Breaking Point

[A.D.A. Casey Novak]

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[FOLrocks1]

I agree that sometimes it wasn't the right time to make jokes, but you have to have some sort of comedy in an episode like this. And on the note of Lisa Whelchel, it's not HER who doesn't look guilty or feel bad. It was that character of Blair, not Lisa.

[Robert 13]

I've had similar thoughts run through my head when I've watched this episode. I think they were trying to lighten the mood so it wasn't serious every minute. But I do agree, it wouldn't have been a bad thing to make the show serious for that one episode considering the subject matter. Nat's joke was less out of place than Jo's jokes but it didn't seem realistic considering what she had just experienced. Tootie seems to take it the hardest in that episode. I think Blair was confused and didn't know how to react. As for Jo, I think her tough girl exterior was her way of making the jokes (albeit out of place) and dealing with the situation. It's a good little episode though. It's always been a fave of mine.

[An 80s Guy]

I saw this episode recently on my first and second seasons DVD and I agree.I thought that it was odd that the played a laugh track when Jo talked about her friend who was splattred on the street.I didn't find this episode funny at all.It's a good dramatic one though.

[raya]

Let me offer a slightly differing opinion. I don't think the jokes the girls make are out of place. In a time of tragedy, one of the most common coping mechanisms in the world is laughter. You make jokes when you can't understand things. These were teenage girls who where coping with something pretty darn big and something that was new for them.

I mean, speaking personally for a minute. Though this might make me sound like a complete monster, when my grandmother died last year--though I was sad of course, I spent a good part of the day finding things to laugh about when I could. Because that's just a way of dealing. I don't think that's wrong at all.

What I will agree might have been out of place was the laugh track, or the placement of the laugh track. I agree for instance that putting in the laugh track after Jo's line about her friend seems crass.

So for me the problem is the laugh track, not the jokes the girls make. That to me was somewhat realistic.

[Robert 13]

Good point raya! The line was definitely something that Jo would say. The fact that they added a laugh track is what made it seem insensitive.

Originally Posted by raya

Let me offer a slightly differing opinion. I don't think the jokes the girls make are out of place. In a time of tragedy, one of the most common coping mechanisms in the world is laughter. You make jokes when you can't understand things. These were teenage girls who where coping with something pretty darn big and something that was new for them.

I mean, speaking personally for a minute. Though this might make me sound like a complete monster, when my grandmother died last year--though I was sad of course, I spent a good part of the day finding things to laugh about when I could. Because that's just a way of dealing. I don't think that's wrong at all.

What I will agree might have been out of place was the laugh track, or the placement of the laugh track. I agree for instance that putting in the laugh track after Jo's line about her friend seems crass.

So for me the problem is the laugh track, not the jokes the girls make. That to me was somewhat realistic.

[Justwondering]

The most important portion of "Breaking Point" comes as Mrs. Garrett and the girls are packing Cynthia's belongings. The discussion of teen depression and how to deal with it is actually the critical part of this episode, especially for the young people who might be watching.

It is my reaction that Blair did not demonstrate a convincing sense of guilt for the way she mistreated Cynthia during the school elections.

In general, I am not a supporter of addressing serious, life-and=death matters within a situation comedy. I just do not believe comedy lends itself well with these issues.

"A Friend in Deed" is yet another example of serious topic (Blair's mother's breast cancer) that is completely without laughs. It afforded Lisa Whelchel an opportunity to do some really dramatic scenes, which she does quite well.

[A.D.A. Casey Novak]

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[TALLguyinKY]

I think Lisa styaed in character as a confused teenage Blair. When Mrs. Garrett told her to call an ambulance, she was clearly shaken up as the camera trucked in on Blair on the phone. She wasn't sure what to think.

It's been a while since I've seen it, but I thought Blair made a remark or two in Cynthia's room about feeling sorry for the way she mistreated her. Just the fact that Blair would admit that is proof enough Blair did feel guilty, IMO.

And raya, you're right. Everyone grieves differently, and in those times some people need to find things to laugh about---and should. I haven't experienced a close family death yet, but I won't be surprised if I look for things to make me laugh during such a time. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if I popped in a FOL or "Golden Girls" or "Mary Tyler Moore" DVD to try and feel a little more alive and optimistic.

[Justwondering]

Originally Posted by A.D.A. Casey Novak

I believe that the best sitcoms are those that also deal with difficult issues.

I respectfully disagree, Casey.

A show hailed for dealing with difficult issues was All in the Family. That show is certainly among my all-time favorites. I've seen all of the episodes countless times over the years.

However, the episodes that I refuse to waste time on, to this very day, are the supposed ones with "groundbreaking" subject matter: Gloria's miscarriage is a real downer, though it features a fine father/daughter scene between Carroll O' Connor and Sally Struthers near the ending. In a 1973 Christmas episode, Edith finds a lump in her breast and worries that it might be cancerous. Edith feels reassured when a neighbor confides that she had a mastectomy, but "still feels like a woman." Strange thing is, we're left to assume the lump must have been noncancerous because it is not mentioned again in future episodes. (Edith did not get her test results within that episode.) An attempted rape of Edith on her 50th birthday is yet another episode that is difficult to watch. The producers even had a 1977 Christmas episode in which a transvestite, who is a friend of the family, is murdered during a hate crime. Merrry Christmas, huh? Bad taste has never been groundbreaking!

I will always believe that serious topics that include death, very serious illness, and rape are inherently unfunny topics. They are subjects better left to dramas, not comedies.

[hrh38]

I don't remember seeing this episode way back when or on Nick at Nite. And I'm still waiting for my Christmas giftie of S1&2 from my sister, who lives in another state but assures me they bought it for me. So send it already!

Anyhoo, my question is an overall one for several posters who mentioned a laugh track. It's my impression that the show was taped before a live studio audience. I think this 'cause many times the actors pause to say their next line because they have to wait for audience reaction. I also thought most sitcoms of this variety were taped in front of live audiences - as opposed to those that are filmed like "The Office" and "My Name is Earl."

So, is it true that FOL used a laugh track?

Thanks.

hrh
www.viewfromstonewater.blogspot.com

[FOL85NatandMrsGRock]

i am pretty sure fol didn't use laugh tracks, they used a live audience... i have seen things up on ebay for tickets of the FOL show... so i'm pretty sure that is the audiences laughter (especially since it's not a full blown out laugh, just a few chuckles here and there) and i dont think they are laughign becuase she was saying that her friend jumped off the school roof, they are laughing becuase of the way she said it. I have to admit that her saying one minute they were splitting a tuna fish sandwhich and the next minute she was all over columbus avenue is a kind of funny way to say how her friend jumped off the school building, and the tone... it gave me a chuckle, but of course it is not funny for something to have commited suicide. When i was in high school (right around the time i started watching FOL) i was quite suicidal and attempted once but a friend stopped me... so i know it's not a laughing matter. I hope this all makes sense.

[JO jr]

Originally Posted by FOL85NatandMrsGRock

i am pretty sure fol didn't use laugh tracks, they used a live audience... i have seen things up on ebay for tickets of the FOL show... so i'm pretty sure that is the audiences laughter (especially since it's not a full blown out laugh, just a few chuckles here and there) and i dont think they are laughign becuase she was saying that her friend jumped off the school roof, they are laughing becuase of the way she said it. I have to admit that her saying one minute they were splitting a tuna fish sandwhich and the next minute she was all over columbus avenue is a kind of funny way to say how her friend jumped off the school building, and the tone... it gave me a chuckle, but of course it is not funny for something to have commited suicide.

JO jr RESPONDING:

MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY:

YOU KNOW, IN THE EPISODE WHERE'S JO'S ON THE LEDGE, TRYING TO TALK A CO-WORKER OFF, AND BLAIR COMES UP, THINKING IT'S JO WHO WANTS TO JUMP? I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT BLAIR'S LINE TO SOCIAL WORKER, "AND REMEMBER-DEAD PEOPLE CAN'T SHOP." CRACKED ME UP, AND WHEN I THINK ABOUT IT, IT STILL DOES. NOT BECUZ OF THE SITUATION OF COURSE, BUT OF THE SURROUNDING GOINGS-ON WITH BLAIR AND JO. BLAIR WAS TOTALLY SERIOUS, AND THOUGHT SHE WAS REALLY HELPING THE WOMAN BY GIVING HER SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. COME ON, WOULD YOU ACTUALLY GIVE THAT ADVICE TO SOMEONE? NO! BUT THAT'S BLAIR'S WORLD. NOW YOU KNOW HOW TO GET HER OFF A LEDGE. BUT BLAIR'S STATEMENT ALONG WITH JO'S "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU JUST SAID THAT!" EXPRESSION, ALONG WITH HER USHERING BLAIR TO GET OUT OF THE WINDOW, WAS FUNNY. WELL, AT LEAST TO ME. AND IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE. IT'S CALLED COMIC RELIEF.

DOES THAT MAKE THE SHOW INSENSITIVE? NO. AFTERALL, THEY TACKLED THE SUBJECT NOT ONLY IN A TEEN SETTING, BUT ALSO LATER ON, IN THE WORK FORCE. WHICH IS VERY MUCH A FACT OF LIFE. PEOPLE HAVE LITERALLY JUMPED OUT OF THEIR OFFICE BUILDINGS, AS WELL AS COMMITTED SUICIDE BECUZ OF WORK AND OTHER STRESSES. I THINK IT WAS A GOOD MESSAGE, AS WELL AS "THE BREAKING POINT".

FROM WHAT I'VE READ AND HEARD, EVEN AS RECENTLY AS THE GIRLS' DVD PROMO INTERVIEWS, THE BREAKING POINT EP AFFECTED MANY GIRLS. ONE GIRL HAD WRITTEN TO SAY THAT THAT EP SAVED HER LIFE. I'M SURE IT SAVED OTHERS, TOO, AS THEY RECEIVED MANY, MANY LETTERS ON IT. I KNOW IT TOUCHED ME DEEPLY, TOO.

When i was in high school (right around the time i started watching FOL) i was quite suicidal and attempted once but a friend stopped me... so i know it's not a laughing matter. I hope this all makes sense.

WELL, I FOR ONE, AM GLAD YOU'RE STILL ON THIS BEAUTIFUL PLANET, EVEN IF WE DON'T ALWAYS SEE EYE TO EYE ON THINGS NOW, WILL THAT COMMENT BE MISINTERPRETED AS INSENSITIVE IN A WAY? I HOPE NOT. "JUST A LITTLE HUMOR TO BRIGHTEN THE SITUATION", AS NATALIE WOULD SAY

[RoryGilmore]

They went alot more into this one on DVD then the television airings ever went they added alot more about Jo's friend then they did on TV. and right now that one is hard to watch because one of my friiends is extemely suicidal and I dont know what I'll do if he does.

[JO jr]

Originally Posted by EaglesGirl08

They went alot more into this one on DVD then the television airings ever went they added alot more about Jo's friend then they did on TV. and right now that one is hard to watch because one of my friiends is extemely suicidal and I dont know what I'll do if he does.

WILL YOUR FRIEND WATCH "BREAKING POINT" WITH YOU? MAYBE YOU CAN HAVE MORE OF AN OPEN DISCUSSION AFTERWARDS. DOES HIS PARENTS (IF HE'S A MINOR) AND OTHER FRIENDS KNOW? YOU'RE RIGHT NOT TO TAKE THIS LIGHTLY.

ALSO, HE SHOULD REALLY TALK TO A DOCTOR ABOUT THIS. MAYBE SOME MEDS, EVEN LOW DOSAGE WILL GREATLY BENEFIT HIM.

YOU CAN UTILIZE THE SUICIDE HOTLINES, AND OTHER BENEFICIAL TOOLS IN YOUR COMMUNITY, TOO. SUGGEST STRONGLY HE CONTACT THEM, AND PERHAPS BY YOU STATING YOU'LL BE THERE WHEN HE CALLS FOR SUPPORT, WILL ENCOURAGE HIM TO DO SO.

P.M. ME IF YOU'D LIKE. WE CAN TALK MORE. I EARNESTLY HOPE SOMETHING WILL HELP YOUR FRIEND GET BACK TO HIS OLD SELF SOON. MEANWHILE, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AS WELL. YOU ARE GREAT FRIEND