Other Sitcom Characters That Could Have Had a Drama Series - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 04-05-2018, 07:18 PM

As far as I know in the realm of TV, only two characters that were based in a comedy series had moved into a drama series: Lou Grant from The Mary Tyler Moore Show to the drama Lou Grant, and while the movie and first show was a more comedy/drama mix...Trapper John from M*A*S*H to Trapper John, MD.

What other characters from shows with a primarily comedic bend could have lent themselves well to a drama show?

cnnbcbs · 04-15-2018, 03:49 PM

Technically, for legal reasons Trapper John MD was a spin-off of the movie MASH and not the series M*A*S*H,

stevea · 04-15-2018, 05:42 PM

There was a thread earlier about what constitutes a spin-off, but I'd think you'd want it to be the same actor, too. Trapper John MD wasn't even the same actor.

Retro4Life · 04-15-2018, 07:22 PM

I think there's an argument that Mike Stivic from AITF might have worked, as a sort of Lucas Tanner teacher in California, dealing with serious issues affecting kids in the 70s and 80s. Many AITF episodes centered around serious topics, and Mike was passionate about them.

stevea · 04-15-2018, 09:33 PM

Robert Young went from Father Knows Best to Window on Main Street (comedy/drama), but primarily to Marcus Welby, M.D. (for which he won an leading-actor Emmy).

treky · 04-15-2018, 11:55 PM

yea, I also think Rob Riener would have been good as a teacher in a comedy-drama.

04-05-2018, 07:18 PM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,568	Other Sitcom Characters That Could Have Had a Drama Series As far as I know in the realm of TV, only two characters that were based in a comedy series had moved into a drama series: Lou Grant from The Mary Tyler Moore Show to the drama Lou Grant, and while the movie and first show was a more comedy/drama mix...Trapper John from MASH* to Trapper John, MD. What other characters from shows with a primarily comedic bend could have lent themselves well to a drama show?

04-15-2018, 07:22 PM	#4
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I think there's an argument that Mike Stivic from AITF might have worked, as a sort of Lucas Tanner teacher in California, dealing with serious issues affecting kids in the 70s and 80s. Many AITF episodes centered around serious topics, and Mike was passionate about them.
	__________________ 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."

04-15-2018, 11:55 PM	#6
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	yea, I also think Rob Riener would have been good as a teacher in a comedy-drama.
	__________________ 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."

04-15-2018, 03:49 PM	#2
cnnbcbs Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 08, 2017 Posts: 366	Technically, for legal reasons Trapper John MD was a spin-off of the movie MASH and not the series MAS*H,

04-15-2018, 05:42 PM	#3
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,511	There was a thread earlier about what constitutes a spin-off, but I'd think you'd want it to be the same actor, too. Trapper John MD wasn't even the same actor.

04-15-2018, 09:33 PM	#5
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,511	Robert Young went from Father Knows Best to Window on Main Street (comedy/drama), but primarily to Marcus Welby, M.D. (for which he won an leading-actor Emmy).