TV shows that changed their titles - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

OOliver · 06-09-2009, 04:40 PM

I know in TV there have been many shows which have changed their title either during their run, or shortly before they aired. I started a short list, please add any others...

"Ellen" was actually a sitcom titled "These Friends of Mine" for it's first brief season (March 1994). The network later retitled the show when it returned for season 2 in September, 1994. .

"Seinfeld" actually premiered as "The Seinfeld Chronicles" sitcom on NBC in July, 1989. Once the show was added to the schedule that September, NBC retitled it "Seinfeld", not to be confused with ABC's "The Marshall Chronicles".

"Dynasty", ABC's answer to "Dallas", was originally titled "Oil", but was renamed "Dynasty" before it aired on January 12, 1981.

Mr. Television · 06-09-2009, 04:45 PM

Two Guys a Girl and a Pizza Place became Two Guys and a Girl.

greenguy · 06-09-2009, 04:50 PM

Baa Baa Black Sheep became Black Sheep Squadron.

Anyone remember when ABC used to show Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley weekday mornings mixed in with their game shows? For those broadcasts the on screen titles changed to: Happy Days Again and Laverne & Shirley and Company. Three's Company was also broadcast, but I cannot recall its title change.

OOliver · 06-09-2009, 04:56 PM

YES! I do remember the daytime airings of 'Laverne and Shirley and Company' as well as 'Happy Days Again'! Why did ABC do this?

McGillicuddy · 06-09-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OOliver

I know in TV there have been many shows which have changed their title either during their run, or shortly before they aired. I started a short list, please add any others...

"Ellen" was actually a sitcom titled "These Friends of Mine" for it's first brief season (March 1994). The network later retitled the show when it returned for season 2 in September, 1994. .

"Seinfeld" actually premiered as "The Seinfeld Chronicles" sitcom on NBC in July, 1989. Once the show was added to the schedule that September, NBC retitled it "Seinfeld", not to be confused with ABC's "The Marshall Chronicles".

"Dynasty", ABC's answer to "Dallas", was originally titled "Oil", but was renamed "Dynasty" before it aired on January 12, 1981.

The Colbys was originally Dynasty II: The Colbys

McGillicuddy · 06-09-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OOliver

I know in TV there have been many shows which have changed their title either during their run, or shortly before they aired. I started a short list, please add any others...

"Ellen" was actually a sitcom titled "These Friends of Mine" for it's first brief season (March 1994). The network later retitled the show when it returned for season 2 in September, 1994. .

"Seinfeld" actually premiered as "The Seinfeld Chronicles" sitcom on NBC in July, 1989. Once the show was added to the schedule that September, NBC retitled it "Seinfeld", not to be confused with ABC's "The Marshall Chronicles".

"Dynasty", ABC's answer to "Dallas", was originally titled "Oil", but was renamed "Dynasty" before it aired on January 12, 1981.

Saved by the Bell was originally Good Morning Miss Biss

McGillicuddy · 06-09-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OOliver

YES! I do remember the daytime airings of 'Laverne and Shirley and Company' as well as 'Happy Days Again'! Why did ABC do this?

Sometimes when shows go into syndication while they're still primetime, they change the title for the syndicated episodes. ABC had nothing to do with it.

The Andy Griffith Show's syndicated title was Andy of Mayberry, when syndicated episodes aired while still a primetime series.

McGillicuddy · 06-09-2009, 05:50 PM

Laverne & Shirley became Laverne & Company, after Cindy Williams left the show in the middle of the last season.

I Love Lucy became The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour
The Lucy Show became Here's Lucy
All in the Family became Archie Bunkers Place
Three's Company became Three's A Crowd
The Golden Girls becameThe Golden Palace

Marvo301 · 06-09-2009, 06:42 PM

Valerie became Valerie's Family which then became The Hogan Family

jimpickens · 06-10-2009, 12:10 AM

The Misadventures Of Sheriff Lobo was renamed Lobo during its second season, Soldier Of Fortune inc was renamed Special Operations Force in its second season, and Magnum P.I was later shortened to Magnum.

Schmoopie · 06-10-2009, 03:43 AM

I didn't know that about Dynasty originally being called "Oil". I'm glad they changed the name.

OOliver · 06-10-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I didn't know that about Dynasty originally being called "Oil". I'm glad they changed the name.

Yes! Aside from "Oil" being changed...

Actor George Peppard was originally cast as Blake Carrington, but didn't do well with test audiences (so John Forsythe got the role).

Angie Dickinson was the actress they had in mind to play Krystle, but she didn't want to commit to series television so soon (she had finished a long run of 'Ploice Woman' a few years earlier). Linda Evans got the role.

Sophia Loren was the original choice to play Alexis Carrington, Liz Taylor was the second choice, and because they both refused - Joan Collins was lucky number 3.

DSfan · 06-11-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markway895

Saved by the Bell was originally Good Morning Miss Biss

Actually, Good Morning Miss Bliss was a different series altogether. It has its differences from the regular SBTB in that the location is different and similar things like that. It originally aired on Disney Channel, I believe, but once it was cancelled Brandon Tartikoff revived the idea and changed it to the 5 season show that was later on NBC.

Just for reference, according to Wikipedia:

Saved by the Bell is an American sitcom that originally aired between 1989 and 1993. The series is a retooled version of the 1988 series Good Morning, Miss Bliss, which was itself later retconned into the history of Saved by the Bell. The series followed the exploits of several students along with their principal at Bayside High School.

Also, [edit]
Saved by the Bell originated in an NBC pilot entitled Good Morning, Miss Bliss, which was inspired by then NBC president Brandon Tartikoff's teachers from his past. The show was set in Indianapolis, Indiana. NBC decided not to pick up the pilot, but Disney Channel did and aired the series for one season. Unlike the series that followed, the intention was to focus on the life of the teacher Miss Bliss, played by Hayley Mills, as the main character. The characters of Zack Morris, Samuel "Screech" Powers, Lisa Turtle and Mr. Richard Belding all originated on the series; other main characters, including other classmates Nikki Coleman (Heather Hopper), Mikey Gonzalez (Max Battimo) and maintenance supervisor Mylo Williams (T. K. Carter) were discontinued when the show changed direction. Jaleel White, Brian Austin Green and Jonathan Brandis all had roles in the pilot episode.

The show was canceled after 13 episodes and the rights were acquired by NBC, which had reconsidered the matter. Seeing that it had merit, they decided to revamp and recreate the series. Executive Producer Peter Engel wanted the show to be called When the Bell Rings, but Tartikoff convinced him to go with the title Saved by the Bell.[1]

Zoneboy · 06-11-2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OOliver

Yes! Aside from "Oil" being changed...

Actor George Peppard was originally cast as Blake Carrington, but didn't do well with test audiences (so John Forsythe got the role).

Test audiences had nothing to do with it, Peppard was canned because he couldn't get along with the series producers.

Marvo301 · 06-11-2009, 05:58 PM

In it's last season Little House on the Prairie was retitled Little House: A New Beginning.

06-09-2009, 04:40 PM	#1
OOliver Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 28, 2009 Location: Providence RI Posts: 569	TV shows that changed their titles I know in TV there have been many shows which have changed their title either during their run, or shortly before they aired. I started a short list, please add any others... "Ellen" was actually a sitcom titled "These Friends of Mine" for it's first brief season (March 1994). The network later retitled the show when it returned for season 2 in September, 1994. . "Seinfeld" actually premiered as "The Seinfeld Chronicles" sitcom on NBC in July, 1989. Once the show was added to the schedule that September, NBC retitled it "Seinfeld", not to be confused with ABC's "The Marshall Chronicles". "Dynasty", ABC's answer to "Dallas", was originally titled "Oil", but was renamed "Dynasty" before it aired on January 12, 1981.

06-09-2009, 04:45 PM	#2
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,127	Two Guys a Girl and a Pizza Place became Two Guys and a Girl.
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06-09-2009, 06:42 PM	#9
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	Valerie became Valerie's Family which then became The Hogan Family
	__________________ 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

06-10-2009, 03:43 AM	#11
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I didn't know that about Dynasty originally being called "Oil". I'm glad they changed the name.
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

06-09-2009, 04:50 PM	#3
greenguy Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 20, 2008 Posts: 79	Baa Baa Black Sheep became Black Sheep Squadron. Anyone remember when ABC used to show Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley weekday mornings mixed in with their game shows? For those broadcasts the on screen titles changed to: Happy Days Again and Laverne & Shirley and Company. Three's Company was also broadcast, but I cannot recall its title change.

06-09-2009, 04:56 PM	#4
OOliver Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 28, 2009 Location: Providence RI Posts: 569	YES! I do remember the daytime airings of 'Laverne and Shirley and Company' as well as 'Happy Days Again'! Why did ABC do this?

06-09-2009, 05:50 PM	#8
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	Laverne & Shirley became Laverne & Company, after Cindy Williams left the show in the middle of the last season. I Love Lucy became The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour The Lucy Show became Here's Lucy All in the Family became Archie Bunkers Place Three's Company became Three's A Crowd The Golden Girls becameThe Golden Palace

06-10-2009, 12:10 AM	#10
jimpickens Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2007 Location: weston,wv Posts: 1,389	The Misadventures Of Sheriff Lobo was renamed Lobo during its second season, Soldier Of Fortune inc was renamed Special Operations Force in its second season, and Magnum P.I was later shortened to Magnum.

06-11-2009, 05:58 PM	#15
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	In it's last season Little House on the Prairie was retitled Little House: A New Beginning.