Can't Believe This Adult Comedy was transformed into a Family Show in 78-79 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 05-05-2003, 05:58 PM

Adding a kid to an adult Comedy that had alreadt been on the air for 7 years was just plain STUPID. What sense did that make? Stephanie slowed the show down and I know lots of adults just left All In the Family alone once that happen. She added nothing to the show AT ALL.

DarleneIllyria · 05-05-2003, 07:02 PM

A lot of people feel the show jumped the shark when they added Stephanie.

TVFactFan · 05-05-2003, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jenny
A lot of people feel the show jumped the shark when they added Stephanie.

They could have gave Edith another friend that didn't like Archie much like Louise Jefferson and Irene. But why add a child?

Brian · 05-05-2003, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SOLOMON

They could have gave Edith another friend that didn't like Archie much like Louise Jefferson and Irene. But why add a child?

Probably to use new storylines or plotlines.

TVFactFan · 05-05-2003, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BJL

Probably to use new storylines or plotlines.

But why add a child when it wasn't a family sitcom to start with?

Brian · 05-05-2003, 08:07 PM

Maybe the original premise of the show was so thouroughly mined that the producers felt they needed a breath of fresh air. And what do you mean by "family sitcom?"

TVFactFan · 05-05-2003, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BJL
Maybe the original premise of the show was so thouroughly mined that the producers felt they needed a breath of fresh air. And what do you mean by "family sitcom?"

Family sitcom is a sitcom with kids. Did you get my reply to your question on the Jeffersons board?

Brian · 05-05-2003, 09:13 PM

In a way, I would call it a family sitcom because it has Archie's daughter and son-in-law (albeit grown but still). And yes I read your reply on The Jefferson's board.

Flash72 · 05-08-2003, 03:39 AM

When a long-running show adds a fresh cute new kid to the mix it is a sure sign that the series needs to bow out gracefully instead of falling flat on its face. Aside from "All in the Family," other series tried this well worn attempt at raising the ratings, and most failed miserably. "Family Matters," "Growing Pains," "Diff'rent Strokes," "Who's the Boss," "Brady Bunch," "Charles in Charge," and many others.

In the case of "All in the Family," adding a child appeared to be the easiest way to squeeze out another season or two of episodes. With Mike and Gloria's departure in the spring of 1978, a major piece of what made the show so memorable and loved departed with the Stivics as well. I felt and still feel that CBS should have eschewed greed and allowed the series a well-deserved and dignified ending (ala Mary Tyler Moore Show and MASH). But the network in their, as Archie would say, "infant" wisdom allowed the show to not only jump the shark but be devoured by it as well, leaving the poor shark with a bitter and bad taste in its mouth. I am sure that had CBS continued "Archie Bunker's Place," invariably a cute chimp named Mr BoJangles would have been added to the mix. Archie: Good night nurse Rosemary (Stephanie), whatever, done brought home a whattayacall chimpanty."

jon123 · 05-08-2003, 11:10 AM

I disagree with the above posts. I thought Danielle Brisebois was wonderful as Stephanie and was a perfect foil for Archie. She was sweet but was not too cute in the way that Cousin Oliver ruined the Brady Bunch or Seven runied Married with Children. Also, by this time more episodes were set at the bar which meant there was never any danger of becoming a "family" comedy in the manner of "Different Strokes" or "Growing Pains".

Of course AITF was never the same after Mike and Gloria left and it probably would have been classier to just end the show there, but CBS needed to AITF to continue (partly because MTM had ended the previous year) and Carroll very much wanted to continue as Archie, which resulted in five more years (including ABP).

DarleneIllyria · 05-08-2003, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Flash72
Archie: Good night nurse Rosemary (Stephanie), whatever, done brought home a whattayacall chimpanty."

KayEn78 · 05-08-2003, 05:48 PM

I agree with what jon123 said. Danielle was a good actress and not pukey cute like those so-called twins--the Olsens. Ack!
-Kristi

KayEn78 · 05-08-2003, 05:49 PM

I meant to say "So-called actresses." Yes, it is true that are twins, but they are NOT good actresses. Whereas Danielle was.
-Kristi

05-05-2003, 05:58 PM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,067	Can't Believe This Adult Comedy was transformed into a Family Show in 78-79 Adding a kid to an adult Comedy that had alreadt been on the air for 7 years was just plain STUPID. What sense did that make? Stephanie slowed the show down and I know lots of adults just left All In the Family alone once that happen. She added nothing to the show AT ALL.

05-08-2003, 03:39 AM	#9
Flash72 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 17, 2000 Location: Alabama Posts: 310	A Sign Shall Be Given Unto Youse When a long-running show adds a fresh cute new kid to the mix it is a sure sign that the series needs to bow out gracefully instead of falling flat on its face. Aside from "All in the Family," other series tried this well worn attempt at raising the ratings, and most failed miserably. "Family Matters," "Growing Pains," "Diff'rent Strokes," "Who's the Boss," "Brady Bunch," "Charles in Charge," and many others. In the case of "All in the Family," adding a child appeared to be the easiest way to squeeze out another season or two of episodes. With Mike and Gloria's departure in the spring of 1978, a major piece of what made the show so memorable and loved departed with the Stivics as well. I felt and still feel that CBS should have eschewed greed and allowed the series a well-deserved and dignified ending (ala Mary Tyler Moore Show and MASH). But the network in their, as Archie would say, "infant" wisdom allowed the show to not only jump the shark but be devoured by it as well, leaving the poor shark with a bitter and bad taste in its mouth. I am sure that had CBS continued "Archie Bunker's Place," invariably a cute chimp named Mr BoJangles would have been added to the mix. Archie: Good night nurse Rosemary (Stephanie), whatever, done brought home a whattayacall chimpanty."
	__________________ It is better to fail while attempting, then to fail to attempt... Flash72 http://www.tvlinksonline.com/boards/...&postid=799864

05-08-2003, 05:48 PM	#12
KayEn78 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 23, 2002 Location: Rolling Meadows, Illinois Posts: 201	I agree with what jon123 said. Danielle was a good actress and not pukey cute like those so-called twins--the Olsens. Ack! -Kristi
	__________________ View my TV Show fan fiction. Have recently completed my Dragnet 1948 story, The Big Witness. Visit me on Facebook! View my blog Kristi's Writing Desk!

05-05-2003, 07:02 PM	#2
DarleneIllyria Gone Forum Star Join Date: Oct 15, 2000 Posts: 19,086	A lot of people feel the show jumped the shark when they added Stephanie.

05-05-2003, 08:07 PM	#6
Brian Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jun 23, 2001 Posts: 20,451	Maybe the original premise of the show was so thouroughly mined that the producers felt they needed a breath of fresh air. And what do you mean by "family sitcom?"

05-05-2003, 09:13 PM	#8
Brian Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jun 23, 2001 Posts: 20,451	In a way, I would call it a family sitcom because it has Archie's daughter and son-in-law (albeit grown but still). And yes I read your reply on The Jefferson's board.

05-08-2003, 11:10 AM	#10
jon123 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 04, 2002 Location: Temecula Valley, CA Posts: 395	I disagree with the above posts. I thought Danielle Brisebois was wonderful as Stephanie and was a perfect foil for Archie. She was sweet but was not too cute in the way that Cousin Oliver ruined the Brady Bunch or Seven runied Married with Children. Also, by this time more episodes were set at the bar which meant there was never any danger of becoming a "family" comedy in the manner of "Different Strokes" or "Growing Pains". Of course AITF was never the same after Mike and Gloria left and it probably would have been classier to just end the show there, but CBS needed to AITF to continue (partly because MTM had ended the previous year) and Carroll very much wanted to continue as Archie, which resulted in five more years (including ABP).

05-08-2003, 05:49 PM	#13
KayEn78 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 23, 2002 Location: Rolling Meadows, Illinois Posts: 201	I meant to say "So-called actresses." Yes, it is true that are twins, but they are NOT good actresses. Whereas Danielle was. -Kristi