Are sitcoms a dead artform? - Page 4

**SanteeFats** · April 8th, 2014, 11:06 PM

They just need to actually be funny unlike most of the crap that is out there now.

nckgmd · May 12th, 2014, 09:22 AM

Has to be done right... Peep Show.... brilliant.. Kind of like an English version of Seinfeld... Every series except the last one were classics... America bought the rights and were going to make their own version. The guy from Big Bang theory was going to star in it Johnny Galecki but it was passed on... The reason is they changed it, they stopped the main characters internal monologue... American's have the habit of doing such things with shows.. getting a working model and breaking it..

nckgmd · May 16th, 2014, 08:46 AM

I must have to say a lot of people from australia and uk would say American comedy is pretty poor but they pump out a lot.. I mean Peep Show only has 6-8 episodes a series where as Seinfeld could do up to 20... Plus Seinfeld was brilliant at getting around adult subjects that was not to offend or if a kid saw would go over his head... Brilliant writing.. There's other great series out there too like Roseanne and Big bang. They make some very funny movies too early Jim Carrey was great cheech chong and Marx bro's. But because they pump out production line T.V. you only seem to remember the rubbish like friends. The one thing I would say definitely say their late night t.v. show hosts are terrible with the exception Colbert. I mean David Letterman just makes a coughing noise and everyone's laughing....I don't get it

**SanteeFats** · May 18th, 2014, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exfarmer

Well, I'm stuck in the past

I don't think the new sitcoms are anywhere near as good as the shows from the 70's or 80's.
Shows like steptoe and son, only fools and horses or open all hours were just head and shoulders above anything that's around today.

Since these appear to be British sitcoms I can not comment about them. However I have seen many US and yes British sitcoms over the years, and I am old enough have a valid opinion on this. In the US there were several great sitcoms but there are several that I like just as well now. The Big Bang Theory is tops followed by (in particular order), Dads, The re-re-make of Whose Line Is it Anyway, Sullivan and Son. Last Man Standing, Hot in Cleveland. I also have bought a few older British ones that I find great two of which are Coupling and Blackadder. While it is dated I also have everything Benny Hill did, boy was he a master

**SanteeFats** · May 18th, 2014, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norbert84

They're a waste of time.

Please elucidate on just what is a waste of time Norbert84.

**CARLTON BROWN** · January 22nd, 2019, 03:54 PM

Sorry to say that there are no UK TV comedy shows that even makes me smile. Sitting through an episode of Mrs Brown and Co, is an absolute example of just how awful things have become. Much of what was considered comedy in the past is now regarded as too non-PC to broadcast, like Python, Ello - Ello, or even Fools and Horses.

Today's comedy is generally infantile drivel and I suspect the days of humour are gone. My advise is to stick to the main news bulletins. These can be a laugh a minute at times!

**Reclaimedwg** · January 22nd, 2019, 04:03 PM

There hasn't been a good sitcom since Seinfeld.

**Sir Honkers** · January 22nd, 2019, 09:14 PM

The Good Place is a great sitcom. When you think, okay there's no where else they can take this...off they go in a whole new direction. And although it's the epitome of gross jokes and gory bad taste, Ash Vs Evil Dead just cracks me up.

banquomerc · January 27th, 2019, 10:19 PM

I loved King of Queens, Seinfeld, Two and Half Men, Superior Donuts, Kevin Can Wait, Mom, Murphy Brown, and more-Man with a Plan is back soon too in our states....

**CARLTON BROWN** · January 27th, 2019, 11:30 PM

A good sitcom needs to have an intelligent theme. This is more important than a string of stupid one-liners. An example of something well done that also holds your attention might be Goodnight Sweetheart (BBC). Now about 20 years old, it was cleverly written and often very amusing.

April 8th, 2014, 11:06 PM	#31
SanteeFats Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Santee, Ca Posts: 60,824 Thanks: 281,841 Thanked 813,847 Times in 60,866 Posts	No They just need to actually be funny unlike most of the crap that is out there now.

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May 12th, 2014, 09:22 AM	#32
nckgmd Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 325 Thanks: 736 Thanked 2,358 Times in 295 Posts	Has to be done right... Peep Show.... brilliant.. Kind of like an English version of Seinfeld... Every series except the last one were classics... America bought the rights and were going to make their own version. The guy from Big Bang theory was going to star in it Johnny Galecki but it was passed on... The reason is they changed it, they stopped the main characters internal monologue... American's have the habit of doing such things with shows.. getting a working model and breaking it..

May 16th, 2014, 08:46 AM	#33
nckgmd Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 325 Thanks: 736 Thanked 2,358 Times in 295 Posts	I must have to say a lot of people from australia and uk would say American comedy is pretty poor but they pump out a lot.. I mean Peep Show only has 6-8 episodes a series where as Seinfeld could do up to 20... Plus Seinfeld was brilliant at getting around adult subjects that was not to offend or if a kid saw would go over his head... Brilliant writing.. There's other great series out there too like Roseanne and Big bang. They make some very funny movies too early Jim Carrey was great cheech chong and Marx bro's. But because they pump out production line T.V. you only seem to remember the rubbish like friends. The one thing I would say definitely say their late night t.v. show hosts are terrible with the exception Colbert. I mean David Letterman just makes a coughing noise and everyone's laughing....I don't get it

January 22nd, 2019, 03:54 PM	#36
CARLTON BROWN Grand Vizier Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ruraltania Posts: 3,219 Thanks: 35,652 Thanked 35,618 Times in 3,211 Posts	Sorry to say that there are no UK TV comedy shows that even makes me smile. Sitting through an episode of Mrs Brown and Co, is an absolute example of just how awful things have become. Much of what was considered comedy in the past is now regarded as too non-PC to broadcast, like Python, Ello - Ello, or even Fools and Horses. Today's comedy is generally infantile drivel and I suspect the days of humour are gone. My advise is to stick to the main news bulletins. These can be a laugh a minute at times!

January 22nd, 2019, 04:03 PM	#37
Reclaimedwg Vintage Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 3,414 Thanks: 7,709 Thanked 26,946 Times in 3,089 Posts	There hasn't been a good sitcom since Seinfeld.

January 22nd, 2019, 09:14 PM	#38
Sir Honkers Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Land Of Glorious Leader Posts: 30,341 Thanks: 286,789 Thanked 386,194 Times in 30,298 Posts	The Good Place is a great sitcom. When you think, okay there's no where else they can take this...off they go in a whole new direction. And although it's the epitome of gross jokes and gory bad taste, Ash Vs Evil Dead just cracks me up.

January 27th, 2019, 10:19 PM	#39
banquomerc Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 439 Thanks: 12,924 Thanked 3,000 Times in 408 Posts	I loved King of Queens, Seinfeld, Two and Half Men, Superior Donuts, Kevin Can Wait, Mom, Murphy Brown, and more-Man with a Plan is back soon too in our states....

January 27th, 2019, 11:30 PM	#40
CARLTON BROWN Grand Vizier Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ruraltania Posts: 3,219 Thanks: 35,652 Thanked 35,618 Times in 3,211 Posts	A good sitcom needs to have an intelligent theme. This is more important than a string of stupid one-liners. An example of something well done that also holds your attention might be Goodnight Sweetheart (BBC). Now about 20 years old, it was cleverly written and often very amusing.