the "Reverse Oliver" effect - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Chocoholic · 07-20-2004, 01:12 PM

Sometimes, when a new character is added to a show (like Cousin Oliver on the Brady Bunch), the quality of the show goes downhill fast. Other times, the added character actually improves the series. Which characters do you think actually improved the TV series they were on, and basically had the "Reverse Oliver" effect?

Some I can think of right now...

Rebecca (Cheers)
Reverend Jim (Taxi)
Antonio (Wings)

AtlantaBravesFan29 · 07-20-2004, 01:45 PM

Markie Post improved The Fall Guy tremendously when she joined the cast in the second season.

Also when she joined Night Court,after leaving The Fall Guy,it improved the cast greatly as well.

Chelsea · 07-20-2004, 01:46 PM

Jo (Facts of Life) comes to mind immediately right off the top of my head (Trimming down the cast size also helped)

dlemond · 07-20-2004, 01:48 PM

Frasier on Cheers.

Obviously.

Dietrich on Barney Miller

Chocoholic · 07-20-2004, 02:25 PM

I forgot about Frasier on Cheers. He was a great addition.

Dean Winchester · 07-20-2004, 03:14 PM

well... not live action

but I thought when Timmy was added, South Park really hit it's stride

I also thought the additions of James Marsters and Emma Caulfield as regulars tp Buffy The Vampire Slayer in season 4 both more than made up for David Boreanez and Charisma Carpenter's departures at the end of season 3

Chad22 · 07-20-2004, 03:33 PM

Chachi Arcola on Happy Days.

Jack Hunter on Boy Meets World.

Rich On Step By Step.

Roger on Happy Days. (ALOT Of people dont like him, But i think he was an excellent addition to the show and is one of my favorite characters.)

Beans On Even Stevens.

The Entire Powell Family on Charles In Charge was ALOT Better than the Pembrokes.

Mr. Furley on Threes Company. The Ropers were great, But Mr. Furley was excellence.

Kristen · 07-20-2004, 03:55 PM

Sue Ann Nivens - The Mary Tyler Moore Show
And I agree about Antonio on Wings, too!

I'm sure there are others, but those are the only two that come to mind right now.

ShawnieMac · 07-20-2004, 04:41 PM

I don't know for certain if this addition improved the acutal qualityof the show, but it did improve (and increased) the longetivity of this particular sitcom...

Steve Urkel on Family Matters

I watched Family Matters from its beginning on ABC in 1989 to its conclusion on CBS in 1998 (I think its final episode aired the night after Seinfeld's on NBC). To me, the show was decent pre-Urkel, but the Urkel addition put the show on the map.

Chambers · 07-20-2004, 04:54 PM

I think Frasier is the epitome of the reverse Oliver effect.

Lilith also greatly improved the show when she became a regular.

I don't think Rebecca fit that exactly. As I see it, the improvement in the show didn't originated from her character specifically. I believe there were other factors involved.

AKA · 07-20-2004, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chambers
I don't think Rebecca fit that exactly. As I see it, the improvement in the show didn't originated from her character specifically. I believe there were other factors involved.

Namely the writing.

Chambers · 07-20-2004, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA
Namely the writing.

Yes, that and treating the cast as more of an ensemble cast, thereby renewing the energy among the characters. I personally like the way things were in the earlier seasons, but I know there are people who like this style better. So my point was that these changes were not due to Rebecca's arrival - it was more a result of Diane's departure than anything else.

How about Newman on Seinfeld?

spunkygirl · 07-20-2004, 05:28 PM

Jack Hunter Boy Meets World

Rich on Step By Step

Jefferson on Married with Children

Casey on Wings

Frasier, Lillith and Woody on Cheers

BJ and Col. Potter on M*A*S*H

Sitcomwriter · 07-20-2004, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chambers
How about Newman on Seinfeld?

I think I prefer the episodes without Newman.

barwars · 07-20-2004, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Angela Micelli
Jack Hunter Boy Meets World

Although it didnt go bad.... I prefer the episodes without him.

Anyways.... definately Frasier on Cheers.

Also.... Terry on Three's Company.
After the Chrissy character became a buffoon and the terrible Cindy.... Terry was a VERY welcome addition.

Also.... Larry Dallas on Three's Company. Most underrated TV character ever.

07-20-2004, 01:12 PM	#1
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	the "Reverse Oliver" effect Sometimes, when a new character is added to a show (like Cousin Oliver on the Brady Bunch), the quality of the show goes downhill fast. Other times, the added character actually improves the series. Which characters do you think actually improved the TV series they were on, and basically had the "Reverse Oliver" effect? Some I can think of right now... Rebecca (Cheers) Reverend Jim (Taxi) Antonio (Wings)

07-20-2004, 03:55 PM	#8
Kristen Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2000 Location: New York, USA Posts: 4,042	Sue Ann Nivens - The Mary Tyler Moore Show And I agree about Antonio on Wings, too! I'm sure there are others, but those are the only two that come to mind right now.
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07-20-2004, 04:54 PM	#10
Chambers The Crane Trinity Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 27, 2004 Location: Where everybody knows a Crane. Posts: 5,427	I think Frasier is the epitome of the reverse Oliver effect. Lilith also greatly improved the show when she became a regular. I don't think Rebecca fit that exactly. As I see it, the improvement in the show didn't originated from her character specifically. I believe there were other factors involved.
	__________________ Member of the "God, Lilith is so ing cool" Fan Club Where everybody knows your tossed salads and scrambled eggs. FREEDOM OF THOUGHT blank

07-20-2004, 01:45 PM	#2
AtlantaBravesFan29 Atlanta Braves Fan Senior Member Join Date: Aug 13, 2002 Location: Pleasanton,TX--40 Miles South Of San Antonio Posts: 1,859	Markie Post improved The Fall Guy tremendously when she joined the cast in the second season. Also when she joined Night Court,after leaving The Fall Guy,it improved the cast greatly as well.

07-20-2004, 01:46 PM	#3
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	Jo (Facts of Life) comes to mind immediately right off the top of my head (Trimming down the cast size also helped)

07-20-2004, 01:48 PM	#4
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	Frasier on Cheers. Obviously. Dietrich on Barney Miller

07-20-2004, 02:25 PM	#5
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	I forgot about Frasier on Cheers. He was a great addition.

07-20-2004, 03:14 PM	#6
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	well... not live action but I thought when Timmy was added, South Park really hit it's stride I also thought the additions of James Marsters and Emma Caulfield as regulars tp Buffy The Vampire Slayer in season 4 both more than made up for David Boreanez and Charisma Carpenter's departures at the end of season 3

07-20-2004, 03:33 PM	#7
Chad22 Captain Juke N Jive Moderator Forum Addict Join Date: Nov 23, 2002 Location: Caribou, Maine Posts: 71,662	Chachi Arcola on Happy Days. Jack Hunter on Boy Meets World. Rich On Step By Step. Roger on Happy Days. (ALOT Of people dont like him, But i think he was an excellent addition to the show and is one of my favorite characters.) Beans On Even Stevens. The Entire Powell Family on Charles In Charge was ALOT Better than the Pembrokes. Mr. Furley on Threes Company. The Ropers were great, But Mr. Furley was excellence.

07-20-2004, 04:41 PM	#9
ShawnieMac Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 24, 2004 Location: California Posts: 43	I don't know for certain if this addition improved the acutal qualityof the show, but it did improve (and increased) the longetivity of this particular sitcom... Steve Urkel on Family Matters I watched Family Matters from its beginning on ABC in 1989 to its conclusion on CBS in 1998 (I think its final episode aired the night after Seinfeld's on NBC). To me, the show was decent pre-Urkel, but the Urkel addition put the show on the map.

07-20-2004, 05:28 PM	#13
spunkygirl Member Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 21,563	Jack Hunter Boy Meets World Rich on Step By Step Jefferson on Married with Children Casey on Wings Frasier, Lillith and Woody on Cheers BJ and Col. Potter on MAS*H