Wasn't this a 40's show? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Blackout · 02-12-2012, 03:51 AM

shouldn't it be in the 1940s section?

TV_on_the_Porch · 02-12-2012, 09:13 AM

If you look around, you'll notice that all the shows on the site are listed within the decade that the majority of their run took place. Diff'rent Strokes, for example, began in 1978 but is listed in the 80s section because over six years of its run was in the 80s.

Another good reason (surprise, surprise): there is no 40s section. What would go in one other than Mary Kay & Johnny and The Growing Paynes anyway?--and even then what is there to say about them?

Blackout · 02-12-2012, 03:27 PM

we could talk about how old they are

TV Knowledge Fan · 02-22-2012, 01:34 PM

"THE GOLDBERGS" were on the air as early as 1929, on NBC radio {"THE RISE OF THE GOLDBERGS"}, with creator/writer/star Gertrude Berg and a slightly different cast. Then, it became a daytime drama (with some comedic interludes)- sometimes sounding more like a soap opera [it was sponsored by Procter & Gamble during most of that period]- until 1945. Then, Mrs. Berg revived it as a half-hour show on radio for CBS (and sponsor General Foods) in 1949, and produced a TV edition with the same cast. She discontinued the radio show in 1950 to concentrate exclusively on television.

DroopyVids · 10-11-2013, 01:31 PM

As much as I would like to see a 40s section, I don't think it's absolutely needed. Afterall, about the earliest sitcoms didn't happen until 1948 (the Life of Riley).

TV_on_the_Porch · 10-11-2013, 01:48 PM

It's absolutely not needed. What television sitcom had the bulk of its run take place in the 40s? I named two above, although if you adhere strictly to SO convention whereby only shows which lasted more than one season get their own subsection, then your 40s section would consist of exactly one show. Can you think of another?

Coffeecup · 10-11-2013, 02:30 PM

I agree with the above poster. It did indeed start earlier as radio in the twenties. But I tend to think of the tv show of the 1950's .

MacLeaper · 10-17-2013, 08:01 PM

Quote:

The Growing Paynes

- Whoa! So is the 1980s "Growing Pains" show is based on the 1940s show "The Growing Paynes"?

And the new 2013 sitcom "The Goldbergs"- is this based on the 1940s sitcom "The Goldbergs"?

Nivri · 03-08-2018, 10:55 AM

According to my recently published book, "The Early Shows," there are about 19 TV network and syndicated comedies/dramadies that premiered in the 1940s - The Laytons, The Growing Paynes, The Goldbergs, Mama, The Ruggles, Wesley, The Family Genius, The Aldrich Family, Mary Kay and Johnny, Wren's Nest, The Hartmans, Jackson and Jill, Mixed Doubles, Ruthie on the Telephone, Easy Aces, Off the Record, The Billy Bean Show, The Life of Riley, and That Wonderful Guy. Although, as others have noted, most of these lasted for only a few episodes.

Bonniegirl · 03-08-2018, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nivri

According to my recently published book, "The Early Shows," there are about 19 TV network and syndicated comedies/dramadies that premiered in the 1940s - The Laytons, The Growing Paynes, The Goldbergs, Mama, The Ruggles, Wesley, The Family Genius, The Aldrich Family, Mary Kay and Johnny, Wren's Nest, The Hartmans, Jackson and Jill, Mixed Doubles, Ruthie on the Telephone, Easy Aces, Off the Record, The Billy Bean Show, The Life of Riley, and That Wonderful Guy. Although, as others have noted, most of these lasted for only a few episodes.

Wow!!! I didn't realize there were that many shows from the 19 40's!

A lot of people didn't even own a TV yet!!!

PhoenixAcres · 04-06-2018, 11:53 AM

1940s shows are mostly lost to history since most were never recorded. So you can't sit back and watch reruns 80 years later. Hence anyone who has actually seen the show is nearing death, sadly.

A 1940s section would be completely unnecessary.

Coffeecup · 04-06-2018, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixAcres

1940s shows are mostly lost to history since most were never recorded. So you can't sit back and watch reruns 80 years later. Hence anyone who has actually seen the show is nearing death, sadly.

A 1940s section would be completely unnecessary.

OH what a nice cheerful thing to say. People nearing death. There are many 90 plus year olds. Half the people on this forum are under 40.

PhoenixAcres · 04-06-2018, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coffeecup

OH what a nice cheerful thing to say. People nearing death. There are many 90 plus year olds. Half the people on this forum are under 40.

I don't mean to be morbid but it's the truth. That's why you don't hear about these '40s shows anymore. If they're not recorded then their only audience is their original audience, the youngest of which would be nearing their 90s by now. And I know people are capable of living 120+ years but realistically most die younger than that.

Again it's not like I Love Lucy for example, which was recorded and new generations can watch all these years later.

Hazel Anyday · 04-07-2018, 05:47 AM

Of course radio was the main entertainment medium back then. And I first became a fan of "Old Time Radio" back in the '70's when I discovered a whole world of great shows, The Shadow, Great Gildersleeve, Suspense, Quiet Please, Jack Benny Show, Phil Harris and Alice Faye Show (this is really the funniest show I've ever heard) and even radio had Gunsmoke before TV, and it was better on radio too. Back in the '70's you had to record them yourself from some stations that would play the old shows or you had to pay thru the nose to a few Old Time Radio companies that would sell cassette tapes. Today though you can find websites that feature a whole lot of these radio shows and you can click and hear them for free. I guess some things weren't better in the old ('70's) days.

someguy23475 · 10-01-2020, 12:13 AM

I have never met a single person who told me they had a TV set in the 1940s, even though my area had three stations on the air. Many people nowadays don’t even believe TV existed back then!

How many shows even exist from that decade? I’ve heard Mary Kay and Johnny has exactly one, even though I think the series was rerun in syndication in the 50s and even 60s.

I’ve never seen The Goldbergs, only the much later Mrs. G goes to college (which wasn’t good). Looks like a search to YouTube is in order when I have time.

02-12-2012, 03:51 AM	#1
Blackout Sart Bimpson Senior Member Join Date: Jan 13, 2003 Location: where the sun rises Posts: 2,235	Wasn't this a 40's show? shouldn't it be in the 1940s section?
	__________________ MOHRIOR

02-22-2012, 01:34 PM	#4
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	Actually... "THE GOLDBERGS" were on the air as early as 1929, on NBC radio {"THE RISE OF THE GOLDBERGS"}, with creator/writer/star Gertrude Berg and a slightly different cast. Then, it became a daytime drama (with some comedic interludes)- sometimes sounding more like a soap opera [it was sponsored by Procter & Gamble during most of that period]- until 1945. Then, Mrs. Berg revived it as a half-hour show on radio for CBS (and sponsor General Foods) in 1949, and produced a TV edition with the same cast. She discontinued the radio show in 1950 to concentrate exclusively on television.

10-11-2013, 01:31 PM	#5
DroopyVids Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 18, 2013 Location: Colorado Posts: 82	As much as I would like to see a 40s section, I don't think it's absolutely needed. Afterall, about the earliest sitcoms didn't happen until 1948 (the Life of Riley).
	__________________ DroopyVids is a huge collection of Classic and Public Domain Programming. Right now, we are spending our time adding TV programming but movies are on the horizon.

04-07-2018, 05:47 AM	#14
Hazel Anyday Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 12, 2002 Posts: 2,133	Of course radio was the main entertainment medium back then. And I first became a fan of "Old Time Radio" back in the '70's when I discovered a whole world of great shows, The Shadow, Great Gildersleeve, Suspense, Quiet Please, Jack Benny Show, Phil Harris and Alice Faye Show (this is really the funniest show I've ever heard) and even radio had Gunsmoke before TV, and it was better on radio too. Back in the '70's you had to record them yourself from some stations that would play the old shows or you had to pay thru the nose to a few Old Time Radio companies that would sell cassette tapes. Today though you can find websites that feature a whole lot of these radio shows and you can click and hear them for free. I guess some things weren't better in the old ('70's) days.
	__________________ Haaazeelll!!

02-12-2012, 09:13 AM	#2
TV_on_the_Porch anything good on? Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Posts: 879	If you look around, you'll notice that all the shows on the site are listed within the decade that the majority of their run took place. Diff'rent Strokes, for example, began in 1978 but is listed in the 80s section because over six years of its run was in the 80s. Another good reason (surprise, surprise): there is no 40s section. What would go in one other than Mary Kay & Johnny and The Growing Paynes anyway?--and even then what is there to say about them?

02-12-2012, 03:27 PM	#3
Blackout Sart Bimpson Senior Member Join Date: Jan 13, 2003 Location: where the sun rises Posts: 2,235	we could talk about how old they are

10-11-2013, 01:48 PM	#6
TV_on_the_Porch anything good on? Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Posts: 879	It's absolutely not needed. What television sitcom had the bulk of its run take place in the 40s? I named two above, although if you adhere strictly to SO convention whereby only shows which lasted more than one season get their own subsection, then your 40s section would consist of exactly one show. Can you think of another?

10-11-2013, 02:30 PM	#7
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,176	I agree with the above poster. It did indeed start earlier as radio in the twenties. But I tend to think of the tv show of the 1950's .

03-08-2018, 10:55 AM	#9
Nivri Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 26, 2010 Location: PA Posts: 45	According to my recently published book, "The Early Shows," there are about 19 TV network and syndicated comedies/dramadies that premiered in the 1940s - The Laytons, The Growing Paynes, The Goldbergs, Mama, The Ruggles, Wesley, The Family Genius, The Aldrich Family, Mary Kay and Johnny, Wren's Nest, The Hartmans, Jackson and Jill, Mixed Doubles, Ruthie on the Telephone, Easy Aces, Off the Record, The Billy Bean Show, The Life of Riley, and That Wonderful Guy. Although, as others have noted, most of these lasted for only a few episodes.

04-06-2018, 11:53 AM	#11
PhoenixAcres Member Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 26, 2016 Location: United States Posts: 6,824	1940s shows are mostly lost to history since most were never recorded. So you can't sit back and watch reruns 80 years later. Hence anyone who has actually seen the show is nearing death, sadly. A 1940s section would be completely unnecessary.

10-01-2020, 12:13 AM	#15
someguy23475 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 02, 2006 Posts: 167	I have never met a single person who told me they had a TV set in the 1940s, even though my area had three stations on the air. Many people nowadays don’t even believe TV existed back then! How many shows even exist from that decade? I’ve heard Mary Kay and Johnny has exactly one, even though I think the series was rerun in syndication in the 50s and even 60s. I’ve never seen The Goldbergs, only the much later Mrs. G goes to college (which wasn’t good). Looks like a search to YouTube is in order when I have time.