Why a telegram to announce James' death? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

nerrad · 09-07-2005, 02:07 PM

That has bugged me ever since I first watched it. And Florida even said that he "wrote" to her earlier. It's no telling how long the man had been dead

.

Please answer how come they didn't use a telephone. He should've called like Florida did when she attended her aunt's funeral.

hatwink · 09-07-2005, 02:44 PM

Probably Lear's way of getting back at John Amos.

TVFactFan · 09-07-2005, 02:57 PM

Does anyone find it odd that Michael cried LOUDLY when the Old Man died but barley cried when James died

vashti1999 · 09-07-2005, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroTVCollector

Does anyone find it odd that Michael cried LOUDLY when the Old Man died but barley cried when James died

That's because the old man didn't yell at Michael and threaten to use his belt on him.

nerrad · 09-07-2005, 03:11 PM

"Mom, is he dead"? "Oh boo hoo".

GeorgeWBushGOP · 09-07-2005, 03:18 PM

You would have thought his uncle would have called. I mean they were in business together right?

I know it was the 70's but they were not exactly the pony express days. There were phones!!

LadyBee · 09-07-2005, 04:10 PM

They probably had the phone disconnected since they were about to move. :?:
That's something to look for when that episode re-airs.

Brieannas21 · 09-07-2005, 04:40 PM

I think everyone was in a state of shock when they got the Telegram saying that James had been killed, so it could have taken a little while for it to sink in. By that time the credits were rolling LOL

Ireneparalegal · 09-07-2005, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeWBushGOP

You would have thought his uncle would have called. I mean they were in business together right?

I know it was the 70's but they were not exactly the pony express days. There were phones!!

LOL George...so true and yet so funny...who receives a telegram announcing a death?? I had made a thread abt this sometime back, but you know, it still deserves some posts.

BTW George, did you know that out of every 5 telegrams sent, .01% is in regards to a relatives' death? One out of...one family LOL in the ghetto gets that telegram...

JeffRuss1972 · 09-07-2005, 06:26 PM

Maybe James and his uncle were both killed in the automobile accident. Not sure if any other family members were still there in Mississippi. I always assumed the phone had been cut off by the time they got the telegram. But for years before I actually SAW the episode, people kept telling me that they got the news by a phone call. I was kind of surprised the way it turned out with a telegram. They must have gotten this idea(partially) from the episode of M*A*S*H where Radar "announces" that Henry Blake has been killed. It had dramatic effect. JMO

James"Thunder"Early · 09-07-2005, 06:32 PM

I think it was for effect and delivery. Florida reading that James died as opposed to having her hear it on the phone was instant delivery and everybody got the effect at the same time as Florida who didn't expect to read that.

TVFactFan · 09-07-2005, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyBee

They probably had the phone disconnected since they were about to move. :?:
That's something to look for when that episode re-airs.

Their phone was disconnected when they wasn't moving-lol

Ireneparalegal · 09-07-2005, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroTVCollector

Their phone was disconnected when they wasn't moving-lol

AWESOME RETRO JUST AWESOME...you missed your calling as a comedian or a clown...hey a clown...JUDY COHEN!!!!!! LOL

GeorgeWBushGOP · 09-07-2005, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

BTW George, did you know that out of every 5 telegrams sent, .01% is in regards to a relatives' death? One out of...one family LOL in the ghetto gets that telegram...

Ah more double talk, statistic mumbo jumbo to fool my family into realizing I am a loser who can't hold a job.

It has nothing to do with me baby. It's the statistics.

Ireneparalegal · 09-07-2005, 08:55 PM

[QUOTE=GeorgeWBushGOP]Ah more double talk, statistic mumbo jumbo to fool my family into realizing I am a loser who can't hold a job.

It has nothing to do with me baby. It's the statistics.[/QUOTE

"Well I am tired of feeding my family oatmeal!!!!" "When are you gonna let me go to the welfare office and get some food stamps??? You're damn pride. It's only food stamps James!!!"

09-07-2005, 02:07 PM	#1
nerrad Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 06, 2003 Location: pfunkytown Posts: 1,253	Why a telegram to announce James' death? That has bugged me ever since I first watched it. And Florida even said that he "wrote" to her earlier. It's no telling how long the man had been dead . Please answer how come they didn't use a telephone. He should've called like Florida did when she attended her aunt's funeral.

09-07-2005, 06:26 PM	#10
JeffRuss1972 70s Sitcoms Rule!!! Eternal Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 11, 2005 Location: Villa Rica, GA Posts: 1,257	Maybe James and his uncle were both killed in the automobile accident. Not sure if any other family members were still there in Mississippi. I always assumed the phone had been cut off by the time they got the telegram. But for years before I actually SAW the episode, people kept telling me that they got the news by a phone call. I was kind of surprised the way it turned out with a telegram. They must have gotten this idea(partially) from the episode of MAS*H where Radar "announces" that Henry Blake has been killed. It had dramatic effect. JMO
	__________________ Previously JalanRuss for a SHORT time, but got my OLD Username Back! Hello Again

09-07-2005, 06:32 PM	#11
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088	I think it was for effect and delivery. Florida reading that James died as opposed to having her hear it on the phone was instant delivery and everybody got the effect at the same time as Florida who didn't expect to read that.
	__________________ Esther Anderson: Get thee behind me, Satan, but I'm gon' get behind you, 'cause I'm gonna put my foot in your--- Peggy Mitchell: Get outta my pub! You better pray you get the last laugh, it's a kick in the teeth when you don't get it.

09-07-2005, 02:44 PM	#2
hatwink Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 19, 2004 Posts: 773	Probably Lear's way of getting back at John Amos.

09-07-2005, 02:57 PM	#3
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,062	Does anyone find it odd that Michael cried LOUDLY when the Old Man died but barley cried when James died

09-07-2005, 03:11 PM	#5
nerrad Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 06, 2003 Location: pfunkytown Posts: 1,253	"Mom, is he dead"? "Oh boo hoo".

09-07-2005, 03:18 PM	#6
GeorgeWBushGOP Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 04, 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 802	You would have thought his uncle would have called. I mean they were in business together right? I know it was the 70's but they were not exactly the pony express days. There were phones!!

09-07-2005, 04:10 PM	#7
LadyBee Tenderoni Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 31, 2004 Location: Vega$ Posts: 380	They probably had the phone disconnected since they were about to move. :?: That's something to look for when that episode re-airs.

09-07-2005, 04:40 PM	#8
Brieannas21 Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 05, 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 9,792	I think everyone was in a state of shock when they got the Telegram saying that James had been killed, so it could have taken a little while for it to sink in. By that time the credits were rolling LOL

09-07-2005, 08:55 PM	#15
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	[QUOTE=GeorgeWBushGOP]Ah more double talk, statistic mumbo jumbo to fool my family into realizing I am a loser who can't hold a job. It has nothing to do with me baby. It's the statistics.[/QUOTE "Well I am tired of feeding my family oatmeal!!!!" "When are you gonna let me go to the welfare office and get some food stamps??? You're damn pride. It's only food stamps James!!!"