“It’s a Wonderful” Sitcom Episode

 

This is one I have been putting off for awhile. We all know the classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” where George Bailey gets to see what the world would have been like without him. It’s a great premise, so great pretty much everyone has done a take on it inducing Tiny Toons, SNL, and The Muppets. And of course, sitcoms are no exception.



While not quite as common as the “Christmas Carol” episode, there are still a few out there. And they don;t all follow the exact same structure either, the only criteria is some sort of angel (for most) and seeing what everyone would be like if something did or didn’t happen. One reason I have not discussed this yet is because it doesn’t need to be a Christmas episode for the premise to work. Though very often it is. I’ll be honest I am a major sucker for this particular plot device. Possibilities are always fun to see, especially with characters you have gotten to really know. Seeing what they could have been like if things were different, and while some shows play it more seriously than others these episodes are always fun to watch.




Here we go, buckle in folks!




Benson, “Home for Christmas”

One of my favorite episodes of anything ever. For the longest time it was just a memory, I had only seen it once, and killed to see it again. Thank you TV Land for finally re-airing it so I could record it! Benson is injured and in heaven, his mother shows him what life would be like for his friends if he left them then. And the picture above is not from the episode, all I could find.








Fresh Prince, “The Alma Matter”

Not a whole episode but a part of an episode. Tom Jones appears as Carlton’s guardian angel (of course) and gives him a glimpse of what would have happened to his family without him there. Spoilers, Will corrupts them all.








Married with Children, “It’s a Bundyful Life”

I love this one. Yeah I don’t usually say that when discussing this series, but hey a good idea is a good idea. An angel shows Al what his family would have been like without him. They are all very happy! Which of course upsets Al, he wants his family miserable like they always are! Did I mention the angel was played by Sam Kinnison?








Night Court, “Hey Harry, F’Crying Out Loud–It Is a Wonderful Life… Sorta”

Wow is that title lame. Anyway…Definitely not set at Christmas, but certainly the same idea. Harry has had a tough breakup and when he says he never should have taken the job as judge. Mel Torme (or an angel who looks like Mel Torme) shows him what life would be like without him…with a classic old movie slant! I’ve griped about how bad the show was at this point but I do love this episode. The film noir style is effective, especially the laugh track disappearing for it. I also like the song Mel Torme sings, “Star all over again”.








Family Matters, “Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like Urkel”

Ladies and gentlemen I give you, the one I always always forget! Not that it’s bad, at all, I just always seem to overlook it. And it’s a clever idea. After Laura gets mad at Steve, again, and hurts his feelings an angel appears to show her what it would be like to actually be Steve. Laura learns he does have real feelings, and she should be nicer. A nice episode and you gotta love seeing Jaleel White not acting like Steve for once (something which we would get very used to later on) while Kellie Shanygne Williams does a fantastic Steve impression. I also  love how they acknowledge “It’s a Wonderful Life” without saying the name of  the movie.








Life with Bonnie, “It’s a Wonderful Job”

This show didn’t last long so I get it if no one remembers. This Bonnie Hint vehicle was about her as a talk show host. When a mistake forces her and everyone else to work on Christmas Day, she wishes she’d never taken the job. Dick Van Patten appears to show her what would have happened if she hadn’t. While not a fan of this series this episode worked for me. The best part is when Bonnie wakes up overjoyed to back home at the end, there’s just something about Hunt’s acting in that scene I find adorable.








Mork & Mindy, “It’s a Wonderful Mork”

Because why not? After upsetting Mindy, Mork wishes he had never come to Earth. Until Mork shows him what would have happened had he not. Mindy is married to a jerk and her parents are out of business.








That 70’s Show, “It’s a Wonderful Life”

Another break up causes this one. You gotta love how this one ends. Usually the main character realizes how miserable everyone is without them, and wants things back. In this case, Eric realizes what he would me giving up if he had that other life. There were good times he doesn’t to forget, something people often overlook when a relationship ends Again I never have much to say about this series but…Nice touch, and kudos for doing something different.







Mad About You, “Up in Smoke”

This is more “Twilight Zone” than “Wonderful Life” but it’s the same idea. After the newsstand where they met burns down, Jamie wonders how she and Paul would have met had it happened a few years earlier. We then see a reality, through no explanation, where they never met and got married. In the end we  learn their meeting was simply destiny.








The Facts of Life, “It’s a Wonderful Christmas”

One of my favorite episodes, as we see what would have happened if Beverly Ann had never come to Peakskill. The episode does a great job setting things up in the first half and then delivering in the second. I also like the “angel” here is Santa Claus, and a pretty good one too played by the amazingly versatile Chuck McCann. Chloris Leahman is not respected enough, yeah she can be silly and even ditzy but she nails the emotional stuff too. A very underrated performer. You gotta admire a sitcom episode that kills off a main character even just for a few seconds!








Laverne and Shirley, “Laverne’s Broken Leg”

I have not seen this one nor could i find it anywhere to watch. While at home with a broken leg Laverne falls asleep watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” and dreams what life would have been like without her. There is an angel in this one…and that’s all I know about it. I really wish I could find a copy of it. I really want to see it. As you can see i couldn’t even find a decent pic. That pic is from another episode. Please, someone, fill me in!!!!!








Who’s The Boss?, “Tony Micelli, This is Your Life”

As I said it doesn’t need to be a Christmas episode. This one is cool. Tony Micelli had been a Baseball player when he stole a base and tore up his shoulder. After that his career was done, and he ended up as Angela’s housekeeper. What would have happened if he hadn’t injured his shoulder and his career had continued? That’s what this episode is based on. I like how serious it takes itself, you can feel Tony’s heart break when he can’t have Angela and wants his old life back.








ALF, “Stairway to Heaven”

Another that isn’t Chistmassy, even though “It’s a Wonderful Life” is referenced. And another angel, visiting Alf of course this time. This time we get to see what the Tanner’s would have been like if Alf hadn’t crashed into their roof. The interesting thing here is we see what would have happened to Alf if he had landed elsewhere, and he’s doing pretty well! But he realizes that without him The Tanners are bored and boring, and don’t know how to have fun. I kinda remember this and also don’t remember it. What I do remember was that despite the setup, it didn’t really live up to it.








Ok two cheat’s here, since there is nothing mystical in these at all. But they both concern “what if’s” so quick mentions :



Friends, “The One That Could Have Been”

Yeah I know doesn’t count but this episode gives us a look at what our Friends would have been like had they made different choices.









The Big Bang Theory, “The Cooper Extraction”

Because every time I do these I end with Big Bang Theory. And as I said it’s one which almost doesn’t count. I like that this wasn’t anything magical, just the friends discussing alternatives. But “It’s a Wonderful Life” gets mentioned so I guess it’s fair to include it. We see various outcomes of how things may have turned out had the group not come together as it did (for instance, if Leonard never lived with Sheldon would he have dated Penny?). Being imaginings the fantasies are a bit, out there. But it’s still funny.






That was quite a few, and I’m pretty sure there were plenty more. Especially if I included drama’s. We had Buffy, Star Trek did a spin on this, Providence (anyone remember that one?), Dr.Who, and even Arrow. And yes we’ve had movies also covering this concept including Mr.Destiny, The Family Man, and Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish. Like any good concept, it’s been used and used and used to death!! But let’s be fair it’s used so much because it’s a fascinating idea.



Did I miss your favorite? Comment and let me know.