Times shows broke the fourth wall and talked directly to you - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

opus · 01-16-2026, 06:11 PM

I have 2:

Marlo Thomas on That Girl, at the end of the episode (courtesy of Alan Brady's Hair)

https://youtu.be/mmVKrM_OtBg?si=JvWPya-H97fpusrJ

Growing Pains stopping to lecture on drugs

https://youtu.be/I3VKlXc3_ns?si=9kyCy7I1dtWsoaYM

VTO6685 · 01-16-2026, 09:15 PM

On the final filmed episode of "Happy Days" ("Passages"), Tom Bosley (Howard) thanked the viewers for their loyal support of the show throughout its long run, acknowledging them as "part of the family".

opus · 01-16-2026, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTO6685

On the final filmed episode of "Happy Days" ("Passages"), Tom Bosley (Howard) thanked the viewers for their loyal support of the show throughout its long run, acknowledging them as "part of the family".

The Conners did something similar at the end of the final episode, with Dan looking into the camera and saying “Goodnight”

opus · 01-16-2026, 11:21 PM

We can also include Mr. Roper’s laughs into the camera

https://youtu.be/XOy8ksMISj4?si=6AMLsEXYvQ9FS8BA

stevea · 01-17-2026, 12:24 AM

On "Very Special Episodes" of Diff'rent Strokes, Conrad Bain gave intros. One example would be the chilling Bicycle Man episodes. Probably not a good example, since he's really not in-character.

On The Honeymooners Christmas episode, Ralph speaks to the audience and brings the cast out for a curtain-call.

On Father Knows Best, there are two specific instances where the characters speak to the camera. In one episode, Margaret (the female lead character) is having a tough day, and eventually gives a young mother who's having issues, an overview of the good things about family life. Then toward the end of the episode, the son spills something and she orders the kids upstairs. And, she turns slightly toward the camera, and says, "This is one of the bad days."

In another instance, Kathy, the younger daughter, explains she had seen a TV program before.

opus · 01-17-2026, 02:21 AM

George talked to us directly a lot on Burns and Allen

howilu · 01-17-2026, 10:21 AM

Garry Shandling frequently broke the fourth wall on It's Garry Shandling's Show.

Foggy · 01-17-2026, 11:10 AM

One of my favorite:

The Carol Burnett Show

Foggy · 01-17-2026, 11:27 AM

Not sure if you would want to count these,
but they did talk directly to the audience.

Almost everyone's favorite:

HERE"S JOHNNY ~~~ THE TONIGHT SHOW

and we got a really "BIG SHOW TONIGHT"

The Ed Sullivan Show

Foggy · 01-17-2026, 11:45 AM

SAVED BY THE BELL

"Saved by the Bell" featured its main character, Zack Morris,
breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the audience
during its original run from 1989 to 1993.
This technique was a distinctive element of the show,
allowing Zack to share his thoughts and schemes with viewers.

I remember one where he talked with Nancy Reagan on "WAR ON DRUGS"
and another one he talked about "Drinking and Driving"

Both episodes were about that topic

ThisLittlePiggy · 01-17-2026, 06:41 PM

Not sure if this should count, but Skipper would look right into the camera and sort of shake his head after Gilligan pulled one of his stunts. Do you know what I mean?

stevea · 01-17-2026, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThisLittlePiggy

Not sure if this should count, but Skipper would look right into the camera and sort of shake his head after Gilligan pulled one of his stunts. Do you know what I mean?

Yep!

DJM77 · 01-17-2026, 09:41 PM

Scott and Jason both frequently did this on Malibu, CA.

brtcmfn · 01-17-2026, 10:29 PM

The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
The Jack Benny Show
I'ts Gary Shandling show
Dobie Gillis
Miranda from the UK

opus · 01-22-2026, 12:38 PM

A Flintstones episode I saw yesterday had Barney do a quick talk to the audience bit.

01-16-2026, 06:11 PM	#1
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,542	Times shows broke the fourth wall and talked directly to you I have 2: Marlo Thomas on That Girl, at the end of the episode (courtesy of Alan Brady's Hair) https://youtu.be/mmVKrM_OtBg?si=JvWPya-H97fpusrJ Growing Pains stopping to lecture on drugs https://youtu.be/I3VKlXc3_ns?si=9kyCy7I1dtWsoaYM

01-17-2026, 09:41 PM	#13
DJM77 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: May 15, 2001 Location: Missouri Posts: 5,564	Scott and Jason both frequently did this on Malibu, CA.
	__________________ Marge: There are only 49 stars on that flag. Abe: I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missouri!

01-16-2026, 09:15 PM	#2
VTO6685 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 31, 2023 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 62	On the final filmed episode of "Happy Days" ("Passages"), Tom Bosley (Howard) thanked the viewers for their loyal support of the show throughout its long run, acknowledging them as "part of the family".

01-16-2026, 11:21 PM	#4
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,542	We can also include Mr. Roper’s laughs into the camera https://youtu.be/XOy8ksMISj4?si=6AMLsEXYvQ9FS8BA

01-17-2026, 12:24 AM	#5
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,759	On "Very Special Episodes" of Diff'rent Strokes, Conrad Bain gave intros. One example would be the chilling Bicycle Man episodes. Probably not a good example, since he's really not in-character. On The Honeymooners Christmas episode, Ralph speaks to the audience and brings the cast out for a curtain-call. On Father Knows Best, there are two specific instances where the characters speak to the camera. In one episode, Margaret (the female lead character) is having a tough day, and eventually gives a young mother who's having issues, an overview of the good things about family life. Then toward the end of the episode, the son spills something and she orders the kids upstairs. And, she turns slightly toward the camera, and says, "This is one of the bad days." In another instance, Kathy, the younger daughter, explains she had seen a TV program before.

01-17-2026, 02:21 AM	#6
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,542	George talked to us directly a lot on Burns and Allen

01-17-2026, 10:21 AM	#7
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,962	Garry Shandling frequently broke the fourth wall on It's Garry Shandling's Show.

01-17-2026, 11:10 AM	#8
Foggy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2014 Posts: 3,423	One of my favorite: The Carol Burnett Show

01-17-2026, 11:27 AM	#9
Foggy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2014 Posts: 3,423	Not sure if you would want to count these, but they did talk directly to the audience. Almost everyone's favorite: HERE"S JOHNNY ~~~ THE TONIGHT SHOW and we got a really "BIG SHOW TONIGHT" The Ed Sullivan Show

01-17-2026, 11:45 AM	#10
Foggy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2014 Posts: 3,423	SAVED BY THE BELL "Saved by the Bell" featured its main character, Zack Morris, breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the audience during its original run from 1989 to 1993. This technique was a distinctive element of the show, allowing Zack to share his thoughts and schemes with viewers. I remember one where he talked with Nancy Reagan on "WAR ON DRUGS" and another one he talked about "Drinking and Driving" Both episodes were about that topic

01-17-2026, 06:41 PM	#11
ThisLittlePiggy Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Nov 02, 2013 Posts: 84,762	Not sure if this should count, but Skipper would look right into the camera and sort of shake his head after Gilligan pulled one of his stunts. Do you know what I mean?

01-17-2026, 10:29 PM	#14
brtcmfn Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 10, 2002 Location: colorado Posts: 323	The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show The Jack Benny Show I'ts Gary Shandling show Dobie Gillis Miranda from the UK

01-22-2026, 12:38 PM	#15
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,542	A Flintstones episode I saw yesterday had Barney do a quick talk to the audience bit.