5 Minute Rule - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

PartyOfOne · 05-12-2010, 10:15 PM

Was there ever a period in this show's entire 5 year run when you did not see Gomer or Sgt. Carter or both? I doubt it. In contrast despite 150 episodes the only other character to evolve at all was Duke. And except for the 2 guys in the theme song and Col. Gray you can go whole seaons without seeing any of the so called "main characters." A record for an American primetime, non-cartoon sitcom show a 3 digit episode run? Just a thought.

Zoneboy · 05-13-2010, 01:26 AM

Which so-called main characters are you speaking of?

treky · 05-14-2010, 01:33 AM

yes, what main characters?

biffbronson · 05-18-2010, 04:46 PM

Col. Gray actually appeared less often than Corporal Boyle, who was played by Roy Stuart, once Boyle was introduced. I don't think all of Roy's appearances have been documented yet.

Other regulars at times were played by Ted Bessell, Allan Melvin, and William Christopher. Then there were the girlfriends, who appeared regularly later: Barbara Stuart and Elizabeth McRae. A pretty impressive cast.

Zoneboy · 05-18-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffbronson

Col. Gray actually appeared less often than Corporal Boyle, who was played by Roy Stuart, once Boyle was introduced. I don't think all of Roy's appearances have been documented yet.

Other regulars at times were played by Ted Bessell, Allan Melvin, and William Christopher. Then there were the girlfriends, who appeared regularly later: Barbara Stuart and Elizabeth McRae. A pretty impressive cast.

Thanks but I'd like to know who PartyOfOne considers to be main characters. Of the ones you mentioned, I would consider all to qualify as main characters except the one's played by Ted Bessell ( Frankie Lombardi - 4 episodes) & William Christopher (Lester Hummel - 8 episodes.)

TeeVeeCloset · 05-18-2010, 07:47 PM

I don't even get the point of the post or the question? The shows stars from the opening and only credited were Jim Nabors & Frank Sutton....everyone else was on a episode by episode non-contract player. As for the character of Duke, Ronnie Schell left during the middle of the series run to do the one season series "Good Morning World". When it was cancelled they let him return. again I just don't understand your question, it's like asking during "I Love Lucy" was there ever a time for 5 minutes where you didn't see Lucille Ball or Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance & William Frawley hardly had scenes alone, yet were considered co-stars.

1960'sTVfan · 05-18-2010, 08:10 PM

I've always considered Gomer Pyle USMC as basically a two man show, Jim Nabors and Frank Sutton. There was a fine cast of supporting players, but aside from Gomer and Sgt. Carter the characters most memorable are Duke and Corporal Boyle.

biffbronson · 05-28-2010, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

Thanks but I'd like to know who PartyOfOne considers to be main characters. Of the ones you mentioned, I would consider all to qualify as main characters except the one's played by Ted Bessell ( Frankie Lombardi - 4 episodes) & William Christopher (Lester Hummel - 8 episodes.)

Frankie's and Lester's appearances have not all been documented -- yet.

Ted Bessel was a regular in Season 2 and had significantly more appearances than just 4. For example, he played Frankie in the "Little Girl Blue" episode, yet is not credited at IMDb. Currently I think they have him at 8 appearances, which is still far too low.

As far as Wm. Christopher, I personally added some of the current IMDb credits and I suspect that once again, the number of appearances was far higher than he's been credited for.

PartyOfOne · 06-15-2010, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeeVeeCloset

I don't even get the point of the post or the question? The shows stars from the opening and only credited were Jim Nabors & Frank Sutton....everyone else was on a episode by episode non-contract player. As for the character of Duke, Ronnie Schell left during the middle of the series run to do the one season series "Good Morning World". When it was cancelled they let him return. again I just don't understand your question, it's like asking during "I Love Lucy" was there ever a time for 5 minutes where you didn't see Lucille Ball or Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance & William Frawley hardly had scenes alone, yet were considered co-stars.

Well, it was slightly random and not written in the best manner. The person who said it was a two-man show was correct. You learned a lot more about Fred and Ethel in I Love Lucy than you learned about any 3rd character in GP. Where was Cpl. Boyle from? Nobody knows. Did you ever meet any family members of his? Friends? You did not. And this was a star? Plus that was 4 main characters which is twice as many as 2. I too would like an accurate count of the other "stars" on GP.

showfan · 12-14-2010, 11:38 AM

I don't recall specific episode titles, but there were a few episodes where Carter did not appear , it was all Gomer.

Jack Gomez · 12-23-2010, 05:50 PM

I just watched Dynamite Diner today and Frank Sutton doesn't appear in that one. The whole episode took place off base with Gomer and Lou Ann attempting to help two guys (crooks) start a diner business. It's a really funny episode and probably one of my top favorites of the series, which is weird because I really like Sgt. Carter. He's my favorite character on the show, but I didn't miss him this time.

05-12-2010, 10:15 PM	#1
PartyOfOne Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 24, 2005 Posts: 162	5 Minute Rule Was there ever a period in this show's entire 5 year run when you did not see Gomer or Sgt. Carter or both? I doubt it. In contrast despite 150 episodes the only other character to evolve at all was Duke. And except for the 2 guys in the theme song and Col. Gray you can go whole seaons without seeing any of the so called "main characters." A record for an American primetime, non-cartoon sitcom show a 3 digit episode run? Just a thought.

05-13-2010, 01:26 AM	#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: 34,381	Which so-called main characters are you speaking of?
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05-14-2010, 01:33 AM	#3
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	yes, what main characters?
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05-18-2010, 04:46 PM	#4
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,493	Col. Gray actually appeared less often than Corporal Boyle, who was played by Roy Stuart, once Boyle was introduced. I don't think all of Roy's appearances have been documented yet. Other regulars at times were played by Ted Bessell, Allan Melvin, and William Christopher. Then there were the girlfriends, who appeared regularly later: Barbara Stuart and Elizabeth McRae. A pretty impressive cast.
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05-18-2010, 07:47 PM	#6
TeeVeeCloset Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 25, 2003 Posts: 1,873	I don't even get the point of the post or the question? The shows stars from the opening and only credited were Jim Nabors & Frank Sutton....everyone else was on a episode by episode non-contract player. As for the character of Duke, Ronnie Schell left during the middle of the series run to do the one season series "Good Morning World". When it was cancelled they let him return. again I just don't understand your question, it's like asking during "I Love Lucy" was there ever a time for 5 minutes where you didn't see Lucille Ball or Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance & William Frawley hardly had scenes alone, yet were considered co-stars.
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05-18-2010, 08:10 PM	#7
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,100	I've always considered Gomer Pyle USMC as basically a two man show, Jim Nabors and Frank Sutton. There was a fine cast of supporting players, but aside from Gomer and Sgt. Carter the characters most memorable are Duke and Corporal Boyle.

12-14-2010, 11:38 AM	#10
showfan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 24, 2005 Posts: 163	I don't recall specific episode titles, but there were a few episodes where Carter did not appear , it was all Gomer.

12-23-2010, 05:50 PM	#11
Jack Gomez Felipe's son Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 18, 2003 Posts: 614	I just watched Dynamite Diner today and Frank Sutton doesn't appear in that one. The whole episode took place off base with Gomer and Lou Ann attempting to help two guys (crooks) start a diner business. It's a really funny episode and probably one of my top favorites of the series, which is weird because I really like Sgt. Carter. He's my favorite character on the show, but I didn't miss him this time.