Welcome to a new Wildcard Wednesday! This week, I’m remembering Norman Lear, a true televisionary who was responsible for several of my favorite sitcoms — especially the iconic All In The Family, a formative masterwork. He passed away last week at the age of 101.
Over the years here, I’ve frequently drawn a contrast between the character-driven shows of MTM and the idea-driven shows from Norman Lear’s company, and while voicing my support for character-driven material in the belief that it most validates the sitcom’s inherent definition (where laughs and story must be derived from the elements of an established “situation” — all of which either are or upheld by the characters), it may seem like I was criticizing his work… Okay, sometimes, I was. But let me also clarify: I think Lear was one of the masters of this idea-driven style of sitcommery that has always existed as a viable sensibility within this genre, and I genuinely love so many of the shows with which he’s affiliated — specifically, All In The Family, Maude, The Jeffersons, and Sanford And Son, because they’re, for the most part, good examples of sitcommery: they use their characters to support their ideas. The sitcom art form would not have thrived as it did in the 1970s — or the decades thereafter — if not for his producing so many great samples, most of which were shot with multiple cameras in front of a live audience: an aesthetic that directly celebrates this genre and its unique charms. Norman Lear was vital to the development of the American situation comedy, and I treasure his legacy.
In his honor, and in accordance with our now annual Holiday Contest tradition, I thought I’d provide Lear-related prizes for this year’s winners. Specifically, to everyone who participates in the contest (rules to follow), I will send access to some of the previously offered material you may have missed — including a script from an episode of HOT L BALTIMORE, a script from an episode of The Nancy Walker Show, and a copy of the full-length sixth season premiere of Good Times (which isn’t on DVD). And for the grand prize winner — whoever gets a perfect score (or the highest score) — I’ll also send over something I’ve never shared before: two episodes of the short-lived Rue McClanahan sitcom Apple Pie (1978). You want this!
For 2023, we’re going simple — I’m merely asking you to name my 13 favorite episodes covered here on Sitcom Tuesdays over the past year (up until yesterday). I am excluding reruns, clip shows, pop-outs, and reboots/revivals. So that means, you’re only looking at six seasons of 3rd Rock From The Sun, four seasons of Cybill, five seasons of Ellen, six seasons of Becker, seven seasons of Malcolm In The Middle, and the first seven seasons of Scrubs. All you have to do is pick what you think are my 13 favorite episodes from those lists — in no particular order (that is, they’re not ranked) — and leave your guesses in the comment section below before the competition closes on Tuesday, December 19 at noon eastern. I will give you a very big hint and say that 11 of my 13 favorites were singled out as MVEs. Use my commentary as your guide. (And, yes, in order to play, you must be a subscriber.) I will announce the answers and winners next week. Happy guessing!
Come back next week for the answers! And stay tuned Monday for a musical rarity!
3rd Rock From The Sun: Dick Like Me
3rd Rock From The Sun: Gobble, Gobble, Dick, Dick
3rd Rock From The Sun: Dick-In-Law
3rd Rock From The Sun: Dick And The Other Guy
3rd Rock From The Sun: Two-Faced Dick
Ellen: The Puppy Episode Part I
Ellen: The Puppy Episode Part II
Malcolm In The Middle: Water Park
Malcolm In The Middle: Bowling
Malcolm In The Middle: Christmas
Scrubs: My Last Chance
Scrubs: My Lunch
Scrubs: My Musical
Hi, Charlie! Thanks for reading and participating in this year’s holiday contest! With 10/13 correct, you have won access to the main prize. I have emailed you at your gmail address.
3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN: “Dick Like Me”
3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN: “Gobble, Gobble, Dick, Dick”
3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN: “Dick And The Other Guy”
3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN: “Two Faced Dick”
3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN: “Dick Solomon of the Indiana Solomons”
3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN: “Dial M For Dick”
ELLEN: “Roommates”
ELLEN: “Emma”
BECKER: “Dr. Angry Head”
MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE: “Water Park”
MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE: “Bowling”
MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE: “Lois Strikes Back”
SCRUBS: “My Last Chance”
Hi, esoteric1234! Thanks for reading and participating in this year’s holiday contest! With 10/13 correct, you have won access to the main prize. I have emailed you at your gmail address.
1. 3rd Rock Season 1: “Dick Like Me”
2. 3rd Rock Season 2: “Gobble Gobble Dick Dick”
3. 3rd Rock Season 3: “Dick And The Other Guy”
4. 3rd Rock Season 4: “Two-Faced Dick”
5. 3rd Rock Season 5: “Dial M For Dick”
6. 3rd Rock Season 5: “Frankie Goes To Rutherford”
7. Becker Season 3: “Dr. Angry Head”
8. Malcolm Season 1: “Water Park”
9. Malcolm Season 2: “Bowling”
10. Malcolm Season 7: “Lois Strikes Back”
11. Scrubs Season 4: “My Last Chance”
12. Scrubs Season 5: “My Way Home”
13. Scrubs Season 6: “My Musical”
Hi, Ian! Thanks for reading and participating in this year’s holiday contest! With 10/13 correct, you have won access to the main prize. I have emailed you at your gmail address.
3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN
“Dick Like Me”
“Gobble, Gobble, Dick, Dick”
“Dick-In-Law”
“Dick And The Other Guy”
ELLEN
“The Puppy Episode (I)”
BECKER
“Stumble In The Bronx”
“Dr. Angry Head”
MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE
“Red Dress”
“Water Park”
“Bowling”
“Lois Strikes Back”
SCRUBS
“My Last Chance”
“My Musical”
Hi, Elaine! Thanks for reading and participating in this year’s holiday contest! With 9/13 correct, you have won access to the main prize. I have emailed you at your yahoo address.
3rd Rock From The Sun: “Brains and Eggs”
3rd Rock From The Sun: “Dick Like Me”
3rd Rock From The Sun: “Dick and the Other Guy”
3rd Rock From The Sun: “Dial M for Dick”
Cybill: “As The World Turns to Crap”
Ellen: “Witness”
Becker: “Dr. Angry Head”
Malcolm In The Middle: “Water Park”
Malcolm In The Middle: “Bowling”
Malcolm In The Middle: “Lois Strikes Back”
Scrubs: “My Way Home”
Scrubs: “My Lunch”
Scrubs: “My Musical”
Hi, Gary! Thanks for reading and participating in this year’s holiday contest! With 7/13 correct, you have won access to the main prize. I have emailed you at your AOL address.
3rd Rock From The Sun
Dick Like Me
Two-Faced Dick”
Dick Solomon Of The Indiana Solomons (non mvp)
Cybil
“Wedding Bell Blues
Ellen
Witness
The Puppy Episode (I)
Roommates (Non MVP)
Becker Stumble In The Bronx
“Dr. Angry Head”
Malcolm In The Middle
Bowling
Christmas
Scrubs
My Last Chance
My Lunch
Hi, Track! Thanks for reading and participating in this year’s holiday contest! With 6/13 correct, you have won access to the main prize. I have emailed you at your gmail address.
1. 3RD ROCK: “Dick Like Me”
2. 3RD ROCK: “Gobble Gobble Dick Dick”
3. 3RD ROCK: “Dick and the Other Guy”
4. 3RD ROCK: “Dick in Law”
5. 3RD ROCK: “Two Faced Dick”
6. 3RD ROCK: “Dick Solomon of the Indiana Solomons”
7. 3RD ROCK: “Dial M For Dick”
8. MALCOLM: “Water Park”
9. MALCOLM: “Bowling”
10. MALCOLM: “Christmas”
11. MALCOLM: “Lois Strikes Back”
12. SCRUBS: “My Last Chance”
13. SCRUBS: “My Musical”
Hi, Brandon! Thanks for reading and participating in this year’s holiday contest! With 13/13 correct, you have won access to the main prize AND THE GRAND PRIZE: two episodes of the short-lived APPLE PIE! I have emailed you at your AOL address.
3rd Rock From The Sun: Dick Like Me
3rd Rock From The Sun: Gobble, Gobble, Dick, Dick
3rd Rock From The Sun: Dick And The Other Guy
3rd Rock From The Sun: Two-Faced Dick
3rd Rock From The Sun: Dial M For Dick
3rd Rock From The Sun: Red, White & Dick
Malcolm In The Middle: Water Park
Malcolm In The Middle: Bowling
Malcolm In The Middle: Family Reunion
Malcolm In The Middle: Lois Strikes Back
Scrubs: My Last Chance
Scrubs: My Lunch
Scrubs: My Musical
Hi, Joey! Thanks for reading and participating in this year’s holiday contest! With 10/13 correct, you have won access to the main prize. I have emailed you at your yahoo address.
3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN (Season 1): “Dick Like Me”
3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN (Season 3): “Dick And The Other Guy”
3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN (Season 4): “Two Faced Dick”
3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN (Season 5): “Dial M For Dick”
ELLEN (Season 3): “Witness”
BECKER (Season 3): “Dr. Angry Head”
BECKER (Season 3): “Smoke ’em If You Got ’em”
MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE (Season 1): “Water Park”
MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE (Season 2): “Bowling”
MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE (Season 3): “Christmas”
SCRUBS (Season 4): “My Last Chance”
SCRUBS (Season 5): “My Way Home
SCRUBS (Season 5): “My Lunch”
Hi, MDay991! Thanks for reading and participating in this year’s holiday contest! With 8/13 correct, you have won access to the main prize. I have emailed you at your gmail address.
3rd Rock From The Sun: “Dick Like Me”
3rd Rock From The Sun: “Dick In Law”
3rd Rock From The Sun: “Dick And The Other Guy”
3rd Rock From The Sun: “Two-Faced Dick”
3rd Rock From The Sun: “Dial M For Dick”
Ellen: “Witness”
Ellen: “The Puppy Episode (I)”
Ellen: “Roommates”
Malcolm In The Middle: “Water Park”
Malcolm In The Middle: “Bowling”
Malcolm In The Middle: “Lois Strikes Back”
Scrubs: “My Last Chance”
Scrubs: “My Lunch”
Hi, Toby! Thanks for reading and participating in this year’s holiday contest! With 9/13 correct, you have won access to the main prize. I have emailed you at your gmail address.
3rd Rock: Dick Like Me
3rd Rock: Gobble, Gobble, Dick, Dick
3rd Rock: Dick And The Other Guy
3rd Rock: Two-Faced Dick
Becker: Stumble In The Bronx
Becker: Dr. Angry Head
Becker: D.N.R.
Malcolm: Water Park
Malcolm: Bowling
Malcolm: Christmas
Malcolm: Lois Strikes Back
Scrubs: My Last Chance
Scrubs: My Lunch
Hi, Miranda! Thanks for reading and participating in this year’s holiday contest! With 9/13 correct, you have won access to the main prize. I have emailed you at your yahoo address.
NOTE: I’m holding all comments until next week’s reveal, so nobody is influenced by other players’ guesses.
So far, I’ve got submissions from: Charlie, esoteric1234, Ian V., Elaine, Gary K., Track, Brandon Richter, Joey, MDay991, Toby Griffith, and Miranda M.
Thanks to Ana, Eboni, and Scott Lewellen for getting in their submissions before closing!
I’ll reveal the answers in tomorrow’s post!
Love your posts. Here are my guesses.
Dick Like Me
Two-Faced Dick
Dial M for Dick
The Puppy Episode
Emma
Stumble in The Bronx
Dr. Angry Head
Bowling
Lois Strikes Back
My Last Chance
My Musical
Dick Solomon of the Indiana Solomons
The Puppy Episode (part 2)
Hi, Ana! Thanks for reading and participating in this year’s holiday contest! With 8/13 correct, you have won access to the main prize. Please subscribe to this blog using your preferred address and I will send a link your way.
Here are my guesses!
1. 3rd Rock From the Sun: “Dick Like Me”
2. 3rd Rock From the Sun: “Gobble Gobble Dick Dick”
3. 3rd Rock From the Sun: “Dick and the Other Guy”
4. 3rd Rock From the Sun: “Dick in Law”
5. 3rd Rock From the Sun: “Two Faced Dick”
6. 3rd Rock From the Sun: “Dick Solomon of the Indiana Solomons”
7. 3rd Rock From the Sun: “Dial M For Dick”
8. Becker: “Dr. Angry Head”
9. Malcolm in the Middle: “Water Park”
10. Malcolm in the Middle: “Bowling”
11. Malcolm in the Middle: “Lois Strikes Back”
12. Scrubs: “My Last Chance”
13. Scrubs: “My Musical”
Hi, Eboni! Thanks for reading and participating in this year’s holiday contest! With 12/13 correct, you have won access to the main prize. I have emailed you at your gmail address.
Fun and interesting contest, Jackson! I’ve been kicking myself for 45 years for not watching Apple Pie. It’s a long story as to why. Anyway, here are my guesses: 3rd Rock From the Sun — Dick Like Me, Gobble Gobble Dick Dick, Two-Faced Dick and Dick-In-Law. Ellen — The Puppy Episode I, Roommates and Emma. Becker — Dr. Angry Head. Malcolm in the Middle — Water Park, Bowling and Christmas. Scrubs — My Last Chance, My Lunch.
Hi, Scott! Thanks for reading and participating in this year’s holiday contest! With 8/13 correct, you have won access to the main prize. I have emailed you at your episode30 address.