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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Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I think my tastes are pretty similar to yours. I like my comedy with an edge. I love Scrubs, I think it's a brilliant show. It's a show that does both comedic and dramatic storylines equally well.
I also love satirical shows. The Daily Show is a favourite as is The Chasers War on Everything.
I only started watching Futurama last year. Until then I hadn't really watched it. But it's a great show. I like shows that have plenty of pop culture references and have subtle digs at politics/culture etc, the way that The Simpsons does.
I must admit, that I also am a fan of dumb-ass comedy. I used to watch Jackass when it was on MTV. There's something about a group of guys who do their best to cause injury to themselves that I find hilarious. I guess shows like Beavis and Butthead, South Park and Ren and Stimpy would fall into that category too.....shows I used to love.
I'm not a fan of sitcoms, or shows like Punk'd and Candid Camera type shows. Lets humiliate people to get a laugh. No thanks, not my style
Kylie
Comment by Nina
I like South Park, but more the satirical and parody-orientated episodes are the ones that I enjoy.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Im with you when it comes to dull sitcoms and laugh
tracks, why bother? (Will and Grace, Everybody loves idiot boy etc)
I dig on Futurama, Simpsons, Colbert and Stewart....I also dont mind Scrubs and Monk.
Im going to be lazy, rather than explain what tickles me here are a few of my favourite comedy shows from recent years are:
Arrested Development
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Dead Like Me/Wonderfalls
Mr Show with David Cross
Family Guy and American Dad also amuse.
Fun post as usual Nina, good work.
Comment by Nina
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
I tend to find the satirical humour the most engaging, followed by the gloomy humour of Six Feet Under, then Futurama's variety as well as that of earlier episodes of the Simpsons. I also really love the humour in Sex and the City and Buffy, and Friends was one of the only sitcoms I could watch... sometimes if I'm in the mood Just Shoot Me! is good for a random laugh. I think most successful shows utilise humour in some form or fashion.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I really liked Weeds and I hope they show the second season. Funny but not in the traditional sense.
And I also find Boston Legal funny. I don't watch it religiously but it is just silly.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Jonathon
Anthroblogogy
as far as futurama/family guy/the simpsons go, i can watch the simpsons, and generally get a laugh out of it. but i feel the market is flooded with this type of animation pop comedy thing. christ, the simpsons have been going for 100 years it feels like and definitely has its fan base that would shoot me for even slightly saying it isn't the be all and end all. but doesn't rank in my top forms of story telling.
what really make me piss myself laughing, and ends up taking over my vocabulary for the next month after watching it is nathan barley. this is really attacking the pop culture satirical thing head on. not only does it take the piss beautifully, but it is also thoroughly researched to nail every minute detail, and presented in an aesthetically pleasing form (like the dvd menus - best i have ever seen). if you like dark english comedy, you will definately enjoy this one. another favourite in the same vain is the mighty boosh, created by noel fielding julian barratt. if you haven't seen them, you should. nuf said!
Comment by Nina
Comment by Nina
Comment by Nina
There are a lot of people (myself included) that feel the Simpsons is not the show it once was. I adore the earlier episodes, as they were so clever and full of meaning. I don't make an effort to watch the newer ones, because I just don't feel that they are up to the same standard.
I haven't seen Nathan Barley or The Mighty Boosh, although I have heard of the latter. I will have to check them out.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Check it out HERE, if your interested.
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Just wanted to say, I loved the first season of Scrubs... as with all TV I usually end up to involved somehwere else to switch it on... but that in no way detracts from my love of good TV comedy, and I agree with you about the, side-order of drama...
I'm curious as to what you think of HOUSE?
Lilla ...
Comment by Nina
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
Kylie:
It surprises me then that you dig "Chasers War" - it is reallybordering on this kind of humour more and more every week. I watch it for the 3 moments of absolute hilarity each week, the rest of the episode is usually trying far too hard... or possibly not hard enough?
CNNNN was brilliant, and "Chaser Decides" was really funny and clever. "War on Everything"... well... I don't find Chas being wheeled into the Coca-Cola foyer in a bathtub very funny.
Chasing down John Howard and playing his own recorded message back to him incessantly - very funny!
;o)
Comment by Nina
Comment by Francis
Passionate Apathy
I don't class The Daily Show or The Colbert Report as sitcoms; they're more like satirical versions of the news.
And yes, even something as whacked-out insane as the evening news can be satirized.
Comment by Nina
Did I give the impression that I think the Daily Show and Colbert are sitcoms? If I did, it wasn't my intention. As you said, they are best classified as satirical versions of the news and cable opinion shows.
Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner
ya must have the same remote control that I do!
I love Scrubs...it's so funny, and almost every one of the shows you listed are among the ones I watch regularly too...
I guess I just love to laugh...LOL
Great post!
Take care,
Nick
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Comment by Nina
James, there certainly are some very dodgy comedies around! It is all so subjective though, so obviously some people are getting enjoyment out of them.
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
...or the networks are making good advertising dollars...