Alternate Versions of Sitcom Episodes Filmed in Front of a Live Studio Audience - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

stevearino · 04-22-2023, 08:45 PM

Hello Everyone,

In relative recent years, I've often been curious as to whether or not there are Alternate Versions of Classic Sitcoms (mostly from the '70s onward) filmed in front of a Live Studio Audience.

Here's what I mean: per his official personal YouTube channel, Bill Kirchenbauer revealed that he would tape his '80s sitcom "Just the Ten of Us" on a Friday (usually) in front of 3 different Studio Audiences: an Audience of the General Public would generally be the first of 3 Tapings, followed by an Audience of the Network Executives (in this case the ABC Television Network) and lastly an Audience of the Writers and Producers of the show--info of which I personally found VERY Fascinating.

That being said, I'm very curious to know if, besides "Just the Ten of Us," there are alternate versions of Classic Sitcom episodes that exist of which the general public has NEVER seen before--particularly the versions of the episodes which remain unaired--with the general public audience version the most LIKELY version seen on the TV screens of each episode of such sitcoms.

What do you think? Should the Alternate Versions of such episodes be viewed by us, the Public, or should they stay in the Studio Vaults?

Feel free to respond in kind.

stevea · 04-22-2023, 10:24 PM

I can't imagine actors would agree to contracts that would require 66 performances for a 22 episode season. Plus run-throughs. Not to mention keeping three large and expensive videotapes of every episode. Also not to mention other production costs, like triple crew costs, studio time, etc.

TV Guy · 04-30-2023, 11:28 PM

Each episode of Three’s Company and All in the Family (seasons 1-8) were taped twice on the same day with different studio audiences. The broadcast episode would be comprised of the best takes/scenes from the two tapings.

Charles Knox · 05-05-2023, 04:22 PM

According to this article from METV, The Dick Van Dyke Show also had two run-throughs.

https://www.metv.com/stories/the-lau...-van-dyke-show

Alan Brady's Hair · 05-30-2023, 02:22 PM

This is an interview with Hugh Wilson of WKRP. They were scheduled for two full tapings with live audiences, he eventually did the first taping without an audience because the afternoon audiences were relatively dead:

https://youtu.be/J2u6-aCxGPU

04-22-2023, 08:45 PM	#1
stevearino Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 15, 2017 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 249	Alternate Versions of Sitcom Episodes Filmed in Front of a Live Studio Audience Hello Everyone, In relative recent years, I've often been curious as to whether or not there are Alternate Versions of Classic Sitcoms (mostly from the '70s onward) filmed in front of a Live Studio Audience. Here's what I mean: per his official personal YouTube channel, Bill Kirchenbauer revealed that he would tape his '80s sitcom "Just the Ten of Us" on a Friday (usually) in front of 3 different Studio Audiences: an Audience of the General Public would generally be the first of 3 Tapings, followed by an Audience of the Network Executives (in this case the ABC Television Network) and lastly an Audience of the Writers and Producers of the show--info of which I personally found VERY Fascinating. That being said, I'm very curious to know if, besides "Just the Ten of Us," there are alternate versions of Classic Sitcom episodes that exist of which the general public has NEVER seen before--particularly the versions of the episodes which remain unaired--with the general public audience version the most LIKELY version seen on the TV screens of each episode of such sitcoms. What do you think? Should the Alternate Versions of such episodes be viewed by us, the Public, or should they stay in the Studio Vaults? Feel free to respond in kind.

04-22-2023, 10:24 PM	#2
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,532	I can't imagine actors would agree to contracts that would require 66 performances for a 22 episode season. Plus run-throughs. Not to mention keeping three large and expensive videotapes of every episode. Also not to mention other production costs, like triple crew costs, studio time, etc.

04-30-2023, 11:28 PM	#3
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	Each episode of Three’s Company and All in the Family (seasons 1-8) were taped twice on the same day with different studio audiences. The broadcast episode would be comprised of the best takes/scenes from the two tapings.

05-05-2023, 04:22 PM	#4
Charles Knox Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 17, 2009 Posts: 1,225	According to this article from METV, The Dick Van Dyke Show also had two run-throughs. https://www.metv.com/stories/the-lau...-van-dyke-show

05-30-2023, 02:22 PM	#5
Alan Brady's Hair Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 30, 2014 Posts: 1,825	This is an interview with Hugh Wilson of WKRP. They were scheduled for two full tapings with live audiences, he eventually did the first taping without an audience because the afternoon audiences were relatively dead: https://youtu.be/J2u6-aCxGPU