What was cool about Growing Pains? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

interceptor · 03-11-2005, 05:52 AM

What was cool about Growing Pains? Growing Pains was a great sitcom, but what was cool about it? In my book, Growing Pains is probably my second favorite sitcom ever aired. First place would have to go to Third Rock From the Sun. For pure laughs, that show was great. Growing Pains was also funny, though its humor was very different than that of Third Rocks. Growing Pains also had a lot of heart. You could really identify with the characters, and the characters meshed well. It was like the actors were really family, and not just playing a role. From things I've heard and read about the show, the cast was really very close, like family. I think that is part of what made Growing Pains great. Also, the show had a good message. The family was close knit and loved and supported each other. The problems they dealt with were realistic and not necessarily cut and dried with a simple solution at the end of each episode. I get so sick and tired of the direction modern TV is taking, with its reality TV shows that promote backstabbing, selfishness, and egotism. What happened to the days of the 80s sitcom where family unity and light hearted humor were the standard? I think part of the reason I identify with Growing Pains is because I identified with the characters. I was in junior high and high school when the show was big, so I really sympathized with some of Mike's run-ins with his teachers, principal, and parents. Back then I thought Tracey Gold was pretty hot, and every girl in my class thought Kirk Cameron was the best thing since sliced bread. I think it's a poor commentary on our society that a show like Growing Pains probably wouldn't make it on TV today. I get nostalgic looking back, missing Growing Pains and others of my favorite 80s TV shows like Hunter, Cheers, The Dukes of Hazard, Miami Vice, Airwolf, Knight Rider, and The A-Team. They just don't make TV like that anymore, and that's a shame.

dave insinga · 05-20-2005, 10:11 AM

KIRK CAMERON'S MIKE WAS A COOL GUY AND HE NEVER SOLDOUT THE CHARACTER TO BE CHEAP.YOU NEVER ONCE SAY HIM SLEEPING AROUND AND ALWAYS TRIED TO SHOW RIGHT FROM WRONG.THIS IS RARE IN MANY SITCOM CHARACTERS.

Classicshowsgurl15 · 07-06-2005, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by interceptor

What was cool about Growing Pains? Growing Pains was a great sitcom, but what was cool about it? In my book, Growing Pains is probably my second favorite sitcom ever aired. First place would have to go to Third Rock From the Sun. For pure laughs, that show was great. Growing Pains was also funny, though its humor was very different than that of Third Rocks. Growing Pains also had a lot of heart. You could really identify with the characters, and the characters meshed well. It was like the actors were really family, and not just playing a role. From things I've heard and read about the show, the cast was really very close, like family. I think that is part of what made Growing Pains great. Also, the show had a good message. The family was close knit and loved and supported each other. The problems they dealt with were realistic and not necessarily cut and dried with a simple solution at the end of each episode. I get so sick and tired of the direction modern TV is taking, with its reality TV shows that promote backstabbing, selfishness, and egotism. What happened to the days of the 80s sitcom where family unity and light hearted humor were the standard? I think part of the reason I identify with Growing Pains is because I identified with the characters. I was in junior high and high school when the show was big, so I really sympathized with some of Mike's run-ins with his teachers, principal, and parents. Back then I thought Tracey Gold was pretty hot, and every girl in my class thought Kirk Cameron was the best thing since sliced bread. I think it's a poor commentary on our society that a show like Growing Pains probably wouldn't make it on TV today. I get nostalgic looking back, missing Growing Pains and others of my favorite 80s TV shows like Hunter, Cheers, The Dukes of Hazard, Miami Vice, Airwolf, Knight Rider, and The A-Team. They just don't make TV like that anymore, and that's a shame.

I totally agree with you. I love classic tv and I wish they would put all these shows back on. On tvland and nick@nite they are putting on all these new shows on there and not putting back on all the classic shows. I don't watch much of what is on tv today except maybe Spin City and Friends and that's about it. I loved Growing Pains when it was on even though I wasn't around in the 80's I watched it in Syndication. I would watch it everyday when it was on. I wish they would bring back like The Facts of Life, Family Ties, Head of the Class and Growing Pains all back to tv.
I know reality tv is so stupid!

It's just a bunch of people putting other people down. It is mean and every other word that they say is a cuss word. I just love Classic tv and that is what is the best. I can relate to the characters and the kind of problems that they had on episodes are problems that people can actually relate to as well. Classic tv was just good clean family entertainment and I wish that is how it still was.

Better Days · 02-07-2006, 03:24 AM

Quote:

a show like Growing Pains probably wouldn't make it on TV today

Sure it would. The problem is, with 6 networks, the internet, and DVD's, A TV station doesn't get enough viewers to justify spending the TON of money it takes to make a GREAT show like Growing Pains.
But when it's in sindication, people are watching it.

The reason we have so many reality shows is because they don't need to hire writers or acters.

barb1686 · 02-07-2006, 06:49 PM

I think what made the show a success was the cast, the viewers, and the time era. When I watch this show it brings me back in time, and I feel like I'm back in the 80's/90's. Kirk was a huge success, teenie boppers were a completely different thing than it is now...there's no comparison. Family values, that's what the show was based on. There aren't really any shows in primetime that are family based and are about a family's daily life. And if there's kids, they're mainly supporting actors who pop up every blue moon. (Unless you turn to Disney or Nickelodeon and those don't even begin to count.) Another thing that made this show a success was the chemistry and the writing. These actors really became bonded and they played well off one another. The writing was superb for the time. I probably wouldn't give this show a chance these days...just cause I wouldn't know how to react to this kind of thing in 2006. Growing Pains has the 80's written all over it. I'm not saying no one would watch it, but I don't think the show would work as well. It's sad to see all the good sitcoms go, but it makes you cherish these old shows even more.

BigMamaFolk · 02-25-2006, 03:27 AM

It was so close to home. You could relate to all the children in so way and you always had to love Mike. It didn't hurt that I was one of many to fall in love with Kirk Cameron as Mike Seaver lol. They dealt with alot of real problems and helped alot of teens deal. They were all attractive cast thats always a plus. Each character brought something different to the plate. They never turned into a cheap sleezy scene like alot of shows have done now days like Beverly Hills 90210 & Dawsons Creek to name a few. Don't get me wrong I loved them once for a time but they sold out to the trashy set. Growing Pains was one of a dying breed like Who's the Boss, Family Ties, to name a few. I just hope that network execs someday figure out what people really want and make more shows like Growing Pains. Well now I feel like I've got on a soapbox or something. lol

Kudos to the writers, actors, & producers of Growing Pains. We'll see you in re-runs.

03-11-2005, 05:52 AM	#1
interceptor Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 26, 2005 Posts: 6	What was cool about Growing Pains? What was cool about Growing Pains? Growing Pains was a great sitcom, but what was cool about it? In my book, Growing Pains is probably my second favorite sitcom ever aired. First place would have to go to Third Rock From the Sun. For pure laughs, that show was great. Growing Pains was also funny, though its humor was very different than that of Third Rocks. Growing Pains also had a lot of heart. You could really identify with the characters, and the characters meshed well. It was like the actors were really family, and not just playing a role. From things I've heard and read about the show, the cast was really very close, like family. I think that is part of what made Growing Pains great. Also, the show had a good message. The family was close knit and loved and supported each other. The problems they dealt with were realistic and not necessarily cut and dried with a simple solution at the end of each episode. I get so sick and tired of the direction modern TV is taking, with its reality TV shows that promote backstabbing, selfishness, and egotism. What happened to the days of the 80s sitcom where family unity and light hearted humor were the standard? I think part of the reason I identify with Growing Pains is because I identified with the characters. I was in junior high and high school when the show was big, so I really sympathized with some of Mike's run-ins with his teachers, principal, and parents. Back then I thought Tracey Gold was pretty hot, and every girl in my class thought Kirk Cameron was the best thing since sliced bread. I think it's a poor commentary on our society that a show like Growing Pains probably wouldn't make it on TV today. I get nostalgic looking back, missing Growing Pains and others of my favorite 80s TV shows like Hunter, Cheers, The Dukes of Hazard, Miami Vice, Airwolf, Knight Rider, and The A-Team. They just don't make TV like that anymore, and that's a shame.

05-20-2005, 10:11 AM	#2
dave insinga Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 19, 2005 Posts: 590	GROWING PAINS GREAT VALUES KIRK CAMERON'S MIKE WAS A COOL GUY AND HE NEVER SOLDOUT THE CHARACTER TO BE CHEAP.YOU NEVER ONCE SAY HIM SLEEPING AROUND AND ALWAYS TRIED TO SHOW RIGHT FROM WRONG.THIS IS RARE IN MANY SITCOM CHARACTERS.

02-07-2006, 06:49 PM	#5
barb1686 Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 02, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,120	I think what made the show a success was the cast, the viewers, and the time era. When I watch this show it brings me back in time, and I feel like I'm back in the 80's/90's. Kirk was a huge success, teenie boppers were a completely different thing than it is now...there's no comparison. Family values, that's what the show was based on. There aren't really any shows in primetime that are family based and are about a family's daily life. And if there's kids, they're mainly supporting actors who pop up every blue moon. (Unless you turn to Disney or Nickelodeon and those don't even begin to count.) Another thing that made this show a success was the chemistry and the writing. These actors really became bonded and they played well off one another. The writing was superb for the time. I probably wouldn't give this show a chance these days...just cause I wouldn't know how to react to this kind of thing in 2006. Growing Pains has the 80's written all over it. I'm not saying no one would watch it, but I don't think the show would work as well. It's sad to see all the good sitcoms go, but it makes you cherish these old shows even more.
	__________________ SBTB Corner

02-25-2006, 03:27 AM	#6
BigMamaFolk Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 25, 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 5	It was so close to home. You could relate to all the children in so way and you always had to love Mike. It didn't hurt that I was one of many to fall in love with Kirk Cameron as Mike Seaver lol. They dealt with alot of real problems and helped alot of teens deal. They were all attractive cast thats always a plus. Each character brought something different to the plate. They never turned into a cheap sleezy scene like alot of shows have done now days like Beverly Hills 90210 & Dawsons Creek to name a few. Don't get me wrong I loved them once for a time but they sold out to the trashy set. Growing Pains was one of a dying breed like Who's the Boss, Family Ties, to name a few. I just hope that network execs someday figure out what people really want and make more shows like Growing Pains. Well now I feel like I've got on a soapbox or something. lol Kudos to the writers, actors, & producers of Growing Pains. We'll see you in re-runs.