Soundstage Television Shows

I'm sure these still exist, but where?

Thinking of older (U.S.) programs like 'Barney Miller,' 'Cheers,' 'Taxi,''Three's Company,' 'All in the Family' et al... shows where most of the narrative was tied to a single interior location, or just a couple rooms with occasional exterior ventures... usually to another soundstage. There are obviously other countries where this was the norm

Is it dead, or are there still examples of this? I supposed soap operas maybe

Drinking From The Neighbour’s Hose Television Shows

That Frasier reboot? I recall noticing it because the studio laughter feels so jarring these days.

Oh and ditto that Night Court reboot but yeah honestly this studio-based format does feel pretty dead.

locations are of greater importance than cast, can't imagine a show coming out now that isn't all about location and scenery and stuff. you can paste that in trenchant social com if you like

Well on that note, we sort of have this with shows like Star Trek which in recent iterations has leant heavily on those virtual production stages they have now. Not really the same thing...

It's funny that when a contemporary show does this for a single episode (Breaking Bad - the meth lab episode with the elusive fly buzzing around) it's hailed as unique and innovative. When in fact outside circumstances (certain cast members/locations unavailable at the time, production company running low on funds, etc.) were probably driving it.

"Big Bang Theory" seems like one of the last of these

Someone in (I think) the Guardian was lamenting the British equivalent of this recently: drama series that were shot in long takes like plays. Thoroughly rehearsed and blocked, shot on a soundstage, usually using minimal sets.

I know there are other UK shows like this, but I found 'Children of the Stones' to be kinda jarring in that the soundstage interiors were shot on video, while the exteriors were shot on 16mm film... very different look

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/video_example.php?video_id=xt6e6l

ha yeah that's a great example - I'm guessing it's because early video cameras were enormous, on massive dollies, while a 16mm Bolex was still quite portable

A Bolex could only shoot a few seconds without rewinding, and is too noisy for sync. More likely Éclair or Arri.

Yeah I loved it when Python and the Goodies played with the film vs video formats, they made that into its own artform.

I thought there were some Goodies examples but it’s been 40 years, I couldn’t remember any details to search for

*successfully

Yeah I loved it when Python and the Goodies played with the film vs video formats, they made that into its own artform.

e.g. the end of the Monty Python Royal Society for Putting Things on Top of Other Things sketch:

(He gets right up and walks away from the table to approving noises and applause. He walks to a door at the side of the studio set and goes through it. Exterior shot: a door opens and Sir William appears out of it into the fresh air. He suddenly halts.)

Sir William: Good Lord. I'm on film. How did that happen?

(He turns round and disappears into the building again. He reappears through door, crosses set and goes out through another door. He appears from the door into the fresh air and then stops.)

Sir William: It's film again. What's going on?

(He turns and disappears through the door again. Cut to him inside the building. He crosses to a window and looks out, then turns and says...)

Sir William: Gentlemen! I have bad news. This room is surrounded by film.

Members: What? What?

(Several members run to window and look out. Cut to film of them looking out of mindow. Cut to studio: the members run to a door and open it. Cut to film: of them appearing at the door hesitating and then closing door. Cut to studio: with increasing panic they run to the second door. Cut to film: they appear, hesitate, and go back inside. Cut to studio: they run to Sir William in the centre of the room.)

A Member: We're trapped!

e.g. the end of the Monty Python Royal Society for Putting Things on Top of Other Things sketch:

sounds cool