Sitcoms and Shakespeare - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Fandingo · 02-20-2006, 06:02 PM

Hello!

My research has led me to this fine website. If the knowledgeable contributors here cannot help me, no one can.

I am looking for sitcom episode of any era wherein characters perform scenes from Shakespeare plays for comic effect. For example, hypothetically, if Sgt. Bilko's men put on a charity Romeo and Juliet which they perform disasterously.

If not Shakespeare, I am also interested in any "regular guys/gals" skewering any production of "high class" arts. E.g., the Three Stooges lampooning the pretensions of opera.

Any help on this subject I would appreciate, and I hope you find the topic interesting regardless

Thanks!

Note: I am not interested in child or teen performances, just adults.

tv star collector · 02-20-2006, 07:19 PM

"Micro-phonies" (1945), a short starring The Three Stooges, immediately springs
to mind. In what is arguably their best comedy, Curly dresses in drag and lip-
synchs "The Voice of Spring" at an upscale party hosted by a wealthy woman
named Mrs. Bixby. This is certainly one of the high points of their career (and.
somewhat surprisingly, one of their least violent films). Not to be missed.

gidgetgrape · 02-20-2006, 07:31 PM

Sanford & Son's Lamont rehearses scenes from Othello in "Lamont as Othello". It's available on DVD - Sanford & Son: The Third Season, Disc One.

troopoleon8897 · 02-20-2006, 07:59 PM

Roseanne
Season 3
Ep. 65, Communicable Theater
Roseanne is torn between taking care of her flu-stricken husband and helping Jackie learn lines for her play.

*In this episode Jackie plays a character in a shakespear play and Roseanne has to feed her her lines...

sbeamish · 02-20-2006, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troopoleon8897

Roseanne
Season 3
Ep. 65, Communicable Theater
Roseanne is torn between taking care of her flu-stricken husband and helping Jackie learn lines for her play.

*In this episode Jackie plays a character in a shakespear play and Roseanne has to feed her her lines...

Sorry, the play which was somewhat lampooned in this episode was Cyrano De Bergerac which was written by Edmond Rostand a couple of hundred years after Shakespeare.

But how about the episode of Gilligan's Island in which the cast performs a musical version of Hamlet?

Kristen · 02-20-2006, 11:43 PM

There's an episode of The Nanny in which Fran is cast in a production of Romeo and Juliet. Maxwell rehearses the balcony scene with her on the stairs. I'm sure if you keep an eye on Lifetime's schedule, they'll show it eventually.

robyrob · 02-21-2006, 12:04 AM

Robin Williams quoted Shakespeare many times on Mork and Mindy, but i couldn't give you episode info (i can think of a few eps in the 3rd season)

Happy Days episode #26- A Star is Bored (12/5/74) Richie and company put on a play, the Fonz plays "Hamlet" with his own unique take on it (he refused to wear tights, and insisted on wearing his leather jacket during the swordfight because "i alsways wear my jacket when I rumble"

episode #179- Broadway It's Not (2/10/81) when Chachi gets jealous of Joanie's love scene in the school play he tries to act (i dont remember what the play was supposed to be) but he is horrible

episode #230- May the Best Man Win (2/22/83) The Cunningham's agree to help KC practice her part in "I only shower when I win". KC is Velma, Marion is Lola, and Howard is Joe-Bob, that "filthy gator-grabber". OK, its not exactly "high class" arts but it was pretty funny

bubba2000 · 02-21-2006, 05:13 PM

there is a first season episoe of "Mr. Peeper" where the scatterbrain teacher (i can't remeber her name) pretends to be sleep walking to get out of a jam, she starts reciting shakespear and wondering around. the is doing a bit from "hamlet" i think (the 'out damn spot', is that Hamlet?) it is very funny. If this helps let me know, I can get more information, I have the episode on dvd, i could get her name etc...

Fandingo · 02-22-2006, 06:57 PM

Thanks for the information everyone. I'll run with what you've geven here.

treky · 02-23-2006, 02:09 AM

there was an episode of "The Flintstones" where Fred, Wilma, Barney & Betty put on a production of "Romeo & Juliet".

And, I don't know if this counts, but on an episode of "The Andy Griffith show" once, Andy's telling the story of Romeo & Juliet to Opie in one scene, and he puts a funny take on it.

Andy Griffith did that on one of his record albums once, too.

Kristen · 02-23-2006, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubba2000

there is a first season episoe of "Mr. Peeper" where the scatterbrain teacher (i can't remeber her name) pretends to be sleep walking to get out of a jam, she starts reciting shakespear and wondering around. the is doing a bit from "hamlet" i think (the 'out damn spot', is that Hamlet?) it is very funny. If this helps let me know, I can get more information, I have the episode on dvd, i could get her name etc...

"Out, damn spot" is actually Macbeth. Just thought I'd point that out.

Pentimento · 02-23-2006, 12:23 PM

In season two of "Cheers" there was an episode called "Homicidal Ham" in which Diane does a scene from "Othello" with homicidal maniac Andy Schroeder in the title role.

TheLurkerKing · 03-26-2006, 07:53 PM

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this one. It was the episode of "Gilligan's Island" called "The Producer" w/ Phil Silvers as the title character. In which the castaways produced a musical version of Shakespeare's "Hamlet." One of my favorite episodes of the show.

Impressions · 03-26-2006, 08:23 PM

In the episode "Critical Choices" from season 1 of Head of the Class, Charlie tries his hand at "Hamlet". The episode can be see online at aol.com.

sbeamish · 03-26-2006, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheLurkerKing

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this one. It was the episode of "Gilligan's Island" called "The Producer" w/ Phil Silvers as the title character. In which the castaways produced a musical version of Shakespeare's "Hamlet." One of my favorite episodes of the show.

Look again. I did mention it, but I didn't go into such informed detail.

02-20-2006, 07:59 PM	#4
troopoleon8897 Let's Go!! Senior Member Join Date: Jun 28, 2004 Location: Not Hell, But the same Zip Code Posts: 1,751	Roseanne Season 3 Ep. 65, Communicable Theater Roseanne is torn between taking care of her flu-stricken husband and helping Jackie learn lines for her play. *In this episode Jackie plays a character in a shakespear play and Roseanne has to feed her her lines...
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02-20-2006, 11:43 PM	#6
Kristen Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2000 Location: New York, USA Posts: 4,042	There's an episode of The Nanny in which Fran is cast in a production of Romeo and Juliet. Maxwell rehearses the balcony scene with her on the stairs. I'm sure if you keep an eye on Lifetime's schedule, they'll show it eventually.
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02-21-2006, 12:04 AM	#7
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,203	Robin Williams quoted Shakespeare many times on Mork and Mindy, but i couldn't give you episode info (i can think of a few eps in the 3rd season) Happy Days episode #26- A Star is Bored (12/5/74) Richie and company put on a play, the Fonz plays "Hamlet" with his own unique take on it (he refused to wear tights, and insisted on wearing his leather jacket during the swordfight because "i alsways wear my jacket when I rumble" episode #179- Broadway It's Not (2/10/81) when Chachi gets jealous of Joanie's love scene in the school play he tries to act (i dont remember what the play was supposed to be) but he is horrible episode #230- May the Best Man Win (2/22/83) The Cunningham's agree to help KC practice her part in "I only shower when I win". KC is Velma, Marion is Lola, and Howard is Joe-Bob, that "filthy gator-grabber". OK, its not exactly "high class" arts but it was pretty funny
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02-22-2006, 06:57 PM	#9
Fandingo Member Forum Cub Join Date: Feb 20, 2006 Location: Nevada Posts: 2	Thanks everyone Thanks for the information everyone. I'll run with what you've geven here.

02-23-2006, 02:09 AM	#10
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	there was an episode of "The Flintstones" where Fred, Wilma, Barney & Betty put on a production of "Romeo & Juliet". And, I don't know if this counts, but on an episode of "The Andy Griffith show" once, Andy's telling the story of Romeo & Juliet to Opie in one scene, and he puts a funny take on it. Andy Griffith did that on one of his record albums once, too.
	__________________ 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."

02-20-2006, 06:02 PM	#1
Fandingo Member Forum Cub Join Date: Feb 20, 2006 Location: Nevada Posts: 2	Sitcoms and Shakespeare Hello! My research has led me to this fine website. If the knowledgeable contributors here cannot help me, no one can. I am looking for sitcom episode of any era wherein characters perform scenes from Shakespeare plays for comic effect. For example, hypothetically, if Sgt. Bilko's men put on a charity Romeo and Juliet which they perform disasterously. If not Shakespeare, I am also interested in any "regular guys/gals" skewering any production of "high class" arts. E.g., the Three Stooges lampooning the pretensions of opera. Any help on this subject I would appreciate, and I hope you find the topic interesting regardless Thanks! Note: I am not interested in child or teen performances, just adults.

02-20-2006, 07:19 PM	#2
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,487	"Micro-phonies" (1945), a short starring The Three Stooges, immediately springs to mind. In what is arguably their best comedy, Curly dresses in drag and lip- synchs "The Voice of Spring" at an upscale party hosted by a wealthy woman named Mrs. Bixby. This is certainly one of the high points of their career (and. somewhat surprisingly, one of their least violent films). Not to be missed.

02-20-2006, 07:31 PM	#3
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,505	Sanford & Son's Lamont rehearses scenes from Othello in "Lamont as Othello". It's available on DVD - Sanford & Son: The Third Season, Disc One.

02-21-2006, 05:13 PM	#8
bubba2000 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 11, 2004 Location: ma. Posts: 45	there is a first season episoe of "Mr. Peeper" where the scatterbrain teacher (i can't remeber her name) pretends to be sleep walking to get out of a jam, she starts reciting shakespear and wondering around. the is doing a bit from "hamlet" i think (the 'out damn spot', is that Hamlet?) it is very funny. If this helps let me know, I can get more information, I have the episode on dvd, i could get her name etc...

02-23-2006, 12:23 PM	#12
Pentimento Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 16, 2004 Location: The Big Valley Posts: 606	In season two of "Cheers" there was an episode called "Homicidal Ham" in which Diane does a scene from "Othello" with homicidal maniac Andy Schroeder in the title role.

03-26-2006, 07:53 PM	#13
TheLurkerKing Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 29, 2001 Location: Fort Worth, Texas, United States Posts: 114	Re: Sitcoms and Shakespeare I'm surprised no one has mentioned this one. It was the episode of "Gilligan's Island" called "The Producer" w/ Phil Silvers as the title character. In which the castaways produced a musical version of Shakespeare's "Hamlet." One of my favorite episodes of the show.

03-26-2006, 08:23 PM	#14
Impressions She died the way she lived Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 08, 2002 Posts: 4,640	In the episode "Critical Choices" from season 1 of Head of the Class, Charlie tries his hand at "Hamlet". The episode can be see online at aol.com.