Samantha saying the "N" word - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JRDM · 05-23-2007, 09:23 PM

It was a great scene shocker when Samantha said the "N" word. I was pretty young when this episode originally aired so I don't remember too good. How did an audience respond to this back in 1982? Nell wasn't upset at all, but the chief went into orbit. Nell even tries to calm the chief down and insists that Samantha not be punished. When they finally find her at the police station, and the chief is attemping to scold her for her behavior, Nell again downplays it and says it was their fault. Samantha of course wasn't trying to hurt anybody, but shouldn't she have been told just how awful the word was that she said? Nell acts as if it's no big deal. A couple years later Samantha dresses Joey in blackface to hurt Nell and Nell is very upset. Apparently Samantha did not learn her lesson in not using race to hurt people. The chief wanted to give her a spanking right after she said the word. I don't think she really deserved a spanking because she didn't mean it to be hurtful, but should Nell have stopped the chief from at least scolding her good and making her understand how vicious the word was? The chief is trying to teach her right, and Nell keeps saying the word can be beautiful.

Brieannas21 · 05-24-2007, 12:04 AM

Wonderful episode, along with "Baby of the Family."

Ireneparalegal · 05-24-2007, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRDM

It was a great scene shocker when Samantha said the "N" word. I was pretty young when this episode originally aired so I don't remember too good. How did an audience respond to this back in 1982? Nell wasn't upset at all, but the chief went into orbit. Nell even tries to calm the chief down and insists that Samantha not be punished. When they finally find her at the police station, and the chief is attemping to scold her for her behavior, Nell again downplays it and says it was their fault. Samantha of course wasn't trying to hurt anybody, but shouldn't she have been told just how awful the word was that she said? Nell acts as if it's no big deal. A couple years later Samantha dresses Joey in blackface to hurt Nell and Nell is very upset. Apparently Samantha did not learn her lesson in not using race to hurt people. The chief wanted to give her a spanking right after she said the word. I don't think she really deserved a spanking because she didn't mean it to be hurtful, but should Nell have stopped the chief from at least scolding her good and making her understand how vicious the word was? The chief is trying to teach her right, and Nell keeps saying the word can be beautiful.

I liked this episode. As for Samantha not learning her lesson, I see it as two different things. Samantha painting Joey's face was INTENTIONAL. She was seeking revenge on Nell.

Man, that look on Nell's face when Joey appeared was priceless!

GARFIELDKOOL · 05-26-2007, 09:47 PM

It's been a long time since I saw Gimmie a Break. I remember the Joey black-face episode, but Samatha saying N*igger, I think she had repeated what Nell was saying, I could be wrong.

JRDM · 05-26-2007, 10:01 PM

No, she wasn't repeating Nell. Nell and the Chief were arguing, and they won't listen to Samantha when she tries to tell them that she's been called a name. To get their attention she forcefully asked Nell if she would like it if someone called her a n#gg#r. With this the Chief goes through the ceiling and threatens to spank her. Thus, Samantha runs into the bathroom and subsequently climbs out the window and steals her father's squad car.

GARFIELDKOOL · 05-26-2007, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRDM

No, she wasn't repeating Nell. Nell and the Chief were arguing, and they won't listen to Samantha when she tries to tell them that she's been called a name. To get their attention she forcefully asked Nell if she would like it if someone called her a n#gg#r. With this the Chief goes through the ceiling and threatens to spank her. Thus, Samantha runs into the bathroom and subsequently climbs out the window and steals her father's squad car.

It's been a while since I saw this show, so my memory is foggy. Samanath was off the hook. I remember another episode where she slapped Nell.

JRDM · 05-26-2007, 10:23 PM

Samantha slapped Nell? What episode was that?

GARFIELDKOOL · 05-26-2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRDM

Samantha slapped Nell? What episode was that?

I can't remember. I have to get back to you on that one.

JRDM · 05-26-2007, 10:34 PM

Samantha could definitely be somewhat of a brat at times. Don't get me wrong, I love Samantha! She is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE of the girls because she is the most interesting. Samantha had the perfect balance of innocence and rebellion. It was that balance that made her so likeable and fascinating. Her voice was so cute, and she had that certain sweetness. Neverthless, she was capable of things like stealing squad cars and dressing Joey in blackface. One observation I have about the episode where she says the "n" word: I think she's just more proud that she's not gonna get a spanking than she is sorry about what she has done.

Ireneparalegal · 05-26-2007, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GARFIELDKOOL

It's been a while since I saw this show, so my memory is foggy. Samanath was off the hook. I remember another episode where she slapped Nell.

I think Nell slapped Sam.

Brian Damage · 05-26-2007, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I think Nell slapped Sam.

She did, I remember that.

GARFIELDKOOL · 05-26-2007, 11:38 PM

But I am certain that she slapped Nell too.

Ireneparalegal · 05-26-2007, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GARFIELDKOOL

But I am certain that she slapped Nell too.

Oh hell no!!! LOL

JRDM · 05-27-2007, 12:49 AM

What did Nell slap Sam for? I haven't seen that.

JRDM · 05-28-2007, 08:09 PM

Was Gimme a Break! taped in front of a live audience, or were the laughs and reactions added later? As soon as Samantha says the "n" word you can hear the audience react with disbelief and shock.

05-23-2007, 09:23 PM	#1
JRDM Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 23, 2007 Posts: 88	Samantha saying the "N" word It was a great scene shocker when Samantha said the "N" word. I was pretty young when this episode originally aired so I don't remember too good. How did an audience respond to this back in 1982? Nell wasn't upset at all, but the chief went into orbit. Nell even tries to calm the chief down and insists that Samantha not be punished. When they finally find her at the police station, and the chief is attemping to scold her for her behavior, Nell again downplays it and says it was their fault. Samantha of course wasn't trying to hurt anybody, but shouldn't she have been told just how awful the word was that she said? Nell acts as if it's no big deal. A couple years later Samantha dresses Joey in blackface to hurt Nell and Nell is very upset. Apparently Samantha did not learn her lesson in not using race to hurt people. The chief wanted to give her a spanking right after she said the word. I don't think she really deserved a spanking because she didn't mean it to be hurtful, but should Nell have stopped the chief from at least scolding her good and making her understand how vicious the word was? The chief is trying to teach her right, and Nell keeps saying the word can be beautiful.

05-24-2007, 12:04 AM	#2
Brieannas21 Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 05, 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 9,792	Wonderful episode, along with "Baby of the Family."

05-26-2007, 09:47 PM	#4
GARFIELDKOOL Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 02, 2004 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 7,204	It's been a long time since I saw Gimmie a Break. I remember the Joey black-face episode, but Samatha saying N*igger, I think she had repeated what Nell was saying, I could be wrong.

05-26-2007, 10:01 PM	#5
JRDM Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 23, 2007 Posts: 88	No, she wasn't repeating Nell. Nell and the Chief were arguing, and they won't listen to Samantha when she tries to tell them that she's been called a name. To get their attention she forcefully asked Nell if she would like it if someone called her a n#gg#r. With this the Chief goes through the ceiling and threatens to spank her. Thus, Samantha runs into the bathroom and subsequently climbs out the window and steals her father's squad car.

05-26-2007, 10:23 PM	#7
JRDM Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 23, 2007 Posts: 88	Samantha slapped Nell? What episode was that?

05-26-2007, 10:34 PM	#9
JRDM Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 23, 2007 Posts: 88	Samantha could definitely be somewhat of a brat at times. Don't get me wrong, I love Samantha! She is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE of the girls because she is the most interesting. Samantha had the perfect balance of innocence and rebellion. It was that balance that made her so likeable and fascinating. Her voice was so cute, and she had that certain sweetness. Neverthless, she was capable of things like stealing squad cars and dressing Joey in blackface. One observation I have about the episode where she says the "n" word: I think she's just more proud that she's not gonna get a spanking than she is sorry about what she has done.

05-26-2007, 11:38 PM	#12
GARFIELDKOOL Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 02, 2004 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 7,204	But I am certain that she slapped Nell too.

05-27-2007, 12:49 AM	#14
JRDM Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 23, 2007 Posts: 88	What did Nell slap Sam for? I haven't seen that.

05-28-2007, 08:09 PM	#15
JRDM Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 23, 2007 Posts: 88	Was Gimme a Break! taped in front of a live audience, or were the laughs and reactions added later? As soon as Samantha says the "n" word you can hear the audience react with disbelief and shock.