'One Day At A Time' Competed With 'CHiPs' For Young Viewers?? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 07-08-2012, 12:23 PM

That's what Glenn Scrapelli (Alex) said in an interview back in 1982. He said he was hired by 'ODAAT' so they could compete with CHiPs for the young demographic. First of all, I didn't know there was such a thing as demographics in the early 80's? Secondly, I always felt that this sitcom was more "adult" and should've stayed that way. IMO Interesting read....

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...carpelli&hl=en

Mr. Television · 07-08-2012, 01:22 PM

The demographics were always there but they just weren't used like they are today. Today it's all about the demographic but back then total viewers were just as important. I think focusing just on the demographics have just about killed network tv. Would a show like Murder She Wrote or Matlock even be made today?

Brian Damage · 07-08-2012, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

The demographics were always there but they just weren't used like they are today. Today it's all about the demographic but back then total viewers were just as important. I think focusing just on the demographics have just about killed network tv. Would a show like Murder She Wrote or Matlock even be made today?

Absolutely not! lol

As for 'CHiPs,' that's the show I watched as a kid on Sunday nights. I always thought Glenn Scarpelli was hired to replace Mackenzie Phillips, not to be a part of some demographic?

Mr. Television · 07-08-2012, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Absolutely not! lol

As for 'CHiPs,' that's the show I watched as a kid on Sunday nights. I always thought Glenn Scarpelli was hired to replace Mackenzie Phillips, not to be a part of some demographic?

I used to watch CHIPS when they were on Saturday. When it moved to Sunday, I watched the CBS sitcoms. That was before I had a VCR. I guess I was in that demographic then. lol

Brian Damage · 07-08-2012, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

I used to watch CHIPS when they were on Saturday. When it moved to Sunday, I watched the CBS sitcoms. That was before I had a VCR. I guess I was in that demographic then. lol

I thought by '82 CHiPs was D.O.A.?

Mr. Television · 07-08-2012, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I thought by '82 CHiPs was D.O.A.?

It was pretty much. Larry Wilcox had left the show. I still don't think I've seen any of those episodes. I don't think I missed much. lol

Brian Damage · 07-08-2012, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

It was pretty much. Larry Wilcox had left the show. I still don't think I've seen any of those episodes. I don't think I missed much. lol

Yeah, I don't remember any episodes without Wilcox. Whatever character took over for him, has to go down as bad as Coy and Vance from the Dukes of Hazzard. lol

TVFactFan · 07-08-2012, 06:19 PM

One Day at a Time always had more viewers than Chips

Brian Damage · 07-08-2012, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

One Day at a Time always had more viewers than Chips

Are you sure about that?

biffbronson · 07-08-2012, 07:30 PM

Mork and Mindy is a good example of a series changing to cater to a younger demographic in the early 1980s -- by bringing in 2 young additions to the cast, in a prominent way.

TVFactFan · 07-08-2012, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Are you sure about that?

Yup

1977-78
ODAAT-#10
CHIPS.#???

1978-79
ODDAT-#18
CHIPS-#25

1979-80
ODAAT-#10
CHIPS-#18

1980-81
ODAAT-#11
CHIPS-#24

1981-82
ODDAT-#10
CHIPS-#???

1982-83
ODAAT-#16
CHIPS-#????

Brian Damage · 07-08-2012, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Yup

1977-78
ODAAT-#10
CHIPS.#???

1978-79
ODDAT-#18
CHIPS-#25

1979-80
ODAAT-#10
CHIPS-#18

1980-81
ODAAT-#11
CHIPS-#24

1981-82
ODDAT-#10
CHIPS-#???

1982-83
ODAAT-#16
CHIPS-#????

What about the dreaded 18-35 demo? lol

Mr. Television · 07-08-2012, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffbronson

Mork and Mindy is a good example of a series changing to cater to a younger demographic in the early 1980s -- by bringing in 2 young additions to the cast, in a prominent way.

Yea and that completely backfired on them. The following seasons they brought the father and Grandmother back. lol

Brian Damage · 07-08-2012, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffbronson

Mork and Mindy is a good example of a series changing to cater to a younger demographic in the early 1980s -- by bringing in 2 young additions to the cast, in a prominent way.

Good point

Mr. Television · 07-08-2012, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

What about the dreaded 18-35 demo? lol

The demo was never published in the papers back in those days. I started following the weekly ratings in the early 80's and nothing was ever said about them...only the total viewers.

07-08-2012, 12:23 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: 63,107	'One Day At A Time' Competed With 'CHiPs' For Young Viewers?? That's what Glenn Scrapelli (Alex) said in an interview back in 1982. He said he was hired by 'ODAAT' so they could compete with CHiPs for the young demographic. First of all, I didn't know there was such a thing as demographics in the early 80's? Secondly, I always felt that this sitcom was more "adult" and should've stayed that way. IMO Interesting read.... http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...carpelli&hl=en
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07-08-2012, 01:22 PM	#2
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	The demographics were always there but they just weren't used like they are today. Today it's all about the demographic but back then total viewers were just as important. I think focusing just on the demographics have just about killed network tv. Would a show like Murder She Wrote or Matlock even be made today?
	__________________ Sonny

07-08-2012, 06:19 PM	#8
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,070	One Day at a Time always had more viewers than Chips

07-08-2012, 07:30 PM	#10
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,503	Mork and Mindy is a good example of a series changing to cater to a younger demographic in the early 1980s -- by bringing in 2 young additions to the cast, in a prominent way.
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