The Runaway Bride

I'm posting on all three shows about this, as all three shows are predominantly of the same era.

I'm watching Newhart in reruns, especially the early episodes, and seeing how Stephanie (Julia Duffy) appeared and it was known she was an heiress who ran out on her fiancé, who came to work at the inn as a maid.

On Cheers, Diane Chambers (Shelly Long) would virtually do the same and start working at the bar as a waitress.

Then on Friends, Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) would AGAIN do the SAME thing here.

It was virtually the way all three characters were introduced and began (while Diane and Rachel were created this way, Stephanie would be a bit character who was clearly brought back).

What on Earth was going on? I think it's not so much they were runaway brides, but that they took such low-wage jobs.

What was the message? What was the theme?

Ladies, having doubts? Run for it.

Interestingly enough, there was yet ANOTHER sitcom moment with the character, Laverne DeFazio on Laverne and Shirley, getting proposed to and having doubts, so she doesn't marry the guy. What was odd there, and it was an early episode too, was it made it hard to focus on Laverne and Shirley trying to figure out if marriage would make them happy and there they had the chance and she blew it.

But that was the seventies reflection on a woman's independence. Why wasn't it ironed out better by the '80s and '90s?

I'm sure there were other moments in which the female lead had to contend with that ex coming back into her life and she gives him that speech about how she'll always love him, but doesn't want to marry him.

I think what is striking me strangest is how they became a maid/waitress. What was the angle there?