Why Was Tommy Used For 2nd Not 1st Son? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

PracTz · 07-30-2015, 06:44 PM

A minor point, but I've often wondered why they gave Tom's name to the middle son and NOT their firstborn child. Was David supposed to be Joan's son by an earlier marriage who got adopted by Tom or did they simply not want to immortalize Tom's name when they had David but then changed their minds when Tommy came along? Was this ever explained?

Zoneboy · 07-30-2015, 07:29 PM

Was Tom's full name ever mentioned? In my case, I'm the oldest of 4 brothers and was given the first name Charles for both grandfathers and the middle name David for my dad. His birth name is Gary David and the next born was given his first name. If Tom's full name is Thomas David or vice-versa then there you go.

lakesgirl · 07-30-2015, 08:28 PM

Talk to the real-life Bradens (EiE is based on them) about that. They are the ones who named their children and the show went by that. If you notice, they also named the 2nd daughter (Joanie) after the mother (Joan). So, the 2nd son and the 2nd daughter were named after their parents. Maybe someone needs to ask the Bradens.

OH Nuts! · 07-31-2015, 10:33 AM

Interesting thread. Because usually the "jr. is the eldest child - but there's certainly no hard or fast rule on this!

07-30-2015, 06:44 PM	#1
PracTz Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2002 Location: United States of America [Happily Living in the 20th Century] Posts: 2,711	Why Was Tommy Used For 2nd Not 1st Son? A minor point, but I've often wondered why they gave Tom's name to the middle son and NOT their firstborn child. Was David supposed to be Joan's son by an earlier marriage who got adopted by Tom or did they simply not want to immortalize Tom's name when they had David but then changed their minds when Tommy came along? Was this ever explained?

07-30-2015, 07:29 PM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,338	Was Tom's full name ever mentioned? In my case, I'm the oldest of 4 brothers and was given the first name Charles for both grandfathers and the middle name David for my dad. His birth name is Gary David and the next born was given his first name. If Tom's full name is Thomas David or vice-versa then there you go.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

07-30-2015, 08:28 PM	#3
lakesgirl Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 14, 2014 Posts: 2,116	Talk to the real-life Bradens (EiE is based on them) about that. They are the ones who named their children and the show went by that. If you notice, they also named the 2nd daughter (Joanie) after the mother (Joan). So, the 2nd son and the 2nd daughter were named after their parents. Maybe someone needs to ask the Bradens.

07-31-2015, 10:33 AM	#4
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Interesting thread. Because usually the "jr. is the eldest child - but there's certainly no hard or fast rule on this!