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Date Posted: 00:02:09 04/09/03 Wed
Author: TKM
Author Host/IP: hosta85d.alcatel.com / 128.251.168.93
Subject: Re: Melodramatic comedy format in the first season
In reply to: nilanthi 's message, "Melodramatic comedy format in the first season" on 12:06:46 03/31/03 Mon

I have seen almost none of the first season eps to get what you are referring to, but I certainly understand what you mean about "melodramatic comedy" (re)surfacing in the last few seasons.' I'm not sure if the writers were "trying to do something specific;" but there was a certain style they seemed to have run into which they built on. I would characterize it as a style of believabilty, domesticity, and uniformity that presented such a contrast to the surreal and screwball excapist TV comedy in the 60's. But as part of reality is accomodating controversial issues, MTS did touch them; but unlike ALL IN THE FAMILY and the shows after it, MTS never treated injustice and hurtful behavior as its comical focus.

You mentioned "the whole Polly fiasco." That is a good example of how the serious subjects of authoritarian parental control, a young woman's unhappiness, and her ability to turn the head of the young man she has selected to get her out of her unhappy situation-- how these topics are not funny and are not presented as funny in MTS, though the show remains light comedy overall. In the 70's and afterward, Polly's situation would be the comical focus and she would take a lot of funny digs at her father, who would be an 'Al Bundy'-type clown, instead of the resourceful but gravely insecure Tom Williams as he was. MTS' approach to the serious topics of life is far better, IMO.

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