When writers run out of ideas - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

noveel · 08-20-2007, 10:14 AM

When a baby or new kid is introduced, and even more when the baby ages rapidly between seasons with no reason given

mstewart · 08-20-2007, 10:20 AM

They marry off the main character and/or bring in some wacky relative. The classic is a late in life pregnancy.

Madame X · 08-20-2007, 10:28 AM

They "borrow" ideas from other shows.

Heidi Dawn · 08-20-2007, 11:50 AM

When they recycle scripts from earlier seasons or from other shows. The Miller-Boyett shows of the late 80's-early 90's did this alot.

Rezny@gmail.com · 08-20-2007, 02:55 PM

A classic example of a TV show running out of ideas is "Green Acres".In the last two seasons(1969-1970 and 1970-1971)they DID run out of ideas,when they did shows that had the EXACT same plots of other earlier shows.Can you name any other shows BESIDES "Green Acres" and "Bewitched" (1969-1972)with Dick Sargent as Darrin, where they have run out of ideas?

PajamaParty · 08-20-2007, 02:55 PM

when they keep having constant cast changes or killing off beloved characters for shock value. For example, on the Commish, they changed detectives like underwear. You could basically tell by the detective on an episode what point you were at in the series.

Mikado · 08-20-2007, 04:10 PM

"A very SPECIAL episode of........"

The main character gets a new business partner/ job

"Granma is coming to live with us!"

The show gets a new set ( especially game shows )

Ted McGinley joins the cast as.....

Fonzie jumps a shark!

dawsongirl · 08-20-2007, 05:42 PM

The plots start becoming lame and obsured. Like they're trying too hard to be funny or dramatic.

Superbatboy · 08-21-2007, 10:40 AM

When they move to another city/state.

When famous guest stars appear every week

Having two characters that previously hated each other get together

Musicals and/or dream sequences on shows that never had them before

mstewart · 08-21-2007, 12:07 PM

Weddings.

One Day At A Time was a good example of that. In its 8th season it seemed the whole season was dedicated to Mark and Barbara getting married, adjusting to married and having to move back with Ann. Then Max and Julie had their baby, Max quits his job to become a writer, moved back home with Ann and Grandma Katherine comes to the rescue by taking in Max and Julie. Then Ann meets Mark's father, he spends the night the first date, proposes to Ann (especially when Ann stated she was not interested in marriage), marrying Sam and go on a honeymoon. Then Barbara and Julie, along with their husbands, share a house together and ready to kill each other the first week there. The episodes that season was dealing with change and transition. The plug should had been pulled the 8th season. The 9th and final season was painful to watch because they were out of ideas.

Mikado · 08-21-2007, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstewart

Weddings.

One Day At A Time was a good example of that. In its 8th season it seemed the whole season was dedicated to Mark and Barbara getting married, adjusting to married and having to move back with Ann. Then Max and Julie had their baby, Max quits his job to become a writer, moved back home with Ann and Grandma Katherine comes to the rescue by taking in Max and Julie. Then Ann meets Mark's father, he spends the night the first date, proposes to Ann (especially when Ann stated she was not interested in marriage), marrying Sam and go on a honeymoon. Then Barbara and Julie, along with their husbands, share a house together and ready to kill each other the first week there. The episodes that season was dealing with change and transition. The plug should had been pulled the 8th season. The 9th and final season was painful to watch because they were out of ideas.

Wow...that sounds so twisted.....Id already given up on the show by that time, so I never saw any of that...never mind season 9

treky · 08-21-2007, 04:21 PM

when they start bringing in big-name guest stars.
when 2 characters hook up (and the show "jumps the shark". FRASIER comes painfully to mind)
"A very special episode of...."
when characters start doing things out of character.

Mikado · 08-21-2007, 06:38 PM

"The REAL Gilligan's Island"

"When pets attack"

Any new show starring Suzanne Sommers

TJL · 08-21-2007, 06:45 PM

When characters sing.

Mikado · 08-21-2007, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

When characters sing.

Especially Police officers...remember THAt show? ( WTH was THAT???

)

08-20-2007, 10:14 AM	#1
noveel Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 13, 2005 Posts: 534	When writers run out of ideas When a baby or new kid is introduced, and even more when the baby ages rapidly between seasons with no reason given

08-20-2007, 11:50 AM	#4
Heidi Dawn Muppets Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 01, 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 883	When they recycle scripts from earlier seasons or from other shows. The Miller-Boyett shows of the late 80's-early 90's did this alot.
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08-21-2007, 10:40 AM	#9
Superbatboy The Brandon Show Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: California..USA Posts: 793	When they move to another city/state. When famous guest stars appear every week Having two characters that previously hated each other get together Musicals and/or dream sequences on shows that never had them before
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08-21-2007, 04:21 PM	#12
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	when they start bringing in big-name guest stars. when 2 characters hook up (and the show "jumps the shark". FRASIER comes painfully to mind) "A very special episode of...." when characters start doing things out of character.
	__________________ 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."

08-21-2007, 06:45 PM	#14
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	When characters sing.
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08-20-2007, 10:20 AM	#2
mstewart mstewart Senior Member Join Date: Jan 25, 2002 Location: California Posts: 1,780	They marry off the main character and/or bring in some wacky relative. The classic is a late in life pregnancy.

08-20-2007, 10:28 AM	#3
Madame X Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 15, 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,831	They "borrow" ideas from other shows.

08-20-2007, 02:55 PM	#5
Rezny@gmail.com Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 20, 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 2,675	A classic example of a TV show running out of ideas is "Green Acres".In the last two seasons(1969-1970 and 1970-1971)they DID run out of ideas,when they did shows that had the EXACT same plots of other earlier shows.Can you name any other shows BESIDES "Green Acres" and "Bewitched" (1969-1972)with Dick Sargent as Darrin, where they have run out of ideas?

08-20-2007, 02:55 PM	#6
PajamaParty Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 13, 2006 Location: New England Posts: 27	when they keep having constant cast changes or killing off beloved characters for shock value. For example, on the Commish, they changed detectives like underwear. You could basically tell by the detective on an episode what point you were at in the series.

08-20-2007, 04:10 PM	#7
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,892	"A very SPECIAL episode of........" The main character gets a new business partner/ job "Granma is coming to live with us!" The show gets a new set ( especially game shows ) Ted McGinley joins the cast as..... Fonzie jumps a shark!

08-20-2007, 05:42 PM	#8
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	The plots start becoming lame and obsured. Like they're trying too hard to be funny or dramatic.

08-21-2007, 12:07 PM	#10
mstewart mstewart Senior Member Join Date: Jan 25, 2002 Location: California Posts: 1,780	Weddings. One Day At A Time was a good example of that. In its 8th season it seemed the whole season was dedicated to Mark and Barbara getting married, adjusting to married and having to move back with Ann. Then Max and Julie had their baby, Max quits his job to become a writer, moved back home with Ann and Grandma Katherine comes to the rescue by taking in Max and Julie. Then Ann meets Mark's father, he spends the night the first date, proposes to Ann (especially when Ann stated she was not interested in marriage), marrying Sam and go on a honeymoon. Then Barbara and Julie, along with their husbands, share a house together and ready to kill each other the first week there. The episodes that season was dealing with change and transition. The plug should had been pulled the 8th season. The 9th and final season was painful to watch because they were out of ideas.

08-21-2007, 06:38 PM	#13
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,892	"The REAL Gilligan's Island" "When pets attack" Any new show starring Suzanne Sommers