White Elephant/Troublesome Episodes... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

MrCleveland · 04-18-2018, 03:00 PM

I got the idea from this watchmojo.com Top-10 list...

I'm sure there's other White Elephant Episodes that involve bigotry, alcohol, or even violence.

Has there ever been any recent ones today?

tlc38tlc38 · 04-18-2018, 04:40 PM

I guess you could add "Gender Gap" from "It's a Living" to the list. Logo is refusing to air it.

TMC · 04-19-2018, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

I got the idea from this watchmojo.com Top-10 list...

I'm sure there's other White Elephant Episodes that involve bigotry, alcohol, or even violence.

Has there ever been any recent ones today?

I wouldn't necessarily put that particular Saved by the Bell episode on the list because Zack is rightly called out on his lack of effort, research, ignorance, and good taste. It isn't like there wasn't any sort of self-awareness about that. One episode of Saved by the Bell that I don't think would ever be made today is the episode where Zack develops a crush on the new school nurse. Or more specifically, the climatic part where the nurse turns the tables on Zack, who is still under-aged. The whole idea of having an attractive school staff-member seduce a student (regardless of the motives) just brings up serious ethical questions.

The crazy thing about Punky Brewster is that for a kids show, it could be really dark and depressing. So a show about a serial killer played completely straight (and not a wacky, Three's Company-like misunderstanding), isn't that far-reaching. If something like that were made today, then it would likely be a one hour dramedy.

MrCleveland · 04-19-2018, 07:56 AM

I would have that Maude ep where she was pregnant and got an abortion on that list...many people took that ep seriously!

MRPITT · 04-19-2018, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

I would have that Maude ep where she was pregnant and got an abortion on that list...many people took that ep seriously!

Or what about the Maude episode where Arthur hits Maude.

Edward216 · 04-19-2018, 11:55 PM

I don't get it, why are they called "white elephant" episodes?

Ed.

MrCleveland · 04-20-2018, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward216

I don't get it, why are they called "white elephant" episodes?

Ed.

I can call it "Troublesome Issues". It comes from the phrase "White Elephant in the Room".

Another show that had White Elephant/Troublesome scenarios is Gimme a Break!

Melissa-Nell hooks-up Chief Carl Kansiky with Melissa who's a transgender retail worker.

Baby of the Family-I think this is the biggest troublesome ep because Samantha Kanisky puts Joey Donovan in blackface...in an all African-American church!

Edward216 · 04-21-2018, 12:35 AM

I've always heard the phrase as just "the elephant in the room" and not "white elephant". So I think you're mistaken. I've never heard anybody say "white elephant in the room".

Ed.

TMC · 04-21-2018, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

I got the idea from this watchmojo.com Top-10 list...

I'm sure there's other White Elephant Episodes that involve bigotry, alcohol, or even violence.

Has there ever been any recent ones today?

I feel that social media is one big reason why a lot of those type of episodes couldn't be made today. Imagine if that Friends episode with Kathleen Turner as Chandler's "dad" aired in the visage of Twitter or Facebook. Social media whether you like it or not, has allowed viewers a more "direct" and centralized way to comment on things that they don't agree with. Whenever that Friends episode first aired, it didn't seem like that big of a deal because social media didn't allow the general public to observe and analyze celebrities or TV programs under a closer microscope.

MrCleveland · 04-21-2018, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

I feel that social media is one big reason why a lot of those type of episodes couldn't be made today. Imagine if that Friends episode with Kathleen Turner as Chandler's "dad" aired in the visage of Twitter or Facebook. Social media whether you like it or not, has allowed viewers a more "direct" and centralized way to comment on things that they don't agree with. Whenever that Friends episode first aired, it didn't seem like that big of a deal because social media didn't allow the general public to observe and analyze celebrities or TV programs under a closer microscope.

I don't even think today's sitcoms tackle on serious scenarios because they may deem TOO offensive!

Another series that had troublesome eps is Full House....

Just Say No way-DJ Tanner catches Kevin and his friends drinking beer, but DJ gets wrongfully accused on drinking the beer...which she didn't.

Stephanie's Wild Ride-DJ tells Stephanie to NOT go with Gia and her friends as they were joyriding...however...Gia and her friends got injured so Stephanie thanked DJ for it.

I'm sure there's more from Full House.

Sal · 04-28-2018, 09:03 PM

I've got the best one yet! On an episode of Car 54, Where Are You? according to its official description:

A group of robbers move next door to a bank and begin to plot a bank heist involving knocking down the wall between them and the bank. However, their plan is interrupted by Toody and Muldoon as they try to get their restaurant up and going.

Guess what this episode is called? That's right, you guessed it,

The White Elephant

MrCleveland · 05-29-2018, 07:34 PM

With the Roseanne Barr controversy, I wonder what troublesome episodes of the 90's came-out?

I thought of a few Family Matters episodes.

Fight the Good Fight-Laura Winslow and Steve Urkel want to have an African-American History Class in their High School, but someone puts this in Laura's locker "If you want Black History, go back to Africa". And after she reads the letter, someone puts an ethnic slur on her locker which devastates her. Then Estelle Winslow tells Laura about her story about segregation.

The Gun-This episode talks about dangers of school violence...I wish many people watched these shows that had morals and are aware that this world is troublesome....

Ryan Chamberlain · 05-30-2018, 02:09 AM

Is Too Close for Comfort "For Every Man, There's Two Women" on there.

ATV and Logo aired it. But, wow. It's disturbing.

BigManMike · 05-30-2018, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

I got the idea from this watchmojo.com Top-10 list...

I'm sure there's other White Elephant Episodes that involve bigotry, alcohol, or even violence.

Has there ever been any recent ones today?

I can’t even see this list.

04-18-2018, 03:00 PM	#1
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,222	White Elephant/Troublesome Episodes... I got the idea from this watchmojo.com Top-10 list... I'm sure there's other White Elephant Episodes that involve bigotry, alcohol, or even violence. Has there ever been any recent ones today?
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021) Last edited by MrCleveland; 04-21-2018 at 10:15 AM.

04-18-2018, 04:40 PM	#2
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,257	I guess you could add "Gender Gap" from "It's a Living" to the list. Logo is refusing to air it.
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04-28-2018, 09:03 PM	#11
Sal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 20, 2001 Location: Oakville, Ont. Canada Posts: 6,175	I've got the best one yet! On an episode of Car 54, Where Are You? according to its official description: A group of robbers move next door to a bank and begin to plot a bank heist involving knocking down the wall between them and the bank. However, their plan is interrupted by Toody and Muldoon as they try to get their restaurant up and going. Guess what this episode is called? That's right, you guessed it, The White Elephant
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05-30-2018, 02:09 AM	#13
Ryan Chamberlain Return Of The Silverburg 2018! Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 10, 2011 Location: Still hiding in Miles Silverburg's closet. Posts: 663	Is Too Close for Comfort "For Every Man, There's Two Women" on there. ATV and Logo aired it. But, wow. It's disturbing.
	__________________ *Despite my username. I am a chick. I go chirp. But, what does the fox say?* Night Court, The Simpsons, Pre-Cartini General Hospital, Step By Step, Murphy Brown, Three's Company and Perfect Strangers fan forever! "You can't put a porcupine in a barn, set it on fire, and expect to make licorice" -Dana Carvey *You robbed an international house of pancakes. How waffle-Harry T. Stone. <3* Goodnight, sweet prince. Harry Anderson 1952-2018

04-19-2018, 07:56 AM	#4
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,222	I would have that Maude ep where she was pregnant and got an abortion on that list...many people took that ep seriously!

04-19-2018, 11:55 PM	#6
Edward216 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 18, 2014 Location: Central Time Zone Posts: 4,634	I don't get it, why are they called "white elephant" episodes? Ed.

04-21-2018, 12:35 AM	#8
Edward216 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 18, 2014 Location: Central Time Zone Posts: 4,634	I've always heard the phrase as just "the elephant in the room" and not "white elephant". So I think you're mistaken. I've never heard anybody say "white elephant in the room". Ed.

05-29-2018, 07:34 PM	#12
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,222	With the Roseanne Barr controversy, I wonder what troublesome episodes of the 90's came-out? I thought of a few Family Matters episodes. Fight the Good Fight-Laura Winslow and Steve Urkel want to have an African-American History Class in their High School, but someone puts this in Laura's locker "If you want Black History, go back to Africa". And after she reads the letter, someone puts an ethnic slur on her locker which devastates her. Then Estelle Winslow tells Laura about her story about segregation. The Gun-This episode talks about dangers of school violence...I wish many people watched these shows that had morals and are aware that this world is troublesome....