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colemckenzies · 4 years ago

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hi do you think older sitcoms are essential viewing? if so which do you recommend? i tried taking your quiz but i'm ashamed of not knowing any of the older ones hahaha

depends on what ur goal is!!! (i assume this is about the US version rather than britcoms just bc statistically that's more likely lol)

personally i like older sitcoms bc a) i just think they're neat :) and b) sitcom history IS tv history IS media history IS modern history. in the us and uk specifically sitcoms are so integral to the dna of the country, theyve been there since the beginning, they're the POPULAR television they're what everyone watched. even when they aren't 'good' they're just so omnipresent and influential that they affect literally everything else.

i also think it's cool as a litmus test for where the country is on social issues. invariably sitcoms were the first things to talk about stuff like race and sexuality (and not in the bland woke points way of modern shows lmao) because they were ALLOWED to because it was a safe environment bc 1. it's Funny so when the topic makes people uncomfortable they get to do Nervous Laughter and it's not too serious and 2. everything in a sitcom goes back to the status quo at the end of the episode so there's no Threat from these Scary New Concepts because it will be gone by the end. and yeah it means there was a lot of offensive shit sometimes lol but in the context of the time there is surprisingly little 'punching down' humour it's more just ~poltically incorrect~ which is better than pretending things just don't exist in the 70s imo. and again because it's SUCH a bland and popular genre it made a huge difference to Normalising things like shows like will&grace and the cosby show weren't perfect but just having them on as this safe middle class (bc yeah if they were going ~~socially progressive they were almost always middle class to make it palatable lol) concept made the middle class white cishets go wow 😌 guess they aren't evil freaks 😌 and joe biden even credited w&g for paving the way to gay marriage LOL which yeah obviously none of this is ideal but i think it's cool and has its place in social history!!

it's also just a cool little time capsule especially in domesticoms to see what people were concerned about at the time. this is especially true for britcoms bc of the whole kitchen sink realism thing but applies to us shows too!! like the episode of the golden girls where the children are afraid they'll die in a nuclear war before theyre adults (ah.. the 80s<3) or in rising damp (uk show from the 70s!!!) where there's a joke about not using aerosols bc of the ozone layer which are like Oh This Has Been A Thing For This Long

ANYWAY that's enough rambling. are old sitcoms essential viewing. if u want to fully understand the modern tv landscape then i think yes (especially shows like community and bojack that are very much About television and its legacy, or shows that are satirical subversions like iasip). but like not trying to be a snob u don't HAVE to lol. if u want to understand more about America As A Country then yes. if u want to find some shows that are genuinely enjoyable if in a different way to modern television then yes. yes <3

idk how old you consider 'older' sitcoms to be but some Academic highlights:

beulah (1950) - so a lot of EARLY early sitcoms were radio shows that moved into the new medium, and two of these shows were beulah and amos n andy, both of which were minstrel shows by white men. but when they moved to tv, they actually cast black actors/actresses for the most part, which i just find.. very interesting?? amos n andy did still use some blackface tho whereas iirc beulah never did. anyway this show was a HIT and was the first sitcom to star an african american woman, and also didn't have a laugh track which was rare in those days. obviously very outdated now but a piece of history!!

i love lucy (1951) - famous for a reason, the definition of tv history, literally INVENTED the flat lighting style that every multicam sitcom uses so they can shoot from multiple angles at once without shadows, genuinely funny physical comedy and vaudeville, lucille ball is the reason star trek got made so we love her <3

the adventures of ozzie and harriet (1952) - there's over 400 episodes of this and ive not watched most of them bc im not Super into it but it's definitely worth checking out as a Historical Artefact. technically a sitcom but also kind of invented reality tv since it's about a real life family playing themselves, specifically the nelson family. as in ricky nelson. ricky nelson the singer. he grew up on this show.

the honeymooners (1955) - this was filmed on a literal stage in a literal theatre and it feels like it. iconic and referenced a lot but i don't really like it :( wham boom straight to the moon

for Full History probably check out either leave it to beaver or father knows best for the middle class white picket fence domesticom but neither are Particularly notable

the dick van dyke show (1961) - one of my favs!!!! notable for blending the domesticom with the workplace sitcom since you see rob at home and at work (he's a tv writer so there's a canon reason for everyone speaking in quips). this show said women's rights for a) making rob genuinely love his wife b) making one of rob's two co-workers a woman and c) mary tyler moore, a new mother irl, saying I Am Not Going To Do The Vacuuming In Heels And A Hoop Skirt Are You Insane and wearing pants <3. v warm and funny show!!!

the addams family (1964) - ok so this show wasn't actually as revolutionary as everyone on this website likes to pretend it was, pretty much the only 'i hate my wife' show at this point was the honeymooners, there had been loving families, there had been non-middle-class-normative families, the munsters launched the same year and was almost identical. HOWEVER still makes the list bc there were a LOT of fantasy sitcoms in the 60s so they need representing at it was genuinely one of the best (but shout out to i dream of jeannie since that's the fantasy sitcom that sitcom textbooks love to use)

all in the family (1971) - ok so norman lear was a bit of a sitcom legend so one of his had to be included and this was really his first. ol norman loved a britcom so this show is actually based on till death us do part but im not convinced they actually got royalties. anyway one of the first SPECIFICALLY political sitcoms, framed as like young progressive generation vs old conservative generation, also one of the first ever tv shows to suffer from Asshole Main Character Is Erroneously Idolised syndrome. also compare w the honeymooners how all early sitcoms abt working class families tended to revolve around arguments :(

m*a*s*h (1972) - having a bit of a Moment on tumblr rn which is what she deserves. there were a LOT of war-based sitcoms in the early days but this one is significant because even though it was about the korean war it was obviously About vietnam politically. also klinger <333 did so much for queer ppl the Types of jokes surrounding his cross-dressing are very important. also the finale is the most-watched broadcast in america in history outside of recent superbowls, the apollo 11 launch, and nixon's resignation, so that's pretty iconic.

sanford and son (1972) - another norman lear sitcom this time based on britcom steptoe and son, with the major difference being the uk ver had white characters whereas this was one of the first (possibly the first??) all-black sitcom since the 50s. which is a lot of pressure. but it was a success and meant there were then a fair few in the rest of the 70s so that 'black sitcom' became its whole own genre, although they were less likely to have ~universal appeal~ and cross over to white audiences

soap (1977) - SOAP MY BELOVED!! cult classic, soap opera parody, historically significant for having the one of the first main openly gay characters and the earliest one that people still care about (because soap operas are another genre that love to tackle Big Social Issues so of COURSE a soap opera sitcom is gonna have one). by all accounts Bad Gay Rep™ but i love him so much <3

cheers (1982) - cheers isn't even the best sitcom in the cheers universe (frasier <3) but it is one of the most watched tv shows of all time so whatever. nothing That notable about it outside of its popularity, though sam/diane was one of the first big central will-they-won't-they plots.

idk if the 90s still count as older sitcoms?? i won't go into depth bc this post is way too long already but most academically notable 90s shows r seinfeld and will & grace, and ig friends (ew)

BUT if u don't care about sitcom history hfjshd here are some more of my fav pre-90s Vintage Sitcoms that i just watch for fun :) (warning i do NOT have good taste i genuinely like schmaltzy trash):

family affair

bewitched

my mother the car

the brady bunch

wkrp in cincinnati

full house

the golden girls

happy days

#im going to pin this post for a bit bc i spent TOO LONG on this for no one to read it #sitcom uquiz #long post

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the-record-newspaper · 5 years ago

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Men In Christ Ministry hold 14th Annual MLK Jr Commemorative Breakfast at Stone Center

Rev. Graylin Carlton, (above left) a Wilkes native, who is minister at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Walktertown, was among those who spoke during the Reflection of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during Monday morning’s, annual tribute to King held at the Stone Center in North Wilkesboro. Also shown are his parents, mother, Perry, and father, Evon, who are Wilkes residents. The event is hosted and organized by Men in Christ Ministry. Record photo by Heather Dean

By HEATHER DEAN

Record Reporter

The morning’s message was clear - do your best to continue the love and compassion that gives way to change, in every aspect of your life every day.

The room was full at Men In Christ Ministry’s 14th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Breakfast at the Stone Center in North Wilkesboro

Some came from as far away as Charlotte.

Rev. Winford Griffin, from Clarks Chapel Baptist Church in Statesville, said in the event’s opening prayer “Thank you Lord for this day that we have never seen and will never see again, and help us to do our best in your name.”

Dr. Rev Terry Hunt, from Life Center, in Lenoir read from Matthew Chapter 5, and admonished those in attendance to “keep in our hearts those that have gone before us.”

Brother Craig Tidline played the piano as the audience joined in singing Lift Every Voice and Sing, before breakfast was served.

After breakfast, Rev. Richard K. Watts from Rickards Chapel AME Zion welcomed the crowd. “We are here to reflect, not only on the man, but to reflect on his speeches, to reflect that today is a day is a day for change, inspired to be better, inspired to love, inspired to forgive, inspired to do justice, inspired to make all those dreams a reality.

Brother Kenneth Turner, from First Baptist Church, said “Just look at this crowd. We are so grateful to you. It was 24 degrees at my house this morning, and I’m sure it would have been a nice day to sleep in and stay home warm. But just look- as my daddy would have said, “who would have thunk it?” Thank you for coming out, and a special thank you to Wilkes Communications that donated $500 to go into our fund for those in need.” Turner then recognized North Wilkesboro Mayor, Robert Johnson, and Mark Byrd, Superintendent of Wilkes County Schools. The Men in Christ Ministry (MICM) presented Byrd with a check from the society and thanked him for taking care of the children in Wilkes. Turner said “We (MICM) are very passionate about the children of the world today. How we act as adults, and how we support the children and how we support the schools are our legacy.”

Byrd then thanked the MICM for the example they set for the kids, and he asked for the continued thoughts and prayers for the children and schools in of Wilkes County.

The Beulah Presbyterian Church Choir, led by Brother Craig Tidline, along with Rev. Steve Snipes from Wilkesboro Presbyterian Chapel, sang “Let it Start In Me” before the memorial ceremony. Brother Paul Robinson, from Rickards Chapel AME Zion led the memorial ceremony. He said “We are lucky and blessed to have three members who made it to 100. Sisters Gilreath and Barber, and Brother Howell…that’s what I call success! We need to sit with them and learn their wisdom. Things we now take for granted weren’t even invented yet. If you are lucky to have grandparents, great-grandparents, or just elders in your congregation- sit and talk with them, don’t let that wisdom be lost.” Last year’s memorial ceremony they called the names of members they had lost, but Robinson said they wanted to do it differently, and honor everyone, across denominations and the community. So he asked those who had lost someone to please stand and say their name aloud, and after all the names were spoken, he asked the crowd to stand with those grieving, and all took a moment of silent prayer and remembrance for them.

Ernest Coles, from Watco Cleaning, gave the MICM $500 in honor of his brother, Billy, who is a member, but was unwell and not able to attend the days ceremonies.

Reflections on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., were by Rev. Graylin Carlton, Wilkes native, now at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist in Walkertown; Rev. William Fulp, Jr., Beulah Presbyterian Church in North Wilkesboro; Rev. Elliott Boston, Liberty Grove Baptist, in Taylorsville.

Carlton said “I put a lot of prayer into this- I didn’t even know where to start. I listened to and read every speech I could find. But his last one, on March 31, 1968, not knowing that he only had four days left on this earth, was called “Remaining Awake through a Great Revolution.” He used Rip Van Winkle as an example of staying aware of our challenges. When Rip Van Winkle awoke after a 20 year sleep, he realized that he had slept through a revolution. George Washington now replaced King George.

King challenged us to stay awake, even though our human instinct is to hit the snooze button on many social issues, to wait, to not say anything until someone else does. We need to remember that Jesus did not censor himself, he confronted injustice, he fought the status quo, and he started a revolution. It’s time to put our differences away, religious and otherwise, it’s time to cross boundaries and love and help one another. We must stay awake and accept our community challenges. In Matthew chapter 22, Jesus was asked “what is the greatest commandment?” We were told to LOVE. Love thy neighbor, all of them, the revolution is not over!”

Fulp said “It was the day after Bloody Sunday. King said “A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right, for justice, when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true. Like Christ and Moses, King was spreading an unpopular message for his day. But we have to get over this notion that he did it for only one race- no, he did it for all- the underpaid, the poor, the woman, the children of all races. The definition of oppression is a prolonged cruel or unjust treatment. God only sees two races, his children, and those who are lost.

Complacency is a disease that is spreading now, through out lives and through the church, and it is as dangerous as being labeled a renegade. We have gotten to the point that we don’t stand up for anything unless it affects us personally. Complacency is being lukewarm, and you know what Jesus said about that. Psalms says that complacency is for fools. Complacency has no place in the Christian home or the Christian Church. We must walk in love, standing up for freedom, justice, truth, for all of our neighbors. When will you stand up?

Boston said “I listened to the memorial service of Dr Martin Luther King. And in it, you could hear someone shout “we’ve lost the last good one.” And that made me think: God is not asking us to be someone else. He is not asking us to be MLK. He is asking us to be our best that we can be and to keep doing good. Hate leads to fear, and we have fear because we don’t know each other. Kings sermon “A knock at midnight” was taken from Luke’s parable in chapter 11. King told us it was midnight in the social order, on the national order. . Friends, it is still midnight. I know that I must do my part to be practical, to live what I preach. And we can pray with confidence that he hears us. Keep praying and be patient, god will restore us.”

Brother Sonny Golden, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, introduced keynote speaker, Steve Snipes, from Wilkesboro Presbyterian Chapel. He said “This crowd shows that our God is at work.”

Snipes said “The path of friendship is a long and winding road, and it is one I have enjoyed one step at a time. I look different than the other speakers up here, but I thank you for seeing me as a friend, allowing me to be a friend, I am humbled to stand before you It is one of the greatest honors given to me and I have been excited to speak. Thank you for your reflections on Dr. King.

“Dr King had a dream for our entire nation, but I want to ask you a question. Are we still dreaming? Are we still trying to do better or are we simply sitting and enjoying other work that came before us? Are we still passing the torch? As recipients of his hard work and martyrdom, are we still seeking to influence society, to seek the well being of life, justice and equality?

“I am richly blesses in more ways than I can count or acknowledge. Yet I was raised in a culture and conditioned to be a certain way. It wasn’t until my teen years that I learned the truth- I was a racist. I have been fighting every day since, and making amends for what I had been conditioned to be. We see it everyday, the elitist, the violent, the arrogant, and it’s easy not to see it in ourselves. We have to reset the mindset. We have to challenge ourselves, to be kind, in all of our conversations and activities. When we serve the least, we are demonstrating kindness and compassion, We must convince ourselves and others to be the best and most authentic versions of ourselves we can be.

“We need to confront the sad actions of the past and to acknowledge that it was wrong. We must commit to see all human beings as children of God. There were centuries of bad theology and that created a hierarchy; we must fight though the centuries of systematic injustice. We have turned that page of history without saying how wrong it was to attack humans with fire hoses, to bomb a Sunday school class, to kill innocent children...” Then, with tears in his eyes, Snipes said “I have no authority but my own, but I want to tell you I am sorry. I am so sorry for everything that happened. There was so much that we (white people) brought about and it was so wrong.”

“We have a new day, and a new future together through Christ. And maybe not everyone will agree with me, but I’m at the point that I don’t care. We can change others through Christ.

The event ended with the crowd singing “We Shall Overcome,” and the ending prayer by Rev. Michael Gillespie, from Denny Grove AME Zion Church.

-We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

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