Television shows of many genres have referenced sitcoms of the past. With over seventy years of sitcom history, there is so much to analyze, celebrate, and critique. Sitcoms were some of the first shows to bring families together in front of the television set, and they continue to pop up in clever references and tributes on other shows.
Whether it's a recreation of a theme song or an entire scene, there are plenty of ways to pay homage to sitcoms of the past. WandaVision reveals that sitcom decades can take an even greater role in series moving forward. Which other shows have gone back in time one way or another to commemorate various sitcoms?
WandaVision
Set in the suburban town of Westview, WandaVision (2021) takes MCU characters Wanda Maximoff and Vision through decades of sitcom history. Though more lies beneath the surface, Wanda and Vision are trapped in a sitcom realm throughout episodes.
From the 1950s to the twenty-first century, tons of sitcoms are carefully imitated. I Love Lucy, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and of course, Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie inform earlier episodes. The second episode's intro is incredibly similar to that of Bewitched. As the series progresses through time, it pays homage to The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Brady Bunch, Family Ties, Growing Pains, Full House, Malcolm in the Middle, and Modern Family.
Will & Grace
Will & Grace (1998-2020) famously celebrated I Love Lucy in 2020 with the "We Love Lucy" episode. Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr gave their permission for the series to recreate the scenes in the episode. The one that stands out is the "Vitameatavegamin" sequence, brilliantly revived by Debra Messing as Grace, as Lucy.
Karen (Megan Mullally) gets a turn as Lucy in the "Grape-Stomping" scene with Leslie Jordan guest-starring. Grace is Ethel and Jack is Lucy in the "Chocolate Factory" bit. From exact replicas of the Ricardos' apartment to custom costumes and spot-on sets and props, Will & Grace went all out to pay tribute to I Love Lucy.
7th Heaven
Even though it's a family drama rather than a sitcom, 7th Heaven (1996-2007) did not shy away from occasional warmth or humor. The Camden family begins with Eric, Annie, and their five children. The third season brought twins Sam and David into the family, and it's challenging labor for Annie.
When the boys finally arrive, the Camdens gather around and sing The Mary Tyler Moore Show. It's their tradition whenever a new baby comes to welcome him or her with, "Love is all around, no need to fake it. You can have the town, why don't you take it? You're gonna make it after all."
Full House
Full House (1987-1995) is one of the most popular 1990s sitcoms ever, and the series had plenty of references to older movies and music, but it didn't recall old sitcoms all the time.
Season six, episode 20 is "Grand Gift Auto," the one where Joey accidentally buys DJ a stolen car for her birthday. The episode is full of Danny's guitar stylings as the situation with Joey and the law plays out. The closing credits put all the Tanners and extended family into The Brady Bunch's blue checkerboard. It's a lot of fun to see them look at each other and wave.
Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls (2000-2007) is packed with pop culture references, especially between Lorelai and Rory. The mom and daughter aren't huge television buffs, but they spend a lot of their free time watching movies.
That being said, there's one classic sitcom that fans of the show will cropping up in the first season of Gilmore Girls. Dean is a bit too old-fashioned in his approach to gender roles, but Rory humors him for one night by dres as Donna Reed from The Donna Reed Show and serving Dean a huge dinner.
Boy Meets World
Boy Meets World (1993-2000) occasionally took viewers back to the past with flashback episodes, but it also nodded to a specific sitcom: Happy Days.
Harley Keiner (Danny McNulty) is a recurring character at John Adams High, and he is the spitting image of Fonzie from Happy Days. From his walk to his talk, Harley clearly channels the Fonz.
St. Elsewhere
Some sitcom references are rather avant-garde, and one such case is in the fourth season of St. Elsewhere (1982-1988) with the "Close Encounters" episode. A patient in the psych ward of St. Eligius hospital thinks that he is Mary Richards from The Mary Tyler Moore Show and completely takes on the identity.
This wasn't the only Mary Tyler Moore moment in the series, nor was it the only sitcom connection. An episode in the third season was simply titled "Cheers" and took some of the doctors over to the beloved Boston bar.
That's So Raven
That's So Raven (2003-2007) is full of the physical comedy that many great sitcoms utilize, and Raven and Chelsea can certainly be compared to Lucy and Ethel from I Love Lucy. A more specific sitcom homage takes place in "Goin' Hollywood" in season three.
This episode could have been a backdoor pilot for a series starring Alyson Stoner. Stoner is the center of the episode as a kid actor named Ally Parker, who is famous for her 1950s-set sitcom, "Better Days." As fun as the Happy Days reference was, the spin-off didn't happen.
That '70s Show
There were plenty of 1970s tributes and stars throughout the course of That '70s Show (1998-2006). From The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Betty White, Valerie Harper, and Mary Tyler Moore all guest-starred at different times. From The Bob Newhart Show, Jack Riley guest-starred and Tom Poston guest-starred as Kitty's father.
Tim Reid from WKRP in Cincinnati was Hyde's dad in the later seasons. The list goes on, but some other notable stars are Eve Plumb, Barry Williams, and Christopher Knight from The Brady Bunch, Danny Bonaduce and Shirley Jones from The Partridge Family, Don Knotts from Three's Company, and of course, Marion Ross, the matriarch of Happy Days.
Happy Days
Speaking of Happy Days, the sitcom that has been celebrated so much was actually one of the first programs to take a walk down memory lane. Though the series was filmed from 1974 to 1984, it's set in the 1950s and '60s. There are a few anachronisms, but the sitcom established its characters' interests and hobbies within the correct time period.
For example, the second season has an episode titled "The Howdy Doody Show" in which Joanie appears on the vintage program and Richie gets an interview with Buffalo Bob and Howdy Doody. In addition to looking back and playing into 1950s nostalgia, Happy Days charged forward with a number of spin-offs, including Joanie Loves Chachi, Mork & Mindy, and Laverne & Shirley.