I just finished watching How I Met Your Mother and I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised by its well-written jokes and well-acted characters. It is probably the best TV sitcom I've ever seen.
What about the rest of you? Any sitcoms you think deserve to be rated as the best? I ask because I'm constantly looking for new shows to check out (right now I'm watching the Big Bang Theory).
So...thoughts?
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Arrested Development
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
Second Arrested Development. My other nominations would be The Office and Community. Honorable mentions for Newsradio and Parks and Recreation.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I also really enjoy The Office, Community, Spaced, Psych, Scrubs, Parks and Recreation. Among others.
Posted by Aros (Member # 4873) on :
Current: Modern Family (30 Rock runner Up) All Time: The Black Adder (Spaced runner Up)
Honorable Mention: Monty Python's Flying Circus, Arrested Development, Weeds, How I Met Your Mother, The IT Crowd, Red Dwarf, The Young Ones, A Bit of Fry and Laurie, Extras.
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
quote: (right now I'm watching the Big Bang Theory)
Like others, I couldn't even get to the point where I could properly dislike BBT for what it's about. I was too focused on disliking the "tell a joke, pause for excruciating, BRITISH TV POWERLEVEL laughtrack, carry on" terrible acting.
But if you really get past that and analyze the show on a less superficial level, it's still terrible, so
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I keep forgetting Modern Family because it's a newer show, and I've only seen the first season. But it's definitely a standout so far.
Posted by Mucus (Member # 9735) on :
Futurama
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
quote:Originally posted by SteveRogers: Arrested Development
Game Over.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I love the Big Bang Theory. I tend to agree that they really overdo the audience participation, but I still think it's hilarious. The only thing I'd chance other than the laugh track is to either delete or downplay Howard a lot more.
How I Met Your Mother is hilarious as well.
I still like Friends and Frasier a lot. Sitcoms have gotten a lot more sophisticated since then (though frankly I think Frasier was as smart as anything). Scrubs was pretty good too, though they certainly hit the "lesson of the week" stuff pretty damned hard.
I also like Psych, though it has gotten more and more zany as time has gone on. Do we even count it as a straight up comedy? If we're counting that, I'd add Chuck to the list, and also to my overall list of favorite shows in general.
Stuff like The Office and similar shows like Parks and Rec are funny, but personally they wouldn't be at the top of my list since I can's stand to watch about half of the show on a weekly basis because it's just too awkward, to the point where I'm physically uncomfortable and have to change the channel or pause it.
I thought Eight Simple Rules was really good as well until Ritter died.
Posted by Aros (Member # 4873) on :
quote:Originally posted by Strider:
quote:Originally posted by SteveRogers: Arrested Development
Game Over.
This is probably the right answer for American tv shows. But I'd be hard pressed to say that it was better than The Black Adder or Spaced.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I love Spaced too, but I still think Arrested Development is a better show. I think it better developed the supporting characters and had a stronger recurring supporting cast. I cared about and found all of the Bluth family and the recurring guests more than I did about supporting characters in Spaced like Twist or Mike.
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
quote:I love the Big Bang Theory. I tend to agree that they really overdo the audience participation, but I still think it's hilarious. The only thing I'd chance other than the laugh track is to either delete or downplay Howard a lot more.
I cannot for the life of me understand how people enjoy it even beyond the stilting laughtrack pacing. It is a nerd minstral show. They dress them up in nerd face and throw them up on stage to sing songs of the long forgotten days of toiling in the nerd fields. If you're an actual academic nerd or whatever the sensation of watching it is usually analogous to being a computer sciences major watching CSI:Enhance.
I also probably hate on BBT more than I usually would hate it just for being bad, because I can't stand that it's successful at the expense of things that aren't bad pump'n'dump joke comedy based on formula generalization mockery. BBT being bad in a vacuum, I don't care much about, I just don't watch it. But when someone reminds me that ten times as many people prefer BAZINGA to "You are the AT&T of people." I just want to call for a tv crusades, spearheaded by the segway Gob cavalry.
Anyway, I'm not prepared to put an Ace High on anything on this list, but at least in terms of contemporary tv comedy, it's Arrested Development, Community, Parks and Recreation. If you can't stand the sensation of verguenza ajena (I wish there was an english version of this word; it's basically that cringing ugh feeling you get when you watch characters like the Bluths act completely shameful and inflict cascading dysfunction on their own life due to their own stupidity, ignorance, and striking lack of composure, decency, and good sense) then strike Arrested Development, as genius as it is, from this list and avoid it like the plague (or, I guess, like the american Office)
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by Samprimary:
quote:I love the Big Bang Theory. I tend to agree that they really overdo the audience participation, but I still think it's hilarious. The only thing I'd chance other than the laugh track is to either delete or downplay Howard a lot more.
I cannot for the life of me understand how people enjoy it even beyond the stilting laughtrack pacing. It is a nerd minstral show. They dress them up in nerd face and throw them up on stage to sing songs of the long forgotten days of toiling in the nerd fields. If you're an actual academic nerd or whatever the sensation of watching it is usually analogous to being a computer sciences major watching CSI:Enhance.
I also probably hate on BBT more than I usually would hate it just for being bad, because I can't stand that it's successful at the expense of things that aren't bad pump'n'dump joke comedy based on formula generalization mockery. BBT being bad in a vacuum, I don't care much about, I just don't watch it. But when someone reminds me that ten times as many people prefer BAZINGA to "You are the AT&T of people." I just want to call for a tv crusades, spearheaded by the segway Gob cavalry.
It's not like it's a zero sum game. You can't look at Big Bang Theory and be like "it's cost a better show a chance!" What better show? And better how? I mean reality TV is still dominant in prime time programming, and it's pretty much 100% useless. Ragging on TBBT seems a little silly for that reason in the grand scheme of things.
I think the show is as much parody as anything. The characters on the show are by and large outlandish stereotypes, like a LOT of people are in comedies. It's the same with Barney on How I met your mother, Frasier and Niles on Frasier, Joey or Phoebe on Friends, or even Michael Scott on the American Office. They aren't meant to be real life depictions of what they claim to represent. EVERYONE on that show is over the top, even Penny the supposed "normal" character is an over the top moron. The family members are over the top ridiculous as well. If it had some semblance of pretending to depict reality, then I'd be all for your complaint. And that's where the minstrel show comparison falls apart.
I think Chuck does it much better. There's a show where the main character is incredibly smart, and a total geek, and they make hundreds of references that only geeks are going to get, but they do with with more of a wink than TBBT does, and for that matter, the geek gets to be a badass hero who gets the girl as opposed to the stilted lack of personal and social skills like Leonard and the gang.
But let's also stop and recognize that people like that DO exist. For every kid that grew up a geek but isn't socially stunted there are plenty still closeted from the outside world that live in a realm of fantasy. At least these guys are incredibly successful professionally as well and not living in their parents' basement. Also, I don't know how you can say Jim Parsons is a bad actor. Maybe the guys who play Howard and Raj are a little so-so, but Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons are brilliantly funny.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I just enjoy The Big Bang Theory because I appreciate the references within a comedic context.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
So do I.
And I don't even get a fifth of the science stuff.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I was a psychology major, so I definitely don't get any of the chemistry, physics, or engineering jokes either. But the references to comics, TV, film, and what not are the main draw for me to the show.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
My all time favorite comedy is Malcolm in the Middle (It had seven seasons, and they somehow all manage to be just as awesome, but for different reasons because the characters are getting older throughout the show). It's got a handful of boring episodes, but in SEVEN seasons that astounds me.
It's so strangely re-watchable too.
I just finished watching King of the Hill, seasons 1 and 2, and I am astounded I didn't pay more attention to this show when it was first broadcast. I always assumed, "Mike Judge = Beavis and Butthead = not interested" but then it suddenly occurred to me I really like Office Space so I gave it another shot (I'd seen some random episodes here and there). It's a recent falling in love so I *might* cool towards it with time, but I can't believe how fast I have started loving this show. I only hope seasons 3 and up get better. I'd still say that Hank Hill, Peggy Hill, Bobby Hill as a family are the most interesting comedic characters I have ever seen.
Futurama is always funny in general, but there are a few episodes that enter some new level of comedy I didn't realize existed until I watched 'em.
Posted by Aros (Member # 4873) on :
I'm an electrical engineer and IT hobbyist. I think from an actual geek's perspective, the IT Crowd is far superior than Big Bang Theory. But it might be the British thing too.
Mentioning Chuck, I wanted to include it, Misfits, and Firefly. But they're more dramedys, where I think we're talking about sitcoms here. Right?
Posted by Aros (Member # 4873) on :
quote:Originally posted by SteveRogers: I love Spaced too, but I still think Arrested Development is a better show. I think it better developed the supporting characters and had a stronger recurring supporting cast. I cared about and found all of the Bluth family and the recurring guests more than I did about supporting characters in Spaced like Twist or Mike.
I feel like the episodes of Spaced were more entertaining and told a stronger story. The main characters were FAR better developed than in Arrested Development, and I cared more about them. Arrested Development wins on the talent side, but there were some stand alone episodes of Spaced (the zombie episode that was recycled into Shaun of the Dead) that were stronger than any individual episode of Arrested Development.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
quote:Originally posted by BlackBlade: I just finished watching King of the Hill, seasons 1 and 2, and I am astounded I didn't pay more attention to this show when it was first broadcast.
I actually just finished watching seasons 1-4 of King of the Hill via Instant Play on Netflix, and I agree with you. It's much better than I'd always assumed it was. And even just the few sparse episodes I'd seen didn't really do it justice. It's closer to a sitcom than most of its animated peers, and I think it's the true-to-life believability of the Hill family and the rest of Arlen which makes it such a compelling and funny show.
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
quote:Originally posted by BlackBlade: I always assumed, "Mike Judge = Beavis and Butthead = not interested"
what
what
i'll just quote to you from my facebook feed:
quote:When I first watched Beavis and Butthead in the 90's, I thought it was stupid, but now that I have my PhD, I think it's brilliant.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I also feel another moderately offensive but also brilliantly hilarious program which deserves mention is It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia.
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
Steve, I think you would enjoy The League. It's offensive and funny in a similar way to It's Always Sunny, and you and I seem to have similar tastes in general.
[ January 17, 2012, 12:36 AM: Message edited by: Strider ]
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I actually just finished watching The League on Netflix and also enjoyed it quite a bit, but I still think it's still too soon to really consider that show "great." I do appreciate how it tackles daily life issues from the perspective of the fantasy football "bro." I know guys like that, and that's what makes the show so funny.
Posted by Foust (Member # 3043) on :
Strange that The Simpsons, an animated series that ran from 1990 to 1996 (SHUT UP), has not been mentioned. Maybe only Arrested Development has a chance at topping it.
Also, if you really enjoyed AD and are not watching Archer, you are failing at life. It is gut busting funny.
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
quote:Originally posted by SteveRogers: I actually just finished watching The League on Netflix and also enjoyed it quite a bit, but I still think it's still too soon to really consider that show "great."
I actually didn't intend for it to be considered a nomination for the thread. I'm in the middle of watching it right now, and have been recommending it to people who don't know about it.
Posted by Dan_Frank (Member # 8488) on :
Oh hey this is a good opportunity to tell everyone who I talked to about this previously that I am now on board with Arrested Development. As Raymond (and maybe Sam, I don't remember) predicted, it took about six or seven episodes, but now we love it. So far (1 season in) it's still not Community, but then, nothing is.
Posted by EarlNMeyer-Flask (Member # 1546) on :
The British show Peep Show is pretty raunchy, if you like that kind of thing, and it's sort of like the Office and like the Odd Couple.
[ January 17, 2012, 05:51 AM: Message edited by: EarlNMeyer-Flask ]
Posted by rollainm (Member # 8318) on :
Scrubs. Hands down.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
How I met your Mother took my wife and I by surprise to. When I first heard about it, I assumed it was a Friends rip-off and ignored it.
We caught a random episode last year, then caught every episode in about a 2 month period.
A UK sitcom is the best, Coupling.
Posted by Selran (Member # 9918) on :
quote:Originally posted by Stephan:
A UK sitcom is the best, Coupling.
I'm sorry, I was expecting Shadayim.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
I found Arrested Development mildly amusing, but largely forgettable. :shrug:
---
One of my big beefs with BBT is that the geeks on it are purely mass market, popular culture geeks. They geek out about comic books, video games, TV, and movies, but as far as I can tell, not a single one of them has ever read a fantasy or science fiction novel. If LotR is mentioned, it's in relation to the Peter Jackson movies. If SoIaF is mentioned, it's in relation to the HBO show.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
My inner pop culture geek appreciates the references to mainstream geekery. I turn to other sources for fantasy knowledge.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by Stephan: How I met your Mother took my wife and I by surprise to. When I first heard about it, I assumed it was a Friends rip-off and ignored it.
We caught a random episode last year, then caught every episode in about a 2 month period.
A UK sitcom is the best, Coupling.
I think the Friends rip-off you're looking for is Happy Endings, which is at once a rebooted 21st Century Friends for a new generation, and also nothing like Friends at all except for the fact that it has six main characters.
It's also hilarious. I like that they both feed into and overturn a lot of popular stereotypes. And the actors have remarkable chemistry.
Posted by Foust (Member # 3043) on :
Ah, Peep Show, yeah. Fantastic.
The best of the best:
The Simpsons. Brilliant, such a shame it was cancelled after only 7 seasons.
Peep Show. Richard Dawkins talks the talk, but has he ever peed on a church?
Arrested Development. I've made a huge mistake.
Louie. Another show that if you are not watching, you are failing at life.
Honorable mentions:
Community Archer
The classics:
Seinfeld Frasier Cheers
Shows that make me long for the apocalypse, especially when I read forum threads in which they are consider legitimate comedy:
The Big Bang Theory
Posted by LargeTuna (Member # 10512) on :
I admit there are a lot smarter shows around, and I like a lot of shows mentioned earlier, but It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia is the most laugh out loud show I've ever seen.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I've never really seen the appeal of Cheers.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by SteveRogers: I've never really seen the appeal of Cheers.
Philistine.
BBT has gotten every single detail about Caltech wrong except the city it's in. But I love it anyway.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Why does not seeing the appeal of Cheers make me a philistine?
Posted by Phillyn (Member # 12597) on :
This is a list of shows in no particular order that have made me laugh to the point where I would happily watch again and again:
Seinfeld Everybody Loves Raymond Modern Family The Mary Tyler Moore Show Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em (English) Barney Miller Not Only But Also (English sketch show with comic genius Peter Cook and Dudley Moore) Monty Python Absolutely Fabulous (English) MASH Green Acres Blackadder The Bob Newhart Show (the 70s version) The Young Ones (English) Dad's Army (English) Father Ted (pure Irish lunacy) Home Improvement Fawlty Towers The Vicar of Dibley Steptoe and Son (the English precursor to Sanford and Son) The Office (US) One Foot in the Grave (English)
It's long, sorry, but I go back a long way...
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I was hesitant to include older shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show or The Dick Van Dyke Show, which I also felt to be of note and also hilarious. Many more modern audiences view such shows with an unhealthy amount of disdain.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by SteveRogers: Why does not seeing the appeal of Cheers make me a philistine?
If you don't understand, I can't explain.
Posted by Dan_Frank (Member # 8488) on :
It's okay, Steve, I'm a Philistine too.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I'm glad I'm not alone. We should get jackets.
Posted by Dobbie (Member # 3881) on :
quote:Originally posted by SteveRogers: Why does not seeing the appeal of Cheers make me a philistine?
It doesn't. Worshipping the deities Baal, Astarte, and Dagon, and capturing the Ark of the Covenant, make you a philistine.
Posted by Dobbie (Member # 3881) on :
Actually Philistines would probably have liked Cheers (but not "liked" on Facebook because they did not have the time for such nonsense).
quote:The Philistines were also renowned for both their production and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Numerous finds have exposed a well-managed spirits industry, from breweries and wineries to retail outlets that advertised beer, wine, and strong drink. Among the most numerous artifacts unearthed from Philistine ruins are beer mugs and wine craters (large drinking bowls).
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I'm already being charged for being a Philistine due to a disliking Cheers, so you can't charge me for those things too. That's double jeopardy since you're charging me for the same status (regardless of differing evidence). You've got to pick one.
Posted by Dobbie (Member # 3881) on :
Charging? Those things are awesome, especially the Ark. It's like being Indiana Jones, except Shia LaBeouf isn't your son.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I'd rather be on Cheers than father Shia LaBeouf.
Posted by Dan_Frank (Member # 8488) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dobbie: Actually Philistines would probably have liked Cheers (but not "liked" on Facebook because they did not have the time for such nonsense).
quote:The Philistines were also renowned for both their production and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Numerous finds have exposed a well-managed spirits industry, from breweries and wineries to retail outlets that advertised beer, wine, and strong drink. Among the most numerous artifacts unearthed from Philistine ruins are beer mugs and wine craters (large drinking bowls).
They liked wine so much they drank it out of craters.
Now that's impressive.
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
I've probably never laughed harder than I have at Father Ted, probably was where I was at the time but still
oy ted, thar's a big booncha boxes inna middle ef the rood!
I don't get why people have such a beef with The Beef. He's a passable actor, albeit with a limited range. It's not like he's been given roles that far exceed his acting capacity and then ruined them, either. Transformers wasn't on the cusp of greatness before he was cast; it was always going to be a terrible forgettable spectacle. Likewise, Crystal Skull was ruined long before he came into the picture (frankly, I think the scene between him and Indiana in the 50's diner is one of the best in the film).
I think the kid gets a bad rap, personally.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
I loved Cheers. I doubt it had much to do with any fondness for alcohol on my part.
Posted by scholarette (Member # 11540) on :
I have had a harder time with Big Bang Theory lately. I like the character Amy Farawhatever, however whenever they show her in her lab, I cringe. You can't dissect a brain in non sterile conditions where food is (both for your safety and the samples safety). I am a geek but those things really irk me. I also don't watch CSI for similar reasons.
Posted by Dobbie (Member # 3881) on :
He's very passable. Whenever I get a chance to see him, I pass.
As to the bad rap, you'll have to judge for yourself.
Posted by Dan_Frank (Member # 8488) on :
Posted by kmbboots (Member # 8576) on :
quote:Originally posted by SteveRogers: Why does not seeing the appeal of Cheers make me a philistine?
I am worse. Not only did I lose interest in Cheers once Diane left, I never liked Seinfeld!
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I don't know if you heard, but we're making jackets. Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by kmbboots: Not only did I lose interest in Cheers once Diane left, I never liked Seinfeld!
I can respect both of those.
I like Rebecca, but she was certainly no Diane.
And Seinfeld was something I enjoyed the first time around, but absolutely cannot rewatch at all. So I can understand having my latter reaction initially.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I miss classic 90s shows like Fresh Prince and Home Improvement. Ah, my childhood. I still watch those sometimes. I bought all of Home Improvement on dvd a few months ago, and I want to get Fresh Prince.
There was a stretch of time when I was home just last month where my mom was on a Dick Van Dyke kick and out of sheer curiosity I watched along with her. I was surprised to discover that it was actually pretty funny, even decades later.
Posted by Jeff C. (Member # 12496) on :
Fresh Prince was awesome. By far the best sitcom of its time. It's one of the only shows from that time period that I can watch now and still laugh just as much as I used to.
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
quote:There was a stretch of time when I was home just last month where my mom was on a Dick Van Dyke kick and out of sheer curiosity I watched along with her. I was surprised to discover that it was actually pretty funny, even decades later.
He lost a lot of ability with age, I think. He's still pretty funny, but nothing like the phenomenon back when he could do physical comedy.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I should have clarified, we were watching the Dick Van Dyke Show in black and white, which I imagine is right around the height of his comedic skill? It was a little stilted, which is probably a sixties thing, but he's hilarious, and the writing wasn't half bad for being 50 years old.
Posted by Dan_Frank (Member # 8488) on :
You say that as if writing used to be terrible. Not a fan of classics, I take it?
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
Has anyone mentioned Curb Your Enthusiasm?
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dan_Frank: You say that as if writing used to be terrible. Not a fan of classics, I take it?
It depends.
Writing is often a product of the time, and with literature I can usually get past it, except for most Victorian writing. For television dialogue, it's sort of naturally imprinted and influenced by the era it was produced in, so sixties TV shows don't normally strike my fancy. On the other hand, there are a ton of classic movies that I like. Different kind of dialogue.
So it's not that it's bad, it's just that media like sitcoms have a sort of shelf life, and 50 years is usually way past their expiration date.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I think a lot of the humor in The Dick Van Dyke show is more situational or physical and doesn't depend so much on timely content, so it's a lot more timeless because of that.
Posted by Aros (Member # 4873) on :
Mr. Bean, though flawed, is the greatest pure physical comedy series.
Posted by katdog42 (Member # 4773) on :
MASH, without a doubt, is my favorite comedy series ever.
Posted by kmbboots (Member # 8576) on :
I disagree about a 50 year shelf life. I have been finding late night showing of the Burns and Allen Show to be quite charming.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by katdog42: MASH, without a doubt, is my favorite comedy series ever.
*high-fives*
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by kmbboots: I disagree about a 50 year shelf life. I have been finding late night showing of the Burns and Allen Show to be quite charming.
Never heard of it.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by rivka:
quote:Originally posted by katdog42: MASH, without a doubt, is my favorite comedy series ever.
*high-fives*
MASH is one of those shows that you can show in syndication and almost any episode is going to be good enough to justify leaving on for an hour.
On top of that, there are maybe 20 or 30 episodes that are just stand out excellent television that will never be topped, only matched. I went through a period of loathing when I was younger because my mom watched MASH obsessively, but now that I've had time away from it, it's one of my favorite shows.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I wish MASH was on Netflix.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn: MASH is one of those shows that you can show in syndication and almost any episode is going to be good enough to justify leaving on for an hour.
That depends what's in the second half-hour. (The episodes run 30 minutes with commercials.)
quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn:
quote:Originally posted by kmbboots: I disagree about a 50 year shelf life. I have been finding late night showing of the Burns and Allen Show to be quite charming.
Never heard of it.
Possible responses: 1) And you call yourself a historian! 2) Next you'll tell me you've never heard of their radio show, either. 3) Say goodnight, Lyrhawn!
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by SteveRogers: I wish MASH was on Netflix.
You mean streaming, right? Because you can get all the episodes -- including the finale, although separately -- on DVD from Netflix.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Oh, yeah, I meant streaming. I don't have a mailbox right now at school, so I don't pay for the DVD rental service.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I'd get rid of the DVD bit if I didn't keep using it just barely enough to keep it.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I have had a lot of problems with streaming the instant stuff on my Wii, so I haven't been terribly pleased with the service. But my roommates and I use it so often that it's worth the pricetag even with the problems.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by rivka: That depends what's in the second half-hour. (The episodes run 30 minutes with commercials.)
I'm so used to them running for hours at a time that I forgot you can actually stop after an hour. They're like the Pringles of comedy.
quote:Originally posted by rivka: 1) And you call yourself a historian! 2) Next you'll tell me you've never heard of their radio show, either. 3) Say goodnight, Lyrhawn!
Shows...on the radio?
I'm afraid I don't follow.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*suspicious look*
You have to be pulling my leg.
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
The Simpsons. Including the new seasons. Hands down.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by rivka: *suspicious look*
You have to be pulling my leg.
Of course I am. Posted by Foust (Member # 3043) on :
quote:Originally posted by GaalDornick: The Simpsons. Including the new seasons. Hands down.
Troll.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn:
quote:Originally posted by rivka: *suspicious look*
You have to be pulling my leg.
Of course I am.
For how many posts?
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
quote:Originally posted by Aros: Mr. Bean, though flawed, is the greatest pure physical comedy series.
The only flaw in Mr. Bean is that there is not more of it.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
And the reason Parks and Recreation is the best show out there now is that so many of the characters are so likable. They're flawed, but likable, and that's really refreshing. You find yourself actually caring about what happens to them, which Arrested Development and The Office never achieve. (Well, Michael and George Michael are likable but everyone else is so absolutely detestable they get cancelled out.)
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
beef did make note of the excruciating transparency of bay's interaction and, uh, 'direction' of fox
Posted by Dan_Frank (Member # 8488) on :
quote:Originally posted by Annie: And the reason Parks and Recreation is the best show out there now is that so many of the characters are so likable. They're flawed, but likable, and that's really refreshing. You find yourself actually caring about what happens to them, which Arrested Development and The Office never achieve. (Well, Michael and George Michael are likable but everyone else is so absolutely detestable they get cancelled out.)
I'm super fond of Lindsay, but I think 90% of that is carried over from my fondness for her character in Better Off Ted (where she is one of the best characters in the show by far), who was just similar enough for the affection to stick.
quote:Originally posted by Samprimary: beef did make note of the excruciating transparency of bay's interaction and, uh, 'direction' of fox
Wow, really? Didn't know that.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
quote:I cannot for the life of me understand how people enjoy it even beyond the stilting laughtrack pacing. It is a nerd minstral show. They dress them up in nerd face and throw them up on stage to sing songs of the long forgotten days of toiling in the nerd fields. If you're an actual academic nerd or whatever the sensation of watching it is usually analogous to being a computer sciences major watching CSI:Enhance.
Agreed, although I've been known to watch it. I think the major problem is that most people who enjoy it are not the nerds depicted but know one. My mother loves it because it reminds her of my Dad. The audience is Penny and this is the impression she gets.
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
quote:Originally posted by Foust:
quote:Originally posted by GaalDornick: The Simpsons. Including the new seasons. Hands down.
Troll.
I started watching Simpsons again few months ago and have loved every episode since. Watch the the newest episode about the social network and tell me it's not brilliant.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by rivka:
quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn:
quote:Originally posted by rivka: *suspicious look*
You have to be pulling my leg.
Of course I am.
For how many posts?
Sadly, just the radio thing. I think I vaguely recall hearing of Burns and Allen, but I have no idea what it is or what medium it was shown on. And I can't even check Wikipedia today to find out. Posted by kmbboots (Member # 8576) on :
George Burns and Gracie Allen were a comedy team and married couple (rather a sweet married couple) that started in vaudeville and then went to radio and then TV. You might remember George Burns - he lived to be quite old despite his trademark cigar. Gracie Allen's character was cheerful and prone to misunderstanding. Their act generally ended with the catchphrase, "Say, 'goodnight', Gracie."
Posted by Aros (Member # 4873) on :
quote:Originally posted by Annie:
quote:Originally posted by Aros: Mr. Bean, though flawed, is the greatest pure physical comedy series.
The only flaw in Mr. Bean is that there is not more of it.
No, the first movie is also a flaw. Too bad it was comprised of recycled jokes mashed upon a frame of a bad tv movie. The second movie, Mr. Bean's Holiday, was the send off it really deserved.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by kmbboots: George Burns and Gracie Allen were a comedy team and married couple (rather a sweet married couple) that started in vaudeville and then went to radio and then TV. You might remember George Burns - he lived to be quite old despite his trademark cigar. Gracie Allen's character was cheerful and prone to misunderstanding. Their act generally ended with the catchphrase, "Say, 'goodnight', Gracie."
Ohh, that's where that comes from. I know who George Burns is, and I know the catchphrase. When did the show run?
Posted by kmbboots (Member # 8576) on :
I thought you might. The TV show ran in the 1950s. You can catch it late nights on the nostalgia channels.
The Three Stooges? Looney Tunes? These aren't sitcoms, but they're comedy. And their influence is undeniable.
Posted by Darth_Mauve (Member # 4709) on :
First--Blackadder
Although the original English version of Coupling had perfect comic timing.
and the original English version of "Who's Line Is It Anyway" has made me laugh more than most shows. But that is more hit or miss.
Second--Burns & Allen is more than just a cute couple show.
Gracie Allen was perhaps the best comic genius of her generation--and that generation included Bob Hope, Jack Benny, and Will Rogers. She created radio memes, much like an internet meme--but in 1920's. She went looking for her lost brother during an early episode of their radio show. She asked everyone, "Have you seen my brother." Soon every radio show, from other comedic shows to serious dramas, would include the line, "Have you seen Gracie's brother?" This included shows on every network--not just their own.
And 70 years before Stephen Colbert decided to run for President, Gracie Allen did so. Not only did she run on TV, but she ran a whistle-stop campaign throughout the west--and received a good number of votes.
I forget the name of her "Party" but she had some wonderful answers?
"Gracie, what do you think of the national debt being amongst the largest in the world?"
"I believe that America is a special country. And if we can't have the biggest national debt in the world, why, we shouldn't have one at all."
Also--her marriage with George Burns ranks in the top 10 real love stories of all times. I dare you to read George Burn's book about her with out crying. (or laughing).
Finally. THEY NEVER SAID "Say Goodnight, Gracie." "Goodnight Gracie." That is as truthful as the Casablanca non-line "Play it again Sam."
Posted by jebus202 (Member # 2524) on :
The Office (US).
Posted by kmbboots (Member # 8576) on :
Darth_Mauve, you will note, that I included only George's part of the dialog, not the imagined response. George, did say what I quoted. Gracie would then generally respond, "Goodnight" as they backed up to behind the curtain line (well, not on the radio presumably).
But I was just trying to jog Lyrhawn's memory, not give an exhaustive description.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by Darth_Mauve: THEY NEVER SAID "Say Goodnight, Gracie." "Goodnight Gracie."
Are you sure they didn't do it one of the final radio shows? I grew up listening to them (one of the local news stations plays (played, anyway) old radio shows every night; Saturday night was Jack Benny and George & Gracie), and I really thought they did it, but just once.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
quote:Originally posted by Aros:
quote:Originally posted by Annie:
quote:Originally posted by Aros: Mr. Bean, though flawed, is the greatest pure physical comedy series.
The only flaw in Mr. Bean is that there is not more of it.
No, the first movie is also a flaw. Too bad it was comprised of recycled jokes mashed upon a frame of a bad tv movie. The second movie, Mr. Bean's Holiday, was the send off it really deserved.
OK. I can agree with you on this.
For some reason, the scene in the second movie where he's on the train and the coffee girl compliments his French left me laughing for days.
Posted by Willster3282 (Member # 12749) on :
Unfortunately, I'm only 23 so I don't have a wealth of comedy sitcoms, but to think of a quick list that I think you could sit down at any point and crack up at it, best TV comedies are:
Fresh Prince of Bel Air The Office Always Sunny in Philadelphia Seinfeld Everybody Loves Raymond Friends
There are others that I enjoy watching, but don't think are on the same creative level as some of these shows. I instantly think of Two and a Half Men, which is a funny show, but I feel like the comedy/humor gets overused and is telegraphed too early (I know which joke is coming).
Posted by Aros (Member # 4873) on :
I can't sit through an episode of Two and a Half Men. One of the TV websites said that the only purpose of the show was to "tell dirty jokes to your mom". I'm inclined to believe them.
Posted by Dan_Frank (Member # 8488) on :
quote:Originally posted by Willster3282: Unfortunately, I'm only 23 so I don't have a wealth of comedy sitcoms, but to think of a quick list that I think you could sit down at any point and crack up at it, best TV comedies are:
Fresh Prince of Bel Air The Office Always Sunny in Philadelphia Seinfeld Everybody Loves Raymond Friends
There are others that I enjoy watching, but don't think are on the same creative level as some of these shows. I instantly think of Two and a Half Men, which is a funny show, but I feel like the comedy/humor gets overused and is telegraphed too early (I know which joke is coming).
Willster, how can you be 23 and not put Community on your list? I think you're in its target demographic. And compared to shows like Everybody Loves Raymond...
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
I really like Community, The Office (U.S. though it can be uneven) and Parks and Recreation.
Posted by kmbboots (Member # 8576) on :
quote:Originally posted by rivka:
quote:Originally posted by Darth_Mauve: THEY NEVER SAID "Say Goodnight, Gracie." "Goodnight Gracie."
Are you sure they didn't do it one of the final radio shows? I grew up listening to them (one of the local news stations plays (played, anyway) old radio shows every night; Saturday night was Jack Benny and George & Gracie), and I really thought they did it, but just once.
George Burns said that they didn't though it was such an obvious response that others (Rowan and Martin for example) did.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
He has been known to misremember details, though. *shrug*
Posted by FoolishTook (Member # 5358) on :
South Park
Posted by C3PO the Dragon Slayer (Member # 10416) on :
quote:Originally posted by rivka:
quote:Originally posted by katdog42: MASH, without a doubt, is my favorite comedy series ever.
*high-fives*
MASH is probably the only long-running TV show that I've bothered to watch every episode of. I can attest that it is the greatest TV entertainment I have ever consumed, though, since I don't watch much TV, that's not saying much. Also, I watched them on DVD, not on TV, and the commercial-free and laugh-track-free perks to that probably helped.
There are some things that annoy me about MASH. Frank Burns devolved from someone you love to hate to someone you just simply hate depressingly fast. His character was a sore thumb amongst an ensemble of greatness, and it really tore at the show, especially in seasons three and four. Winchester took a while to settle in, but in the later seasons, he assumed a wonderful role as the aloof and arrogant gentleman who nevertheless had the capacity to perform the occasional tear-jerking act of decency. Hawkeye and Trappers' frequent debauchery and adultery got tiresome in the early seasons, but the addition of Potter and B.J. gave more balance to the cast, showing people who were fundamentally committed to family values alongside the more reckless Hawkeye. Sometimes the show got a bit too pretentious and artsy, like in Dreams, but most of the artsy episodes were actually really good, presenting insights to the characters and depicting tense and all-too-real wartime situations that the characters had to cope with. To say the least, I love this show. It starts out good, sort-of dips around seasons 4 and 5 with enough diamonds in the not-too-rough rough to merit watching, and then becomes absolutely classic as the writers realize Winchester doesn't have to be the antagonist for everything and that nobody liked watching Hawkeye mess around with random women for 20 minutes. Where the show really shines is where it gives every character an off-screen family and history, which gives context to their actions as they struggle day-to-day in a hostile setting far away from home. Every major character besides Frank Burns has depth, and it's moving to see them not only survive in the horrible environment they've been forced into, but make light of it and crack jokes.
Tangentially, I've recently watched almost all the Futurama episodes with my roommate, and while it isn't the same kind of show as MASH, I'll put it up there in my top comedies. I have the same complaints about Zapp Brannigan as I do about Frank Burns, though. He exists solely to act as an antagonist to the main cast through his character flaws and outrageous stupidity, and this gets tiring fast. He does, I'll admit, have some genuinely funny moments at the end of the day. But I really do get annoyed with these comedy characters who have no motivation except a legion of character flaws that only get in the way of the heroes.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Frank had his funny moments, and for that matter, the pranks they pulled on Frank could be funny, but Winchester absolutely blew him away and fundamentally improved the show in a number of ways. He was interesting, he had depth, he was highly skilled, he was the perfect foil for Hawkeye, he was hilarious, and he could easily and believably shift between insufferable prig to heartwarming doctor from episode to episode without making you feel it was out of character.
I like B.J. for the same reason. Trapper was funny, but he was only funny. B.J. was funny and actually had more going on.
I prefer Potter to Blake, but there was nothing wrong with Blake.
Posted by Dan_Frank (Member # 8488) on :
quote:Originally posted by Samprimary:
quote:I love the Big Bang Theory. I tend to agree that they really overdo the audience participation, but I still think it's hilarious. The only thing I'd chance other than the laugh track is to either delete or downplay Howard a lot more.
I cannot for the life of me understand how people enjoy it even beyond the stilting laughtrack pacing. It is a nerd minstral show. They dress them up in nerd face and throw them up on stage to sing songs of the long forgotten days of toiling in the nerd fields. If you're an actual academic nerd or whatever the sensation of watching it is usually analogous to being a computer sciences major watching CSI:Enhance.
I also probably hate on BBT more than I usually would hate it just for being bad, because I can't stand that it's successful at the expense of things that aren't bad pump'n'dump joke comedy based on formula generalization mockery. BBT being bad in a vacuum, I don't care much about, I just don't watch it. But when someone reminds me that ten times as many people prefer BAZINGA to "You are the AT&T of people." I just want to call for a tv crusades, spearheaded by the segway Gob cavalry.
Anyway, I'm not prepared to put an Ace High on anything on this list, but at least in terms of contemporary tv comedy, it's Arrested Development, Community, Parks and Recreation. If you can't stand the sensation of verguenza ajena (I wish there was an english version of this word; it's basically that cringing ugh feeling you get when you watch characters like the Bluths act completely shameful and inflict cascading dysfunction on their own life due to their own stupidity, ignorance, and striking lack of composure, decency, and good sense) then strike Arrested Development, as genius as it is, from this list and avoid it like the plague (or, I guess, like the american Office)
First of all, this should be on every page of this thread for truthiness.
Second of all, my partner just watched a 3 minute clip of BBT for the first time ever and sent me a text saying "Ugh gross I'm watching a clip from the big bang theory and it feels so ingenuinely nerdy."
Sam, I had to find your post to share it with her immediately.
Edit: I originally typed it as "Big Band Theory."
... That would be such a better show.
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
Probably the greatest on a cost-hilarity ratio would be Sifl & Olly. i don't think they spent more than a couple hundred bucks over the course of 20-30 episodes.
Posted by capaxinfiniti (Member # 12181) on :
Did no one mention That 70's Show? The first 4 seasons were great, especially seasons 2 and 3.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally from Dan_Frank: Edit: I originally typed it as "Big Band Theory."
... That would be such a better show.
I type that almost every single time I try to type out BBT, I don't know why.
But I think it'd be an awesome show. Like a cross between Glee, Drumline, and the Glen Miller Story, only without the sad ending.
Posted by Destineer (Member # 821) on :
Louis CK's HBO show, Louie, is extremely good. Probably not the best ever, though.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
quote:Originally posted by C3PO the Dragon Slayer: But I really do get annoyed with these comedy characters who have no motivation except a legion of character flaws that only get in the way of the heroes.
I could probably make a decent argument that all of the main characters are in fact in possession of a legion of character flaws which get in the way of the heroes. They constantly get in their own way and in the way of each other for the sake of comedy. Bender is one of the most celebrated characters, and he's almost entirely characterized by his flaws.
Posted by umberhulk (Member # 11788) on :
quote:Originally posted by LargeTuna: I admit there are a lot smarter shows around, and I like a lot of shows mentioned earlier, but It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia is the most laugh out loud show I've ever seen.
Agreed.
Also, Louie's new show on FX is super solid.
Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :
The new FX version is some of the best TV ever, IMO. It's not formulaic, it's generally pretty honest, and it's funny.
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
This proves that I am ancient, but The Carol Burnett Show had moments of truly side-splitting hilarity.
And as for sitcoms, I agree with the MASH fans. I haven't watched a new sitcom in years so can't comment on any of the current ones.
Posted by Traceria (Member # 11820) on :
I'm no expert or anything, particularly for the reason that I don't watch a lot of television programs, but my husband and I really loved the Canadian sitcom Corner Gas . A Canadian friend of mine gave us the first season, and we completed our collection as they DVDs became available. Many friends and family members have since become fans, too.
Posted by C3PO the Dragon Slayer (Member # 10416) on :
quote:Originally posted by SteveRogers:
quote:Originally posted by C3PO the Dragon Slayer: But I really do get annoyed with these comedy characters who have no motivation except a legion of character flaws that only get in the way of the heroes.
I could probably make a decent argument that all of the main characters are in fact in possession of a legion of character flaws which get in the way of the heroes. They constantly get in their own way and in the way of each other for the sake of comedy. Bender is one of the most celebrated characters, and he's almost entirely characterized by his flaws.
The difference between Frank Burns and Bender is that Frank was created for the audience to hate, whereas Bender was created for the audience to love.
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
(The episodes run 30 minutes with commercials.)![[ROFL]](graemlins/rofl.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)