Jump to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Soap Opera Network Community

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

A Very Special Episode...

Featured Replies

  • Member

They moved ADW to The Cosby Show's timeslot in the fall of 92 and then moved back to 8:30 that November, after flopping there they canceled it in January and put it on Fridays.

And I forgot another fave from Season 6 was "Somebody Say Ho!" when Gina put the Digit Ho sign on Charmaine's back and everyone thought Terrence did it.

The ironic thing is during the 1990-1991 and 1991-1992 seasons, ADW was actually higher rated The Cost Show in the yearly Nielsen ratings.

Edited by Y&RWorldTurner

  • Replies 160
  • Views 16.6k
  • Created
  • Last Reply
  • Member

The ironic thing is during the 1990-1991 and 1991-1992 seasons, ADW was actually higher rated The Cost Show. in the yearly Nielsen ratings.

That isn't surprising. For many viewers, I think, the introduction of Raven-Symone as Olivia was the true breaking point. Add to that a small writing staff that had run out of fresh ideas, as well as a general sense of malaise amongst the rest of the cast (after awhile, it seemed everyone just stopped acting altogether and watched Bill Cosby be goofy), and you have a series on a serious, slow decline.

  • Member

I remember seeing a JET Article from like 1991 and it had ADW ranked as the most watched show amongst African Americans and TheCosby Show was at the bottom half of top 10, maybe that's what made the difference?

But The Cosby Show sucked especially when they brought in Pam, the "hood cousin". I hate the two parter episode they gave her about having sex with her boyfriend. The only good thing about her was Charmaine and Lance (who I loved)

  • Member

That isn't surprising. For many viewers, I think, the introduction of Raven-Symone as Olivia was the true breaking point. Add to that a small writing staff that had run out of fresh ideas, as well as a general sense of malaise amongst the rest of the cast (after awhile, it seemed everyone just stopped acting altogether and watched Bill Cosby be goofy), and you have a series on a serious, slow decline.

Olivia and cousin Pam (Erica Alexander) were the absolute worst things to ever happen to that show.

It retrospect, it was a show that probably should have never lingered into the 90's.

Edited by Y&RWorldTurner

  • Member

I remember seeing a JET Article from like 1991 and it had ADW ranked as the most watched show amongst African Americans and TheCosby Show was at the bottom half of top 10, maybe that's what made the difference?

That reminds me of when I was in high school and read this book that had, among other things, the ten most watched series among AA's for a particular season (forget which one). And do you know what outranked TCS and ADW, along with a few, other high profile series starring AA's? KNOTS LANDING. A nighttime soap opera that had, at most, three black actors among its regular cast during its entire, 14-year run, with none of 'em lasting more than a few seasons; and it had more AA viewers than "Amen," a show that was wall-to-wall bruthas and sistas. Shows to go you, doesn't it? ;)

  • Member
It retrospect, it was a show that probably should have never lingered into the 90's.

Years and years and years ago, I read an article or interview with Bill Cosby, who stated he might have ended his show much sooner, except he wanted to give the younger actors a platform on which to launch their careers. That's why episodes in the last 2-3 seasons tended to include minimal involvement from him and even Phylicia Rashad.

  • Member

People see the final season of "A Different World" as a disaster? That's incredible to me, because I felt like the producers had done a good job transitioning to newer characters in case the show had gone any further.

I did, precisely because I didn't find the new class (save for Gina) to be likable at all. The storylines that I thought the old-schoolers would've carried on with personality and heart just didn't exist in the new class (save for Gina).

  • Member

That reminds me of when I was in high school and read this book that had, among other things, the ten most watched series among AA's for a particular season (forget which one). And do you know what outranked TCS and ADW, along with a few, other high profile series starring AA's? KNOTS LANDING. A nighttime soap opera that had, at most, three black actors among its regular cast during its entire, 14-year run, with none of 'em lasting more than a few seasons; and it had more AA viewers than "Amen," a show that was wall-to-wall bruthas and sistas. Shows to go you, doesn't it? wink.png

Karen: That's because I fought for what was good, and right! Did I ever tell you about the march...

Abby: Oh shut up, Karen.

  • Author
  • Member

I don't remember why it was Very Special, but Family Ties had this one with Tom Hanks as Elyse's brother, and there was something Special about it. Maybe it wasn't billed as Very Special though. Maybe he was on drugs or a drunk, I forget. One Day At A Time was a pioneer in Very Specialness, the entire series was a full on Very Special assault on the senses with random 4-parters detailing traumatic goings on.

Yes, Tom Hanks played an alcoholic. I haven't seen that episode since the '80s, but the one thing that really stuck with me is him swigging down a bottle of vanilla extract for its alcohol content.

  • Author
  • Member

Lawd, have mercy.

I was thinking about this one last night! This and the episode where Joey shoots Nell in the foot!

God, I miss Nell Carter. I really loved that show.

  • Member

Wasn't there one where Alex Keaton was hooked on pills?

Speaking of which - how can we forget the best?

  • Member

I realize all this praise for ADW might seem odd coming from me, but you have to understand: most AA sitcoms that I've watched over the years have been either extremely milquetoast ("The Cosby Show," "Sister, Sister") or exercises in some of the worst racial buffoonery ever committed on American television ("Martin," virtually anything on UPN). ADW (and to a much lesser extent, "Girlfriends") is probably one of the few, if not the only, sitcom about AA's that could be funny and smart without making "us" "safe" for mainstream audiences.

I never saw ADW but The Jeffersons was a great show, and they were great on All In The Family too.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Recently Browsing 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.