How is Mary Hartman Mary Hartman considered a Sitcom? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Tiger32 · 06-01-2014, 07:58 PM

I always thought of it as a depressing soap opera, and I never liked it.

1960'sTVfan · 06-01-2014, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiger32

I always thought of it as a depressing soap opera, and I never liked it.

It loosely fits into the sitcom category as it's a spoof of soap operas. Plus the fact it's a Norman Lear show. I know what you mean though, I think of it more as a drama than a sitcom, much of the humor is off the wall and deadpan. In order to appreciate the show, you have to like the characters, be interested in the story and what happens to the people. If none of that appeals to you, then yea you won't like the show.

Mr. Television · 06-01-2014, 09:26 PM

I never considered MH a drama. There's humor all through that show. I don't think it was meant for anyone to take seriously.

cleverfun3000 · 06-01-2014, 10:08 PM

It was definitely at one point one of my favorite shows. I just loved Loise Lassiter's television presence. It seemed that she was ad-libbing the entire show.

tlc38tlc38 · 06-01-2014, 10:26 PM

I've always loved MHMH but I've also wondered why it was considered a sitcom. I'm guessing because it's so campy and overly dramatic that is funny. Sometimes when something is so sad, it's actually funny.

1960'sTVfan · 06-02-2014, 08:20 AM

A lot of the humor is subtle. If you're not paying close attention when watching the show, much of the humor won't be noticed. I don't watch the show for the laughs, I like the characters and enjoy what's going on. In one of the earlier episodes, I think it's episode 24, there's a great scene with Tom and Mary. They are arguing about their sex life, or lack of it. Some of the dialog is meant to be funny, but it's hard to laugh because they are arguing and shouting at each other. Of course, by scenes end they are in bed and getting it on. Poor Mary, Tom really messes with her head, he always has a BS excuse ready for anything she says. It's no wonder she eventually has a nervous breakdown.

robyrob · 06-02-2014, 10:03 AM

this show was the first time i ever saw someone drown face down in a bowl of soup.

1960'sTVfan · 06-02-2014, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

this show was the first time i ever saw someone drown face down in a bowl of soup.

Some strange things happened in this show, that was one of the strangest.

Ryan Chamberlain · 08-17-2014, 10:03 AM

I just started watching it and I would consider it to be more satire/black comedy. Than an actual comedy.

So far. I am loving it though. It really makes fun of how silly soap operas actually are.

TMC · 07-05-2015, 04:33 AM

I've read how it should no be viewed as a "comedy" but more like some existentialist play.

TeeVeeCloset · 07-05-2015, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

Some strange things happened in this show, that was one of the strangest.

Some nice insightful postings, how about when wife beater Garth Gimble (Barth's twin brother/Martin Mull) gets impaled by a Christmas Tree and dies! LOL

It was brillant, it was early first run nightly syndication, dry humor, and had many incredible talents like Louise Lasser, Mary Kay Place, Dodie Goodman, Shelley Fabares, Michael Lembeck.

A murdered family, five chickens and two goats! Too bad about those Chickens! "lucky the family died, since they can't get eggs!"

Before Pop Culture took over "serious news" magazines, Louise Lasser as "Mary Hartman" was featured on the cover of "Newsweek".

"Baby Boy"/"Vitamin L" By Loretta Haggers (Mary Kay Place) a real Columbia single from the real LP "Loretta Hagers At The Capri Lounge" (A Bowling Alley). Proudly own all!

1960'sTVfan · 07-06-2015, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeeVeeCloset

Some nice insightful postings, how about when wife beater Garth Gimble (Barth's twin brother/Martin Mull) gets impaled by a Christmas Tree and dies! LOL

It was brillant, it was early first run nightly syndication, dry humor, and had many incredible talents like Louise Lasser, Mary Kay Place, Dodie Goodman, Shelley Fabares, Michael Lembeck.

A murdered family, five chickens and two goats! Too bad about those Chickens! "lucky the family died, since they can't get eggs!"

Before Pop Culture took over "serious news" magazines, Louise Lasser as "Mary Hartman" was featured on the cover of "Newsweek".

"Baby Boy"/"Vitamin L" By Loretta Haggers (Mary Kay Place) a real Columbia single from the real LP "Loretta Hagers At The Capri Lounge" (A Bowling Alley). Proudly own all!

I agree the acting in the show is top notch, the actors perform their roles well, main cast as well as supporting cast. Claudia Lamb, the child actress who plays Mary's daughter Heather, tends to mumble her lines and sometimes it's difficult to hear what she's saying.

Mary Hartman is a parody of soap operas, but to me it's much more than that. The show also serves as an excellent study of human behavior and psychology, why people do the things they do and what makes them tick. I find it fascinating, each person in the show has their own personality and a unique method to their madness. A reflection of real life in the crazy world we live in.

06-01-2014, 07:58 PM	#1
Tiger32 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 14, 2002 Posts: 624	How is Mary Hartman Mary Hartman considered a Sitcom? I always thought of it as a depressing soap opera, and I never liked it.

06-01-2014, 09:26 PM	#3
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,125	I never considered MH a drama. There's humor all through that show. I don't think it was meant for anyone to take seriously.
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06-01-2014, 10:26 PM	#5
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,252	I've always loved MHMH but I've also wondered why it was considered a sitcom. I'm guessing because it's so campy and overly dramatic that is funny. Sometimes when something is so sad, it's actually funny.
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06-02-2014, 08:20 AM	#6
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,046	A lot of the humor is subtle. If you're not paying close attention when watching the show, much of the humor won't be noticed. I don't watch the show for the laughs, I like the characters and enjoy what's going on. In one of the earlier episodes, I think it's episode 24, there's a great scene with Tom and Mary. They are arguing about their sex life, or lack of it. Some of the dialog is meant to be funny, but it's hard to laugh because they are arguing and shouting at each other. Of course, by scenes end they are in bed and getting it on. Poor Mary, Tom really messes with her head, he always has a BS excuse ready for anything she says. It's no wonder she eventually has a nervous breakdown.
	Last edited by 1960'sTVfan; 06-05-2014 at 12:06 PM.

06-02-2014, 10:03 AM	#7
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,159	this show was the first time i ever saw someone drown face down in a bowl of soup.
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06-01-2014, 10:08 PM	#4
cleverfun3000 Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 18, 2008 Location: Manhattan Posts: 1,685	It was definitely at one point one of my favorite shows. I just loved Loise Lassiter's television presence. It seemed that she was ad-libbing the entire show.

08-17-2014, 10:03 AM	#9
Ryan Chamberlain Return Of The Silverburg 2018! Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 10, 2011 Location: Still hiding in Miles Silverburg's closet. Posts: 663	I just started watching it and I would consider it to be more satire/black comedy. Than an actual comedy. So far. I am loving it though. It really makes fun of how silly soap operas actually are.
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07-05-2015, 04:33 AM	#10
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,453	I've read how it should no be viewed as a "comedy" but more like some existentialist play.