Is Family Ties too dated? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

pbsausie · 04-30-2013, 08:34 PM

I think that's a problem with FT in syndication - it's too dated and tied to the Ronald Reagan/eighties era. A similar problem afflicts Murphy Brown.

*ROGER* · 04-30-2013, 08:39 PM

Family Ties makes one think of republicans like Alex P. Keaton and the Reagan years which were the good ole days!

gidgetgrape · 04-30-2013, 09:39 PM

I think it's too smart for some people. It doesn't rely on physical comedy, catchphrases, etc.,.

Family Ties Forever! · 04-30-2013, 09:55 PM

I don't think Family Ties is too dated. Even though it has references to President Reagan one wouldn't have had to be alive back then to appreciate the humor. I think it's the kind of show that can be enjoyed no matter what year it is.

Mr. Television · 04-30-2013, 10:21 PM

All in the Family is dated in the 1970's with many references to President Nixon and it has thrived in syndication. I don't think FT is dated. It is basically just a family comedy.

robyrob · 05-01-2013, 12:10 AM

i think it still holds up well; I don't think its a big deal if some younger people don't get all of the references, the jokes are still funny.

Marvo301 · 05-01-2013, 02:02 PM

This is the reason that Gary David Goldberg and the cast are against doing a reunion movie. The show was set in the Reagon era and purposely tailored to that era and wouldn't therefore translate well to current times.

MacLeaper · 05-01-2013, 02:39 PM

Quote:

I think that's a problem with FT in syndication - it's too dated and tied to the Ronald Reagan/eighties era. A similar problem afflicts Murphy Brown.

Well, "Family Ties" ran from 1982 to 1989 and yes, it is set in the then-current day 1980s.
I realize this dates it for some people but I don't think it's an issue really. There are a lot of other shows that are tied to particular eras too, as has already been pointed out.
This can be off-putting for some who didn't grow up in the 1980s, but I don't find this a problem for a lot of shows that are older than me. I enjoy watching "Leave It to Beaver", "The Andy Griffith Show" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" but I didn't grow up in any of those time periods either.
And just remember- some of the most popular shows on today, like "The Big Bang Theory", for instance, will look quite dated in the next decade or so.

70s show watcher · 05-01-2013, 03:35 PM

i agree i still catch a rerun of the sown now and then for old times sake and i do enjoy the show but i just for whatever reason dont think it holds up too well today and it does seem somewhat dated

70s show watcher · 05-01-2013, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Family Ties Forever!

I don't think Family Ties is too dated. Even though it has references to President Reagan one wouldn't have had to be alive back then to appreciate the humor. I think it's the kind of show that can be enjoyed no matter what year it is.

i love your avatir jenny the kitten looks almost like my cat sidney

Dianne3 · 05-01-2013, 04:39 PM

Another problem is that Michael J. Fox by the fifth/sixth season had outgrown the part of Alex. Without Alex, there is no FT.

This was on of my favourite shows in it's original run, yet today I can't get into it.

Skywalker · 05-01-2013, 05:23 PM

Most of my favorite shows are "dated".

I don't think Family Ties is even half as dated as some of my other favorites though. All that really matters is if the show is funny and Family Ties still is to me.

Family Ties Forever! · 05-01-2013, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70s show watcher

i love your avatir Jenny the kitten looks almost like my cat sidney

Thanks.

That's cool that your cat Sidney looks similar to the kitten.

70s show watcher · 05-03-2013, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Family Ties Forever!

Thanks.

That's cool that your cat Sidney looks similar to the kitten.

you are welcome

ARL123 · 05-03-2013, 07:47 PM

I have been watching the show on stream and when I can stay up late on gmc. To me the humor is funny if you remember that era, otherwise I think the show would not translate well with those who don't remember the Reagan era.

04-30-2013, 08:34 PM	#1
pbsausie Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 05, 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 6	Is Family Ties too dated? I think that's a problem with FT in syndication - it's too dated and tied to the Ronald Reagan/eighties era. A similar problem afflicts Murphy Brown.

04-30-2013, 09:55 PM	#4
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	I don't think Family Ties is too dated. Even though it has references to President Reagan one wouldn't have had to be alive back then to appreciate the humor. I think it's the kind of show that can be enjoyed no matter what year it is.
	__________________ Jenny

04-30-2013, 10:21 PM	#5
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	All in the Family is dated in the 1970's with many references to President Nixon and it has thrived in syndication. I don't think FT is dated. It is basically just a family comedy.
	__________________ Sonny

05-01-2013, 12:10 AM	#6
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,203	i think it still holds up well; I don't think its a big deal if some younger people don't get all of the references, the jokes are still funny.
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05-01-2013, 02:02 PM	#7
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	This is the reason that Gary David Goldberg and the cast are against doing a reunion movie. The show was set in the Reagon era and purposely tailored to that era and wouldn't therefore translate well to current times.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

04-30-2013, 08:39 PM	#2
ROGER Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 05, 2007 Location: United States Posts: 2,776	Family Ties makes one think of republicans like Alex P. Keaton and the Reagan years which were the good ole days!

04-30-2013, 09:39 PM	#3
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,508	I think it's too smart for some people. It doesn't rely on physical comedy, catchphrases, etc.,.

05-01-2013, 03:35 PM	#9
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,549	i agree i still catch a rerun of the sown now and then for old times sake and i do enjoy the show but i just for whatever reason dont think it holds up too well today and it does seem somewhat dated

05-01-2013, 04:39 PM	#11
Dianne3 Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 07, 2002 Posts: 1,059	Another problem is that Michael J. Fox by the fifth/sixth season had outgrown the part of Alex. Without Alex, there is no FT. This was on of my favourite shows in it's original run, yet today I can't get into it.

05-01-2013, 05:23 PM	#12
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,204	Most of my favorite shows are "dated". I don't think Family Ties is even half as dated as some of my other favorites though. All that really matters is if the show is funny and Family Ties still is to me.

05-03-2013, 07:47 PM	#15
ARL123 ARL123 Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 12, 2013 Location: Chatham, NJ Posts: 95	I have been watching the show on stream and when I can stay up late on gmc. To me the humor is funny if you remember that era, otherwise I think the show would not translate well with those who don't remember the Reagan era.