Agreed Cactus, and though I’m from the UK I’m not bashing the general quality of US TV. At its best it is superb. I just think the funding model of the huge networks lead them to act in a way that ultimately weakens and destroys a great product.
The downside to the British system, though, is that you end up with shows like Black Books and Blackadder that only have four series (of six episodes apiece and maybe a Christmas special or a Comic Relief spot) when there’s potential there for a lot more.
Sure, it makes it easy to get them all on DVD, but even something like Red Dwarf- which has been running off and on since 1989 or thereabouts- still only has about 50 episodes or so in total.
It does mean you can do more shows with “annoying” main characters, though- The Brittas Empire and The Young Ones really only work with six episodes a series, for example.
I live alone, and I keep the TV on mostly to make noise. I will watched damn near anything in syndication.
I will not watch that show.
I’m rewatching the UK Office and I’m getting a feel for why I love it so much: it’s such a fine balance between comedy and tragedy. It’s not simply “embarassment humor”, although there is that. But it’s mainly about David Brent’s battle with himself. He is an alcoholic, he has insecurity issues and he also lives in a constant state of self-denial. He is a failure and it’s hard to watch. At the same time, there are so many outrageous and hillarious moments surrounding his state of being, which makes it humane.
yes, and in the Christmas specials it becomes about redemption as well.
I’m not given to blubbing very easily but I had a lump in my throat when Tim and Dawn got together, and again when David has his epiphany.
Yep, it is a classic all right. This same series also gave us the best sight-gag of the 21st century…Gareth’s look to camera while driving away in a motorcycle side-car.
I like it…can you tell? but I realise this is more about the US version so I’ll stop now.
It’s been a while. I wish David had more of a “epiphany” than he had. As far as I can tell, he was just doing well with a woman who didn’t know who he was, and got upset at when people called her a dog. Am I missing something else?
I’m not complaining. I’m just wondering how much of an epiphany he really had. If I recall correctly, he still had a drink in his hand for much of the episode. I guess it would have been nice to see him become even more self-aware; but I only remember, at best, the beginning of what could perhaps be an inward journey.
Yeah, this is the trouble with The Office for the last couple seasons- Michael isn’t funny because he’s too over-the-top. Steve Carrell is a riot when he rides the line between a caricature and a real person. I enjoyed The 40 Year Old Virgin because Steve Carrell rode that edge very well; I was never quite sure whether I should accept him as real or as a joke. But Michael Scott, for the last few seasons, has been far too ridiculous and so he’s not funny because we can’t imagine a real person doing this.
You are spot-on, The person he snapped at (Chris Finch) was someone he previously felt he had to impress…no more! this was just the beginning though and the viewer was left with the impression that he was moving on and would become a better and happier person. His monologue to camera suggested that as well. He was finally himself and seemed more comfortable with that.
The drink is incidental, I don’t think anyone I know would consider David had a drink problem. I certainly have never even noticed what he does or doesn’t drink. Perhaps that is a transatlantic cultural perception.
That’s right! It was Finch and Neil, (who I think laughed at the remark).
That is what I had figured about his alcoholism. He admitted to drinking a lot, and we saw him drink a lot. He liked to party and go to pubs. (I love that word); And yes, he drank to self medicate, (I believe it was the same episode where he was in a hotel room getting drunk, then passed out), But I figured it wasn’t something that people were as sensitive about as they would be here in the US. Tim even offered to get a drink with him in the Christmas Special.
I’m not saying he didn’t have a drinking problem, I just presumed the attitude towards “drunkards” was different due to it being a different culture. It was only a presumption though.
For me it wasn’t how often he was shown drinking, but how often he talked about drinking. From my point of view, that kind of obsession with alcohol as the center of one’s “fun” is associated with adolescents and alcoholics.
There are plenty of references to David’s alcoholism if you pay attention to them, and it’s established as early as in the first dialog between David and Dawn. It’s certainly acknowledged among the office staff, although nobody appears to intervene. The reason for that is probably because he’s a bad leader even when he’s sober - ultimately it’s not his alcohol problem that gets him fired, it’s his ineptitude. However, his alcoholism does seem to be fuelled by his lack of self-esteem and failed attempts to be popular and/or respected, something which the series ending hints might get cured over time by his relationship with Carol.
Big Bang Theory is overrated. There is no real “nerd humor” in this show, and the characters are 1000x more broadly stereotypical than anyone on The Office.
BBT is overrated for you: Agreed.
Stereotypes are not unfunny per se.
The Office is not bad vbecause is stereotypical or not; they simple fail to do or say anythign funny.
So, some people find some things funny that others do not.
Ground breaking stuff here all arouund.
BBT: same. I can’t figure out why anyone finds this dreck funny.
Spoken like someone who must not know any nerds. If we’re talking a nerd pissing contest here, I know nerds that refuse to watch BBT because it hits too close to home.
Dose my story trump yours?
I’m afraid not. I’m a nerd from all the way back. The chumps on BBT are half-assed caricatures of nerds. Constantly speaking in a stereotypical high-pitched “nerd voice” is not good enough. Sorry. Plus, they’re not funny.
I’m with Gangster Octopus.
I’ve only seen BBT twice. I’m not going to bash the show just because Ají de Gallina watches it, but doesn’t like The Office. This thread doesn’t threaten my personal taste in scripted, half-hour comedy shows.
John Wayne doesn’t suck.
That is to say, John Krasinski is fine as the laid back ordinary everyman Jim in the ordinary everycompany Dunder-Miflin Sabre office. Any other role I’ve found him hopelessly dull.
What other works have you seen of his?