'Eight Is Enough' Is A Sitcom?!? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 07-16-2011, 11:44 PM

I haven't seen this show in a while, but I am pretty sure it was not a sitcom. At the very most it was a dramedy. Also, wasn't EIE an hour long?

Mr. Television · 07-17-2011, 12:13 AM

It was an hour long but like The Love Boat it had a laugh track, so it was set up to look like a sitcom.

Retro4Life · 07-17-2011, 03:23 AM

Yeah I always considered the show a "comedy/drama" and never thought of it as a real sitcom.

Schmoopie · 07-18-2011, 12:52 AM

I agree... I never considered it a sitcom either.

old grouch · 07-18-2011, 09:16 AM

Although it has a laugh track and some moments of light comedy, I would put it in the family drama category along with 'The Waltons' and 'Little House on the Prairie'.

catlover79 · 07-18-2011, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Yeah I always considered the show a "comedy/drama" and never thought of it as a real sitcom.

TVFactFan · 07-23-2011, 02:20 PM

I learned something new today because I thought it was a 30 min show-lol

OH Nuts! · 07-27-2011, 04:29 PM

It's one of my favorite shows. I'd definitely say. overall, it was a dramedy. On some eps it was more comedic on others more serious/dramatic. On many, an even balance.

(The early eps were wonderful - esp. the one where Tom first meets Abby and of the course the VERY first shows with Diana Hyland before she passed)

McGillicuddy · 08-03-2011, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

It was an hour long but like The Love Boat it had a laugh track, so it was set up to look like a sitcom.

Yeah, it seems the laugh track is the only thing that throws everybody off as to what catagory this show falls. Its actually considered a comedy/drama.

OH Nuts! · 08-10-2011, 06:09 PM

Although the show would have done just fine w/o the laugh track, the track never seemed cloying to me; I barely noticed it.

It was a fine show; nicely nuanced. Never pat and predictable. You never knew quite what the new ep would be: serious? funny? light-hearted? bittersweet? (God, I wish they would put it on DVD!)

McGillicuddy · 08-10-2011, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OH Nuts!

Although the show would have done just fine w/o the laugh track, the track never seemed cloying to me; I barely noticed it.

It was a fine show; nicely nuanced. Never pat and predictable. You never knew quite what the new ep would be: serious? funny? light-hearted? bittersweet? (God, I wish they would put it on DVD!)

I think (or atleast hope) efforts are still being made to get it released.

lucyandethel · 04-10-2012, 04:12 PM

I HATED the laugh tracks on "The Love Boat" and "Eight is Enough". They were so fake....worse than the 1960s shows.

Skywalker · 04-26-2012, 06:35 PM

I've watched a few episodes of this show and can't believe they added a laugh track.

What were they thinking? The strange thing about EIE is sometimes when I expect to hear the laugh track, I don't and when I don't expect it, I do. At least the laugh track is only used sporadically, similar to the last few seasons of M*A*S*H, so it's not annoying.

Rich3 · 06-27-2012, 09:35 PM

Yes, the Love Boat is another good example. Where is the audience in those outdoor scenes?

The same with MASH.

McGillicuddy · 06-27-2012, 09:45 PM

When I was young, I just thought the laughter was coming from people at home watching the show on TV. I guess I thought the noise they made went through the television.

07-16-2011, 11:44 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	'Eight Is Enough' Is A Sitcom?!? I haven't seen this show in a while, but I am pretty sure it was not a sitcom. At the very most it was a dramedy. Also, wasn't EIE an hour long?
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07-17-2011, 12:13 AM	#2
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,125	It was an hour long but like The Love Boat it had a laugh track, so it was set up to look like a sitcom.
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07-17-2011, 03:23 AM	#3
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,706	Yeah I always considered the show a "comedy/drama" and never thought of it as a real sitcom.
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07-18-2011, 12:52 AM	#4
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I agree... I never considered it a sitcom either.
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07-18-2011, 09:16 AM	#5
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	Although it has a laugh track and some moments of light comedy, I would put it in the family drama category along with 'The Waltons' and 'Little House on the Prairie'.

07-23-2011, 02:20 PM	#7
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,955	I learned something new today because I thought it was a 30 min show-lol

07-27-2011, 04:29 PM	#8
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	It's one of my favorite shows. I'd definitely say. overall, it was a dramedy. On some eps it was more comedic on others more serious/dramatic. On many, an even balance. (The early eps were wonderful - esp. the one where Tom first meets Abby and of the course the VERY first shows with Diana Hyland before she passed)

08-10-2011, 06:09 PM	#10
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Although the show would have done just fine w/o the laugh track, the track never seemed cloying to me; I barely noticed it. It was a fine show; nicely nuanced. Never pat and predictable. You never knew quite what the new ep would be: serious? funny? light-hearted? bittersweet? (God, I wish they would put it on DVD!)

04-10-2012, 04:12 PM	#12
lucyandethel Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 18, 2009 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 435	I HATED the laugh tracks on "The Love Boat" and "Eight is Enough". They were so fake....worse than the 1960s shows.

04-26-2012, 06:35 PM	#13
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,205	I've watched a few episodes of this show and can't believe they added a laugh track. What were they thinking? The strange thing about EIE is sometimes when I expect to hear the laugh track, I don't and when I don't expect it, I do. At least the laugh track is only used sporadically, similar to the last few seasons of MAS*H, so it's not annoying.

06-27-2012, 09:35 PM	#14
Rich3 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 10, 2005 Posts: 688	Yes, the Love Boat is another good example. Where is the audience in those outdoor scenes? The same with MASH.

06-27-2012, 09:45 PM	#15
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	When I was young, I just thought the laughter was coming from people at home watching the show on TV. I guess I thought the noise they made went through the television.