Sophisticated show

[jamesanthony]

I watched this show all throughout its primetime run. It ended in my junior year of HS. My memories of it were that it was a rather silly little series with a lot of sexual innuendo. I have caught a couple episodes in syndication recently and maybe it's the random episodes I'm catching, but this show is not just some jiggle T and A series, but is actually of a better quality than the typical sitcom today especially once Chrissy got out of the picture.

In the beginning Chrissy was fine but they kept making her more and more embarassingly stupid. Her part in year 3 through her departure at the start of year 5 marr this show and make it dumber, but the other seasons seem to be fairly sophisticated: there is a genuine affection between the roommates, the supporting players (Ropers, Furley, Larry) are good comic relief and the main trio are all good physical comics and are actors with training not stand up comics or former singers or supermodels who were popular and created a show around their acts or their personalities.

I also like the fact that the show was shot on videotape without pointless background music and lame establishing shots. It gives it a nice theatrical quality. I don't know how accurate that companion book Come and Knock On Your Door is, but I read that one episode was taped in one shot and aired with very little editing and wasn't any the worse in quality than the others.

Also, for a show that was supposed to be a sex farce there was no onscreen sex and for all we know the 3 roommates may have never scored with anyone in all 8 seasons. They were still tasteful enough at that point to leave all the graphic details to the viewers' imaginations.

By the way, the random shows I have seen are:

Year 5- Jack vows to tell the truth at all times

Year 6- Jack gets engaged to a controlling woman (Karen Austin)

Year 6- Jack dates an efficiency expert who is a pain in the butt for Janet at her job

[Chain Gang Member]

Actually Jack did in Season 2(Will The Real Jack Tripper)

[Zuzzy]

I also like the fact that the show was shot on videotape without pointless background music and lame establishing shots. It gives it a nice theatrical quality.

True. I never really think about it much when I'm watching the show, but now that you mention it, it does seem a lot more theatrical than other shows. My dad once said something like the Ropers were sort of classic theatrical characters, the bickering married couple. Another interesting thing is that you can hear individuals in the audience that have unusual laughs, which is not true of most other shows.

[Mrs. Ducky]

Originally posted by Zuzzy
Another interesting thing is that you can hear individuals in the audience that have unusual laughs, which is not true of most other shows.

Is it weird that I enjoy listening to that?

[Zuzzy]

Originally posted by Mrs. Ducky
Is it weird that I enjoy listening to that?

I find that amusing, too. Like in "A Night Not to Remember," this lady in the audience had an odd shrieking laugh at the part when Jack is drunk and tries to get undressed.

[Janet Tripper]

Originally posted by jamesanthony
Also, for a show that was supposed to be a sex farce there was no onscreen sex and for all we know the 3 roommates may have never scored with anyone in all 8 seasons. They were still tasteful enough at that point to leave all the graphic details to the viewers' imaginations.

I so agree! I love the way this show is so innocent!!!!!!! and cute!!! Everyone from a little kid to a older adult could site and watch this together without having to worry if it's suitable for the whole family. !!!!!!!

[savy333]

I've always thought that it seemed like theatre because a lot of times the whole show will just be at the kids' apartment... the only break being for a commercial. It is like a little play that is split into two acts.

[Chain Gang Member]

Another interesting thing is that you can hear individuals in the audience that have unusual laughs, which is not true of most other shows.

In Jack Looks For A Job,I heard one lady going "woo" when Jack was at the modeling place

[David Bell]

Originally posted by Zuzzy
. Another interesting thing is that you can hear individuals in the audience that have unusual laughs, which is not true of most other shows.

I guess that's why "Married With Children" was so successful. The audience would go wild on that show; it wouldn't be unusual for the audience to go "YEEEEAAAH! AL!!"

[BuffaloBill]

that's a great point you make about the audience. the laughter wasnt scripped or fake. it just added the perfect background affects. and you could feel part of the program and audience. also all of my friends and family members could relate to the show...middle class -working characters- living comfotable with what they had. the ropers were like the old retired couple next door that always you could bump into and chat with.