Shows That Overstayed Their Welcome.

[vjm]

Happy Days...Happy Days....Happy Days. Once Ron Howard and all these other characters started arriving, the whole flavor of the show changed. Also, Happy Days was supposed to take place between the late 1950s and the mid-60's. In the earlier shows, they took effort to make the show look like the era that it occurred. In later years, they stopped caring. Everyone wore hairstyles that no one wore in the early to mid 60's...and the same with their clothing. It ended up looking like an 80's show. The Fonz was so out of place during the later years, and even worse because most of the shows revolved around him. No one wore leather jackets in the mid-60's.

Didn't Howard Cunningham end up wearing a digital watch in the latter shows? Remember when Garry Marshall had Chachi wear that bandana wrapped around his leg? The show and the Fonz became the focal point instead of the era.

Add to that Joanie's jeri-curl, Marion's Nancy Reagan-esque do, and Chachi's feathered hair.

And we have Laverne and Shirley with short 80s bobs in a time when they should have had Jackie-O dos

And on M*A*S*H, we have BJ's porn-stash and Margret's 80's bangs (M*A*S*H was really a [EDIT-truncated per terms of service]in it's last years with '80s hairdos and '70s politics in '50s Korea)

 

[firepoint525]

"Good Times" fell off the rails when it stopped being a show about a family trying to make ends meet in the projects, and was just looking for any excuse for J.J. to yell "DY-NO-MITE!"

A lot of '70s shows (especially mid '70s) fell in to deep cases of "Catchphrase-itis", where the plot almost seemed like something to kill time until the catchphrase was unleashed ("Dy-no-Mite", "Aaaayyy", "Up your nose with a rubber hose", "Kiss my grits", "Book 'em Danno", etc)

You mentioned mostly '70s shows, but I would add Diff'rent Strokes to your list. It started in 1978, so it probably wasn't until into the '80s when we started getting beat over the head with a "whutchu talkin' 'bout, Willis?" almost every week. Strokes has already been mentioned here, but not within the context of a repeated catch-phrase, unless I just missed it.

 

[jfrancispastirchak]

Seinfeld continued the tradition in the 90's with a host of memorable phrases: "Hello, Newman...

...with Seinfeld, most of their memorable quips were one-offs ("They're real and they're spectacular", "Yada, yada, yada" "Not that there's anything wrong with that", etc) Only "Hello, Newman" was used repeatedly, and even that wasn't beaten to death too much.

Arguably, Seinfeld may have overstayed a season, but I will never tire of Elaine's "The Dango 8-cher baaybee !!"

 

[onairb]

"Good Times" fell off the rails when it stopped being a show about a family trying to make ends meet in the projects, and was just looking for any excuse for J.J. to yell "DY-NO-MITE!"

A lot of '70s shows (especially mid '70s) fell in to deep cases of "Catchphrase-itis", where the plot almost seemed like something to kill time until the catchphrase was unleashed ("Dy-no-Mite", "Aaaayyy", "Up your nose with a rubber hose", "Kiss my grits", "Book 'em Danno", etc)

You mentioned mostly '70s shows, but I would add Diff'rent Strokes to your list. It started in 1978, so it probably wasn't until into the '80s when we started getting beat over the head with a "whutchu talkin' 'bout, Willis?" almost every week. Strokes has already been mentioned here, but not within the context of a repeated catch-phrase, unless I just missed it.

'Whachu talkin' about?' became a weekly ritual from the very first episode. After a year or so, it had become, like 'AAAAY' or 'Dy-no-MITE', one of those phrases that defined a show..or 'the one thing that people who didn't really follow the show closely would remember about it'.

 

[bpatrick]

Re "M*A*S*H," Alan Alda's hair looked out of place for what was
supposed to be 1952; maybe he should have watched an episode
of "I Love Lucy" and paid attention to Desi's hair when it really was
1952.

And on the subject of catchphrases, what about Urkel's "Did I do that?"
or his less memorable "Look what you did!"

And yet there are some you don't mind hearing again and again, such as
Ralph Kramden's "Once of these days, Alice, one of these days, POW! Right
in the kisser!" or "How would you like to go to the moon?" or "Bang! Zoom!"

And I still get at least a small chuckle out of Maxwell Smart's catchphrases:
"Would you believe...?", "I told you not to tell me that," and "Missed it by THAT
much!"

As for shows which overstayed their welcome, I'd have to pick "Laugh-In" and
"Mod Squad," both of which were fresh in 1968 but dated in 1973 (all the psychedelia
and hippie lingo was out by then). Also, as much as I love "You Bet Your Life," I feel
like Groucho was just going through the motions the last couple of years (1959-61); after
all, he'd been doing the show since radio days, in 1947. He had a few memorable contestants
during that time: William Peter Blatty, Daws Butler, and even brother Harpo, but all in all, there
wasn't much that was funny, and the Mrs. Housing Development contest in the last season made
no sense at all (as I recall, Groucho wasn't even his usual wolf self when confronted by female
contestants in bathing suits).

 

[bpatrick]

Brooks and Marsh makde it easy to follow the ratings progression, and decline, of the Nielsen top 30. In some cases, a hit show rather abruptly runs out of steam, for no apparent reason, other than everyone deciding to try another channel.
ABC had this happen with several hits, notably 'The Six Million Dollar Man' in the late '70s, and 'Three's Company' in the mid '80s. Both shows quickly fell from theirpeak ratings, and went from top 10 in their penultimate seasons, to 'unranked'(at least in the top 30), prompting cancellation.
It's easy to explain the 'bionic' craze burning out, although it was somewhat unusual that in '77-78, CBS moved 'Rhoda' to Sundays to compete with Steve Austin. The year before, 'Rhoda' had fallen completely out of the top 30(as viewers gave up following the divorce of Rhoda and her husband). In '77-78, it was paired with 'On Our Own', a one-year wonder sitcom. The two shows barely cracked the lower reaches of the top 30,yet they managed to do what Bigfoot, killer robots, and the Death Probe couldn't..knock off the Six Million Dollar Man.
'On Our Own' was cancelled in early '78, and 'Rhoda' moved to Saturday, where it didn't make it til Christmas.
As for 'Three's Company', it had been shedding viewers gradually since about the time Suzanne Somers left, but it was still comfortably at # 6 for the '82-83 season.
The next year, ABC, which had already killed 'Laverne and Shirley', moved 'Happy Days' to 8:30, with the forgettable 'Just Our Luck' at 8. Viewers switched to 'The A Team' on NBC, and, apparently, decided to check out CBS's Tuesday movie instead of checking out ABC(where '3'sCompany' was paired with 'Oh, Madeline', another failure.)

I never understood why "On Our Own" didn't get a second season. As you pointed out, it cracked the top 30 (if barely), and ABC ended up replacing "The Six Million Dollar Man" with the return of James Arness in "How The West Was Won" (which actually finished 11th for the 1977-78 season). "On Our Own" was "Laverne & Shirley" for people who wouldn't be caught dead watching "Laverne & Shirley," with a more upscale setting (a New York ad agency) and none of the slapstick.

I just had a thought. I haven't seen any catchphrases that came from game and reality shows, and there are quite a few:

Will the next contestant enter and sign in, please?
Say the secret word.
Will the real _________________ please stand up?
Do you want door number one, door number two, or door number three?
Come on down!
I'd like to buy a vowel.
Survey SAYS...
Big bucks, no whammies!
Is that your final answer?
The tribe has spoken.

And the immortal, "Smile! You're on Candid Camera!"

 

[Dighton Rockhead]

The one thing I'll always remember about "On Our Own" is Bess Armstrong and Lynnie Greene happily announcing in unison: "From The CBS Broadcast Center In New York!" just before the opening theme begins playing.

Unfortunately...in the Youtube clip below...the recording begins just seconds after that happy little announcement:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9ZWYc1ct_Q

 

[firepoint525]

"Good Times" fell off the rails when it stopped being a show about a family trying to make ends meet in the projects, and was just looking for any excuse for J.J. to yell "DY-NO-MITE!"
A lot of '70s shows (especially mid '70s) fell in to deep cases of "Catchphrase-itis", where the plot almost seemed like something to kill time until the catchphrase was unleashed ("Dy-no-Mite", "Aaaayyy", "Up your nose with a rubber hose", "Kiss my grits", "Book 'em Danno", etc)

You mentioned mostly '70s shows, but I would add Diff'rent Strokes to your list. It started in 1978, so it probably wasn't until into the '80s when we started getting beat over the head with a "whutchu talkin' 'bout, Willis?" almost every week. Strokes has already been mentioned here, but not within the context of a repeated catch-phrase, unless I just missed it.

'Whachu talkin' about?' became a weekly ritual from the very first episode. After a year or so, it had become, like 'AAAAY' or 'Dy-no-MITE', one of those phrases that defined a show..or 'the one thing that people who didn't really follow the show closely would remember about it'.

I never watched Welcome Back Kotter, although I loved the theme song (reference to another thread!), so back when I was in school, I did not know where "up your nose with a rubber hose" came from, although knowing me, I probably said that back in school myself. It wasn't until I saw a Kotter rerun on TVLand (2005-ish) that I heard it uttered during the show, and I said to myself, "so THAT'S where that came from!" ;D I was in my 40s by then!

 

[landtuna]

I did not know where "up your nose with a rubber hose" came from, although knowing me, I probably said that back in school myself. It wasn't until I saw a Kotter rerun on TVLand (2005-ish) that I heard it uttered during the show, and I said to myself, "so THAT'S where that came from!" ;D I was in my 40s by then!

It was a semi-popular saying on the playgrounds of my youth (1950's) long before Kotter.

 

[onairb]

I did not know where "up your nose with a rubber hose" came from, although knowing me, I probably said that back in school myself. It wasn't until I saw a Kotter rerun on TVLand (2005-ish) that I heard it uttered during the show, and I said to myself, "so THAT'S where that came from!" ;D I was in my 40s by then!

It was a semi-popular saying on the playgrounds of my youth (1950's) long before Kotter.

Gabe Kaplan had used the phrase in his stand-up routines about his high school days, which provided the basis for Kotter.

 

[ixnay]

The tribe has spoken.

Sorry, I don't remember that one. :-[

ixnay

 

[landtuna]

Sorry, I don't remember that one. :-[

ixnay

Survivor.

 

[jwk1979]

[/quote]

Add to that Joanie's jeri-curl, Marion's Nancy Reagan-esque do, and Chachi's feathered hair.

And we have Laverne and Shirley with short 80s bobs in a time when they should have had Jackie-O dos

And on M*A*S*H, we have BJ's porn-stash and Margret's 80's bangs (M*A*S*H was really a [EDIT-truncated per terms of service]in it's last years with '80s hairdos and '70s politics in '50s Korea)

[/quote]A few years ago, when TVLand replaced "Happy Days" with "M*A*S*H" (or may have been the other way around), they ran a series of commercials stating that TVLand was replacing one series set in the 50s, shot during the 70s and 80s and with characters wearing clothing and hair styles from the 70s and 80s, with another show set in the 50s, filmed in the 70s and 80s and the characters wearing 70s and 80s clothing and hairstyles.

 

[Mark Giardina]

"Good Times" fell off the rails when it stopped being a show about a family trying to make ends meet in the projects, and was just looking for any excuse for J.J. to yell "DY-NO-MITE!"

That was the main reason that John Amos and later Esther Rolle left ‘Good Times’ was because of the increasing emphasis placed on the character of ‘JJ’.

Yet another example that a show has stayed too long is when the series theme starts out in one direction and then goes in another; mainly focusing on just one character.

 

[vjm]

"Good Times" fell off the rails when it stopped being a show about a family trying to make ends meet in the projects, and was just looking for any excuse for J.J. to yell "DY-NO-MITE!"

That was the main reason that John Amos and later Esther Rolle left ‘Good Times’ was because of the increasing emphasis placed on the character of ‘JJ’.

Yet another example that a show has stayed too long is when the series theme starts out in one direction and then goes in another; mainly focusing on just one character.

On that note:

M*A*S*H* - went from a dark comedy about the Korean War to a weekly sermon by St. Hawkeye the Righteous

Happy Days - a period piece about 1950s America turns into the "Adventures of Fonzie"

Dallas - went from a Romeo and Juliet love story about lovers from 2 feuding oil dynasties to "the J.R. Show"

Family Matters - went from a show about a middle class black family in Chicago to the "Wacky Adventures of Urkel"

Big Bang Theory - went from a show about a cute blonde dating a geek to "The Sheldon Show"

How I Met Your Mother - went from a show about a guy telling his kids stories telling about his old friends in NYC and eventually meeting their mother to...WAIT for it..."Barney and some other people"

 

[landtuna]

Big Bang Theory - went from a show about a cute blonde dating a geek to "The Sheldon Show"

While Jim Parsons is given credit for being the break out star of BBT and was featured in a string of shows earlier in the run he is no longer the central figure of every show (as was Fonzie in the latter seasons of Happy Days). There have been episodes revolving around the other characters, even guest characters (think Raj and Priya, Howard's astronaut episodes, a couple where Amy is featured and many where Penny/Leonard are featured).

I think the producers correctly figured out that Parson's character could get old very quickly (and I almost turned off BBT for that reason early on) so they gave the supporting cast more work and turned the show into an ensemble. It undoubtedly saved the show. That said, I personally think there is more talent in those other cast members and keep hoping the writers will continue to explore their various talents instead of leaning on Parsons so heavily.

 

[Mark Giardina]

While Jim Parsons is given credit for being the break out star of BBT and was featured in a string of shows earlier in the run he is no longer the central figure of every show (as was Fonzie in the latter seasons of Happy Days). There have been episodes revolving around the other characters, even guest characters (think Raj and Priya, Howard's astronaut episodes, a couple where Amy is featured and many where Penny/Leonard are featured).

I think the producers correctly figured out that Parson's character could get old very quickly (and I almost turned off BBT for that reason early on) so they gave the supporting cast more work and turned the show into an ensemble. It undoubtedly saved the show. That said, I personally think there is more talent in those other cast members and keep hoping the writers will continue to explore their various talents instead of leaning on Parsons so heavily.

Guess I am in the minority here but I actually like the Big Bang Theory. Jim Parsons is still funny as hell, but many of you are correct that focusing on other characters has helped add to new life to the show.

The addition of ‘Amy’ was a smart move. She went from a female Sheldon to more of a normal female.

How many more years before the show ends I think will depend on the cast.

Right now they are making pretty damn good money. I saw on CNN where ‘Penny’ is worth over $8 million dollars so I can imagine that Parsons and Galecki must be in the same ballpark or maybe worth more. Not sure what the other actors make.

 

[FredLeonard]

Big Bang Theory - went from a show about a cute blonde dating a geek to "The Sheldon Show"

While Jim Parsons is given credit for being the break out star of BBT and was featured in a string of shows earlier in the run he is no longer the central figure of every show (as was Fonzie in the latter seasons of Happy Days). There have been episodes revolving around the other characters, even guest characters (think Raj and Priya, Howard's astronaut episodes, a couple where Amy is featured and many where Penny/Leonard are featured).

I think the producers correctly figured out that Parson's character could get old very quickly (and I almost turned off BBT for that reason early on) so they gave the supporting cast more work and turned the show into an ensemble. It undoubtedly saved the show. That said, I personally think there is more talent in those other cast members and keep hoping the writers will continue to explore their various talents instead of leaning on Parsons so heavily.

Tuna, I agree. BBT has evolved into much more of an ensemble show, much as Cheers did in later seasons. I think the show has improved over time. That said, I think they made a huge mistake in throwing away Leslie Winkle as a foil for Sheldon (much more effective than Kripke - or "Kwipke"), and as a source of temptation for Leonard and Howard.

Looking forward to seeing how the Raj - Lucy relationship develops. I really thought Raj was going to end up with Stuart.

We haven't seen Penny's mother yet. I wonder who they'll cast. Katey Sagal? Cynthia Geary?

 

[landtuna]

Right now they are making pretty damn good money. I saw on CNN where ‘Penny’ is worth over $8 million dollars so I can imagine that Parsons and Galecki must be in the same ballpark or maybe worth more. Not sure what the other actors make.

http://www.pinoymoneytalk.com/big-bang-theory-modern-family-tv-cast-salary/ has a rundown on their salaries. Considering they are the top sitcom on TV now they are being paid well but not as much as the two leading characters on "Two and a Half Men".

I'm not familiar with the previous acting resumes of anyone but Kaley Cuoco (Penny) but she has been on stage as a model or actress since age 6. Her strongest earlier credits were as the oldest daughter of John Ritter in "8 Rules" and a late part in the series "Charmed", also in "Ellen". She is now appearing in several commercials for Toyota and an online travel retailer.

 

[Corky Marlowe]

She is now appearing in several commercials for Toyota and an online travel retailer.

She's William Shatner's daughter in the Priceline ads.