Did 'The Ropers' Lack "Jiggle" to Be A Successful Show? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-04-2011, 08:42 PM

We all know 3's Company was the trend setter of "Jiggle TV." When the Ropers were spun off, they lacked the jiggle from their main characters. Do you think they should've added a couple of characters with a bit of ...sex appeal?

dakert · 06-04-2011, 10:53 PM

It was 1979, the era of the sitcom was coming to a close!

704Hauser · 06-05-2011, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakert

It was 1979, the era of the sitcom was coming to a close!

Well, the first era of the sitcom anyway, I think 1984-the end of the 1990s was the second era of the sitcom.

TV Knowledge Fan · 06-05-2011, 12:11 AM

..."THE ROPERS" were to "THREE'S COMPANY", as "GEORGE AND MILDRED" were to the original British version, "MAN ABOUT THE HOUSE"- naturally, you saw a lot less "jiggle" in the spin-off. They were an older couple, with a different set of characters surrounding them. Oh, there was "Jenny" [Louise Vallance] in the second season, trying to attract a more youthful audience, sans "jiggle". But in the end, Saturday nights at 8pm(et) in the fall of 1979 was the "kiss of death" for any ABC series back then....even "THE ROPERS".

The age of situation comedy wasn't "dead" yet, 'dakert'- but around 1982-'83, it sure looked like it. It wasn't until "THE COSBY SHOW" in 1984 that it was "miraculously revived"...

Brian Damage · 06-05-2011, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakert

It was 1979, the era of the sitcom was coming to a close!

So you think sexing up 'The Ropers' wouldn't have worked?

704Hauser · 06-05-2011, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

..."THE ROPERS" were to "THREE'S COMPANY", as "GEORGE AND MILDRED" were to the original British version, "MAN ABOUT THE HOUSE"- naturally, you saw a lot less "jiggle" in the spin-off. They were an older couple, with a different set of characters surrounding them. Oh, there was "Jenny" [Louise Vallance] in the second season, trying to attract a more youthful audience, sans "jiggle". But in the end, Saturday nights at 8pm(et) in the fall of 1979 was the "kiss of death" for any ABC series back then....even "THE ROPERS".

The age of situation comedy wasn't "dead" yet, 'dakert'- but around 1982-'83, it sure looked like it. It wasn't until "THE COSBY SHOW" in 1984 that it was "miraculously revived"...

As you may or may not know, George & Mildred was more popular than Man About The House, and only ended because Yootha Joyce (Mildred) died early in 1980. So I think The Ropers failing was largely due to the horrendous timeslot ABC gave it in the fall of '79.

Having seen every episode of The Ropers, while it is not as funny as Three's Company, it was still a good show.

TVFactFan · 06-05-2011, 05:20 PM

ann had enough JIGGLE for me. LOL

Retro4Life · 06-05-2011, 06:17 PM

Most of the "jiggle" shows didn't last very long anyway, really. And it was possible to be successful at that time without it; look at Taxi. Sure Marilu was sexy but they didn't play it up much. Barney Miller and Soap were hits without jiggle. The only big jiggle hits were 3's Company, Charlie's Angels and arguably Too Close For Comfort, unless you count Love Boat and Fantasy Island.

The Ropers failed because of lack of faith by the network and I'd say, a fairly weak core of supporting characters.

Mr. Television · 06-05-2011, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 704Hauser

As you may or may not know, George & Mildred was more popular than Man About The House, and only ended because Yootha Joyce (Mildred) died early in 1980. So I think The Ropers failing was largely due to the horrendous timeslot ABC gave it in the fall of '79.

Having seen every episode of The Ropers, while it is not as funny as Three's Company, it was still a good show.

Yea I agree. What killed the Ropers was CHIPS on NBC. That's what the young people were watching on Saturdays at 8 at that time. I know I did.

catlover79 · 06-05-2011, 11:52 PM

All of you have made valid points, but I just don't think the Ropers were strong enough characters to carry their own show. Just my two cents!!

eleri · 06-28-2011, 03:56 PM

I'm with catlover on this. In the British series, Mrs. Roper was not the same character, in spite of having much of the same dialogue. Mildred Roper could be sharp one second, and then break out in a wry smile the next. When the British series came out, Mildred quickly became a cultural icon. Other cast members of "Man About the House" said that Yootha Joyce was getting more fan mail than any of them. It made perfect sense, when "MATH" ended that they would give her her own show. She could carry it.

Her American counterpart, Helen Roper, was, on the other hand, a much softer character. I enjoyed her in Three's Company, much better than Furley in fact, but she just wasn't strong or charismatic enough to carry her own show.

thejasoomian · 05-01-2022, 01:16 PM

I don't think the show was geared for the 18-34 demo. Especially when I recall the products that were being advertised during the commercial breaks. I think they knew going in the audience would be mainly 34 and over.

I have the complete DVD sets of "Man About The House" and "Robin's Nest". But, after watching some episodes of "George and Mildred" , I passed on getting the dvd set for that series.

To me, "The Ropers and George & Mildred" were best in small doses.

I thought all the actors were great though.

TVFactFan · 05-01-2022, 08:41 PM

They had some jiggle, Ann's thighs and breast

BestTVever · 05-02-2022, 06:45 AM

The first few shows of the Ropers had the sex jokes. It was very Threes Company related. The next season all the sex jokes went away and Helen rarely made sex jokes against Stanley. The Ropers were just out of place. Stanley and Helen had nothing to do.

TVFactFan · 05-02-2022, 06:00 PM

The Ropers being taken off Three's company is like Mr. Bentley like the Willises leaving the Jeffersons. They were only watchable in the presence of the Jeffersons like the Ropers only was watchable in the presence of Jack and the girls

06-04-2011, 08:42 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Did 'The Ropers' Lack "Jiggle" to Be A Successful Show? We all know 3's Company was the trend setter of "Jiggle TV." When the Ropers were spun off, they lacked the jiggle from their main characters. Do you think they should've added a couple of characters with a bit of ...sex appeal?
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06-05-2011, 12:11 AM	#4
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	Considering the fact that.... ..."THE ROPERS" were to "THREE'S COMPANY", as "GEORGE AND MILDRED" were to the original British version, "MAN ABOUT THE HOUSE"- naturally, you saw a lot less "jiggle" in the spin-off. They were an older couple, with a different set of characters surrounding them. Oh, there was "Jenny" [Louise Vallance] in the second season, trying to attract a more youthful audience, sans "jiggle". But in the end, Saturday nights at 8pm(et) in the fall of 1979 was the "kiss of death" for any ABC series back then....even "THE ROPERS". The age of situation comedy wasn't "dead" yet, 'dakert'- but around 1982-'83, it sure looked like it. It wasn't until "THE COSBY SHOW" in 1984 that it was "miraculously revived"...

06-05-2011, 06:17 PM	#8
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Most of the "jiggle" shows didn't last very long anyway, really. And it was possible to be successful at that time without it; look at Taxi. Sure Marilu was sexy but they didn't play it up much. Barney Miller and Soap were hits without jiggle. The only big jiggle hits were 3's Company, Charlie's Angels and arguably Too Close For Comfort, unless you count Love Boat and Fantasy Island. The Ropers failed because of lack of faith by the network and I'd say, a fairly weak core of supporting characters.
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06-05-2011, 11:52 PM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	All of you have made valid points, but I just don't think the Ropers were strong enough characters to carry their own show. Just my two cents!!
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06-04-2011, 10:53 PM	#2
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	It was 1979, the era of the sitcom was coming to a close!

06-05-2011, 05:20 PM	#7
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,982	ann had enough JIGGLE for me. LOL

06-28-2011, 03:56 PM	#11
eleri Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 27, 2011 Posts: 56	I'm with catlover on this. In the British series, Mrs. Roper was not the same character, in spite of having much of the same dialogue. Mildred Roper could be sharp one second, and then break out in a wry smile the next. When the British series came out, Mildred quickly became a cultural icon. Other cast members of "Man About the House" said that Yootha Joyce was getting more fan mail than any of them. It made perfect sense, when "MATH" ended that they would give her her own show. She could carry it. Her American counterpart, Helen Roper, was, on the other hand, a much softer character. I enjoyed her in Three's Company, much better than Furley in fact, but she just wasn't strong or charismatic enough to carry her own show.

05-01-2022, 01:16 PM	#12
thejasoomian Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 15, 2019 Posts: 326	I don't think the show was geared for the 18-34 demo. Especially when I recall the products that were being advertised during the commercial breaks. I think they knew going in the audience would be mainly 34 and over. I have the complete DVD sets of "Man About The House" and "Robin's Nest". But, after watching some episodes of "George and Mildred" , I passed on getting the dvd set for that series. To me, "The Ropers and George & Mildred" were best in small doses. I thought all the actors were great though.

05-01-2022, 08:41 PM	#13
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,982	They had some jiggle, Ann's thighs and breast

05-02-2022, 06:45 AM	#14
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,879	The first few shows of the Ropers had the sex jokes. It was very Threes Company related. The next season all the sex jokes went away and Helen rarely made sex jokes against Stanley. The Ropers were just out of place. Stanley and Helen had nothing to do.

05-02-2022, 06:00 PM	#15
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,982	The Ropers being taken off Three's company is like Mr. Bentley like the Willises leaving the Jeffersons. They were only watchable in the presence of the Jeffersons like the Ropers only was watchable in the presence of Jack and the girls