Munsters VS Addams Family

[Wolf Man]

They both aired from 1964 to 1966 which puts the shows about dead equal.  The Munsters movies were made much earlier to capitalize on the shows success and fan following.  The Addams Family films were more recent made as a revamp or reinvention.  However, the Addams Family was based upon comics from Charles Addams and he was doing the comics in 1938.  So it could be argued that the influence for the show came way before The Munsters, UNLESS you consider the inspiration for the Munsters to be the classic horror movies in which case 1931 saw both Frankenstein and Dracula with Bride of Frankenstein aka Lily in 1935.  So there could be an argument for Munsters coming first.  Doesn't really matter because both shows were aired at the same time and were both two season's long so are dead equal in those respects. 

One thing that always bothered my about Morticia, as sexy though she was, whenever she asked if someone minded if she "Smoked", the smoke seemed to eminate from her bottom area and that is just downright unsettling.  It appeared like a release of gas in the form of smoke.  Not an attractive picture, especially since Carolyn Jones died at age 53 from colon cancer.  Of course, no one knew anything about that when the show aired so it was probably a funny gag for then.  I knew about how she died however before I began watching the series on DVD so seeing smoke emerge from her rectum area was in no way funny to me at all.  Kind of tragic if you ask me. 

Although Gomez had his funny moments I liked Raul Julia's interpretation of the role and especially his facial expressions during the one liners. 

Just watch his face when he is told by Debbie "You are such a lady killer" and he says "Acquitted"  (The film Addams Family Values)

The Munsters had Uncle Gilbert and yes they showed him as noted and they also showed Uncle Lester the werewolf and Mr. Gateman Herman's Boss the undertaker played by none other than John Carradine in a classic horror movie homage. 

I agree too that the Munsters humor was taken outside the home in many episodes which also allowed for more antics in my opinion.  What has been expressed as the more sophisticated humor of the Addams Family can also be compared to the more slapstick nature of the Munsters which as already stated and also in my opinion gives the Munsters twice the laughs. 

I think it is safe to say though they most of us like both series even if we prefer one over the other. 

What I think is truly a tragic shame is that both series were too short lived.  If they had just run one to two more years think of how many more episodes we would have today.  Gilligans Island ran three seasons and that extra year sure made a difference.  Anyone notice about Gilligans Island how many episodes had reference to Vampires, zombies, voodoo and even a Dr. Jekyl Mr. Hyde type episode in a spooky castle on a different Island.  There was also a whole episode devoted to Gilligan being a Vampire.  They really liked monsters on that show too. 

[DollFace]

I don't remember thinking the smoke was coming from her bottom half. I know dvds I have, they always have her framed from the waist up (more than likely to hide the smoke machine from the camera) but I never thought anything bad about it. Just that it was engulfing her like fog.

[long live kong]

I had no idea both shows were only two series long. That is indeed tragic! I remember watching 'V' when I was very young and that was axed suddenly. I've never seen an episode of Gilligan's Island so I'll have to look it up. One of my all-time favourite comedies is 'The Young Ones' and that only ran for two series, I've seen every episode countless times. I can see now why the Addams Family movies caused such excitement, they where both great films in my opinion, and brilliantly cast - how did they think to cast Christopher Loyd as Fester?
Herman was my favourite character as a kid and I love Fred gwynne, I'd like to know what other roles he played. He was great in Pet Semetary and had a small part as the judge in My Cousin Vinnie. I'm in the Munsters mood now!

[Wolf Man]

I do recommend the Gilligans Island DVD set.  It has all three seasons and is a great value.  I really enjoyed watching them all and did not tire of them even though I often watched four to five a day.  I had forgotten how many "monster" themed episodes they had made. 

[ICEMANN333]

DURING THE DAY I LIVE WITH THE ADDAMS FAMILY......AT NIGHT I GO HOME TO THE MUNSTERS...
  JUST THINK HOW COOL IT WOULD BE TO WATCH CREATURE FEATURES WITH THE MUNSTERS EATING FATHER AND SON PIZZA ON A SATURDAY NIGHT........PRICELESS.......ICEMAN..........

[Street Worm]

Loved 'em both but I think I related a bit more to the Addams Family~ 

[marsattacks666]

Let me start by saying I like the Munsters.

Okay, now let me say I absolutely adore The Addams Family. Something about them..you never expected them to say some of the things they did or do some of the things they did. The Munsters weren't human, the viewer expected the quirky behavior whereas, though quirkiness was to be expected, it was more surprising with the Addams Family. They were human but strange. The films kept that bizarre quality (with the dialogue in particular). I loved Grandpa in the Munsters but he was really my only favorite. John Astin has made me laugh so many times in the Addams Family with his facial expressions and delivery. Carolyn was gorgeous, Jackie was a grinning idiot (perfect for Fester), and Ted Cassidy was a great Lurch. I didn't particularly care for the kids or grandmama until the movies. Christina Ricci practically stole the show in the movies though Raul, Angelica and Christopher managed to hold their own.



Morticia: "Let me do that. You're all thumbs."
[Gomez gazes at hands]
Gomez: "Wouldn't THAT be interesting..."

So bizarre, so funny. I definitely identified with the Addams clan more than the Munsters family.

WOW, wow, wow nice picture btw!!!!!!!!

But, The MUNSTERS always were the first family for me.

[Barlow]

Love 'em both, but I like the Munsters more because they're more monster-like. Plus, as a kid I understood the Munsters humor more than the Addams Family humor.

[Gillman-Fan]

The production values alone make me love The Munsters more.

One thing about the The Addams Family program that really turned me off was how the exact same clips of gags were used over and over again.

[Wolf Man]

You know Gillman-fan you really notice that a lot more when you watch episodes back to back and often three or four in one day as I do here in Kuwait.  Sheesh, sometimes they use not only the same gag but the same clip from an earlier episode.  I guess that would be ok if they only aired one episode a week.  A person might not notice it as much. 

[graveghoul]

I love the Munsters and it is my favorite all time tv show. I never cared for the Adams Family in the 60's but when seen it in re-runs on tv land a year or so ago I actually liked it and found it amusing!

[Dr.Terror]

Munsters all the way.  both are great shows however.

[BaronLatos35]

Addams Family seemed to be on TV more in my area, but I enjoyed the weirdness of them, moreso than the Munsters.

Gomez was a riot and Morticia was FINE...Fester, Lurch, Thing,  It...I agree Ricci brought Wednesday to life in the movies.  All great charcters.

[Paul L]

I too grew up when these great shows first aired. I enjoy them both, but The Addams Family always seemed more clever & original.

[Scatter]

Awesome!! You look great!!