Sunday, April 10, 2011

Blast from the Past: Workplace TV Shows

The workplace is a big setting for TV series, vying for the top spot with family dramas and comedies. But the workplaces aren't very varied. There are cop shows, lawyer shows, medical shows (with a subset of forensics), and procedurals like CSI or Law & Order that may have a blend of those settings.  I don't know about you, but I've never worked for a law firm, police department or hospital. There are other occupations out there, Hollywood! Sure, my job as an artist in a Las Vegas sign company would make a damned boring drama, but I'll bet it could be a comedy or reality show!

Anyway, sometimes the networks get away from their comfort zone, and actually set a program in a different sort of workplace from every other show on the tube. Here are a few off the top of my head. . .





1. Flying High (1978) - Before she was on The Greatest American Hero and Hotel, Connie Selleca (Mrs. John Tesh) was on this series, set at an airline. It didn't last long.

2. Alice (1976) - Lasting much longer was this television version of the movie, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. Linda Lavin was the waitress at Mel's Diner, and couldn't get out of the joint for eleven years.

3. It's a Living/Making a Living (1980) - Another comedy set in a restaurant, but this one a posh eatery at the top of a skyscraper, with gorgeous waitresses. Sexist as hell, but what a catchy theme song!

4. 9 to 5 (1983) - The movie spawned a series that couldn't decide what it wanted to be. There were three or four variations, but they were all set at an office. . .before The Office. Starred Dolly Parton's sister and Rita Moreno.

5. Scarecrow & Mrs. King (1983) - After leaving her private eye/jiggle show, Charlie's Angels, Kate Jackson landed in this successful spy drama. It was set at a film company that was a front for a government agency, like the CIA. But plenty of workplace dramedy went down there.

6. WKRP in Cincinnati (1978) - One of the best workplace sitcoms ever took place at a little AM radio station in Ohio. Nearly every episode is a classic. Howard Hessman's Dr. Johnny Fever was a highlight, but every other cast member had their chance to shine. Nearly equalled in the nineties by Newsradio, for a radio studio-set sitcom.

That's it for this weekend. Have a great week!

2 comments:

  1. "As God as my witness, I swear turkeys could fly." One of the best quotes ever on TV.
    I would also add Mary Tyler Moore in the WJM TV station. With Ted Baxter, Lou Grant, Murray and Sue Ann Nievens, played by Betty White. I think all of the cast is still alive except Ted Knight.
    But you also you had some other shows that are good.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I could have featured half a dozen more, but this was a very fast, on the fly edition of Blast from the Past. Maybe a sequel is in order. MTM wasn't one of my favorites, but it is a classic for sure.

    ReplyDelete

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