Robert N EmersonYour Favourite Styles of Television Comedy
May 31st 2007 04:59
A lot of my more recent posts have been related to comedic shows, events and happenings. One thing that always becomes apparent when discussing such things is the subjective nature of comedy. To suit this wide range of tastes, the types of humour present with television shows varies widely. My question is, which of these styles of comedy do you most enjoy?
I am not a fan of the traditional sitcom.
The laugh track and predictability of the plotlines grate on me. However, in recent years, a new brand of sitcoms that bucks many of these trends has emerged. Sans canned laughter, they deal with a wide range of comedy styles, while at the same time injecting more realism and depth into the programme.
A prime example of this is Scrubs, where beneath the peppy and random humour lie rather dark themes. When it comes down to it, I prefer my comedy black, with a side order of drama.
Below is one of my favourite clips from Scrubs, illustrating the random and morbid humour, while mirroring the struggles and problems of the characters.
In a similar vein, I also love the comedy present within Futurama.
It takes the sitcom staple of the ‘fish out of water,’ and turns it on its head. The characters and the relationships between them are wonderful, which makes the jokes all the funnier. In addition to this, the show contains some incredible examples of geek humour. Like its forefather The Simpsons, Futurama also includes pop culture references, though perhaps not to the same extent as the former.
Below is an example of Futurama’s mix of pop and geek culture.
I also enjoy shows with a cutting satirical edge, such as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, and The Chaser’s War on Everything. It is a difficult artistic form to work with, as attempts can simply come across as overly mean-spirited and scornful. However, executed well, the critical eye of satire can make important points in a witty and clever way.
What types of comedy do you enjoy? Are there styles that you don't usually like, but find yourself watching because of the execution? Are your preferences static, or do they change?
*Images courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing to illustrate the subject in question.
I am not a fan of the traditional sitcom.
The hilarious employees of Sacred Heart*
A prime example of this is Scrubs, where beneath the peppy and random humour lie rather dark themes. When it comes down to it, I prefer my comedy black, with a side order of drama.
Below is one of my favourite clips from Scrubs, illustrating the random and morbid humour, while mirroring the struggles and problems of the characters.
In a similar vein, I also love the comedy present within Futurama.
Fry finds himself in the Year 3000*
Below is an example of Futurama’s mix of pop and geek culture.
The talented team behind the Daily Show*
What types of comedy do you enjoy? Are there styles that you don't usually like, but find yourself watching because of the execution? Are your preferences static, or do they change?
*Images courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing to illustrate the subject in question.
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