Poor Taste?

[Janice]

I watched an episode yesterday where George was dog-sitting for the weekend. He's on the sofa, playing fetch with the dog, and throws something off the balcony by accident. We then see the dog jump right off the balcony while fetching it. It appeared it was in slow-motion.
I know it was fake and no animals were hurt during the filming of the episode; however, it bothered me. Right to the end of the show, I kept waiting for one of those sitcom miracles--maybe the dog landed safely somewhere or another neat little ending.
I fully realize it was fake, so please spare the sarcasm. I'm just wondering if anyone else who saw this show was bothered by it. I tried to come up with an animal dying in such a lousy manner on other shows, but couldn't think of any. I know animals die on shows, but usually in a way to show how children deal with death, such as on Everybody Loves Raymond last year.
This dog flying over the balcony seemed off the charts to me.

[boechsner]

When I first saw that episode, I was shocked when the dog flew over the balcony. The way it is presented, it is such a proposterous sight, that one can not help but be shocked or stunned or even laugh. However, the fact that the dog died in such a tragic manner is just the point, accidents happen. I should say that when living in a high-rise apartment, you not only need to be careful with pets but with toddlers and children as well. This episode addresses that issue as well as the issue of responsiblity of taking care of pets.

[Janice]

I agree that the safety of children and pets living in high-rises is important, as is proper pet care.
However, I don't think this show was filmed as a public service announcement or as a show with a *message*. There's no evidence to support that theory. Not one character mentioned anything about these issues, and I'm sure it wasn't a read-between-the-lines thing.
I think the dog died in that atrocious manner simply for storyline purposes. It had to be George's fault, and the writers didn't want a dead dog in the apartment. What better way to solve the plot dilema? Toss the dog off the balcony!
I argue the point only because I refuse to give credit to the show for addressing issues in this case. The only credit they deserve is for displaying brutal insensitivity.

[boechsner]

One could go through all the episodes of The Jeffersons or any show and find things that they find offensive or inappropriate. I think the director had more control over how the dog died in this episode, because, it's he, Bob Lally, who has to direct the episode. What's the easiest way, to direct a dog so that it look like it died. In this episode, we the audience knew the dog had to have died. I don't think this episode would have worked if George ran in and said the dog got hit by a car when he was taking him for a walk. Never the less, this particular episode had a scene that you thought was inappropriate but I still love this episode and it remains to be one of my favorites of the series.

[This message has been edited by boechsner (edited 10-03-2001).]

[This message has been edited by boechsner (edited 10-03-2001).]

[ThomasE]

I was supposed to by funny. That's all. Boy was I shocked when I first saw that ep. It scared me a little.

[Robert Tilton]

Originally posted by JanLady617:
I agree that the safety of children and pets living in high-rises is important, as is proper pet care.
However, I don't think this show was filmed as a public service announcement or as a show with a *message*. There's no evidence to support that theory. Not one character mentioned anything about these issues, and I'm sure it wasn't a read-between-the-lines thing.

You're right, the point was not to do a public service announcement. You had a dog named Buster (I think) who was obnoxious and mean acting; barking at George during the start of the show. He was the Whittindales dog wasn't he? And the point of the scene I think was to give a basis for enhancing the tension of the relationship between George and the Whittindales.

I think the dog died in that atrocious manner simply for storyline purposes. It had to be George's fault, and the writers didn't want a dead dog in the apartment. What better way to solve the plot dilema? Toss the dog off the balcony![/QUOTE]

The producers didn't mind having a dead man in the Deluxe Apartment in the Sky though; in another ep one of George's employees drops dead on his couch!

I argue the point only because I refuse to give credit to the show for addressing issues in this case. The only credit they deserve is for displaying brutal insensitivity. [/QUOTE]

It did look a trite dastardly at first glance, but there are a couple of points here to be made. Wait! Archie Bunker's having a Toe Spasm in 5=4=3=2=1=Right About Now! Done Arch? Goody.

A: As mentioned the scene was faked. As a young mark I like to'uve gotten a Nocturnal Emmision when I saw this scene, but later it became a No Sell moment for me. You see, and correct me if I'm wrong, but the dog, when he jumped off the balcony as it were (stage), had a platform hidden from the viewer where he could land safely.

Its similar to the Brady Bunch scene where Bobby climbs the ladder up to the window in the Girls Room and has to hang on for dear life. However, a Pop Up Brady mentioned that Bobby was standing on a platform at the time, but only pretending to flail his feet in terror. BTW the Upstairs Window in Brady House is FAKE. Fancy that. I digress.

I've always wondered this. Did they use a real dog to jump or a digital remake of a dog? If a real dog was used the above scenario where he has a safe place to land in the Jumping Scene would apply. Amen. And if not, then it wasn't a real dog anyhow; just a cheesy digital effect.

B: After what I saw on the news with the WTC and all, I wouldn't worry about a Sitcom Dog "jumping" off. Edith's being a Dingbat; Stifle Edith Stifle! But if it does affect folk I agree; a warning to Turn from this scene would have been appreciated. Amen. But I saw the terrible tragedy at WTC, which IMO, was Gratuitously Shown by the Media when they showed folk jumping off. And though I felt bad about what happened, I can say without reservation that I'll watch the Jefferson episode with the dog flying off. However if people don't want to watch it that's cool. I wouldn't worry about it.

Which brings us to point C:

C: The episode w/Buster flying off is Funny to Me! It was the Whittindales dog and he was acting obnoxious and mean, even barking at Weezy. If you know the background of the Whittindales and Jeffersons relationship, this scene w/Buster is Funny! I mean the name Buster says it all! If I saw a dog like that, I'd Run Run Run http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/eek.gif However George played with him and this brings me to my last point:

D: The dog was dumb http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/biggrin.gif I mean it looked like the Greyhound Bus dog flying off the balcony there. Oh Geez! Weezy and Archie Bunker are Neighbors! Focus Jeff Focus (I'm watching AITF and writing at the same time). Dr. J never had that much hangtime I tell you. I mean it was like he Wanted to jump off that balcony. Yes he did. And I know why!

Cause the Director said:

Rolling! Speed! Take 56? Action!

Amen.

Personally like a girl said to Greg in the Brady Bunch in "Our Son the Man" I find the dog scene kinda cute. Its just a matter of diff'rent tastes I suppose.



[This message has been edited by Robert Tilton (edited 10-03-2001).]

[Janice]

Robert--Guess this must be the latest trend--bring up the WTC tragedy to diminish another's point. This is a message board, and I posted my opinion. I'm not *worried* about the dog.
Maybe I'll start cruising around these boards and write stuff like, "How can you concern yourself with Gilligan's (fill in the blanks), in light of the WTC events?" or "Shame on you for discussing which Darrin was better when people were jumping out of WTC windows." or "Laura Petrie's capri pants?--at at time like this, tsk, tsk?!"
As stated, I know the scene was staged, it's the imagary I object to--of a dog splattered on the pavement.
As for the dead guy in the Jefferson apartment--he died of a heart attack--George didn't kill him. The producers couldn't have George kill the dog in the apartment.
Mean, dumb, obnoxious Whittindale dog--I know the plot. Just feel that perhaps George could've lost the dog or think he was dead until the end of the show.
I would've turned away, as suggested, if I was psychic and knew the scene was coming. I was just caught off guard, as I'm not used to seeing these sort of tasteless scenes in sitcoms.
I just fail to see the humor, although I found lots of humor in your post.

[Jimbo]

JanLady617: As usual, you are right on the money. I don't recall seeing that particular episode of "The Jeffersons", but there's nothing funny about animal cruelty - either in real life, or for "comedic effect". Your point about how the producers could have handled the situation differently is well taken. In fact, in an episode of "Fraiser", they did handle that same situation in a much different manner: in the scene, Fraiser's father Martin is trying to convince Fraiser to play "fetch the ball" with Eddie. Fraiser, with a look of disdain on his face, intentionally throws the ball over the side of the balcony, then looks at Eddie. Eddie, of course, does not go after the ball. He just sits there looking at Fraiser. Martin says to Fraiser: "He didn't think that was funny.....and he knows where you sleep!" There you have it - the same situation - handled in a more humane, and more humorous way.

[GeeBee]

Originally posted by Janice
I watched an episode yesterday where George was dog-sitting for the weekend. He's on the sofa, playing fetch with the dog, and throws something off the balcony by accident. We then see the dog jump right off the balcony while fetching it. It appeared it was in slow-motion.
I know it was fake and no animals were hurt during the filming of the episode; however, it bothered me. Right to the end of the show, I kept waiting for one of those sitcom miracles--maybe the dog landed safely somewhere or another neat little ending.
I fully realize it was fake, so please spare the sarcasm. I'm just wondering if anyone else who saw this show was bothered by it. I tried to come up with an animal dying in such a lousy manner on other shows, but couldn't think of any. I know animals die on shows, but usually in a way to show how children deal with death, such as on Everybody Loves Raymond last year.
This dog flying over the balcony seemed off the charts to me.


I couldn't agree more. I HATE this episode of the Jeffersons. I saw it only once and will never watch it again. There was a time when animals and children were basically protected groups in comedy. If you look at some of the old Three Stooges comedies, as violent as they were, children and small animals were almost always unharmed. Now, we've gotten into the moronic humor of "Problem Child" and "Something About Mary" where an animal just has to get hurt and a whole audience will break out in uproarious laughter as if some clever and witty joke took place. This episode should not be shown in syndication. This is my opinion and it's not changing.

[GeeBee]

Originally posted by Janice
Robert--Guess this must be the latest trend--bring up the WTC tragedy to diminish another's point.


It's called EXPLOITING the WTC tragedy to diminish another's point and the people who do it should be ashamed.

[Flash72]

I seem to remember an episode of "Laverne and Shirley" that had this same thing happen. I believe it was after Shirley had left and the show was on its slow descent into cancellation; Laverne while dogsitting for someone inadvertently causes the dog to jump out the window. Does anyone else remember this? I am thinking that Charles Fleischer was the guest star in this episode.