Two Sitcom Ideas - One Worked, the Other Didn't

[Steve M.]

Consider these two ideas for sitcoms, both of which actually got developed, and ask which one you would have picked up if you ran NBC and neither of these ideas had ever been tried before.

IDEA 1: A Boston psychiatrist returns to his hometown in the Pacific Northwest and begins a talk radio show in which he dispenses advice to his listeners. A single man, he has to deal with a lot of problems, including a harried domestic life that involves his father and brother, and an impetous female producer at his radio station.

IDEA 2: A Los Angeles radio personality moves to a town in the Pacific Northwest to begin a talk radio show in a more relaxed radio market, in which he dispenses advice to his listeners. A single man, he has to deal with a lot of problems, including a harried domestic life that involves his two daughters, and an impetous female producer at his radio station.

Which idea you you choose? I'd toss a coin. But the first idea became "Frasier," one of the best sitcoms of all time, which triumphantly ends its 11-year run this spring. The second idea was "Hello Larry," a McLean Stevenson vehicle that, like other McLean Stevenson vehicles, was a lemon. Witlessly written, haphazardly performed, and only occasionally funny, "Hello Larry" was everything "Frasier" was not, yet it somehow lasted a year and a half. This was, relatively speaking, a hit for Stevenson; not only was it one of his longest lasting shows ( ), but of five shows that priemered on NBC simultaneously in January 1979, "Hello Larry," lasting until the summer of 1980, was the only one of those shows to make it that far.

"Frasier" and "Hello Larry" are proof that what Roger Ebert said about movies also holds true for sitcoms: It's not the idea, it's what you do with the idea.

[Brian Damage]

That's an excellent observation Steve M. Frasier had superior writers, directors and producers. Not to mention a superior cast and a former #1 show to work off of.

[barwars]

Originally posted by Brian Damage
That's an excellent observation Steve M. Frasier had superior writers, directors and producers. Not to mention a superior cast and a former #1 show to work off of.

I agree completely.


Although from what Ive seen, I enjoyed "Hello, Larry".... but it sure is no Frasier.

I think another aspect is that Frasier had no children as regular cast members.
It was one of the few family sitcoms that didnt include children.

[Steve M.]

Originally posted by barwars88
I think another aspect is that Frasier had no children as regular cast members.
It was one of the few family sitcoms that didnt include children.

That's another great point! Some television critics, in fact, like to point out that "Everybody Loves Raymond" works best when Ally and the twins aren't involved.

Of course, another key difference between Larry Alder and Frasier Crane is that Frasier is more sophisticated, allowing for "Frasier" to have more sophisticated humor. I mean, could you imagine Larry Alder shooting off witty repartees?

[Brian Damage]

Yeah, but Larry's kids weren't kids they were teenagers. I actually enjoyed when Frasier interacted with his son.

[barwars]

Originally posted by Brian Damage
Yeah, but Larry's kids weren't kids they were teenagers. I actually enjoyed when Frasier interacted with his son.

I did too.
But Im glad Frederick lived with Lilith.
He was good, but only in small doses.