CHEAP SITCOM GIMMICKS

Since I talked about the "death" of the television sitcom in my last post, let's talk about cheap sitcom gimmicks now, shall we?

a) I hate when writers come up with a semi-clever idea for maybe a one-time joke--and then proceed to drive it into the ground. Specifically, I am reminded of Home Improvement's endless charade to keep Wilson's face obscured. Okay, kinda funny...a few times. But to keep it going by covering his face with everything but the kitchen sink (maybe that too) FOR THE ENTIRE RUN OF THE SHOW?? How OLD did that get? Ooooh, I can't see his face! Again. And again. And again, ad nauseum. Enough!

Another example of this is in the later years of The Cosby Show, where Cliff tried to fix the doorbell, which turned into an endless series of "Is the doorbell going to work now? It sounds like it's getting close this time!" How many different ways can a doorbell ring to amuse us? It gets OLD.

In a similar vein: feuds. Like the Drew/Mimi feud on The Drew Carey Show. EVERY EPISODE it's the same thing. They hated each other, I think we got it. Can I ask for a little shaking up to the status quo once in awhile? It's these kinds of things that make a show incredibly stale. Are you listening Everybody Loves Raymond??

b) Also greatly irritating is when a show is obviously running out of steam, so the writers introduce some new gimmick to "liven" up the show. This is not "shaking it up" as mentioned above, this is cheapening the very foundation of the show. As at the end of Rosanne, when the Connor family wins the lottery. What?? The whole lower middle class aspect of the show completely DIES. It's totally different! Might as well have them move to Washington, DC and become the first family too!

Another cheap ploy to resurrect a flagging show is the arrival of a new cute kid to play off of. Bringing it back to The Cosby Show again, what happened when Rudy grew up? Not as cute anymore. So what did they do? Bring in Raven-Symone, the new cute kid for Bill to joke with! Gotta have a cute kid these days, it's practically a requirement.

These are just a couple of examples, I'm sure there are tons of others just waiting to be dissected by discerners of fine television like you and me, I'm just done thinking for the night, so you'll have to think of them on your own.

And as promised, the third post of the night. Which I believe is an II record! Woohoo!!

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R.I.P. SITUATION COMEDY

The television sitcom comedy situation is looking pretty bleak right about now. Friends is leaving, Frasier is leaving, Everybody Loves Raymond may be leaving. I'm not saying I want them to stay, these shows are well past their prime; but without them, the meager sitcom pickings are narrowed even more. Dramas simply overcrowd television these days. With few comedy choices, what are we, the television viewer, going to be left with? CSI: Des Moines?? Surely something can be done about this. There are still funny people around, aren't there? Right? Right? ...hmmm, after seeing Raymond's umpteenth recycling of the "parents meddling in their kids lives" idea, perhaps not...

WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY

I like Will Smith a lot, he's a kool kat. He was even my movie star double in an emode test:

Will Smith

A joker like you needs to be played by someone charming, someone who isn't afraid to get a little silly — but someone who always knows the difference between being outrageous and being obnoxious. That's why Will Smith would be perfect for the part. With his dazzling smile, addictive laugh, and great comedic timing, people would immediately identify with the lighthearted fun you bring to this world. Like Will, you love laughing — and making other people laugh, too.

Back in school, were you the one making prank phone calls or organizing spoofs of all the teachers? Sure you've matured at least a little bit since then, but you've still probably got that 14-carat sense of humor. Because of that, you're probably the center of attention at parties, as friends gather to hear you making a mockery of everything from current events to the computer-illiterate idiot who sits next to you at work. You, like Will, don't want to take life too seriously, and that's what will shine through if the Fresh Prince of comedy plays you in the movie of your life.

I know what yer thinkin': Matt, that is you dawg.

But I'm more partial to the Will Smith of The Fresh Prince fame. The music, the TV show, man he was funny. But now it's all the hardcore action of Bad Boys, or the heavy drama of Ali. Don't get me wrong, he was good in Ali, very good I thought, but I feel like an era is dead. The goofiness is gone. And oh how I miss it...

This all lends itself to Matt's rule of comedy: As one ages, they want to move on from comedy and play "serious" roles. Even though I view comedy as an equally serious art. This obviously doesn't apply in every case, but many.

I guess Will can't be the same in his 30s as he was in his 20s.*sigh* Wishful thinking...

If you preferred the young Will to the old Will, let me know via comment. And if you vote, I'll give you a Lifesaver! (a red one, because dang it!, the only way you're getting a green one is over my dead body!)

ONLY USE INTERNET FOR GOOD, NOT EVIL

Jeezum. My dumb internet totally conked out last night! So I had to call tech support to figure out how to start it up again. And what did the guy do? What, you ask?? Walked me through unplugging the modem, turning off the computer, plugging it back in, then turning it back on again. That's it?? That's it??? If it was that simple, I could work at tech support! I expected this guy to work hard for the money, not just suggest simply unplugging it! And to make it worse, this took 15 minutes of cell phone minutes dadgum it!

yeah, yeah...so maybe i should've tried unplugging it first... *whimper*

So I have a couple of posts that I was unable to post last night that I'll be hitting you kids up with tonight! Ain't you lucky!!!

WHERE YOU BEEN AT OLD SCHOOL?

Rappers these days just aren't happy, are they? Remember when there were funny-type rappers like Biz Markie, Young MC, and DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince? Alas, no longer. Now all rappers rap about is makin' dollaz, Cristal, and gang life. They have money up the wazoo, yet they're still not happy unless they have more. Now gangsta is the "in" thing. But it's all the same, you heard one gang shooting, you heard 'em all, yada yada. Old school rappers were happy when they had a boom box and a cardboard box to breakdance on dang it! Let's bring that feeling back! I wish it would come back...but it won't. The white kids who wear baggy pants and pretend they're black have too much say in record sales. They want their 50 Cent dadgum it!