To Me The One Thing That Stinks About Sitcoms? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 09-04-2008, 04:01 PM

It's not really the fault of the sitcoms but what I find that sucks is that as time goes by, especially decades, many of the references made in the show get lost over time and the show gets more unfunny.

Unless you are a pop-culture expert you wouldn't know many of things referenced in shows in the 1950s, 1960s, or even 1980s. Anyone feel this way about shows? It stinks because the true essence of the joke/message gets lost over time.

littlebelle · 09-04-2008, 04:09 PM

That's EXACTLY how I feel about Murphy Brown.

JulieSomoski · 09-04-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlebelle

That's EXACTLY how I feel about Murphy Brown.

Sure, some of the pop culture references are outdated, but you can still laugh at a lot of them, and I'd say about 85% of the show has nothing to do with pop culture - it's just funny. To me, it still holds up very well and is still one of my favorite shows.

Furienna · 09-04-2008, 09:42 PM

I agree with Julie. You still get most of the jokes.

Schmoopie · 09-04-2008, 10:06 PM

I still get some of the jokes I hear on older TV shows like Full House and so forth, but I get what you are saying. People who were born in, say 1985 probably wouldn't understand a lot of the 80's references that are on so many shows from back then.
There is an episode of "Square Pegs" where they are in the gym. The principal is giving a pep talk and tells the students that they are going to be taking it to the streets. Then Vinnie (one of the main characters says "Oh, like the Doobie Brothers." If you didn't know that one of the Doobie Brothers hits was called "Taking it to the Streets" (or had never even heard of them!) I doubt that "joke" would be as funny.

Andrea

catlover79 · 09-04-2008, 10:11 PM

Even if some references/clothes/hairstyles are outdated, I don't mind. To me, watching these old shows is like a peephole into the past, or a time capsule. It's interesting to see how things were before I was born or when I was little.

TVFactFan · 09-04-2008, 10:22 PM

I used to be LOST all the time watching Good Times because I didn't know who these people were when they were referred to on the show

Rosie Grier
Moms Mabley
Rona Barrett

catlover79 · 09-04-2008, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solomon

I used to be LOST all the time watching Good Times because I didn't know who these people were when they were referred to on the show

Rosie Grier
Moms Mabley
Rona Barrett

How about Debby Boone???

TVFactFan · 09-04-2008, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

How about Debby Boone???

Yup her too-lol

And on Sanford and Son when Fred to Woody-"My name is not Henry Higgins"

I was like-"WHO?

dawsongirl · 09-04-2008, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Even if some references/clothes/hairstyles are outdated, I don't mind. To me, watching these old shows is like a peephole into the past, or a time capsule. It's interesting to see how things were before I was born or when I was little.

Yeah, me too. Plus, it's a learning opportunity.

comedyfreak · 09-05-2008, 05:39 AM

I don't mind the outdatedness of old shows, imo that's what makes them good. I love watching AITF during the first few seasons and Good Times hearing the jokes about former presidents Nixon and Ford.

waichingliu81 · 09-05-2008, 07:14 AM

to be honest, for me i don't really pay attention to things like that. as long as i get the joke, or its funny then that's all that matters

Chocolate Moose · 09-05-2008, 10:02 AM

I'm with the OP

JulieSomoski · 09-05-2008, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Even if some references/clothes/hairstyles are outdated, I don't mind. To me, watching these old shows is like a peephole into the past, or a time capsule. It's interesting to see how things were before I was born or when I was little.

I agree - you don't watch classic television to get ALL the jokes. You watch because they're a part of the past that you'd like to watch over and over. Some of the political jokes and other things are outdated, but who cares? If the show is funny, that's good enough for me

littlebelle · 09-05-2008, 04:10 PM

I think it entirely depends on the show. For instance, I LOVE Melrose Place and is my favorite show. It started and ended in the 90's, same with Murphy Brown, yet I'm never confused or not getting reference jokes on Melrose Place. It's not only Melrose Place though, mostly all the shows I watch are from the 90's and 80's.

09-04-2008, 04:01 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,262	To Me The One Thing That Stinks About Sitcoms? It's not really the fault of the sitcoms but what I find that sucks is that as time goes by, especially decades, many of the references made in the show get lost over time and the show gets more unfunny. Unless you are a pop-culture expert you wouldn't know many of things referenced in shows in the 1950s, 1960s, or even 1980s. Anyone feel this way about shows? It stinks because the true essence of the joke/message gets lost over time.

09-04-2008, 10:06 PM	#5
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I still get some of the jokes I hear on older TV shows like Full House and so forth, but I get what you are saying. People who were born in, say 1985 probably wouldn't understand a lot of the 80's references that are on so many shows from back then. There is an episode of "Square Pegs" where they are in the gym. The principal is giving a pep talk and tells the students that they are going to be taking it to the streets. Then Vinnie (one of the main characters says "Oh, like the Doobie Brothers." If you didn't know that one of the Doobie Brothers hits was called "Taking it to the Streets" (or had never even heard of them!) I doubt that "joke" would be as funny. Andrea
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09-04-2008, 10:11 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Even if some references/clothes/hairstyles are outdated, I don't mind. To me, watching these old shows is like a peephole into the past, or a time capsule. It's interesting to see how things were before I was born or when I was little.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

09-05-2008, 05:39 AM	#11
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,061	I don't mind the outdatedness of old shows, imo that's what makes them good. I love watching AITF during the first few seasons and Good Times hearing the jokes about former presidents Nixon and Ford.
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09-05-2008, 10:02 AM	#13
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,904	I'm with the OP
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09-04-2008, 04:09 PM	#2
littlebelle Spell Caster Senior Member Join Date: Dec 29, 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,659	That's EXACTLY how I feel about Murphy Brown.

09-04-2008, 09:42 PM	#4
Furienna Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 22, 2006 Location: Örnsköldsvik, Sweden Posts: 6,280	I agree with Julie. You still get most of the jokes.

09-04-2008, 10:22 PM	#7
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,131	I used to be LOST all the time watching Good Times because I didn't know who these people were when they were referred to on the show Rosie Grier Moms Mabley Rona Barrett

09-05-2008, 07:14 AM	#12
waichingliu81 debbie allen Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2006 Location: london, england, UK Posts: 4,347	to be honest, for me i don't really pay attention to things like that. as long as i get the joke, or its funny then that's all that matters

09-05-2008, 04:10 PM	#15
littlebelle Spell Caster Senior Member Join Date: Dec 29, 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,659	I think it entirely depends on the show. For instance, I LOVE Melrose Place and is my favorite show. It started and ended in the 90's, same with Murphy Brown, yet I'm never confused or not getting reference jokes on Melrose Place. It's not only Melrose Place though, mostly all the shows I watch are from the 90's and 80's.