| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
billybrobby
Joined: 09 Dec 2004
|
 Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:21 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
| Beej wrote: |
| Seinfeld along with Friends, while good shows, are the two most overrated sitcoms of all time. For a show to be truly great, it has two work on more than one level. MASH, All In the Family, The Simpsons do, Seinfeld doesnt. |
Seinfeld totally works on 2 levels, you philistine!
The key to seinfeld is that the 4 main characters appear to be normal people, but they are all actually sociopaths who have no empathy or regard for others. They're entirely consumed in the minutiae of their lives. But unlike drooling-at-the-mouth sociopaths who want to push people in front of subways, their wants and needs are all fairly mundane: to date attractive people, a good job, a nice sandwich, etc. So they never get themselves into too much trouble and their psychosis is never fully revealed others until, of course, the last episode.
So it's actually a very cutting, very damning commentary on modern life. But, like the characters themselves, because it is mainly concerned with the minutiae of life, people consider it to be harmless and shallow. Stupid people with no perception, that is. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
M-su
Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
We all have different tastes in comdey but let's back our comments up with a favorite episode or quote.
I'm not familiar with Arrested Development but might check it out based on all the praise it's been getting on this thread. Favorite AD episode anyone?
My favorite Seinfeld episodes are The Marine Biologist, Parking Garage and The Frogger.
George Costanza is the best TV personality ever. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
runlikegump
Joined: 05 Nov 2007
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Anything with a laugh track should be automatically disqualified from contention.
I'll take my comedy on the dark side, with a heap of pathos. Six Feet Under, Studio 60, Extras. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
M-su
Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
runlikegump,
We seem to be agreeing on one thing;
Studio 60. AWESOME AWESOME SHOW. It grieved my heart when it got pulled. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JMO
Joined: 18 Jul 2006
Location: Daegu
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| billybrobby wrote: |
The key to seinfeld is that the 4 main characters appear to be normal people, but they are all actually sociopaths who have no empathy or regard for others. They're entirely consumed in the minutiae of their lives. . |
I agree with this. Seinfeld works because they are all bastards. I think to an extent we are all like that, but it is taken to the extreme in this show. I a think to have a great sitcom you need either a great straight man for people to play off(michael in AD), a pathetic cringeworthy main guy(Fawlty towers, Peep show) or bastards(fawlty towers, AD, seinfeld, Always sunny, peep show).
My top 5 would be..
1 Fawlty Towers. (the best. i roll on the floor.)
fave episode: of course, don't mention the war.
http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=1k7U-_tJVmw
2 Arrested Development:
fave episode: the karaoke moment of great awkwardness.
3 Seinfeld
opposite george
http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=IjXUgxR4Z10
4 It's always sunny in Philadelphia
the gang exploits a miracle!
http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=48xRiwjRe1w
5 Peep Show
where they meet suz's family in the country
http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=WLf2HLmFBT8 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
flakfizer
Joined: 12 Nov 2004
Location: scaling the Cliffs of Insanity with a frayed rope.
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
Favorite eps?
Simpsons-too many to choose, but Deep Space Homer, and the one with the gummie Venus de Milo would be up there.
Seinfeld- again, so many, but I love the Pool Boy where George's "universes collide". Kenny's Roasters is a bit silly, but quite fun.
Cheers- I seem to remember Cliff Clavin's antics a lot. I think I laughed pretty darn hard when he hired a counselor to shock him everytime he said something annoying.
Curb- The one that ends with Larry hugging a small girl with a water bottle stuffed down his pants.
It's always sunny in Philly- The one where they set Sweet D on fire a couple times trying to get on TV.
Arrested Development- this one is trickier because the shows flow together more. But I laughed so hard when they tried to fool the Japanese investers with a model city and Tobias (dressed as a mole) stomped all over it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
whitebeagle
Joined: 09 Feb 2003
Location: UK
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:22 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Has there ever been any poll that doesnt show seinfeld as best sitcom ever? I was under the impression it was common knowledge. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
crusher_of_heads
Joined: 23 Feb 2007
Location: kimbop and kimchi for kimberly!!!!
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:56 am Post subject: |
|
|
In recent time, debatable.
A show that would never make it to air today because of all the PC retards [Liberal Party of Canada supporters] the winner would be "All in the Family" or at least the first 2 seasons of it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
crusher_of_heads
Joined: 23 Feb 2007
Location: kimbop and kimchi for kimberly!!!!
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
| kentucker4 wrote: |
| Beej wrote: |
| Seinfeld along with Friends, while good shows, are the two most overrated sitcoms of all time. For a show to be truly great, it has two work on more than one level. MASH, All In the Family, The Simpsons do, Seinfeld doesnt. |
Your crazy, Seinfield pawns all of those shows and has more clever ideas. |
I love The Simpsons, it's my favourite show ever, but does it qualify as a sitcom?
kentucker4, you have no business calling anyone crazy no matter what the context. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Greekfreak
Joined: 25 May 2003
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
Seinfeld the greatest? For those who know comedy, no.
I'd say the top 3 sitcoms in terms of longevity vs. quality control vs. casting vs. writing would be (in no numerical order)
1. The Honeymooners
2. M.A.S.H.
3. Frasier
There are a plethora of other noteworthy sitcoms: I Love Lucy, All In The Family, Three's Company, The Jeffersons, Friends, but these 3 were consistently excellent, even when there were cast changes.
The latter two seasons of Seinfeld were insanely bad. They were coasting on fumes, whereas Frasier remained uniformly excellent from start to finish. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
flakfizer
Joined: 12 Nov 2004
Location: scaling the Cliffs of Insanity with a frayed rope.
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Greekfreak wrote: |
Seinfeld the greatest? For those who know comedy, no.
I'd say the top 3 sitcoms in terms of longevity vs. quality control vs. casting vs. writing would be (in no numerical order)
1. The Honeymooners
2. M.A.S.H.
3. Frasier
There are a plethora of other noteworthy sitcoms: I Love Lucy, All In The Family, Three's Company, The Jeffersons, Friends, but these 3 were consistently excellent, even when there were cast changes.
The latter two seasons of Seinfeld were insanely bad. They were coasting on fumes, whereas Frasier remained uniformly excellent from start to finish. |
vs. ?
numerical order?
Odd post, but the oddest part is the statement about Seinfeld's last two seasons. From these seasons we get: "The Little Kicks" (Elaine's dance) Chicken Roaster (Jerry and Kramer switch apartments) Bizarro Jerry (Elaine meets substitutes for the other three) "The Abstinence" (George becomes smart when forced to go without sex for a long time) "The English Patient" (Mandelbaum! Mandelbaum!) "The Slicer" (George breaks into boss's office to retouch a photo with him in it.) "The Betrayal" (the gang goes to India for a wedding but the story is told in reverse chronological order).
There are more and these synopses are very incomplete, but the point is, to suggest that Seinfeld coasted the last two seasons is ridiculous. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sleepy in Seoul
Joined: 15 May 2004
Location: Going in ever decreasing circles until I eventually disappear up my own fundament - in NZ
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| flakfizer wrote: |
| Sleepy in Seoul wrote: |
| I must have missed where I mentioned that ALL British comedies are more subtle than American ones. |
So what is your point? Some British comedies are more subtle than some American comedies? Great observation. |
Thank you. You missed my point but I suppose that it was inevitable given the topic. Well done. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
flakfizer
Joined: 12 Nov 2004
Location: scaling the Cliffs of Insanity with a frayed rope.
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Sleepy in Seoul wrote: |
| flakfizer wrote: |
| Sleepy in Seoul wrote: |
| I must have missed where I mentioned that ALL British comedies are more subtle than American ones. |
So what is your point? Some British comedies are more subtle than some American comedies? Great observation. |
Thank you. You missed my point but I suppose that it was inevitable given the topic. Well done. |
Someone doesn't find X funny=they don't get it.
Someone disagrees with my point=they don't get it.
Got it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Greekfreak
Joined: 25 May 2003
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| flakfizer wrote: |
There are more and these synopses are very incomplete, but the point is, to suggest that Seinfeld coasted the last two seasons is ridiculous. |
Not really.
The departure of Larry David resulted in a new writing staff, so there was a noticeable difference in both the content and the style of comedy, which became much more slapstick and less subtle.
Mentioning a mere 5 episodes out of 40 as 'notable' proves my point. Even the actors themselves would have to admit they were only in it for the money from then on.
Was the show still popular? Absolutely. But then, just because American Idol is on for 7 seasons does that mean it's a great show? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
saw6436
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Daejeon, ROK
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Not in order, just shows I like(d).
MASH
All in the Family
Southpark
Seinfield
Get a Life
Simpsons (early years)
Cheers
Frasier
My Name is Earl |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
