Those Funny Sub-Plots! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

UMfan77 · 09-22-2009, 01:34 PM

Anyone think that the subplots were sometimes better than the main plot (story) of the episode? I listed below some of the subplots of certain episodes. The name of the episode is in quotes. If you can come up with more, list them here!

“Mrs. George Devereaux” Dorothy is being wooed by two men, Sonny Bono and Lyle Waggoner.

“If At Last You Do Succeed” Rose and Blanche fight over some war bonds that if cashed could bankrupt St. Olaf

“Wham, Bam, Thank You, Mammy” Sophia hires a matchmaker for Dorothy who experiences a date with a convict.

“Feelings” Rose must deal with her dentist, who she thinks fondled her during her last visit.

“Sister of the Bride” Rose expects to win a Volunteer of the Year award.

“Yes, We Have No Havanas” Rose takes a course taught by Dorothy in order to get a high school diploma

"Rose Fights Back" Sophia goes wild buying things in quantity at a Shopper’s Warehouse.

“Love Me Tender” Blanche and Rose join the “Be a Pal” and become pals to two motherless girls.

JL82 · 09-22-2009, 07:16 PM

There's a thread devoted to Mr. Terrific, and how terrifically un-appealing he is. Does anyone think the sub-plot about Blanche feeling guilty because a store delivered an expensive bed while charging her for the in-expensive one, is better? I actually think there are some funny things about the Mr. Terrific plot, even though I agree, he's not someone who'd be appealing in real life.

"Miles to Go" is good, but sad - the sub-plots about Blanche's attempt to return a dress she's worn, and Sophia's fight with a friend over a concert, are funnier. But maybe that's not fair, because the main plot probably isn't supposed to be that funny.

Smartboy · 09-22-2009, 11:03 PM

A while back, I started a couple of threads regarding the episode "How do you Solve a Problem like Sophia"? This is the one in which Sophia, in her eighties, decides that she wants to be a nun! This episode had a sub-plot of Blanch having borrowed Rose's car and gotten into some type of fender-bender with a car driven by a man. Blanch had the idea of seducing him as a way of tricking him into demonstrating that he was not quite as injured as he said he was. I believe that the male driver was played by the actor who played Paul from "Cheers". This aspect of the episode was done in pure slapstick form. I think that it was very good comic relief to the more serious plot of the episode. Any thoughts anyone?

09-22-2009, 01:34 PM	#1
UMfan77 Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 28, 2003 Posts: 1,064	Those Funny Sub-Plots! Anyone think that the subplots were sometimes better than the main plot (story) of the episode? I listed below some of the subplots of certain episodes. The name of the episode is in quotes. If you can come up with more, list them here! “Mrs. George Devereaux” Dorothy is being wooed by two men, Sonny Bono and Lyle Waggoner. “If At Last You Do Succeed” Rose and Blanche fight over some war bonds that if cashed could bankrupt St. Olaf “Wham, Bam, Thank You, Mammy” Sophia hires a matchmaker for Dorothy who experiences a date with a convict. “Feelings” Rose must deal with her dentist, who she thinks fondled her during her last visit. “Sister of the Bride” Rose expects to win a Volunteer of the Year award. “Yes, We Have No Havanas” Rose takes a course taught by Dorothy in order to get a high school diploma "Rose Fights Back" Sophia goes wild buying things in quantity at a Shopper’s Warehouse. “Love Me Tender” Blanche and Rose join the “Be a Pal” and become pals to two motherless girls.

09-22-2009, 07:16 PM	#2
JL82 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 14, 2009 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 189	There's a thread devoted to Mr. Terrific, and how terrifically un-appealing he is. Does anyone think the sub-plot about Blanche feeling guilty because a store delivered an expensive bed while charging her for the in-expensive one, is better? I actually think there are some funny things about the Mr. Terrific plot, even though I agree, he's not someone who'd be appealing in real life. "Miles to Go" is good, but sad - the sub-plots about Blanche's attempt to return a dress she's worn, and Sophia's fight with a friend over a concert, are funnier. But maybe that's not fair, because the main plot probably isn't supposed to be that funny.

09-22-2009, 11:03 PM	#3
Smartboy Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 06, 2007 Location: South Orange, NJ Posts: 4,231	A while back, I started a couple of threads regarding the episode "How do you Solve a Problem like Sophia"? This is the one in which Sophia, in her eighties, decides that she wants to be a nun! This episode had a sub-plot of Blanch having borrowed Rose's car and gotten into some type of fender-bender with a car driven by a man. Blanch had the idea of seducing him as a way of tricking him into demonstrating that he was not quite as injured as he said he was. I believe that the male driver was played by the actor who played Paul from "Cheers". This aspect of the episode was done in pure slapstick form. I think that it was very good comic relief to the more serious plot of the episode. Any thoughts anyone?