Mork & Mindy Boned the Fish When... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 09-28-2013, 02:18 AM

http://www.bonethefish.com/viewtopics.php?799

Quote:

Mork & Mindy is an American sitcom broadcast from 1978 until 1982 on ABC. The series starred Robin Williams as Mork, an alien who comes to Earth from the planet Ork in a large egg-shaped space ship, and Pam Dawber as Mindy McConnell, his human friend, roommate, and later, wife after they married in the final season. The second season saw an attempt to seek younger viewers. The characters of Fred, Cora and Eugene were effectively dropped, though both appear briefly in later episodes (where Fred would arrive with a new bride). It was explained on the show that Fred was sent off to tour as a conductor with an orchestra, and he took Cora with him on the road. However, neither Eugene or Susan were seen or mentioned again. New cast members and a disco-like version of the first season's gentle theme tune were added. Among the new supporting characters were Remo and Jean DaVinci (Jay Thomas and Gina Hecht), a brother and sister from New York City who owned a new neighborhood deli where Mork and Mindy now spent a lot of time. Also added as regulars were their grumpy neighbor Mr. Bickley (who was seen occasionally in the first season and ironically worked as a verse writer for a greeting-card company) portrayed by Tom Poston, and Nelson Flavor (Jim Staahl), Mindy's snooty cousin who ran for city council. The show's main focus was no longer on Mork's slapstick attempts to adjust to the new world he was in, but on the relationship between Mork and Mindy on a romantic level. Due to the abrupt changes to the show and the new timeslot, ratings fell dramatically. It was quickly moved back to its previous timeslot and efforts were made to return to the core of the series, but ratings never recovered.

Dr. Thong · 09-28-2013, 11:17 AM

Season Two, of course. M&M was a show that right out of the box was a hit. It had a great cast that worked well together and had a great chemistry. It was perfect.

But the network, obsessed with demographics, felt they needed younger characters and tinkered with it. In addition, the tone of the show changed as well and the show never recovered creatively. If anything, it got worse as things progressed.

"If it aint broke, don't fix it." Someone should have told that to the ABC executives in 1979.

Marvo301 · 09-28-2013, 02:15 PM

As much as I liked the characters of Remo and Jean (and actors Jay Thomas and Gina Hecht!) it was a mistake to drop Mindy's father and Grandmother from the cast. If it ain't broke don't fix it!!

Mr. Television · 09-28-2013, 02:59 PM

Jay Thomas. Enough said.

TVFactFan · 09-28-2013, 06:57 PM

I think it was just the new competition that caused the ratings to drop

M&M went up against the 1st season of archie bunker's place which was a top ten show that season. So I think it was a new show trying to compete with a show that was already established.

Dr. Thong · 09-29-2013, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

I think it was just the new competition that caused the ratings to drop

M&M went up against the 1st season of archie bunker's place which was a top ten show that season. So I think it was a new show trying to compete with a show that was already established.

M&M wasn't a new show anymore: It was beginning its second season. But the change in direction and trying to take on the more established and legendary Archie Bunker dealt M&M a blow and the show never completely recovered.

TVFactFan · 09-29-2013, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

M&M wasn't a new show anymore: It was beginning its second season. But the change in direction and trying to take on the more established and legendary Archie Bunker dealt M&M a blow and the show never completely recovered.

2nd season=New Show vs a show like ABP which was starting it's 10th season

Mr. Television · 10-05-2013, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

2nd season=New Show vs a show like ABP which was starting it's 10th season

Yep I didn't have a VCR then and Archie Bunker was the winner in my house. lol

TVFactFan · 10-05-2013, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

Yep I didn't have a VCR then and Archie Bunker was the winner in my house. lol

Exactly, wasn;t no DVR back then just "better make a decision" lol

Mr. Television · 10-05-2013, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Exactly, wasn;t no DVR back then just "better make a decision" lol

I would have loved to have a DVR back then. I had to wait until summer to see a lot of the shows I missed. lol

TVFactFan · 10-05-2013, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

I would have loved to have a DVR back then. I had to wait until summer to see a lot of the shows I missed. lol

Explains why new shows were cancelled so fast back then lol

Retro4Life · 10-05-2013, 04:19 PM

The final year for sure. Mork had been the oddball character but by the time it was over he was one of the most normal on the show. Mearth, Exidor, Exidor's mother and girlfriend...give me a break!

Dr. Thong · 10-06-2013, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

The final year for sure. Mork had been the oddball character but by the time it was over he was one of the most normal on the show. Mearth, Exidor, Exidor's mother and girlfriend...give me a break!

I liked Exidor -- he always cracked me up.

LittleRickyII · 02-01-2014, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

I think it was just the new competition that caused the ratings to drop

M&M went up against the 1st season of archie bunker's place which was a top ten show that season. So I think it was a new show trying to compete with a show that was already established.

It has to have been more than just the competition. Archie Bunker's Place pales in comparison to the classic All in the Family. It really wasn't a good show and had very few laughs. What made All in the Family work was missing from Archie Bunker's Place. It was a very tired show. The format with Archie taking care of these young relatives was very contrived, and none of the characters brought on that show were interesting. I know people were tuning in out of curiosity to see the format change with Archie going it alone. But it was clear from the beginning that the fun was gone. It took a bit hit the year before with the loss of Mike and Gloria. Now with Edith gone there was no point. And there was no live studio audience anymore, which seemed to affect the energy of the show. So basically, a good strong show (not necessarily a comedy) could have brought it down.

TVFactFan · 02-01-2014, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleRickyII

It has to have been more than just the competition. Archie Bunker's Place pales in comparison to the classic All in the Family. It really wasn't a good show and had very few laughs. What made All in the Family work was missing from Archie Bunker's Place. It was a very tired show. The format with Archie taking care of these young relatives was very contrived, and none of the characters brought on that show were interesting. I know people were tuning in out of curiosity to see the format change with Archie going it alone. But it was clear from the beginning that the fun was gone. It took a bit hit the year before with the loss of Mike and Gloria. Now with Edith gone there was no point. And there was no live studio audience anymore, which seemed to affect the energy of the show. So basically, a good strong show (not necessarily a comedy) could have brought it down.

You basically had a kiddie show which was Mork and Mindy up against a show for mature viewers and it never had a chance.

View Poll Results: Boned When...
Jonathan Winters - Too ridiculous to be funny	1	10.00%
Season 2 - They tried to make it "hip"	6	60.00%
Day 1	0	0%
Never Boned	2	20.00%
Mork and Mindy Tie the Knot	1	10.00%
Voters: 10. You may not vote on this poll

09-28-2013, 11:17 AM	#2
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Season Two, of course. M&M was a show that right out of the box was a hit. It had a great cast that worked well together and had a great chemistry. It was perfect. But the network, obsessed with demographics, felt they needed younger characters and tinkered with it. In addition, the tone of the show changed as well and the show never recovered creatively. If anything, it got worse as things progressed. "If it aint broke, don't fix it." Someone should have told that to the ABC executives in 1979.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

09-28-2013, 02:15 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	As much as I liked the characters of Remo and Jean (and actors Jay Thomas and Gina Hecht!) it was a mistake to drop Mindy's father and Grandmother from the cast. If it ain't broke don't fix it!!
	__________________ 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

09-28-2013, 02:59 PM	#4
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	Jay Thomas. Enough said.
	__________________ Sonny

10-05-2013, 04:19 PM	#12
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	The final year for sure. Mork had been the oddball character but by the time it was over he was one of the most normal on the show. Mearth, Exidor, Exidor's mother and girlfriend...give me a break!
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

09-28-2013, 06:57 PM	#5
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,059	I think it was just the new competition that caused the ratings to drop M&M went up against the 1st season of archie bunker's place which was a top ten show that season. So I think it was a new show trying to compete with a show that was already established.