Death Isn't Always an Ending... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Adamantium · 10-05-2008, 01:54 AM

Name some shows which began because of someone's (a character's) death.

1. "Monk" - The show takes place after Monk's beloved wife Trudy was killed. Monk's behavior is because of her death and her murder is still a case he's trying to solve.

2. "Family Affair" - If Cissy, Jody and Buffy's parent's hadn't died in the car crash a year before the first episode, they wouldn't live with Uncle Bill and Mr. French and there would be no show.

3. "Full House" - It was the death of Danny's wife (Jesse's sister) that has Uncle Jesse and Joey move in with Danny to help raise DJ, Stephanie and Michelle.

4. "My Three Sons" - The death of Steve's wife (six years before the first episode) was the reason Bub moved in to help raise Mike, Robbie and Chip.

5. "Route 66" - Tod Stiles' father had passed away, which Tod then inherited the car to drive around with his friend Buz (and later Linc).

This may seem a little morbid, but I was thinking about that phrase "Life Goes On." The idea for this thread came to be as a result of it.

MrRetro_08 · 10-05-2008, 05:04 AM

"Diff'rent Strokes" - Mr Drummound wouldn't of been Arnold's & Willis dad if their mum hadn't died.

icecream · 10-05-2008, 08:29 AM

On Desperate Housewives Mary Alice committed suicide in the first episode.

phoebe7165 · 10-05-2008, 10:33 AM

Adam!!! I'm surprised you didn't mention Wings!!! Or maybe you were just saving it for somebody else!

For those not familiar with the show, Joe & Brian's father died, and one of his wishes was to see Joe & Brian reconcile. Brian came back to Nantucket in the 1st episode, and for 8 years, hilarity ensued!!

Adamantium · 10-05-2008, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoebe7165

Adam!!! I'm surprised you didn't mention Wings!!! Or maybe you were just saving it for somebody else!

Nope, I just forgot, lol. I'm surprised as well! I knew there was one I was missing, but I just couldn't think of it.

Just think of all that would NOT have happened if Mr. Hackett had lived. I assume Joe and Helen would still have gotten together, but it would have been differently. After all, it was Joe's high blood pressure (that he blames Brian for) that grounded him, enabling Helen to date him (since she has a "No Dating Pilots rule). When that didn't work out, it was Brian sneaking Helen up in the plane where Joe had to talk her through the landing, due to Brian getting knocked out. That was the moment where Joe and Helen decided to date. Of course if Brian hadn't come, then maybe Joe would have had a serious relationship with Alex and Antonio with Casey. Helen's house would not have been burned down.

vtunie · 10-05-2008, 01:01 PM

Step by Step -- Frank Lambert was widowed.

Zoneboy · 10-05-2008, 01:10 PM

The Fugitive: Dr. Richard Kimball's wife is murdered in the first episode and he's accused of the crime but escapes and stays on the run eluding Lt. Gerard.

Webster: His parents died and he was adopted by George & Katherine Papadapolis

The Lone Ranger: John Reid and a group of other Texas Rangers are ambushed by the Cavendish gang and all are killed except for Reid who is badly wounded but is nursed back to health by Tonto. Reid decides to let the world believe that he is dead and even has a grave dug for himself alongside the other Rangers. He then dedicates himself to establishing law and order in the new frontier and decides to wear a mask to conceal his true identity and his named The Lone Ranger by Tonto.

JulieSomoski · 10-05-2008, 01:44 PM

On 227, the pilot episode had the owner of the building die, which Rose inherited.

MusicJunkie · 10-05-2008, 02:59 PM

Blanche, Rose and Sophia were all widows (Dorothy was divorced) when The Golden Girls started. Therefore if their husbands were still living, they probably never would've become housemates

James · 10-05-2008, 02:59 PM

Before The Brady Bunch Mike's first wife died. It is unclear what happened to Carol's first husband--the "D" word has been brought up in some discussion.

MusicJunkie · 10-05-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

Before The Brady Bunch Mike's first wife died. It is unclear what happened to Carol's first husband--the "D" word has been brought up in some discussion.

do you count the movies as "canon"? In A Very Brady Sequel, Carol's husband was alive and well

MusicJunkie · 10-05-2008, 03:03 PM

Of course it isn't the same, but in a sense.... Angel technically died as a mortal in the 1700's when bitten by Darla, if he hadn't died and been reborn as a vampire, Buffy The Vampire Slayer wouldn't have quite been the same and the spinoff Angel never would've existed

James · 10-05-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MusicJunkie

do you count the movies as "canon"? In A Very Brady Sequel, Carol's husband was alive and well

Sorry, I never saw the movies, with the exception of "The Brady Girls Get Married", which spawned The Brady Brides in 1981.

phoebe7165 · 10-05-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamantium

Nope, I just forgot, lol. I'm surprised as well! I knew there was one I was missing, but I just couldn't think of it.

Just think of all that would NOT have happened if Mr. Hackett had lived. I assume Joe and Helen would still have gotten together, but it would have been differently. After all, it was Joe's high blood pressure (that he blames Brian for) that grounded him, enabling Helen to date him (since she has a "No Dating Pilots rule). When that didn't work out, it was Brian sneaking Helen up in the plane where Joe had to talk her through the landing, due to Brian getting knocked out. That was the moment where Joe and Helen decided to date. Of course if Brian hadn't come, then maybe Joe would have had a serious relationship with Alex and Antonio with Casey. Helen's house would not have been burned down.

Just like I said, for 8 years, hilarity ensued!!

andress_jade · 10-05-2008, 09:48 PM

On Dr. Quinn, Michaela inherited Charlotte Cooper's three kids, Matthew, Colleen, and Brian after she died in the pilot. The show wouldn't have been the same if Charlotte hadn't died. Most of the storylines and plots revolved around the kids or the kids were involved in some way. There would have been no Michaela and Sully if Sully wouldn't have been widowed when the show premiered. The show was what it was because of those deaths.

10-05-2008, 01:54 AM	#1
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,839	Death Isn't Always an Ending... Name some shows which began because of someone's (a character's) death. 1. "Monk" - The show takes place after Monk's beloved wife Trudy was killed. Monk's behavior is because of her death and her murder is still a case he's trying to solve. 2. "Family Affair" - If Cissy, Jody and Buffy's parent's hadn't died in the car crash a year before the first episode, they wouldn't live with Uncle Bill and Mr. French and there would be no show. 3. "Full House" - It was the death of Danny's wife (Jesse's sister) that has Uncle Jesse and Joey move in with Danny to help raise DJ, Stephanie and Michelle. 4. "My Three Sons" - The death of Steve's wife (six years before the first episode) was the reason Bub moved in to help raise Mike, Robbie and Chip. 5. "Route 66" - Tod Stiles' father had passed away, which Tod then inherited the car to drive around with his friend Buz (and later Linc). This may seem a little morbid, but I was thinking about that phrase "Life Goes On." The idea for this thread came to be as a result of it.

10-05-2008, 05:04 AM	#2
MrRetro_08 T'ank you veddy much! Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 19, 2007 Location: A Place Far Away Posts: 823	"Diff'rent Strokes" - Mr Drummound wouldn't of been Arnold's & Willis dad if their mum hadn't died.
	__________________ It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time!! Peanut Butter Jelly Time!!

10-05-2008, 08:29 AM	#3
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,904	On Desperate Housewives Mary Alice committed suicide in the first episode.
	__________________ Top 200 TV Shows https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...14#post6225214 Top 150 Movies https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...84#post6175384 Top 1100 Scripted TV Characters https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=493306 Top Rookie TV Shows by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=365017 Top Movies by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=473533

10-05-2008, 10:33 AM	#4
phoebe7165 Pop Culture Goddess Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 15, 2003 Location: US of A - the country of "really bad music" lovers Posts: 11,600	Adam!!! I'm surprised you didn't mention Wings!!! Or maybe you were just saving it for somebody else! For those not familiar with the show, Joe & Brian's father died, and one of his wishes was to see Joe & Brian reconcile. Brian came back to Nantucket in the 1st episode, and for 8 years, hilarity ensued!!
	__________________ Rest in Peace to my Penny-pie. You really were a GREAT dog. I'll see you at the Rainbow Bridge. Penny 9/1/97-12/9/09 Rescued animals make the best pets. Opt to Adopt!!

10-05-2008, 01:10 PM	#7
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,472	The Fugitive: Dr. Richard Kimball's wife is murdered in the first episode and he's accused of the crime but escapes and stays on the run eluding Lt. Gerard. Webster: His parents died and he was adopted by George & Katherine Papadapolis The Lone Ranger: John Reid and a group of other Texas Rangers are ambushed by the Cavendish gang and all are killed except for Reid who is badly wounded but is nursed back to health by Tonto. Reid decides to let the world believe that he is dead and even has a grave dug for himself alongside the other Rangers. He then dedicates himself to establishing law and order in the new frontier and decides to wear a mask to conceal his true identity and his named The Lone Ranger by Tonto.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

10-05-2008, 01:01 PM	#6
vtunie Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 23, 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 592	Step by Step -- Frank Lambert was widowed.

10-05-2008, 01:44 PM	#8
JulieSomoski Roseanne Reboot - March 27! Forum Veteran Join Date: Nov 06, 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,558	On 227, the pilot episode had the owner of the building die, which Rose inherited.
	__________________ Click here to view some great articles written by my husband and I! All views are appreciated! Watch: Medium, Fridays at 9pm, on CBS! Big Bang Theory, Mondays at 9:30pm, on CBS! The Mentalist, Thursdays at 10pm, on CBS! Old Christine, Wednesdays at 8pm, on CBS! ABC's Comedy Lineup, Starting Wednesdays at 8:30pm, on ABC!

10-05-2008, 02:59 PM	#9
MusicJunkie Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 23, 2008 Location: where I live Posts: 791	Blanche, Rose and Sophia were all widows (Dorothy was divorced) when The Golden Girls started. Therefore if their husbands were still living, they probably never would've become housemates

10-05-2008, 02:59 PM	#10
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	Before The Brady Bunch Mike's first wife died. It is unclear what happened to Carol's first husband--the "D" word has been brought up in some discussion.

10-05-2008, 03:03 PM	#12
MusicJunkie Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 23, 2008 Location: where I live Posts: 791	Of course it isn't the same, but in a sense.... Angel technically died as a mortal in the 1700's when bitten by Darla, if he hadn't died and been reborn as a vampire, Buffy The Vampire Slayer wouldn't have quite been the same and the spinoff Angel never would've existed

10-05-2008, 09:48 PM	#15
andress_jade Life Goes On... Moderator Senior Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2004 Location: Iola, KS or Glenbrook Posts: 1,220	On Dr. Quinn, Michaela inherited Charlotte Cooper's three kids, Matthew, Colleen, and Brian after she died in the pilot. The show wouldn't have been the same if Charlotte hadn't died. Most of the storylines and plots revolved around the kids or the kids were involved in some way. There would have been no Michaela and Sully if Sully wouldn't have been widowed when the show premiered. The show was what it was because of those deaths.
	__________________ In Memoriam: John Ritter, Hayden Rorke, Sidney Sheldon, Bob Denver, Don Knotts, Andy Griffith, Elizabeth Montgomery, Bea Arthur, Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, David Angell, Christopher Reeve, Shirley Temple Black, Larry Hagman, Lucille Ball, Patrick Swayze, Robin Williams, Alan Thicke, Mary Tyler Moore, Prince, George Michael, Jim Nabors, John Mahoney, Penny Marshall, Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher.