(Don't) Show Me That Smile Again: Family-Friendly Sitcoms Past Their Expiration Date - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

ryan423 · 07-05-2011, 08:46 PM

I hope this is okay to post! I did an editorial for my own blog about sitcoms of the 1980's, 90's, and 00's, highlighting shows that, in my opinion, have aged well and those that have not. I list 11 different family-friendly sitcoms!

Quote:

The last seventy years have brought us countless family-friendly sitcoms, with some of the most popular coming out of the 1980's, 90's, and the 2000's. There are those that have survived the test of time, remaining as watchable as they were back when they hit the small screen, and those that have failed to age well. Today, I'll be taking a look at both shows that have and haven't aged well, including some favorite ABC TGIF and TNBC sitcoms of the last twenty-five years. Join me, won't you?

Full Editorial Here!

mets82 · 07-05-2011, 10:08 PM

I read your blog and very well done!!! I do disagree with you on a couple of things. First, California Dreams, past its prime?? I loved that show growing up. Compared to what they have on tv now, California Dreams was Gunsmoke. Also, Full House is wayyy past its prime. Frankly, the show got sickening as time went on and Michelle was just a total brat towards the end. The whole show revolved around her.

I do agree with you on Family Matters. Totally jumped the shark when it became the Steve Urkel Show.

benjamoon · 07-06-2011, 12:53 AM

This probably wouldn't be agreed on by everyone here but I would argue that Family Ties has not held up well. I think it was too 80s to really hold up now. I think the people who like it like it because they have fond memories of it. For someone like me who didn't grow up with it, I don't think it stands the test of time at all.

icecream · 07-06-2011, 01:51 AM

Family Ties may be dated but it's miles better than most of today's shows.

70s show watcher · 07-06-2011, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benjamoon

This probably wouldn't be agreed on by everyone here but I would argue that Family Ties has not held up well. I think it was too 80s to really hold up now. I think the people who like it like it because they have fond memories of it. For someone like me who didn't grow up with it, I don't think it stands the test of time at all.

i was going to post the same thing about family ties i still watch it every once in awhile for old times sake but for the most part what seemed fresh and maybe even a little cutting edge in the 80s just appers spotty and somewhat labored now

UMFaninMD · 07-10-2011, 01:46 PM

Good Times and Punky Brewster, which were not mentioned, still hold up I think. While I wouldn't call Good Times exactly family-friendly, it was written as a sitcom so I include it. The only things outdated about these two are the clothes, but they were written in such a way that you can watch it today and still relate to it.

James · 07-10-2011, 02:14 PM

No offense, but I cannot for the life of me understand why Boy Meets World never passed its expiration date. I gave this show a shot when it came out thinking it would be a continuation of The Wonder Years for starring Fred Savage's brother, but a year later I lost interest, mostly because it took place in the contemporary 1990s, which to me are inferior to the 1970s.

ekkostar · 07-13-2011, 10:09 PM

8 Simple Rules. ABC Family makes me RAAAAAGE because they've ran it into the ground. It's also no longer 2002 and in today's environment the show is becoming very dated with the cultural references.

I watched some Boy Meets World reruns a few months ago and I couldn't do it, Boy Meets World is very dated now, especially the 1993-1995 episodes. I have this same problem with a lot of Nickelodeon shows, I grew up with them but they've quite obviously aged and not in a good way.

ryan423 · 07-13-2011, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

No offense, but I cannot for the life of me understand why Boy Meets World never passed its expiration date. I gave this show a shot when it came out thinking it would be a continuation of The Wonder Years for starring Fred Savage's brother, but a year later I lost interest, mostly because it took place in the contemporary 1990s, which to me are inferior to the 1970s.

It's okay that we disagree about BMW, but why in the world would you think it was a WY continuation? There are plenty of siblings that are in show business. You can't judge a show based on a show that has no relation to the one you're comparing it to! But that's okay... to each his own!

ryan423 · 07-13-2011, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekkostar

8 Simple Rules. ABC Family makes me RAAAAAGE because they've ran it into the ground. It's also no longer 2002 and in today's environment the show is becoming very dated with the cultural references.

I watched some Boy Meets World reruns a few months ago and I couldn't do it, Boy Meets World is very dated now, especially the 1993-1995 episodes. I have this same problem with a lot of Nickelodeon shows, I grew up with them but they've quite obviously aged and not in a good way.

I guess everyone has their own opinion, but besides a few jokes, I don't remember 8SR making a lot of references to what was popular at the time, so I don't get how it is dated. There was one episode about an Outkast concert, and one joke I remember was comparing Bridget and Kerry to the Olsen Twins, but I don't know what else would make it considered "Aged". I'm actually quite curious what about it you find dated! ABC Family might air reruns into the ground, but it isn't like they expect the same people to watch the show everyday over and over. After all, it is in syndication.

James · 07-14-2011, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan423

It's okay that we disagree about BMW, but why in the world would you think it was a WY continuation?

I thought BMW would be a continuation of TWY because (a) it starred the younger brother of Fred Savage, (b) BMW started right after TWY was canceled, and (c) both series aired on the same network, ABC.

Just sayin'!

Family Ties Forever! · 07-25-2011, 02:48 AM

To those who think Family Ties hasn't aged well other than the references to President Reagan, I don't see how it could only be watched and enjoyed in the 1980's. I think it stands the test of time.

I disagree about Growing Pains and Full House. I think both of those shows are still watchable today.

07-06-2011, 12:53 AM	#3
benjamoon Bewitched Senior Member Join Date: Jun 15, 2000 Location: New York Posts: 1,450	This probably wouldn't be agreed on by everyone here but I would argue that Family Ties has not held up well. I think it was too 80s to really hold up now. I think the people who like it like it because they have fond memories of it. For someone like me who didn't grow up with it, I don't think it stands the test of time at all.
	__________________ 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

07-06-2011, 01:51 AM	#4
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,688	Family Ties may be dated but it's miles better than most of today's shows.
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07-13-2011, 10:09 PM	#8
ekkostar Coffee, Tea & Larroquette! Senior Member Join Date: Apr 16, 2005 Posts: 1,077	8 Simple Rules. ABC Family makes me RAAAAAGE because they've ran it into the ground. It's also no longer 2002 and in today's environment the show is becoming very dated with the cultural references. I watched some Boy Meets World reruns a few months ago and I couldn't do it, Boy Meets World is very dated now, especially the 1993-1995 episodes. I have this same problem with a lot of Nickelodeon shows, I grew up with them but they've quite obviously aged and not in a good way.
	__________________ "All my sitcoms had an audience, with four or five cameras, so working this way has always been appealing to me." - John Larroquette A living legend, five Emmys and a Tony award! Your favorites could never...

07-25-2011, 02:48 AM	#12
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	To those who think Family Ties hasn't aged well other than the references to President Reagan, I don't see how it could only be watched and enjoyed in the 1980's. I think it stands the test of time. I disagree about Growing Pains and Full House. I think both of those shows are still watchable today.
	__________________ Jenny

07-05-2011, 10:08 PM	#2
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,058	I read your blog and very well done!!! I do disagree with you on a couple of things. First, California Dreams, past its prime?? I loved that show growing up. Compared to what they have on tv now, California Dreams was Gunsmoke. Also, Full House is wayyy past its prime. Frankly, the show got sickening as time went on and Michelle was just a total brat towards the end. The whole show revolved around her. I do agree with you on Family Matters. Totally jumped the shark when it became the Steve Urkel Show.

07-10-2011, 01:46 PM	#6
UMFaninMD I love a mystery Senior Member Join Date: Apr 19, 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,287	Good Times and Punky Brewster, which were not mentioned, still hold up I think. While I wouldn't call Good Times exactly family-friendly, it was written as a sitcom so I include it. The only things outdated about these two are the clothes, but they were written in such a way that you can watch it today and still relate to it.

07-10-2011, 02:14 PM	#7
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	No offense, but I cannot for the life of me understand why Boy Meets World never passed its expiration date. I gave this show a shot when it came out thinking it would be a continuation of The Wonder Years for starring Fred Savage's brother, but a year later I lost interest, mostly because it took place in the contemporary 1990s, which to me are inferior to the 1970s.