The Early "G" Rated "Wings" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

pilotguy · 07-31-2003, 11:58 AM

Now that NICK will be re-starting the "Wings" series with the earliest episodes, I'd like to point something out....

As you watch these early episodes, take notice of how very different they are as compared to the later episodes when it comes to sexually-oriented gags and situations.

I'm no prude, but I find it very difficult finding "appropriate" episodes from the later seasons to show my 11-year old daughter who LOVES "Wings". Even if a later episode has a basically harmless premise as it's main plot, there's usually SOME raunchy reference made to unmarried people sleeping together, or someone's sexual relations, etc.

You just don't find this kind of stuff thrown at you as much in the early episodes...if at all. Sure, Brian may make references to "getting lucky" or something like that, but the show as a whole was MUCH more "G" rated in it's early years.

I'm not saying that the "squeaky cleaness" of "Wings" early seasons is necessarily a BETTER thing, but the series DID make a radical change in sexual emphasis, and lose a good deal of it's early innocence during the course of it's 8 season run.

DianeChambers87 · 07-31-2003, 12:02 PM

That's kind of strange because Wings started in 1990. Cheers started in 1982 and the sexual references or jokes were all there all eleven years....

pilotguy · 07-31-2003, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianeChambers87
That's kind of strange because Wings started in 1990. Cheers started in 1982 and the sexual references or jokes were all there all eleven years....

Yes, but Sam Malone was a LOT hornier in 1982 than Joe Hackett was in 1990!

DianeChambers87 · 07-31-2003, 12:07 PM

lol very very true! but the references in general not including Sam's were pretty abundant. Not overly just enough to be sufficient and funny.

Sam: Ok I admit I am not a sad guy..I am a happy horny guy!

Krista2882 · 07-31-2003, 12:36 PM

I never realized that earlier Wings episodes were a lot ore G rated than later ones. I didn't actuallt see many episodes from season one though, and I only saw half of season 2. but now that I've seen seasons 3-8, once they go back to season one, I bet I will notice that.

~Krista

wingshock · 07-31-2003, 01:22 PM

Pilotguy, you're absolutely right. Actually I was thinking the same thing recently.

I count this as one of the reasons I like the earlier seasons better. Honestly? I think it's easier to write sex-related jokes, and much harder to write "G" rated stuff that is truly funny.

Bathroom humor sort of fits into the same category - you don't have to put much thought into it, and people will still laugh at it.

But somehow they accomplished hysterically funny situations in the earlier seasons without talking about sex all the time.

Love,

Wing<><

Chocoholic · 08-01-2003, 11:27 AM

I've noticed that too. It's like the writers or someone wanted Wings to fit more into Seinfeld, Friends, and the other sitcoms that NBC was airing at the time and decided to add more sex jokes and stuff. I'm surprised they didn't move the airport to New York City.

Personally, I've never been one for bathroom humor, sex jokes, and a lot of sexual situations. Call me a prude if you want, but I prefer my TV shows and movies to be G- or PG-rated. If people like to watch that kind of stuff, I respect that. Just give me clean entertainment please.

peter may · 08-01-2003, 11:32 AM

i dont mind some sexual jokes in a sitcom (o.k...I admit it, I LOVE sex and the city), but one thing i dont particularly like in a US sitcom is Slapstick humour.

I think its stupid and unfunny and as I live in Great Britain, this type of humour like Monty Python and Benny Hill is common in British sitcoms and that is why our sitcoms suck big time!!!!

Chocoholic · 08-01-2003, 11:35 AM

I don't mind slapstick humor as long as it is used sparingly. Too much slapstick and jokes about body parts and bodily functions are things I can definitely do without.

peter may · 08-01-2003, 11:39 AM

i agree, I remember watching a Frasier episode from last season "daphne does dinner" and i thought it was dreadful. 1/2 hr of pure slapstick..horrible episode from another great show.

wingshock · 08-01-2003, 12:41 PM

Yeah, I don't really like slapstick either, unless it's very well-placed & well-done... then it can be very funny.

But you know what, Peter? Although I don't like most British humor, I absolutely adore this British sitcom called "As Time Goes By." I've rarely laughed so hard!

I remember also when I was a teenager watching a British show called "Bless Me Father" that I thought was hilarious.

Love,

Wing<><

Chocoholic · 08-01-2003, 12:49 PM

On the topic of British sitcoms, my father and grandmother both love this show called Keeping Up Appearances. They think it's hysterical, but I don't like it at all. I like some Monty Python sketches.

"This parrot is no more!"

peter may · 08-01-2003, 01:26 PM

i actually like some of Keeping Up Appearances, but its rarely on TV over here in the UK. A show which is shown constantly in reruns on the BBC is "only fools and horses".

am i the only Brit on the wings board??

pilotguy · 08-02-2003, 06:46 PM

Personally, I thing that the "Wings" cast member who was able to pull of physical slapstick humor the best was Crystal Bernard.....

Helen did a lot of counter-jumping and people-beating over the course of those 8 seasons, and for some reason she was always able to pull it off....probably because of her small stature, which made her physical tirades all the more funny!

Krista2882 · 08-04-2003, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by peter may
i dont mind some sexual jokes in a sitcom (o.k...I admit it, I LOVE sex and the city), but one thing i dont particularly like in a US sitcom is Slapstick humour.

I think its stupid and unfunny and as I live in Great Britain, this type of humour like Monty Python and Benny Hill is common in British sitcoms and that is why our sitcoms suck big time!!!!

lol I HATE slapstick humor!!!
most of the time anyway. there are some rare exceptions.

07-31-2003, 11:58 AM	#1
pilotguy Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 09, 2003 Posts: 1,305	The Early "G" Rated "Wings" Now that NICK will be re-starting the "Wings" series with the earliest episodes, I'd like to point something out.... As you watch these early episodes, take notice of how very different they are as compared to the later episodes when it comes to sexually-oriented gags and situations. I'm no prude, but I find it very difficult finding "appropriate" episodes from the later seasons to show my 11-year old daughter who LOVES "Wings". Even if a later episode has a basically harmless premise as it's main plot, there's usually SOME raunchy reference made to unmarried people sleeping together, or someone's sexual relations, etc. You just don't find this kind of stuff thrown at you as much in the early episodes...if at all. Sure, Brian may make references to "getting lucky" or something like that, but the show as a whole was MUCH more "G" rated in it's early years. I'm not saying that the "squeaky cleaness" of "Wings" early seasons is necessarily a BETTER thing, but the series DID make a radical change in sexual emphasis, and lose a good deal of it's early innocence during the course of it's 8 season run.

07-31-2003, 12:02 PM	#2
DianeChambers87 Elizabeth B. Malone Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 16, 2003 Location: Swampland USA Posts: 5,178	That's kind of strange because Wings started in 1990. Cheers started in 1982 and the sexual references or jokes were all there all eleven years....
	__________________ Strange Fascinations, Fascinating me

07-31-2003, 01:22 PM	#6
wingshock Way, Truth, Life <>< Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 30, 2003 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 308	Pilotguy, you're absolutely right. Actually I was thinking the same thing recently. I count this as one of the reasons I like the earlier seasons better. Honestly? I think it's easier to write sex-related jokes, and much harder to write "G" rated stuff that is truly funny. Bathroom humor sort of fits into the same category - you don't have to put much thought into it, and people will still laugh at it. But somehow they accomplished hysterically funny situations in the earlier seasons without talking about sex all the time. Love, Wing<><
	__________________ http://wingsfanfic.homestead.com

07-31-2003, 12:07 PM	#4
DianeChambers87 Elizabeth B. Malone Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 16, 2003 Location: Swampland USA Posts: 5,178	lol very very true! but the references in general not including Sam's were pretty abundant. Not overly just enough to be sufficient and funny. Sam: Ok I admit I am not a sad guy..I am a happy horny guy!

07-31-2003, 12:36 PM	#5
Krista2882 Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 10, 2003 Location: CT Posts: 1,370	I never realized that earlier Wings episodes were a lot ore G rated than later ones. I didn't actuallt see many episodes from season one though, and I only saw half of season 2. but now that I've seen seasons 3-8, once they go back to season one, I bet I will notice that. ~Krista

08-01-2003, 11:27 AM	#7
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	I've noticed that too. It's like the writers or someone wanted Wings to fit more into Seinfeld, Friends, and the other sitcoms that NBC was airing at the time and decided to add more sex jokes and stuff. I'm surprised they didn't move the airport to New York City. Personally, I've never been one for bathroom humor, sex jokes, and a lot of sexual situations. Call me a prude if you want, but I prefer my TV shows and movies to be G- or PG-rated. If people like to watch that kind of stuff, I respect that. Just give me clean entertainment please.

08-01-2003, 11:32 AM	#8
peter may The SO Limey Senior Member Join Date: Feb 26, 2002 Location: LONDON Posts: 1,883	i dont mind some sexual jokes in a sitcom (o.k...I admit it, I LOVE sex and the city), but one thing i dont particularly like in a US sitcom is Slapstick humour. I think its stupid and unfunny and as I live in Great Britain, this type of humour like Monty Python and Benny Hill is common in British sitcoms and that is why our sitcoms suck big time!!!!

08-01-2003, 11:35 AM	#9
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	I don't mind slapstick humor as long as it is used sparingly. Too much slapstick and jokes about body parts and bodily functions are things I can definitely do without.

08-01-2003, 11:39 AM	#10
peter may The SO Limey Senior Member Join Date: Feb 26, 2002 Location: LONDON Posts: 1,883	i agree, I remember watching a Frasier episode from last season "daphne does dinner" and i thought it was dreadful. 1/2 hr of pure slapstick..horrible episode from another great show.

08-01-2003, 12:41 PM	#11
wingshock Way, Truth, Life <>< Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 30, 2003 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 308	Yeah, I don't really like slapstick either, unless it's very well-placed & well-done... then it can be very funny. But you know what, Peter? Although I don't like most British humor, I absolutely adore this British sitcom called "As Time Goes By." I've rarely laughed so hard! I remember also when I was a teenager watching a British show called "Bless Me Father" that I thought was hilarious. Love, Wing<><

08-01-2003, 12:49 PM	#12
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	On the topic of British sitcoms, my father and grandmother both love this show called Keeping Up Appearances. They think it's hysterical, but I don't like it at all. I like some Monty Python sketches. "This parrot is no more!"

08-01-2003, 01:26 PM	#13
peter may The SO Limey Senior Member Join Date: Feb 26, 2002 Location: LONDON Posts: 1,883	i actually like some of Keeping Up Appearances, but its rarely on TV over here in the UK. A show which is shown constantly in reruns on the BBC is "only fools and horses". am i the only Brit on the wings board??

08-02-2003, 06:46 PM	#14
pilotguy Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 09, 2003 Posts: 1,305	Personally, I thing that the "Wings" cast member who was able to pull of physical slapstick humor the best was Crystal Bernard..... Helen did a lot of counter-jumping and people-beating over the course of those 8 seasons, and for some reason she was always able to pull it off....probably because of her small stature, which made her physical tirades all the more funny!