I liked Remo and Jeannie. I felt that humans who were adjusting to life in Boulder from another part of America were a good counter balance.
There was no social media yet, so it was much harder to proactively learn what different areas of the country were like before you physically arrived. (Remo talks about not knowing what other places are like in an early episode).
And Mork and Mindy could then eventually tell them that Mork was from outer space. Remo just kinda shrugs since he's seen a lot in NY and says but you like chicks right? (which back then on TV would not be considered heterosexist).
After he hears Mork likes women, he doesn't especially care which planet Mork is from and decides to help him learn about 'women' in America.
Jeannie doesn't care either way bc she's so busy with medical school.....and Mork says something like wow Medical school is stressful.
Having them as brother and sister was the wrong writing though. It would have been much more convincing if they were a couple who were also trying to learn about life in Boulder CO too--but were instead earthlings.
Mork would learn there are earthlings sent to observe and learn things they did not already know about.
And then there would be no need for Mearth--they could have instead had couples storylines. That would have opened up more storylines without losing the audience. Maybe if there is a Mork and Mindy movie. They could go back and retcon the whole thing.
I assume they were trying to ensure family friendly (still in that era 'couples' frequently meant 'swinging')
Disliked Nelson. First of all, he did not help Mork 'learn' anything. He himself seemed 'stunted' re social skills. I know this came right after watergate so elected officials and candidates were punching bags but since they were going to make him a Democrat in Boulder Colorado, they did not have to make him a doofus. Should have just cut him. He was totally uneeded dead weight for scripts.
Another dated character is Exidor. It probably tested great back then, but a (mentally ill?) street preacher doesn't do anything for me now. Not sure why he is allowed in their apartments and homes to hang out. They should have just cut him too.
The idea of ' friends' wasn't the problem, it was that the friends were badly/poorly written which was the issue. If a little more time, thought and care had been put into the concept, I'm sure they could have gone 6 seasons.
BTW I would have made Suzi Quatro "the wayward niece" of Remo and Jeannie vs trying to have her repeatedly/desperately perform on Happy Days in some "weird dimension" where she clearly doesn't look the period and doesn't even sound it. She has to come live with them as 'the last chance' in Boulder vs being shipped off to reform school. Mork and Mindy could have had her instead of Mearth for season 4. And I'm sure it would have helped Quatro's career much more. She could have been the combo Joannie and Chachi.
Instead of trying to make up "bands" for the restaurant--Remo and Jeannie could have her play....and she could promote whatever album she was releasing..etc Bingo!! They probably did not want to infringe on William's space as the 'star' and/or have to pay licensing to an actual musical artist though. Two big mistakes which cost both Quatro and this show. Shame. They could have probably squeezed two seasons out.
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