So, then, we rank 10 shows of the BOTNS era that would not lose if the titular names were reversed. the course of TV history would not have changed. If you're thinking the trick is to have the old "one syllable name, conjunction, then two-syllable name" pattern, well, I ask you? What about Hutch and Starsky? Would that sound right?
Well, anything Ernie Anderson said in 1977 sounded right, but you get my meaning.
This list reflects how these reworked show titles would fare on a neutral field in Schenectady, New York.
1) Simon and Simon: Call me crazy, but...I think it sounds better this way.
2) TV's Practical Jokes and Bloopers: I mean, I think I said it this way a half-dozen times on the podcast, so...
3) Marie and Donny: Ladies first, right? I believe it's somewhat gallant to put Marie first. Sonny and Cher and Captain and Tennille are fine, though, because it's like you're rewarded for putting up with the first name.
4) Shirley and Laverne: Would this reversal intensify their feud or lessen it? I'm not sure.
5) Mindy and Mork: No problem at all with "leading up to" Mork.
6) Lacey and Cagney: I think only their agents would care.
7) Tina and Mr. T: The show was doomed to begin with, or was it? There's something pleasing about doing it this way instead of as Mr. T and Tina. I'm not sure what it is, but it's there.
8) Makepeace and Dempsey: I'm no expert on this British show, but does this lose anything? Absolutely not.
9) Alice and Ted and Carol and Bob: I'm gonna wager that unless you were of moviegoing age when the feature film was released, you'd need a minute or two to get the order right anyway for the 1973 ABC adaptation.
10) Alias Jones and Smith: I mean, how can it matter? They're aliases!
Also receiving votes: Bones and Fitz, Hart to Hart, McCormick and Hardcastle, Company and Charlie.
