Would You Call 'Laverne & Shirley' A Classic Or Just A Former Hit Sitcom? - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

LittleRickyII · 05-06-2012, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

I agree completely on L&S, but not as much on Happy Days.

Yes, Happy Days did get loud after they went to a multi-cam/live audience format, but I can still enjoy it. Yes, some of the humor is hackneyed and the overblown audience applause is a bit much, but I felt the characters on HD are still far more likeable than the ones on L&S.

Let me add a caveat about Happy Days. I like the first two seasons before they brought in the live audience and made Fonzie the superhero star of the show. In the beginning, it was a realistic portrayal of life in the 1950s. It as well written and truly took the viewer back to that time. The changes in the third season made it a big hit with kids at the time, but in my opinion, ruined it long term. It was a totally different show. All the qualities that, IMO, made it special early on were taken away. It became a '70s show that pretended to be about the '50s, yet felt completely '70s/'80s. And it was loud. I think the early episodes hold up far better than the ones form the 3rd season on.

dakert · 05-06-2012, 11:02 PM

For example--Just watch The "Fabian episode" It was laugh out loud funny -classic

comedyfreak · 05-08-2012, 08:42 AM

I think it's a classic even though the California eps were not as good, the early shows are still laugh out loud funny better than todays sitcoms.

USATVFAN · 05-08-2012, 10:46 AM

I think it's a Classic. Maybe not classic like All in The Family, Happy Days, Three's Company, Mary Tyler Moore Show, MA*S*H from the same period but it's a classic in it's own way.

faraj · 05-08-2012, 02:24 PM

The CA eps. aren't that bad, but I miss seeing the cast in Milwaukee in those later eps. Especially the final season.

LittleRickyII · 05-08-2012, 09:45 PM

Just tossing this out, so we don't lose sight of what we're talking about. This is the definition of the word "classic":

1. of the first or highest quality, class, or rank: a classic piece of work.
2. serving as a standard, model, or guide: the classic method of teaching arithmetic.
3. of or adhering to an established set of artistic or scientific standards or methods: a classic example of mid-Victorian architecture.

So summing it up, something that is considered a classic is the standard bearer. It's the cream of the crop, the very top rank, what everyone else wishes they could be, the very best.

704Hauser · 05-09-2012, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shotzette

That's interesting, considering that L&S was the lead in for 3's Company. I wonder why people turned off their TVs?

You also have to remember that Three's Company was more of an adult show, especially back in the late 1970s, whilst Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley were family fare.

TVFactFan · 05-09-2012, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 704Hauser

You also have to remember that Three's Company was more of an adult show, especially back in the late 1970s, whilst Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley were family fare.

I wouldn't put Laverne and Shirley in a family show category but that definitely was the case for Happy days.

704Hauser · 05-10-2012, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

I wouldn't put Laverne and Shirley in a family show category but that definitely was the case for Happy days.

What makes you say Laverne & Shirley wasn't a family show? I don't remember anything taboo or adult in any of the episodes (I've seen Seasons 1, 2 + 4), although I can imagine the situation of two women living together would have raised a few eyebrows back in the late 1970s.

While Laverne & Shirley may not have been considered family fare back in the late 1970s, it would most likely fall into that category now.

My thoughts on the original topic of the thread - I wouldn't consider Laverne & Shirley a classic, it's certainly not on the level of All In The Family, I Love Lucy or Cheers.

LittleRickyII · 05-11-2012, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 704Hauser

What makes you say Laverne & Shirley wasn't a family show? I don't remember anything taboo or adult in any of the episodes (I've seen Seasons 1, 2 + 4), although I can imagine the situation of two women living together would have raised a few eyebrows back in the late 1970s.

While Laverne & Shirley may not have been considered family fare back in the late 1970s, it would most likely fall into that category now.

I was wondering the same thing. I've always thought of Laverne & Shirley as family friendly entertainment, both then and now. It was never considered controversial or adult oriented.

Dr. Thong · 05-12-2012, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Shirley Feeney wasn't likable?

Shirley Feeney was likable, but you had to listen to much Laverne in order to get to her.

And while likable, she had her moments where she could be annoying. Why Carmine waited around for her, I'll never know. After a while, he should have given up and moved on.

damon strong · 05-23-2012, 05:10 AM

I've tried watching it in reruns this past year and don't find it very funny. A few amusing scenes, but not laugh out loud funny.

TVFactFan · 06-02-2012, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damon strong

I've tried watching it in reruns this past year and don't find it very funny. A few amusing scenes, but not laugh out loud funny.

The only episodes I can watch is when Fonzie, and Richie appeared on the show.

AB · 06-02-2012, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Pretty self explanatory...

Does it stand the test of time? Yes, we can still relate to many of of the plots/story-lines.

Is it Laugh out loud funny? Oh Yes!!!

Are there memorable episodes? Yes, The Diner episode, the one where Shirley teaches Laverne to drive, the one where Shirley thinks she's a famous stripper named Roxy, plus so many more.

etc, etc...

Thoughts? Opinions? Not every episode was a gem but the majority of them were hilarious. Laverne & Shirley will always be a classic in my opinion.

shotzette · 06-02-2012, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Shirley Feeney was likable, but you had to listen to much Laverne in order to get to her.

I'm probably in the minority, but I never found Shirley to be all that likeable. I saw her as petty, judgmental, phony, and pretty humorless. I found her attempts at social climbing to be borderline pathological.

She did have her warmer side, her love of animals in particular. I thought the character was at her warmest and most genuine in those moments. The rest of the time, I'm surprised that the gang put up with her as much as they did.

05-08-2012, 08:42 AM	#18
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,060	I think it's a classic even though the California eps were not as good, the early shows are still laugh out loud funny better than todays sitcoms.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

05-08-2012, 10:46 AM	#19
USATVFAN Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 31, 2007 Location: Kalispell, USA Posts: 1,742	I think it's a Classic. Maybe not classic like All in The Family, Happy Days, Three's Company, Mary Tyler Moore Show, MASH from the same period but it's a classic in it's own way.
	__________________ Love watching 1960's-1990's TV Classics! 1970-2004: The best Years of Televsion

05-08-2012, 02:24 PM	#20
faraj Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 03, 2004 Posts: 736	The CA eps. aren't that bad, but I miss seeing the cast in Milwaukee in those later eps. Especially the final season.
	__________________ John

05-06-2012, 11:02 PM	#17
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	For example--Just watch The "Fabian episode" It was laugh out loud funny -classic

05-08-2012, 09:45 PM	#21
LittleRickyII Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 22, 2009 Location: California Posts: 2,246	Just tossing this out, so we don't lose sight of what we're talking about. This is the definition of the word "classic": 1. of the first or highest quality, class, or rank: a classic piece of work. 2. serving as a standard, model, or guide: the classic method of teaching arithmetic. 3. of or adhering to an established set of artistic or scientific standards or methods: a classic example of mid-Victorian architecture. So summing it up, something that is considered a classic is the standard bearer. It's the cream of the crop, the very top rank, what everyone else wishes they could be, the very best.

05-23-2012, 05:10 AM	#27
damon strong Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 17, 2010 Location: Toronto ontario Posts: 143	I've tried watching it in reruns this past year and don't find it very funny. A few amusing scenes, but not laugh out loud funny.