OT: Beatles or Seinfeld

[bellagiobob]

You can only have one.

Edit: I'll elaborate. You're stranded on a deserted island for 5 years. You have access to the Beatles anthology or every season Seinfeld. That is the only media you have access to. Nothing else. What would you choose?

I love Seinfeld. But it’s just a TV show. It makes me chuckle a bit, but when the episode is over, my mood really hasn’t changed. Music helps set or create my mood, and preserves it even after I’ve finished listening to it. Listening to music brings back memories, and helps with escapism as you drift off into another world. And it’s the Beatles, with the greatest catalogue of music ever written. I’ve been listening to it for 60 years and haven’t gotten bored of it yet, so would be the perfect choice for me on an island.

 

[harpoon]

I like Gervais, should watch both of them as they probably deserve to be somewhat high on my list.

I’ll throw my recommendation behind Gervais’ Office as well. Extremely well done series. It’s only two seasons plus a couple of Christmas specials.

Trollied is anither UK comedy that I thought had some good moments. Not as solid at the Office, but exploring some of the same themes of social awkwardness and over compensation.

Its a totally different type of comedy, but I thought the show Plebs had some solid episodes as well. Think Friends if everyone was poor and homely and living in Roman times.

 

[Oilhawks]

I’ll throw my recommendation behind Gervais’ Office as well. Extremely well done series. It’s only two seasons plus a couple of Christmas specials.

Trollied is anither UK comedy that I thought had some good moments. Not as solid at the Office, but exploring some of the same themes of social awkwardness and over compensation.

Its a totally different type of comedy, but I thought the show Plebs had some solid episodes as well. Think Friends if everyone was poor and homely and living in Roman times.

Thanks for the rec, I'll get around to watching it sooner rather than later. Pretty sure I have it downloaded from before. I'll look into Trollied as well

I've heard of Plebs, I'll add it to my watch list too.

British comedy is somewhat up there for me with Fawlty Towers, IT Crowd, Are You Being Served? some of my favourites that I've seen (I've not seen a lot).

Thanks!

 

[McDeepika]

Was never into the Beatles in my teen years but have grown to love them, particularly the Lennon tracks.

This is an easy decision for me.

 

[CookiesAndMilk]

The Beatles but without Yoko Ono.

Yoko Ono screaming

 

[Fishy McScales]

Beatles

 

[CageRage]

I love Seinfeld. But it’s just a TV show. It makes me chuckle a bit, but when the episode is over, my mood really hasn’t changed. Music helps set or create my mood, and preserves it even after I’ve finished listening to it. Listening to music brings back memories, and helps with escapism as you drift off into another world. And it’s the Beatles, with the greatest catalogue of music ever written. I’ve been listening to it for 60 years and haven’t gotten bored of it yet, so would be the perfect choice for me on an island.

Pretty much my thoughts. I will listen to the Beatles while I sharpen my fishing spear.

 

[CupofOil]

Most people would say The Beatles and I get it but it's Seinfeld for me. Seinfeld is one of the best creations ever, even better than Stuart Skinner's 'stache.

Edit: Seinfeld is winning the pole? Nice

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Pilkington > Gervais

 

[CupofOil]

Most sitcoms / TV comedies are pretty forgettable or have some funny moments at best. Of the ones I’ve seen that come to mind immediately I’d probably put them in this sort of tiers (not putting in animation because I’m lazy and most of them run too long to consider as one show: ex golden age Simpsons > pretty much anything on this list anyhow but after that is mostly rubbish)

S

Silicon Valley
Curb Your Enthusiasm

A

Seinfeld
Faulty Towers

B

Married with Children
Arrested Development (overrated as hell, flame away)
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
IT Crowd
Are You Being Served?
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Chapelle’s Show
Mythic Quest (only watched the first season, “A Dark Quiet Death” is one of the best episodes of TV, period. Not a comedy episode)

C

Malcolm in the Middle
That 70’s Show
Frasier (yeah, probably low for some, idc)
Parks and Rec
30 Rock
The Office (never seen the UK one but imagine it’s better)
Home Improvement (actually underrated for what it is)
Community
Scrubs
Newsradio
Everybody Hates Chris
3rd Rock from the Sun
The Drew Carey Show
My Name is Earl
Boy Meets World
Just Shoot Me

D

Friends
Everybody Loves Raymond
Modern Family
The King of Queens
The Middle
Full House
Family Matters
…many others that I’m too lazy to look up / don’t remember

F

Big Bang Theory
Two and a Half Men
…And most other sitcoms I’ve seen and can’t remember

A caveat that I haven’t really seen any from before the mid 80s aside from the few listed on here

Pretty good list. I'm assuming that this is a 90s and later list because there's a whole lot of great sitcoms from earlier that were left off. All in the Family, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, Cheers etc.

On another note, Full House has aged surprisingly well on a rewatch so I'd probably put it higher on your list and Boy Meets World I'd probably elevate to the B category, one of the more underappreciated sitcoms of its time in a sea of all time greats during its era.

 

[Oilhawks]

Pretty good list. I'm assuming that this is a 90s and later list because there's a whole lot of great sitcoms from earlier that were left off. All in the Family, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, Cheers etc.

On another note, Full House has aged surprisingly well on a rewatch so I'd probably put it higher on your list and Boy Meets World I'd probably elevate to the B category, one of the more underappreciated sitcoms of its time in a sea of all time greats during its era.

Admittedly, I haven’t seen many of the ones prior to the late 80s, but plan to check them out eventually.

Haven’t seen Boy Meets World and Full House in ages so both could be a bit low. Was a fan of Bob Saget (surprisingly ‘wholesome’ in the show compared to his usual comedy) and remember enjoying the show but don’t remember finding it as good as some others. It’s probably low, though

 

[Beerfish]

I refuse to participate in such a poll.

And you youngsters and your new fangled comedy shows.....

Give me the Mary Tyler Moore show, Barney Miller, Soap, Hogans Heros, Get Smart, WKRP in Cincinnati, Welcome back Cotter, Night Court, Fawlty Towers, Police Squad, Newhart, scrubs, Allo Allo, I love lucy

young whipper snappers.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Pretty good list. I'm assuming that this is a 90s and later list because there's a whole lot of great sitcoms from earlier that were left off. All in the Family, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, Cheers etc.

On another note, Full House has aged surprisingly well on a rewatch so I'd probably put it higher on your list and Boy Meets World I'd probably elevate to the B category, one of the more underappreciated sitcoms of its time in a sea of all time greats during its era.

Any list is subject to what age/demographic people are. We have fond memories of what shows were on when we were young. So a lot can end up on the list that don't seem to belong. For instance nobody would mention Gilligans Island as one of the best shows. It was just passing time. It was drivel. Conversely I couldn't get through an episode of Full House and the cloying olson twins without changing the channel. But if I was very young I might have liked the show. The programs we consider great are very time stamped in our memories and a different generation will have others. Some span the list. Everybody figures MASH and All In the Family are groundbreaking shows.

Other shows like Wonder Years that were big at the time become unpopular and in that case due to what happened with Fred Savage since. I thought it was an interesting show at the time. Something odd in it appealed to me. Its not the mind of show I would typically like.

But as every family knows TV is individualistic. You tend to need as many TV's as their are viewers in the home and its common for people to be watching and liking different programs. Theres stuff my wife watches that I just find curious.

 

[Stoneman89]

Thanks for the rec, I'll get around to watching it sooner rather than later. Pretty sure I have it downloaded from before. I'll look into Trollied as well

I've heard of Plebs, I'll add it to my watch list too.

British comedy is somewhat up there for me with Fawlty Towers, IT Crowd, Are You Being Served? some of my favourites that I've seen (I've not seen a lot).

Thanks!

Forgot about the IT crowd! Fantastic show!

Any list is subject to what age/demographic people are. We have fond memories of what shows were on when we were young. So a lot can end up on the list that don't seem to belong. For instance nobody would mention Gilligans Island as one of the best shows. It was just passing time. It was drivel. Conversely I couldn't get through an episode of Full House and the cloying olson twins without changing the channel. But if I was very young I might have liked the show. The programs we consider great are very time stamped in our memories and a different generation will have others. Some span the list. Everybody figures MASH and All In the Family are groundbreaking shows.

Other shows like Wonder Years that were big at the time become unpopular and in that case due to what happened with Fred Savage since. I thought it was an interesting show at the time. Something odd in it appealed to me. Its not the mind of show I would typically like.

But as every family knows TV is individualistic. You tend to need as many TV's as their are viewers in the home and its common for people to be watching and liking different programs. Theres stuff my wife watches that I just find curious.

Used to love watching the opening credits of Wonder Woman when they showed Linda running in slow motion towards the camera.

 

[CupofOil]

Admittedly, I haven’t seen many of the ones prior to the late 80s, but plan to check them out eventually.

Haven’t seen Boy Meets World and Full House in ages so both could be a bit low. Was a fan of Bob Saget (surprisingly ‘wholesome’ in the show compared to his usual comedy) and remember enjoying the show but don’t remember finding it as good as some others. It’s probably low, though

It's funny about Full House. I wasn't the biggest fan watching when I was a kid but it was actually better in the rewatch, funnier than I remembered with a few tear jerker scenes sprinkled in.

Boy Meets World is possibly a top 5 all time sitcom for me so I'm a bit biased with that ranking.

Threes Company is another one that ages well. Well, a young Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt (very underrated hot) will always withstand the age of time.

The Office is the one show that everybody on the planet seems to love but me. There are some funny scenes and lots of usable Gifs but I don't think it's as hilarious as a lot of others do, the humor seems forced at times.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

I refuse to participate in such a poll.

And you youngsters and your new fangled comedy shows.....

Give me the Mary Tyler Moore show, Barney Miller, Soap, Hogans Heros, Get Smart, WKRP in Cincinnati, Welcome back Cotter, Night Court, Fawlty Towers, Police Squad, Newhart, scrubs, Allo Allo, I love lucy

young whipper snappers.

Damn I forgot about Newhart and the Bob Newhart show! One of the best comedians ever.
Hogans Heros was a staple for me as well!

Oh memories of my youth...

 

[CupofOil]

Any list is subject to what age/demographic people are. We have fond memories of what shows were on when we were young. So a lot can end up on the list that don't seem to belong. For instance nobody would mention Gilligans Island as one of the best shows. It was just passing time. It was drivel. Conversely I couldn't get through an episode of Full House and the cloying olson twins without changing the channel. But if I was very young I might have liked the show. The programs we consider great are very time stamped in our memories and a different generation will have others. Some span the list. Everybody figures MASH and All In the Family are groundbreaking shows.

Other shows like Wonder Years that were big at the time become unpopular and in that case due to what happened with Fred Savage since. I thought it was an interesting show at the time. Something odd in it appealed to me. Its not the mind of show I would typically like.

But as every family knows TV is individualistic. You tend to need as many TV's as their are viewers in the home and its common for people to be watching and liking different programs. Theres stuff my wife watches that I just find curious.

The Wonder Years, there's one I forgot about which is another of my faves. I was pretty close to the age of Kevin and co. so it hits home more for me. Full House, Family Matters, Seinfeld then a little later Boys Meets World were all in my wheelhouse.

As you said, everybody's favorites are based on age and what was popular when they were growing up. I was a late 80s-early 90s kid so the shows that started around then were most influencial for me.

For you and some of the older folks, it was probably a lot of the 60s-70s sitcoms that were your favorites.
The Wonder Years probably appealed to you because it took place in a time when you were growing up. I'm assuming that you grew up in or around the Vietnam War years.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

TGIF was the place to be in the 90s.

 

[Drivesaitl]

It's funny about Full House. I wasn't the biggest fan watching when I was a kid but it was actually better in the rewatch, funnier than I remembered with a few tear jerker scenes sprinkled in.

Boy Meets World is possibly a top 5 all time sitcom for me so I'm a bit biased with that ranking.

Threes Company is another one that ages well. Well, a young Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt (very underrated hot) will always withstand the age of time.

The Office is the one show that everybody on the planet seems to love but me. There are some funny scenes and lots of usable Gifs but I don't think it's as hilarious as a lot of others do, the humor seems forced at times.

Threes company was good and due to Somers and Ritter being pretty good but the Brit version Man about the House was funny and risky before the US were doing that kind of thing. For instance Man About the House was early 70's programming and it took a few years before you could show the same on US television. Personal preference comes into play though. I like both series but I like originality and so that Man About the House was better, and was directly copied.

Indeed it had become so commonplace for US to copy Brit sitcoms that there wasn't even any hiding it. The landlords were the ropers etc.

The US series "Episodes" is kind of a satire take on how Us programming copies Brit programming. It isn' that good, I don't think it pulls it off, but its an interesting concept to mock the plagiarism. But the US audiences didn't follow what was being mocked. But play on play nor where they expected to. I kind of lost track of the Episodes show but it had so many flaws (and that was also one of the plotlines) they just ran out of material it seems.

 

[Drivesaitl]

The Wonder Years, there's one I forgot about which is another of my faves. I was pretty close to the age of Kevin and co. so it hits home more for me. Full House, Family Matters, Seinfeld then a little later Boys Meets World were all in my wheelhouse.

As you said, everybody's favorites are based on age and what was popular when they were growing up. I was a late 80s-early 90s kid so the shows that started around then were most influencial for me.

For you and some of the older folks, it was probably a lot of the 60s-70s sitcoms that were your favorites.
The Wonder Years probably appealed to you because it took place in a time when you were growing up. I'm assuming that you grew up in or around the Vietnam War years.

Good catch. But I liked the sardonic narration and the innocence of youth and growing up depictions. It just kind of connected with those more innocent times that were actually cold war and pretty tumultuous but are remembered fondly with that thing called nostalgia. heh.

The Flintstones I thought were great as a kid and it stood the test of time. More satire in there than given credit for and must have been in inspiration for the Simpsons years later.

 

[brentashton]

Any list is subject to what age/demographic people are. We have fond memories of what shows were on when we were young. So a lot can end up on the list that don't seem to belong. For instance nobody would mention Gilligans Island as one of the best shows. It was just passing time. It was drivel. .

Hey @Cloned we need a new poll for us older guys (and gals too and anyone watching reruns on TV I guess)…

Ginger or
MaryAnne

For the record, I was always partial to MaryAnne, just something about her wholesomeness got my motor revving.

 

[My3Sons]

I think that you'd have to split this poll by age and demographics. I can see someone born in the late 90s in Canada or somewhere outside the US northeast having no ability to connect to Seinfeld. I can also see someone born in the late 90s never connecting with the Beatles. That said, I'm not sure why these two things warrant comparison they are separated by eons of time in terms of someone's life.

 

[Oilhawks]

Forgot about the IT crowd! Fantastic show!


Used to love watching the opening credits of Wonder Woman when they showed Linda running in slow motion towards the camera.

A lot of people have used this brilliant gif without realizing where it’s from, let alone watching the show. (It deserves more praise, IMO.) That scene was crazy when it happened in the show too, haha

 

[Wretched Oil]

I would rather have silence than either of those over-rated choices, jesus

 

[bucks_oil]

You can only have one.

Edit: I'll elaborate. You're stranded on a deserted island for 5 years. You have access to the Beatles anthology or every season Seinfeld. That is the only media you have access to. Nothing else. What would you choose?

I'd go for the Beatles...

... but it's worth saying that the suggestion of Friends is not entirely without merit. Assuming I'm alone on this island there are some additional benefits (Rachel, Monica) to enduring that comedy.

I just hope Dad got the tracking fixed on the VCR, I hate it when you get that snowy static when the image is on pause for a while.