Decades Funky Factoid: The Double Bed - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

merlinjones · 12-12-2020, 01:04 PM

I caught a Decades trivia bumper on The Bob Newhart Show yesterday that stated Bob and Emily were the first (non-married in real life) characters to share a double bed on a sitcom. This was stated with some authority (supported by a clip of Bob himself).

Yet this is a false factoid.

(1960-66) Fred and Wilma Flintstone (generally in twin beds) were sometimes shown in a double bed if it made the gag staging easier.

(1964-66) Herman and Lily Munster always shared a double bed throughout the series.

(1964-71) Samantha and Darren Stephens always shared a double bed from the first season on.

(1965-71) Oliver and Lisa Douglas shared the same luxurious King bed in all seasons of Green Acres.

(1967-68) The Mothers-in-Law couples had inverted shared spaces - Eve Arden and husband had split/tucked mattresses side-by-side under a single headboard while Kaye Ballard and husband shared the same mattress/blanket under a split headboard.

(1968-75) Carol and Mike Brady giggled their way through the entire series in a shared double bed. Florence Henderson often quoted that they were the first (wrong).

(1971) Both the Bunkers and the Stivics of All in the Family shared double beds.

(1972) By the time Bob & Emily came along everyone was doing it!

Any other examples?

stevea · 12-12-2020, 02:40 PM

There have been many misstatements about the double beds.

Ozzie and Harriet may have been the first, but it's hard to determine the year, since in the early years they were in single beds. The show ran 14 seasons, and it's hard to know when the change was made.

Apart from O&H I'd say (among living beings) the first were Darrin and Samantha/Herman and Lily. Not sure if Gomez and Morticia shared a a double bed of nails or not...

(By the way, the Brady Bunch was 1969-74)

treky · 12-13-2020, 04:09 AM

I think MARY KAE & JOHNNY (1949-?) were the first

TV Guy · 12-13-2020, 05:22 AM

Mary Kay and Johnny and Ozzie and Harriet were married in real life, so there was a different standard for them (though Lucy and Ricky Ricardo were in twin beds). Bewitched premiered a week before The Munsters, but I don’t know which of those couples were shown in a double bed first.

Rob and Katie Douglas on My Three Sons also shared a double bed in the late 60s. Tina Cole said that the producers tried to put them in twin beds but she and Don Grady objected, so the producers put them in the biggest double bed they could find.

stevea · 12-13-2020, 01:24 PM

The My Three Sons thing was funny. Due to the odd filming schedule, part of the episode had single beds in the room, and later they morphed into a double bed.

12-12-2020, 01:04 PM	#1
merlinjones Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 30, 2019 Location: los ángeles Posts: 931	Decades Funky Factoid: The Double Bed I caught a Decades trivia bumper on The Bob Newhart Show yesterday that stated Bob and Emily were the first (non-married in real life) characters to share a double bed on a sitcom. This was stated with some authority (supported by a clip of Bob himself). Yet this is a false factoid. (1960-66) Fred and Wilma Flintstone (generally in twin beds) were sometimes shown in a double bed if it made the gag staging easier. (1964-66) Herman and Lily Munster always shared a double bed throughout the series. (1964-71) Samantha and Darren Stephens always shared a double bed from the first season on. (1965-71) Oliver and Lisa Douglas shared the same luxurious King bed in all seasons of Green Acres. (1967-68) The Mothers-in-Law couples had inverted shared spaces - Eve Arden and husband had split/tucked mattresses side-by-side under a single headboard while Kaye Ballard and husband shared the same mattress/blanket under a split headboard. (1968-75) Carol and Mike Brady giggled their way through the entire series in a shared double bed. Florence Henderson often quoted that they were the first (wrong). (1971) Both the Bunkers and the Stivics of All in the Family shared double beds. (1972) By the time Bob & Emily came along everyone was doing it! Any other examples?

12-13-2020, 04:09 AM	#3
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	I think MARY KAE & JOHNNY (1949-?) were the first
	__________________ 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."

12-13-2020, 05:22 AM	#4
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	Mary Kay and Johnny and Ozzie and Harriet were married in real life, so there was a different standard for them (though Lucy and Ricky Ricardo were in twin beds). Bewitched premiered a week before The Munsters, but I don’t know which of those couples were shown in a double bed first. Rob and Katie Douglas on My Three Sons also shared a double bed in the late 60s. Tina Cole said that the producers tried to put them in twin beds but she and Don Grady objected, so the producers put them in the biggest double bed they could find.
	Last edited by TV Guy; 12-13-2020 at 09:00 PM.

12-12-2020, 02:40 PM	#2
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,476	There have been many misstatements about the double beds. Ozzie and Harriet may have been the first, but it's hard to determine the year, since in the early years they were in single beds. The show ran 14 seasons, and it's hard to know when the change was made. Apart from O&H I'd say (among living beings) the first were Darrin and Samantha/Herman and Lily. Not sure if Gomez and Morticia shared a a double bed of nails or not... (By the way, the Brady Bunch was 1969-74)

12-13-2020, 01:24 PM	#5
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,476	The My Three Sons thing was funny. Due to the odd filming schedule, part of the episode had single beds in the room, and later they morphed into a double bed.