Was "The Dot & Sonny Show" intended to be the series finale - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 08-05-2020, 04:44 AM

I mean, the way that the series ends just feels like the end of another day and that these characters will continue doing what they have always done.

I was reading comments that by the end of Season 6, all of the other characters married. As such, Dot and Sonny were reminiscing about their lives and how/why they haven't found anyone. The original premise of the show began about single/divorced/widowed women and their pursuit of relationships with men. Going forward, that would not really be the case.

They admittedly leave the things open ended regarding Dot and Sonny's relationship. They also imply that a supposedly sleazy jerk like Sonny could be a gentleman if he really wanted to.

boechsner · 08-06-2020, 12:10 AM

The Sonny & Dot Show (a.k.a.) The Last Show We Have to Write Show had a production number of 119. A Very Special It's a Living had a production number of 120.

Back in the late 80s and early 90's when It's a Living aired repeats in syndication, they always aired the series in production order and A Very Special It's a Living always aired as the last episode even though it was not the final episode to originally air.

With that said, A Very Special It's a Living feels like the series finale.

Road Dog · 09-02-2020, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boechsner

The Sonny & Dot Show (a.k.a.) The Last Show We Have to Write Show had a production number of 119. A Very Special It's a Living had a production number of 120.

Back in the late 80s and early 90's when It's a Living aired repeats in syndication, they always aired the series in production order and A Very Special It's a Living always aired as the last episode even though it was not the final episode to originally air.

With that said, A Very Special It's a Living feels like the series finale.

Back in the 1980's, it became common for networks to advertise a "very special episode" of a sitcom when it dealt with a serious topic. I guess It's A Living decided to do that with Jan's delivery and possible death.

As far as The Sonny & Dot Show goes, it was just another clip show that they often did at the end of the season such as Nancy's Shrink (season 4) and The Waiting Game (season 5). There was never a proper finale for It's A living because it was canceled without warning.

TV Guy · 12-16-2020, 08:28 PM

It wasn’t cancelled without warning. The intent was always to do enough new episodes to get the episode count over 100, so that there would be enough episodes to strip (i.e. run five days per week), and then end production. They knew when they taped the finale that it would be the last episode. It’s also why we see a cameo from Head of the Class’ Dan Frischman as dishwasher Frankie, a role he played in the ABC years.

08-05-2020, 04:44 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,453	Was "The Dot & Sonny Show" intended to be the series finale I mean, the way that the series ends just feels like the end of another day and that these characters will continue doing what they have always done. I was reading comments that by the end of Season 6, all of the other characters married. As such, Dot and Sonny were reminiscing about their lives and how/why they haven't found anyone. The original premise of the show began about single/divorced/widowed women and their pursuit of relationships with men. Going forward, that would not really be the case. They admittedly leave the things open ended regarding Dot and Sonny's relationship. They also imply that a supposedly sleazy jerk like Sonny could be a gentleman if he really wanted to.

08-06-2020, 12:10 AM	#2
boechsner Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2000 Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 2,212	The Sonny & Dot Show (a.k.a.) The Last Show We Have to Write Show had a production number of 119. A Very Special It's a Living had a production number of 120. Back in the late 80s and early 90's when It's a Living aired repeats in syndication, they always aired the series in production order and A Very Special It's a Living always aired as the last episode even though it was not the final episode to originally air. With that said, A Very Special It's a Living feels like the series finale.

12-16-2020, 08:28 PM	#4
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	It wasn’t cancelled without warning. The intent was always to do enough new episodes to get the episode count over 100, so that there would be enough episodes to strip (i.e. run five days per week), and then end production. They knew when they taped the finale that it would be the last episode. It’s also why we see a cameo from Head of the Class’ Dan Frischman as dishwasher Frankie, a role he played in the ABC years.