Romance in sitcoms - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Sara Micelli · 10-15-2002, 07:52 PM

I was just wondering if anyone thought that romance ruins a sitcom. What I mean is sometimes a sitcom is very funny until one of the main characters gets a boyfriend or girlfriend.Then it turns into a soap opera.So what does everyone think? Does it ruin a sitcom or not?

Sitcomwriter · 10-15-2002, 09:38 PM

No.Romantic comedies are the best.You get to imagine what it would be like if you were the guy/girl and you can dream about how it would go if it went the opposite way and stuff like that!

TJL · 10-15-2002, 10:02 PM

The real problem is when the sitcom in question pulls the whole "will they or won't they" scenario - will Ross and Rachel ever get together? Will Daphne and Niles ever get together?
Of course, the tension keeps us coming back week after week. Keeping us interested after they get together is the biggest challenge.
Of course, I do like it when they bring in an outside guest to play a love interest, but since you know the guest star will only be on for a limited time (like Harry Connick Jr's turn on Will And Grace) you know the romance will only last a few episodes.

dawsongirl · 10-16-2002, 12:36 AM

I'm generally a romantic, so I usually don't mind.

James · 10-16-2002, 01:51 AM

Such is EXACTLY what brought down Perfect Strangers, at least in my mind! Granted, I liked Jennifer Lyons (Larry's girlfriend/wife) all right, but somehow could not stand Mary Ann Spencer (Balki's gf/wife).

Romance also ruined Coach to an extent. The show should have been all about football games, with just Hayden Fox, Luther Van Dam, and Dauber Dybinski (sp?).

boechsner · 10-16-2002, 02:24 AM

Who's the Boss? is a great example. The romance was there from the beginning to the end.

However, sometimes when a sitcom forces romance, it can get irritating.

James · 10-17-2002, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by James
Such is EXACTLY what brought down Perfect Strangers, at least in my mind! Granted, I liked Jennifer Lyons (Larry's girlfriend/wife) all right, but somehow could not stand Mary Ann Spencer (Balki's gf/wife).

Romance also ruined Coach to an extent. The show should have been all about football games, with just Hayden Fox, Luther Van Dam, and Dauber Dybinski (sp?).

Also, I thought after Toni became Jason's beau on The Waltons, the series wasn't the same. Her debut was during the series' last season (1980-1981).

Brian Damage · 10-17-2002, 06:03 PM

I think it depends on how the sitcom was created. If it was created as a romantic comedy like say Mad About You or even to an extent Friends, it's OK. However, when a show tries a romance just for ratings, it is destined to fail.

10-15-2002, 07:52 PM	#1
Sara Micelli Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 14, 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,122	Romance in sitcoms I was just wondering if anyone thought that romance ruins a sitcom. What I mean is sometimes a sitcom is very funny until one of the main characters gets a boyfriend or girlfriend.Then it turns into a soap opera.So what does everyone think? Does it ruin a sitcom or not?

10-15-2002, 10:02 PM	#3
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	The real problem is when the sitcom in question pulls the whole "will they or won't they" scenario - will Ross and Rachel ever get together? Will Daphne and Niles ever get together? Of course, the tension keeps us coming back week after week. Keeping us interested after they get together is the biggest challenge. Of course, I do like it when they bring in an outside guest to play a love interest, but since you know the guest star will only be on for a limited time (like Harry Connick Jr's turn on Will And Grace) you know the romance will only last a few episodes.
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10-17-2002, 06:03 PM	#8
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	I think it depends on how the sitcom was created. If it was created as a romantic comedy like say Mad About You or even to an extent Friends, it's OK. However, when a show tries a romance just for ratings, it is destined to fail.
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10-15-2002, 09:38 PM	#2
Sitcomwriter Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 27, 2001 Posts: 7,356	No.Romantic comedies are the best.You get to imagine what it would be like if you were the guy/girl and you can dream about how it would go if it went the opposite way and stuff like that!

10-16-2002, 12:36 AM	#4
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	I'm generally a romantic, so I usually don't mind.

10-16-2002, 01:51 AM	#5
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	Such is EXACTLY what brought down Perfect Strangers, at least in my mind! Granted, I liked Jennifer Lyons (Larry's girlfriend/wife) all right, but somehow could not stand Mary Ann Spencer (Balki's gf/wife). Romance also ruined Coach to an extent. The show should have been all about football games, with just Hayden Fox, Luther Van Dam, and Dauber Dybinski (sp?).

10-16-2002, 02:24 AM	#6
boechsner Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2000 Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 2,212	Who's the Boss? is a great example. The romance was there from the beginning to the end. However, sometimes when a sitcom forces romance, it can get irritating.