How a 1980s Fairy Tale Sitcom Predicted Today’s Modern Magic Shows

24 years prior to ABC’s primetime lineup featuring fairy tale dramas, the network attempted a unique take on traditional storytelling themes with a forgotten sitcom titled “The Charmings“. The iconic figure Snow White has been reimagined countless times, yet the question arises: what happens when she is revived during the era of Reaganomics? How does Prince Charming adapt to shoulder pads and suburban life? Before ABC transformed animated legends into a live-action Disney series, “The Charmings” explored whether “happily ever after” could endure in reality and the laughter of audiences.

Beginning in 2011, Disney reimagined their classic fairy tales as a soap opera for mature viewers, set in an enchanted forest. When the Evil Queen casts a spell that transports the inhabitants to the modern world without magic, they struggle to remember their identities until Emma Swan, a wanderer, arrives as their savior. Filled with romance, supernatural elements, and enough drama for a full-scale production of Into the Woods, Once Upon a Time quickly became one of Disney’s most popular and binge-worthy TV series.

Once Upon a Time, Snow White Made the 1980s Magical

From Slaying Dragons to Surviving the Suburbs

Prior to Emma Swan breaking the Evil Queen’s curse in “Once Upon a Time”, ABC presented an unusual interpretation of the “Snow White” tale. As the era of TGIF sitcoms flourished, the series “The Charmings” found itself amidst a plethora of primetime comedies vying for viewer’s attention. Making its debut alongside shows like “Full House“, “Married… with Children“, and what would later become “Saved by the Bell“, “The Charmings” was not only a reflection of its time but also an anomaly within it.

1987 marked the debut of a captivating show I’ve grown fond of. Each episode would start with a traditional Brothers Grimm-esque narration, only to twist the tale drastically. In one such twist, Snow White’s wicked stepmother, Queen Lilian (portrayed by Judy Parfitt), was thought to have plummeted into an endless abyss, but miraculously discovered it had a bottom. Despite her vindictive nature, Queen Lilian retaliated with a curse intended for her foes. However, this spell backfired, freezing not only herself, Snow White (initially played by Caitlin O’Heaney and later Carol Huston), Prince Charming (Christopher Rich), their offspring (Brandon Call and Garette Ratliff Henson), the Magic Mirror (Paul Winfield), and the dwarf Luther (Cork Hubbert) in a deep sleep, but also preserving them for a millennium. Awoke in modern-day Burbank, they found themselves utterly bewildered, overdressed, and utterly lost in this strange new world.

In an unexpected twist, The Charmings followed the formula of a conventional television sitcom, featuring laugh tracks, moralistic episodes, and humor that was more groan-inducing than chuckle-worthy. Adult jokes from Prince Charming centered around Rapunzel letting down her hair, while the Magic Mirror dished out witty pop culture remarks, occasionally referencing Sammy Davis Jr. In a surprising turn of events, Queen Lilian, portrayed as a villain, frequently discovered herself learning heartwarming life lessons, hinting that perhaps her character wasn’t as cold-hearted as her spells suggested.

The television show “The Charmings” only aired for two brief seasons before slipping into the world of obscure cult favorites, battling low viewership and going up against heavyweights like “The Cosby Show.” Although its fairy tale-inspired narrative offered a distinctive allure, it primarily recycled conventional sitcom humor wrapped in magical garb. To this day, its presence stirs an intriguing debate: Was “The Charmings” merely a visionary precursor or simply too eccentric to succeed?

24 Years After The Charmings, Once Upon a Time Made Its Own Magic

ABC Explored Fairy Tale Tropes in the Modern Day

In the realm of classic fairy tales, people tend to fall into two groups: those captivated by magic, love, and fate, and those who wish to reimagine or analyze them from a critical perspective. Regardless of their age gap and distinct moods, shows like Once Upon a Time and The Charmings have consistently tackled the question of how fairy tale principles interact with the contemporary world. Instead of merely moving stories to new locations, these series delved into the significance of these old tales in today’s society and explored what happens when “happily ever after” encounters real-world challenges.

In a narrative reminiscent of “Once Upon a Time,” that incident transformed into emotional turmoil, identity confusion, and the battle to cling onto optimism in a realm seemingly devoid of enchantment. Characters originally from fairy tales found themselves in contemporary roles, bereft of their past memories, and compelled to rediscover their identities. The struggle wasn’t merely between good and evil, but between idealism and disillusionment. They had to grapple with staying true to their beliefs amidst heartache, deception, and bureaucratic red tape. Magic was still present, yet it came at a cost, mirroring a more mature perspective on love, authority, and self-sacrifice. The series, AABC’s, delved into the complexities of life after fairy tales, utilizing contemporary settings as a reflection to reevaluate the ideals those stories once instilled.

Contrarily, the Charmings embraced the incongruity between the idealized fairy tale settings and everyday suburban existence. Instead of erasing their characters’ histories, it preserved their recollections and encouraged them to apply those timeless principles in a relentlessly ordinary environment. In this neighborhood, apples laced with poison came from supermarkets instead of witches, magic mirrors transformed into snarky echoes of popular culture, and the villainous queens posed less danger than rising criminal activity and pushy car salespeople. Amidst the laughter track and light-heartedness, the show subtly presents a thoughtful query: Can those fairy tale ideals genuinely coexist with the cynical, monotonous world where happy endings can’t be achieved by wishing on stars, genies, or fairy godmothers?

Even though The Charmings was lighter in tone compared to AABC’s drama, it managed to create room for heartfelt contemplations about love, family, and the importance of standing by one’s values amidst a world that may abandon them. Fundamentally, both series delved into the same optimistic concept: offering viewers a chance to embrace enchantment, romance, honesty, and salvation, even in a world yearning for more of those fairytale principles.

What “”appily Ever After””Means Now

Enchantment Continues to Evolve With Its Audience

In the process of evolving with time, classic stories strive to keep pace, yet one consistent aspect endures: ‘happily-ever-after’ isn’t a universal fit. A millennium ago, Prince Charming’s notion of resolution might have entailed banishing his mother-in-law into an abyss. In the sphere of 1980s sitcoms, it signified nurturing a family in suburban California. By 2011, it seemed to encompass being a grandfather and managing a cursed town. Many regard fairy tales as straightforward children’s stories, but they fail to notice how these narratives mature alongside their readers.

‘happily-ever-after’ doesn’t fit all scenarios. A thousand years back, Prince Charming’s concept of a resolution may have involved exiling his mother-in-law into an endless pit. In the context of 1980s sitcoms, it meant parenting in suburban California. By 2011, it encompassed becoming a grandfather and overseeing a cursed town. Many view fairy tales as basic children’s stories, but they often neglect to see how these stories grow and adapt alongside their audience.

for love, change, or a life beyond the ordinary one they’re familiar with.

At its core, “The Charmings” was a classic story designed for an audience who, as they grew older, continued to find solace and wisdom from such tales. Simultaneously, “Once Upon a Time” on ABC wasn’t too dissimilar; it reinterpreted Disney movies within a more mature, dramatic setting, catering to viewers seeking to rekindle their childhood enchantment with adult depth. Regardless of the distinct tones, both series shared the conviction that magic, love, and redemption remained relevant in today’s world.

In essence, these two TV series, although belonging to distinct periods, share a common goal: to nurture the belief that enchantment persists beyond one’s years. Whether they were delivered with a hearty laugh or a somber narrative, each show aimed to bridge the gap between the timeless and the contemporary. Fairy tales live on not merely because they are ancient; they live on because they change. The shows The Charmings and Once Upon a Time, despite their contrasting approaches—the former with its family sitcom eccentricities, the latter with its focus on darkness and loss—both grasped this fundamental truth: these stories hold significance because they grow. And in our modern world saturated with skepticism, they continue to remind us that even stories about poisoned apples, magic mirrors, and true love still have something important to convey.

2025-05-18 01:21