what is the most powerful episode of any sitcom

vote

none of the above

Heartstrings

Originally posted by James
none of the above

When Fonzie "jumped the shark":rolleyes: The end of a great series!:crybaby:

I've never seen that episode I'll have to look for it

Originally posted by emptynest5
I've never seen that episode I'll have to look for it

You're not missing anything Believe me!:rolleyes:

Originally posted by James
none of the above

Ditto

Originally posted by James
none of the above

ditto here too

I think the Happy Days episode entitled "Richie Almost Dies" (#106) could possibly be a candidate for the title of 'most heart wrenching sitcom episode'.

The episode of "Laverne & Shirley" where Laverne's fireman boyfriend dies. He was going to propose, and she was going to say "yes."

8 Simple Rules "Goodbye" where Paul Hennessey dies.

"Chico and the Man" where halfway through the fourth season, Ed Brown deals with the death of Chico (Freddie Prinze). Up until that point Chico was mentioned as being in Mexico.

the Suddenly Susan episode that dealt with the death of Todd/David Strickland was pretty sad as well.

The "Miracle" episode of Roseanne was pretty heart-wrenching also, the episode Darlene gives birth and everyone thinks the baby is going to die

For me, 8 Simple Rules, "Goodbye," when Paul Hennessey dies. I think that any episode dealing with the death of a character whose portrayer has also died falls into the category of most heart wrenching, though.

"I Do, Adieu" episode of Cheers, the Season 5 Finale featuring the departure of Shelley Long.

"A My Name is Alex" from Family Ties when Alex's best friend dies in a car accident and Alex feels guilty because he should have been with him but was too selfish to help him.

Some of That Jazz & Star Struck-Three's Company(Jack showed his sensitive side in those episodes when he consoled Janet(Some of That Jazz) & Terri(Start Struck)

Originally posted by emptynest5
what is the most powerful episode of any sitcom


Without a doubt, "The Last Show" from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." That last scene in the newsroom could put a lump in anybody's throat!! :( Basically, any good finale is heart-wrenching.

The All in The Family episode where Gloria has a miscarriage. It's in year one and is the first one where we really see Archie grapple with his emotions. All in the Family had a few. Edith's near rape and the murder of Beverly LaSalle. Archie locked in the meat locker with Mike.

On Maude, the one where she agonizes about terminating her pregnancy.

On MASH the one where McClean Stevenson is killed. MASH was a very depressing sitcom in general.

Two on The Brady Bunch:

#35 "A Fistful of Reasons" - Buddy Hinton's teasing Cindy about her lisp. The scene at the end where Buddy asks to borrow Cindy's tongue twister book is very touching. :crying:

#52 "Juliet Is The Sun" - Marcia Brady gets a big ego over being cast as Juliet in the play "Romeo and Juliet," only to have Carol drop her from the show (she was on some committee to be able to have such leverage IIRC). Marcia screaming "MOOOMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and the background playing of the "Love Theme from 'Romeo and Juliet'" was the right combination to get my tear glands worked up. :crying:

Another I thought of: On Good Times (which had a whole slew of very dramatic episodes: Penny and the iron, James' death, JJ getting shot etc) the one that was most disturbing for me to watch was the one where JJ was going to elope with Debbie Allen who turned out to be a heroin addict. She took the wrong purse to the hotel and jumped out the window because she couldn't get a fix. JJ was on the phone when she did it, talking in disbelief to his father (I think) and then he goes in the room to call Debbie and she's gone and the window is open and the drape is blowing in the breeze. His father is calling out to him on the other end of the phone and JJ has this horrific look on his face. Very disturbing.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jamesanthony
[B]The All in The Family episode where Gloria has a miscarriage. It's in year one and is the first one where we really see Archie grapple with his emotions. All in the Family had a few. Edith's near rape.

Any All In the Family episode when there was a father daughter moment with Archie and Gloria. Carroll O'Connor and Sally Struthers played those scenes quite genuine and real as though they were really father and daughter. One that stood out was when Gloria was upset over Mike running out on her when she found out that she was pregnant with Joey. Watching the scene with her on Archie's lap as he was consoling was moving and powerful. I was in tears.

I remember the episode in the first season when Gloria lost the baby. When Archie went in her room. He did not have to say anything but you knew he was dealing with it. That definitely was a touching Archie and Gloria moment.

Edith's near rape was a cryfest as well. Each cast member in that episode gave a powerful performance. That was in the 8th season and when a show was on that long most times it is tired by then but the 8th season was one of the best ones.

My votes:

Happy Days - "Richie Almost Dies" and "Welcome Home" (especially the last scene)
8 Simple Rules - "Goodbye"
Mary Tyler Moore - "The Last Show"

Don't know the name of the episode. But the episode of "Roseanne" where Roseanne discovers Jackie is being beaten up by her boyfriend Fisher.

I picked Ediths Crisis in Faith!!

There isnt many episodes I dont like.........

A, My Name is Alex

None of those.

The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air episode where Will's father who abandoned him as a young boy comes back into his life only to abandon him once again, very heartbreaking. Will's father's played by the always amicable Ben Vereen but I really hate him in that episode!

Ed.

Wow that does sound mean!!

I voted for Edith's Crisis of Faith but I think the saddest for me is when Alf is about to be rescued by a ship from his home planet but is instead captured by the Alien Task Force.

Another really sad episode is when Edith dies and Archie is crying on Archie Bunker's Place.

I didnt see that one!! (When Edith died)