Perfect Strangers is probably one of the most (if not THE most) underrated sitcom... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

WatcherofOldTV · 09-15-2015, 06:15 AM

of all time!!

It was hilariously funny, got excellent ratings for a long period of time (after a slow start) and had extremely talented actors who carried the show on their own two feet by themselves during most scenes.

The comedy and writing is outstanding. The comedic timing and improvisation was incredible and I've always said that it gave Family Matters an extra life. If not for Perfect Strangers, the Friday night lineup would never have been as strong, even during the Urkel "rage". Perfect Strangers was really the anchor of the Friday night lineup and never got the credit it deserved, imho.

Really, while looking back in retrospect, I'm quite saddened by this, to be honest. Fine actors, writers and overall staff which never got the recognition it deserved. They brought a LOT of money to ABC. And Family Matters would have never made it to a second season (even with Urkel coming in with his flowers dripping on the floor), if they didn't have something to anchor it with. No question....

JO Sweet Heart · 09-20-2015, 12:17 AM

I miss this show so much!

God bless you always!!!

Holly

tlc38tlc38 · 09-20-2015, 01:04 AM

I wouldn't say it's THE most underrated of all-time but it is underrated. It needs to be released in-full on DVD!

Marvo301 · 09-20-2015, 06:04 PM

Mark Linn Baker and Bronson Pinchot were their generation's Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, Martin and Lewis.

WatcherofOldTV · 10-02-2015, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlc38tlc38

I wouldn't say it's THE most underrated of all-time but it is underrated. It needs to be released in-full on DVD!

Well...that's YOUR opinion but I still say it is THE most underrated show of all-time.

It made ABC a substantial amount of money and without this show as a tenpole, Family Matters would have never survived (even after the advent of Urkel and his dripping flowers)...he wasn't THAT funny, btw...

glickmam · 05-09-2016, 02:27 AM

No way, if there's any show that's truly underrated on ABC's TGIF lineup, it's Mr. Belvedere. Unlike Perfect Strangers, Mr. Belvedere actually respected the viewer's intelligence by having story lines be as witty and as realistic as possible. In addition, the characters on the show were very grounded in reality and were actually characters you could sympathize with. Finally, the show had fine actors were actually treated like an ensemble in which no actor dominated the others, and all the leads were given their moment to shine in the spotlight. To me, the only real reason Perfect Strangers actually managed to last at all on ABC's schedule was because it was produced by Miller/Boyett Productions, which had previously gained ABC ratings success with Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley. The makers of Mr. Belvedere, Frank Dungan and Jeff Stein, on the other hand, were practically unknown outside of their work as writers and producers on Barney Miller, and therefore, did not have as much leverage with ABC executives as what Miller/Boyett did.

09-15-2015, 06:15 AM	#1
WatcherofOldTV Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 23, 2011 Posts: 138	Perfect Strangers is probably one of the most (if not THE most) underrated sitcom... of all time!! It was hilariously funny, got excellent ratings for a long period of time (after a slow start) and had extremely talented actors who carried the show on their own two feet by themselves during most scenes. The comedy and writing is outstanding. The comedic timing and improvisation was incredible and I've always said that it gave Family Matters an extra life. If not for Perfect Strangers, the Friday night lineup would never have been as strong, even during the Urkel "rage". Perfect Strangers was really the anchor of the Friday night lineup and never got the credit it deserved, imho. Really, while looking back in retrospect, I'm quite saddened by this, to be honest. Fine actors, writers and overall staff which never got the recognition it deserved. They brought a LOT of money to ABC. And Family Matters would have never made it to a second season (even with Urkel coming in with his flowers dripping on the floor), if they didn't have something to anchor it with. No question....

09-20-2015, 12:17 AM	#2
JO Sweet Heart Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 11, 2012 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 7,854	I miss this show so much! God bless you always!!! Holly
	__________________ Go here to check out my most favorite singer, James Otto, when you can!

09-20-2015, 01:04 AM	#3
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,258	I wouldn't say it's THE most underrated of all-time but it is underrated. It needs to be released in-full on DVD!
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.

09-20-2015, 06:04 PM	#4
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Mark Linn Baker and Bronson Pinchot were their generation's Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, Martin and Lewis.
	__________________ 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

05-09-2016, 02:27 AM	#6
glickmam Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 03, 2007 Posts: 661	No way, if there's any show that's truly underrated on ABC's TGIF lineup, it's Mr. Belvedere. Unlike Perfect Strangers, Mr. Belvedere actually respected the viewer's intelligence by having story lines be as witty and as realistic as possible. In addition, the characters on the show were very grounded in reality and were actually characters you could sympathize with. Finally, the show had fine actors were actually treated like an ensemble in which no actor dominated the others, and all the leads were given their moment to shine in the spotlight. To me, the only real reason Perfect Strangers actually managed to last at all on ABC's schedule was because it was produced by Miller/Boyett Productions, which had previously gained ABC ratings success with Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley. The makers of Mr. Belvedere, Frank Dungan and Jeff Stein, on the other hand, were practically unknown outside of their work as writers and producers on Barney Miller, and therefore, did not have as much leverage with ABC executives as what Miller/Boyett did.