Why did US comedies not like to name other shows?

I am a fan of the comedy series Green Acres and in one episode a talking horse features. The horse tells dodgy salesman Mr. Haney that he "was on television" and that he "was Mr. Fred" - note Fred instead of Ed. I wonder if saying "Mr. Fred" was just a spoof, or whether in those days it wasn't appropriate to name one show in another - which is strange as Mr. Ed was produced by Filmways, who also made Green Acres.

I also remember seeing The Brady Bunch years ago and in one episode the oldest daughter Marcia meets Desi Arnaz Jr. Marcia said to him that she "watches him on The Lucy Show" - but Desi Jr. wasn't in The Lucy Show, but Here's Lucy. This makes me think even more that for some reason TV writers and producers didn't like to properly name other comedy shows.

Quote: Matt79 @ January 24 2011, 4:12 PM GMT

This makes me think even more that for some reason TV writers and producers didn't like to properly name other comedy shows.

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I suspect it was the time these shows were written more than anything. Not quite sure why, other than it was the "done thing" back then.

Quote: chipolata @ January 25 2011, 10:06 AM GMT

I suspect it was the time these shows were written more than anything. Not quite sure why, other than it was the "done thing" back then.

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It is interesting to hear that it was the "done thing" on US shows back then. The "Mr. Fred" name rather than Mr. Ed does sound really funny in the Green Acres episode, though.

they talk about freinds all the time on scrubs

I preferred Mr Dead.

Quote: samcheese @ January 25 2011, 9:08 PM GMT

they talk about freinds all the time on scrubs

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Scrubs also has some quite pointed comments about Grey's Anatomy.

Quote: chipolata @ January 25 2011, 11:04 PM GMT

Scrubs also has some quite pointed comments about Grey's Anatomy.

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He's just lost his job, give the sexist twat a break.

Quote: Badge @ January 25 2011, 11:15 PM GMT

He's just lost his job, give the sexist twat a break.

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>_<

i have also watch this Episode and I like it so much and I like to tell you I have never seen such type of comedy in my life before this Episode Which you have mention here and thanks for posting it .

Really this is a stupid thread (what's new) because any real EastEnder would spend their time watching Corrie or Emmerdale but do they ever talk about the storylines?