Published: February 22, 2009 11:29 pm      

MICHELE M. BENDER | Flip side for sitcoms

In my last column, I launched my second Dead-Of-Winter TV Survey.

By asking you readers to choose your favorite sitcom ever, I certainly started folks talking.

Early responses suggest that viewers truly miss the programs of days gone by. We seem “turned off” (pun intended) by the trashiness so rampant in current TV.

You know the saying “One man’s junk is another’s treasure.” But, c’mon, does anyone really treasure “My Name Is Earl”?

Crappy TV has always existed, maybe not as infused with sex as recent shows, but every bit as stupid.

So, let’s insult our intelligence.

Here are my candidates for WORST SITCOM EVER ! (I know we won’t agree on everything, but I’ll bet we agree on a lot!)

10. “The Brady Bunch.” Six perfect children with two wealthy perfect parents and a perfect housekeeper added up to insipid, mind-numbing drivel! I know a lot of people grew up watching this. They have my sympathy.

9. “Gomer Pyle.” “GOL-LEE!” Of all the Mayberry citizens to select for a spin-off series … Gomer?

8. “Green Acres.” Where did this come from? Put a Gabor sister on a farm? Let’s not forget that this gem spawned “Petticoat Junction,” a forerunner of the sex-obsessed sitcoms to follow. All aboard at Hooterville!

7. “Friends.” Attractive twenty-somethings holding an endless partner swap-meet did absolutely nothing for me.

6. “Everybody Loves Raymond.” No, everybody doesn’t! A bullying father and self-absorbed, smothering mother turn one son into a lazy lout and the other into a jealous sad sack. I didn’t laugh. I felt sorry for those people.

5. “The Beverly Hillbillies.” Buddy Ebsen was a respected Broadway and movie actor. What was he thinking? I needed a belt of moonshine just to watch one episode.

4. “Sanford and Son.” A little bit of Redd Foxx went a long way.

3. “ALF.” This show pushed the “stupidity meter” in my head to TILT! Would anyone care for a cat burger?

2. “Three’s Company.” What a dismal waste of the late John Ritter’s talent. And wait … I can make this worse. Remember the series that spun off from this one? “The Ropers”! Aaauuuggghh!

Now, my pick for WORST SITCOM EVER!

1. “Hogan’s Heroes.” Yes, let’s all laugh at the jovial, bumbling Nazi’s! Appalling! Tasteless! Outrageous! I’d say more but I can’t think of anything else rotten enough.

So, readers, what do you think?

What’s your choice for worst sitcom ever?

There’s still time to tell me about your favorites, too. I’ll report the results of our survey at the end of next month.

E-mail me at MsGeezerette@ aol.com, or write to me at The Tribune Democrat, 425 Locust Street, Johnstown, PA 15901.

You’re a great group and I so enjoy hearing from you.



Michele Mikesic Bender is a Johnstown resident and a member of The Tribune-Democrat’s Readership Advisory Committee.