# Smart Comedies **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted\ **Created:** [September 26, 2022, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239 "2022-09-26T05:30:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239/102 "2022-09-28T19:58:25Z")
I can second _Derry Girls_. Netflix carries it for the US. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239/103 "2022-09-28T20:29:45Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I think the American public really doesn’t like smart comedies. That’s probably not it. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239/104 "2022-09-28T20:56:42Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > I nominate **The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis** to the list of smart comedies. Max Shulman created the character of Dobie Gillis and wrote most of the early shows. He was a famed writer of comic novels, with an unmatched facility for comic dialog. The tv show was deliberately designed to be the antithesis of the insipid family comedies of the 1950s. I loved it then, and I have a full set of episodes. The problem for this thread was that Maynard was in the beginning supposed to be stupid. Really, really stupid. Instead of the Town Drunk he was the Town Dumb. The show thumbed its nose at continuity - Maynard had had to repeat grades in school multiple times but somehow he and Dobie were the same age and classmates since birth - and the Maynard character did morph repeatedly to whatever was needed for a particular episode. Sometimes he was simply a fool, sometimes just misunderstood by society, sometimes a Holy Fool with mystical powers, like when he could speak to animals. The real killer for this thread is that the show thrived on stupid misunderstanding plots. It not only beat them into the ground, it literally repeated them from season to season. Somehow TMLofDG was the smartest show on television and the dumbest in quantum superposition. I can’t include it here. ---
**Author:** ![Hakushon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hakushon/32/5503_2.png) [@Hakushon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hakushon)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2022, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239/105 "2022-09-29T06:59:25Z")
I don’t know if the OP counts sex jokes as cringe-inducing, but if not, Hulu has a new sitcom called _Reboot_ which features lots of fast and witty (IMHO) banter. The main problem: only four episodes have been released thus far, so the series is not yet binge-ready. (There is also one character who _might_ be perceived as “stupid,” but who is presented as sweetly-naive-yet-winningly-enthusiastic.) ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2022, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239/106 "2022-09-29T08:33:06Z")
What, no remarks so far about “Get Smart” in a thread about Smart Comedies? But let’s talk about “Get Smart.” Maxwell Smart is not stupid or dumb–he’s actually pretty capable, even though he rarely shows it. No, he’s not the best agent that CONTROL has–that would be Agent 99–but he’s pretty close; and he and 99 can combine to defeat enemies, upset KAOS’s plans, and otherwise, make sure that the world is safe for democracy. Max can think on his feet, even in the presence of KAOS captors, and can get himself out of sticky situations, often by using some spy gadget, but also by his gift for gab. Anyway, the important part is that he can think, use his training, and know what to do and when. I’d suggest that “Get Smart” is a smart comedy. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2022, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239/107 "2022-09-29T13:02:24Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > What, no remarks so far about “Get Smart” in a thread about Smart Comedies? Sorry about that, Chief. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2022, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239/108 "2022-09-29T13:08:29Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > What, no remarks so far about “Get Smart” in a thread about Smart Comedies? - Cone of Silence and all that. ---
**Author:** ![mundylion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundylion/32/3604_2.png) [@mundylion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mundylion)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2022, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239/109 "2022-09-29T20:47:48Z")
If you can stand to watch a few commercials, Remember Wenn can be seen on Plex. Two seasons anyway. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239/110 "2022-09-30T00:23:55Z")
This is a great thread, than you one and all. I am getting some ideas. Is anyone else getting a few ideas on what to watch? ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239/111 "2022-09-30T15:18:12Z")
Oh definitely. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239/112 "2022-09-30T15:48:53Z")
**Neighbors** (1981) doesn’t appeal to many, but has a number of scenes that I find hilarious: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/HUO1OugYbRk/maxresdefault.jpg "Neighbors 1981 Trailer | John Belushi | Dan Aykroyd | Kathryn Walker") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUO1OugYbRk) Off topic, but for your humor viewing pleasure, I present Gary Gulman, a stand-up comedian who does smart comedy who I just recently became aware of. This guy’s tangential meanderings are brilliant and he’s funny as hell! [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/dLECCmKnrys/maxresdefault.jpg "Gary Gulman On How The States Got Their Abbreviations | CONAN on TBS") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLECCmKnrys) Check out his other YouTube clips, too. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239/113 "2022-09-30T18:03:30Z")
When did this thread stop being about _television shows_? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239/114 "2022-09-30T18:36:02Z")
If you check the OP again, you will see that, while TV shows were implied by the OP’s examples, he never _explicitly_ states “TV shows only.” This being the Dope… ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239/115 "2022-09-30T18:43:25Z")
And I mixed this thread up with the _Funniest Scene Ever Thread, Movie or TV._ ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239/116 "2022-09-30T18:44:42Z")
We’re doing a lot of those threads lately so easy to see how they can be mixed up. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239/117 "2022-09-30T19:22:51Z")
That is what I thoughr. > [@silenus](#): > > If you check the OP again, you will see that, while TV shows were implied by the OP’s examples, he never _explicitly_ states “TV shows only.” Well, I did say _The longer the better. There are quite a few that would fit, but canceled after a season or something._ ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239/118 "2022-09-30T19:29:28Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > or something. All the opening we need! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239/119 "2022-10-02T04:20:47Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > “Just Shoot Me!” I expected this to be a milquetoast comedy, and half the cast was a “pass” from me. But even the annoying David Spade was a sympathetic, hilarious character. George Segal had surprisingly perfect comedic timing, as did the actress who played his daughter (Maya?). That ubiquitous actor who played Kristen Bell’s dad in Veronica Mars was great, and the writing was excellent, and snappy. Oh, and of course there’s the little brother who fell out of a tree when he was young and is now “Slow Donnie” … played brilliantly by David Cross: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/c7dkaU_qP8k/maxresdefault.jpg "Maya Meets Donnie | Just Shoot Me!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7dkaU_qP8k) ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239/120 "2022-10-02T18:03:11Z")
I’m going to throw out a hypothesis and see if anyone agrees. Shows that are almost completely confined to a single set have to be smart to survive. I agree that _Just Shoot Me_ was surprisingly good and had a great cast. And most of the scenes were in the magazine office. _NewsRadio_ had most of the scenes (until the bizarro fourth season) in the radio office. _Remember WENN_ hardly ever went out of the broadcasting station. _Wings_ took place in the airport. _Barney Miller_ mixed some home scenes the first season but later cut them entirely for the police station. _It’s Garry Shandling’s Show_ took place in his living room. I’m not saying that other types can’t be equally good or smart, simply that if you force the action and actors together in a small space, the only way to compensate is to make the words shine, the situations inherently comic, the interactions sparkle. Every time a new set is built, the audience needs to absorb the new background - where it is, what it means, why it’s used, what’s in the background. _The Big Bang Theory_ was always funnier in the apartments than the many other sets. This theory, that I have, that is to say, which is mine,… is mine. You may proceed to disagree. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239/121 "2022-10-02T18:06:58Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Shows that are almost completely confined to a single set have to be smart to survive. I agree, but there are plenty of exceptions (I haven’t seen _Three’s Company_ mentioned in this thread 🤣 ). Maybe “have to be smart to excel” would be better. That Jim Belushi sitcom “survived” way too long, and I’m sure there are others that I never even saw. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-comedies/972239.md?page=7)