Famous Sitcom Cliches - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 01-09-2001, 09:44 PM

Examples:
-Newborn babies rapidly age in-between a season while the other characters remain relatively around the same age. The primary excuse that tends to come along with this is that the producers simply feel that they want to *do more* with the new characters. It usually seems like when new kids are introduced, it raises the number of kids in the family from three to four.

-"Special Episodes" (occasional episodes that focus on more serious subjects) end with the cast members making a tagged on public service announcement.

-Some minor characters that were around since the show began are ultimately phased out of the show soon afterwards without much of a strong explaination concerning their where-abouts.

-Originally intended secondary characters ultimately become a major focal point for the show as they become more and more popular and noticed.

-During the opening or closing credits, we're told that the show has been filmed live in front of a studio audience.

-If women go into labor, some unusual situation has to be thrown in along the way.

-Christmas themed episodes maybe designed as take-offs of "A Christmas Carol" or "It's a Wonderful Life."

-If the show focuses on single parents, it may most likely focus on fathers who's wives recently died.

-The main characters' friends may be more out-going or cartoon-like.

-The main characters are given somebody to frequently fued and rival with (e.g. a in-law, neighbor, or co-worker).

-There has to be at least one episode in which the stars get to play multiple roles.

-Half way through the show's run, the theme song will be reworked in some form (e.g. the same lyrics but with a different style).

-Instead of hearing an actual theme song, the opening credits play over the very first scenes.

-The audience reacts to kissing or a woman wearing a nice dress by saying "whoo!" and reacts to "heartfelt" moments by saying "ahh!"

01-09-2001, 10:08 PM

The Xmas eps. have a lot of jingle bells thrown in their theme songs/music (don't they?)

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Felix: "Responsibility" is my middle name, Mister!

Oscar: And "Pest" is your FIRST name, Mister!

TMC · 01-11-2001, 12:35 AM

I almost forgot about "Flashback Episodes" in which the characters repeatedly go through various past events that are some how related to the current storyline. Of course, the flashbacks are primarily made up of a string of clips from old episodes. When shows get to a "Flashback Episode" it's almost serves as a sign that the show doesn't have much time left. Either that, or the show is running low on fresh ideas and/or is trying to save some money in the process.

Biskitbarrel · 01-24-2001, 09:59 PM

Don't forget the "getting locked into something" episode, ie. meat locker, log cabin or whatever, usualy with a character that the other character doesnt like.

Ian · 01-24-2001, 10:35 PM

and dont forget the episode every sitcom has........yes you guessed it "the handcuffed episode", where two main characters are handcuffed together, almost every sitcom has had that one!!

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loooking goood!!!

silentbri · 01-25-2001, 04:25 PM

Wow... you guys have named the entire Holy Trinity of sit-coms! Once a sit-com has gone through the trinity, it can become a classic.

The "Locked In" Episode
The "Handcuffed" Episode
The "Flashback" Episode

Of course, there are a few other hurdles to go over before you can be a "classic"... Hurdles such as:

The Restaurant Episode: The main character(s) end up having to run a restaurant with little or no past experience! Hillarity ensues!

The Twin Episode: One of the main characters comes face-to-face with a person who looks exactly like them, only slightly different hair color or facial hair. Put them together, and it spells COMEDY!

The Baby Episode: The main character(s) discover that taking care of a baby isn't as easy as it looks.. but it *is* a sure-fire recipe for laughs! Expect at least one character to not want to give the baby back to the parents.

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Click here to visit my web page, if you like!

LaverneShirley · 01-25-2001, 06:46 PM

All right! Then my show's a classic! Shirley got handcuffed to a criminal. Shirley, Squiggy, and Frank got locked in a wine cellar. We saw L&S move in to their apartment through the wonders of flashback. They babysit a baby and it disappears when the leave it with Lenny and Squiggy. Shirley meets her boyfriend's ex-wife, who looks exactly like her (not to mention Squiggy gets confused with a look-alike Russian ballet dancer). And of course, there's the diner episode. "Betty please. Pick up."

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"Well, Laverne is sort of childish" -Shirley

"Childish? Childish? Coming from a grown woman who throws tea parties for her stuffed cat!" -Laverne

"Well at least I don't sew L's on everything I wear!" -Shirley

"Well that would be pretty stupid considering your name's Shirley!" -Laverne

80skid · 01-25-2001, 07:48 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by TMC:
[B]Examples:
-Newborn babies rapidly age in-between a season while the other characters remain relatively around the same age.

TMC - are you using Growing Pains's "Chrissy" as an example? Hehe, if so, I agree!

silentbri · 01-25-2001, 10:29 PM

Laverne and Shirley was the series I based "The Holy Trinity" on, actually

Didn't they have a Baby episode as well?

And regarding the inexplicable aging of children... I know it happened on Growing Pains, but didn't it also happen on other shows? Oh, wait! Got it! Family Ties!

LaverneShirley · 01-26-2001, 06:23 PM

You're right, bri, they did! I forgot to put that one in. It was "The Baby Show" (non-Shirley) and guest starred Vicki Lawrence, back as Srgt. Alvinia Plout (Of the United States Army Amen!). This time she was pregnant (I believe her husband was in the Navy but I could be thinking of her boyfriend in "Out Out Damned Plout"), and she and Laverne enter a contest to win free baby food for a year or life time or such. The first three done with the first round of the contest go on to the finals. Laverne comes in third, Plout in fourth. Then they find out that Laverne isn't really pregnant, it's just a pillow. Sometime later, the day of the finals, Laverne and Plout go to some guys funeral and Plout ends up going into labor. They name the baby Goober L. Plout (The L stands for Laverne). Poor kid.

------------------
"Well, Laverne is sort of childish" -Shirley

"Childish? Childish? Coming from a grown woman who throws tea parties for her stuffed cat!" -Laverne

"Well at least I don't sew L's on everything I wear!" -Shirley

"Well that would be pretty stupid considering your name's Shirley!" -Laverne

01-28-2001, 11:25 AM

Let's see, The Facts of Life had a flashback episode, The Way We Were. The girls got snowed in at a ski cabin. Jo handcuffed herself to Blair once. They lost Blair's sister Bailey. But I don't think they ever had to run a resturant or bumped into someone who looked just like one of them. Almost classic.

LaverneShirley · 01-28-2001, 05:20 PM

Actually, FOL did have a restaurant episode. It was either the eighth or ninth season. Blair gets a job working with Natalie at some fast food taco place.

------------------
"Well, Laverne is sort of childish" -Shirley

"Childish? Childish? Coming from a grown woman who throws tea parties for her stuffed cat!" -Laverne

"Well at least I don't sew L's on everything I wear!" -Shirley

"Well that would be pretty stupid considering your name's Shirley!" -Laverne

silentbri · 01-29-2001, 01:37 AM

...I'd also consider any episodes where the girls work at Edna's Edibles as a "Restaurant Episode". Heck, there's one in the credits where Nat spreads flour all over a kitchen while they're making pizzas! Yeah, plenty of restaurant episodes there...

01-29-2001, 08:36 PM

Oh, yeah. I was just thinking of those off the top of my head. I completely forgot about Fast Food and A Slice of Life, but I don't guess they had a look alike episode.

silentbri · 01-29-2001, 08:48 PM

There *had* to be one... there just HAD to be! Think hard.... Ooh! I've got it! Don't know the name of the episode, but Joe and Blair are registering for their classes, and they brought Mrs. Garret with them. Mrs. Garret runs in to someone dressed and with hair just like hers! I *think* we can slip that one in on the technicality...

01-09-2001, 09:44 PM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,953	Famous Sitcom Cliches Examples: -Newborn babies rapidly age in-between a season while the other characters remain relatively around the same age. The primary excuse that tends to come along with this is that the producers simply feel that they want to do more with the new characters. It usually seems like when new kids are introduced, it raises the number of kids in the family from three to four. -"Special Episodes" (occasional episodes that focus on more serious subjects) end with the cast members making a tagged on public service announcement. -Some minor characters that were around since the show began are ultimately phased out of the show soon afterwards without much of a strong explaination concerning their where-abouts. -Originally intended secondary characters ultimately become a major focal point for the show as they become more and more popular and noticed. -During the opening or closing credits, we're told that the show has been filmed live in front of a studio audience. -If women go into labor, some unusual situation has to be thrown in along the way. -Christmas themed episodes maybe designed as take-offs of "A Christmas Carol" or "It's a Wonderful Life." -If the show focuses on single parents, it may most likely focus on fathers who's wives recently died. -The main characters' friends may be more out-going or cartoon-like. -The main characters are given somebody to frequently fued and rival with (e.g. a in-law, neighbor, or co-worker). -There has to be at least one episode in which the stars get to play multiple roles. -Half way through the show's run, the theme song will be reworked in some form (e.g. the same lyrics but with a different style). -Instead of hearing an actual theme song, the opening credits play over the very first scenes. -The audience reacts to kissing or a woman wearing a nice dress by saying "whoo!" and reacts to "heartfelt" moments by saying "ahh!"

01-09-2001, 10:08 PM	#2
PomeranzFan1 Guest Posts: n/a	The Xmas eps. have a lot of jingle bells thrown in their theme songs/music (don't they?) ------------------ Felix: "Responsibility" is my middle name, Mister! Oscar: And "Pest" is your FIRST name, Mister!
PomeranzFan1 Guest Posts: n/a

01-28-2001, 11:25 AM	#11
A.J. Guest Posts: n/a	Let's see, The Facts of Life had a flashback episode, The Way We Were. The girls got snowed in at a ski cabin. Jo handcuffed herself to Blair once. They lost Blair's sister Bailey. But I don't think they ever had to run a resturant or bumped into someone who looked just like one of them. Almost classic.
A.J. Guest Posts: n/a

01-29-2001, 08:36 PM	#14
A.J. Guest Posts: n/a	Oh, yeah. I was just thinking of those off the top of my head. I completely forgot about Fast Food and A Slice of Life, but I don't guess they had a look alike episode.
A.J. Guest Posts: n/a

01-11-2001, 12:35 AM	#3
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,953	I almost forgot about "Flashback Episodes" in which the characters repeatedly go through various past events that are some how related to the current storyline. Of course, the flashbacks are primarily made up of a string of clips from old episodes. When shows get to a "Flashback Episode" it's almost serves as a sign that the show doesn't have much time left. Either that, or the show is running low on fresh ideas and/or is trying to save some money in the process.

01-24-2001, 09:59 PM	#4
Biskitbarrel Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: Chicago, Il. USA Posts: 8	Don't forget the "getting locked into something" episode, ie. meat locker, log cabin or whatever, usualy with a character that the other character doesnt like.

01-24-2001, 10:35 PM	#5
Ian Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 03, 2000 Posts: 1,234	and dont forget the episode every sitcom has........yes you guessed it "the handcuffed episode", where two main characters are handcuffed together, almost every sitcom has had that one!! ------------------ loooking goood!!!

01-25-2001, 04:25 PM	#6
silentbri Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 20, 2000 Location: Lynnwood, WA, in the good ol' US of A Posts: 399	Wow... you guys have named the entire Holy Trinity of sit-coms! Once a sit-com has gone through the trinity, it can become a classic. The "Locked In" Episode The "Handcuffed" Episode The "Flashback" Episode Of course, there are a few other hurdles to go over before you can be a "classic"... Hurdles such as: The Restaurant Episode: The main character(s) end up having to run a restaurant with little or no past experience! Hillarity ensues! The Twin Episode: One of the main characters comes face-to-face with a person who looks exactly like them, only slightly different hair color or facial hair. Put them together, and it spells COMEDY! The Baby Episode: The main character(s) discover that taking care of a baby isn't as easy as it looks.. but it is a sure-fire recipe for laughs! Expect at least one character to not want to give the baby back to the parents. ------------------ Click here to visit my web page, if you like!

01-25-2001, 06:46 PM	#7
LaverneShirley Mission Doll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 26, 2000 Location: Liberty Twp, OH Posts: 1,552	All right! Then my show's a classic! Shirley got handcuffed to a criminal. Shirley, Squiggy, and Frank got locked in a wine cellar. We saw L&S move in to their apartment through the wonders of flashback. They babysit a baby and it disappears when the leave it with Lenny and Squiggy. Shirley meets her boyfriend's ex-wife, who looks exactly like her (not to mention Squiggy gets confused with a look-alike Russian ballet dancer). And of course, there's the diner episode. "Betty please. Pick up." ------------------ "Well, Laverne is sort of childish" -Shirley "Childish? Childish? Coming from a grown woman who throws tea parties for her stuffed cat!" -Laverne "Well at least I don't sew L's on everything I wear!" -Shirley "Well that would be pretty stupid considering your name's Shirley!" -Laverne

01-25-2001, 07:48 PM	#8
80skid smile :) Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 18, 2000 Posts: 971	[QUOTE]Originally posted by TMC: [B]Examples: -Newborn babies rapidly age in-between a season while the other characters remain relatively around the same age. TMC - are you using Growing Pains's "Chrissy" as an example? Hehe, if so, I agree!

01-25-2001, 10:29 PM	#9
silentbri Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 20, 2000 Location: Lynnwood, WA, in the good ol' US of A Posts: 399	Laverne and Shirley was the series I based "The Holy Trinity" on, actually Didn't they have a Baby episode as well? And regarding the inexplicable aging of children... I know it happened on Growing Pains, but didn't it also happen on other shows? Oh, wait! Got it! Family Ties!

01-26-2001, 06:23 PM	#10
LaverneShirley Mission Doll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 26, 2000 Location: Liberty Twp, OH Posts: 1,552	You're right, bri, they did! I forgot to put that one in. It was "The Baby Show" (non-Shirley) and guest starred Vicki Lawrence, back as Srgt. Alvinia Plout (Of the United States Army Amen!). This time she was pregnant (I believe her husband was in the Navy but I could be thinking of her boyfriend in "Out Out Damned Plout"), and she and Laverne enter a contest to win free baby food for a year or life time or such. The first three done with the first round of the contest go on to the finals. Laverne comes in third, Plout in fourth. Then they find out that Laverne isn't really pregnant, it's just a pillow. Sometime later, the day of the finals, Laverne and Plout go to some guys funeral and Plout ends up going into labor. They name the baby Goober L. Plout (The L stands for Laverne). Poor kid. ------------------ "Well, Laverne is sort of childish" -Shirley "Childish? Childish? Coming from a grown woman who throws tea parties for her stuffed cat!" -Laverne "Well at least I don't sew L's on everything I wear!" -Shirley "Well that would be pretty stupid considering your name's Shirley!" -Laverne

01-28-2001, 05:20 PM	#12
LaverneShirley Mission Doll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 26, 2000 Location: Liberty Twp, OH Posts: 1,552	Actually, FOL did have a restaurant episode. It was either the eighth or ninth season. Blair gets a job working with Natalie at some fast food taco place. ------------------ "Well, Laverne is sort of childish" -Shirley "Childish? Childish? Coming from a grown woman who throws tea parties for her stuffed cat!" -Laverne "Well at least I don't sew L's on everything I wear!" -Shirley "Well that would be pretty stupid considering your name's Shirley!" -Laverne

01-29-2001, 01:37 AM	#13
silentbri Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 20, 2000 Location: Lynnwood, WA, in the good ol' US of A Posts: 399	...I'd also consider any episodes where the girls work at Edna's Edibles as a "Restaurant Episode". Heck, there's one in the credits where Nat spreads flour all over a kitchen while they're making pizzas! Yeah, plenty of restaurant episodes there...

01-29-2001, 08:48 PM	#15
silentbri Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 20, 2000 Location: Lynnwood, WA, in the good ol' US of A Posts: 399	There had to be one... there just HAD to be! Think hard.... Ooh! I've got it! Don't know the name of the episode, but Joe and Blair are registering for their classes, and they brought Mrs. Garret with them. Mrs. Garret runs in to someone dressed and with hair just like hers! I think we can slip that one in on the technicality...