NBC's Must See TV

[Valeyard]

Still remember Stuttering John showing up on Wings in a cameo in I think one of the later seasons. Someone on the writing staff or one of show runners must have been a Stern fan

There were a few fights about plugging it on the air. Stern just hated NBC almost as much as he did John. That episode isn't bad from what I remember, but it's been over 20 years since it's one of the few that doesn't get streamed.

 

[Brocklock]

For my money, he’s one of the top 7 best recurring characters on The Sopranos.

Robert Patrick probably tops my power rankings. Can't believe the T-1000 was able to play such a convincing sad sack down on his luck loser. Tim Daly was great though as Chrissy's sponsor. Also have to have Gloria Trillo on that list.

This is more suited for The Sopranos thread, but it's weird that Christopher McDonald is only in one scene. Use that wonderful man for more than 1 episode David Chase.

 

[strummer]

As soon as Tony Shaloub joined until Thomas Haden Church left, Wings was a lowkey GOAT. One of the highlights of the Cheersverse.

The first few seasons are iffy and downright bland most of the time but the show gets into an incredible groove around 93-96. I remember thinking "oh shit this show is legit great now". I don't remember much about the last season and looking it up it looks like it moved to .Wednesdays which I have no recollection of.

It seems like they had a slow build strategy as the first few seasons kinda move like a glacier as I mentioned but once they add the new characters and become more self referential with the writing it starts to rock

 

[strummer]

Oh man Brian Gewirz's dad was an EP on Wings and wrote a bunch of episodes

 

[Valeyard]

The first few seasons are iffy and downright bland most of the time but the show gets into an incredible groove around 93-96. I remember thinking "oh shit this show is legit great now". I don't remember much about the last season and looking it up it looks like it moved to .Wednesdays which I have no recollection of.

It seems like they had a slow build strategy as the first few seasons kinda move like a glacier as I mentioned but once they add the new characters and become more self referential with the writing it starts to rock

It got really good around season three. Suddenly it felt more like a 90s show than a late 80s one visually. The Joe and Helen breakup was very needed and gave them both a lot of development. Antonio added a lot, as well, and the greencard marriage two-parter was pretty good. The shows where the Hacketts visit their childhood home, Frasier and Lilith come to the island, and the first Carlton Blanchard appearance alone make it a great one.

1-2 are fine but just significantly mixed. Third is a big step forward with some classics. 4-7 are the straight peak. 8 is a drastic step down and show should've ended earlier.

 

[BruiserBrody]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1729561565571997899

 

[King Kamala]

The Demond Wilson (somewhat literal?) shoot interview is a great omen for 2024.

Hmm. Maybe if I created a pre ‘80s NBC thread, I’d have a better shot at Brody’s POTY tournament.

 

[BruiserBrody]

*Mouth agape*
--
I want a version where the contestants run into Inoki wrestling somebody to the death in a corner of the island.

 

[BruiserBrody]

 

[King Kamala]

Sinbad marvels at his first public appearance since his 2020 stroke: 'Miracles happen'

Sinbad marvels at the support he's received after making a virtual appearance at the 'A Different World' HBCU College Tour event on Feb. 29, which was his first public appearance since his 2020 stroke: 'Miracles happen'

ew.com

Love to see it.

 

[Valeyard]

That A Different World thing sounds like a blast. Saw people thirsting over Glynn Turman for some reason. I just wish they'd reached out to Marisa Tomei, because come on.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Excluding sequels/prequels/spinoffs/etc., was the first-ever shared "cinematic universe" created with Friends and Mad About You?

 

[King Kamala]

Norman Lear did it earlier. Had to be some way earlier than that though.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Norman Lear did it earlier. Had to be some way earlier than that though.

Which Norman Lear shows would you be referring to? Because I already dismissed All in the Family/The Jeffersons as falling under my 'spinoff' exception.

I also consider The Andy Griffith Show/Gomer Pyle, USMC and Happy Days/Laverne and Shirley/Mork and Mindy as falling under the same exception.

 

[Valeyard]

All In the Family, Jeffersons, Maude, Good Times, Gloria, and Fresh Prince are in the same universe.

 

[Valeyard]

Also the Golden Girls/Empty Nest/Nurses/Blossomverse came before any Paul Reiser bullshit.

 

[Valeyard]

And if you REALLY wanna go ham, the Tommyverse.

 

[strummer]

Cheers/St. Elsewhere

 

[Valeyard]

And if you REALLY wanna go ham, the Tommyverse.

The Master List

Current Master List of all 419 Tommy Westphall Multiverse shows. As we talk about shows here, we’ll update the list to include tag links. Updated: August 2016. Title Years Aired 24 (2001-2010…

thetommywestphall.wordpress.com

 

[cobainwasmurdered]

Superman in "I Love Lucy".

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

All In the Family, Jeffersons, Maude, Good Times, Gloria, and Fresh Prince are in the same universe.

Jeffersons, Maude, Good Times and Gloria are all spinoffs of AITF. Fresh Prince would make that example count, but I need to see proof of that.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Also the Golden Girls/Empty Nest/Nurses/Blossomverse came before any Paul Reiser bullshit.

Is there any particular reason you guys are no-selling the "no spinoffs" qualifier? Like, Blossom would make that count, but when did we see evidence of that?

EDIT - Never mind, found the connection.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Cheers/St. Elsewhere

Thank you, @strummer, for honoring the spirit of the question, and providing a kick-ass answer!

 

[cobainwasmurdered]

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

So, this counts, and I thank you, but the question was, which happened first? I believe that Ursula appeared on Friends before the Jeffersons appeared on Fresh Prince: I'm certain that she was on Mad About You first.

 

[cobainwasmurdered]

and like i said "superman on I Love Lucy"

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

and like i said "superman on I Love Lucy"

This one's kinda cheating, I think: isn't mister Reeves basically playing himself in this episode?

 

[BruiserBrody]

edit- I clicked the link

 

[Valeyard]

It's a stupid disqualifier to have "no spinoffs." It's TV. That's chiefly how the expansion works. John Munch rules a lot of shows but if spinoffs disqualify it, what's the point? Happy Days and the spinoffs make sense as a disqualification because they never crossed over once the characters in question left or in other shows. Can't be said for everything else.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I didn't ask you your opinion of the qualifier. I asked you to honor it. If you don't want to do that, fine; you don't have to answer the question, either.