Were phone problems a popular sitcom situation? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

seventies_sitcoms · 02-15-2006, 01:06 PM

Having problems with the phone company must've been a popular sitcom storyline. We've seen Ann in the office at the phone company yelling, and I just saw an old Gimme a Break episode where Nell Carter rips the phone off the phone's guys desk. Well at least Ann didn't resort to that!

TVFactFan · 02-25-2006, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seventies_sitcoms

Having problems with the phone company must've been a popular sitcom storyline. We've seen Ann in the office at the phone company yelling, and I just saw an old Gimme a Break episode where Nell Carter rips the phone off the phone's guys desk. Well at least Ann didn't resort to that!

I'm surprised Ann had problems paying the phone bill-lol In 1976 there was no

Call waiting
Three Way calling
Voicemail
Call Block

How High could the phone bill have been?-lol

NancyEiE · 02-25-2006, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

I'm surprised Ann had problems paying the phone bill-lol In 1976 there was no

Call waiting
Three Way calling
Voicemail
Call Block

How High could the phone bill have been?-lol

From what I heard before Ma Bell broke up and it was a monopoly the prices were pretty high for that decade. Besides, she had two teenage daughters that would explain it. Maybe the high phone bill was Barbara and Julie's fault and they didn't want to confess to their mom.

catlover79 · 11-06-2007, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NancyEiE

From what I heard before Ma Bell broke up and it was a monopoly the prices were pretty high for that decade. Besides, she had two teenage daughters that would explain it. Maybe the high phone bill was Barbara and Julie's fault and they didn't want to confess to their mom.

Well said!

catlover79 · 01-12-2010, 02:41 AM

It kind of reminds me of the problems Dr. Johnny Fever (Howard Hesseman) had on WKRP with "the phone cops and how they know everything".

Of course, Howard Hesseman would later join ODAAT after WKRP ended as Ann's future husband, Sam.

NancyEiE · 01-12-2010, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Well said!

thank you, :-)

catlover79 · 01-12-2010, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NancyEiE

thank you, :-)

You're welcome!!

Marvo301 · 01-12-2010, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

It kind of reminds me of the problems Dr. Johnny Fever (Howard Hesseman) had on WKRP with "the phone cops and how they know everything".

Of course, Howard Hesseman would later join ODAAT after WKRP ended as Ann's future husband, Sam.

I love that line about the phone cops! Whatever happened to great TV like that. Nowadays they just "phone it in". (pun intended!)

biffbronson · 01-12-2010, 08:00 AM

Going back a decade to the sixties:

Green Acres spent a lot of time with Oliver trying to get phone service, eventually running or owning the phone company itself, and years later still having to climb a pole to make/receive calls!

On The Beverly Hillbillies, the Clampetts at first were unaware of phones altogether -- at least any modern ones. Jethro states that his mom back home does not have one, when it's suggested she be called. Years later, in a continuity error, Granny wants a party line to be installed at the mansion like she had "back home," where before she was seen to be totally unfamiliar with telephones. Predictably, Jethro's bad wiring job causes an explosion on Granny's end...!

On Petticoat Junction, the wall phone in the lobby is inoperable -- just there for looks...!

On Gilligan's Island, the castaways spend an episode tapped into a large, downed phone cable.

Back in the '50s, on an episode of Lassie, Jeff needs to get through with an emergency message, but a lady on the line ignores him as she doesn't realize the importance. Also in the '50s, we first see the Paul Henning gag of climbing a pole to use the phone when Bob Cummings'character is in the military on his series.

Of course, in the '70s on The Brady Bunch, Mike Brady installs a pay phone in the house temporarily as the kids were logging mega amounts of phone time...!

02-15-2006, 01:06 PM	#1
seventies_sitcoms * Senior Member Join Date: Jan 09, 2005 Posts: 2,244	Were phone problems a popular sitcom situation? Having problems with the phone company must've been a popular sitcom storyline. We've seen Ann in the office at the phone company yelling, and I just saw an old Gimme a Break episode where Nell Carter rips the phone off the phone's guys desk. Well at least Ann didn't resort to that!

01-12-2010, 02:41 AM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	It kind of reminds me of the problems Dr. Johnny Fever (Howard Hesseman) had on WKRP with "the phone cops and how they know everything". Of course, Howard Hesseman would later join ODAAT after WKRP ended as Ann's future husband, Sam.

01-12-2010, 08:00 AM	#9
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,392	Going back a decade to the sixties: *Green Acres* spent a lot of time with Oliver trying to get phone service, eventually running or owning the phone company itself, and years later still having to climb a pole to make/receive calls! On *The Beverly Hillbillies, the Clampetts at first were unaware of phones altogether -- at least any modern ones. Jethro states that his mom back home does not have one, when it's suggested she be called. Years later, in a continuity error, Granny wants a party line to be installed at the mansion like she had "back home," where before she was seen to be totally unfamiliar with telephones. Predictably, Jethro's bad wiring job causes an explosion on Granny's end...! On Petticoat Junction, the wall phone in the lobby is inoperable -- just there for looks...! On Gilligan's Island, the castaways spend an episode tapped into a large, downed phone cable. Back in the '50s, on an episode of Lassie, Jeff needs to get through with an emergency message, but a lady on the line ignores him as she doesn't realize the importance. Also in the '50s, we first see the Paul Henning gag of climbing a pole to use the phone when Bob Cummings'character is in the military on his series. Of course, in the '70s on The Brady Bunch*, Mike Brady installs a pay phone in the house temporarily as the kids were logging mega amounts of phone time...!