leading lady who are complete opposites of each other, hate each other but are destined to fall in love...

Usually by Februeary sweeps...

;)

The middle-sybling syndrome. He or she lacks attention and strives to out-do their syblings.
Aaron on the Waltons
Jan and, to a lesser degree, Peter on The Brady Bunch

Originally posted by TJL
I love when you have the leading man and the leading lady who are complete opposites of each other, hate each other but are destined to fall in love...

Usually by Februeary sweeps...

;)

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: That's funny.

Originally posted by TJL
I love when you have the leading man and the leading lady who are complete opposites of each other, hate each other but are destined to fall in love...

Usually by Februeary sweeps...

;)

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I love that! LOL.

What about the wisecracking mother n law? Did anyone mention the school bully thing?

Two girls fighting over a guy.

Two guys fighting over a girl.

There's the man and woman who really like each other but mask it by insulting each other like Sam and Diane on Cheers or Becker and Chris.

Dreams and/or fantasies. Gilligan's Island constantly had dream eps, along with Bewitched, Roseanne...and several others. Then when they wake up or snap back to reality, the dream usually helps them with a decision or changes their mind about something.

Grandparents coming for a visit and probably a conflict will arise.

There have been eps when one of the main characters has an identical twin either in the "real life" of the sitcom or in their dream. Also, several have had characters "hallucinating" someone and talking to them outloud and they don't even question that they're "imagining" it. Like when Alex's friend died in Family Ties and there he was just talking away to him as if he were really there.

Big wads of money pop up out of nowhere and they decide whether or not to keep it.

The whole family is going to move to another house, nobody wants to move, the wife thinks the kids all want to and the kids act like they want to because the parents will get upset...in the end they change their mind and don't move.

Contests/bets ...on All in the Family, Michael had to give up eating and Archie cigars. Three's Company, Chrissy had to give up eating and Jack give up girls/dating (I think that's what it was).

Originally posted by Janice
There's the man and woman who really like each other but mask it by insulting each other like Sam and Diane on Cheers or Becker and Chris. along the Same lines how about the Good friend who TOTALLY out of the blue and MOSTLY because theres a LOVE interest FALLS in love with her Friend Like Reggie on Becker

Originally posted by CaitlinMoore2002
along the Same lines how about the Good friend who TOTALLY out of the blue and MOSTLY because theres a LOVE interest FALLS in love with her Friend Like Reggie on Becker

But Reggie wasn't in love with Becker she was just desperate. Or atleast that's what they said. Just my opinion though.

Originally posted by popcornperson2002


But Reggie wasn't in love with Becker she was just desperate. Or atleast that's what they said. Just my opinion though. Well she thought she was until after she slept with him then she realized she was just desperate (Or so she SAYS IMO) but anywho thats the point

Originally posted by CaitlinMoore2002
Well she thought she was until after she slept with him then she realized she was just desperate (Or so she SAYS IMO) but anywho thats the point

yeah that's true. Sorry that I tried to correct you. I was sort of rude.

Originally posted by popcornperson2002


yeah that's true. Sorry that I tried to correct you. I was sort of rude. No you werent :) Rude would be "FOR GODS SAKE WILL YOU QUIT TALKING ABOUT REGGIE SHE SUCKS!!" thats what I would consider rude You just misunderstood me thats all

Originally posted by CaitlinMoore2002
Well she thought she was until after she slept with him then she realized she was just desperate (Or so she SAYS IMO) but anywho thats the point

Ok. I liked Reggie though I'm just more of a Chris fan. I have NO clue why though. I'm STILL trying to figure that out lol.

Originally posted by popcornperson2002


Ok. I liked Reggie though I'm just more of a Chris fan. I have NO clue why though. I'm STILL trying to figure that out lol. :lol: see I"m completely opposite BUT I know why though its just cause A. I LOOK exactly like Reggie and B. I act like her

Originally posted by CaitlinMoore2002
:lol: see I"m completely opposite BUT I know why though its just cause A. I LOOK exactly like Reggie and B. I act like her

I also think that part of the reason some people HATE Chris is because she's the "replacement". I always sort of feel sorry for the replacement actor/actress. What do you think?

What about the sex starved characters like Dan(Night Court) Annie(Caroline in the city) Blanche(Golden Girls)

Originally posted by popcornperson2002


I also think that part of the reason some people HATE Chris is because she's the "replacement". I always sort of feel sorry for the replacement actor/actress. What do you think? Yeah that could be true I mean I use to not like her at first (I wouldnt say HATE cause thats strong word) for that reason But I got over it and Now i think shes kinda cool
Yeah the same thing happened with Kirstie Alley she was the Replacement for Diane and MOST people didnt except her at first either because she wasnt Diane I however DARE I SAY liked her character better then Diane

Originally posted by shocolah
Contests/bets ...on All in the Family, Michael had to give up eating and Archie cigars. Three's Company, Chrissy had to give up eating and Jack give up girls/dating (I think that's what it was).
There was The Contest on Seinfeld, and fans of the show know what I'm referring to. ;)

Originally posted by CaitlinMoore2002
Yeah that could be true I mean I use to not like her at first (I wouldnt say HATE cause thats strong word) for that reason But I got over it and Now i think shes kinda cool
Yeah the same thing happened with Kirstie Alley she was the Replacement for Diane and MOST people didnt except her at first either because she wasnt Diane I however DARE I SAY liked her character better then Diane

I think MOST(not all) people will get over the departure eventually. It was almost like Nancy Travis (unintentionally) stole Terry Farrell's role on the show because her addition to the cast was a last minute thing. What do you think?

PS. This conversation is extremely off-topic for this thread lol.

Originally posted by popcornperson2002


I think MOST(not all) people will get over the departure eventually. It was almost like Nancy Travis (unintentionally) stole Terry Farrell's role on the show because her addition to the cast was a last minute thing. What do you think?

PS. This conversation is extremely off-topic for this thread lol. :lol: Yeah it is but Enh who cares :)
Yeah thats How I felt at first but I think that if people give Nancy a chance (like I did) then they'll get use to it

All right let's not lose our focus. LOL. What about the kids running to their rooms and slamming the door?

Originally posted by ThomasE
All right let's not lose our focus. LOL. What about the kids running to their rooms and slamming the door? :lol: sorry me and Sara went a little off topic there a THOUSAND apologies :)
anywho Hmmmm how about the old Girlfriend coming back to town and the NEW girlfriend or wife gets jealous and all hell breaks loose?

Originally posted by ThomasE
All right let's not lose our focus. LOL. What about the kids running to their rooms and slamming the door?

Sorry that I got off-topic lol. I didn't mean to.

I forgot to say what show I got that last cliche from its from Spin City the series finale the first half one of Charlies Exes comes to town and Caitlin gets jealous she talks to him about it and he kinda blew her off so SHE MAKES him jealous with someoneelse IT WAS A CUTE eppie
OKAY i'll stop now

I don't know if anyone's mentioned this yet, but when two people are talking and one of them has to tell the other one something important/sad/disappointing/etc... and the other one keeps interrupting and saying things that make it harder for the first person to say the original thing. Did that make sense?

Yes, that made sense. It generally gets on my nerves when they do that one. I end up talking to the TV and trying the tell the guy or gal to shut up and listen to what whomever is trying ti tell them.

Originally posted by egregiousgirl
I don't know if anyone's mentioned this yet, but when two people are talking and one of them has to tell the other one something important/sad/disappointing/etc... and the other one keeps interrupting and saying things that make it harder for the first person to say the original thing. Did that make sense?
That was a common ploy on Three's Company.
Speaking of Three's Company, did anyone mention the misundertandings that take place on sitcoms...when a character mistakenly thinks one thing and everything goes haywire.

Originally posted by kittflynn
Yes, that made sense. It generally gets on my nerves when they do that one. I end up talking to the TV and trying the tell the guy or gal to shut up and listen to what whomever is trying ti tell them.
I usually throw a few sofa pillows at the TV, but that's not very effective either. ;)

quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by shocolah
Contests/bets ...on All in the Family, Michael had to give up eating and Archie cigars. Three's Company, Chrissy had to give up eating and Jack give up girls/dating (I think that's what it was).
------------------------------------------------------------

There was The Contest on Seinfeld, and fans of the show know what I'm referring to.

Originally posted by Janice
quote:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by shocolah
Contests/bets ...on All in the Family, Michael had to give up eating and Archie cigars. Three's Company, Chrissy had to give up eating and Jack give up girls/dating (I think that's what it was).
------------------------------------------------------------

There was The Contest on Seinfeld, and fans of the show know what I'm referring to.

I actually never saw that one, but I think Estelle Harris was shocked finding her son at home......

Originally posted by ThomasE

I actually never saw that one, but I think Estelle Harris was shocked finding her son at home......
You got it. ;)

What about when the smart person makes the naive or dumb character make them think that they are the hero knowing they did not do a thing? I hate that.

Originally posted by ThomasE
What about when the smart person makes the naive or dumb character make them think that they are the hero knowing they did not do a thing? I hate that.
Not sure what you mean Thomas. Can you give an example of a character? Thanks.:)

Originally posted by Janice

Not sure what you mean Thomas. Can you give an example of a character? Thanks.:)

Por ejemplo, (for example) Some one devices a plan and the plan succeds but the other character thought that is was their own wisdom and tactics that made made the plan a success and the smart person allows the dummy or naive person to think that it was naive person's idea all along.

Another instance, on Family Matters, Steve Urkel thought that Rachel had a crush on him but she really liked a guy named Steve Webster. When she found out that Steve Urkel wanted to break it off her, she went along with it knowing that he would looked embarrased. Things like that I hate. I'm like, "just tell him/her the truth".

Originally posted by ThomasE
Por ejemplo, (for example) Some one devices a plan and the plan succeds but the other character thought that is was their own wisdom and tactics that made made the plan a success and the smart person allows the dummy or naive person to think that it was naive person's idea all along.

Gotcha. They did that a lot on Three's Company by allowing Mr. Furley to think he was a genius, usually as a way to get what they wanted from him.

I just thought of another one mentioning your own sitcom on the show (not neccisarily by NAME but by content) i cant think of any off the top of my head but i'm sure they've all done it

Originally posted by ThomasE
Can you name any that you have observed? I know one that I see constantly. It is a teenager character starting on the show as a sixteen year old. That happens a lot. Another is having the kids on the show stay the same age of two years. ie Family Matters, Step by Step.
I notice those 2 alot. Actually, I notice all of them a lot.

this happens in some episodes in family comedies.the kid finds a wallet with alot of money inside and then they say i'm rich or something else. and they take it to tell other people what they find- friend or family member,and the parent will tell them to do what's right -take it to the police station or put an ad in the paper.they keep calling the station to ask if anyone has gotten the money and they keep hope alive untill the last day when the owner does find it.sometimes they get a reward for finding the money. does this make sense? :)

the girl who plays dumb to get the guy. ie "Saved by the Bell"/"head of the class"

How about the 2 guys going to Vegas on Vacation. One wants to gamble and the other doesent want him too, Than eventually the guy that didnt want to gamble gambles and the other guy that was gambling before tries to stop him before he loses all of his money, Which he usually does.

I Have seen that on both Perfect Strangers and Fresh Prince Of Bel Air just in the past week :lol:

Gamble-Fever has also happened to Ellyse (Sorry if i spelt it wrong) on Family Ties, and Florence on The Jeffersons.

All of these end in "...hilarity ensues.":

[list=1]
Kid wants a pet eventhough Mom & Dad won't let them. The kid "sneaks in" a pet and...
Friends trade places with each other at (work/school) and...
Misunderstanding # 1: Someone is believed to have a fatal illness. As friends prepare to say "farewell"...
Misunderstanding # 2: Someone overhears a conversation about them (out of context, of course, and sometimes through an intercom) and...
Misunderstanding # 3 ("The Cyrano de Bergerac Syndrome"): Shy person in love can't confront the object of their desire and gets their friend to speak for them (or write a love letter/sonnet). <Presto-changeo> Shy person gets bumped, blames friend for "stealing" their girl/guy and...
[/list=1]

A girl saying that she will never ever fall in love with a guy but does s time goes on. ie Happy Days and Family Matters.

Many shows try to pass off characters as someone else to make someone jealous, usually at reunions. Like in Frazier, The Partridge Family, The Bob Newhart Show, etc. Also when they visit Hollywood, usually guest stars appear as themselves. Also on several shows (Benson, The Jeffersons and Moonlighting to name a few) they take a cruise only to solve a mystery.

Some shows have intended to make one character a star, but then another popular character comes aboard.