When are they coming for I Dream of Jeannie? I mean…the word “master” is thrown out at least ten times an episode by that scantily-clad genie slave Jeannie. Hasn’t this by now aroused the ire of some pajama-clad soy latte-drinking non-binary “pop culture author” who needs their “they/them” tantrum to be noticed today on Twitter? Isn’t a reckoning coming for this racist/sexist sitcom, and for all those who participated in it and who watch it today? Can’t someone please cancel 90-year-old Barbara Eden before it’s goddamn too late?
Continue reading ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ (Season 1): Classic sitcom will always please its Master – the audienceTag Archives: sitcoms
‘My Three Sons’ (Season 1): A remarkably complex, innovative American sitcom
Escape is the only option today, I fear (if you’re lucky enough to be able to escape, I should add). So if you’re going to retreat, you should go somewhere extraordinary.
Continue reading ‘My Three Sons’ (Season 1): A remarkably complex, innovative American sitcom
‘Mister Ed’ (Season 2): Popular sitcom moves from syndication to CBS
Horse talks. Makes smartass joke. Human master flustered. Viewer laughs. Repeat.
Continue reading ‘Mister Ed’ (Season 2): Popular sitcom moves from syndication to CBS
‘Dennis the Menace’ (Season 2): ’60s sitcom’s highest rated season
More of the same this second time around…and that means more laughs from this witty, perfectly-crafted family sitcom.
Continue reading ‘Dennis the Menace’ (Season 2): ’60s sitcom’s highest rated season
‘The Donna Reed Show’ (Season 1): A charming, misunderstood gem
You think the Stone family would make you wear a mask? Please.
Continue reading ‘The Donna Reed Show’ (Season 1): A charming, misunderstood gem
‘Mister Ed’ (Season 1): Classic 60s sitcom still delivers the funny
“Why did you talk to me?” “The whole thing is fantastic! I just don’t understand it!”
“Don’t try…it’s bigger than both of us.”
‘The Courtship of Eddie’s Father’ (Season 1): Understated performances keep sitcom fresh & touching
“When you were a little boy, did you want to be what you are now?”
“No.”
“How come, Dad?”
“Well, because I guess when I was a little boy, I didn’t know that one day there would be a little boy like you that I would be the father of.”
“Is that the most important thing you are? A father?”
“That is the most important thing I am.”
‘Welcome Back, Kotter’ (Season 1): It’s back to school—70s style
Welcome back,
Your dreams were your ticket out.
Welcome back,
To that same old place that you laughed about.
Well, the names have all changed since you hung around,
But those dreams have remained and they’ve turned around.
Who’d have thought they’d lead ya,
Who’d have thought they’d lead ya,
Back here where we need ya?
Back here where we need ya?
Yeah, we tease him a lot,
‘Cause we got him on the spot,
Welcome back.
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.
‘Dennis the Menace’ (Season 1): Comic strip-turned-sitcom remains delightfully fun
‘Mama’s Family’: Underdog sitcom a flyover country favorite
Good Lord the “Joe Hamilton” cuts are finally here! Continue reading ‘Mama’s Family’: Underdog sitcom a flyover country favorite
‘Good Times’: Enjoyably messy! A fondly remembered 70s sitcom
“Let’s face it, James: this family ain’t Ozzie and Harriet.” Continue reading ‘Good Times’: Enjoyably messy! A fondly remembered 70s sitcom
‘M*A*S*H’: A remarkable artistic achievement – thanks to its early years
If you’re like me (poor you), you keep your remote handy to check out the local digital stations that air old-timey television, Continue reading ‘M*A*S*H’: A remarkable artistic achievement – thanks to its early years
‘Merry Sitcom! Christmas Classics From TV’s Golden Age’: A yuletide DVD collection
Do the things they call “TV series” today have Christmas episodes? Continue reading ‘Merry Sitcom! Christmas Classics From TV’s Golden Age’: A yuletide DVD collection
‘Happy Endings’ (Season 1): Spunky rom-com finds cult audience in crowded field
Fans of forgotten single-camera 2010s sitcoms can rejoice – you finally got your happy ending!
Continue reading ‘Happy Endings’ (Season 1): Spunky rom-com finds cult audience in crowded field
‘Sanford and Son’: When sitcoms were edgy & controversial
Yes. I’m going to write that word in this review. Continue reading ‘Sanford and Son’: When sitcoms were edgy & controversial
‘The Jeffersons’: Norman Lear sitcom disrespected, but gets the love
The strangest thing: my younger kids think television coming over our old aerial—complete with commercials and limited choice of channels—is the coolest thing now (high tech burnout was inevitable). And one of their favorite digital channels is our local MeTV outlet, with its old timey sched of classic television fare (yes, they have taste, but of course, I’m shilling for a potential job offer, too…). So the upcoming “Summer of Me” programming change this Monday should be a lot of fun for them—and for you, too, particularly since The Jeffersons will be movin’ on up into the primo 6:30pm (Eastern) timeslot (now you don’t have to watch the fake news!). Continue reading ‘The Jeffersons’: Norman Lear sitcom disrespected, but gets the love
‘Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.’ (Season 1): R.I.P. Jim Nabors
2017 continues to be a terrible year for vintage TV lovers Continue reading ‘Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.’ (Season 1): R.I.P. Jim Nabors
‘Benson’ (Season 1): Robert Guillaume steals the show
With the death of Robert Guillaume, we thought it would be a nice tribute to go back to the first season of Guillaume’s best-remembered role, Benson.
Continue reading ‘Benson’ (Season 1): Robert Guillaume steals the show
‘Police Squad!’: Six 30-minute Naked Guns
Did You Know: The Naked Gun movies actually began life as a revival of a short-lived ABC TV series? Continue reading ‘Police Squad!’: Six 30-minute Naked Guns
‘Wings’ (Seasons 1 & 2): Bridging ’80s & ’90s situation comedy
A charming, not-quite-Cheers spinoff that gradually gets better following a short 6-episode first season. Continue reading ‘Wings’ (Seasons 1 & 2): Bridging ’80s & ’90s situation comedy
Drunk TV 