Just starting watching ABP, I'm shocked at how good this show was. - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

CJD88 · 11-12-2024, 10:36 PM

I watched all of AITB a long time ago and enjoyed all of it. Even Season 9 which I think was a great addition to the series. I really liked the addition of Stephanie as it brought out another side to Archie and allowed the character to grow.

I never watched ABP though until this month. I'm shocked at how good this show was. I think Season 1 is the weakest though. Keeping Edith alive offscreen kind of bogged the show down.

But wow, once Season 2 begins, they just let loose. ABP seasons 2 to 4 is so much darker than AITB but I like it. It's a nice change and the show never feels stale. I really like the father/daughter relationship with Stephanie. The character of Archie grows so much throughout the series. Archie for instance in season 4 is such an evolution from AITB season 1. I wish this show got a proper ending. I wish there was a season 5 but even a one-hour special would've been great.

I see alot of comments here saying it all should've ended with season 8 of AITB but I strongly disagree. I'm glad season 9 and ABP exists. The overall story of Archie is better because of it.

sm95fan · 11-13-2024, 07:33 PM

ABP was a good show, but failing to land the plane kept it from being a great one.

The first year felt like season 10 of AITF. Then a reset for the 2nd season. The entire show revolved around lovely Danielle Brisebois. Then the 3rd year it evolved into a workplace comedy centered at the Bar. For the 4th and final campaign another reboot into more of a romantic comedy focused on Billie and Gary. The lack of consistency season to season really kept it from reaching its potential.

CJD88 · 11-13-2024, 08:05 PM

I don't agree on Season 3. That season still had plenty of focus on Stephanie and many great episodes focused on that character. A full third of the season is episodes centred around Stephanie.

sm95fan · 11-13-2024, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJD88

I don't agree on Season 3. That season still had plenty of focus on Stephanie and many great episodes focused on that character. A full third of the season is episodes centred around Stephanie.

Umm, 4 season two episodes aired in Season three due to the Summer 81 writers strike; Norma Rae Bunker, Stephanie's Dance, Stephanie's Tryout and Photo Contest....

CJD88 · 11-14-2024, 10:32 PM

I know that but it doesn't change the fact that they aired as part of season 3 and are officially season 3 episodes. I'm glad they were moved over. Season 2 was already really good. The holdovers enhanced season 3.

Bonniegirl · 11-15-2024, 01:55 AM

I liked the later seasons of ABP with Billie and Gary. My favorite characters . I love their romance . I also liked Murray a lot from the beginning seasons though.

sm95fan · 11-15-2024, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

I liked the later seasons of ABP with Billie and Gary. My favorite characters . I love their romance . I also liked Murray a lot from the beginning seasons though.

Yep, it's too bad they couldn't make the Murray character work.

Johnny be good! · 01-02-2025, 09:04 AM

ABP focused on so much more than the Bunker house. It allowed for character development of characters who were very minor on AITF.

sm95fan · 01-22-2025, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJD88

I know that but it doesn't change the fact that they aired as part of season 3 and are officially season 3 episodes. I'm glad they were moved over. Season 2 was already really good. The holdovers enhanced season 3.

Just the opposite, they were good episodes but they killed the tenor of actual Season 3 which had gone in a very different direction. According to Joe Gannon in this 8/81 TV Guide interview, he didn't feel that Danielle was ready for more intense Season 3 storylines, so Denise Miller was being added.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid...26888614064674

11-12-2024, 10:36 PM	#1
CJD88 Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Nov 09, 2024 Posts: 4	Just starting watching ABP, I'm shocked at how good this show was. I watched all of AITB a long time ago and enjoyed all of it. Even Season 9 which I think was a great addition to the series. I really liked the addition of Stephanie as it brought out another side to Archie and allowed the character to grow. I never watched ABP though until this month. I'm shocked at how good this show was. I think Season 1 is the weakest though. Keeping Edith alive offscreen kind of bogged the show down. But wow, once Season 2 begins, they just let loose. ABP seasons 2 to 4 is so much darker than AITB but I like it. It's a nice change and the show never feels stale. I really like the father/daughter relationship with Stephanie. The character of Archie grows so much throughout the series. Archie for instance in season 4 is such an evolution from AITB season 1. I wish this show got a proper ending. I wish there was a season 5 but even a one-hour special would've been great. I see alot of comments here saying it all should've ended with season 8 of AITB but I strongly disagree. I'm glad season 9 and ABP exists. The overall story of Archie is better because of it.

01-02-2025, 09:04 AM	#8
Johnny be good! Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2007 Location: Westland, Michigan Posts: 1,629	ABP focused on so much more than the Bunker house. It allowed for character development of characters who were very minor on AITF.
	__________________ Alex Bogue

11-13-2024, 07:33 PM	#2
sm95fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 07, 2021 Location: Las Lunas Posts: 1,880	ABP was a good show, but failing to land the plane kept it from being a great one. The first year felt like season 10 of AITF. Then a reset for the 2nd season. The entire show revolved around lovely Danielle Brisebois. Then the 3rd year it evolved into a workplace comedy centered at the Bar. For the 4th and final campaign another reboot into more of a romantic comedy focused on Billie and Gary. The lack of consistency season to season really kept it from reaching its potential.

11-13-2024, 08:05 PM	#3
CJD88 Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Nov 09, 2024 Posts: 4	I don't agree on Season 3. That season still had plenty of focus on Stephanie and many great episodes focused on that character. A full third of the season is episodes centred around Stephanie.

11-14-2024, 10:32 PM	#5
CJD88 Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Nov 09, 2024 Posts: 4	I know that but it doesn't change the fact that they aired as part of season 3 and are officially season 3 episodes. I'm glad they were moved over. Season 2 was already really good. The holdovers enhanced season 3.

11-15-2024, 01:55 AM	#6
Bonniegirl AKA Hazel Horvath Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 10, 2014 Posts: 65,399	I liked the later seasons of ABP with Billie and Gary. My favorite characters . I love their romance . I also liked Murray a lot from the beginning seasons though.