This is fun. I love sit coms. It’s hard for me to dislike one, really. But, going on what’s on the air now I’ll go through what I like and what I dislike.
Almost sure to provide a belly laugh:
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia - Really well written show. It’s one of those shows with a lot of dumb humor that’s actually very intelligent. They do a good job of turning ideas on their head and producing really good stuff. On top of the writing Charlie Day is a hilarious performer.
The League - It’s easy to compare this to It’s Always Sunny, since it’s on the same channel. Frankly, I try not to do that, because it isn’t nearly as good. But, it’s solid in it’s own right. Lots of funny concepts. And, you don’t need to be a football fan to enjoy this show. It’s just a framework, doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. Man does Paul Scheer make me laugh. Oh, Taco, too.
Parks and Rec - I am one of the few weirdos who enjoyed this show in the first season. And, then it got REALLY good in the second season. When Rob Lowe and Adam Scott joined the cast the show just got better. I think the show has kept it’s high level of excellence this season. I like the whole cast. Although, I think they struggle to find a place for Ann’s character. Rashida Jones is awesome, but some episodes Ann’s character seems forced.
Community - Can’t wait for this show to come back. Man, always funny. But, on top of that constantly inventive. Trying to do new things, and not caring if overall an attempt might fail. At one point I thought they were getting a little bit too self referential. But, they pulled back from that and I thought this season was excellent. Donald Glover is outstanding.
Happy Endings - I started watching this season and it has consistently cracked me up. Fun characters, and interesting situations. Funny stuff. Yeah, it’s too bad Damon Wayans Jr. couldn’t have stayed on New Girl, but he’s so funny here that it kind of makes up for it.
Modern Family - Excellent show. The kid who plays Luke is probably the best child actor since Wesley from Mr. Belvedere. (really, that kid was funny!). And, good writing all around. The only change I would have made is to make Katey Sagal as the ex wife. It amuses me to think that Ed Bundy made it big and thats what became of the family. Oh well, Shelly Long is funny, I guess.
Curb Your Enthusiasm - Is this still airing? I’m not sure. But, man this is funny stuff.
Maybe not as many laughs as their used to be, but there is still plenty of funny to be found each week:
30 Rock - the show can still find the magic here or there. It’s amazing how great the cast of this show is. It’s not a guaranteed 30 minutes of laughter anymore, but it’s still a guaranteed pretty good, and often does come through with more.
The Office - I was convinced that the show should end when Carell left. This opinion was strengthened last year when they pulled the Will Ferrell stunt casting. But, I have been happily surprised by the episodes this season. The show has some legs left.
*
Usually laugh a lot. But, even when I don’t I love the cast, so it doesn’t matter:*
**
New Girl** - I am surprised that Zoey Deschanel is not loved by everyone. But, I think she is outstanding. Loved her in Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and everything I have seen her in since. I think it was a bad move not to write a new pilot, with the new black guy. Because, everyone is going to compare the new guy to Damon Wayans Jr. And that’s just not fair. But, after the first few episodes, he’s starting to get better, and hopefully they give him more to work with. I know Schmidt from Veronica Mars, so I went in liking him, and he doesn’t disappoint. Funny stuff.
Suburgatory - I liked Jeremy Sisto in Six Feet Under and Clueless, but I thought he was awesome in a short lived show called Kidnapped, that’s when my admiration of him solidified. This show can be funny, sometimes it’s pretty dumb. But, I usually enjoy watching it. Also, the wife from Curb Your Enthusiasm is there.
**
Solid shows. I might miss an episode here or there, but when I watch it I’ll probably laugh and enjoy myself:**
The Middle - I’ll admit it. I enjoyed Everybody Loves Raymond. If the episode isn’t Mother centric, I usually get a kick out of it. But, Patricia Heaton’s character got on my nerves a little bit. So, I missed the first two seasons of this show and went in with some trepidation. I actually thought that the Janitor from Scrubs and Patricia Heaton would have an equally big part. But, it’s really Patricia Heaton’s show and she shines. Fantastic comedic actress. Everyone else is great, too. Neil Flynn is solid, all three kids are funny. Fun show.
Raising Hope - Martha Plimpton and Garret Dilllahunt make this show terrific. The check out girl, and her cousin, Cloris Leachman and a lot of the supporting cast are excellent as well. But, the main actor is kind of dull and he bring the show down from 5 stars to 4. He can be funny, but it’s not consistent. The others (even the baby! Lucky casting there!) are so excellent that it is disappointing that the main guy can’t live up to the rest. Still, enjoy it when I watch it. (By the way. Speaking of Kal’s comment that it could be in Camden County. Wasn’t there a mention of Earl’s good deeds in the first episode of Raising Hope. Love little references like that.)
It’s ok if I watch it while I am working on the computer. If I pay attention I don’t think I would care for it:
Big Bang Theory - Jim Parson and the girl who play Penny should start their own show. Because, they hold this show up. They are both extremely funny. But, the writing is rather dull. And, the stories? Eh. But, those two? They won me over. I hated the show to start with. But, I watched a few more on a friend’s behest and I finally saw the good hidden in there. But, the bad is so bad if I didn’t have a computer to look to I would have this show on a much different list.
I tried. Really. I tried:
Two Broke Girls - I stuck up for this show, here and elsewhere. I said “Kat Dennings just has to get used to TV! She’s really funny! I’ve seen her in movies and LAUGHED!” “What great chemistry those two have! You have to admit that!” And, while I still stand by those statements. The show just lost me. It seems like they want to mire in stereotypical characters, rape jokes and mediocrity. I watched a bunch of episodes grimacing through parts, wondering why Kat Denning would have a goofy smile after every put down, being surprised by how good the blond’s acting was, and laughing here or there. So. I just gave up. It wasn’t a sudden declaration. It was just after a few weeks I saw I had 4 new ones to watch and had never seen them and didn’t feel a burning desire to catch up. Oh well. Maybe they’ll get a new show runner next year. Frankly, that’s the only hope.
Whitney - I went into this show not expecting to like it. I was proven right, but I liked it even less than I thought I would. I will say the drunk friend cracks me up pretty consistently.
Are you there, Chelsea? - Ok, I admit it. I didn’t try real hard for this one.
Up All Night - Bad. Just Bad. People tell me I need to have kids to understand. I say I like plenty of shows with kids. This is just bad. Not my cup of tea.
