First sitcom to have a series finale episode? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Jack Gomez · 02-04-2012, 04:32 PM

What are some of the earliest shows(or first one ever) you can think of that had a series finale? What I mean is a show like M*A*S*H* which consciously made the decision to kind of say "this is it and goodbye" as opposed to just some random episode that was the last episode of a series like Dennis the Menace.

Retro4Life · 02-04-2012, 05:40 PM

I think The Fugitive was the first drama to have a concluding final episode, and that aired in 1967.

As for the first sitcom to have such an episode, I'm not positive but I'm going to say Leave it To Beaver, whose last episode was a kind of retrospective, and aired in 1963. The next one I can think of would be The Odd Couple, whose last ep aired in 1975!

bencasey · 02-06-2012, 03:44 AM

Hank - 1965-66

snowpeck · 02-06-2012, 08:22 AM

The Dick Van Dyke Show possibly... the last show was a clip show as Laura read Rob's book about his life experiences. Alan Brady got a hold of it and wanted to turn it into a sitcom. (Would the first episode have been similar to the unsold DVDS pilot "Head of the Family"?)

TV_on_the_Porch · 02-06-2012, 08:36 AM

I think perhaps The Ann Sothern Show qualifies, the dynamic of the power struggle between the leads suddenly (at least hopefully) lost as they headed off on their honeymoon at the final fadeout.

Coffeecup · 02-06-2012, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

I think The Fugitive was the first drama to have a concluding final episode, and that aired in 1967.

As for the first sitcom to have such an episode, I'm not positive but I'm going to say Leave it To Beaver, whose last episode was a kind of retrospective, and aired in 1963. The next one I can think of would be The Odd Couple, whose last ep aired in 1975!

Yes the Fugitive would be a good example. The one armed man was finally seen. As for Beaver, I don't know. I always thought they were planning on another year.

James28 · 02-07-2012, 02:27 PM

I think there should be a spinoff thread titled: "What if a TV series that did not have a concluding series finale episode did have a concluding series finale episode?".

factsoflife · 02-07-2012, 08:29 PM

Um, I LOVE LUCY!

TV_on_the_Porch · 02-07-2012, 10:28 PM

Um, THAT WASN'T A FINALE! They were back in the same place having the same adventures with the same people the next fall on the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz specials.

02-04-2012, 04:32 PM	#1
Jack Gomez Felipe's son Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 18, 2003 Posts: 614	First sitcom to have a series finale episode? What are some of the earliest shows(or first one ever) you can think of that had a series finale? What I mean is a show like MASH which consciously made the decision to kind of say "this is it and goodbye" as opposed to just some random episode that was the last episode of a series like Dennis the Menace.

02-04-2012, 05:40 PM	#2
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I think The Fugitive was the first drama to have a concluding final episode, and that aired in 1967. As for the first sitcom to have such an episode, I'm not positive but I'm going to say Leave it To Beaver, whose last episode was a kind of retrospective, and aired in 1963. The next one I can think of would be The Odd Couple, whose last ep aired in 1975!
	__________________ 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."

02-07-2012, 02:27 PM	#7
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,981	I think there should be a spinoff thread titled: "What if a TV series that did not have a concluding series finale episode did have a concluding series finale episode?".
	__________________ "When the run of a network TV show has ended, some go out with a bang, some with a whimper, but all are...Future Endeavored." "Stay Safe"? More like "Stay Sad". #2020Hurts

02-07-2012, 08:29 PM	#8
factsoflife Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 11, 2000 Posts: 8,745	Um, I LOVE LUCY!
	__________________ "and to the fans. I was only supposed to be on every other Tuesday. But, thanks to you, I'm here, and I promise! I will try my best never to let you down. I am going back into that studio on Monday, and I'm going to play Erica Kane for all she's worth!"-- Susan Lucci, May 1999 Daytime Emmy Speech.

02-06-2012, 03:44 AM	#3
bencasey Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: Long Beach Posts: 1,692	Hank - 1965-66

02-06-2012, 08:22 AM	#4
snowpeck Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 13, 2001 Location: Atlanta Posts: 759	The Dick Van Dyke Show possibly... the last show was a clip show as Laura read Rob's book about his life experiences. Alan Brady got a hold of it and wanted to turn it into a sitcom. (Would the first episode have been similar to the unsold DVDS pilot "Head of the Family"?)

02-06-2012, 08:36 AM	#5
TV_on_the_Porch anything good on? Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Posts: 879	I think perhaps The Ann Sothern Show qualifies, the dynamic of the power struggle between the leads suddenly (at least hopefully) lost as they headed off on their honeymoon at the final fadeout.

02-07-2012, 10:28 PM	#9
TV_on_the_Porch anything good on? Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Posts: 879	Um, THAT WASN'T A FINALE! They were back in the same place having the same adventures with the same people the next fall on the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz specials.