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OT: TV thread

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quietbruinfan said:
There is an interesting discussion here. I agree with Gordon somewhat. Even more than Soap opera, or space opera, or sitcom, I like formula. I find it comforting to predict what will happen to a point or in comedy to get the joke. I take it to ridiculous extremes a la' the The Wild Wild West though.

Btw I will never get Seinfeld....something about it just leaves me totally cold even when I get the set-up(s) and the joke(s). If it is any comfort, I think I am the only one who feels that way about the show.
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The Wild Wild West television show? Used to watch the reruns.

As for Seinfeld, I liked Jerry when appearing on The Tonight Show, and watched The Seinfeld Chronicles, a summer replacement (1989) from the beginning.

I understand how that show might leave one "cold."

It's the show, famously, where "No one hugs, and no one learns anything." The characters were basically terrible people.

I prefer shows like Frasier, which, among many attributes, had a heart.

Seinfeld had no heart.

But, emprically, it was funny. Anything -- anything -- for the joke. Larry David & Seinfeld pulled out all the stops.

I get that and in its way, it's brilliant. I can't stand Curb Your Enthusiasm -- basically, a schmuck going around being a schmuck, cringe beyond belief -- but I get it. Just not for me.

I would say this: When I'm upset, very upset, I don't go for a comedy with heart. I'm too exhausted and I don't want plot strings.

Seinfeld it is.

Bill Burr works on a purely Masshole level as well.

God bless him.
 
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GordonHowe said:
The Wild Wild West television show? Used to watch the reruns.

As for Seinfeld, I liked Jerry when appearing on The Tonight Show, and watched The Seinfeld Chronicles, a summer replacement (1989) from the beginning.

I understand how that show might leave one "cold."

It's the show, famously, where "No one hugs, and no one learns anything." The characters were basically terrible people.

I prefer shows like Frasier, which, among many attributes, had a heart.

Seinfeld had no heart.

But, emprically, it was funny. Anything -- anything -- for the joke. Larry David & Seinfeld pulled out all the stops.

I get that and in its way, it's brilliant. I can't stand Curb Your Enthusiasm -- basically, a schmuck going around being a schmuck, cringe beyond belief -- but I get it. Just not for me.

I would say this: When I'm upset, very upset, I don't go for a comedy with heart. I'm too exhausted and I don't want plot strings.

Seinfeld it is.

Bill Burr works on a purely Masshole level as well.

God bless him.
Click to expand...
It isn't even the no heart thing, I don't think...Though not learning anything is big. It is the observational humor where everything has like a second punchline. The rhythm just does not work for me.
 
quietbruinfan said:
There is an interesting discussion here. I agree with Gordon somewhat. Even more than Soap opera, or space opera, or sitcom, I like formula. I find it comforting to predict what will happen to a point or in comedy to get the joke. I take it to ridiculous extremes a la' the The Wild Wild West though.

Btw I will never get Seinfeld....something about it just leaves me totally cold even when I get the set-up(s) and the joke(s). If it is any comfort, I think I am the only one who feels that way about the show.
Click to expand...
I have a half-baked theory that when I am feeling somewhat secure and comfortable with my life, when my daily life feels calm and predictable, then I like shows that make me work, shows that are a little challenging.

But if I feel insecure with work, or money, or personal stuff, I cling to the familiar and formulaic . I will watch Superstore, New Girl, The Office , Cheers… it just works for me. I suspect I’m not alone.
 
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Gordon Lightfoot said:
I have a half-baked theory that when I am feeling somewhat secure and comfortable with my life, when my daily life feels calm and predictable, then I like shows that make me work, shows that are a little challenging.

But if I feel insecure with work, or money, or personal stuff, I cling to the familiar and formulaic . I will watch Superstore, New Girl, The Office , Cheers… it just works for me. I suspect I’m not alone.
Click to expand...
Seems like a logical theory to me. It is not one to which I subscribe, but very logical. You see, I find some of these darker shows are often the emperor without his clothes. They lack in both basic structure and yes a moral structure.
 
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quietbruinfan said:
I am a set-up punch line guy or off the cuff Groucho screwball satire person...very old school in a way. Btw, i liked Fraiser because I thought it was very old school.
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I know you didn't like mash, but I'm telling you, if you like screwball comedy if you like Groucho, if you like throw away business, you can't get any better than the first three seasons of mash.

Book it. ✌️😔
 
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Stumbled onto an english show being aired on TNT called the Lazarus Project recently. Kind of cheesy but interesting if anyone is looking for a sci fi show to burn through during the summer.

 
Blowfish said:
Burning through the following series...all very good.

Dangerous (Glenn Close)
Big Little Lies

If you haven't watched Godless make sure you do!

Looking for good comedy series? My top 3

The End of the F&*ng World
Master of None
The Kominsky Method

Enjoy
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Future Man (was Hulu now Prime) is the hardest I’ve laughed in a decade. Takes about 4 episodes to really kick in.
 
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Blowfish said:
Burning through the following series...all very good.

Dangerous (Glenn Close)
Big Little Lies

If you haven't watched Godless make sure you do!

Looking for good comedy series? My top 3

The End of the F&*ng World
Master of None
The Kominsky Method

Enjoy
Click to expand...
The End of the f***ing World was tremendous

MarchysNoseKnows said:
Future Man (was Hulu now Prime) is the hardest I’ve laughed in a decade. Takes about 4 episodes to really kick in.
Click to expand...
One of the all time funniest shows that nobody has heard of.
 
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GordonHowe said:
The Wild Wild West television show? Used to watch the reruns.

As for Seinfeld, I liked Jerry when appearing on The Tonight Show, and watched The Seinfeld Chronicles, a summer replacement (1989) from the beginning.

I understand how that show might leave one "cold."

It's the show, famously, where "No one hugs, and no one learns anything." The characters were basically terrible people.

I prefer shows like Frasier, which, among many attributes, had a heart.

Seinfeld had no heart.

But, emprically, it was funny. Anything -- anything -- for the joke. Larry David & Seinfeld pulled out all the stops.

I get that and in its way, it's brilliant. I can't stand Curb Your Enthusiasm -- basically, a schmuck going around being a schmuck, cringe beyond belief -- but I get it. Just not for me.

I would say this: When I'm upset, very upset, I don't go for a comedy with heart. I'm too exhausted and I don't want plot strings.

Seinfeld it is.

Bill Burr works on a purely Masshole level as well.

God bless him.
Click to expand...

I really liked Frasier and Seinfeld.

Of course Seinfeld had no heart. It was about New Yorkers.
 
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LSCII said:
Another great show. Left in limbo still when they should be making more.


It's such a warmhearted show. It's funny because it's basically the opposite of things I usually watch, but it was so well done. Enjoy.
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same here. I like the feel good aspects of it. Done really well.
 
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