Here's an interesting question... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

BBF · 01-31-2003, 03:12 PM

I wanted to bring this question raised on the TVLand boards here, for those of you who don't post there.

Whould you have liked it if Ward and June had another baby during the series?
Why or why not?

I thought this was a good question. I said I would have loved it! Esp. if it had been a girl. I think it would have been neat to see June raise a girl. I love the show the way it turned out though, and this may have totally changed it. But I still think it would have been pretty neat.

*InThisMoment* · 01-31-2003, 03:31 PM

I think that that would of been neat especially if it was a girl. I agree I would like to see how june would raise a daughter.

BBF · 01-31-2003, 04:39 PM

At least if it were a girl June would have another female in the house she could relate with. The poor woman is outnumbered! It's the opposite in my house. My dad's outnumbered, two girls and my mom. Boy I feel sorry for him sometimes...

BrandonS · 01-31-2003, 05:27 PM

It's hard to imagine, but it might provide the opportunity for additional story lines if handled well. However, much of the comedy of LITB comes from the fact that Beaver regards girls as a creature as unfamiliar and incomprehensible as martians, and if he had a little sister, a lot of that humor wouldn't be possible.

frani · 01-31-2003, 07:05 PM

I think this is clearly a boy's world and that's how it should be.I think adding a baby would have been "jumping the shark" which I think the show avoided doing.

I like that the show has that authentic feel of "boyhood". I think the growing up of the two boys is the whole point of the show,

sami dg · 01-31-2003, 07:50 PM

Ward and June were pretty much past the point of having kids when the show first started. Im not saying it wasnt possible but they were portrayed to at least have been mid to late thirties possibly early forties. I imagine a woman in those days having a child so late in life would have been a bit "trashy". Im just guessing. Im glad they didnt because it would have probably been just an attempt to save the show when it was struggling a bit in the ratings. JMO.

Hughsgirl · 02-24-2010, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sami dg

Ward and June were pretty much past the point of having kids when the show first started. Im not saying it wasnt possible but they were portrayed to at least have been mid to late thirties possibly early forties. I imagine a woman in those days having a child so late in life would have been a bit "trashy". Im just guessing. Im glad they didnt because it would have probably been just an attempt to save the show when it was struggling a bit in the ratings. JMO.

I was going through some old posts to generate more conversation and I come across this question and THIS post I found strange to say the least. The question was weather or not it would have been good to see Ward and June have another baby during the show. This person thought it may be "trashy" for a woman to have a baby so late in life. How odd! Why would it be "trashy" for a MARRIED woman to have a baby later in life?

I want to answer the question too. I think Ward and June having another baby would have created more interesting storylines for the boys in particular especially if they had to deal with a baby sister.

MickeyMac · 02-24-2010, 06:32 PM

Somehow I think they would have followed the pattern of other TV shows of the day, a younger kid would have started hanging around Wally and Beaver, and then the Cleavers would have aopted him or her. Thats how the Douglasas got Ernie, and how the Stone's got Paul Petersen's sister.

tdr · 02-24-2010, 09:50 PM

I think too many eps would have been "babysitting Puddin'" storylines (like on that early ep when the guys get stuck looking after the little girl who wanted to 'go see Mary Jane' and locked herself in).

dedtony · 02-27-2010, 01:54 AM

I think that the show would have spun well away from Beaver and his problems in life, had another kid been brought into the mix. As it was, the show oftentimes became "Leave it to Wally..." especially after Beaver got all disgustingly (or hilariously...Take your pick on that) awkward. It would have "revived" the show, but altered it away from the main premise at the same time. I'm sort of glad they never seriously contemplated the addition of another kid.

Tweety · 02-27-2010, 10:33 PM

It would probably have been OK if the Cleavers had a girl from the beginning. But I'm not sure I can think of a sitcom that was ever improved by adding a baby to the family, in spite of all the times it's been tried. Having babies is normally a "jump the shark" moment for even the best of sitcoms (although "I Love Lucy" might be an exception...they handled little Ricky pretty well!)

But as noted earlier, the show was about boyhood. It was probably better to just have the "gurrrrrls" as extras and occasionally prominent characters within certain episodes.

Torgo · 02-28-2010, 12:30 PM

I'm glad they never did this. It would have hurt the whole dynamic of the show. June seemed quite content with her two babies(Wally and Beav).

This is a show about boys growing up.

howilu · 02-28-2010, 02:21 PM

It would definitely jump the shark, especially if it was a girl. Another sibling would ruin the dynamics and chemistry of a successful family sitcom.

mrbreezeet1 · 12-02-2012, 10:36 PM

No New baby, it would have ruined it.

01-31-2003, 03:12 PM	#1
BBF Workin' those Scrubs Senior Member Join Date: Jun 12, 2002 Location: The "Natural" State Posts: 2,014	Here's an interesting question... I wanted to bring this question raised on the TVLand boards here, for those of you who don't post there. Whould you have liked it if Ward and June had another baby during the series? Why or why not? I thought this was a good question. I said I would have loved it! Esp. if it had been a girl. I think it would have been neat to see June raise a girl. I love the show the way it turned out though, and this may have totally changed it. But I still think it would have been pretty neat.
	__________________ BBF (Beavers Biggest Fan) GILMORE GIRLS FANATIC!!! ~~Future Registered Nurse!!! May 2008~~

01-31-2003, 03:31 PM	#2
InThisMoment a starlit sky and you & me Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 02, 2002 Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 95,142	I think that that would of been neat especially if it was a girl. I agree I would like to see how june would raise a daughter.
	__________________ an island of green and blueberry ice wish we were there but you make me feel i'm in paradise, anywhere you're velvet on a red cupcake sound a cello & a violin make

02-27-2010, 10:33 PM	#11
Tweety Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 18, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 6,804	It would probably have been OK if the Cleavers had a girl from the beginning. But I'm not sure I can think of a sitcom that was ever improved by adding a baby to the family, in spite of all the times it's been tried. Having babies is normally a "jump the shark" moment for even the best of sitcoms (although "I Love Lucy" might be an exception...they handled little Ricky pretty well!) But as noted earlier, the show was about boyhood. It was probably better to just have the "gurrrrrls" as extras and occasionally prominent characters within certain episodes.
	__________________ Straight, and VERY proud of it. No, that's OK, I don't need a parade. Last edited by Tweety; 04-08-2010 at 05:32 PM.

02-28-2010, 12:30 PM	#12
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,036	I'm glad they never did this. It would have hurt the whole dynamic of the show. June seemed quite content with her two babies(Wally and Beav). This is a show about boys growing up.
	__________________ "I'm going to go do something productive. I'm gonna go watch television." - Ray Peterson, The 'burbs "I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries." - Stephen King "There's nothing wrong with G-rated movies, as long as there's lots of sex and violence." - Elvira

01-31-2003, 04:39 PM	#3
BBF Workin' those Scrubs Senior Member Join Date: Jun 12, 2002 Location: The "Natural" State Posts: 2,014	At least if it were a girl June would have another female in the house she could relate with. The poor woman is outnumbered! It's the opposite in my house. My dad's outnumbered, two girls and my mom. Boy I feel sorry for him sometimes...

01-31-2003, 05:27 PM	#4
BrandonS Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 18, 2002 Posts: 8,824	It's hard to imagine, but it might provide the opportunity for additional story lines if handled well. However, much of the comedy of LITB comes from the fact that Beaver regards girls as a creature as unfamiliar and incomprehensible as martians, and if he had a little sister, a lot of that humor wouldn't be possible.

01-31-2003, 07:05 PM	#5
frani Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 09, 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 445	I think this is clearly a boy's world and that's how it should be.I think adding a baby would have been "jumping the shark" which I think the show avoided doing. I like that the show has that authentic feel of "boyhood". I think the growing up of the two boys is the whole point of the show,

01-31-2003, 07:50 PM	#6
sami dg Mayfields pepsi man Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 13, 2000 Location: Alabama Posts: 433	Ward and June were pretty much past the point of having kids when the show first started. Im not saying it wasnt possible but they were portrayed to at least have been mid to late thirties possibly early forties. I imagine a woman in those days having a child so late in life would have been a bit "trashy". Im just guessing. Im glad they didnt because it would have probably been just an attempt to save the show when it was struggling a bit in the ratings. JMO.

02-24-2010, 06:32 PM	#8
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,006	Somehow I think they would have followed the pattern of other TV shows of the day, a younger kid would have started hanging around Wally and Beaver, and then the Cleavers would have aopted him or her. Thats how the Douglasas got Ernie, and how the Stone's got Paul Petersen's sister.

02-24-2010, 09:50 PM	#9
tdr Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 23, 2001 Posts: 1,454	I think too many eps would have been "babysitting Puddin'" storylines (like on that early ep when the guys get stuck looking after the little girl who wanted to 'go see Mary Jane' and locked herself in).

02-27-2010, 01:54 AM	#10
dedtony Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 14, 2006 Location: usa Posts: 31	I think that the show would have spun well away from Beaver and his problems in life, had another kid been brought into the mix. As it was, the show oftentimes became "Leave it to Wally..." especially after Beaver got all disgustingly (or hilariously...Take your pick on that) awkward. It would have "revived" the show, but altered it away from the main premise at the same time. I'm sort of glad they never seriously contemplated the addition of another kid.

02-28-2010, 02:21 PM	#13
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,962	It would definitely jump the shark, especially if it was a girl. Another sibling would ruin the dynamics and chemistry of a successful family sitcom.

12-02-2012, 10:36 PM	#14
mrbreezeet1 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 25, 2012 Posts: 286	No New baby, it would have ruined it.