I'd never been a big fan of Garry Shandling as a standup until I saw the (kind of ridiculous) HBO special where they gave an award to Jerry Seinfeld. In a panel consisting of Seinfeld, Shandling, Chris Rock, Robert Klein and Anderson Cooper, Shandling was the star-- and his admission that he doesn't actually hone his material, changing his delivery from night to night, made his sloppy-seeming standup performances make so much sense. But conversationally he was hilarious.
I am not...I am not the damsel in distress. I am not some case. I have to work this. I've lived in a cave for 5 years in a world where they killed my kind like cattle. I am not going to be cut down by some monster flu. I am better than that. What a wonder...how very scared I am.
Fred ,'A Hole in the World'
Experimental TV: Comedy
This thread is part of an experiment to determine Buffistas' interest in television discussion. It will close on June 1st, 2007, after which there will be a brief skirmish to sort out what we want to do next. This thread is for discussion of all comedy, regardless of airing station. [NAFDA]
bon bon - Apr 19, 2007 11:07:59 am PDT #49 of 447
It's five thousand for kissing, ten thousand for snuggling... End of list.
-t - Apr 19, 2007 3:22:55 pm PDT #50 of 447
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration
Colbert was adorable last night with Paulina Poreskova
Oh, I just saw that! So cute.
These days I can't think "Ric Ocasek" without appending "(Friend of the show)"
I really enjoyed that Comedian Award thing as a symposium on the craft of comedy. Interesting AND funny, how 'bout that?
Kate P. - Apr 19, 2007 7:56:15 pm PDT #51 of 447
That's the pain / That cuts a straight line down through the heart / We call it love
You guys, I love The Office so much and I'm so excited to talk about it with you all! I'm another recent convert, and I will just say, it is SUPER easy to catch up on this show. The first season is only six episodes, and the second is 22, but they're only about 20-22 minutes each. You'll be done with it in no time!
I am also not a big fan of humiliation comedy, but I think if you can get through the first season, the second and third are a little softer and rely on the humiliation a little less. One thing that The Office does really well is to humanize all of its characters, so they all get to trade off being jerks and being decent people and having socially awkward moments and being clueless and being awesome -- all of which goes a long way toward mitigating the humiliation stuff, for me, because everyone gets their share of being on both sides of the joke at one time or another.
edit: This is just the US version that I'm talking about; I haven't seen more than about half an episode of the British version. Though the British version has Martin Freeman! So clearly I will have to watch it before long.
Scrappy - Apr 19, 2007 8:26:10 pm PDT #52 of 447
Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
The British version has more humiliation all round than the US version, but it's got great arcs for all the characters and works as self-contained story. I ADORE it.
erikaj - Apr 19, 2007 9:47:25 pm PDT #53 of 447
Always Anti-fascist!
So far I like both, although, of course the USA-ians are more recognizable right now. I think it's cute that Jim resembles Tim...well, they both have the scruffy sandy hair at least.
Jessica - Apr 20, 2007 3:05:55 am PDT #54 of 447
If I want to become a cloud of bats, does each bat need a separate vaccination?
One thing that The Office does really well is to humanize all of its characters, so they all get to trade off being jerks and being decent people
Heh - the funny thing is, being a huge fan of the British version, this was exactly why I never got into watching the US one. That "everyone gets to be the good guy sometimes" vibe is so...American. It's a pet peeve of mine in Hollywood remakes of foreign films too.
(That said, I can see why for a long-running series, you'd want your characters a little softer and more likable, so I do cut the series a lot of slack. But even when I'm really enjoying an episode, I can't get the feeling out of my head that they're all being way too nice.)
Laura - Apr 20, 2007 3:56:08 am PDT #55 of 447
Our wings are not tired.
I went ahead and obtained the first 6 episodes of The Office to give it a look. Maybe this weekend. Is it teenage boy material, or should I just watch it by myself?
btw, Jessica, you have snail mail en route. thanks.
Frankenbuddha - Apr 20, 2007 3:57:13 am PDT #56 of 447
"We are the Goon Squad and we're coming to town...Beep! Beep!" - David Bowie, "Fashion"
Interesting article in Slate on why Thank God You're Here isn't really improv: [link]
Topic!Cindy - Apr 20, 2007 6:37:13 am PDT #57 of 447
What is even happening?
Laura, I haven't let my kids watch, but my oldest is 11. It probably wouldn't be a problem to let him watch, but that's the slippery slope to letting the 8 and 7 year old watch (besides, The Office is *my* time).
It's not particularly violent or sexy. I think I would watch it with teenaged kids. People are inappropriate (there's racial awkwardness and offense, and sexual awkwardness and offense [both chauvinism and homophobia]) but it's clearly presented as inappropriate behavior. It's not glorified. It comes out in characters' jackass moments.
Laura - Apr 20, 2007 7:05:48 am PDT #58 of 447
Our wings are not tired.
I may preview it first, but I thought that perhaps there was a bit of teenage (or 12 yo) humor in the mix. Being young boys they would no doubt repeat endlessly the most inappropriate things. Bobby is almost 13 and Brendon 15, so not so young.
They enjoy watching Scrubs, House, and Drive with me. Another show we can enjoy as a family would be nice.