Tv pet peeves - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Magnum · 07-06-2005, 07:47 PM

I have a few pet peeves I want to get off my chest. First, why do tv stations cut time off old shows, just to show an extra minute or two of commercials. Wouldn't it be nice to see the whole show, as it aired on tv?

Second, what is up with those boxes that pop up while a tv show is playing. For example, I was watching TBS, and they had their logo pop up on the right botton 1/9th of the screen (a large logo), then it rotated and an advertisment for Sex in the City appeared while the show was playing. It makes watching a tv show kinda distracting. Don't they know they have time for commericals to advertise their shows, without having more advertising while a show is playing??

Third, and I don't know if this is old age creeping up on me and I get easily annoyed, but why do all comedy shows need a laugh track?? And they play the laugh sounds for anything. A person can appear on a show, say "good morning" and the laugh track plays. A minute later, he says a joke and the laugh track is there. Don't the studios trust the viewers enough so that we can decide when to laugh and what is funny??

treky · 07-07-2005, 12:54 AM

you're not the only one to get upset about the laugh track during sitcoms; people were complaning about it years ago. In fact, I remember once, in 1971, Tony Ranndall convinced ABC to air an episode of "The Odd Couple" without it, and to have veiers write in and say if they liked it better with a laugh track, or without. Unfortunately, the "withs" won, and it stayed in.

(the episode was the one where Oscar gets a job at a "girly" magazine; if you should ever catch it in sydnication)

Also, when "MASH" started Larry Gelbart (the creator) wanted it shown without a laugh track, but CBS insisted on one, unfortunately.

And as for commercials, ads help pay for the shows, and ad rates keep going up, so they have to show more commercials, and to make room for them, they have no choice but to, unfortunately, cut out parts of the shows.

I know how you feel; all these things piss me off too!!!

And the reason stations have the logo on the screen is for all the "channel surfers". I don't know why they make it so big.

Magnum · 07-07-2005, 05:10 AM

I hope someone makes a TV that will remove the laugh track. It is so stupid. Once you notice it, you can't stop thinking about it.

Ant-Lox · 07-07-2005, 09:31 AM

NOTHING was worse than the "Lance Krall" show tv ad that spike TV used.....while Star Trek was on....out of nowhere, on the top right of the screen, a rope would fall down, then a guy would come down the right side of the screen as if he was scaling a building.....i mean, how annoying is that?

Chocoholic · 07-07-2005, 12:03 PM

Those are all major pet peeves of mine too. Is it just me, or are there also more commercials nowadays?

Another pet peeve of mine is networks deliberately running a show a minute or two off from the start of the hour. (Example: NBC starts ER at 9:58 PM instead of 10 PM.)

treky · 07-08-2005, 12:45 AM

yes, there are more commercials, sadly. It's because of the reasons I mentioned in my other post.

Another peeve of mine is when TBS shows back-to-back episodes of "Friends", "Everybody Loves Raymond", & "Seinfeld" and when the first one's over, they show the closing credits for it while they're showing the opening scene of the second one! Not so much with "Friends" it's mostly with Raymond & Seinfeld.

Maybe they also do it with other shows that they show; I don't know; those are the only TBS shows that I watch.

And, I just discovered tonight that TLC shows the closing credits of a show, while the show is ending! Bad enough that the "big three" networks (ABC, NBC & CBS) do it!

rodwayne · 07-12-2005, 10:55 AM

Yes,all of the disstractions annoy me to the bitter end! pissed: This "gimmick" been going on for years now,thrown in there by "the powers to be" because they think we're too stupid to know what's coming on next,so all thoughtout the program,they must show all of the annoying graphics.Also,they cut the ending off so that they can remind you for the upteeth time what show is coming on next(just in case you forgot it the frist one million times

)It's esspecially annoying when they show a movie and I might actually want to hear the end song to the closing credits,only to be interrupted by even more reminders about whatever shows are on weekdays,or whatever movie is next.The whole thing truely pissed: me off!

Heather987 · 07-12-2005, 03:08 PM

[QUOTE=treky]yes, there are more commercials, sadly. It's because of the reasons I mentioned in my other post.

Another peeve of mine is when TBS shows back-to-back episodes of "Friends", "Everybody Loves Raymond", & "Seinfeld" and when the first one's over, they show the closing credits for it while they're showing the opening scene of the second one! Not so much with "Friends" it's mostly with Raymond & Seinfeld.

TNT does does this with Law & Order also.

I guess my pet peeves are the same but I have others.

1. Why do the same shows have to be shown on so many channels, I would like to see other shows that I grew up to that are not shown anymore by anyone
2. (I am not predjudice but) I get tired of seeing shows that if the main characters are of one race (spanish, black, white etc...) then all there neighbors, friends, co-workers, schools are the same race and they have the token character of the opposite race thrown in and they usually make this character silly
3. When TBS, N@N, TVLand, Locals and others show a sitcom they dont show them in order or they skip shows and sometimes they skip a show that is important to the understanding of what the other episodes are about.
4. When a show takes out a main or pivotal character without explanation or ever mentioning them again
5. Syndication of a show omits or edits out certain words or phrases that they feel should not be allowed...but it was shown on network TV in prime time originally unedited.

As for the logo's I dont like them, but sometimes it is worth having it if it is the only way I am going to get to see a show. I think they could be more subtle in the way they do advertising for the channels during a show.

Commercials are more these days, they used to 2 minute breaks and I hated them growing up, but reflecting back I think I would rather watch the old commercials then the ones today they were much more entertaining then watching all the crap they call commercials today. And every channel seems to have commercials on at the same time. But even first run shows seems to have more commercials then ever before cause they need that ad money, and the more commercials the more money. I would rather see a show in its entirety and have all the commericials either shown before or after the show. Go ahead and play 10 min. of commercials in one 10 min. slot, I would rather have those 10 in. to do other stuff then to watch 5 min. of tv and 5 min. of commercials.

Cutting off the credits of a show, some shows it doesnt bother me like the shows that only play a roll up of the credits without any skits going on then it doesnt bother me, movies sometimes I would like to hear the end song but I can deal with it, but the one that I cant stand it the shows that have a tag at the end and the tag is cut out so you can hear about the other shows coming up over and over and they seems to put the show back to full screen after the tag ends.

laugh tracks dont bother me, I have learned to block them out but... TBS seems to (or maybe it is my TV's) turned the volume up on the laugh tracks on Friends. If it were a "real" live audience that was laughing then I wouldnt mind it so much cause it is real laughter not a track. I dont like the clapping that they have when a main character steps onto the screen, who cares we know we are going to see them we dont have to applaud them everytime do we. Married with Children is bad for this.

07-06-2005, 07:47 PM	#1
Magnum Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 23, 2005 Posts: 120	Tv pet peeves I have a few pet peeves I want to get off my chest. First, why do tv stations cut time off old shows, just to show an extra minute or two of commercials. Wouldn't it be nice to see the whole show, as it aired on tv? Second, what is up with those boxes that pop up while a tv show is playing. For example, I was watching TBS, and they had their logo pop up on the right botton 1/9th of the screen (a large logo), then it rotated and an advertisment for Sex in the City appeared while the show was playing. It makes watching a tv show kinda distracting. Don't they know they have time for commericals to advertise their shows, without having more advertising while a show is playing?? Third, and I don't know if this is old age creeping up on me and I get easily annoyed, but why do all comedy shows need a laugh track?? And they play the laugh sounds for anything. A person can appear on a show, say "good morning" and the laugh track plays. A minute later, he says a joke and the laugh track is there. Don't the studios trust the viewers enough so that we can decide when to laugh and what is funny??

07-07-2005, 12:54 AM	#2
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	you're not the only one to get upset about the laugh track during sitcoms; people were complaning about it years ago. In fact, I remember once, in 1971, Tony Ranndall convinced ABC to air an episode of "The Odd Couple" without it, and to have veiers write in and say if they liked it better with a laugh track, or without. Unfortunately, the "withs" won, and it stayed in. (the episode was the one where Oscar gets a job at a "girly" magazine; if you should ever catch it in sydnication) Also, when "MASH" started Larry Gelbart (the creator) wanted it shown without a laugh track, but CBS insisted on one, unfortunately. And as for commercials, ads help pay for the shows, and ad rates keep going up, so they have to show more commercials, and to make room for them, they have no choice but to, unfortunately, cut out parts of the shows. I know how you feel; all these things piss me off too!!! And the reason stations have the logo on the screen is for all the "channel surfers". I don't know why they make it so big.
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

07-07-2005, 09:31 AM	#4
Ant-Lox Cloud Watcher Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,824	NOTHING was worse than the "Lance Krall" show tv ad that spike TV used.....while Star Trek was on....out of nowhere, on the top right of the screen, a rope would fall down, then a guy would come down the right side of the screen as if he was scaling a building.....i mean, how annoying is that?
	__________________ Currently Watching: Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Sports Allegiances Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia Flyers Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia Eagles Detroit Red Wings New York Football Giants

07-07-2005, 05:10 AM	#3
Magnum Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 23, 2005 Posts: 120	I hope someone makes a TV that will remove the laugh track. It is so stupid. Once you notice it, you can't stop thinking about it.

07-07-2005, 12:03 PM	#5
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	Those are all major pet peeves of mine too. Is it just me, or are there also more commercials nowadays? Another pet peeve of mine is networks deliberately running a show a minute or two off from the start of the hour. (Example: NBC starts ER at 9:58 PM instead of 10 PM.)

07-08-2005, 12:45 AM	#6
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	yes, there are more commercials, sadly. It's because of the reasons I mentioned in my other post. Another peeve of mine is when TBS shows back-to-back episodes of "Friends", "Everybody Loves Raymond", & "Seinfeld" and when the first one's over, they show the closing credits for it while they're showing the opening scene of the second one! Not so much with "Friends" it's mostly with Raymond & Seinfeld. Maybe they also do it with other shows that they show; I don't know; those are the only TBS shows that I watch. And, I just discovered tonight that TLC shows the closing credits of a show, while the show is ending! Bad enough that the "big three" networks (ABC, NBC & CBS) do it!

07-12-2005, 10:55 AM	#7
rodwayne Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 27, 2002 Posts: 367	Yes,all of the disstractions annoy me to the bitter end! pissed: This "gimmick" been going on for years now,thrown in there by "the powers to be" because they think we're too stupid to know what's coming on next,so all thoughtout the program,they must show all of the annoying graphics.Also,they cut the ending off so that they can remind you for the upteeth time what show is coming on next(just in case you forgot it the frist one million times )It's esspecially annoying when they show a movie and I might actually want to hear the end song to the closing credits,only to be interrupted by even more reminders about whatever shows are on weekdays,or whatever movie is next.The whole thing truely pissed: me off!

07-12-2005, 03:08 PM	#8
Heather987 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 13, 2004 Posts: 476	[QUOTE=treky]yes, there are more commercials, sadly. It's because of the reasons I mentioned in my other post. Another peeve of mine is when TBS shows back-to-back episodes of "Friends", "Everybody Loves Raymond", & "Seinfeld" and when the first one's over, they show the closing credits for it while they're showing the opening scene of the second one! Not so much with "Friends" it's mostly with Raymond & Seinfeld. TNT does does this with Law & Order also. I guess my pet peeves are the same but I have others. 1. Why do the same shows have to be shown on so many channels, I would like to see other shows that I grew up to that are not shown anymore by anyone 2. (I am not predjudice but) I get tired of seeing shows that if the main characters are of one race (spanish, black, white etc...) then all there neighbors, friends, co-workers, schools are the same race and they have the token character of the opposite race thrown in and they usually make this character silly 3. When TBS, N@N, TVLand, Locals and others show a sitcom they dont show them in order or they skip shows and sometimes they skip a show that is important to the understanding of what the other episodes are about. 4. When a show takes out a main or pivotal character without explanation or ever mentioning them again 5. Syndication of a show omits or edits out certain words or phrases that they feel should not be allowed...but it was shown on network TV in prime time originally unedited. As for the logo's I dont like them, but sometimes it is worth having it if it is the only way I am going to get to see a show. I think they could be more subtle in the way they do advertising for the channels during a show. Commercials are more these days, they used to 2 minute breaks and I hated them growing up, but reflecting back I think I would rather watch the old commercials then the ones today they were much more entertaining then watching all the crap they call commercials today. And every channel seems to have commercials on at the same time. But even first run shows seems to have more commercials then ever before cause they need that ad money, and the more commercials the more money. I would rather see a show in its entirety and have all the commericials either shown before or after the show. Go ahead and play 10 min. of commercials in one 10 min. slot, I would rather have those 10 in. to do other stuff then to watch 5 min. of tv and 5 min. of commercials. Cutting off the credits of a show, some shows it doesnt bother me like the shows that only play a roll up of the credits without any skits going on then it doesnt bother me, movies sometimes I would like to hear the end song but I can deal with it, but the one that I cant stand it the shows that have a tag at the end and the tag is cut out so you can hear about the other shows coming up over and over and they seems to put the show back to full screen after the tag ends. laugh tracks dont bother me, I have learned to block them out but... TBS seems to (or maybe it is my TV's) turned the volume up on the laugh tracks on Friends. If it were a "real" live audience that was laughing then I wouldnt mind it so much cause it is real laughter not a track. I dont like the clapping that they have when a main character steps onto the screen, who cares we know we are going to see them we dont have to applaud them everytime do we. Married with Children is bad for this.