Episodes or stories, couldn’t be done today because of cell phones? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Yong Fang · 12-19-2018, 12:12 AM

What stories could not be told now like in the past because most everyone now has mobile phones in their pocket.

Probably most of the episodes of Three’s Company (never was a big fan of that show, but a lot of episodes ended with Jack exclaiming “It was all a big misunderstanding!” As in miscommunication?

What about the people being stuck on an elevator bit? The one with the pregnant woman and the guy who doesn’t speak English. How many shows did that one? I know All in the Family did. I know another one or two shows did the same.

Any other examples?

SitcomsHeydayfan · 12-19-2018, 02:35 AM

First of all, Three's Company is the greatest sitcom in history due to the hilarious slapstick & physical comedy of John Ritter!

Yes there were many episodes of Three's Company involving a mixup but that has nothing to do with cellphones. Many people still have landlines even with cellphones like I do.

The 2 episodes I can think of is where George and Bentley get stuck in the basement of their building where the garbage dump is. Also the Three's Company episode where Jack and Furley get kicked in the freezer at Jack's Bistro!

Crusinforabrusin · 12-23-2018, 05:46 AM

- Having your car break down in scenic nowhere and having to walk to a nearby gas station for help.

MA · 12-23-2018, 10:00 AM

The Home Improvement episodes that show phones such as Communication Breakdown.

70s show watcher · 12-23-2018, 04:08 PM

sorry right number aka the pay phone ep of the brady bunch

cfr1970 · 12-23-2018, 05:18 PM

The All in the Family three part episode "Where's Archie?" where the family was so worried because they didn't hear from him when he went to Buffalo. That would never work now because a simple text message would clear everything up in less than a minute.

treky · 12-24-2018, 02:13 AM

the "ALL IN THE FAMILY EPISODE" where Archie and Mike get locked in the storeroom of Archies bar.

RetroGuy2000 · 12-24-2018, 02:44 AM

Any episode where the characters are accidentally locked in a closet/basement/attic/etc., and no one can hear them pounding on the walls.

SitcomsHeydayfan · 12-24-2018, 06:50 PM

The Three's Company episode where Jack & Furley got locked in the freezer at Angelino's restaurant.

The Jeffersons episode where George and Bentley get locked in the basement of their building.

Coffeecup · 12-24-2018, 11:03 PM

Some situations you mentioned I would say yes such as in a car, but when one goes into an area in the home, does one always have a cell phone on them. Archie Bunker down the cellar. Why would he keep a cell phone with him if is was planning to come right back upstairs.

DeadlyToolTime · 12-25-2018, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coffeecup

Some situations you mentioned I would say yes such as in a car, but when one goes into an area in the home, does one always have a cell phone on them. Archie Bunker down the cellar. Why would he keep a cell phone with him if is was planning to come right back upstairs.

Pretty much this plus there's always situations where you lose signal or don't have a phone that's activated. And I mean, people who are against cell phones exist so...

treky · 12-25-2018, 01:01 AM

the "SIENFELD" episode where the entire episode is about Jerry, George, Kramer and Elaine waiting in line at a Chinese restaurant and George is waiting for someone to get off the pay phone.

12-19-2018, 12:12 AM	#1
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,072	Episodes or stories, couldn’t be done today because of cell phones? What stories could not be told now like in the past because most everyone now has mobile phones in their pocket. Probably most of the episodes of Three’s Company (never was a big fan of that show, but a lot of episodes ended with Jack exclaiming “It was all a big misunderstanding!” As in miscommunication? What about the people being stuck on an elevator bit? The one with the pregnant woman and the guy who doesn’t speak English. How many shows did that one? I know All in the Family did. I know another one or two shows did the same. Any other examples?

12-23-2018, 10:00 AM	#4
MA Member Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: May 20, 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 129,606	The Home Improvement episodes that show phones such as Communication Breakdown.
	__________________ ~-Mikaela-~

12-24-2018, 02:13 AM	#7
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	the "ALL IN THE FAMILY EPISODE" where Archie and Mike get locked in the storeroom of Archies bar.
	__________________ 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."

12-24-2018, 02:44 AM	#8
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	Any episode where the characters are accidentally locked in a closet/basement/attic/etc., and no one can hear them pounding on the walls.
	__________________ The Facts of Life's "Lost Girls" Tribute to Julie Piekarski, Eastland Girl Join "The Group", Sitcoms Online's Facts of Life group!

12-19-2018, 02:35 AM	#2
SitcomsHeydayfan Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 19, 2018 Location: The Show Me state Posts: 2,966	First of all, Three's Company is the greatest sitcom in history due to the hilarious slapstick & physical comedy of John Ritter! Yes there were many episodes of Three's Company involving a mixup but that has nothing to do with cellphones. Many people still have landlines even with cellphones like I do. The 2 episodes I can think of is where George and Bentley get stuck in the basement of their building where the garbage dump is. Also the Three's Company episode where Jack and Furley get kicked in the freezer at Jack's Bistro!

12-23-2018, 05:46 AM	#3
Crusinforabrusin It's time to move on, Goodbye Senior Member Join Date: Dec 27, 2015 Posts: 2,056	- Having your car break down in scenic nowhere and having to walk to a nearby gas station for help.

12-23-2018, 04:08 PM	#5
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,549	sorry right number aka the pay phone ep of the brady bunch

12-23-2018, 05:18 PM	#6
cfr1970 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 13, 2017 Location: Kissimmee, Florida Posts: 3,368	The All in the Family three part episode "Where's Archie?" where the family was so worried because they didn't hear from him when he went to Buffalo. That would never work now because a simple text message would clear everything up in less than a minute.

12-24-2018, 06:50 PM	#9
SitcomsHeydayfan Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 19, 2018 Location: The Show Me state Posts: 2,966	The Three's Company episode where Jack & Furley got locked in the freezer at Angelino's restaurant. The Jeffersons episode where George and Bentley get locked in the basement of their building.

12-24-2018, 11:03 PM	#10
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,193	Some situations you mentioned I would say yes such as in a car, but when one goes into an area in the home, does one always have a cell phone on them. Archie Bunker down the cellar. Why would he keep a cell phone with him if is was planning to come right back upstairs.

12-25-2018, 01:01 AM	#12
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	the "SIENFELD" episode where the entire episode is about Jerry, George, Kramer and Elaine waiting in line at a Chinese restaurant and George is waiting for someone to get off the pay phone.