The Cunningham House - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

12-22-2000, 08:17 PM

I'm new to this message board, but thought I'd post this question that has been driving me crazy for years:

Why does the floor layout of the Cunningham house look different in the later seasons? The staircase has moved as well as the fireplace....bizarre! Anyone else notice this? It drives me wild, i can't sleep at night until i get a proper answer.

Thanks and happy holidays.

skaryguy

Lone_Wolfette · 12-25-2000, 12:34 AM

Considering the Cunninghams always lived in the *same* house... that question is pretty hard to answer! Atleast it is for me *g* I don't know why they changed the layout--maybe it worked better for the storylines.

It always amazes me how things can get so obviously changed & they think we don't notice ::coughChuck'sdisappearancecough::

I wouldn't worry too much about it ;-)

~*~*~Happy Holidays~*~*~

------------------
Fonzie~ Bull makes the world go 'round
Squiggy~ Two's company... three's a felony
Lenny~ Ah, sleep, nature's way of saying... lie down
Micky~ Not bad for a long haired weirdo, huh, America?
Ryan~ Next time I'll actually get a pogo stick
Mike (defending Ryan & his bright orange shirt)~ Don't mess with the Neon Love Chicken!

[This message has been edited by Lone_Wolfette (edited 12-24-2000).]

LaverneShirley · 12-25-2000, 02:56 PM

In Garry Marshall's autobiography it says that in the first season they wanted more of a documentary-type filming. They didn't have an audience, either. But when they switched to having a studio audience, the way they layout was the actors would be coming onto the set from the audience, so they had to change the layout a bit so they could walk in facing the audience.

------------------
"Well, Laverne is sort of childish" -Shirley

"Childish? Childish? Coming from a grown woman who throws tea parties for her stuffed cat!" -Laverne

"Well at least I don't sew L's on everything I wear!" -Shirley

"Well that would be pretty stupid considering your name's Shirley!" -Laverne

wayne · 01-18-2001, 11:50 PM

I notice that the dinning room disappeared after the 1975 season, & the family ate in the dining room. I guess, they wanted to make the situation more of a close-in nature. Also, I notice that the ceiling is missing in later years (in the first year you can see it in a few episodes). That's probably so that they could fit the cameras in somehow. I also wonder if the scenes in Fonzies apartment, the living room & the scenes at Arnold's were actually next door to each other. that would have made sense anyway.

MARFAR104 · 04-10-2001, 03:11 PM

DID YOU ALSO NOTICE THAT THE FRONT AND BACK DOORS ARE BOTH ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE HOUSE?ON THE OLD SET THEY WERE ON OPPOSITE SIDES.I'M SURE THIS WAS DONE TO MAKE ENTRANCES AND EXITS EASIER, BUT IT SURE LOOKS DUMB!

Artfiore1 · 04-17-2001, 06:59 PM

MAR,
I think that door in the kitchen was more of a *side* door than a back door.

Still, I can't imagine why the front door had to be moved.

------------------
Later,
Art

LaverneShirley · 04-18-2001, 07:53 PM

Art, if you read the reply I posted quite a while ago in this topic, it says why the front door was moved.

------------------
Shirley: Well, Laverne is sort of childish
Laverne: Childish? Childish? Coming from a grown woman who throws tea parties for her stuffed cat?
Shirley: At least I don't sew L's on everything I wear!
Laverne: Well that would be pretty stupid considering your name's Shirley!

Michael: At what time was I born, Mother?
Mrs. Darling: Why, you were born at two o'clock in the nighttime, Dearest
Michael: Oh Mother, I hope I didn't wake you!

Artfiore1 · 04-18-2001, 09:53 PM

Laverne,
I still don't see it. On the old set, they walked in facing the audience, too . . . only from a little different angle.

------------------
Later,
Art

TV Guy · 04-19-2001, 09:02 AM

Shooting a show in front an audience, with three or four cameras (as they did from season 3 on) is much different than shooting without an audience and only one camera (the first two seasons). The sets have to be bigger and much more open, so the audience can see everything. The house during the first two seasons was not as open, and there was no way they could use that set to shoot in front of an audience.

The front door was moved because that wall was no longer there -- the audience now looked through where that wall was supposed to be.

Artfiore1 · 04-19-2001, 05:43 PM

TV Guy,
Thanks. I knew there HAD to be a logical explanation.

------------------
Later,
Art

Chad22 · 01-07-2003, 03:48 AM

Mr. C Chopped it down with an axe so Mrs. C wouldnt be reminded of that evil Joanie-Hurting Chuck. LOL

Chad22 · 01-07-2003, 03:51 AM

Where did that post go anyway?

¤I Love Clay Aiken¤ · 01-07-2003, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chad Doody
Mr. C Chopped it down with an axe so Mrs. C wouldnt be reminded of that evil Joanie-Hurting Chuck. LOL

LMAO!!! I have to read that story again...gets me everytime!

Chad22 · 01-07-2003, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ¤MsConanOBrien¤

LMAO!!! I have to read that story again...gets me everytime!

Yeah me too, but i cant find it.

¤I Love Clay Aiken¤ · 01-07-2003, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chad Doody

Yeah me too, but i cant find it.

OMG! I hope it hasnt been deleted!!!

*looks for thread*

12-22-2000, 08:17 PM	#1
skaryguy Guest Posts: n/a	The Cunningham House I'm new to this message board, but thought I'd post this question that has been driving me crazy for years: Why does the floor layout of the Cunningham house look different in the later seasons? The staircase has moved as well as the fireplace....bizarre! Anyone else notice this? It drives me wild, i can't sleep at night until i get a proper answer. Thanks and happy holidays. skaryguy
skaryguy Guest Posts: n/a

12-25-2000, 12:34 AM	#2
Lone_Wolfette Me & Micky Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 04, 2000 Location: North Adams, MA Posts: 136	Considering the Cunninghams always lived in the same house... that question is pretty hard to answer! Atleast it is for me g I don't know why they changed the layout--maybe it worked better for the storylines. It always amazes me how things can get so obviously changed & they think we don't notice ::coughChuck'sdisappearancecough:: I wouldn't worry too much about it ;-) ~~~Happy Holidays~~~ ------------------ Fonzie~ Bull makes the world go 'round Squiggy~ Two's company... three's a felony Lenny~ Ah, sleep, nature's way of saying... lie down Micky~ Not bad for a long haired weirdo, huh, America? Ryan~ Next time I'll actually get a pogo stick Mike (defending Ryan & his bright orange shirt)~ Don't mess with the Neon Love Chicken! [This message has been edited by Lone_Wolfette (edited 12-24-2000).]

12-25-2000, 02:56 PM	#3
LaverneShirley Mission Doll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 26, 2000 Location: Liberty Twp, OH Posts: 1,552	In Garry Marshall's autobiography it says that in the first season they wanted more of a documentary-type filming. They didn't have an audience, either. But when they switched to having a studio audience, the way they layout was the actors would be coming onto the set from the audience, so they had to change the layout a bit so they could walk in facing the audience. ------------------ "Well, Laverne is sort of childish" -Shirley "Childish? Childish? Coming from a grown woman who throws tea parties for her stuffed cat!" -Laverne "Well at least I don't sew L's on everything I wear!" -Shirley "Well that would be pretty stupid considering your name's Shirley!" -Laverne

01-18-2001, 11:50 PM	#4
wayne Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 03, 2000 Location: portland Oregon, Inspiration Point Posts: 1,047	I notice that the dinning room disappeared after the 1975 season, & the family ate in the dining room. I guess, they wanted to make the situation more of a close-in nature. Also, I notice that the ceiling is missing in later years (in the first year you can see it in a few episodes). That's probably so that they could fit the cameras in somehow. I also wonder if the scenes in Fonzies apartment, the living room & the scenes at Arnold's were actually next door to each other. that would have made sense anyway.

04-10-2001, 03:11 PM	#5
MARFAR104 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 07, 2001 Location: MICHIGAN Posts: 153	DID YOU ALSO NOTICE THAT THE FRONT AND BACK DOORS ARE BOTH ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE HOUSE?ON THE OLD SET THEY WERE ON OPPOSITE SIDES.I'M SURE THIS WAS DONE TO MAKE ENTRANCES AND EXITS EASIER, BUT IT SURE LOOKS DUMB!

04-17-2001, 06:59 PM	#6
Artfiore1 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 28, 2001 Location: East Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 457	MAR, I think that door in the kitchen was more of a side door than a back door. Still, I can't imagine why the front door had to be moved. ------------------ Later, Art

04-18-2001, 07:53 PM	#7
LaverneShirley Mission Doll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 26, 2000 Location: Liberty Twp, OH Posts: 1,552	Art, if you read the reply I posted quite a while ago in this topic, it says why the front door was moved. ------------------ Shirley: Well, Laverne is sort of childish Laverne: Childish? Childish? Coming from a grown woman who throws tea parties for her stuffed cat? Shirley: At least I don't sew L's on everything I wear! Laverne: Well that would be pretty stupid considering your name's Shirley! Michael: At what time was I born, Mother? Mrs. Darling: Why, you were born at two o'clock in the nighttime, Dearest Michael: Oh Mother, I hope I didn't wake you!

04-18-2001, 09:53 PM	#8
Artfiore1 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 28, 2001 Location: East Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 457	Laverne, I still don't see it. On the old set, they walked in facing the audience, too . . . only from a little different angle. ------------------ Later, Art

04-19-2001, 09:02 AM	#9
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	Shooting a show in front an audience, with three or four cameras (as they did from season 3 on) is much different than shooting without an audience and only one camera (the first two seasons). The sets have to be bigger and much more open, so the audience can see everything. The house during the first two seasons was not as open, and there was no way they could use that set to shoot in front of an audience. The front door was moved because that wall was no longer there -- the audience now looked through where that wall was supposed to be.

04-19-2001, 05:43 PM	#10
Artfiore1 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 28, 2001 Location: East Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 457	TV Guy, Thanks. I knew there HAD to be a logical explanation. ------------------ Later, Art

01-07-2003, 03:48 AM	#11
Chad22 Captain Juke N Jive Moderator Forum Addict Join Date: Nov 23, 2002 Location: Caribou, Maine Posts: 71,661	Mr. C Chopped it down with an axe so Mrs. C wouldnt be reminded of that evil Joanie-Hurting Chuck. LOL

01-07-2003, 03:51 AM	#12
Chad22 Captain Juke N Jive Moderator Forum Addict Join Date: Nov 23, 2002 Location: Caribou, Maine Posts: 71,661	Where did that post go anyway?