The Test of Time

[SBTB Geek]

In my opinion several sitcoms fail to pass the test of time. Those are the sitcoms don't do well in syndication/cable- and eventually fall out the face of the earth.
A sitcom that supposedly passes the test is a sitcom that successfully stays in syndication after many years.

I've been thinking back- and have listed sitcoms that have successfully stayed on our TV screens:

1990's
BOY MEETS WORLD- This sitcom successfully stayed in syndication before being picked up by The Disney Channel.

A DIFFERENT WORLD- Has been airing in several local stations for the past few years, and its still being aired in TBS Superstation.

FAMILY MATTERS- Successfully aired in WGN, and is now airing in TBS Superstation.

FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR- It is still being aired in various local stations, WGN, and TBS. The "prince" isn't leaving anytime soon- it will be headed to Nick @ Nite in 2004.

FULL HOUSE- This show had a succesful, and long run on both WGN, and TBS- before its rights being expired. Although its no longer on those two channels, "FH" still airs in many locals, (mostly WB stations,) and it will airing on Nick @ Nite in 2004 as well.

HOME IMPROVEMENT- "HI" has been very prosperous in local stations. "HI" also airs on WGN, and TBS.

LIVING SINGLE- In the late '90's "Living Single" was very popular in syndication, sadly, the success has died down a bit. The USA Network still keeps this great sitcom alive.

MARRIED WITH CHILDREN- Known for putting FOX on the map- MWC still keeps the fans watching in local stations around the world. "MWC" still airs on FX.

ROSEANNE- Oddly, this sitcom isn't being aired in many locals- but it has had a long successful run on TBS. "Roseanne" currently airs in Southern California's KDOC, and it will be headed to Nick @ Nite, and Oxygen soon.

SAVED BY THE BELL- This sitcom still airs in various local stations around the U.S. "Saved By The Bell" has had successful 10 year run on TBS. "SBTB" has also been one of NickUK's highest rated TV shows. The success of this show still keeps people in shock.

SEINFELD- need I say more?

SISTER, SISTER- This sitcom has a good run on syndication- and has been recently picked up by "The Disney Channel."

1980's
CHARLES IN CHARGE- Although it has died down a bit- it appears to be making a comeback. "CIC" still airs in some local channels, and on Nick @ Nite.

THE COSBY SHOW- would it ever leave?... I doubt it will be anytime soon.

FACTS OF LIFE- Although it longer airs in syndication. "FOL" had a succesful run during the 80's, and 90's. "FOL" successfully aired on the USA Network, and Nick @ Nite. "FOL" was recently airing in The Hallmark Channel.

FAMILY TIES- It still keeps on going...

GOLDEN GIRLS- Has been airing on Lifetime for several years- hopefully this great sitcom will never leave.

GROWING PAINS- This sitcom had a succesful run on syndication during the 80's, and 90's. In recent years "GP" aired continously on The Disney Channel- until moving to ABC Family, which currently has it on "hiatus." IMO, it should of stayed on Disney.

MAMA'S FAMILY- has been airing on TBS for several years already.

WHO'S THE BOSS? In the past 15 years it ran on syndication. It currently airs on ABC Family.

The next sitcoms will only be listed:

1970's
"All In The Family," "The Brady Bunch," "Happy Days," "The Jeffersons," "M*A*S*H," "The Partridge Family," "Sanford and Son," "What's Happening," "Three's Company."

1950- 1960's
"Addams Family," "The Andy Griffith Show," "Bervely Hillbillies," "Flintstones," "Gilligan's Island," "I Dream Of Jeannie," "The Monkees," "The Munsters," "My Favorite Martian," "Father Knows Best," "The Honeymooners," "I Love Lucy", "Leave It To Beaver."

[dawsongirl]

Originally posted by SBTB Geek

A sitcom that sopposeably passes the test is a sitcom that successfully stays in syndication after many years.

It's supposedly. But that's a good list. I think another personal test of time is if you watched it the first time around, then watched it years later and you still liked it. So many shows I grew up watching I go back and watch and I don' t like them anymore.

[DarleneIllyria]

Originally posted by dawsongirl


. So many shows I grew up watching I go back and watch and I don' t like them anymore.

So true. Look at SBTB Geek's list. Okay, I was born in 84. The only show I really remember watching from the 80s was Press Your Luck reruns. :lol

Okay, so lets look at the 90s list. I watched Boy Meets World, Family Matters, Full House, Saved by the Bell, and Sister, Sister. I catch BMW occasionally. The others shows, no way. Don't watch them anymore.

[dawsongirl]

1990's
BOY MEETS WORLD- This sitcom successfully stayed in syndication before being picked up by The Disney Channel.

Can't watch this one anymore

A DIFFERENT WORLD- Has been airing in several local stations for the past few years, and its still being aired in TBS Superstation.

Never watched it to begin with

FAMILY MATTERS- Successfully aired in WGN, and is now airing in TBS Superstation.

Can't watch it anymore

FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR- It is still being aired in various local stations, WGN, and TBS. The "prince" isn't leaving anytime soon- it will be headed to Nick @ Nite in 2004.

Can't watch it anymore

FULL HOUSE- This show had a succesful, and long run on both WGN, and TBS- before its rights being expired. Although its no longer on those two channels, "FH" still airs in many locals, (mostly WB stations,) and it will airing on Nick @ Nite in 2004 as well.

This one I can watch. I've watched it on and off for years.

HOME IMPROVEMENT- "HI" has been very prosperous in local stations. "HI" also airs on WGN, and TBS.



LIVING SINGLE- In the late '90's "Living Single" was very popular in syndication, sadly, the success has died down a bit. The USA Network still keeps this great sitcom alive.

Never watched it.

MARRIED WITH CHILDREN- Known for putting FOX on the map- MWC still keeps the fans watching in local stations around the world. "MWC" still airs on FX.

Never watched it.

ROSEANNE- Oddly, this sitcom isn't being aired in many locals- but it has had a long successful run on TBS. "Roseanne" currently airs in Southern California's KDOC, and it will be headed to Nick @ Nite, and Oxygen soon.



SAVED BY THE BELL- This sitcom still airs in various local stations around the U.S. "Saved By The Bell" has had successful 10 year run on TBS. "SBTB" has also been one of NickUK's highest rated TV shows. The success of this show still keeps people in shock.

This one I can watch too.

SEINFELD- need I say more?

I hated this show from day one.

SISTER, SISTER- This sitcom has a good run on syndication- and has been recently picked up by "The Disney Channel."

Never really watched it.

1980's
CHARLES IN CHARGE- Although it has died down a bit- it appears to be making a comeback. "CIC" still airs in some local channels, and on Nick @ Nite.



THE COSBY SHOW- would it ever leave?... I doubt it will be anytime soon.



FACTS OF LIFE- Although it longer airs in syndication. "FOL" had a succesful run during the 80's, and 90's. "FOL" successfully aired on the USA Network, and Nick @ Nite. "FOL" was recently airing in The Hallmark Channel.

Never watched it.

FAMILY TIES- It still keeps on going...

Nah.

GOLDEN GIRLS- Has been airing on Lifetime for several years- hopefully this great sitcom will never leave.

I don't know. I've never tried to watch it since the first time around.

GROWING PAINS- This sitcom had a succesful run on syndication during the 80's, and 90's. In recent years "GP" aired continously on The Disney Channel- until moving to ABC Family, which currently has it on "hiatus." IMO, it should of stayed on Disney.



MAMA'S FAMILY- has been airing on TBS for several years already.

Have watched it.

WHO'S THE BOSS? In the past 15 years it ran on syndication. It currently airs on ABC Family.

Can't watch it.

The next sitcoms will only be listed:

And I can't watch Press Your Luck either.

[Brian Damage]

That's a very good list, but I'd also add Cheers to that list.

[JT]

I agree about "Mama's Family." In the summer of 2002, this was the usual MF sked in my area:

Monday-Friday
TBS - 3:00 and 3:30
WGNO - 10:35

Saturday
WGNO - 6:00

Sunday
WGNO - 11:35

(all times central)

They changed it a bit and that sked would be completely did over. I miss watching it every summer afternoon...

[SBTB Geek]

Originally posted by Jenny
I watched Boy Meets World, Family Matters, Full House, Saved by the Bell, and Sister, Sister. I catch BMW occasionally. The others shows, no way. Don't watch them anymore.

Yeah, but the list wasn't compiled by personal opinion. The sitcoms listed are sitcoms that have had the power to say on the air after all these years.

Just because they are on the list doesn't automatically make them good sitcoms, and sitcoms that aren't there are not automactically bad either. For example, "Silver Spoons," and "Mr. Belvedere" haven't passed the test of time- but they are still GREAT.