5th Season Observations - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

achantz · 12-20-2005, 08:08 PM

i hadn't seen the DVDS for 20 years but have recently seen every show in sequence and am about 5 shows into year 5. More then any other year, I notice a distinct change.

It seems to me that the actors exude confidence. DVD is still Rob Petrie, of course, but to me he seems to be bursting out of the role. His success in Mary Poppins and his growing fame and his vast potential (which was sadly never reached, but that's another thread) almost dwarf the role he is scripted to play. And there seems a smugness amongst the cast...its not like they are struggling to make the show work, its more like they had an inkling just how fantastic the show was, and it shows.

Until recently I would have been dissapointed that the show did not go 2 or 3 years longer...but I can see evidence in season 5 that things had changed, and perhaps it wasn't such a bad thing that they went out on top. You don't need to look very far (MASH being the glaring example) to find shows that went from being very good to painfully bad.

SawgrassSteve · 12-20-2005, 10:03 PM

I hate to admit it, achantz, but you're probably right. We need to remember that doing a top notch show is not an easy job. If it were, everone would be doing it. Also, people change over time, and as you noted, the cast had definitely changed after 5 years, and so probably had the creative staff behind the scenes. Had this show continued production and jumped the shark, it's legacy would no doubt be quite different.
I guess it's just our own selfishness that makes us wish this show had kept going. We all want to keep on receiving the pleasure this show has brought to so many for so long.

Steve

Lolac · 12-21-2005, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achantz

U You don't need to look very far (MASH being the glaring example) to find shows that went from being very good to painfully bad.

Amen. I only got the first 7 seasons of MASH because IMHO, it jumped the shark big time when Radar left. I love TDVDS because Carl Reiner had the integrity to get out when he said he would and he left us with one of the all-time greatest TV shows ever. Even my least favorite episodes are still good.

Lolac

12-20-2005, 08:08 PM	#1
achantz Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 13, 2005 Posts: 11	5th Season Observations i hadn't seen the DVDS for 20 years but have recently seen every show in sequence and am about 5 shows into year 5. More then any other year, I notice a distinct change. It seems to me that the actors exude confidence. DVD is still Rob Petrie, of course, but to me he seems to be bursting out of the role. His success in Mary Poppins and his growing fame and his vast potential (which was sadly never reached, but that's another thread) almost dwarf the role he is scripted to play. And there seems a smugness amongst the cast...its not like they are struggling to make the show work, its more like they had an inkling just how fantastic the show was, and it shows. Until recently I would have been dissapointed that the show did not go 2 or 3 years longer...but I can see evidence in season 5 that things had changed, and perhaps it wasn't such a bad thing that they went out on top. You don't need to look very far (MASH being the glaring example) to find shows that went from being very good to painfully bad.

12-20-2005, 10:03 PM	#2
SawgrassSteve Loyal Worshipper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,423	I hate to admit it, achantz, but you're probably right. We need to remember that doing a top notch show is not an easy job. If it were, everone would be doing it. Also, people change over time, and as you noted, the cast had definitely changed after 5 years, and so probably had the creative staff behind the scenes. Had this show continued production and jumped the shark, it's legacy would no doubt be quite different. I guess it's just our own selfishness that makes us wish this show had kept going. We all want to keep on receiving the pleasure this show has brought to so many for so long. Steve
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