I remember that episode of Family Ties with Skippy finding out he’s adopted because he discovered his adoption papers! Adoption was a commonly covered topic back then ❤️
I don’t remember it being a common conversation but it’s fair to say I’m sensitive to that. The conversation around it has definitely changed. I’m glad to hear someone else remembered that.
In recovery a woman told me that her parents let TV raise her. She attributed her feelings of failure at not solving her own problems quickly to "thinking it normally takes about 30 minutes to address any emotional or interpersonal problem." Her exact words.
MASH; The episode where Henry Blake is going home but his planes crashes and dies. That final scene where Radar informs everyone in the OR was gut wrenching and taught me just how horrible war is. Granted that series as a whole taught me that.
I was too young to understand most of what was going on in that show but when I happened to watch it when my parents or older brother were watching it, Radar and Klinger were the characters that kept me entertained
My parents split up when I was 8. This would have been in 1975. So after they broke up I didn't really see my Dad much. Once every couple of months he would visit. Anyways I always like to think that I learned how to be a father by watching Mr. Cunningham. He was wise and kind and most importantly he was there for his kids.
Wow! I forgot about some of these episodes. I am on the older end of GenX but i nominate the Kristy MacNichol show Family. So many lessons learned. Maybe worth it to do a deep dive on that show. Great post as always....
I can't peg specific lessons but I feel like The Cosby Show was one of those sitcoms where lessons were learned across all the age groups. I also grew up in a country with access to only two channels so wasn't exposed to a lot of the other sitcoms that my American husband was.
Though on a related topic: at summer camp last year, this boy was really picking on and annoying my ten year old daughter and finally she had had enough. He said to her, "Hey I don't even know your name!" and she turned around and said, "You don't deserve to know my name!". I couldn't have been more proud because I know ten-year-old me would never have thought of that in a million years. Girl friendships on the other hand? A lot more complicated.
my partner and i (both genx) have been watching Three’s Company episodes during “family time”, alternating with Parks and Rec and Too Close for Comfort. don’t ask.
anyway we’ve been chatting about the different varieties of early sitcom- social justice message sitcoms (all in the family, good times), the-more-you-know sitcoms with a “message” (family ties, the brady bunch), vs physical comedy/misunderstanding sitcoms (three’s company). your article is extra timely. ❤️🔥
also: my sister in law’s mother actually did drink vanilla extract to hide her alcoholism. i would never have believed it if i hadn’t heard the story.
The "A Special Friend" episode of Diff'rent Strokes taught me about epilepsy and "hidden" disabilities in general. My mother had multiple obvious disabilities (she was blind and used a wheelchair), but the concept of disability in a typical-looking person had never occurred to me. I've worked in disability advocy for years, and I still flash back to that episode any time someone in a meeting says something along the lines of, "Well, she looks fine to me."
Little House had a lot of life lessons and difficult themes. Racism, antisemitism, puberty, drunkenness, bullying, being overweight, adultery, drug addiction, going blind, losing a baby and miscarriage, nearly starving to death or freezing to death, corruption. Then there's the Nancy/Nelly/Harriet Olson lessons that never ended.
I remember very distinctly when Mary went blind from Scarlet fever. I was very afraid of going blind. But overall, it was a good show.
Probably more early 90s but there was an episode of Full House where DJ is suffering from an eating disorder. And all of those dramatic after-school specials!!
The Stockard Channing show had a pretty funny moment ill never forget. The male co-star was trying to give man /dating advice to younger teen boy character . Said something about 'when you get your trophy home ' Stockard heard this told him off and said "what have you got: a couch or a shelf?". I think i just liked her New York wit, and recognised her from Seseme Street. Always loved the USA sitcoms. UK sit coms were OK but were very miserable and looked brown and grim. I always loved the usa christmas episodes where the trees were huge and sparkled with the best filters Hollywood had to offer. Aussie and New Zealand sitcoms never really worked the same as America's they were always a bit too cringey and cheap, but American ones shot on film with panavision cameras always meant better production values. When the ratings started to wobble and the show was switched to video tape you knew it was on its last legs.
I remember another Family Ties episode where Alex is taking pills to help him study. Those 80s over the counter diet supplements were borderline speed (amphetamines). After watching, of course I HAD to try NoDoz. Now we have 5hour energy and Monster and more.
Energy drinks are WAY safer than those amphetamine based diet and energy drugs. At least if you don’t have like six Red Bull and vodkas, or having a heart condition like the girl who drank a bunch of that insane Panera lemonade they sold 32oz cups of.
There was a Diff’rent Strokes episode where I think Arnold and Dudley were caught smoking cigarettes, so they got the lessons of smoking and Dudley’s dad tells him he got lung cancer from smoking, and the episode ends with the dad lighting up a cigarette. Lessons in addictive natures, everyone.
I’m so conflicted about all the lessons I took from the C*sby show. 😣
😆 At least we learned to never trust someone who claims they can save you money by sewing you a knockoff Gordon Gartrell shirt
I also will never go to Baltimore to have BIG FUN
😂
Family Ties talking about adoption. Baby Boy Melman…..Skippy’s “original” name (as it were).
Taxi - Tony Danza adopting a son (played by his real life son)
Different Strokes - adopted kids
Facts of Life - Natalie was adopted
I don’t know that I learned much but was glad to know I wasn’t the only one.
I remember that episode of Family Ties with Skippy finding out he’s adopted because he discovered his adoption papers! Adoption was a commonly covered topic back then ❤️
I don’t remember it being a common conversation but it’s fair to say I’m sensitive to that. The conversation around it has definitely changed. I’m glad to hear someone else remembered that.
Is that why I still think problems should be resolved in about 23 minutes without commercials?
😂
In recovery a woman told me that her parents let TV raise her. She attributed her feelings of failure at not solving her own problems quickly to "thinking it normally takes about 30 minutes to address any emotional or interpersonal problem." Her exact words.
MASH; The episode where Henry Blake is going home but his planes crashes and dies. That final scene where Radar informs everyone in the OR was gut wrenching and taught me just how horrible war is. Granted that series as a whole taught me that.
I was too young to understand most of what was going on in that show but when I happened to watch it when my parents or older brother were watching it, Radar and Klinger were the characters that kept me entertained
My parents split up when I was 8. This would have been in 1975. So after they broke up I didn't really see my Dad much. Once every couple of months he would visit. Anyways I always like to think that I learned how to be a father by watching Mr. Cunningham. He was wise and kind and most importantly he was there for his kids.
Wow! I forgot about some of these episodes. I am on the older end of GenX but i nominate the Kristy MacNichol show Family. So many lessons learned. Maybe worth it to do a deep dive on that show. Great post as always....
Thank you! And thanks for the suggestion, I’ll check it out
Yo you’re back!!!!!! And you come back with Fire!!!!! Liz!!!!!! You keep dominating. This is awesome.
Okay all those 80’s shows with the messages. How about Elizabeth Jessy on Saved by the Bell. I’m so excited. The pills.
Yes Family ties was my show. But yes they were very dramatic. Setting it up for later shows like the OC!!!!! Hint hint my next article.
I also liked Different strokes and There were some in Small Wonder.
And who’s the boss.
Definitely the Cosby show and Mr. Belvedere and Full House.
Thank you Liz.
I can't peg specific lessons but I feel like The Cosby Show was one of those sitcoms where lessons were learned across all the age groups. I also grew up in a country with access to only two channels so wasn't exposed to a lot of the other sitcoms that my American husband was.
Though on a related topic: at summer camp last year, this boy was really picking on and annoying my ten year old daughter and finally she had had enough. He said to her, "Hey I don't even know your name!" and she turned around and said, "You don't deserve to know my name!". I couldn't have been more proud because I know ten-year-old me would never have thought of that in a million years. Girl friendships on the other hand? A lot more complicated.
Good for her! ❤️
Not only do I agree with you, but the memory avalanche this caused was intense!
my partner and i (both genx) have been watching Three’s Company episodes during “family time”, alternating with Parks and Rec and Too Close for Comfort. don’t ask.
anyway we’ve been chatting about the different varieties of early sitcom- social justice message sitcoms (all in the family, good times), the-more-you-know sitcoms with a “message” (family ties, the brady bunch), vs physical comedy/misunderstanding sitcoms (three’s company). your article is extra timely. ❤️🔥
also: my sister in law’s mother actually did drink vanilla extract to hide her alcoholism. i would never have believed it if i hadn’t heard the story.
The "A Special Friend" episode of Diff'rent Strokes taught me about epilepsy and "hidden" disabilities in general. My mother had multiple obvious disabilities (she was blind and used a wheelchair), but the concept of disability in a typical-looking person had never occurred to me. I've worked in disability advocy for years, and I still flash back to that episode any time someone in a meeting says something along the lines of, "Well, she looks fine to me."
Little House had a lot of life lessons and difficult themes. Racism, antisemitism, puberty, drunkenness, bullying, being overweight, adultery, drug addiction, going blind, losing a baby and miscarriage, nearly starving to death or freezing to death, corruption. Then there's the Nancy/Nelly/Harriet Olson lessons that never ended.
I remember very distinctly when Mary went blind from Scarlet fever. I was very afraid of going blind. But overall, it was a good show.
Probably more early 90s but there was an episode of Full House where DJ is suffering from an eating disorder. And all of those dramatic after-school specials!!
The Stockard Channing show had a pretty funny moment ill never forget. The male co-star was trying to give man /dating advice to younger teen boy character . Said something about 'when you get your trophy home ' Stockard heard this told him off and said "what have you got: a couch or a shelf?". I think i just liked her New York wit, and recognised her from Seseme Street. Always loved the USA sitcoms. UK sit coms were OK but were very miserable and looked brown and grim. I always loved the usa christmas episodes where the trees were huge and sparkled with the best filters Hollywood had to offer. Aussie and New Zealand sitcoms never really worked the same as America's they were always a bit too cringey and cheap, but American ones shot on film with panavision cameras always meant better production values. When the ratings started to wobble and the show was switched to video tape you knew it was on its last legs.
I remember another Family Ties episode where Alex is taking pills to help him study. Those 80s over the counter diet supplements were borderline speed (amphetamines). After watching, of course I HAD to try NoDoz. Now we have 5hour energy and Monster and more.
Progress?
I remember that one! It was a great message about how it isn’t only street drugs we need to be worried about using
Energy drinks are WAY safer than those amphetamine based diet and energy drugs. At least if you don’t have like six Red Bull and vodkas, or having a heart condition like the girl who drank a bunch of that insane Panera lemonade they sold 32oz cups of.
Energy drinks are safer but I don’t know if I agree they’re WAY safer. They’ve been linked to colon cancer in recent studies
Still beats an amphetamine addiction!
For sure
There was a Diff’rent Strokes episode where I think Arnold and Dudley were caught smoking cigarettes, so they got the lessons of smoking and Dudley’s dad tells him he got lung cancer from smoking, and the episode ends with the dad lighting up a cigarette. Lessons in addictive natures, everyone.