Molly Ringwald in "Townies" (1996)

[RetroGuy2000]

Molly Ringwald starred in "Townies", a short-lived sitcom on ABC. 15 episodes were taped, but only 10 aired. Molly, Jenna Elfman, Bill Burr, and Lauren Graham starred as 20-somethings in Gloucester, Massachusetts. It was like Friends, but stuck in a backwater.

Here is the pilot episode.

[Sitcommania]

I grew up in that very backwater lol...I didn’t see them at the time but Molly Ringwald and the rest of the cast did hang out in Gloucester that summer. I thought the show was funny. Others did not. After a few episodes the newspaper ran an article with residents’ reactions. Most did not like the show’s putdowns toward the town, i.e. “everything smells like fish.” I watched all of the episodes a few years back. I thought it was well done and it had a great cast. Should have at least gone on a whole season.

['80sSitcoms]

Yup, I remember promos/previews for this!

I wished I had watched it, but I didn't. Maybe I'll check it out sometime on the Internets (lol).

[Lorimar Television]

Wow great find!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Sitcommania

I grew up in that very backwater lol...

Wow! Cool connection, SM!

I didn’t see them at the time but Molly Ringwald and the rest of the cast did hang out in Gloucester that summer.

I guess for research into their roles?

I thought the show was funny. Others did not. After a few episodes the newspaper ran an article with residents’ reactions. Most did not like the show’s putdowns toward the town, i.e. “everything smells like fish.” I watched all of the episodes a few years back. I thought it was well done and it had a great cast. Should have at least gone on a whole season.

Yeah, I hate it when the network pulls a show before all of the episodes have even aired. Seems like a waste of money and a disservice to any fans the show may have attracted.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Yup, I remember promos/previews for this!

I wished I had watched it, but I didn't. Maybe I'll check it out sometime on the Internets (lol).

I didn't watch it either. *guilty look*

At the time, I was working a lot of evening shifts.

[Coffeecup]

Gloucester, the home of Gortons fish products found in your local supermarket's freezers. Gloucester's air is much cleaner than it was 50-100 years ago.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

Wow great find!

Yeah, I didn't expect to find the whole pilot. Apparently, all of the aired episodes were on YouTube at one time, as I found a "Townies" playlist, but all of the episodes except the pilot were gone.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Coffeecup

Gloucester, the home of Gortons fish products found in your local supermarket's freezers. Gloucester's air is much cleaner than it was 50-100 years ago.

I did not know this. Next time I eat some Gortons fish products, I will think of Molly Ringwald and Townies!

Now, where's that Fish emoji?! Or at least the Julie Anne Haddock emoji!?

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Yeah, I hate it when the network pulls a show before all of the episodes have even aired. Seems like a waste of money and a disservice to any fans the show may have attracted.

You and Charlotte Rae both! (and me) I'm sure you remember her talking about that in her book, upon the quick demise of "HOT L Baltimore".

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

At the time, I was working a lot of evening shifts.

I was in school, just occupied by other TV, lol---namely, "Friends". I was a HUGE "Friends" fan back in the day. I mean, I still love the show, but I was ALL about it when it was a "current show", lol.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Now, where's that fish emoji?! Or at least the Julie Anne Haddock emoji!?

[gets Molly's little guitar and sings]"Trust the Gorton's fishermaaannnn!"[/sings]


-

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

You and Charlotte Rae both! (and me) I'm sure you remember her talking about that in her book, upon the quick demise of "HOT L Baltimore".

I won't read Charlotte's book until this summer, when I have more time. But I'm looking forward to it.

I was in school, just occupied by other TV, lol---namely, "Friends". I was a HUGE "Friends" fan back in the day. I mean, I still love the show, but I was ALL about it when it was a "current show", lol.

I didn't watch Friends until the second season, but quickly became a fan, too, and began recording all of the episodes on DVR. The writing was so clever, and it's held up surprisingly well all these years. The last few years were less hilarious than Seasons 1-6(ish), after which the bakery burned to the ground and the girls started a tacky Spencer's rip-off store, with... wait... Wrong show. But still it's true, about the decline in quality. Still, it was pretty good even in its later years. I can still hear the infamous bagpipe scene in my head, with Phoebe screeching along, and Rachel/Jennifer unable to hold back her laughter!

[gets Molly's little guitar and sings]"Trust the Gorton's fishermaaannnn!"[/sings]
-

Ahahahahaha! I thought of the same jingle!

And thanks so much for rectifying the lack of a fish/haddock emoji!

[Lorimar Television]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Yeah, I didn't expect to find the whole pilot. Apparently, all of the aired episodes were on YouTube at one time, as I found a "Townies" playlist, but all of the episodes except the pilot were gone.

Aww that sucks

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I didn't watch Friends until the second season, but quickly became a fan, too, and began recording all of the episodes on DVR. The writing was so clever, and it's held up surprisingly well all these years. The last few years were less hilarious than Seasons 1-6(ish), after which the bakery burned to the ground and the girls started a tacky Spencer's rip-off store, with... wait... Wrong show. But still it's true, about the decline in quality. Still, it was pretty good even in its later years. I can still hear the infamous bagpipe scene in my head, with Phoebe screeching along, and Rachel/Jennifer unable to hold back her laughter!

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I won't read Charlotte's book until this summer, when I have more time. But I'm looking forward to it.

WHAT?? All this time you have (passively) given the impression you've read or even OWN Charlotte's book, and you've never read it?? What have you been waiting for?? She was MRS. GARRETT! Unlike Lisa, her book was about her career, with some juicy facts of "Facts"!

Okay, time to rectify, Mister.

Retro this summer IF NOT SOONER --->

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I didn't watch Friends until the second season, but quickly became a fan, too, and began recording all of the episodes on DVR.

Uh, what? Hold on sir, you are not that young. Was DVR even invented in 1995? lol I recorded mine on a VCR, Sonny!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

The writing was so clever, and it's held up surprisingly well all these years.

Of course it has. Why wouldn't it? You just can't beat terrific writing with terrific casts (see "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", "The Golden Girls").

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

The last few years were less hilarious than Seasons 1-6(ish), after which the bakery burned to the ground and the girls started a tacky Spencer's rip-off store, with... wait... Wrong show. But still it's true, about the decline in quality. Still, it was pretty good even in its later years.

Yeah, I've got seasons 1-8 on DVD, haven't felt the need to go beyond.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I can still hear the infamous bagpipe scene in my head, with Phoebe screeching along, and Rachel/Jennifer unable to hold back her laughter!

YES! As Lorsie would say: "Classic Pheebs! "

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

And thanks so much for rectifying the lack of a fish/haddock emoji!

My work for the night has been done!

[Lorimar Television]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I won't read Charlotte's book until this summer, when I have more time. But I'm looking forward to it.

Nice, let me know any interesting tidbits!

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

WHAT?? All this time you have (passively) given the impression you've read or even OWN Charlotte's book, and you've never read it?? What have you been waiting for?? She was MRS. GARRETT! Unlike Lisa, her book was about her career, with some juicy facts of "Facts"!

Okay, time to rectify, Mister.

Retro this summer IF NOT SOONER --->



Uh, what? Hold on sir, you are not that young. Was DVR even invented in 1995? lol I recorded mine on a VCR, Sonny!



Of course it has. Why wouldn't it? You just can't beat terrific writing with terrific casts (see "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", "The Golden Girls").




Yeah, I've got seasons 1-8 on DVD, haven't felt the need to go beyond.



YES! As Lorsie would say: "Classic Pheebs! "

Well some writing, as great as it is, can still become out of date. The fat Monica jokes seem more and more sad as years go on. Not to mention the shots of the twin towers throughout seasons 1-7 make the show instantly dated.

Classic Pheebs indeed!

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

Nice, let me know any interesting tidbits!

You too??

Lorsie, you've got homework! There are lots of interesting tidbits in there!!

Lorsie --->

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

Well some writing, as great as it is, can still become out of date.

Yeah, but the greats are greats for a reason. And F'll probably be in reruns for, like, ever, lol.

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

Classic Pheebs indeed!

And Ross is really funny there too!

OMG have you guys watched F bloopers on YouTube?? Lisa Kudrow has the most infectious laugh you've ever heard!