Sitcoms that went on TOO long - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

McGillicuddy · 11-08-2009, 01:47 PM

On one The Golden Girls thread the topic was getting into shows that went on too long. I thought I'd start a separate thread for this.

What popular sitcoms do you think went on too long even though they were popular. I say:

The Jeffersons (11 seasons)
Alice (9 Seasons)
Friends (10 Seasons) - I mean how realistic is it for 6 individuals to hang out together exclusively, for 10 years?

JulieSomoski · 11-08-2009, 01:56 PM

Murphy Brown - while I loved the final season, almost as much as the earlier seasons, seasons 8-9 just weren't necessary. Although the show was still enjoyable, it just lost the magic by season 9 and 10.

The Drew Carey Show - it's almost hard to believe this show was on for 9 seasons, because all people seem to remember are seasons 1-6. I've only watched a few episodes from the last 3 seasons, but by then, the show had changed so much that they were pointless to tack on.

The Facts of Life - fantastic show during seasons 2-5, but after that, the show had become so different and farfetched that I have no idea what the later seasons are about. It's amazing, though, how they kept this show going with the same girls for 9 years.

Scrubs - should've ended after season 7. Season 8 on ABC was pointless, and season 9 will probably be excruciatingly painful to watch. I still don't see why ABC decided to renew it for yet another season.

benjamoon · 11-08-2009, 02:19 PM

I disagree about Friends, I think that show was still good (not its best, but still good) in its last season

Some shows I DO think wore out their welcome:
Happy Days
Murphy Brown
Bewitched

I loved all those shows at the beginning of their run, but they dipped heavily in quality by the end

Ohio8 · 11-08-2009, 02:34 PM

"M*A*S*H"

Retro4Life · 11-08-2009, 02:55 PM

Good thread.

I think it's really hard for most shows to retain quality after 5 or 6 years. Some can do it; most can't.

My list of those that went on too long would include:

Seinfeld (about four years too long)

Frasier (the last three or four years were unwatchable for me; around the time the show shifted from a work/home sitcom to a strictly home one it went downhill.

One Day at a Time (never recovered from Mackenzie Phillips departure; probably should have ended when she left the 2nd time).

Welcome Back Kotter (not a long show by any means but when Travolta and Kotter (mostly) departed, what was the point, really?)

Laverne and Shirley (moving to California gutted the show, and without Cindy Williams, again, why bother?)

Happy Days (this show went on five years after Richie Cunningham left, and honestly, I don't think I watched over a handful of those post-Richie eps; for me his presence was really key to the show)

All in the Family (my favorite sitcom of all time, but honestly, without Mike and Gloria, the show had no real spark; I still loved Archie and Edith but there wasn't enough comic fodder (or conflict) to keep the show going)

P.S. MASH wasn't the same show in the post Radar years, but it was still high quality so I won't count it here.

McGillicuddy · 11-08-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieSomoski

Murphy Brown - while I loved the final season, almost as much as the earlier seasons, seasons 8-9 just weren't necessary. Although the show was still enjoyable, it just lost the magic by season 9 and 10.

The Drew Carey Show - it's almost hard to believe this show was on for 9 seasons, because all people seem to remember are seasons 1-6. I've only watched a few episodes from the last 3 seasons, but by then, the show had changed so much that they were pointless to tack on.

The Facts of Life - fantastic show during seasons 2-5, but after that, the show had become so different and farfetched that I have no idea what the later seasons are about. It's amazing, though, how they kept this show going with the same girls for 9 years.

Scrubs - should've ended after season 7. Season 8 on ABC was pointless, and season 9 will probably be excruciatingly painful to watch. I still don't see why ABC decided to renew it for yet another season.

Yeah, The Facts of Life, is probably the number 1 show that went on too long. It should have ended when the older girls graduated. It was too far fetched for the 4 girls to follow Mrs. Garratt to live on top of her store. And then didn't the store burn down? Then I don't know what happened but Charlotte Rae left the show, and it STILL went on with Cloris Leachman. So unreal

istic!

JulieSomoski · 11-08-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markway895

Yeah, The Facts of Life, is probably the number 1 show that went on too long. It should have ended when the older girls graduated. It was too far fetched for the 4 girls to follow Mrs. Garratt to live on top of her store. And then didn't the store burn down? Then I don't know what happened but Charlotte Rae left the show, and it STILL went on with Cloris Leachman. So unreal

istic!

I stopped watching around the time they changed the location to Edna's Edibles. Then the girls were living together on the top of the building, and working there? And then Charlotte Rae, the backbone of the show, left, and they brought in Cloris Leachman? I love Cloris, but Facts of Life was a career mistake for her. Like I said, season 6 or 7 should have been the last. After that was completely unnecessary.

James · 11-08-2009, 03:41 PM

The following shows went on too long:

Cheers
Friends
Married ... with Children
NYPD Blue
Roseanne
Will and Grace

Janice · 11-08-2009, 03:45 PM

All in The Family, Mash, The Jeffersons, Toseanne, The Cosby Show, Frasier. That's it for now.

comedyfreak · 11-08-2009, 05:58 PM

Happy Days
M*A*S*H
One Day At A Time

R.jsheedy · 11-08-2009, 06:34 PM

8 Simple Rules (SHOULD HAVE ENDED AFTER JOHN RITTERS DEATH)\
Everybody Loves Raymond (SHOULD HAVE ENDED IN SEASON 8)
Scrubs (SHOULD HAVE ENDED AFTER SEASON 8)
Til Death (SHOULD HAVE BEEN CANCELLED IN SEASON 3 AFTER THE WOODCOCKS LEFT)

ThomasE · 11-08-2009, 06:40 PM

My picks:

Happy Days: I am glad that it had a good 11 year run but it should have stopped after season ten. However it was a treat to see Richie, Ralph and Lori Beth back.

Less than Perfect: The ratings were seriously falling but got renewed over other shows that should have had a chance.

Roseanne: Season Nine. Need I say more? Season Eight should have been it.

The Facts of Life was not the same to me after Charlotte Rae left and could have ended after season seven.

Empty Nest could have ended in season six and given Nurses a chance at a season four.

7th Heaven: Granted, it was not a sitcom but it should have left the airwaves in season ten. Its cool that they got an 11th year but there was almost no one there from the original run to keep it going.

megamanj2004 · 11-08-2009, 10:22 PM

The Cosby Show - No doubt! When Olvia 1st came along she wasn't too bad but very soon afterwards she became annoying. It got worse when Martin (Who is another one of my least favorite characters on this show) entered the scene as did Cousin Pam.

Roseanne - The 9th season just truly showed its age! HORRIBLY!!

That '70s Show - I liked this show from start to finish and the fact that in S8 the other characters got more chance to shine more, BUT...I still thought that S7 should've been the last right then and there.

Bewitched - After the 1st season w/ Dick Sargent, this show became too tired out.

Scrubs - This season, if not this season then next season def. should be the last one! Both NBC and ABC are playing pitta-patta with the schtick "are they gonna cancel/are they not cancel this show?"

Growing Pains - When S5 rolled into town, the show just seemed to become The Kirk Cameron Show.

Diff'rent Strokes - S6 should've actually been the last. But NOOOOOOOOOOOOO they had to have Mr. D marry that nagger Maggie and that annoying little pill Sam. Plus, the show seemed tired out during S7. ABC picked up this show for its 8th and final season and it just made matters even worse.

McGillicuddy · 11-08-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megamanj2004

The Cosby Show - No doubt! When Olvia 1st came along she wasn't too bad but very soon afterwards she became annoying. It got worse when Martin (Who is another one of my least favorite characters on this show) entered the scene as did Cousin Pam.

Roseanne - The 9th season just truly showed its age! HORRIBLY!!

That '70s Show - I liked this show from start to finish and the fact that in S8 the other characters got more chance to shine more, BUT...I still thought that S7 should've been the last right then and there.

Bewitched - After the 1st season w/ Dick Sargent, this show became too tired out.

Scrubs - This season, if not this season then next season def. should be the last one! Both NBC and ABC are playing pitta-patta with the schtick "are they gonna cancel/are they not cancel this show?"

Growing Pains - When S5 rolled into town, the show just seemed to become The Kirk Cameron Show.

Diff'rent Strokes - S6 should've actually been the last. But NOOOOOOOOOOOOO they had to have Mr. D marry that nagger Maggie and that annoying little pill Sam. Plus, the show seemed tired out during S7. ABC picked up this show for its 8th and final season and it just made matters even worse.

I have to disagree with Bewitched. Season 7 had the Salem episode arc. Plus it was filmed on location.

James28 · 11-08-2009, 11:59 PM

I could say that My Three Sons should have lasted for 10 seasons (1960-70) instead of twelve. The series went downhill after the tenth season ended. And my grandson Jim wished that The Smpsons had been cancelled last season instead of King of the Hill, but I feel that both shows had went on too long. And Family Matters and Step by Step by the time they moved to CBS frm ABC were beginning to look tired out.

11-08-2009, 01:47 PM	#1
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	Sitcoms that went on TOO long On one The Golden Girls thread the topic was getting into shows that went on too long. I thought I'd start a separate thread for this. What popular sitcoms do you think went on too long even though they were popular. I say: The Jeffersons (11 seasons) Alice (9 Seasons) Friends (10 Seasons) - I mean how realistic is it for 6 individuals to hang out together exclusively, for 10 years?

11-08-2009, 01:56 PM	#2
JulieSomoski Roseanne Reboot - March 27! Forum Veteran Join Date: Nov 06, 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,558	Murphy Brown - while I loved the final season, almost as much as the earlier seasons, seasons 8-9 just weren't necessary. Although the show was still enjoyable, it just lost the magic by season 9 and 10. The Drew Carey Show - it's almost hard to believe this show was on for 9 seasons, because all people seem to remember are seasons 1-6. I've only watched a few episodes from the last 3 seasons, but by then, the show had changed so much that they were pointless to tack on. The Facts of Life - fantastic show during seasons 2-5, but after that, the show had become so different and farfetched that I have no idea what the later seasons are about. It's amazing, though, how they kept this show going with the same girls for 9 years. Scrubs - should've ended after season 7. Season 8 on ABC was pointless, and season 9 will probably be excruciatingly painful to watch. I still don't see why ABC decided to renew it for yet another season.
	__________________ 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!

11-08-2009, 02:19 PM	#3
benjamoon Bewitched Senior Member Join Date: Jun 15, 2000 Location: New York Posts: 1,450	I disagree about Friends, I think that show was still good (not its best, but still good) in its last season Some shows I DO think wore out their welcome: Happy Days Murphy Brown Bewitched I loved all those shows at the beginning of their run, but they dipped heavily in quality by the end
	__________________ My Blog: http://benjamonsterstv.blogspot.com/ My Site: peaktvdatabase.weebly.com My favorite TV shows: Bewitched, I Love Lucy, American Dreams, Mary Tyler Moore, The Office, Happy Days, The West Wing, Modern Family, Friday Night Lights, Friends, Mad Men, Parks and Recreation, and Parenthood

11-08-2009, 02:55 PM	#5
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Good thread. I think it's really hard for most shows to retain quality after 5 or 6 years. Some can do it; most can't. My list of those that went on too long would include: Seinfeld (about four years too long) Frasier (the last three or four years were unwatchable for me; around the time the show shifted from a work/home sitcom to a strictly home one it went downhill. One Day at a Time (never recovered from Mackenzie Phillips departure; probably should have ended when she left the 2nd time). Welcome Back Kotter (not a long show by any means but when Travolta and Kotter (mostly) departed, what was the point, really?) Laverne and Shirley (moving to California gutted the show, and without Cindy Williams, again, why bother?) Happy Days (this show went on five years after Richie Cunningham left, and honestly, I don't think I watched over a handful of those post-Richie eps; for me his presence was really key to the show) All in the Family (my favorite sitcom of all time, but honestly, without Mike and Gloria, the show had no real spark; I still loved Archie and Edith but there wasn't enough comic fodder (or conflict) to keep the show going) P.S. MASH wasn't the same show in the post Radar years, but it was still high quality so I won't count it here.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

11-08-2009, 05:58 PM	#10
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,058	Happy Days MAS*H One Day At A Time
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

11-08-2009, 02:34 PM	#4
Ohio8 Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 29, 2003 Location: Wherever you aren't. Posts: 18,904	"MAS*H"

11-08-2009, 03:41 PM	#8
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	The following shows went on too long: Cheers Friends Married ... with Children NYPD Blue Roseanne Will and Grace

11-08-2009, 03:45 PM	#9
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	All in The Family, Mash, The Jeffersons, Toseanne, The Cosby Show, Frasier. That's it for now.

11-08-2009, 06:34 PM	#11
R.jsheedy Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 06, 2008 Posts: 1,035	8 Simple Rules (SHOULD HAVE ENDED AFTER JOHN RITTERS DEATH)\ Everybody Loves Raymond (SHOULD HAVE ENDED IN SEASON 8) Scrubs (SHOULD HAVE ENDED AFTER SEASON 8) Til Death (SHOULD HAVE BEEN CANCELLED IN SEASON 3 AFTER THE WOODCOCKS LEFT)

11-08-2009, 06:40 PM	#12
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	My picks: Happy Days: I am glad that it had a good 11 year run but it should have stopped after season ten. However it was a treat to see Richie, Ralph and Lori Beth back. Less than Perfect: The ratings were seriously falling but got renewed over other shows that should have had a chance. Roseanne: Season Nine. Need I say more? Season Eight should have been it. The Facts of Life was not the same to me after Charlotte Rae left and could have ended after season seven. Empty Nest could have ended in season six and given Nurses a chance at a season four. 7th Heaven: Granted, it was not a sitcom but it should have left the airwaves in season ten. Its cool that they got an 11th year but there was almost no one there from the original run to keep it going.
	__________________ Check out my my "It's A Living" Facebook Fanpage!!! https://m.facebook.com/groups/107208...&source=result

11-08-2009, 10:22 PM	#13
megamanj2004 Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 21, 2004 Posts: 2,357	The Cosby Show - No doubt! When Olvia 1st came along she wasn't too bad but very soon afterwards she became annoying. It got worse when Martin (Who is another one of my least favorite characters on this show) entered the scene as did Cousin Pam. Roseanne - The 9th season just truly showed its age! HORRIBLY!! That '70s Show - I liked this show from start to finish and the fact that in S8 the other characters got more chance to shine more, BUT...I still thought that S7 should've been the last right then and there. Bewitched - After the 1st season w/ Dick Sargent, this show became too tired out. Scrubs - This season, if not this season then next season def. should be the last one! Both NBC and ABC are playing pitta-patta with the schtick "are they gonna cancel/are they not cancel this show?" Growing Pains - When S5 rolled into town, the show just seemed to become The Kirk Cameron Show. Diff'rent Strokes - S6 should've actually been the last. But NOOOOOOOOOOOOO they had to have Mr. D marry that nagger Maggie and that annoying little pill Sam. Plus, the show seemed tired out during S7. ABC picked up this show for its 8th and final season and it just made matters even worse.
	__________________ 10 AND A HALF YEARS GOING STRONG!!!

11-08-2009, 11:59 PM	#15
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,976	I could say that My Three Sons should have lasted for 10 seasons (1960-70) instead of twelve. The series went downhill after the tenth season ended. And my grandson Jim wished that The Smpsons had been cancelled last season instead of King of the Hill, but I feel that both shows had went on too long. And Family Matters and Step by Step by the time they moved to CBS frm ABC were beginning to look tired out.