Do you ever feel sad? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

basenjib123 · 05-22-2009, 11:36 PM

I know I am probably going to take some ribbing about this but do you ever feel sad when watching a sitcom because you suddenly remember the actor or actress is dead now?

That happens to me sometimes....just wondering, Joe.

Zoneboy · 05-22-2009, 11:48 PM

Joe, I doubt anyone here will give you any ribbing because I think all of us have felt that way at one time or another. Watching The Twilight Zone is always sad for me because out of the 156 episodes produced, Over 600 of the stars have passed on. Some were famous, some were not but all contributed to show in their own special way and watching their performances along with other programs they starred in is always rewarding.

Marvo301 · 05-23-2009, 12:16 AM

I've been watching What's Happening on DVD this week and although I've enjoyed the comedy it is very bittersweet since three principal cast members (Mabel King, Shirley Hemphill, and Fred Berry) are no longer with us. So yes I have experienced the same thing not only with this show but others as well.

Schmoopie · 05-23-2009, 01:02 AM

This is a great question! No need to feel embarrassed about it. I was watching "Three's Company" a few weekends ago and I was a little sad, knowing that John Ritter is gone. I've gone through this with other shows and celebrities as well. Particularly with "Monk" which isn't a sitcom, but the death of Stanley Kammel, who was Dr. Charles Kroger, hit me really hard because he had answered one of my questions on the "USA" board and I felt like he was talking directly to me. I was flattered that he chose my question to answer. Anyway, he wasn't a major character (in fact they replaced him rather quickly), but it was really hard to watch episodes with him in it after he died. One in particular where he was the focus of the show, which was a first for them.

I think that "greiving" for a celebrity who has died is harder if they die suddenly or if it has been recent. I mean, if you watch the shows enough, you feel like you know the characters and are friends with them, so losing the actor is like losing a loved one or a friend.
Soaps aren't sitcoms either, but I would imagine that it would be even harder to watch one of those where the actor/actress has really passed away. Usually the show will do a memorial show and have the character die as well.

Yooch · 05-23-2009, 01:29 AM

This is something I can relate to also.

comedyfreak · 05-23-2009, 05:50 AM

I don't get sad, if anything the shows bring me joy and I appreciate those actors who have made me laugh and continue to laugh as I watch these great shows like Three's company, Sanford And Son, All In The Family etc.

browneyes106 · 05-23-2009, 11:13 AM

Lately I do get a bit sad watching The Golden Girls because of Estelle and Bea's deaths.

Retro4Life · 05-23-2009, 11:28 AM

Not a silly question at all.

I guess I look at it this way. The ability to see and appreciate these performers years and decades after their deaths lends them a kind of immortality that's a true gift.

I will say when I watch a show wherein most or all of the principals are gone (i.e Bewitched), it makes me sad to realize that there isn't much hope of any kind of reunion show, and that whatever special magic there was that defined the show is truly never to be recaptured.

MickeyMac · 05-23-2009, 11:44 AM

I agree its not a silly question at all. Its easy to get sad when watching a televison show and knowing that some of the cast members are no longer with us. Look at Bewitched nearly everyone from that show is dead, and that can make one sad, but I dont think about it, I just enjoy it.

Another one is Shindig A good numbers of singers and artists that appeared on that show are dead, but they left us with some great music.

tv star collector · 05-23-2009, 04:11 PM

Having watched television now for over five decades, I have read a LOT of
celebrity obituaries. Of course, there are very few stars from that first
decade (the 1950s) who are still with us. Many stars from the '60s are gone,
too (and even from the '70s and a few from the '80s and even the '90s). It's
a constant reminder of our own mortality. But, in some measure, those stars
have managed to achieve a kind of immortality. Someone said as long as a
person is remembered, he/she never really dies. Thanks to film and video tape, they will always be with us. But, yes, it does sometimes make me sad.

treky · 05-23-2009, 10:16 PM

I sometimes will get that way watching "THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES" since all but 2 of the cast members are gone.

MikeLutton · 05-24-2009, 12:50 AM

dont forget about the jeffersons

i get sad knowing half the cast on that show is gone now 2

05-22-2009, 11:36 PM	#1
basenjib123 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 22, 2009 Location: New England Posts: 24	Do you ever feel sad? I know I am probably going to take some ribbing about this but do you ever feel sad when watching a sitcom because you suddenly remember the actor or actress is dead now? That happens to me sometimes....just wondering, Joe.

05-22-2009, 11:48 PM	#2
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: 34,346	Joe, I doubt anyone here will give you any ribbing because I think all of us have felt that way at one time or another. Watching The Twilight Zone is always sad for me because out of the 156 episodes produced, Over 600 of the stars have passed on. Some were famous, some were not but all contributed to show in their own special way and watching their performances along with other programs they starred in is always rewarding.
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05-23-2009, 12:16 AM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	I've been watching What's Happening on DVD this week and although I've enjoyed the comedy it is very bittersweet since three principal cast members (Mabel King, Shirley Hemphill, and Fred Berry) are no longer with us. So yes I have experienced the same thing not only with this show but others as well.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

05-23-2009, 01:02 AM	#4
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	This is a great question! No need to feel embarrassed about it. I was watching "Three's Company" a few weekends ago and I was a little sad, knowing that John Ritter is gone. I've gone through this with other shows and celebrities as well. Particularly with "Monk" which isn't a sitcom, but the death of Stanley Kammel, who was Dr. Charles Kroger, hit me really hard because he had answered one of my questions on the "USA" board and I felt like he was talking directly to me. I was flattered that he chose my question to answer. Anyway, he wasn't a major character (in fact they replaced him rather quickly), but it was really hard to watch episodes with him in it after he died. One in particular where he was the focus of the show, which was a first for them. I think that "greiving" for a celebrity who has died is harder if they die suddenly or if it has been recent. I mean, if you watch the shows enough, you feel like you know the characters and are friends with them, so losing the actor is like losing a loved one or a friend. Soaps aren't sitcoms either, but I would imagine that it would be even harder to watch one of those where the actor/actress has really passed away. Usually the show will do a memorial show and have the character die as well.
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05-23-2009, 01:29 AM	#5
Yooch Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2006 Location: California Posts: 3,180	This is something I can relate to also.
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05-23-2009, 05:50 AM	#6
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,058	I don't get sad, if anything the shows bring me joy and I appreciate those actors who have made me laugh and continue to laugh as I watch these great shows like Three's company, Sanford And Son, All In The Family etc.
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05-23-2009, 11:13 AM	#7
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,097	Lately I do get a bit sad watching The Golden Girls because of Estelle and Bea's deaths.

05-23-2009, 11:28 AM	#8
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Not a silly question at all. I guess I look at it this way. The ability to see and appreciate these performers years and decades after their deaths lends them a kind of immortality that's a true gift. I will say when I watch a show wherein most or all of the principals are gone (i.e Bewitched), it makes me sad to realize that there isn't much hope of any kind of reunion show, and that whatever special magic there was that defined the show is truly never to be recaptured.

05-23-2009, 11:44 AM	#9
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	I agree its not a silly question at all. Its easy to get sad when watching a televison show and knowing that some of the cast members are no longer with us. Look at Bewitched nearly everyone from that show is dead, and that can make one sad, but I dont think about it, I just enjoy it. Another one is Shindig A good numbers of singers and artists that appeared on that show are dead, but they left us with some great music.

05-23-2009, 04:11 PM	#10
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	Having watched television now for over five decades, I have read a LOT of celebrity obituaries. Of course, there are very few stars from that first decade (the 1950s) who are still with us. Many stars from the '60s are gone, too (and even from the '70s and a few from the '80s and even the '90s). It's a constant reminder of our own mortality. But, in some measure, those stars have managed to achieve a kind of immortality. Someone said as long as a person is remembered, he/she never really dies. Thanks to film and video tape, they will always be with us. But, yes, it does sometimes make me sad.

05-23-2009, 10:16 PM	#11
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	I sometimes will get that way watching "THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES" since all but 2 of the cast members are gone.
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05-24-2009, 12:50 AM	#12
MikeLutton Mike Lutton DVD Legend! Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 05, 2005 Location: usa pennsyvania Posts: 6,873	dont forget about the jeffersons i get sad knowing half the cast on that show is gone now 2
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