Very Strange....But POSSIBLE! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

pilotguy · 06-05-2003, 07:42 AM

I was talking to a friend of mine (who is a fellow "WINGS" fan) and we were discussing NICK's shabby treatment of the series after the initial big build-up.

My buddy said that he heard that NICK was basically shamed into sweeping "WINGS" under the rug after it's marathon showings.

Apparently many loyal NICK viewers (including parents whose children watch NICK during the day and early evening hours) were outraged by certain "WINGS" marathon episodes which either showed or talked about characters taking part in pre-marital sex, and the series' apparent casual attitude toward it.

I shot back with, "That's CRAZY! What about the raunchy 'Three's Company'? NICK shows the HECK out of that!"

Apparently THAT series is acceptable because it just has "naughty leering" in it....Janet, Chrissy and the other female roomates are "nice girls" who don't actually DO anything like what the "WINGS" girls do!

That still leaves "Cheers", with Sam's countless sexual conquests, but again, it must not have bended noses out of shape the way that "WINGS" did.

I find this theory hard to believe, but my friend insists that he heard it from a couple of different sources...and one source actually works in Cable broadcasting!

So is THAT it? Was "WINGS" suddenly labeled a "dirty show" that doesn't really belong on a "family" cable network like Nickleodeon?

Sounds weird to me, but ANYTHING is possible...Has anyone else heard this story?

wingshock · 06-05-2003, 08:45 AM

Well no... I hadn't heard that theory, but then again I haven't been really checking out possible reasons for N@N's treatment of Wings.

But I've never thought of Wings as a "dirty" show... and I'm pretty darn conservative. Granted, it's got more references to sex than "Cosby," but certainly not more than Cheers or Three's Company. In fact, I'd never let my kids watch "Three's Company." For one thing, it plays around with that whole "let's pretend Jack's gay" thing that grates on my nerves.

I don't encourage my kids to watch Wings, but if they wanted to watch I would feel comfortable (except for just a few episodes.)

Love,

Wing<><

Krista2882 · 06-05-2003, 08:59 AM

Yeah, I've never heard that either, but like wingshock, I haven't really been reading around at other boards or websites or anything.
And I think that doesn't make sense, because I'm pretty conservative too, and at first i was kind of surprised at a couple of things that were said on Wings, but it made me laugh- not get disgusted with the show. Nothing they do on this show really bothers me that much, I mean personally, I don't really believe in pre-marital sex.. but so many TV shows nowadays have a casual attitude towards it, that it doesn't really bother me to see those situations on TV... I'm not THAT much of a prude! lol

I mean, it's entirely possible that people may have complained about that, and that's why Wings is on at 1:30 AM, but that's really lame!
I think it's possible tho, although I haven't actually heard that myself.

~Krista

Kris10m · 06-05-2003, 02:42 PM

If that's true, then I don't understand it at all, because Cheers has just as many sex jokes as Wings. There are always references to all the women that Sam has been with, and it's mentioned in almost every episode. Plus, there have been episodes about adultery, and Carla is always pregnant with children from different fathers. I think Cheers is a great show, but if people are bothered by Wings, it seems like they'd be even more bothered by Cheers. And Three's Company is filled with sexual innuendo, although most of it's double entendre, so kids probably wouldn't understand the sexual double meanings, and take the jokes at face value (I actually used to watch it when I was a kid!). Plus, an 11:00 time slot is late, so kids really wouldn't be watching tv at that time anyway. Friends is shown every night on a network station (not cable, like Wings), and of course that show is filled with sexual jokes, much more explicit than those on Wings. So if that's true, then maybe those parents should put their kids to bed by 11:00.

Kris10m · 06-05-2003, 02:56 PM

Just to add to my post, I can see where parents wouldn't want their kids to watch certain Wings episodes. I'm pretty conservative also, and probably wouldn't let my kids (if I had any!) watch some of those Wings episodes either, but I don't think that it's intended for kids. Instead of complaining about Nick at Nite showing Wings, why don't they just not let their kids watch it? And I find the jokes on Cheers much more risque. That's the thing I don't understand...Cheers and Three's Company have been on Nick for years, so people should be used to these kinds of jokes on Nick at Nite. That's why these shows are on later, and why Cosby is on at 9.

Chocoholic · 06-06-2003, 10:57 AM

I heard that too, but I really don't understand why parents would complain about Wings when Cheers and Three's Company are both far more risque. I think that Wings is a very tame show compared to most of the stuff that has come out on the tube these past few years. Plus, the marathon aired from 10 PM to 1 AM, Eastern time, and I don't know about you people, but when I was a kid, by the time 10 PM rolled around, I was already in BED, not up watching TV. I'm tired of parents ruining everything for us people who don't have kids, or aren't too conservative about what their kids are watching. If you don't want your kids to see something, then TURN THE SET OFF! My parents were very liberal about my TV watching and I don't think I turned out any worse or immoral because of it.

I personally think the low ratings during the Wings marathon and the week or so after that are because people were obviously more concerned with the war in Iraq. N@N should give the show another chance. Networks in general need to give shows a chance to grow and develop. They are too trigger-happy these days.

pilotguy · 06-06-2003, 11:40 AM

What's wild is that if those prudes thought that the WINGS "Marathon" episodes were raunchy, it's a good thing that they didn't see any "Bunny Mather" episodes....

SOMEBODY always ends up "rolling in the hay" whenever SHE shows up!

Adamantium · 06-06-2003, 04:38 PM

Parents calling in and complaining is the reason "The Real Ghostbusters" as cancelled. I loved that cartoon. I agree that kids should be in bed by the time "Wings" starts. They act like they're being good parents by getting "dirty" shows off the air, but they're ignoring the fact that they're letting their kids stay up all hours of the night. I guess the parents will be pleased when Full House debuts on N@N. I'm not a parent yet but I wouldn't try to ruin anything for anyone else by removing a showfrom the lineup. Just for the record, my bedtime was 8:00pm. Except on Mondays, I could stay up to watched "ALF." My bedtime changed from year to year, now that I'm 21 I go to bed around 2 in the morning. That's what my parents get for putting me to bed after "Entertainment Tonight."

If this is true, then all the blame for the mistreatment of "Wings" can't go on N@N. I mean, it's not the way we thought where they didn't give it a chance.

mrsthomashadenchurch · 06-06-2003, 07:02 PM

If parents are so worried about what their kids watch I am surprised that they have tried to get a show like friends to a later time. They have way more sex in that show than Wings.

Krista2882 · 06-07-2003, 10:10 PM

yeah, I mean, seriously! There are a LOT of other shows that are more risque than Wings, and are on TV at an earlier time.

I actually watched Wings when I was young, during its first-run. I remember watching it with my mom once in a while. and I was between the ages of 8 and 15 when it was on the air. and watching it now, I don't think I would let my kids (if I had any) watch it if they were younger than 10 or 12, but hey, I watched it, and I had no idea what they were talking about when I was younger, so it didn't hurt me. lol.
and if parents don't want their kids seeing certainthings on TV, then parents need to pay attention to what their kids are watching!! The cable channels shouldn't have to be babysitters.

pilotguy · 06-07-2003, 10:31 PM

I have an 11-year old daughter who LOVES "Wings"! (She loves all of the characters, but gets an especially big kick out of feisty Helen).

I show her the videotapes of the episodes that I tape the night before...but I am VERY selective about the ones that I show her.

Episodes like the one where Helen dates the guy with the annoying laugh or the Hackett brothers buy Helen the cello are very tame and can be shown to my daughter with no problem...

However, there are OTHER episodes where I have to tell my daughter, "Sorry honey, Dad can't show you that one....It has some inappropriate stuff in it that you're too young for right now". She's not happy when that happens, but she understands.

DianeChambers87 · 06-07-2003, 11:04 PM

May i say something?
I have seen a few episodes of Wings and completely agree that the sexual content in Wings is not over the top, or anything Nick at Nite or parents can't handle. I also agree that Cheers has ALOT more sexual content and references to sex. There is an episode in Cheers where they show Sam and Rebecca getting dressed after they had sex. There are also countless episodes where Sam and Diane are either referring too sex, or on top of each other kissing. I wouldn't really say that about three's company, I think it is a relatively harmless show, I mean sure they did make many references to sex, but they rarely even said the word "sex". Plus in all the years that three's company was on I don't really think anybody slept with anyone, and if they did it wasn't really made the focus of an episode.

I was just wondering, haven't you guys considered the fact that maybe the ratings for Wings, compared to the ones for Cosby, Cheers, and three's Company, were not that high? Let's face it Tv. Networks are out there to get ratings not to make everybody happy...just a thought.

~Maria

Krista2882 · 06-07-2003, 11:36 PM

yeah, well that's the thing- the ratings weren't that high, because the week they started the Wings marathon on N@N, was the week that the War in Iraq started.. so people were watching the news more than watching Wings, and then Wings was only on at the 11:00 timeslot for a couple of weeks- while the whole war was going on. so of course ratings were low.. and then BOOM, (haha! that just reminded me of that episode of Wings where Brian's like, "your mother- was it a gradual change? or was it like.. BABOOM!- inflatable raft?")
lol sorry, I got sidetracked. but yeah, the ratings weren't good because they didn't give it a chance, and then they moved the show to 1:00 AM, where not many people are awake and casually flipping through channels. so the only people you get watching the show are the core fan base, and there isn't a huge chance for a lot of new viewers, like there would be at the 11:00 timeslot... so the ratings are lower.

DianeChambers87 · 06-07-2003, 11:43 PM

honestly i would have to disagree with you, i mean yes people were watching less tv. because of the War, but nevertheless they still did watch some television, and they tried watching something that might Cheer them up you know...I'm sorry i know this isn't the right board for me to say this, and really this is just my own opinion....I really don't find wings that funny. I mean it's an ok sitcom, but i would rather watch Cheers and maybe some other people would too, or cosby or Threes Company. Again im not trying to insult you guys, im just being honest.... But if you guys want to do something about it, e-mail nick at nite, they really do take it into consideration.

pilotguy · 06-08-2003, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianeChambers87
Again im not trying to insult you guys, im just being honest....

Well, there's your problem right there....You're being HONEST!

Everyone here KNOWS that honesty has NO place on the "WINGS" message board....

For weeks now I've been saying that people think that I look like Tim Daly....You think THAT'S honest?

Some other guy here keeps denying that Crystal Bernard has a restraining order on him...You think THAT'S honest?

And there are at least TWO college-age girls here who say that they would NEVER date Tim Daly because he's so much older than they are....Come ON now!

No, I'm sorry....If it's honesty you want, you HAVE logged onto the wrong message board!

06-05-2003, 07:42 AM	#1
pilotguy Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 09, 2003 Posts: 1,305	Very Strange....But POSSIBLE! I was talking to a friend of mine (who is a fellow "WINGS" fan) and we were discussing NICK's shabby treatment of the series after the initial big build-up. My buddy said that he heard that NICK was basically shamed into sweeping "WINGS" under the rug after it's marathon showings. Apparently many loyal NICK viewers (including parents whose children watch NICK during the day and early evening hours) were outraged by certain "WINGS" marathon episodes which either showed or talked about characters taking part in pre-marital sex, and the series' apparent casual attitude toward it. I shot back with, "That's CRAZY! What about the raunchy 'Three's Company'? NICK shows the HECK out of that!" Apparently THAT series is acceptable because it just has "naughty leering" in it....Janet, Chrissy and the other female roomates are "nice girls" who don't actually DO anything like what the "WINGS" girls do! That still leaves "Cheers", with Sam's countless sexual conquests, but again, it must not have bended noses out of shape the way that "WINGS" did. I find this theory hard to believe, but my friend insists that he heard it from a couple of different sources...and one source actually works in Cable broadcasting! So is THAT it? Was "WINGS" suddenly labeled a "dirty show" that doesn't really belong on a "family" cable network like Nickleodeon? Sounds weird to me, but ANYTHING is possible...Has anyone else heard this story?

06-07-2003, 11:04 PM	#12
DianeChambers87 Elizabeth B. Malone Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 16, 2003 Location: Swampland USA Posts: 5,178	May i say something? I have seen a few episodes of Wings and completely agree that the sexual content in Wings is not over the top, or anything Nick at Nite or parents can't handle. I also agree that Cheers has ALOT more sexual content and references to sex. There is an episode in Cheers where they show Sam and Rebecca getting dressed after they had sex. There are also countless episodes where Sam and Diane are either referring too sex, or on top of each other kissing. I wouldn't really say that about three's company, I think it is a relatively harmless show, I mean sure they did make many references to sex, but they rarely even said the word "sex". Plus in all the years that three's company was on I don't really think anybody slept with anyone, and if they did it wasn't really made the focus of an episode. I was just wondering, haven't you guys considered the fact that maybe the ratings for Wings, compared to the ones for Cosby, Cheers, and three's Company, were not that high? Let's face it Tv. Networks are out there to get ratings not to make everybody happy...just a thought. ~Maria
	__________________ Strange Fascinations, Fascinating me

06-05-2003, 08:45 AM	#2
wingshock Way, Truth, Life <>< Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 30, 2003 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 308	Well no... I hadn't heard that theory, but then again I haven't been really checking out possible reasons for N@N's treatment of Wings. But I've never thought of Wings as a "dirty" show... and I'm pretty darn conservative. Granted, it's got more references to sex than "Cosby," but certainly not more than Cheers or Three's Company. In fact, I'd never let my kids watch "Three's Company." For one thing, it plays around with that whole "let's pretend Jack's gay" thing that grates on my nerves. I don't encourage my kids to watch Wings, but if they wanted to watch I would feel comfortable (except for just a few episodes.) Love, Wing<><

06-05-2003, 08:59 AM	#3
Krista2882 Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 10, 2003 Location: CT Posts: 1,370	Yeah, I've never heard that either, but like wingshock, I haven't really been reading around at other boards or websites or anything. And I think that doesn't make sense, because I'm pretty conservative too, and at first i was kind of surprised at a couple of things that were said on Wings, but it made me laugh- not get disgusted with the show. Nothing they do on this show really bothers me that much, I mean personally, I don't really believe in pre-marital sex.. but so many TV shows nowadays have a casual attitude towards it, that it doesn't really bother me to see those situations on TV... I'm not THAT much of a prude! lol I mean, it's entirely possible that people may have complained about that, and that's why Wings is on at 1:30 AM, but that's really lame! I think it's possible tho, although I haven't actually heard that myself. ~Krista

06-05-2003, 02:42 PM	#4
Kris10m Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 15, 2003 Posts: 95	If that's true, then I don't understand it at all, because Cheers has just as many sex jokes as Wings. There are always references to all the women that Sam has been with, and it's mentioned in almost every episode. Plus, there have been episodes about adultery, and Carla is always pregnant with children from different fathers. I think Cheers is a great show, but if people are bothered by Wings, it seems like they'd be even more bothered by Cheers. And Three's Company is filled with sexual innuendo, although most of it's double entendre, so kids probably wouldn't understand the sexual double meanings, and take the jokes at face value (I actually used to watch it when I was a kid!). Plus, an 11:00 time slot is late, so kids really wouldn't be watching tv at that time anyway. Friends is shown every night on a network station (not cable, like Wings), and of course that show is filled with sexual jokes, much more explicit than those on Wings. So if that's true, then maybe those parents should put their kids to bed by 11:00.

06-05-2003, 02:56 PM	#5
Kris10m Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 15, 2003 Posts: 95	Just to add to my post, I can see where parents wouldn't want their kids to watch certain Wings episodes. I'm pretty conservative also, and probably wouldn't let my kids (if I had any!) watch some of those Wings episodes either, but I don't think that it's intended for kids. Instead of complaining about Nick at Nite showing Wings, why don't they just not let their kids watch it? And I find the jokes on Cheers much more risque. That's the thing I don't understand...Cheers and Three's Company have been on Nick for years, so people should be used to these kinds of jokes on Nick at Nite. That's why these shows are on later, and why Cosby is on at 9.

06-06-2003, 10:57 AM	#6
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	I heard that too, but I really don't understand why parents would complain about Wings when Cheers and Three's Company are both far more risque. I think that Wings is a very tame show compared to most of the stuff that has come out on the tube these past few years. Plus, the marathon aired from 10 PM to 1 AM, Eastern time, and I don't know about you people, but when I was a kid, by the time 10 PM rolled around, I was already in BED, not up watching TV. I'm tired of parents ruining everything for us people who don't have kids, or aren't too conservative about what their kids are watching. If you don't want your kids to see something, then TURN THE SET OFF! My parents were very liberal about my TV watching and I don't think I turned out any worse or immoral because of it. I personally think the low ratings during the Wings marathon and the week or so after that are because people were obviously more concerned with the war in Iraq. N@N should give the show another chance. Networks in general need to give shows a chance to grow and develop. They are too trigger-happy these days.

06-06-2003, 11:40 AM	#7
pilotguy Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 09, 2003 Posts: 1,305	What's wild is that if those prudes thought that the WINGS "Marathon" episodes were raunchy, it's a good thing that they didn't see any "Bunny Mather" episodes.... SOMEBODY always ends up "rolling in the hay" whenever SHE shows up!

06-06-2003, 04:38 PM	#8
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,836	Parents calling in and complaining is the reason "The Real Ghostbusters" as cancelled. I loved that cartoon. I agree that kids should be in bed by the time "Wings" starts. They act like they're being good parents by getting "dirty" shows off the air, but they're ignoring the fact that they're letting their kids stay up all hours of the night. I guess the parents will be pleased when Full House debuts on N@N. I'm not a parent yet but I wouldn't try to ruin anything for anyone else by removing a showfrom the lineup. Just for the record, my bedtime was 8:00pm. Except on Mondays, I could stay up to watched "ALF." My bedtime changed from year to year, now that I'm 21 I go to bed around 2 in the morning. That's what my parents get for putting me to bed after "Entertainment Tonight." If this is true, then all the blame for the mistreatment of "Wings" can't go on N@N. I mean, it's not the way we thought where they didn't give it a chance.

06-06-2003, 07:02 PM	#9
mrsthomashadenchurch Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 29, 2001 Location: San Diego, CA USA Posts: 73	If parents are so worried about what their kids watch I am surprised that they have tried to get a show like friends to a later time. They have way more sex in that show than Wings.

06-07-2003, 10:10 PM	#10
Krista2882 Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 10, 2003 Location: CT Posts: 1,370	yeah, I mean, seriously! There are a LOT of other shows that are more risque than Wings, and are on TV at an earlier time. I actually watched Wings when I was young, during its first-run. I remember watching it with my mom once in a while. and I was between the ages of 8 and 15 when it was on the air. and watching it now, I don't think I would let my kids (if I had any) watch it if they were younger than 10 or 12, but hey, I watched it, and I had no idea what they were talking about when I was younger, so it didn't hurt me. lol. and if parents don't want their kids seeing certainthings on TV, then parents need to pay attention to what their kids are watching!! The cable channels shouldn't have to be babysitters.

06-07-2003, 10:31 PM	#11
pilotguy Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 09, 2003 Posts: 1,305	I have an 11-year old daughter who LOVES "Wings"! (She loves all of the characters, but gets an especially big kick out of feisty Helen). I show her the videotapes of the episodes that I tape the night before...but I am VERY selective about the ones that I show her. Episodes like the one where Helen dates the guy with the annoying laugh or the Hackett brothers buy Helen the cello are very tame and can be shown to my daughter with no problem... However, there are OTHER episodes where I have to tell my daughter, "Sorry honey, Dad can't show you that one....It has some inappropriate stuff in it that you're too young for right now". She's not happy when that happens, but she understands.

06-07-2003, 11:36 PM	#13
Krista2882 Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 10, 2003 Location: CT Posts: 1,370	yeah, well that's the thing- the ratings weren't that high, because the week they started the Wings marathon on N@N, was the week that the War in Iraq started.. so people were watching the news more than watching Wings, and then Wings was only on at the 11:00 timeslot for a couple of weeks- while the whole war was going on. so of course ratings were low.. and then BOOM, (haha! that just reminded me of that episode of Wings where Brian's like, "your mother- was it a gradual change? or was it like.. BABOOM!- inflatable raft?") lol sorry, I got sidetracked. but yeah, the ratings weren't good because they didn't give it a chance, and then they moved the show to 1:00 AM, where not many people are awake and casually flipping through channels. so the only people you get watching the show are the core fan base, and there isn't a huge chance for a lot of new viewers, like there would be at the 11:00 timeslot... so the ratings are lower.

06-07-2003, 11:43 PM	#14
DianeChambers87 Elizabeth B. Malone Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 16, 2003 Location: Swampland USA Posts: 5,178	honestly i would have to disagree with you, i mean yes people were watching less tv. because of the War, but nevertheless they still did watch some television, and they tried watching something that might Cheer them up you know...I'm sorry i know this isn't the right board for me to say this, and really this is just my own opinion....I really don't find wings that funny. I mean it's an ok sitcom, but i would rather watch Cheers and maybe some other people would too, or cosby or Threes Company. Again im not trying to insult you guys, im just being honest.... But if you guys want to do something about it, e-mail nick at nite, they really do take it into consideration.