Rather dark moments in lighthearted shows - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 12-27-2017, 09:14 PM

Have you ever watch a show and sometimes say, man that’s a little too much?

For example, the series finale of Dinosaurs:

Or the WKRP in Cincinnati episode that centered on the real life 1979 Who concert tragedy.

The first half is typical WKRP wackiness with the DJs excited about the concert, then after the commercial break, the second half kicks in and its a dead serious episode about the deaths and the problems with festival seating.

Edward216 · 01-02-2018, 01:57 AM

Yeah there's lots of them. Back in the 80s especially but that's not the only decade it happened in. One that I can think of is in the first season of The Facts Of Life there's an episode where one of the Eastland students kills herself. She had been giving away personal things and had given something to Tootie that she had admired (a necklace maybe but I can't remember) and then of course there's the aftermath of her suicide and Tootie is understandably very upset about it.

Ed.

MikeLutton · 01-02-2018, 02:12 AM

dont forget half the episodes of all in the family hate when somebody get shot mugged almost dies it soppose be funny in a sitcom ya know

treky · 01-02-2018, 02:31 AM

almost every other sitcom in the 70s and 80s had at least one "a very special episode of...."

mets82 · 01-02-2018, 03:40 PM

Happy Days when Richie was in a motorcycle accident. Or when Fonzie was blind.

stevea · 01-02-2018, 07:19 PM

Those Bicycle Man episodes of Diff'rent Strokes were really revolting. They probably could have eliminated some of the details and still gotten their message across.

treky · 01-03-2018, 02:52 AM

then there's "MASH" which not only did it in the last few seasons; they OVERdid it with it's constant "...oh we''''re doctors and we're nurses...and we save lives which makes us so good...and death is such a bummer...and war is hell..." and on and on.

Edward216 · 01-04-2018, 06:12 AM

The episode of All In The Family when Edith almost gets raped. I mean yes they were trying to talk about serious social issues but that went way too far!

Ed.

12-27-2017, 09:14 PM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,703	Rather dark moments in lighthearted shows Have you ever watch a show and sometimes say, man that’s a little too much? For example, the series finale of Dinosaurs: Or the WKRP in Cincinnati episode that centered on the real life 1979 Who concert tragedy. The first half is typical WKRP wackiness with the DJs excited about the concert, then after the commercial break, the second half kicks in and its a dead serious episode about the deaths and the problems with festival seating.

01-02-2018, 02:12 AM	#3
MikeLutton Mike Lutton DVD Legend! Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 05, 2005 Location: usa pennsyvania Posts: 6,887	dont forget half the episodes of all in the family hate when somebody get shot mugged almost dies it soppose be funny in a sitcom ya know
	__________________ Tv And DVD Addict got over a hundred dvds in my collection more than anyone in the neighborhood. also huge Animal lover family man

01-02-2018, 02:31 AM	#4
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	almost every other sitcom in the 70s and 80s had at least one "a very special episode of...."
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

01-02-2018, 03:40 PM	#5
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,058	Happy Days when Richie was in a motorcycle accident. Or when Fonzie was blind.
	__________________ http://www.superbowlgreatness.blogspot.com/ Please check out my blog. I vent on all things. TV, sports etc. you name it. Its also a work in progress. Check out and see what you think.

01-02-2018, 01:57 AM	#2
Edward216 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 18, 2014 Location: Central Time Zone Posts: 4,648	Yeah there's lots of them. Back in the 80s especially but that's not the only decade it happened in. One that I can think of is in the first season of The Facts Of Life there's an episode where one of the Eastland students kills herself. She had been giving away personal things and had given something to Tootie that she had admired (a necklace maybe but I can't remember) and then of course there's the aftermath of her suicide and Tootie is understandably very upset about it. Ed.

01-02-2018, 07:19 PM	#6
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,851	Those Bicycle Man episodes of Diff'rent Strokes were really revolting. They probably could have eliminated some of the details and still gotten their message across.

01-03-2018, 02:52 AM	#7
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	then there's "MASH" which not only did it in the last few seasons; they OVERdid it with it's constant "...oh we''''re doctors and we're nurses...and we save lives which makes us so good...and death is such a bummer...and war is hell..." and on and on.

01-04-2018, 06:12 AM	#8
Edward216 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 18, 2014 Location: Central Time Zone Posts: 4,648	The episode of All In The Family when Edith almost gets raped. I mean yes they were trying to talk about serious social issues but that went way too far! Ed.