Are there any other TV shows that suffered from "Mork & Mindy syndrome" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 07-07-2022, 05:03 AM

In other words, a show that was huge its first season, and then it felt victim to the writers/producers or the network trying to fix something that wasn't broken. And the show never really recovers from the changes they made the second season.

Chocolate Moose · 07-07-2022, 09:59 AM

Hmmmm ...... let's think .....

Like that new show with the funny chunky guy who starred with Leah Remini years ago? The UPS driver?

BestTVever · 08-30-2022, 07:34 AM

I only half agree with the premise. I do agree the second season cutting out Mindy's parents and bringing new characters in was not needed. But I still think ratings would have went down. Robin and his talent was the only reason why the show was kept afloat. I think anyone else in that role, the show would have been cancelled after 2 seasons. There was not much to write about after the alien tries to adjust to earth life. The Mindy romance was weird and then having an older baby was lame too. Its a cute episode but cannot carry an entire season. I think the writers saw the limitations of the show and immediately tried bringing new characters in to interact with Mork. They just never really worked.

Going back to your original premise question, the show Angie could be a show that was similar but a much more extreme example. Angie was a huge hit for ABC and was immediately in the top 10. The tension between both families is what made the show work. When the writers made them get married and live together in the second season changed the dynamics of the show. The ratings got so bad that it was cancelled after the next season. Similar but a little more dramatic than Mork and Mindy. Long story short, the writers did wreck the show.

TVFactFan · 09-04-2022, 12:17 AM

I was going to say Angie and the Ropers in 1979 but neither of those shows had a full 1st season.

Yong Fang · 10-14-2022, 09:09 AM

I think Mork would have worked better without Mindy at all. Just have Mork coming to Earth and using his powers and abilities to integrate into society. Mork could have gotten a job or several jobs with different actors working as straight men to Mork's (or Williams') antics. Mork could have been a short order cook, salesman, a stockbroker, whatever. Maybe have Mork travel to different parts of the country.

The show ended when it did because Robin Williams was such a hot commodity in Hollywood. He was ready for the big time.

I live abroad and knew a young Canadian couple and once over beers the subject of Robin Williams came up and asked if they ever saw "Mork and Mindy"? Them being not born when the show was on (they were about 30 and not kids) and the show not being in Canada (I dont think) I explained it this way (and this is true, especially the first season)....

"Imagine a 27 year old Robin Williams on coke with pretty much free reign." and us the viewer who have been introduced to him going "Oh my God, who is this!!" I dont know, it just seemed that Mork and Mindy sort of tied Williams up towards the end. Jonathan Winters wasnt a bad edition, but shouldnt have played a baby. That was stupid. Winters could have played an adult alien, or just a crazy goofball Earthling. Just my take.

07-07-2022, 05:03 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,387	Are there any other TV shows that suffered from "Mork & Mindy syndrome" In other words, a show that was huge its first season, and then it felt victim to the writers/producers or the network trying to fix something that wasn't broken. And the show never really recovers from the changes they made the second season.

07-07-2022, 09:59 AM	#2
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,881	Hmmmm ...... let's think ..... Like that new show with the funny chunky guy who starred with Leah Remini years ago? The UPS driver?
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08-30-2022, 07:34 AM	#3
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,874	I only half agree with the premise. I do agree the second season cutting out Mindy's parents and bringing new characters in was not needed. But I still think ratings would have went down. Robin and his talent was the only reason why the show was kept afloat. I think anyone else in that role, the show would have been cancelled after 2 seasons. There was not much to write about after the alien tries to adjust to earth life. The Mindy romance was weird and then having an older baby was lame too. Its a cute episode but cannot carry an entire season. I think the writers saw the limitations of the show and immediately tried bringing new characters in to interact with Mork. They just never really worked. Going back to your original premise question, the show Angie could be a show that was similar but a much more extreme example. Angie was a huge hit for ABC and was immediately in the top 10. The tension between both families is what made the show work. When the writers made them get married and live together in the second season changed the dynamics of the show. The ratings got so bad that it was cancelled after the next season. Similar but a little more dramatic than Mork and Mindy. Long story short, the writers did wreck the show.

09-04-2022, 12:17 AM	#4
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,949	I was going to say Angie and the Ropers in 1979 but neither of those shows had a full 1st season.

10-14-2022, 09:09 AM	#5
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,072	I think Mork would have worked better without Mindy at all. Just have Mork coming to Earth and using his powers and abilities to integrate into society. Mork could have gotten a job or several jobs with different actors working as straight men to Mork's (or Williams') antics. Mork could have been a short order cook, salesman, a stockbroker, whatever. Maybe have Mork travel to different parts of the country. The show ended when it did because Robin Williams was such a hot commodity in Hollywood. He was ready for the big time. I live abroad and knew a young Canadian couple and once over beers the subject of Robin Williams came up and asked if they ever saw "Mork and Mindy"? Them being not born when the show was on (they were about 30 and not kids) and the show not being in Canada (I dont think) I explained it this way (and this is true, especially the first season).... "Imagine a 27 year old Robin Williams on coke with pretty much free reign." and us the viewer who have been introduced to him going "Oh my God, who is this!!" I dont know, it just seemed that Mork and Mindy sort of tied Williams up towards the end. Jonathan Winters wasnt a bad edition, but shouldnt have played a baby. That was stupid. Winters could have played an adult alien, or just a crazy goofball Earthling. Just my take.