MovieChat Forums > Gimme a Break! (1981) Discussion > Just noticed something about Joey Lawren...

Just noticed something about Joey Lawrence on this show

posted 8 years ago by stevenackerman69
9 replies | jump to latest

Here's something I just noticed: He did not appear in the last episode of any season he appeared in. Let me show you:
Season 3's last episode filmed was The Center. It wasn't aired last, but it was the last episode they taped that year. I don't recall him in it.
Season 4's last episode taped and aired was Julie's Birthday. I know he wasn't in that.
Season 5's last episode taped and aired was The Purse Snatcher, another spin-off attempt. I don't recall him in that.
Season 6's last episode taped and aired was Mama's Date. He wasn't in that, although he was mentioned at the beginning as being upstairs.

Was there a reason for this? Did it have to do with Joey's regular schooling or something?

[–] jarrodmcdonald-1 8 years ago

Interesting trivia. Maybe it was purely a coincidence. At any rate, he was able to get back to school and on to summer vacation sooner.

'The Purse Snatcher' episode had hardly any of the main family in it. Even Nell's role is considerably reduced. It wouldn't have been so bad if the guest characters were funny. It's no wonder NBC didn't do the proposed spinoff. And considering that Katie, Julie, Jonathan and the baby were being written out in the next episode, at the beginning of season 6, it's a disappointing way to end the 5th season. It was otherwise a very solid and good year for the show after Dolph Sweet's death.

[–] stevenackerman69 8 years ago

Yeah, hi again. Good answer, since they would wrap the season in March so he could go back to school (a regular one) and then summer vacation, although the next season would start during the summer anyway.

[–] jarrodmcdonald-1 8 years ago

Most sitcoms go back into production in mid-July. Also, they don't film every week. Usually they do three episodes per month.

[–] stevenackerman69 8 years ago

There is a list of the taping dates on here. It looks like they started production around July, although the first season didn't start until October that year, probably due to the writer's strike. Having done BG work on NY productions, I can see when they are filming stuff around NY and yes, you are right about shows starting up production in July or the summer, so they'll be ready to premiere that Sept.

[–] stevenackerman69 8 years ago

Another thing about The Purse Snatcher episode: The only family members who don't make appearances are Julie and Jonathan. Everyone else appears, even Simpson.

[–] jarrodmcdonald-1 8 years ago

Interesting. Jonathan was not in very many episodes. But Julie was in almost every episode during the first five seasons.

[–] stevenackerman69 8 years ago

Update: Just been looking over Purse Snatcher and he does appear in it.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] rateater (10134) 4 years ago

they didn't want him at any of the cast parties?