Rules to Watching (And Loving) Sitcoms - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Adamantium · 12-07-2003, 02:25 PM

#1. Never judge a series by it's first episode.

#2. Remember it's just a TV show. Don't say to yourself, "How can that Nun Fly? That's Impossible!"

#3. Realize that TV time is different from real time. And Babies can go from the age of 1 to the age of 5 after a season.

Anyone have any more to add?

barwars · 12-07-2003, 05:36 PM

#4. You can't judge a book by its cover.
But you CAN judge a TV Show by its themesong.

donald snl · 12-07-2003, 05:43 PM

i agree about never judging a tv show by its first ep. i always wait until about 5. eps in before i decide if i like a show

Adamantium · 12-07-2003, 07:45 PM

#5. Embrace the cast changes. Sure your favorite character may be gone, but at least you get a chance to pick a new favorite character.

PZelda · 12-08-2003, 03:54 AM

6. If you love that show, be loyal to it when something serious happens to somebody in the cast and they have to make a drastic change (8 Simple Rules as an example).

ClassicComedyFan2 · 12-08-2003, 11:37 AM

7. Even when a show is considered past its prime by most, watch all new episodes and hope for new seasons. (ie Frasier and the Star Trek Franchise)

8. If it has a laugh track, laugh with it!

Chocoholic · 12-08-2003, 12:34 PM

Don't pay attention to what the TV critics are saying. Just because they're all raving about a certain TV show doesn't mean you're stupid or something for not liking it. The same thing if they're always dissing a show you like. They are just voicing their opinions on a certain TV show and if you don't agree with them, that's perfectly fine. Everyone's tastes are different. People who base their opinions on a TV show solely on what the TV critics say about it are obviously feeble-minded people who can't think for themselves.

Personally, I don't bother listening to anyone who is paid to sit around and watch TV shows all day

barwars · 12-08-2003, 04:34 PM

9. Don't follow the mindless mass public.... watch what you like.

10. Friends dont let friends watch "Friends".

barwars · 12-08-2003, 04:38 PM

ok.... that last one was low.

how about....

10. Watch reruns.... they're good for the soul.

Sal · 12-11-2003, 03:10 PM

How about this one?

#11-If you're watching a sitcom that's over 20-25 years old, don't try to judge it from a 2003-04 perspective.

Yes, it's true. Times change, people change, and people's views of sitcoms might also change. Regarding older sitcoms from the 50s to the 70s, what was funny then may not be funny now, what was considered shocking then seems tame now (ex. Lucy's pregnancy, Jeannie's navel), and what was relevant then may seem meaningless now (ex. Murphy Brown vs Dan Quayle). But you have to remember that in TV's early days, no one could have dreamed that shows like "I Love Lucy" and "The Honeymooners" would still be seen 50 years later. They were concerned with the present and would proceed accordingly. No one realized what the future would bring and they didn't seem all that concerned about it. Any pop culture references that pop up in specific episodes mainly refer to what people were thinking back then.

So the next time you hear Archie Bunker talk about President Nixon or watch him get off his couch to change channels on his TV, remember this was the 1970s. That's what life was like back then. You can either accept it or watch something else that makes more sense to you today, like "Are You Hot?".

hawaii five-o · 12-11-2003, 03:13 PM

12. Most problems can be solved in 24 minutes.

barwars · 12-11-2003, 03:55 PM

(less than 20 in syndication)

dawsongirl · 12-11-2003, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hawaii five-o
12. Most problems can be solved in 24 minutes.

48 for 2 parters.

Steve M. · 12-12-2003, 12:31 PM

#13. This is the bad luck rule. Most sitcoms have at least one loser who, if it weren't for bad luck, wouldn't have any luck at all. Just remember to laugh with him, not at him.

Adamantium · 12-12-2003, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sal
How about this one?

#11-If you're watching a sitcom that's over 20-25 years old, don't try to judge it from a 2003-04 perspective.

So true! I couldn't stand to watch "Leave it to Beaver" if my mind was in the current time. I have to alter my mind a bit.

12-08-2003, 11:37 AM	#6
ClassicComedyFan2 Coolicious! Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 28, 2001 Location: AL, United States, Alpha Quadrant Posts: 698	7. Even when a show is considered past its prime by most, watch all new episodes and hope for new seasons. (ie Frasier and the Star Trek Franchise) 8. If it has a laugh track, laugh with it!
	__________________ The world always looks brighter from behind a smile. ~Author Unknown Optimism is the foundation of courage. ~Nicholas Murray Butler Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are. ~Author Unknown It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice. ~ John Cassis ~

12-11-2003, 03:10 PM	#10
Sal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 20, 2001 Location: Oakville, Ont. Canada Posts: 6,154	How about this one? #11-If you're watching a sitcom that's over 20-25 years old, don't try to judge it from a 2003-04 perspective. Yes, it's true. Times change, people change, and people's views of sitcoms might also change. Regarding older sitcoms from the 50s to the 70s, what was funny then may not be funny now, what was considered shocking then seems tame now (ex. Lucy's pregnancy, Jeannie's navel), and what was relevant then may seem meaningless now (ex. Murphy Brown vs Dan Quayle). But you have to remember that in TV's early days, no one could have dreamed that shows like "I Love Lucy" and "The Honeymooners" would still be seen 50 years later. They were concerned with the present and would proceed accordingly. No one realized what the future would bring and they didn't seem all that concerned about it. Any pop culture references that pop up in specific episodes mainly refer to what people were thinking back then. So the next time you hear Archie Bunker talk about President Nixon or watch him get off his couch to change channels on his TV, remember this was the 1970s. That's what life was like back then. You can either accept it or watch something else that makes more sense to you today, like "Are You Hot?".
	__________________ LIVE TV - Updated By Request - April 2026 ANTENNA TV ME TV ME TV TOONS Zerostream - LIVE TV Guide

12-12-2003, 12:31 PM	#14
Steve M. Back on the road to reality Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 33,235	#13. This is the bad luck rule. Most sitcoms have at least one loser who, if it weren't for bad luck, wouldn't have any luck at all. Just remember to laugh with him, not at him.
	__________________ I don't really get out a lot. When I do go out, I couldn't be happier. I love being in a nice milieu. I'm as happy as a clam. Just as long as I'm not in some club playing hip-hop. You hear that sort of thing in a lot of places. That's not my milieu. Rock and roll is good-time music. I love rock. So did my parents.

12-07-2003, 02:25 PM	#1
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,820	Rules to Watching (And Loving) Sitcoms #1. Never judge a series by it's first episode. #2. Remember it's just a TV show. Don't say to yourself, "How can that Nun Fly? That's Impossible!" #3. Realize that TV time is different from real time. And Babies can go from the age of 1 to the age of 5 after a season. Anyone have any more to add?

12-07-2003, 05:36 PM	#2
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	#4. You can't judge a book by its cover. But you CAN judge a TV Show by its themesong.

12-07-2003, 05:43 PM	#3
donald snl Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 06, 2003 Posts: 456	i agree about never judging a tv show by its first ep. i always wait until about 5. eps in before i decide if i like a show

12-07-2003, 07:45 PM	#4
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,820	#5. Embrace the cast changes. Sure your favorite character may be gone, but at least you get a chance to pick a new favorite character.

12-08-2003, 03:54 AM	#5
PZelda Two Valeries! <3 Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Location: I'm STILL missing NYC. :( Posts: 78,223	6. If you love that show, be loyal to it when something serious happens to somebody in the cast and they have to make a drastic change (8 Simple Rules as an example).
	__________________ Cheers behind the couch!

12-08-2003, 12:34 PM	#7
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	Don't pay attention to what the TV critics are saying. Just because they're all raving about a certain TV show doesn't mean you're stupid or something for not liking it. The same thing if they're always dissing a show you like. They are just voicing their opinions on a certain TV show and if you don't agree with them, that's perfectly fine. Everyone's tastes are different. People who base their opinions on a TV show solely on what the TV critics say about it are obviously feeble-minded people who can't think for themselves. Personally, I don't bother listening to anyone who is paid to sit around and watch TV shows all day

12-08-2003, 04:34 PM	#8
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	9. Don't follow the mindless mass public.... watch what you like. 10. Friends dont let friends watch "Friends".

12-08-2003, 04:38 PM	#9
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	ok.... that last one was low. how about.... 10. Watch reruns.... they're good for the soul.

12-11-2003, 03:13 PM	#11
hawaii five-o Book 'Em, Dano Senior Member Join Date: Jun 27, 2003 Location: At home, eating cereal straight out of the box Posts: 1,406	12. Most problems can be solved in 24 minutes.

12-11-2003, 03:55 PM	#12
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	(less than 20 in syndication)