Shows that were launching pads! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 02-12-2003, 04:58 PM

What shows can you think of were launching pads that made its stars into Superstars?

Brian · 02-12-2003, 05:16 PM

One obvious choice is "Mork and Mindy", which put Robin Williams in the spotlight. "M*A*S*H" made Alan Alda a huge star.

Adamantium · 02-12-2003, 05:20 PM

"Welcome Back, Kotter" helped make John Travolta a star.

dlemond · 02-12-2003, 05:21 PM

Most of these launched them:

Family Ties - Michael J. Fox
Welcome Back Kotter - John Travolta
Bosom Buddies - Tom Hanks
ER - George Clooney
Remington Steele - Pierce Brosnan

Janice · 02-12-2003, 05:39 PM

Three's Company catapulted John Ritter and Suzanne Somers to fame.

Charlie's Angels made Farah Fawcett a household name.

Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson owe a debt of gratitude to Cheers....a few of the stars from that show do.

Henry Winkler became famous while playing Fonzie.

Seinfeld put Jerry Seinfeld on the map.

Mad About You led to Helen Hunt landing a Best Actress Oscar.

It appeared that Lisa Bonet was going to be a star during her Cosby Days, but it never really happened.

Going way back, Ozzie and Harriet made Ricky Nelson a singing sensation.

Gidget and The Flying Nun made a star out of Sally Field.

The Partridge Family made a teen idol out of David Cassidy.

Patty Duke was acting for years before, but The Patty Duke Show put her in another league.

The Dick Van Dyke made a star out of an unknown girl named Mary Tyler Moore.

Shelley Fabares got her start as a teen on The Donna Reed Show, and went on to have a #1 hit song, Johnny Angel...and to star with Elvis Presley in a string of beach movies.

Dianne3 · 02-14-2003, 03:52 PM

Michael Douglas - Streets of San Francisco

*PinkLady* · 02-14-2003, 04:16 PM

I don't think Denzel Washington did much before St. Elsewhere, but I could be wrong.

Impressions · 02-14-2003, 05:28 PM

More Actors/Actreses that had Launching Pads:

The Facts of Life - George Clooney
The Cosby Show - Adam Sandler
Square Pegs - Sarah Jessica Parker
Taxi - Danny DeVito

JT · 02-14-2003, 06:29 PM

"Fish" was the main cause of Todd Bridges' casting on "Diff'rent Strokes." His being cast on "Fish" was thanks to a "Little House on the Prairie" guest appearance.

"The Waltons" launched John Ritter, kinda.

LucyFan · 02-14-2003, 08:53 PM

"I Love Lucy" made Lucille Ball reach fame. From there, her fame was continued through "The Lucy Show" and "Here's Lucy".

mstewart · 02-15-2003, 06:06 PM

Bridget Loves Bernie gave Meredith Baxter fame that surpass her then-husband, David Birney, that became a contributing factor in their marriage ending.

Impressions · 02-15-2003, 06:39 PM

I forgot a few more launching pads, here are some more:

Diff'rent Strokes - Janet Jackson
The Facts of Life - Helen Hunt
The Cosby Show - Alicia Keys

Kitt · 02-15-2003, 09:57 PM

I'm not sure if Fresh Prince of Belair exactly launced Will Smith. That was his first acting job though so, you could say that it did.

A lot of Saturday Night Live Players have been launched because of Saturday Night Live. There have been some badly flopped attempts at movie stardom for a few of them to.

Farra Fawcette from Charlie's Angels.

I don't guess that Christopher Loyd became a super star but he was quite obscure before Taxi.

tesiay · 02-16-2003, 06:35 AM

Bruce Willis from Moonlighting, Freddie Prinze from Chico and the Man and Jimmie Walker from Good Times. And the cast of All in the Family.

TVgen62 · 02-16-2003, 09:36 AM

The Andy Griffith Show - Don Knotts, Jim Nabors (You thought I was going for the obvious, didn't you?)

Taxi - Andy Kaufman

02-12-2003, 04:58 PM	#1
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	Shows that were launching pads! What shows can you think of were launching pads that made its stars into Superstars?
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

02-12-2003, 05:39 PM	#5
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Three's Company catapulted John Ritter and Suzanne Somers to fame. Charlie's Angels made Farah Fawcett a household name. Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson owe a debt of gratitude to Cheers....a few of the stars from that show do. Henry Winkler became famous while playing Fonzie. Seinfeld put Jerry Seinfeld on the map. Mad About You led to Helen Hunt landing a Best Actress Oscar. It appeared that Lisa Bonet was going to be a star during her Cosby Days, but it never really happened. Going way back, Ozzie and Harriet made Ricky Nelson a singing sensation. Gidget and The Flying Nun made a star out of Sally Field. The Partridge Family made a teen idol out of David Cassidy. Patty Duke was acting for years before, but The Patty Duke Show put her in another league. The Dick Van Dyke made a star out of an unknown girl named Mary Tyler Moore. Shelley Fabares got her start as a teen on The Donna Reed Show, and went on to have a #1 hit song, Johnny Angel...and to star with Elvis Presley in a string of beach movies.
	Last edited by Janice; 02-12-2003 at 06:45 PM.

02-14-2003, 06:29 PM	#9
JT Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 29, 2001 Location: USA Posts: 7,223	"Fish" was the main cause of Todd Bridges' casting on "Diff'rent Strokes." His being cast on "Fish" was thanks to a "Little House on the Prairie" guest appearance. "The Waltons" launched John Ritter, kinda.
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02-16-2003, 09:36 AM	#15
TVgen62 My baby! <aawww> Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 02, 2002 Location: Earth Posts: 476	The Andy Griffith Show - Don Knotts, Jim Nabors (You thought I was going for the obvious, didn't you?) Taxi - Andy Kaufman
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02-12-2003, 05:16 PM	#2
Brian Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jun 23, 2001 Posts: 20,451	One obvious choice is "Mork and Mindy", which put Robin Williams in the spotlight. "MAS*H" made Alan Alda a huge star.

02-12-2003, 05:20 PM	#3
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,839	"Welcome Back, Kotter" helped make John Travolta a star.

02-12-2003, 05:21 PM	#4
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	Most of these launched them: Family Ties - Michael J. Fox Welcome Back Kotter - John Travolta Bosom Buddies - Tom Hanks ER - George Clooney Remington Steele - Pierce Brosnan

02-14-2003, 03:52 PM	#6
Dianne3 Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 07, 2002 Posts: 1,058	Michael Douglas - Streets of San Francisco

02-14-2003, 04:16 PM	#7
PinkLady Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 04, 2002 Posts: 7,457	I don't think Denzel Washington did much before St. Elsewhere, but I could be wrong.

02-14-2003, 05:28 PM	#8
Impressions She died the way she lived Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 08, 2002 Posts: 4,640	More Actors/Actreses that had Launching Pads: The Facts of Life - George Clooney The Cosby Show - Adam Sandler Square Pegs - Sarah Jessica Parker Taxi - Danny DeVito

02-14-2003, 08:53 PM	#10
LucyFan Still Loving Lucy! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 23, 2001 Location: In the Wonderful World of Lucy! Posts: 8,198	"I Love Lucy" made Lucille Ball reach fame. From there, her fame was continued through "The Lucy Show" and "Here's Lucy".

02-15-2003, 06:06 PM	#11
mstewart mstewart Senior Member Join Date: Jan 25, 2002 Location: California Posts: 1,780	Bridget Loves Bernie gave Meredith Baxter fame that surpass her then-husband, David Birney, that became a contributing factor in their marriage ending.

02-15-2003, 06:39 PM	#12
Impressions She died the way she lived Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 08, 2002 Posts: 4,640	I forgot a few more launching pads, here are some more: Diff'rent Strokes - Janet Jackson The Facts of Life - Helen Hunt The Cosby Show - Alicia Keys

02-15-2003, 09:57 PM	#13
Kitt James Dean Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 16, 2001 Location: California Dreamin' Posts: 6,115	I'm not sure if Fresh Prince of Belair exactly launced Will Smith. That was his first acting job though so, you could say that it did. A lot of Saturday Night Live Players have been launched because of Saturday Night Live. There have been some badly flopped attempts at movie stardom for a few of them to. Farra Fawcette from Charlie's Angels. I don't guess that Christopher Loyd became a super star but he was quite obscure before Taxi.

02-16-2003, 06:35 AM	#14
tesiay Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 18, 2003 Location: canada Posts: 71	Bruce Willis from Moonlighting, Freddie Prinze from Chico and the Man and Jimmie Walker from Good Times. And the cast of All in the Family.