The Sitcom Study

Alex P. Keaton is strung out on speed, Jessie Spanno has descended into drug-fueled madness, and both Urkel and Horshack are high as a kite on "vitamins!" This week's trope is sitcom characters hooked on pills... Here's the lineup:

• Welcome Back Kotter S3 E22 "What Goes Up"
• Family Ties E2 E6 "Speed Trap"
• Saved by the Bell S2 E9 "Jessie's Song"
• Family Matters S7 E14 "Life in the Fast Lane"

This is a good old fashioned RER...

It's time to take the good, take the bad, take them both and you know the rest... This week is all about the gals of Eastland and their matronly mentor as we revisit all of our discussions of The Facts of Life! Plus we're tackling trivia and personality quizzes so we can understand where we fit in the Facts of Life ecosystem. It's not a clip show... It's a mixtape!   Segments in this episode:

• Facts of Life S9 E16 "The First Ti...

Frasier is stumped by his own homoerotic fantasies, Angela ponders the road not taken, and Punky Brewster ages 75 years in one night... This week's trope is Dream episodes! Here's what we're watching:

• Punky Brewster S1 E17 "My Aged Valentine"
• Growing Pains S3 E10 "This Is Your Life"
• Who's the Boss S6 E3 "In Your Dreams"
• Frasier S4 E3 "The Impossible Dream"

This is good old-fashioned RERUN! We'll be back with a new epis...

Uncle Joey bungles the high-heel fashion show, The Big Bang Theory gals play truth or dare (it gets weird) and Louise Belcher sabotages her own girls' night... This week's sitcom trope is Slumber Party episodes! Here's the lineup:

• Full House S4 E4 "Slumber Party"
• That 70s Show S5 E13 "Your Time is Gonna Come"
• Big Bang Theory S4 E8 "The 21 Second...

We're diving into the madness of the multiverse as Scrubs demonstrates the butterfly effect, Malcolm in the Middle and My Two Dads ponder the results of different parenting styles, and Community rolls the cosmic infinity dice... This week's trope is Alternate Timelines! Here's what we're watching:

• My Two Dads S2 E10 "In her Dreams"
• Malcolm in the Middle S2 E20 "Bowling"
• Scrubs S3 E16 "My Butterfly"
• Community S3 E4 "Remedial ...

This week we're heading back to the 90s and celebrating Detroit's most excitable DJ and his equally comical lady-friend as we revisit all of our discussions of the 90s sitcom behemoth Martin! It's not a clip show... It's a mixtape! Plus we join forces to tackle a Martin trivia quiz with mildly embarrassing results... 

Segments in this episode:

• Martin S2 E2 "Really Gina's Not My Lover" from our High School Reunions podcast
• Mart...

Sheldon takes the stage, Blossom masters debate club, and the Golden Girls conquer terrors at 20,000 feet... This week's trope is fear of public speaking! Here's what we're watching:

• Golden Girls S3 E5 "Nothing to Fear But Fear Itself"
• Blossom S2 E17 "Losers Win"
• Herman's Head S2 E12 "Feardom of Speech"
• Big Bang Theory S3 E18 "The Pants Alternative"

This is a good old fashioned RERRUN! We'll be back with a new episode ...

Zack and friends take to the airwaves, Charles wades into the muck of schoolboard corruption, and Webster harnesses the power of his own cuteness, all to avoid their favorite businesses becoming parking lots! This week's trope is SAVE OUR HANGOUT! Here's what we're watching:

• Webster S2 E12 "Katherine Fights City Hall"
• Charles in Charge S2 E9 "Pizza Parlor Protest"
• Saved by the Bell S3 E3 "Save the Max"
• Home Improvement S8 E2...

From womanizing bartender to heavenly architect to inept mayor, we're examining the roles of sitcom legend Ted Danson! What is the secret to his charm, which show used him best, and most importantly, can a relationship survive if only one person likes "The Good Place?" The answers to all this and more in the Dansonest deep dive in town... Here's what we're watching:

• Cheers S6 E1 "Home is the Sailor"
• Becker S1 E1 "Pilot"
• The ...

Fran the Nanny risks life and limb for love, Nell Carter dishes out highly questionable romantic advice, and Mike and Molly's plans are derailed by baker-related jealousy... this week's trope is Valentine's Day Gone Awry! Here's what we're watching:

• Gimme a Break S3 E16 "Valentine"
• Wings S2 E17 "Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places"
• The Nanny S3 E19 "Love is a Many Blundered Thing"
• Mike & Molly S1 E16 "First Valentin...

Sanford and Son bring Dickens to the junkyard, Sophia makes the perfect Tiny Tim, and Mr. Belvedere gets a lot of use out of the old-timey sleeping cap and night gown that he already owned... This week's trope is episodes that spoof "A Christmas Carol!" Here's what we're watching:

• The Odd Couple S1 E12 "Scrooge Gets an Oscar"
• Sandford & Son S5 E12 "Ebenezer Sanford"
• Mr Belvedere S6 E11 "A Happy Guy's Christmas"
• Golden Pa...

Damon Wayans and Reba McEntire triumphantly(?) return to prime time, an Oregon hospital becomes the setting for the latest "Office"-style mockumentary, and we boldly attempt to watch a second-degree Big Bang Theory spinoff while skipping Young Sheldon entirely... This week we're casting nostalgia aside and talking about the new sitcoms of 2024! Here's what we're watching:

• Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage S1 E1 "The 6:10 ...