Similarities With That Was Then... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

SNLROCKS · 09-15-2002, 05:04 PM

Has anybody noticed that this show seems to be very similar with the new ABC Show That Was Then??

BulletTrain · 09-15-2002, 05:09 PM

Yes. TvGuide even did a comparison of the two shows in their fall preview, that shows how similar they are.

TJL · 09-15-2002, 05:10 PM

Yes, and in typical network TV fashion, both networks are denying any similarities between the two shows.

I wouldn't worry, both shows will probably not be around very long...

Geekzilla · 09-28-2002, 04:02 PM

That Was Then was a great show, good enough for me to tune in next week.

Sitcomwriter · 09-28-2002, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Geekzilla
That Was Then was a great show, good enough for me to tune in next week.

I agree.I liked TWT alot.I mean I like BOTH shows but I liked TWT better.

(Just a Suggestion but how about this board becomes a joint Do Over/That Was Then Board so that we can talk about BOTH shows?)

jericho · 09-29-2002, 06:46 PM

I thought "That was Then" started off weak. Then by the end of the hour it was surprisingly good. I just think they rushed the beginning too fast with trying to introduce everyone and packing everything about his 2002 life into 10 minutes.

Plus the relationship with his brothers wife was just unreal. I mean whos sister-in-law kisses you everytime you come over and leave? I know they were trying to stress the relationship they had when they were younger, but still it was overkill. I think it was also overkill how much they tried to point out how terrible his life was in 2002. Again, I think this could have all been done a lot more fluently if they gave it more time, like at least the first half of the show.

I'm wondering though, how this show is going to continue as an hour long drama week after week with this same time travel premise without getting old. Unless maybe the creaters don't believe the show will last either. I just wish they hadn't moved through things so fast on the premiere.

One more thing. Isn't is scary how similar these two shows are? (That was Then, and Do Over) Electrical shock sends you to the past; Your best buddy is the only person who knows you are from the future; Your best buddy actually believes you; Almost the same family makeup with one sister and parents still married; Girl from highschool you want to impress; They even used the term "Do Over" on That was Then when he was on the porch talking to his mom about his life in 2002. If the creaters of these two shows never got together...just weird.

Geekzilla · 09-29-2002, 06:58 PM

I'm sure both networks were pitched the idea, but ABC picked it up and WB wanted to create a show similar to it.

TJL · 09-29-2002, 08:14 PM

I read an article commenting about the similarities of the shows, and both shows claim they came up with the idea on their own, neither one knew about the other.
I used to think that was a load of B.S. - networks are always stealing ideas and concepts, or someone shops the show out to numerous networks, so when one network buys the idea and starts producing a show, the other network dusts of the same idea, whether it be an earlier version of the show, or an all out ripoff, to avoid loosing out on a hit...

But now I'm not so sure...

I honestly believe there are very few original ideas being produced on TV today - the current Fall season proves that.
As a budding TV writer, I am always coming up with ideas for a sitcom, and a few times I have seen my ideas suddenly appear on a prime time show!

Is someone reading my mind?

Sitcomwriter · 10-01-2002, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Geekzilla
I'm sure both networks were pitched the idea, but ABC picked it up and WB wanted to create a show similar to it.

I think it was the complete oppisite.WB first,ABC second.

Geekzilla · 10-01-2002, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sitcomwriter

I think it was the complete oppisite.WB first,ABC second.

Why do you think that? Someone will pitch an idea to ABC before the WB. And ABC's verison is of higher quality, which could mean WB just slapped something together.

09-15-2002, 05:04 PM	#1
SNLROCKS Watch Smallville!!!! Frequent Poster Join Date: May 11, 2002 Location: The Land Of 10,000 Lakes Posts: 148	Similarities With That Was Then... Has anybody noticed that this show seems to be very similar with the new ABC Show That Was Then??
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09-15-2002, 05:10 PM	#3
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	Yes, and in typical network TV fashion, both networks are denying any similarities between the two shows. I wouldn't worry, both shows will probably not be around very long...
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

09-29-2002, 06:46 PM	#6
jericho Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 01, 2002 Posts: 76	I thought "That was Then" started off weak. Then by the end of the hour it was surprisingly good. I just think they rushed the beginning too fast with trying to introduce everyone and packing everything about his 2002 life into 10 minutes. Plus the relationship with his brothers wife was just unreal. I mean whos sister-in-law kisses you everytime you come over and leave? I know they were trying to stress the relationship they had when they were younger, but still it was overkill. I think it was also overkill how much they tried to point out how terrible his life was in 2002. Again, I think this could have all been done a lot more fluently if they gave it more time, like at least the first half of the show. I'm wondering though, how this show is going to continue as an hour long drama week after week with this same time travel premise without getting old. Unless maybe the creaters don't believe the show will last either. I just wish they hadn't moved through things so fast on the premiere. One more thing. Isn't is scary how similar these two shows are? (That was Then, and Do Over) Electrical shock sends you to the past; Your best buddy is the only person who knows you are from the future; Your best buddy actually believes you; Almost the same family makeup with one sister and parents still married; Girl from highschool you want to impress; They even used the term "Do Over" on That was Then when he was on the porch talking to his mom about his life in 2002. If the creaters of these two shows never got together...just weird.
	Last edited by jericho; 09-29-2002 at 07:16 PM.

09-15-2002, 05:09 PM	#2
BulletTrain Seinfeld+SimpsonsFan Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 03, 2002 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 863	Yes. TvGuide even did a comparison of the two shows in their fall preview, that shows how similar they are.

09-28-2002, 04:02 PM	#4
Geekzilla Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 17, 2001 Location: Chicago Posts: 80	That Was Then was a great show, good enough for me to tune in next week.

09-29-2002, 06:58 PM	#7
Geekzilla Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 17, 2001 Location: Chicago Posts: 80	I'm sure both networks were pitched the idea, but ABC picked it up and WB wanted to create a show similar to it.

09-29-2002, 08:14 PM	#8
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	I read an article commenting about the similarities of the shows, and both shows claim they came up with the idea on their own, neither one knew about the other. I used to think that was a load of B.S. - networks are always stealing ideas and concepts, or someone shops the show out to numerous networks, so when one network buys the idea and starts producing a show, the other network dusts of the same idea, whether it be an earlier version of the show, or an all out ripoff, to avoid loosing out on a hit... But now I'm not so sure... I honestly believe there are very few original ideas being produced on TV today - the current Fall season proves that. As a budding TV writer, I am always coming up with ideas for a sitcom, and a few times I have seen my ideas suddenly appear on a prime time show! Is someone reading my mind?