'Diff'rent Strokes' Star: TV Was Better When It Was Family-Friendly - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

RetroGuy2000 · 05-21-2016, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/cul...amily-friendly

Ah, the glorious days when times were more simple. A time when things were more family-friendly, and Todd Bridges was on trial for murder, while his adopted TV sister Dana Plato was convicted for robbing a video store at gunpoint. A time when the Drummond actors could abuse cocaine, marijuana, valium, vicodin, and barbituates, doing soft-core porn on the side.

The irony of Todd Bridges, of all people, complaining that the television industry should be more wholesome, when he himself was a drug-abusing, gang-banging criminal who was accused of attempted murder, is not lost on me.

(And I loved Diff'rent Strokes.)

'80sSitcoms · 05-23-2016, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

The irony of Todd Bridges, of all people, complaining that the television industry should be more wholesome, when he himself was a drug-abusing, gang-banging criminal who was accused of attempted murder, is not lost on me.

(And I loved Diff'rent Strokes.)

Well, TV was more wholesome back then, for sure. As for his post-DS path, he garners sympathy because he got addicted to drugs and was much more a drug addict than criminal (he wasn't guilty of the murder charge [he wasn't even at the scene]...I just finished his book, it was quite an interesting read!), and found his way back to sobriety and a good life. I'm glad he was able to get help and turn himself around.

WalterTheDrinker · 05-25-2016, 02:53 PM

TV is not only better now, it's way better now. You're not stuck with three major networks anymore. There are so many channels putting out great original content these days.

As for comedies over the last 10 years, Arrested Development (FOX), The Office (NBC), Silicon Valley (HBO), and Veep (HBO) are all outstanding.

As for dramas, Breaking Bad (AMC), Better Call Saul (AMC), Game of Thrones (HBO), Weeds (Showtime), and a few others are some of the best TV dramas ever.

Todd Bridges is just clinging to the past instead of adapting to the present.

bgva · 05-25-2016, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgo

I'm not jumping on the bandwagon that all modern shows are bad, there's still good shows being made, and not all of the shows from the 80's and older were good. 30 years from now people will be looking back on the shows of today with the same rose colored glasses.

Exactly. Just because the broadcast networks don't have as much family content anymore doesn't mean it's nonexistent. You still have plenty on PBS, Nick, Disney, et al, plus numerous streaming services.

I say the same thing about pop music. There's still plenty of "good" content out there; you just have to search a little harder. It might not be free like it was in the 80s and 90s, but it's out there.

Besides, the writing on a lot of those "family-friendly" shows was horribly formulaic...not to mention the infamous "Bicycle Man" episode had some weirdly inappropriate dialogue to be a family show.

king of comedy · 05-25-2016, 06:37 PM

He sounds like a hypocrite.

Vahan · 05-25-2016, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king of comedy

He sounds like a hypocrite.

That's because he is.

Edward216 · 05-29-2016, 02:43 AM

I agree with Todd Bridges 100%. Most TV shows today are garbage. There are a few I like but not many.

Ed.

RetroGuy2000 · 05-30-2016, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Well, TV was more wholesome back then, for sure. As for his post-DS path, he garners sympathy because he got addicted to drugs and was much more a drug addict than criminal (he wasn't guilty of the murder charge [he wasn't even at the scene]...I just finished his book, it was quite an interesting read!), and found his way back to sobriety and a good life. I'm glad he was able to get help and turn himself around.

Oh, I'm glad he turned his life around, too, don't get me wrong.

But Todd Bridges talking about when TV used to be more wholesome when he and Dana were doing incredibly unwholesome things during that era is, as others have said here, hypocritical.

I loved that era, but it had its share of incredibly violent, messed up shows, even during the family hour. (The one that springs to my mind is that episode of Little House on the Prairie where Albert's girlfriend is raped by a mime. My god... that was nightmare fuel!)

Anyway, we've entered a new golden age of television. Yes, there's plenty of junk, but also some amazing shows, and no more monopoly of three networks.

Mr. Television · 05-30-2016, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WalterTheDrinker

TV is not only better now, it's way better now. You're not stuck with three major networks anymore. There are so many channels putting out great original content these days.

As for comedies over the last 10 years, Arrested Development (FOX), The Office (NBC), Silicon Valley (HBO), and Veep (HBO) are all outstanding.

As for dramas, Breaking Bad (AMC), Better Call Saul (AMC), Game of Thrones (HBO), Weeds (Showtime), and a few others are some of the best TV dramas ever.

Todd Bridges is just clinging to the past instead of adapting to the present.

Of those shows the only one I like is Breaking Bad. The sitcoms you mentioned I can't stand. I wanted to like Arrested Development but I didn't find it funny. I won't even get into The Office which I hate. At least it has a theme song though.

Babalu · 05-30-2016, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Oh, I'm glad he turned his life around, too, don't get me wrong.

But Todd Bridges talking about when TV used to be more wholesome when he and Dana were doing incredibly unwholesome things during that era is, as others have said here, hypocritical.

The difference is that in those times he was scorned for what he did. Today Bridges would be a hero.

RetroGuy2000 · 05-30-2016, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babalu

The difference is that in those times he was scorned for what he did. Today Bridges would be a hero.

Among a certain crowd, for sure. But I don't think most people, even today, believe being a crack addict is heroic.

king of comedy · 05-30-2016, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Oh, I'm glad he turned his life around, too, don't get me wrong.

But Todd Bridges talking about when TV used to be more wholesome when he and Dana were doing incredibly unwholesome things during that era is, as others have said here, hypocritical.

I loved that era, but it had its share of incredibly violent, messed up shows, even during the family hour. (The one that springs to my mind is that episode of Little House on the Prairie where Albert's girlfriend is raped by a mime. My god... that was nightmare fuel!)

Anyway, we've entered a new golden age of television. Yes, there's plenty of junk, but also some amazing shows, and no more monopoly of three networks.

Ditto! A lot of messed up shows and movies.

WalterTheDrinker · 06-23-2016, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babalu

The difference is that in those times he was scorned for what he did. Today Bridges would be a hero.

Prove your ridiculous claim with examples from today.

WalterTheDrinker · 06-23-2016, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Television

Of those shows the only one I like is Breaking Bad. The sitcoms you mentioned I can't stand. I wanted to like Arrested Development but I didn't find it funny. I won't even get into The Office which I hate. At least it has a theme song though.

I didn't like Arrested Development when I first watched it. Gave up disappointed after a few episodes.

I returned to it a few weeks or months later, and I'm so glad I did. Something just clicked, and I got what the show was doing the second time around. I ended up addicted to it and it was some of the funniest television I have ever seen.

Crusinforabrusin · 08-24-2016, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Television

90% of today's sitcoms are garbage. The Dramas are better.

100% of today's sitcoms are bad and 100% of today's drama's are bad also

05-25-2016, 02:53 PM	#18
WalterTheDrinker Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 19, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 168	TV is not only better now, it's way better now. You're not stuck with three major networks anymore. There are so many channels putting out great original content these days. As for comedies over the last 10 years, Arrested Development (FOX), The Office (NBC), Silicon Valley (HBO), and Veep (HBO) are all outstanding. As for dramas, Breaking Bad (AMC), Better Call Saul (AMC), Game of Thrones (HBO), Weeds (Showtime), and a few others are some of the best TV dramas ever. Todd Bridges is just clinging to the past instead of adapting to the present.

05-25-2016, 06:37 PM	#20
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	He sounds like a hypocrite.

05-29-2016, 02:43 AM	#22
Edward216 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 18, 2014 Location: Central Time Zone Posts: 4,648	I agree with Todd Bridges 100%. Most TV shows today are garbage. There are a few I like but not many. Ed.