Watching TV on TV shows - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Tankeryanker · 04-04-2026, 12:20 PM

I think we see Ward and June sit in the front room and act like they are watching TV, but I don't think we actually see the screen.

THe Donna Reed show I see the TV in the front room, but don't remember seeing a show on the TV (I have only watched about 20 episodes).

Family Affair, My Three Sons, Father Knows Best, etc...

I think its the same for all of the shows up through the Brady Bunch. We see the kids on a fictitional show, but not on a real show.

Do you remember anybody actually watch a show that was really on TV at the time? I mean, see in on their TV, not them saying a certain show was on, but we don't see what it is.

Was there a reason for this? Copyrights? But a network could allow one of their shows to be shown.
There were tons of westerns.

stevea · 04-04-2026, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tankeryanker

I think we see Ward and June sit in the front room and act like they are watching TV, but I don't think we actually see the screen.

When Beaver is trying to do an essay about his mother, he watches a show, but of course it's not a real show. Bill Baldwin is interviewing an "actress" who talks about working in dives.

THe Donna Reed show I see the TV in the front room, but don't remember seeing a show on the TV (I have only watched about 20 episodes).

Family Affair, My Three Sons, Father Knows Best, etc...

I think its the same for all of the shows up through the Brady Bunch. We see the kids on a fictitional show, but not on a real show.

Do you remember anybody actually watch a show that was really on TV at the time? I mean, see in on their TV, not them saying a certain show was on, but we don't see what it is.

Was there a reason for this? Copyrights? But a network could allow one of their shows to be shown.
There were tons of westerns.

I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone watching a real show, as part of a scripted TV show. Unless it's someone watching a sports game on TV, but even that is probably old footage.

Tankeryanker · 04-04-2026, 06:31 PM

^^^
So TV was anti TV

Alan Brady's Hair · 04-04-2026, 08:04 PM

Quote:

I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone watching a real show, as part of a scripted TV show. Unless it's someone watching a sports game on TV, but even that is probably old footage.

It happens. Here's Alf watching Dick van Dyke:

https://youtu.be/cRO86RB4kLE?si=Ov4b5emai2aflc4w

04-04-2026, 12:20 PM	#1
Tankeryanker Do you like my monkey picture? Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 22, 2014 Posts: 3,039	Watching TV on TV shows I think we see Ward and June sit in the front room and act like they are watching TV, but I don't think we actually see the screen. THe Donna Reed show I see the TV in the front room, but don't remember seeing a show on the TV (I have only watched about 20 episodes). Family Affair, My Three Sons, Father Knows Best, etc... I think its the same for all of the shows up through the Brady Bunch. We see the kids on a fictitional show, but not on a real show. Do you remember anybody actually watch a show that was really on TV at the time? I mean, see in on their TV, not them saying a certain show was on, but we don't see what it is. Was there a reason for this? Copyrights? But a network could allow one of their shows to be shown. There were tons of westerns.

04-04-2026, 06:31 PM	#3
Tankeryanker Do you like my monkey picture? Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 22, 2014 Posts: 3,039	^^^ So TV was anti TV