Why did GMC move Family Ties to 2 AM? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Big3sCompanyFan · 10-01-2012, 05:48 AM

Who on earth is going to watch a family show like FT at 3 AM??

Incredibly stupid move by GMC!

Pavan · 10-01-2012, 07:14 AM

2am:

http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2012/0...ate-night.html

Big3sCompanyFan · 10-01-2012, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pavan

2am:

http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2012/0...ate-night.html

Come on dude! 2 AM or 3 AM is still the middle of the night! It's NOT the time for a family show like Family Ties!

AKA · 10-01-2012, 04:32 PM

Sadly, Family Ties simply doesn't seem to have been a hit in syndication the past decade or so. Anytime a new cable network gives it a shot, it's quickly dumped to the graveyard shift. It's a wonderful series, but maybe it just doesn't have that "timeless" quality that shows like Cheers, Seinfeld and I Love Lucy possess; that is, an ability to extend its appeal across generations.

Fortunately, if you can spare $8 a month, Netflix has the entire run of Family Ties. And unlike its presentation on The Hub and GMC, it's commercial-free and (mostly) uncut.

I think the reruns-on-cable-television model is slowly dying, anyway. Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon are going to be the wave of the future when it comes to classic television shows.

Big3sCompanyFan · 10-01-2012, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad

Sadly, Family Ties simply doesn't seem to have been a hit in syndication the past decade or so. Anytime a new cable network gives it a shot, it's quickly dumped to the graveyard shift. It's a wonderful series, but maybe it just doesn't have that "timeless" quality that shows like Cheers, Seinfeld and I Love Lucy possess; that is, an ability to extend its appeal across generations.

Fortunately, if you can spare $8 a month, Netflix has the entire run of Family Ties. And unlike its presentation on The Hub and GMC, it's commercial-free and (mostly) uncut.

I think the reruns-on-cable-television model is slowly dying, anyway. Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon are going to be the wave of the future when it comes to classic television shows.

What about TV Land and Antenna TV? Classic sitcoms are beloved so I think you're wrong about that. Antenna TV just came into existence fairly recently.

But sadly you are right about Family Ties. I read around 10 years ago that either TV Land or Nick at Nite ran FT but the ratings were horrible. It's shocking because it's fantastic show with hardly a bad episode in the entire series! Too bad it hasn't stood the test of time. I remember even Michael Gross said "we don't age as well as the Bradys."

AKA · 10-01-2012, 05:45 PM

While reruns are their bread-and-butter, TV Land is shifting its focus toward original sitcoms (albeit with a tip-of-the-hat to classic television). I don't know about you, but I find their reruns unwatchable due to edits and bizarre 40-minute time slots. I'm not going to sit through 20 minutes of commercials just to watch 18 or 19 minutes of King of Queens.

Hot in Cleveland is a hit, but I bet TV Land's reruns aren't nearly as watched as they were ten years ago. I wouldn't be surprised if the network totally rebrands itself as a general entertainment channel in the next ten years or so.

Antenna TV and MeTV, on the other hand, both seem to be doing well. They're certainly treating and presenting their shows a lot better than TV Land does, but neither is a cable network; they're both digital over-the-air services. I think both are going to be around for awhile and will continue to gain affiliates, but that streaming and on demand services are still going to become the predominant method of watching old shows as more people learn how to use them.

That's a good thing. It gives the consumer more control, and makes uncut presentation of these classics much more likely. Picture-wise, many of these shows never looked better: shows like The Twilight Zone, Leave It to Beaver, Star Trek and The Andy Griffith Show are all available in HD on Netflix and look beautiful on my TV. Family Ties isn't HD (I believe it was shot on video, so remastering it in high-definition is impossible), but it still looks lightyears better on Netflix than the ancient syndication prints used on The Hub.

BigManMike · 10-02-2012, 10:13 AM

Nick at Nite ran Family Ties from September 2001-October 2003, and TV Land ran it from December 2003 to August 2004, then Hallmark Channel ran it for like 3 weeks in February 2006 and it didn't last long at all there, then it was never seen again until Hub picked it up in October 2010. The Hub looked like a good channel at first, but it's pretty bad now.

Mr. Television · 10-02-2012, 10:17 AM

My Me-TV Affiliate has been showing reruns of FT for the last 2 years. It's currently airing at 4PM weekdays. Last season it aired at 5 PM weekdays. They air it with The Facts of Life.

Big3sCompanyFan · 10-02-2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebigcookie

Nick at Nite ran Family Ties from September 2001-October 2003, and TV Land ran it from December 2003 to August 2004, then Hallmark Channel ran it for like 3 weeks in February 2006 and it didn't last long at all there, then it was never seen again until Hub picked it up in October 2010. The Hub looked like a good channel at first, but it's pretty bad now.

Wow, I didn't know it ran so many times. Bad ratings each time huh?

It's mind boggling because it really is one of the greatest shows ever made. Great character development, funny one liners, great storylines, etc.

When Nick meets the family is one of the funniest scenes in sitcom HISTORY!

AKA · 10-02-2012, 06:27 PM

Family Ties is very of its time, by design. That's not a bad thing, though; it just makes it hard for those who didn't live through the Reagan era, or who were too young to remember it, to relate to some of the humor, as well as the dynamics of Alex's relationship with his parents. That might be why it hasn't been huge in syndication in the 21st Century.

Big3sCompanyFan · 10-02-2012, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad

Family Ties is very of its time, by design. That's not a bad thing, though; it just makes it hard for those who didn't live through the Reagan era, or who were too young to remember it, to relate to some of the humor, as well as the dynamics of Alex's relationship with his parents. That might be why it hasn't been huge in syndication in the 21st Century.

Say what?? Very few things in FT are dated. A show like All in the Family is more dated.

Look at 3's Company. It could be the most successful syndicated rerun show ever and it's not dated. FT didn't have a John Ritter but was otherwise very funny which is why it's mind boggling why it's not doin well!

Family Ties Forever! · 10-02-2012, 09:22 PM

I think it's sad that it hasn't done well in re-runs. It's such a great show.

I loved the show then and I still do. I think people can relate to the show. My sister who was born in the early 90's has seen it. Sure there are 80's references, but I don't think someone had to live through the 80's necessarily to enjoy the show. I think the family aspect of the show was nice and people can relate to it. I think it's nice that it's a show that families can watch without worrying about any explicit content like some shows today have.

Just my opinion.

BigManMike · 10-02-2012, 09:29 PM

It's a great show. I was born in 1990, just a year and a half after it ended. I first discovered it on Nick at Nite in 2001 and I enjoyed it. I wish it was on more. And I don't know why they never released the last two season on DVD.

Family Ties Forever! · 10-02-2012, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebigcookie

It's a great show. I was born in 1990, just a year and a half after it ended. I first discovered it on Nick at Nite in 2001 and I enjoyed it. I wish it was on more. And I don't know why they never released the last two season on DVD.

That's cool that you like the show. I hope that at some point the last two seasons of Family Ties will be released onto dvd. It's been three and half years since season 5 was released.

TVFactFan · 10-02-2012, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big3sCompanyFan

Who on earth is going to watch a family show like FT at 3 AM??

Incredibly stupid move by GMC!

it's always a bad sign when a show is moved to a late time slot. The next time slot usually is off the air

10-01-2012, 05:48 AM	#1
Big3sCompanyFan Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2003 Posts: 2,493	Why did GMC move Family Ties to 2 AM? Who on earth is going to watch a family show like FT at 3 AM?? Incredibly stupid move by GMC!
	Last edited by Family Ties Forever!; 03-09-2017 at 03:45 AM.

10-01-2012, 07:14 AM	#2
Pavan SO News/Reviews Director Administrator Forum Superstar Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 26,821	2am: http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2012/0...ate-night.html
	__________________ SitcomsOnline.com News Blog -- The best news out there! SitcomsOnline.com DVD Reviews -- We are #1 in reviews!

10-02-2012, 10:17 AM	#8
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	My Me-TV Affiliate has been showing reruns of FT for the last 2 years. It's currently airing at 4PM weekdays. Last season it aired at 5 PM weekdays. They air it with The Facts of Life.
	__________________ Sonny

10-02-2012, 09:22 PM	#12
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	I think it's sad that it hasn't done well in re-runs. It's such a great show. I loved the show then and I still do. I think people can relate to the show. My sister who was born in the early 90's has seen it. Sure there are 80's references, but I don't think someone had to live through the 80's necessarily to enjoy the show. I think the family aspect of the show was nice and people can relate to it. I think it's nice that it's a show that families can watch without worrying about any explicit content like some shows today have. Just my opinion.
	__________________ Jenny

10-01-2012, 04:32 PM	#4
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Sadly, Family Ties simply doesn't seem to have been a hit in syndication the past decade or so. Anytime a new cable network gives it a shot, it's quickly dumped to the graveyard shift. It's a wonderful series, but maybe it just doesn't have that "timeless" quality that shows like Cheers, Seinfeld and I Love Lucy possess; that is, an ability to extend its appeal across generations. Fortunately, if you can spare $8 a month, Netflix has the entire run of Family Ties. And unlike its presentation on The Hub and GMC, it's commercial-free and (mostly) uncut. I think the reruns-on-cable-television model is slowly dying, anyway. Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon are going to be the wave of the future when it comes to classic television shows.

10-01-2012, 05:45 PM	#6
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	While reruns are their bread-and-butter, TV Land is shifting its focus toward original sitcoms (albeit with a tip-of-the-hat to classic television). I don't know about you, but I find their reruns unwatchable due to edits and bizarre 40-minute time slots. I'm not going to sit through 20 minutes of commercials just to watch 18 or 19 minutes of King of Queens. Hot in Cleveland is a hit, but I bet TV Land's reruns aren't nearly as watched as they were ten years ago. I wouldn't be surprised if the network totally rebrands itself as a general entertainment channel in the next ten years or so. Antenna TV and MeTV, on the other hand, both seem to be doing well. They're certainly treating and presenting their shows a lot better than TV Land does, but neither is a cable network; they're both digital over-the-air services. I think both are going to be around for awhile and will continue to gain affiliates, but that streaming and on demand services are still going to become the predominant method of watching old shows as more people learn how to use them. That's a good thing. It gives the consumer more control, and makes uncut presentation of these classics much more likely. Picture-wise, many of these shows never looked better: shows like The Twilight Zone, Leave It to Beaver, Star Trek and The Andy Griffith Show are all available in HD on Netflix and look beautiful on my TV. Family Ties isn't HD (I believe it was shot on video, so remastering it in high-definition is impossible), but it still looks lightyears better on Netflix than the ancient syndication prints used on The Hub.

10-02-2012, 10:13 AM	#7
BigManMike Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 25, 2006 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 3,022	Nick at Nite ran Family Ties from September 2001-October 2003, and TV Land ran it from December 2003 to August 2004, then Hallmark Channel ran it for like 3 weeks in February 2006 and it didn't last long at all there, then it was never seen again until Hub picked it up in October 2010. The Hub looked like a good channel at first, but it's pretty bad now.

10-02-2012, 06:27 PM	#10
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Family Ties is very of its time, by design. That's not a bad thing, though; it just makes it hard for those who didn't live through the Reagan era, or who were too young to remember it, to relate to some of the humor, as well as the dynamics of Alex's relationship with his parents. That might be why it hasn't been huge in syndication in the 21st Century.

10-02-2012, 09:29 PM	#13
BigManMike Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 25, 2006 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 3,022	It's a great show. I was born in 1990, just a year and a half after it ended. I first discovered it on Nick at Nite in 2001 and I enjoyed it. I wish it was on more. And I don't know why they never released the last two season on DVD.