Top 10 Sitcom Storylines That Would Never Happen Today
How did these episodes ever get greenlit? Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we'll be counting down our picks for the top 10 Sitcom Storylines That Would NEVER Happen Today.
For this list, we're looking at sitcom storylines that pushed boundaries further than the format should. Whether it's a case of a series taking on subject matter better left to dramas, subject matter ill-suited to its intended audience, humor at the expense of a minority or marginalized group, or just a case of a show that really should've known better, these are plotlines that would've been shot down in writers' rooms today.
Have an idea you want to see made into a WatchMojo video? Check out our suggest page at http://WatchMojo.comsuggest and submit your idea.
#10: Fear Strikes Back "The Facts of Life" (1979-88)
Top 10 Saddest Fear the Walking Dead Deaths
This episode starts off simple enough: the girls are going to a Halloween party where the prize is tickets for a sold out Bruce Springsteen concert. But then the “very special episode” card get played with fists of ham. When Mrs. G tells the girls a woman in town has been raped, they're briefly phased. But when Natalie is attacked by a stranger, it registers limited sympathy, and instead characters carry on with easy to reach jokes, while complaining about how Natalie's trauma affects them. By the end of the episode, it’s hard not to feel like the lesson is that Natalie’s at fault for not having protected herself. The ‘80s answer? A self-defense course.
#9: “Death in a Funny Position” “Benson” (1979-86)
Top 10 Funniest Our Flag Means Death Moments
Well, it's that classic sitcom trope, you know, the one where a newly made friend invites you to a party on his yacht, gets murdered – and hilarity ensues! It's basically a game of Clue meets Murder on the Orient Express, with Benson, the show's resident definitely-not-a-detective there to solve the whodunit. This story was actually split over two episodes, rather than just ending with someone making sure all were safe and then calling the coast guard or another such logical conclusion. Instead, much of the story involves characters suspecting everyone else, and Benson cracking this thing wide open. Talk about a show taking on more than it can handle.
#8: “Urban Fear” “Punky Brewster” (1984-88)
A young child copes with old trauma during a senseless killing spree. It's not exactly the standard plot line for a family sitcom. We learn good and early that a killer is prowling the north side of Chicago – a killer who doesn't look anything like David Letterman. Surrogate father figure Henry ignores the sensationalism to protect Punky, but nonetheless she becomes obsessed with the possibility that Henry will most definitely be murdered. There's no wacky threats or zany misunderstandings fueling the story either, it's just straight up unshakable fear on Punky's part, which is resolved just in time for the credits by the vague notion of trust.
#7: “The One with Chandler's Dad” “Friends” (1994-2004)
Top 10 Sitcom Storylines That Would Never Happen Today
Today, the idea of a non-trans actress playing the part of Helena would raise a few eyebrows. But the way the character – Chandler's estranged biological father – is addressed would go well beyond eyebrow raising. Helena and her son are estranged due to Chandler's embarrassment of her gender identity. He grows to accept it, but the dialogue and framework of the episode treats Helena as something more akin to a gay man or drag artist rather than a trans-woman. For bonus awkward points, Alexis Arquette, who was Courteney Cox’s in-law at the time, and who herself later transitioned, cameos in these scenes.
#6: “Running Zack” “Saved by the Bell” (1989-93)
Top 10 Funniest Sitcom Running Gags
During class presentations on ancestry, we learn that Slater's great-grandfather was a matador, Screech is a 1940s cartoon approximation of an Italian, Lisa is the the descendant of slaves, and Jessie of slave traders. Believe it or not… that’s not the biggest misstep in this episode. Zack finds an old picture of a Native American man and thus claims to be one himself, using Screech as a canvas for war paint and stereotypes. When his teacher calls him out on his lack of effort, research, and good taste, Zack is forced to tutor with a genuine First Nations man – Chief Henry – who himself is a canvas for a whole other set of stereotypes.
#5: “The Counselor” “Mr. Belvedere” (1985-90)
Top 10 Most Unhinged The Big Bang Theory Storylines
It's a textbook “very special episode”. When Wesley, the youngest of the Owen family, is enrolled to day camp, he's not all that into it. But Counselor Perry is totally okay with that, lends him a fancy set of binoculars, and gives him treats. But after participating in water sports, the counselor takes it upon himself to help Wesley dry off, then drops the pretense. Wesley withdraws, and only finally opens up to his family when he sees that his friend Kyle is the counselor's next victim. The topic itself is reasonably well handled all things considered... but it's far removed from the concept of “comedy,” and likely wasn’t what fans wanted from their evening sitcom.
#4: “For Every Man, There's Two Women” “Too Close for Comfort” (1980-87)
Rape isn't sitcom fodder, but this writer's room tried to tackle it anyway. Monroe, the show's resident confirmed bachelor is abducted by two women, and subsequently raped. Rather than sympathy and support, Monroe's story is met with disbelief, and police who don't want to investigate it. In addition to a less common scenario, most viewers assumed the character of Monroe to be gay – thus, icing an unlikelihood with irony in what is already not a laughing matter. The series lead, Ted Knight objected strongly to the plot. Re-writes delayed it a season but the episode ultimately saw light of day, only to be largely avoided in syndicated re-run packages.
#3: “The Puerto Rican Day” “Seinfeld” (1989-98)
Top 10 Modern Storylines We Wish Seinfeld Could Tackle
It's very nearly the perfect Seinfeld episode, except... leaving a Mets game early to beat traffic, the gang's route is blocked by the Puerto Rican Day parade. When the cast splits up, various forms of mayhem follow, but Kramer's is the most unfortunate. Getting into the spirit of the day, Kramer gets carried away and accidentally lights a Puerto Rican flag on fire with a sparkler. Misreading the situation, passersby are livid, and that outrage was shared by real life Puerto Rican groups, who were not at all amused by Kramer's takeaway from the riot - nor the episode's portrayal of Puerto Rican people.
#2: “Edith's 50th Birthday” “All in the Family” (1971-79)
While the rest of her family is next door planning her surprise party, Edith busies herself by baking her own birthday cake. That, however, is the end of the silliness. A man claiming to be a detective arrives to warn Edith about a rapist, but it soon becomes apparent he's referring to himself and he keeps her terrified until her cake burns and gives her an out. Rather than mining the situation, somehow, for humor, the episode instead looks at the depression the attack leaves Edith with. It's all handled with respect, but it's unlikely a modern sitcom would ever dare to broach such subject matter.
#1: “The Bicycle Man” “Diff'rent Strokes” (1978-86)
Top 20 Sitcom Storylines That Would NEVER Happen Today
After doing some odd jobs for Mr. Horton, a bike shop proprietor, Arnold and Dudley become friendly with the man, who gives them ice cream and free bike radios. But these visits lose their innocence pretty fast. At a pizza and comics session, Horton slips a porn magazine, wine and nude photos of himself with boys into the mix. Their final visit involves Boston Cream pie, a porno cartoon, and sedatives. Fortunately, this party is crashed by the police. It's among the most infamous “very special episodes”, and one that disturbed cast member Todd Bridges, who had reportedly experienced similar abuse in his youth.
