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That was a whole different dynamic, a "just the two of them against the world" sort of thing.
Besides plotlines, television serials are a business. There are extensive laws governing the number of hours children can work. They get sick, they need to go to school, etc.
Even adults get tired and they need to bounce off other people as TV is not about monologues. While there were only two actors in every episode of "My favorite Martian", they were both adults. CofEF had only one adult in every episode. Modern Family has 10/11 stars with 6 adults, but the show seems to be reeling under the impressive payroll for that many actors.
Runtime: 30 min
Bill Bixby ... Tom Corbett (73 episodes, 1969-1972)
Brandon Cruz ... Eddie Corbett (73 episodes, 1969-1972)
I think three is more common because they just want to have eough kids around for a constant stream of storylines.
And then when ratings start to dip or when the show has been on so long the youngest kid starts to grow up and isn't cute any more..
SURPRISE! Mom is preganant! Or little cousin Timmy is coming to live with us!
Another advantage to having three kids from the beginning is the longevity factor. When the show premieres, the oldest of the three will likely be a teenager, and the middle child a pre-teen. The youngest will likely be that precocious age where their main function is to deliver clever jokes/lines and be cute. For the first few seasons, the "teen" stories will be done by the oldest, and then when that one ages to college age, you have the middle child pick up that function. If the show lasts long enough, the youngest will even get a piece of that action. Also, if that oldest child gets written out (or has a Michael J. Fox-type breakout stardom that makes him/her leave the show) they will still have 'back-up' kids.
My nit-picky contribution (from that list on page one) will be to point out that Empty Nest did NOT have only two kids--daughter Emily (youngest) was away at college for most of the show's run, but appeared for a while with sister Carol (eldest) after daughter Barbara (middle) left. So EN is another of the three-kids shows, though they did not have all three appearing together.
roseanne 3
home improvement 3
everybody loves raymond 3
malcolm in the middle 3
even stevens 3
last man standing 3
family guy 3
cleveland show 3
simpsons 3
grace under fire 3
little house on the prairie 3
brady bunch 6, two single parents who each had 3
the list cobtinues but this is what came from the top of my head.
Malcolm in the Middle started with 4 (the eldest was away at military school) and ended with 5 and one more on the way!
The Middle - 3
Growing Pains - 3 at its start
Family Ties - 3 at its start
Mr. Belvedere - 3
Gimme A Break - 3 at its start
Different Strokes - 3 at its start
Yes Dear - 3 at its start
Family Affair - 3
The Hogan Family (Originally Valerie) - 3
Fresh Prince of Belair - 3 (+ cousin Will) at its start
The Goldbergs - 3
Blossom - 3
Happy Days - 3 at its start
Man With a Plan - 3
Kevin Can Wait - 3
Young Sheldon - 3
re: List on first page Actually the "Cosby Show" had five to start. "FamilyMatters" and "Happy Days" also started with three then Judy Winslow and Chuck Cunningham were no where to be found. Many sitcoms have worked well with one or two kids.
Also, the elements don't have to be three individual kids. For eg, "The Waltons" had parents/kids/grandparents/and townspeople actually four elements. "Little House' had parents/kids/townspeople.The Brady Bunch could be parents/kids/housekeeper.
When a series adds an adoption or a child from extended family, it'called "Cousin Oliver" syndrome credited to the "Brady Bunch". Carol's nephew came to live with them on the last season.
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