What famous sports movie starred a Golden Retriever?
A Golden Retriever named Buddy starred in the 1997 movie "Air Bud" as a dog who plays basketball. Before that he appeared as Comet on the TV sitcom "Full House."
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Sitcom Facts
Sitcom facts and facts about sitcoms, from the Random Facts shelf.
121 facts on this shelf
How long did "Friends" run?
"Friends" aired on NBC from 1994 to 2004, running for 10 seasons and 236 episodes.
How many people watched the "Friends" finale?
About 52.5 million people in the US watched the "Friends" series finale in 2004, one of the most-watched TV episodes of the 2000s.
What was "Friends" originally going to be called?
Before settling on "Friends," the show's working titles included "Insomnia Cafe" and "Friends Like Us."
How much did the "Friends" cast earn per episode?
The six main "Friends" stars negotiated their contracts as a group and each earned $1 million per episode in the final seasons.
Where is the fountain from the "Friends" opening credits?
The fountain in the "Friends" opening credits isn't in New York. It's on the Warner Bros. Ranch lot in Burbank, California.
What was "The Rachel"?
Jennifer Aniston's layered haircut on "Friends" became a worldwide trend in the 1990s known as "The Rachel."
Who performs the "Friends" theme song?
The "Friends" theme song, "I'll Be There for You," is performed by The Rembrandts.
Why was the actor who played Gunther cast?
James Michael Tyler, who played barista Gunther on "Friends," was cast partly because he knew how to operate a real espresso machine.
Where was Central Perk filmed?
Central Perk, the coffee shop from "Friends," was a set on the Warner Bros. studio lot in Burbank, California.
When did the "Friends" reunion air?
"Friends: The Reunion" premiered on HBO Max in 2021, bringing the six main cast members back together.
Who created "Seinfeld"?
"Seinfeld" was created by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David and aired on NBC from 1989 to 1998.
What was the "Seinfeld" pilot called?
The "Seinfeld" pilot was called "The Seinfeld Chronicles," and it tested so poorly that the show almost didn't get picked up.
What was the "no hugging, no learning" rule?
The "Seinfeld" writers followed a rule called "no hugging, no learning," meaning the characters never grew or learned lessons.
Where did Festivus come from?
Festivus, the made-up holiday from "Seinfeld," came from the real family tradition of writer Dan O'Keefe's father.
Was Kramer based on a real person?
The "Seinfeld" character Kramer was based on Kenny Kramer, Larry David's real-life neighbor, who later ran "Seinfeld" reality bus tours in New York.
Who was George Costanza based on?
George Costanza was largely based on "Seinfeld" co-creator Larry David.
Who inspired the Soup Nazi?
The Soup Nazi on "Seinfeld" was inspired by Al Yeganeh, a real New York soup vendor known for his strict ordering rules.
How many people watched the "Seinfeld" finale?
About 76 million people watched the "Seinfeld" finale in 1998.
How much did Netflix pay for "Seinfeld"?
Netflix reportedly paid more than $500 million for the global streaming rights to "Seinfeld" starting in 2021.
Why does Superman keep appearing in "Seinfeld"?
Superman references show up throughout "Seinfeld" because Jerry Seinfeld is a huge Superman fan.
What show was "The Office" based on?
The American version of "The Office" was adapted from the 2001 British series created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant.
How long did "The Office" run?
"The Office" aired on NBC from 2005 to 2013, running for nine seasons.
Where is Dunder Mifflin located?
Dunder Mifflin, the paper company in "The Office," is set in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
How similar was "The Office" pilot to the British version?
The pilot episode of the American "The Office" was nearly a word-for-word remake of the British pilot.
Did Rainn Wilson audition for Michael Scott?
Rainn Wilson originally auditioned for the role of Michael Scott before being cast as Dwight Schrute.
Which actors from "The Office" were also writers?
Several "The Office" cast members were also writers on the show, including B.J. Novak, Mindy Kaling, and Paul Lieberstein.
Who filmed the Scranton footage in "The Office" opening credits?
John Krasinski filmed some of the Scranton footage used in "The Office" opening credits before he was even cast.
When did Steve Carell leave "The Office"?
Steve Carell left "The Office" after season seven.
How much did Peacock pay for "The Office"?
NBCUniversal's Peacock reportedly paid about $500 million for the exclusive streaming rights to "The Office."
What was the running joke "That's what she said"?
Michael Scott's "That's what she said" was one of the most famous running jokes on "The Office."
What is the longest-running American scripted primetime series?
"The Simpsons" is the longest-running American scripted primetime TV series.
How did "The Simpsons" start?
"The Simpsons" started in 1987 as short cartoons on "The Tracey Ullman Show."
Who are the Simpsons named after?
Creator Matt Groening named most of the Simpson family after his own relatives. Bart's name is an anagram of "brat."
What state is Springfield in?
"The Simpsons" never reveals which state Springfield is in.
Did "The Simpsons" predict a Trump presidency?
A 2000 episode of "The Simpsons," "Bart to the Future," joked about a Donald Trump presidency years before it happened.
When was "D'oh!" added to the dictionary?
Homer Simpson's "D'oh!" was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2001.
Does "The Simpsons" have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?
"The Simpsons" got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000.
When was "The Simpsons Movie" released?
"The Simpsons Movie" was released in 2007.
What did Time magazine name the best TV series of the 20th century?
Time magazine named "The Simpsons" the best TV series of the 20th century.
How many fingers do Simpsons characters have?
Simpsons characters have four fingers on each hand.
When did "I Love Lucy" air?
"I Love Lucy" aired on CBS from 1951 to 1957.
How did "I Love Lucy" change TV production?
"I Love Lucy" helped pioneer filming with three cameras in front of a live audience, which preserved episodes on film and made reruns possible.
Could "I Love Lucy" say the word "pregnant"?
When Lucille Ball's real pregnancy was written into "I Love Lucy," CBS wouldn't let the show say "pregnant," so the characters said "expecting" instead.
How many people watched Lucy give birth on TV?
About 44 million people watched the 1953 "I Love Lucy" episode in which Little Ricky is born, more than watched President Eisenhower's inauguration the next day.
Were Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz married in real life?
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, who played Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, were married in real life.
Who was the first woman to run a major TV studio?
Lucille Ball became the first woman to run a major TV studio when she took over Desilu Productions.
What shows did Desilu greenlight?
Lucille Ball's Desilu studio greenlit "Star Trek" and "Mission: Impossible."
What is the Vitameatavegamin episode?
In the famous Vitameatavegamin episode of "I Love Lucy," Lucy gets tipsy while filming a commercial for an alcohol-filled health tonic.
What is the grape-stomping episode?
In a famous "I Love Lucy" episode, Lucy stomps grapes in an Italian vineyard and ends up wrestling another grape stomper.
Where is the Lucy Desi Museum?
The Lucy Desi Museum is in Jamestown, New York, Lucille Ball's hometown.
When did "Cheers" air?
"Cheers" aired on NBC from 1982 to 1993, running for 11 seasons.
Was "Cheers" almost canceled?
"Cheers" ranked near the bottom of the ratings in its first season and was almost canceled.
What bar inspired "Cheers"?
The bar in "Cheers" was inspired by the Bull & Finch Pub in Boston.
Why did Woody Harrelson join "Cheers"?
Woody Harrelson joined "Cheers" after actor Nicholas Colasanto, who played Coach, died in 1985.
What was Sam Malone's job before running the bar?
Sam Malone, the bar owner on "Cheers," was a former relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox.
How many Emmys did "Cheers" win?
"Cheers" won 28 Primetime Emmy Awards.
How many people watched the "Cheers" finale?
About 80 million people watched the "Cheers" finale in 1993.
What was the running joke when Norm entered the bar?
On "Cheers," the whole bar shouted "Norm!" every time Norm walked in.
Which famous spin-off came from "Cheers"?
"Frasier" was a spin-off of "Cheers."
Has an actor been nominated for an Emmy for the same character on three shows?
Kelsey Grammer earned Emmy nominations for playing Frasier Crane on three different shows: "Cheers," "Wings," and "Frasier."
Where was "Frasier" set?
"Frasier" was set in Seattle, where Frasier Crane moved after leaving Boston.
How many times did "Frasier" win Outstanding Comedy Series?
"Frasier" won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series five years in a row, from 1994 to 1998.
How many Emmys did "Frasier" win?
"Frasier" won 37 Primetime Emmy Awards.
Who played Eddie the dog on "Frasier"?
Eddie the dog on "Frasier" was played by a Jack Russell terrier named Moose.
Who sings the "Frasier" theme song?
Kelsey Grammer sings the "Frasier" theme song, "Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs."
Did Maris ever appear on "Frasier"?
Niles's wife Maris is talked about constantly on "Frasier," but she is never seen on screen.
Why was Niles Crane created?
The character Niles Crane was created after the producers noticed that David Hyde Pierce looked like a young Kelsey Grammer.
Who voiced the callers on Frasier's radio show?
Celebrities secretly voiced many of the callers on Frasier's radio show.
Is the Seattle view from Frasier's apartment real?
The Seattle skyline view from Frasier's apartment, including the Space Needle, was a backdrop on a studio set.
Did "Frasier" come back?
"Frasier" returned with a revival series on Paramount+ in 2023.
How long did "How I Met Your Mother" run?
"How I Met Your Mother" aired on CBS from 2005 to 2014, with nine seasons and 208 episodes.
Who narrated "How I Met Your Mother"?
Bob Saget voiced the narrator of "How I Met Your Mother," the older version of Ted Mosby.
When were the kids' finale scenes filmed?
The scenes of Ted's kids used in the "How I Met Your Mother" finale were filmed in 2006, so the young actors wouldn't age before the ending was shot.
Who played the Mother on "How I Met Your Mother"?
The Mother was finally revealed in season nine of "How I Met Your Mother," played by Cristin Milioti.
Who were the "How I Met Your Mother" characters based on?
The characters on "How I Met Your Mother" were based on creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas and their friends.
What was the Slap Bet?
The Slap Bet was a long-running "How I Met Your Mother" storyline in which Marshall won the right to slap Barney five times whenever he chose.
Did Barney's blog exist in real life?
CBS created a real website for Barney Stinson's blog.
Who is MacLaren's Pub named after?
MacLaren's Pub on "How I Met Your Mother" was named after the creators' assistant, Carl MacLaren.
Was there a "How I Met Your Mother" spin-off?
"How I Met Your Father," a spin-off of "How I Met Your Mother," premiered on Hulu in 2022.
Why was the "How I Met Your Mother" finale controversial?
The "How I Met Your Mother" finale was controversial because many fans disliked how the series ended.
What is the longest-running multi-camera sitcom?
"The Big Bang Theory," which aired from 2007 to 2019 with 279 episodes, is the longest-running multi-camera sitcom in history.
Who sang "The Big Bang Theory" theme song?
"The Big Bang Theory" theme song was written and performed by Barenaked Ladies.
Was the science on "The Big Bang Theory" accurate?
UCLA physicist David Saltzberg was a science consultant on "The Big Bang Theory" and checked the equations on the show's whiteboards.
Who invented rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock?
Rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock, made famous by "The Big Bang Theory," was created by Sam Kass.
How much did the main "Big Bang Theory" stars earn?
The main "Big Bang Theory" stars earned about $1 million per episode, and some took pay cuts so their co-stars could get raises.
What is "Young Sheldon"?
"Young Sheldon," a prequel to "The Big Bang Theory," aired from 2017 to 2024.
Does Mayim Bialik have a PhD?
Mayim Bialik, who played Amy on "The Big Bang Theory," has a real PhD in neuroscience.
Did Stephen Hawking appear on "The Big Bang Theory"?
Stephen Hawking guest-starred as himself on "The Big Bang Theory."
When did the elevator get fixed on "The Big Bang Theory"?
The elevator in Sheldon and Leonard's building was broken for almost the whole series and was finally fixed in the last season.
How many Emmys did Jim Parsons win?
Jim Parsons won four Emmys for playing Sheldon Cooper.
Where is "Parks and Recreation" set?
"Parks and Recreation" aired on NBC from 2009 to 2015 and is set in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana.
Was "Parks and Recreation" planned as an "Office" spin-off?
"Parks and Recreation" was originally planned as a spin-off of "The Office."
Was Andy Dwyer supposed to be a temporary character?
Chris Pratt's character Andy Dwyer was originally supposed to appear only in the first season of "Parks and Recreation."
Where did Galentine's Day come from?
"Parks and Recreation" popularized Galentine's Day, a celebration of female friendship held on February 13.
Did Joe Biden appear on "Parks and Recreation"?
Joe Biden made cameo appearances on "Parks and Recreation."
Is Nick Offerman a real woodworker?
Nick Offerman, who played Ron Swanson, is a real woodworker.
Who played Leslie Knope?
Amy Poehler played Leslie Knope on "Parks and Recreation."
Who was Li'l Sebastian?
Li'l Sebastian, a miniature horse, was a beloved local celebrity in Pawnee on "Parks and Recreation."
What is "Treat Yo Self"?
"Treat Yo Self" is a yearly day of pampering on "Parks and Recreation."
Was there a "Parks and Recreation" reunion?
"Parks and Recreation" aired a reunion special in 2020 to raise money for COVID-19 relief.
When did "Modern Family" air?
"Modern Family" aired on ABC from 2009 to 2020, running for 11 seasons.
How many times did "Modern Family" win Outstanding Comedy Series?
"Modern Family" won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series five years in a row, from 2010 to 2014, tying the record set by "Frasier."
How is "Modern Family" filmed?
"Modern Family" is filmed in a mockumentary style.
Which presidential candidates said "Modern Family" was their favorite show?
Both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney said "Modern Family" was a favorite show in 2012.
Was a "Modern Family" episode filmed on iPhones?
The 2015 "Modern Family" episode "Connection Lost" was filmed on iPhones and iPads and plays out entirely on a laptop screen.
Why did the "Modern Family" cast sue in 2012?
Members of the "Modern Family" cast sued in 2012 to renegotiate their pay.
Was Sofía Vergara the highest-paid TV actress?
Sofía Vergara was named the highest-paid TV actress by Forbes for several years in a row.
How many Emmys did "Modern Family" win?
"Modern Family" won 22 Primetime Emmy Awards.
Where is "Modern Family" set?
"Modern Family" is set in Los Angeles.
How many families are in "Modern Family"?
"Modern Family" follows three related households in one extended family.
How long did "M*A*S*H" run?
"M*A*S*H" aired from 1972 to 1983, roughly three times longer than the Korean War it was set in.
What was "M*A*S*H" based on?
The "M*A*S*H" TV series was based on Robert Altman's 1970 film, which was adapted from a novel by Richard Hooker.
Why was there no laugh track in the operating room scenes?
"M*A*S*H" didn't use a laugh track during operating room scenes.
What Emmys did Alan Alda win for "M*A*S*H"?
Alan Alda won Emmys for acting, writing, and directing "M*A*S*H."
Who was the only main actor from the "M*A*S*H" movie to play the same role on TV?
Gary Burghoff, who played Radar, was the only main actor to play the same role in both the "M*A*S*H" movie and TV series.
Where was "M*A*S*H" filmed?
Outdoor scenes for "M*A*S*H" were filmed at a ranch in what is now Malibu Creek State Park, and a wildfire burned the set in 1982.
Why did Klinger wear dresses?
Klinger wore dresses on "M*A*S*H" as part of a scheme to get discharged from the Army.
What did the "M*A*S*H" cast bury on the studio lot?
The "M*A*S*H" cast buried a time capsule on the studio lot.
Does the Smithsonian have "M*A*S*H" items?
The Smithsonian has pieces of the Swamp set from "M*A*S*H."
What did "M*A*S*H" stand for?
"MASH" stands for Mobile Army Surgical Hospital.