A Fine Cast of Characters

 

The best thing about ensemble sitcoms was you had so many great characters interacting with each other. The ones I’ve listed here were my favorites shows, and I loved ALL the characters. I’m forcing myself to pick ONE character from each show that I thought stood out a little in front of the others. The first and third shows are exceptions…

 

 

Bewitched

I had to have both Aunt Clara (Marion Lorne) & Uncle Arthur (Paul Lynde). Paul Lynde was always funny in whatever he did. And adorable Aunt Clara, with her collection of antique doorknobs…so sweet.

 

 

The Bob Newhart Show

Elliot Carlin (Jack Riley). All of Bob’s patients were wonderful, but Mr. Carlin’s sarcastic remarks were awesome!

 

 

Newhart

Hands down…gotta be Larry, Darryl & Darryl (William Sanderson, Tony Papenfuss (brunett Darryl), John Voldstad (blond Darryl. They were only supposed to be in the one episode, but the audience reaction brought them back again and again.

 

 

WKRP

Dr. Johnny Fever (Howard Hessman). Absolutely top notch!

 

 

NewsRadio

Bill McNeal (Phil Hartman). Phil’s death was a real blow. His character was so much fun.

 

 

3^rd Rock From the Sun

Mrs. Dubcek (Elmarie Wendel). Best landlady EVER!

 

 

Just Shoot Me!

Nina Van Horn (Wendie Malick). Loved her stories about her friend Binnie.

 

 

Scrubs

Janitor (Neil Flynn). He was the REAL heart at Sacred Heart Hospital.

 

 

My Name is Earl

Patty the Daytime Hooker (Dale Dickey). Her outfits alone! Mini skirt and fishnet stockings! “It take a special kind of woman to go hookin’ in the daytime!”

 

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I’m sure there are shows and characters that others will think should be listed here as well. What were YOUR favorites?

 

OK…I’m Old! – part 7

Summertime is always a time of nostalgia for me. School’s out. You made it through the school year. You’re still alive. You have all the time in the world now…

 

Parachute Men

These NEVER WORKED!!! At least for me and my brother. The lines were always tangled. You threw them up in the air and the plummeted to earth like a rock, killing the poor guys immediately. At least they never burst into flames…that actually might have made them more interesting…

 

 

Cap Gun and Caps

I LOVED MY CAP GUN!!! LOVED IT!!! I didn’t particularly want to be a cowgirl, but I sure loved shooting off those caps. They were also fun to just lay on the concrete and hit with a hammer. Marv has a neat memory of making little bombs with them…

 

 

Pin Cushion and Needle Sharpener

My grandma had one of these. I don’t know what became of it. 

 

 

Ice Cream in a Box

Remember these? The boxes very quickly lost their shape and you’d end up with a squashed thing of cardboard with ice cream inside. 

 

 

Green Stamps!!!

There was a booklet you would put the stamps in, and when it was filled you could GET STUFF FOR FREE!!! I would look through the little catalog (Ideabook) and chose whatever kind of kid's kitchen sets/dishes I wanted. Never got them. My mom would get something stupid and practical, like a manicure set or travel clock. *sigh*

 

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Random Thought:

Every broken clock tells you the exact time it passed away. 

 

 

 

OK…I’m Old! – part 6

 

 

Pencil Sharpener

This was in EVERY classroom!! All through elementary school and junior high. I don’t remember if it was in the classrooms of high school. We had one of these at home, but I don’t remember it ever being actually fixed to a wall. I wish I still had it.

 

 

Key Case

Made of the finest plastic! We had a couple of these with the keys for the cars and a house key. They were kept on the shelf of the bookcase by the front door. They were always returned to the same place when whoever drove got back in the house.

 

 

Table Jukebox

I thought these were SO COOL in the restaurants. I don’t remember at all which restaurant(s) that we went to when I was little, but I loved flipping through all the titles. I don’t remember my parents ever actually putting money in one and playing a song. I’d LOVE to have one of these now.

 

 

Kitchen Linoleum

Ours was a different pattern, but the EXACT SAME COLORS. I thought it was very groovy to have a kitchen floor like this…

 

 

Old Spice Aftershave

This was my grandpa’s brand. Always. I have very fond memories of this scent.

 

 

Moo Box

I LOVED THIS SO MUCH!! I thought it was magic! Loved playing with this. It eventually got so old the works fell apart and it stopped mooing. I was surprised to find that they still make this kind of thing. $10 on Amazon.