What went wrong with Boy Meets World in the last three seasons? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 01-19-2020, 03:13 AM

Maybe "what went wrong" are a harsh choice of words, but I did try to bring this subject on how BMW seem to really decline in quality in its last few seasons. I though about it again after reading some comments on Reddit. Simply put, we can all I think, agree that Boy Meets World at least when it started, was an actually funny and heartwarming show. The characters such as Cory were humble and sweet while facing with the challenges of growing up.

But does anybody else think that as the show progressed (especially from the mid-way point of the high school years), the characters outside of maybe Mr. Feeny and Shawn started to change for the worse? Take Cory for example, who practically went from being the funny guy/boy next door to an obnoxious, loud, self entitled teen. He is extremely disrespectful to his dad (at one point tells him that he is very mediocre and if he ends up like him then he will be a failure). He is quick to argue and jump down the throat of both his parents and Shawn. He throws a tantrum after marrying Topanga and not given a place to stay from his parents. The bottom-line is that Cory in the later episodes, seems to expect everything to be given to him and is extremely loud and annoying.

Meanwhile, Topanga goes from being a nerdy but cute hippie to arguably an arrogant little brat who thinks she should be on a pedestal. And of course, we can't talk about the "Flanderization" of BMW characters without discussing Eric. Simply put, he goes from being the likable funny older brother to an absolute moron. I've heard the suggestion that Eric turns into a moron because Cory looks up to him in the early seasons but then grows up a little and sees Eric as the idiot he is.

And then you have added characters who depending on your point of view, unnecessary like Angela who when you get right down to it, just serves as sidekick to Topanga and girlfriend for Shawn. Or Rachel, who was just there for Eric and Jack to fight over.

Do you think that a big part of the issue is that BMW just went on way longer than anyone expected it to? They ran out of ideas so just threw **** at the wall and used whatever stuck.

JO Sweet Heart · 02-01-2020, 09:06 PM

I will admit that at one point, I lost interest in the show somewhere in the middle, but I am sure that it was because I was the same age that Corey, Shawn, and Topanga were when the show first started, 11 and in the 6th grade then just like they were and then of course after that first season they were written into their high school years already.

God bless you always!!!

Holly

Wawwie · 02-01-2020, 09:13 PM

It was a good show until the writers decided to turn Eric into a completely brain-dead goof ball. It made absolutely no sense as he was a regular person for years before that. I also didn't like Jack, Rachel or Angela.

For those who watched "Roseanne" they did a very similar thing to "Jackie" like what was done to "Eric" from "Boy Meets World." Jackie was very normal, smart and funny only to become a complete moronic goofball years later. No reason for that either.

DJM77 · 02-01-2020, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JO Sweet Heart

I will admit that at one point, I lost interest in the show somewhere in the middle, but I am sure that it was because I was the same age that Corey, Shawn, and Topanga were when the show first started, 11 and in the 6th grade then just like they were and then of course after that first season they were written into their high school years already.

In the first episode of the second season they were saying that they were in the 7th grade, but they were also saying that they were in high school.

It didn't make any sense.

Wawwie · 02-01-2020, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM77

In the first episode of the second season they were saying that they were in the 7th grade, but they were also saying that they were in high school.

It didn't make any sense.

There are some high schools that are 7th-12 grades, but it's rare. Most high schools are 9th-12th grades.

I don't think seventh grade children belong with 12th graders who are or almost are adults.

JO Sweet Heart · 02-01-2020, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM77

In the first episode of the second season they were saying that they were in the 7th grade, but they were also saying that they were in high school.

It didn't make any sense.

They graduate though as the class of 1998 which is two years before I graduated.

God bless you always!!!

Holly

jason88cubs · 02-17-2020, 10:49 PM

yea last few seasons were rough

TMC · 11-09-2020, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason88cubs

yea last few seasons were rough

The final season in itself, was very uneven and often odd to say the list, don't you agree?

Starts with Cory and Topanga, as well as Shawn and Angela, breaking up.
The wrestling episode, with guest star Mankind.
Both couples reunite by episode 4.
A bizarre wedding planning episode, that is actually Cory and Topanga announcing the wedding is the following week.
The wedding and honeymoon episodes. The wedding theoretically, should have been a series finale, but instead it was less than halfway through the final season. And the honeymoon episode was just weird.
Cory and Topanga deal with being a young, newlywed couple still in college.
The Casablanca episode.
The episode where Eric got struck by lightning and gained the ability to see the future.
The episode with Eric and Jack in drag.
The episode where the gang nearly split up, with the bad future time skip.

PracTz · 11-12-2020, 10:01 AM

It also hurt that Alan and Amy got rarely used in the last part of the show.

TMC · 11-14-2020, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PracTz

It also hurt that Alan and Amy got rarely used in the last part of the show.

I wonder if the writers felt that by the end, the kids were getting "too old" to always need their advice and wisdom. That was the rationale behind Beverly Hills, 90210 writing Jim and Cindy Walsh (Brandon and Brenda's parents) out after the fifth season, since the kids were no longer in high school.

PracTz · 11-15-2020, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

I wonder if the writers felt that by the end, the kids were getting "too old" to always need their advice and wisdom. That was the rationale behind Beverly Hills, 90210 writing Jim and Cindy Walsh (Brandon and Brenda's parents) out after the fifth season, since the kids were no longer in high school.

So why would they need the advice of Mr. Feeny but not their parents (who were more likable and FAR better parents than Cory and Topanga wound up being on GMW)? Sorry, but I definitely think it hurt the show!

jason88cubs · 12-01-2020, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

The final season in itself, was very uneven and often odd to say the list, don't you agree?

Starts with Cory and Topanga, as well as Shawn and Angela, breaking up.
The wrestling episode, with guest star Mankind.
Both couples reunite by episode 4.
A bizarre wedding planning episode, that is actually Cory and Topanga announcing the wedding is the following week.
The wedding and honeymoon episodes. The wedding theoretically, should have been a series finale, but instead it was less than halfway through the final season. And the honeymoon episode was just weird.
Cory and Topanga deal with being a young, newlywed couple still in college.
The Casablanca episode.
The episode where Eric got struck by lightning and gained the ability to see the future.
The episode with Eric and Jack in drag.
The episode where the gang nearly split up, with the bad future time skip.

agree, its like they were throwing stuff at walls seeing what stuck

irehtman · 12-09-2020, 12:48 PM

College years episodes that should never have existed.

BKC · 12-27-2020, 11:50 PM

Yeah, I honestly never had a huge problem with the later 'Boy Meets World' seasons, though I can understand those who did.

Season 5 and Season 6 I both like. They have some of my favorite later episodes and storylines, like the Corey and Topanga 'almost proposal' at the start of Season 6.

Season 7 I will absolutely acknowledge has some serious flaws, however. You could tell they were running out of steam by then. Even that season has some episodes I like, though, so I'll still give it some cred.

As for why they moved Corey and the gang to high school after the first season, I've always figured it's because they wanted to shift the show to a more 'teen' oriented audience, and weren't sure that teens would watch it as much if the characters were in junior high. That's just a guess on my part, though.

You can certainly tell that the show shifted after the first season, though. The first season honestly feels totally different to the rest of the show to me.

TMC · 02-21-2021, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irehtman

College years episodes that should never have existed.

Also, do you agree that Mr. Feeney lost his purpose come the college years? Sure, he was Cory's teacher and next door neighbor, but having him become his college dean just seemed like an out and out excuse to keep William Daniels on the show.

01-19-2020, 03:13 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,859	What went wrong with Boy Meets World in the last three seasons? Maybe "what went wrong" are a harsh choice of words, but I did try to bring this subject on how BMW seem to really decline in quality in its last few seasons. I though about it again after reading some comments on Reddit. Simply put, we can all I think, agree that Boy Meets World at least when it started, was an actually funny and heartwarming show. The characters such as Cory were humble and sweet while facing with the challenges of growing up. But does anybody else think that as the show progressed (especially from the mid-way point of the high school years), the characters outside of maybe Mr. Feeny and Shawn started to change for the worse? Take Cory for example, who practically went from being the funny guy/boy next door to an obnoxious, loud, self entitled teen. He is extremely disrespectful to his dad (at one point tells him that he is very mediocre and if he ends up like him then he will be a failure). He is quick to argue and jump down the throat of both his parents and Shawn. He throws a tantrum after marrying Topanga and not given a place to stay from his parents. The bottom-line is that Cory in the later episodes, seems to expect everything to be given to him and is extremely loud and annoying. Meanwhile, Topanga goes from being a nerdy but cute hippie to arguably an arrogant little brat who thinks she should be on a pedestal. And of course, we can't talk about the "Flanderization" of BMW characters without discussing Eric. Simply put, he goes from being the likable funny older brother to an absolute moron. I've heard the suggestion that Eric turns into a moron because Cory looks up to him in the early seasons but then grows up a little and sees Eric as the idiot he is. And then you have added characters who depending on your point of view, unnecessary like Angela who when you get right down to it, just serves as sidekick to Topanga and girlfriend for Shawn. Or Rachel, who was just there for Eric and Jack to fight over. Do you think that a big part of the issue is that BMW just went on way longer than anyone expected it to? They ran out of ideas so just threw **** at the wall and used whatever stuck.
	Last edited by TMC; 04-17-2022 at 05:33 AM.

02-01-2020, 09:06 PM	#2
JO Sweet Heart Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 11, 2012 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 7,887	I will admit that at one point, I lost interest in the show somewhere in the middle, but I am sure that it was because I was the same age that Corey, Shawn, and Topanga were when the show first started, 11 and in the 6th grade then just like they were and then of course after that first season they were written into their high school years already. God bless you always!!! Holly
	__________________ Go here to check out my most favorite singer, James Otto, when you can!

02-01-2020, 09:13 PM	#3
Wawwie Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 26, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 14,376	It was a good show until the writers decided to turn Eric into a completely brain-dead goof ball. It made absolutely no sense as he was a regular person for years before that. I also didn't like Jack, Rachel or Angela. For those who watched "Roseanne" they did a very similar thing to "Jackie" like what was done to "Eric" from "Boy Meets World." Jackie was very normal, smart and funny only to become a complete moronic goofball years later. No reason for that either.

02-17-2020, 10:49 PM	#7
jason88cubs Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 18, 2015 Posts: 103	yea last few seasons were rough

11-12-2020, 10:01 AM	#9
PracTz Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2002 Location: United States of America [Happily Living in the 20th Century] Posts: 2,711	It also hurt that Alan and Amy got rarely used in the last part of the show.

12-09-2020, 12:48 PM	#13
irehtman Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 15, 2013 Location: Montgomery County, Maryland Posts: 4,826	College years episodes that should never have existed.

12-27-2020, 11:50 PM	#14
BKC Member Forum Cub Join Date: Dec 27, 2020 Posts: 2	Yeah, I honestly never had a huge problem with the later 'Boy Meets World' seasons, though I can understand those who did. Season 5 and Season 6 I both like. They have some of my favorite later episodes and storylines, like the Corey and Topanga 'almost proposal' at the start of Season 6. Season 7 I will absolutely acknowledge has some serious flaws, however. You could tell they were running out of steam by then. Even that season has some episodes I like, though, so I'll still give it some cred. As for why they moved Corey and the gang to high school after the first season, I've always figured it's because they wanted to shift the show to a more 'teen' oriented audience, and weren't sure that teens would watch it as much if the characters were in junior high. That's just a guess on my part, though. You can certainly tell that the show shifted after the first season, though. The first season honestly feels totally different to the rest of the show to me.