I first saw Arrested Development when I was a Freshman in college (ah, so long ago it was), and I was surrounded by six suitemates who failed to recognize its excellence. Instead, they’d wander through the common room having loud conversations while I watched, eyes aglow with epiphany. Then they’d all get together to watch Smallville every week and I’d wonder what the fuck.
As a failing comedy writer, the show was a lot of things for me: a revelation about the state of the modern sitcom, an education about how to do high farce and do it well, and an assurance that the bastards don’t appreciate genius anymore anyway. Also, it had a lot of gay jokes and David Cross in tiny shorts.
So the fact that an Arrested Development movie is seeming more and more likely is nothing short of bitchin’. And while part of me slathers for a return of the series (maybe if I get everyone I know to see the movie a dozen times, they’ll bring it back!), most of me is just grateful there’s going to be more illusions, more awkward quasi-incest, more shallow, self-centered in-fighting and spontaneous acts of ill-fated generosity, and of course, more lessons.
That’s all. No jokes exactly, just overwhelming enthusiasm and joy at this development. I think I may dance naked in a field later, which could be kind of funny if you didn’t know how many psychotropic drugs I was on.
But I am curious: is there anyone out there in Cracked-land who hates this show? I mean absolutely hates it. Not just to single you out for ridicule (although that seems inevitable, you dunderheaded half-wit), but because the fact that this show got cancelled really is surprising to me. What about it turned off a large majority of viewers? Or was it just on at the wrong time, what? Do you hate laughter? If so, may I direct you to the posts of my fellow bloggers?
When not blogging for Cracked, Michael makes videos that aren’t as good as Arrested Development as head writer and co-founder of Those Aren’t Muskets!
This entry was posted on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 at 4:00 pm and is filed under Arrested Development, I hate my co-bloggers, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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November 1st, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Never seen an episode. Please don’t hurt me.
February 26th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
I absolutely loved AD. My family would get together every week, sit down, and laugh hysterically at all of the little jokes. We got all of our friends to watch it, and bought all the seasons, alas, it was still canceled. I was very upset and went about watching it all over again.
One of the best things about AD is that you can watch it over and over again and still not catch all the jokes. Every time I watch it, I get something new out of it. It’s also narrated so well, that you don’t even have to ‘watch it’ if you’ve already seen an episode. You can just listen to it in your car.
I also love randomly singing “Mr. F” and “For British Eyes Only”, and, of course, THE CHICKEN DANCE! Everyone’s chicken dance is unique and so much fun to mimic.
Probably one of the funniest shows. Ever. Period. Had only more Americans discovered it before it was canceled
January 29th, 2009 at 5:58 am
It makes me sad to see two and a half men get huge viewership and prime time slots while AD (in Australia) was aired at 11:30pm and that no one could really be bothered with a show which doesnt tell them when to laugh through laughter track.
December 23rd, 2008 at 4:32 am
Arrested Development…greatest show ever. I tell people to buy Season 1 and if they don’t like it, I’ll buy it from them. I haven’t had to buy one yet.
Flight of the Conchords has to be in a close second, judging by the strength of the first season. Hopefully season 2 will pull more viewers.
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Arrested Development is comic genius and the best show ever. Anyone who realizes that automatically gains supreme respect points.
December 13th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
I’m don’t usually find myself in the position of defending the Fox network, but they did promote AD, quite a bit in fact. America just didn’t care. Based on numbers, AD should have been canceled after the first season. But, there were all the rave reviews. Fox kept it for season 2, still no viewers, but there were Emmy nominations.
Again, based on numbers the show would have been canceled, but it was an Emmy winner. So, there was a season 3, promotion, advertising, and all. Still, America didn’t care. So AD was finally put down, like an unloved dog. I’m not saying Fox hasn’t killed shows through incompetent scheduling (sorry Futurama!), but AD was not one of those shows.
September 28th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
this is really the funniest show i have ever seen
September 1st, 2008 at 9:38 am
The only things on TV I’ve ever laughed at are AD, The Office (American), a smattering of Brit comedies, Canadian sketch comedy, and every SNL skit with Chris Walken.
Absurdity is big with me. Getting bludgeoned with obvious humor doesn’t amuse me, but if something makes the average person go O.o it probably makes me laugh. I don’t think it’s because I’m a snob — in fact my love of the absurd has made for more than one awkward social situation. It’s just what I dig, you dig?
I loved AD because of the absurdity, but there was also something loveable about the cast and the way they interacted. Most of them were failures as human beings, but you were rooting for them. Every actor absolutely nailed their character to perfection and made it impossible to imagine anyone else in the role (Portia de Rossi or whatever her name is….she’s an exception. I don’t like her for some reason).
Anyway, I had nothing really to add, I just want to be included in the weener poopie thread.
August 20th, 2008 at 1:22 am
AD was great and I danced naked when I heard about it too. Which was odd because I was at work.
From what I hear and I cannot remember the source, the writers had mentioned something about not really wanting another season as it was very hard to come up with all of that crazy shit on a consistant basis. The movie will probably be akin to 4 episode smashed together. And it’ll be wonderful.
August 13th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
AD was like one giant episode. You had to watch it from beginning to end to get all the little in jokes
August 13th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
It was canceled for many reasons, one of which is that people are idiots. But that alone, surprisingly, isn’t enough, as somewhat-intelligent sitcoms do manage to stay on the air once in a while (The Red Green Show). The other thing that killed AD is that the network (FOX, not surprisingly) made no effort whatsoever to PROMOTE the show at all. They refused to run commercials for it, they actually stopped publicity events… it’s fucking insane. FOX has a long history of screwing over every great show that they get. Not that they’re the only network that does so…
August 9th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Oh. My. God. I have just had the unmitigated joy to watch the entire three seasons of this show. Not only am I completely in the “I love this show more than anything” camp, I have dived head-first back into my 1980s mad crush on Jason Bateman (from “It’s Your Move” to “Juno”, he just keeps pulling me back in).
And if that doesn’t prove it to you… I have overcome my severe hatred of the shaky-camera for the sake of this show.
I love it. I just… I just love it. I worry about the people who don’t love it’s souls.
Seriously, there’s something wrong there. Watch them closely.
August 7th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
@ some guy way up top, steven segal is amazing. are u kidding? he produces about 3 movies a month. Who does that? Not to mention he’s had every job known to man. An ex-navy seal chef?!?! I mean..and his ponytail of justice?! I never saw AD on t.v. but heard it was good and bought the seasons. It’s pretty damn funny. The jet pack-mole fight with asian business men, unreal.
August 6th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
AD was screwed by fox just as Firefly was. They just don’t know a good thing when they’ve got it.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:53 pm
The reason it got canceled is definitely tied in to one of the reason’s everyone agrees it is so great: the fact that it had running jokes. I watched the show basically from day one (i guess I came in a few episodes late and had to catch up to be completely honest) and it got increasingly dependent on earlier episodes. That made it AMAZING. However, it became increasingly hard to pick up new viewers as it went along, and combined with Fox’s inability to market it (??????WHY?????) and Hurwitz’s refusal to compromise his creative integrity (good for him) its cancellation was inevitable. I think a movie might be a little bit different, however, because new viewers can see everything they need to in one sitting. Here’s to hoping.
June 6th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
And dan has completely missed the point . . . thank you for showcasing your lack of understanding.
May 19th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
you guys are all dorks. stop fighting over a show, no one is going to change their minds.
April 30th, 2008 at 11:02 am
I’m not sure how long ago the last reply to this was, or if it’s still a link people are paying attention to, but having just discovered the awesomness of cracked.com after leaving college and my job I’ve only begun trawling the archives for shit i’m interested in…I LOVE arrested development. It’s by far the funniest show I have ever seen. I think the reason that it got cancelled probably has something to do with one of the reasons I love the show so much. Many of the jokes are built up slowly through many many episodes… it’s far funnier seeing the american government thinking George Michaels Star Wars video is a training video when you’ve seen it so many other times. And when you know the preceding episodes inside and out you notice tiny things like the blue piant marks on the walls from Tobias. Or when they show like a 2 second cut to something in the past one of the characters is alluding to….This, in my opinion is one of the things that make the show so fucking funny.. but that also means that it iasn’t as funny to the lay-person who just walks in to sit down and watch one episode. You have to know all the context to fully get the jokes. And missing one episode means missing the crux of a joke in a later one. So you have to be pretty fucking dedicated to sit down to every single episode (from episode one of seson 1, which many people possibly missed)…. having said that, I can’t understand anybody who couldn’t love the show so mucht they HAD to watch them all… douches
April 7th, 2008 at 3:32 am
My name is Judge
GOB: Who’s name is Judge?
My name is…
GOB: That’s a silly name.
Judge…my name
GOB: Yes, I am judging your name, it am silly.
Is…
GOB: Oh, now you’re correcting my grammar?
Judge…
GOB: He’s right, his name is Judge now.
April 6th, 2008 at 1:06 am
It has nothing to do with intelligence at all! These people are hilarious, getting on here and arguing that, though they didn’t find AD at all funny, they are just as intelligent as anyone else.
I KNOW THESE PEOPLE. They are my friends and family and peers that never found AD funny because they…HAD ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE OF HUMOR! They are the type of person that has to see if someone else is laughing at something before they even pretend to crack a smile.
AD had nothing to do with being smart, you morons, it was simply FUNNY! What the heck do you people laugh at? Don’t tell me, I know: you laugh at the accounting guy’s shoes and emails from your cousin in Florida and you thought ‘P.S. I Love You’ was precious!
AD was a clever show and most people just aren’t that clever. They’re too simple and empty to ‘get it’, and it has everything to do with what boring dumbasses these people are. Because they are.
I have started choosing my friends on whether they enjoyed AD and it has worked out great! I’m actually looking forward to dinners out with these personalities. I’m not saying all we do is sit around and talk about AD, but the conversation is more enlightening, deep, humorous, and INTELLIGENT than it’s been in years!
March 24th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Oh of course Father Ted.
Durrr.
[hits self in head]
i probably have to resign my citizenship now.
March 24th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
I read the rest of the comments above. Well…not all of them. Bit repetitive. But yah Hoy, basically.
I love AD but i’ve only seen it like three times. Goddamn internet won’t let me see the rest of it and I’m poor (and british…)
I’d like to say I think there is definitely something in the idea of Swaim’s that its’ lack of success could be down to it finding humour in “uncomfortable places”. I’d just like to say I didn’t like either of the Offices (i didn’t watch them for very long, mind, so maybe i will in future) BECAUSE they were soooo uncomfortable.
oh, and Anyon, michael snr was hot. surely you must agree. and portia de rossi, come on…
And fuck you, monty python and especially fawlty towers are amazing. i hate to be a nerd supremacist, but they just are.
mighty boosh, anyone?
i love that show.
=D
March 14th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Are u kidding?? People are still adding REAL comments to this blog post?? AWESOME!! Did they read the other 300 comments before submitting their diatribes?? O, wow, Swaim, u better have had some sweet anal lovin’, my friend……
March 8th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
There are lots of reasons that Arrested Development got canceled. Most have already been rehashed a million times on the internet, so I won’t go into them, but a few that aren’t talked about as much:
• Lack of a rooting interest. Who are you supposed to root for? Or against? I guess everyone is sort of rooting for Michael, but to what end?
• Unrelatable. Relatability play a huge role in a viewer’s desire to repeatedly watch a show. Most people have trouble relating to a SoCal family with lots of money and social connections.
• No love story. There wasn’t any long-standing romance and the ones that did exist were often terminated rather abruptly. Love is a powerful emotion, and with the exception of the awkward and presumably illegal desires George Michael had for Maeby, this show had very little.
• No desirable characters. I don’t mean sex-appeal, though they had their problems there as well, but many shows present characters in desirable positions of power, prestige, etc. AD took everything desirable and turned it on its head! All of the characters were pretty deeply flawed and none were in situations most people would like to find themselves in.
• Expense. AD was an expensive show to make! It would have had to have a pretty large following to keep the ensemble cast together.
Really, it takes a special kind of person to love AD. Not superior special, but a pretty narrow set of circumstances and beliefs.
There are many, many more reasons, but they don’t matter. I’m just happy that we got to experience AD as long as we did, and while I miss it, I’m at least happy it didn’t become so successful to devolve into the soap-opera that The Office is becoming.
And just for the record, the UK Office WAS better by fair margin. The characters were much richer than those of the American counterpart, and it had a better story-line than the US version, which will apparently just go one until people stop watching or the creative team decides their bank accounts are fat enough.
March 8th, 2008 at 11:45 am
While not liking AD doesn’t mean you’re an idiot, you did have to be smart to like the show.
The reason there’s a big discussion like this is because the show was so damn good for the fans (as oppossed to something like according to jim which will have plenty of fans that like it but few that really truely love it) and it’s hard to understand how so many people don’t seem to like it. Sure it’s all a matter of taste but, this is as if a lot of people liked the taste of grass. It’s just wierd, because for us, glass tastes awful. So now that we have a grass based analogy the whole thing should be clear to everybody.
In conclusion, watch father ted (start with season 2). If you AD haters like that, then at least I’ll ba able to sleep at night.
February 29th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I think what’s more pathetic is that it took you 5 minutes to write #300.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Shotgun Michael’s arse.
February 22nd, 2008 at 5:11 am
300! yay!
I know this is really pathetic and sad, but in my defense i haven’t slept in many days and am barely holding onto a shred of my sanity
February 22nd, 2008 at 5:06 am
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February 22nd, 2008 at 4:00 am
I was hoping that it wouldn’t come to this, but it looks like its going to…
February 20th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Well actually there is a ‘hole’ community dedicated to the defiling of Michael’s anus. But unfortunately these ‘dark siders’ have gone ‘underground’ due to the light siders interested in preserving his arse in its natural state.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
godammit! am i the only one here who cares about Swaim’s anus!
February 19th, 2008 at 2:00 am
43
February 19th, 2008 at 1:59 am
Si, se puede!
February 19th, 2008 at 1:58 am
If Michael Swaim does not get his anal Hannah Montana wins.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
As George Oscar Bluth would say, come on!
February 18th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
I did not just read 251 comments on a blog for Michael to be deprived of his anal sex!
February 18th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Keep the dream alive! Anal! Anal! Anal!
February 18th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Hey Michael, this auction may be worth your while to check out:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/RED-STRETCHY-SATIN-BUTT-PLUG-LACE-SISSY-PANTIES-M_W0QQitemZ310022954184QQihZ021QQcategoryZ63854QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
February 18th, 2008 at 11:22 am
250 + the, I would say, 4 or 5 post from the jesus blog. Here’s to Swaim getting anally ravaged.
February 18th, 2008 at 7:19 am
hahaha now its at 49 and 249
February 18th, 2008 at 3:44 am
The Neil abides
February 17th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Here’s one more to see Michael get reemed.
February 17th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
54….take that Hannah Montana!
February 17th, 2008 at 11:19 am
the Neil should have been there Neil.
February 17th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Way to hang in the Neil and comments from Swaim blog “Jesus is More Photogenic, Anyway”
that are about AR count toward the 300 also.
February 16th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
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damn this is sad
February 16th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I am going to post every single day
February 16th, 2008 at 1:08 am
60
February 16th, 2008 at 1:07 am
After this post there are only 61 to go!
February 16th, 2008 at 1:06 am
You know who’s with the terrorists (and by that I mean trying to stop Swaim from gaining his butthole pleasures)?
Hannah Montana
February 16th, 2008 at 1:05 am
Why thank you, Hoy. It’s good to know that there are those out there willing to fight the terrorist threat with me by getting one, sir michael swaim some ass nookie.
February 15th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Michael said “from” that indicates he is the recipient.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Now Swaim, think back carefully! Please try to remember the exact words Jack used.
Did he say after reaching 300 posts you would “give” anal sex or that you would in fact “get” anal sex?
Think carefully, your arse virginity depends on it!
February 15th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Ibh: Any wife would be insecure about our level of awesomeness. Can you blame them, really? I can’t.
February 15th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Neil, you are a patriot my friend, a true patriot. Because, as I’m sure you already know, if an internet stranger doesn’t get anal, the terrorists win…..the terrorists win……
February 15th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Oh, I can finally get some sleep after all that worrying night and day about your handjob, Swaim. I’m just glad the terrorists didn’t win. I feel very patriotic right now. Now, about that anal…… 300, here we come!!!
February 14th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
only 70 to go, although counting this post we’re down to 69! woo!
February 14th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
I will keep posting to myself if I have to, I hope not to as that would be ridiculously sad, but never say I wasn’t willing to go to bat in order to get a stranger on the internet anal.
February 14th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
We’re taking this comments section to level anal, people! let’s do it!
February 14th, 2008 at 10:13 am
For the sake of anal, weiner poopie.
February 14th, 2008 at 12:47 am
Everyone, if you’re still reading this, I received the hand job. I don’t want to go into too many details, but I do want to thank everyone who lobbied so fervently on my behalf. It…well, it feels good, I’m not going to lie. Thanks again, and uh…yeah.
Oh, quick FYI, Jack O’Brien our editor said if this thing hits 300 comments I get anal. He didn’t say from who, but, I’m just putting it out there.
February 13th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
You’re the Chicklet, not me!
February 13th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
RESUSCITATION!!!!
February 12th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Time of death 11:53 Est
February 12th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Arrested Development was the Devil’s work. Everyone on the site is going to Hell.
Repent!
February 12th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Swaim may not have found out why enough people didn’t find AR terribly funny but he can console himself with the fact that everybody here thinks well enough of him to really, really…really want him to get that handjob.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
TillyKGB: “I’m looking at Ibh and Hoy in sort of that in sort of that “he who smelt it…”way.”
This is valid logic that still applies beyond sixth grade but I believe Swaim’s married or something very close to it. His wife/significant other may feel threatened by myself or Hoy1229, what with us being so awesome and all. That leaves the original suggestion of some platonic man-on-man handjob action.
So what do you say J.R. ? Don’t let the terrorists win. Just close your eyes and pretend you’re 11 and back in Boy Scout camp.
Or we could keep going and draft #300.
February 12th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Glen,
Yes, this is exactly what I expect from my banner ads: rediculous prizes you will never get. If you’re going to try to get me to answer a question in order to get my email/home address in order to send me lots of useless penis enlargement spam (useless for me, anyway
,) at least do me the favor of making it a prize that is hard to find/expensive. You know where else you can get campaign shirts? CAMPAIGNS!!!!!! Seriously, just ask them for one. They’ll give it to you just to have you wear it.
February 12th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
@ TillyKGB
What the hell did you expect from a banner ad, a free laptop, an ipod or a hd tv maybe. That fact that they were giving anything without going through Hell, high water and Hades is pretty remarkable.
February 12th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
PARANOIA!!!
February 12th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Sshhhh… I think she’s trying to communicate…
February 12th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
How is a t shirt not a prize? Don’t you need shirts to clean your house/paint/work on a car/wear as an undershirt that no one will see anyway? At it’s worst it’s still a free dust rag/dry your car for no streaks towel……
stop being such a weener poopie eater, TillyKGB….
And the terrorists my be on the cusp of winning, but Swaim’s handjob can yet save us all if J. reinhold will just step up to the plate…
February 12th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Ok, this is off subject, but I didn’t know of anywhere else I could vent as poignantly.
I just saw a banner ad that offered a prize if one answered the question “Will you vote for Barak Obama in ‘08 - yes or no.” Wanna know what the prize was? A FREAKING BARAK OBAMA IN ‘08 T-SHIRT.
What the shit is that? First, if I say yes you say, “hey, then why not help advertise for us.” Second if you say no they say, “well, why not advertise for him anyway?” What the shit type of prize is that!?!?!
Are they not even trying to fool anyone anymore? Didn’t the prizes used to be stealth bombers and what not? When did a political t-shirt become a freaking prize? What is the world coming to?
I’m pretty sure this means the terrorists have already won.
Oh yeah, and weener poopie.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:47 am
J.: I responded to your arguement. I attacked your arguement as opposed to you. What more do you want? Sorry, didn’t mean to make you cry…
Ibh: Thank ya, thank ya. Yes, I get plenty of horror stories. I have a sister, mother, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, etc. you know…
Yes, I agree, to a certain extent, humor is subjective. This, however, is not an excuse for relativism. That is to say, someone out there might prefer to eat the weiner poopie, but I bet most people would prefer the jelly doughnut.
Hail: You are wrong. Some of us are just sarcastic assholes who are not elitists, autistic nerds, or weiner poopie.
Hoy: If fox had a concrete -Jesus- statue, there would be no problem at all. I’ve been looking for a way to get them to clean up their weener poopie anyway…
Jason: I believe what you meant was “deux douches,” otherwise known as deuche.
P.S. If Swain doesn’t get a handjob, the terrorists have already won. I’m looking at you, J. And if not J., I’m looking at Ibh and Hoy in sort of that “he who smelt it…” way.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Put your penis back in your pants.
February 12th, 2008 at 8:33 am
I’ll admit I’m just posting to see how high we can boost the number of comments on this article.
Oop, just found some damp stringy thing on my desk. I should go now.
February 12th, 2008 at 2:17 am
this show was the best. every time you watched it it got better and better because you caught little inside jokey things that the brilliant writers would weave into the dialogue. i can see it not being as big a hit on tv though, because you had to watch it from the start and it was on before DVDs could completely save a show (family guy). now thanks to the dvds the fan base is huge and i bet if it was on tv now itd be a big hit.
February 12th, 2008 at 1:56 am
that’s dueche bag, jason, get with the program
February 12th, 2008 at 1:29 am
I hate when people complain that their favorite show got canceled because “people are stupid.” Even if that’s true, it makes you sound like a fucking douchebag.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
an entirely off topic pallette cleanser:
everytime i come across the “Bees, Michael?” line i can’t help but hear it in my head as being in a KITT from Knight Rider voice, which totally changes the intended humor.
February 11th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Unless of course FOX has a concrete statue of Jesus we could steal……
February 11th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
J. Reinhold, it’s up to you to fullfill Swaim’s platonic man-on-man handjob needs (unless you’re a woman, but I doubt that will present a problem either). Godspeed and good luck my friend….
and nothing says anything as well as weiner poopie does. nothing.
February 11th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Something that I have realised through the use of an excessive amount of drugs while reading this forum:
There are elitist deuches who look down on people because they don’t like AD.
There are elitist deuches who look down on those elitist deuches because they are autistic nerds.
There are elitist deuches who look down on those elistist deuches because they are just as arrogant.
So many deuches, I have realised that the only people that are not elitist deuches have made no comments about anyone else. How many of you can honestly say that you have not been elitist in any way, I know I can’t.
Oh yeah, I know this is a comedy website so … weiner poopie
February 11th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
J. Reinhold was # 200 !!! Does this mean he gives Swaim the handjob since Gladstone opted out ?
February 11th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
TillyKGB : Congrats! Toughest job you’ll ever love. Hoy1229 and I would happy to share our own pregnancy horror stories sometime. Oh wait…every woman you know who’s had a baby or known someone who’s had a baby, including the lady in line at the grocery store, has probably seen to that.
Hoy1229: “…..right, Ibh, right? RIGHT???” Absolutely ! Conversations with people at work and with the husband/boyfriend/ex don’t count. Working moms are too busy for much else.
OK, dialing down the estrogen now…
On “deuche”: Only too happy to keep this version going. When I pronounce it in my head I use an Inspector Clouseau accent (as in “dish beg”). I will apply a Brooklyn accent to douche (”Yo, doooosh baag!”).
Grr: re top three sitcoms…excellent point, but I disagree with “…says everything it needs to about why Arrested Development didn’t make it.” Afterall if 100 posts = handjob just imagine what 200+ posts might equal. What’s the matter, don’t you like Swaim ?
Humour being purely subjective, not everyone is going to find the same show funny. It doesn’t matter how clever, intelligently written or well acted it may be. Just because you didn’t find such a show funny enough to continue watching, doesn’t mean you’re some kind of comedy plebe. Plenty of intelligent people leaving comments here didn’t find it funny enough to invest their time in the show. Think how many more there are out in the wider world.
I’ve given my theory as to why I personally didn’t find it as funny as Swaim. I now put forth another theory. Perhaps it wasn’t that the overwhelming majority of the TV viewing public are morons that made a sustainable audience for a genius show like Arrested Developement statistcally impossible. Plenty of intelligent folks watch TV, only the truely deuchey/douchey elitist snobs don’t admit to it. Maybe…just maybe, the problem was that those intelligent people, who would’ve found the show funny and kept in on the air, never thought to look for a clever, hilarious well written program on FOX. And when they did hear of it they simply didn’t believe it (”FOX ? No way, try pulling the other one!”) and, therefore, never tuned in. It’s possible.
Again, I bring up sending Fox a message ala Jericho/fan/mass peanut mailing protest. It may be a too late for AR but it merits further consideration on general principle alone.
For those of you that think nothing says “Your programming executives have shit for brains” like weiner poopie:
Fox Broadcasting Company
10201 West Pico Blvd.,
Los Angeles, CA 90035
February 11th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Wow, TIlly…
…seriously, goddamn…
All I was trying to say is that humor is subjective, and that while I love AD, I can understand why others won’t. Sometimes you’re on the same wavelength as a piece of art, and sometimes you aren’t.
I wasn’t trying to call you out or anything. I addressed my response to you specifically because Miles is such an obvious asshole. Now I wonder.
Jesus Christ, dude…
February 11th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
i think 200 is a record.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
mmmmm, cart vendor hotdogs…..
hey Swaim, after 200 do you finally get that handjob?
February 11th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
That delicacy is otherwise known as cart vendor hotdogs.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
try weiner poopie boiled in dog piss, that should settle all argument
February 11th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
“Dog piss, while delicious, is no where near as tasty as weiner poopie.”
Touche.
February 11th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Dog piss, while delicious, is no where near as tasty as weiner poopie.
February 11th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
“I doubt the writers of AD’s purpose was not to have the majority of people ignore the show.”
Sorry, I confused the negative there.
I meant, “I doubt the writers of AD’s purpose was to ahve the majority of people ignore the show.”
February 11th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
J.,
Again, I used the dung example to illustrate a point. Apparently you didn’t get it. Yes, there were plenty of people who were outraged. To say that it wasn’t the artists intent to be offensive does not disprove my point. To be sure, I doubt the writers of AD’s purpose was not to have the majority of people ignore the show.
Your arguement is ludicrous. According to how you put it, there is absolutely no standard for anything. Everything is relative. Sorry, I don’t believe that (and neither do most people, I’d wager.)
Again, you could decide tomorrow that dog piss is delicious. You aren’t going to convince me you’re right by telling me that enjoyment is subject to “getting” why it tastes good. “Well, if you’d been drinking dog piss all along, you’d see why it tastes good now.” See how stupid that sounds?
Essentially, you’re saying “If you get it, it’s funny. If it’s funny, that’s because you get it.” Now, I’m no philosopher, but I think there’s a name for that type of arguement.
By the way, if laughter settles all debate, why do so many AD fans display so much outrage when the world yawns?
February 11th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Tilly: Actually, the Elephant Dung painting from the Sensation exhibit was greatly misunderstood (and not by a poseur, either). The artist was a devout Catholic - FROM AFRICA - where elephant dung is seen and understood as a symbol of fertility (it’s incredibly rich fertilizer.) Thus, he took two dried dung-patties or whatever you want to call them and made the Virgin Mary’s breasts out of them. I saw the exhibit when it was in Brooklyn and causing all the fuss, and I can tell you that the painting was gorgeous. I also don’t remember it being a majority of people being offended, particularly not “even non-Christians.” It was Bill Donoghue who was offended, and then misrepresented the content of the painting all over New York, until Guiliani caved and took away the Brooklyn Museum’s funding so that he wouldn’t lose Catholics.
Still, I think the elephant dung painting still serves as a metaphor in that it shows how much a different culture or even people with different upbringings will see art differently. In the artist’s home country, the meaning behind the art and choice of medium were clear, and enhanced the work. In America, away from the cultural context, the combination became offensive and heretical. It’s all about the audience. It’s similar with comedy, and even more apparent most of the time. As Robert McKee said, ” If you say Citizen Kane is a bad movie, you and I can argue all day about the artistic merit, but if you say A Fish Called Wanda isn’t funny, I’ll just pity you and walk away. In comedy, laughter settles all debate.”
I think we need to differentiate two different meanings of “get it.” The first is what you say to a little kid who doesn’t laugh at your knock-knock joke, and you’re about to explain it to them. The second is a little more nebulous, but it’s what people mean when they say that non-fans of AD just don’t “get it.” It involves feeling a connection with the characters and a connection with the world they live in. If you don’t have that, then nothing’s going to be funny, no matter how well written or produced it all is, and then you’re bound to step back and find things like hand-held camera work that pisses you off even more, and harp on that, and so on, and then you’ll probably feel a little alienated from the people laughing at it. It has absolutely nothing to do with intelligence.
AD had the deck stacked against it by nature in this regard. It was about intentionally unlikable characters, running gags that only worked if you’d seen the set-up three episodes previously, and queasy subject matter much of the time. Moreover, the “world” as it was, was tied deeply to those running gags (the model home, the stair car, the blue paint everywhere) and could come off as just cloying and quirky to someone unfamiliar with the earlier episodes.
I don’t “get” Scrubs, for instance. I don’t think the humor is over my head - I just can’t give a shit about any of the characters or the world they live in, so the show comes off to me as abrasively obnoxious and bad. Yet many people with similar senses of humor to mine adore it. I can tell you, Tilly, that if you “get” AD, it’s not an exaggeration in the slightest to say that it’s the best thing that’s ever been on television. SO it just sucks that it didn’t tickle your funny bone the way it did mine.
February 11th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
much
February 11th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
douche
noun
1. a small syringe with detachable nozzles; used for vaginal lavage and enemas
2. irrigation with a jet of water or medicated solution into or around a body part (especially the vagina) to treat infections or cleanse from odorous contents
Now that is funny damnit! Don’t try to ruin it again TillyKGB, you autistic nerd you!
February 11th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
better?
February 11th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
oh ass master, turn that frown upside-down (and go see a doctor about those bizarrely vertical eyes)…with a name like ass master you really should invest in some thicker skin, don’t you think? I was really refering to your blog (which I read) and your slightly off definition of snob (shy?). Wear our condescention as the badge of a true blogger!!
February 11th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Wow, I had forgotten I even made a Brian Regan reference until you said something. Thanks, Mike!
The whole deuche thing is slightly less funny when you realize that “doucher” is the french verb for shower. Je douche becomes “I shower.” Sorry to be the kill-joy.
February 11th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Not sure if I’m being called a ‘me-monster’ or a deuche-bag, but if I am, er….sorry?
I wasn’t trying to be a snob =(
February 11th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
oh kingmonkey, you have made my day….deux douches….that’s just wonderful…
February 11th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
..not sure how subtle of a reference it was, and also there are a lot of me-monsters here…
boxen
February 11th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Snob - noun 1. a person who imitates, cultivates, or slavishly admires social superiors and is condescending or overbearing to others.
2. a person who believes himself or herself an expert or connoisseur in a given field and is condescending toward or disdainful of those who hold other opinions or have different tastes regarding this field
February 11th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
TillyKGB, Don’t think no one appreciated that incredibly subtle Brian Regan reference.
February 11th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Deuche: noun, origin French (deux douches); 1 having the properties of two douches… because twoche would just be silly.
Also, don’t listen to glendoor42’s rant about having four children. Two of them look like me.
I’ve always liked British comedy more than American, and when I see American comedies come along that are actually funny… it’s usually already after they’ve been cancelled. I think CTV is playing Arrested Development at around 5.00pm or so. I saw it just last week.
February 11th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I would have to agree.
February 11th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
So… does that make me a semi-negative sarcasti-tard?
Also, weiner poopie.
February 11th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
lol, I love how people are reluctant or afraid to agree with me because of my name. It’s like I’ve imposed some sort of stigma on myself by using it.
TillyKGB, thank you for clarifying your point, as it is a good one. Just because someone doesn’t particularly care for AD (or other art enjoyed by a minority of people), doesn’t mean they don’t understand it or are stupid for not enjoying it. Definitely, no argument there. And I suppose that people that would argue that are just as stupid and annoying as people that would state that if you like AD you are a snob and arrogant.
As for what I call negative snob-tards, that would in fact be those people who can’t be happy with anything, finding faults no matter what they see, and are subsequently blind to whatever positive attributes the work in question (or people in question) might contain.
Internet nerds would perhaps include everyone in this comment section, myself no exception. Nothing wrong with bein a nerd….
February 11th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Ass Master: I read your blog and I’m a bit confused. Am I an internet nerd, a negative snob-tard, or both? And which are the people I’m arguing with?
Should I be disturbed that I can’t tell the difference between the two of us?
February 11th, 2008 at 11:34 am
I’m a little embarrased (or aroused, I can’t decide) that I agree with someone named Ass_master3000. Now that’s a product I hope to NOT see in the future.
You are right in your analysis. That is why I said I used the examples only for illustration of a point. I do not think the situations are entirely congruous, only the way that the fans of each react. In each case, the supporters lay the blame on the detractors for their distaste. For the most accurate example, I would turn to Hoy1229’s oranges analogy.
If people like AD, that’s perfectly fine. There’s nothing distasteful about liking it. However, I don’t think it’s any deficiency that makes me dislike it.
That’s all I’m saying. That’s all I’m really drivin’ at, if ya think about it…
February 11th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Sir, yes… ma’am?
February 11th, 2008 at 11:26 am
I’m sorry, tillyKGB, but you’re trying to compare AD with….elephant dung?
While I think I see where you’re trying to go with that, the bottom line is this (IMO):
In any art community there are artists that imbue their work with quality, and yet their work isn’t readily accessible to the ‘majority’ as you put it. This does not mean that the minority of people, who appreciate its particular style, are foolish or absurd to do so.
AD would be a work that falls into this category.
Then there is the category, rampant throughout modern art of all forms, where the artist is some poseur who is fortunate (or wily) enough to fool critics into thinking that their work is deep and meaningful, when in fact it is, aesthetically and, as we’ve seen even physically, elephant dung. The work of ‘art’ that features the Virgin Mary and elephant dung would not surprisingly fall into this category. Other examples might include some fuck splashing red paint across white canvas, or modern abstract music that makes no sense rhythmically, melodically, or harmonically, and thus has no way of being referenced by anyone, and so no one can officially state: ‘this is crap’.
The point is, when assessing the value or quality of a work of art, in any medium, it is necessary to evaluate if there was any skill involved in creating it. I look at it as, ‘what is this work about or after, and does it succeed in fulfilling its ‘goal’ so to speak. How well does it do it? If it’s a comedy show, what kind of humor does it employ, and how effectively?
Each show, movie, article, painting, etc. needs to be weighed on its own merit.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:24 am
TillyKGB, why don’t you harden the fuck up and try some dog urine before you knock it you autistic nerd!!!
Congrats on the kid, dude, and welcome to the ranks….now drop and give me twenty diaper changes, and no back talk!!
February 11th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Well, weekend is over and I’m a bit surprised to see this blog still going strong. As no antagonist has stepped up to take my spot, I suppose I shall resume.
Andy Pants: If I understand it right, the only people who have the credentials to speak about comedy are “comedy writers on a successful comedy website.” Thanks for clearing that up. Of course, that would invalidate this entire comment section and opinions like, say, YOURS. Also, I certainly hope this applies to subjects like religion, politics, movies, fashion, and music also. I’m really getting tired of hearing people’s opinions on these subjects.
Your “idiot/elitist” argument is really (really) stupid and ironic, in a “sad little man” sort of way. Your argument is like trying to convince someone you’re not an asshole by punching them in the face. Only instead of using a fist, you use angry-nerd-sarcasm. How pathetic.
Gladstone: I sort of agree with out. I think Gervais’ difference lies more in his timing. Perhaps his response timing is a bit more realistic, but I prefer Carell’s absurd portrayal. To me, there is nothing awkward about Gervais’ portrayal. It’s more assholish and less “cover my face out of embarrassment for the character” like Carell’s. What can I say, I’m American. I have an American sense of humor.
Hoy1229: Thanks for keeping the deuche alive.
Mr1swift: Strangely, I agree with you about the link between AD and Reno 911. I don’t think they’re similar on their faces, but I somehow get the impression that people who like one are more likely to enjoy the other.
Grr: That’s the exact elitist attitude I was talking about. People don’t like AD so it’s there fault, not the shows. Remember a few years back, when some artist (and I use the term loosely) made a collage of the Virgin Mary and elephant dung? The majority of people were offended (even non-Christians.) Yet, the “high art” community went on and on about how the problem was people don’t know how to appreciate art. My question is: why is it always the majority’s fault that only a minority appreciate something? If a small group of people suddenly decide that drinking dog urine is delicious, they’re still not going to convince me the problem is with my unsophisticated pallet. I realize these examples are a bit extreme, and I use them only for illustration.
Parents: I am expecting my first. Soon I will be among your ranks (though still a junior member!)
Liner notes: KitH is not funny in my opinion. Python had its moments of genius. KitH did not. There’s one where I can say, “maybe I just didn’t get it” because I don’t even see how anyone would laugh. With AD the reaction is “meh,” with KitH it’s more “ugh.”
February 11th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Don’t leave your uncle T-bag hanging!
February 11th, 2008 at 6:07 am
People don’t like to actually watch shows. They like to put on the tv for background noise or to let the electric fuzz blanket them to escape after a hard day’s work.
let’s keep this comments machine running!
February 11th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Hoy, one step at time please. I thought you would be happy not to be perceived as autistic. You are definately funny but I can’t rule out the nerd thing yet though. Keep the funny shit coming and you should have me convinced.
Hey I looked into the D&D thing for you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_and_dragons
yep, definately been books (I have impressed myself with this nerdry fact)
Also, seeing as I was owning up to being a deuche, I thought I’d better find out what one was:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douche
Yep, I am definately one of those!
February 11th, 2008 at 3:26 am
I learned the other day in my pop culture criticism class (how does that get to be a class? It’s too good!) that the top three sitcoms over the last several years have been The King of Queens, According to Jim, and Two and a Half Men. I think that says everything it needs to about why Arrested Development didn’t make it.
(Hint: It’s not Arrested Development’s fault.)
February 11th, 2008 at 2:35 am
I want to throw in another mention of Father Ted. Definitely worth checking into if you’ve never heard of it. Same for Mitchell and Webb Look and Peep Show.
Alanis, you are awesome. That is all.
February 11th, 2008 at 1:29 am
…wait a minute…d&d is books? I thought it was a board game turned video game….can some autistic nerd please set me straight? and hailswhatever: thanks for honestly not thinking I’m autistic, but does that mean that you still honestly think I’m a nerd? hmmm, well at least I’m glad to see you getting behind the fresh new spelling of “deuche”…
Ibh: don’t feel bad, I’m a better woman than most, so you’re in large company. (btw, my kids are 5, 3, and 23mo, so I’m actually even better than you thought…) also, in pitying you i would also pity myself, and I’d much rather dilute myself into believing that posting comments on a blog is the hippest thing anyone’s ever done….cuz it is, right? I mean, it’s way cooler than actually having face to face conversations with people you have actual relationships with…..right, Ibh, right? RIGHT???
February 10th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Arrested Development was just… fantastic. I’m delighted in the rumors of a movie, and i really wish it would come back on the air. it really was genious. In addition, the show is so good, that it’s spreading accorss quite quickly. My sister and her fiance got me hookedon it 2 years ago, and every single friend I have told about it loves the show.
I am, however, flabergasted that Fox cancelled the show, while allowing the Simspons to go into it’s 20th year (and 10th un-funny year). In addition, we have American Dad and the return of Family Guy (which pales woefully in comparison to it’s original three seasons). If there is room for this on the network, there is room for more Arrested Development.
The only way it will return, though, is pull. Pull from Producers, pull from DVD sales, and Pull from fans. Family Guy did do it. It is possible. It just has to be profitable.
February 10th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
The American Office went off air in Australia more-or-less because everyone was a fan of the British office and it aired almost directly after the final episodes of the original. That and everyone seemed/seems to have a pre-emptive hatred of anything American. Which makes sense considering how the place has been run for the past eight or so years.
I think the actors all took a little while to settle into character in the first season too. When they stopped becomming based on their British counterparts and started getting more depth is when the show really came into it’s own. So I think here atleast it’s another one of those shows you needed to give a little time to in order to fully appreciate it.
February 10th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Wow, thanks Alanis. I want to marry you. Unless you’re a dude, in which case a handjob will have to do. After all, Swaim’s not getting one.
February 10th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Gladstone, your description of the difference b/tw the American and British Office totally articulated my sentiments. Thanks! And I AM Canadian, but I know nothing about Slings and Arrows, sorry. Mark McKinney started another project a year or two ago called Robson Arms that is fairly decent, although I’ve only seen a couple of episodes and it’s not really a ha-ha comedy per se.
Swaim, I agree with your sentiments about KITH as well as Monty Python. Your truthful review of the FC series is spot on, as each of the group have said the same damn thing about the show themselves, that it was very immature and there are parts of it that they are embarrassed by in retrospect. It was still very awesome in parts, but come on. Far from perfect. KITH were much more consistently funny - and then they’re movie was largely a disappointment, so there you go. I’m actually really glad they ended their show when they did.
I hate a lot of these discussions because there’s so much chest beating and bullying, but I also love them because I, too, am very interested in talking seriously about comedy. And for all of the douchebaggy that goes on here, there are some really insightful comments that are worth it - mostly from the bloggers themselves (no offense anyone else). I really appreciate that you guys participate in this stuff.
You all have some really expensive hats!
February 10th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Yeah, no shit, now tell me something I don’t know.
February 10th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Haha, glendoor! you’re old!
February 10th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
I’ve tried really, really, really hard to see through the perspective of someone who doesn’t like the show.
I…can’t. I just fucking can’t.
February 10th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
If this tableau I recreate, perhaps I can resnare my mate.
February 10th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Hoy1229: Three? You’re a better woman than me. I can barely deal with the two. This probably explains why you have a more evolved sense of humour. The more kids you have, the better your sense of humour needs to be just to get through the day.
On Monty Python…perhaps we can compromise and agree that A Fish Called Wanda was funny.
“Harden the fuck up and buy this you autistic nerd!”…Made me laugh too and my 10 year old is autistic. Of course the 10 year old makes me laugh all the time too. She was praticing her silly walk yesterday and I was laughing so hard it hurt.
On Southpark…it hasn’t gotten old for me yet because I wasn’t watching it from the beginning and am usually asleep by the time it airs so I only catch episodes sporadically.
glendoor42: “@ Hoy1229 and Ibh, I’m a father of four, a 20 year old, an 18 year old (girls), a 15 year old and a 14 year old (boys) So HAH!!! and HAH because we all know being father is infinitely harder than being a mother. That was a joke, in so many ways was that a joke.”… It’s only a joke if their mom says it is. HAH !
and…”This is truly the comment section THAT WOULD NOT DIE.” This is only time I get to have any kind of social interaction with other adults. Sad but true. Hoy1229 is now free to pity me in return.
February 10th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
This is truly the comment section THAT WOULD NOT DIE. Father Ted was good. Black Adder
was good. Fawlty Towers was good or IMHO John Cleese is just that good. Red Dwarf is very good.
@squiggles yes, getting old sucks, as did the moment I realized that Swaim and Gladstone
were born about the time I graduated from high school. But then again age has nothing to do with good taste, as a matter of fact, it expands it.
February 10th, 2008 at 8:24 am
I like Arrested Development. Also Monty Python, which is erratically brilliant although its revolutionary qualities are overstated because Peter Cook, the Goodies, Spike Milligan, Marty Feldman etc. were doing the same sort of thing. Also Father Ted, Black Books, Green Wing, the Mighty Boosh, Seinfeld, Ripping Yarns, Fawlty Towers, Blackadder and the Day Today.
This gives me a comfortable feeling of superiority to those who like the Young Ones, Red Dwarf or South Park, who are kiddiefiddlers, which is useful to counteract the feelings of inferiority produced by just realising just how much older than Michael Swaim I am.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:52 am
Is 154 some kind of cracked-blog comment record?
February 10th, 2008 at 4:01 am
Hey Hoy1229, thanks for the post replying to mine. After rereading my post I apologize if you thought I meant that all nerds are autistic, I meant only some of the ones I know personally. But I have to agree with you, I am kind of a deuche.
Mainly I thought I’d get back to you because I loved your idea “Harden the fuck up and buy this you autistic nerd!” This is genius. I laughed my arse off. I can honestly say that I don’t think you are autistic because YOU ‘get people’. If you ever want a job in sales then put down those Dungeons and Dragons books and give me a call.
February 9th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
I remember renting the third and last season man I laughed so hard.
February 9th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
I have many expensive hats … and a peacemaker.
February 9th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
yeah, well, my dad can beat up your dad! so, nanna nanna boo boo….
February 9th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
They would never say that they were dumb, but they say that a person who just tuned in for one random episode wouldn’t get it and therefore wouldn’t like it, which is why they didn’t have very expansive numbers.
Or EXPENSIVE HATS!
February 9th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
A Peacemaker is a .45 cal handgun, there Swaim.
@ Hoy1229 and Ibh, I’m a father of four, a 20 year old, an 18 year old (girls), a 15 year old and a 14 year old (boys) So HAH!!! and HAH because we all know being father is infinitely harder than being a mother. That was a joke, in so many ways was that a joke.
February 9th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I’m going to be honest with ya. I didn’t care for it. I made a list of all forms of comedy I can point out like all of them and when I got around to acknowledging AD nothing came up. I can tell work went into to it but nothing really funny perse it doesn’t help that the actors are appalling and the unless it was on purpose there show feels and looks like its written to the similar style of reno 911 (not a complement by the way) the way they hold the camera is similar as well. I think and it just popped into my mind here. people who like AD find good writing funny. now I didn’t say there was a joke in it they just laugh whenever they since a well thought out piece of information and fall to the floor laughing. I may have seen at least 7 or 8 episodes of the show and I didn’t like it and to see more episodes would be a waste of my time because shows of real excellence grab you instantly. and has anyone figured out that fox is the cursed network? love it, hate it, or just hate the people that love it, or you love the people that hate it or whatever weird ass combination one can conjure the movie is going to ruin it. it almost always happens.
February 9th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
I AM A PEACEMAKER.
February 9th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
@glendoor, I think Swaim’s virulent racism is something we can all agree on.
February 9th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Ibh: I am also a mother (of three, so take that!), but I am clearly not as empthetic as you (and I’ve wept openly at television commercials, so….) The akwardness of the incredibly embarrassing things that Michael says and does makes me giggle with glee (that’s right, fucking glee). Python is silly, yes, and I do loves me some silliness (although I must disagree, if you don’t see silliness everywhere you go, you just aren’t looking hard enough), but I think my problem is that I always felt like I had to wait for the next thing that would make me laugh…I could never sustain that “laughter high” throughout an entire episode/movie. (ah hah, I think that was my problem with AD too!) As for South Park, I used to watch it religiously (and I do a MEAN Eric Cartman voice, seriously) but I think it just got old…yeah yeah, we get it, you guys have something to say about everything, and you use little kids saying outragiously profane things to prove how seriously the masses take the mineutia of their lives and blah blah blah….I got it and then I got tired of it. Yeah. Family Guy, not funny. Keeping my kids from flipping to it b/c it’s a cartoon, huge pain in my ass. We’re together on that. Hey, and way to help prove that being a mom doesn’t mean you can only love ER, DR. Phil and Oprah…you’re awesome! (much like myself…)
Swaim: “And I didn’t mean to be smug, although I can understand how me being so great makes things come off that way.” - I know how you feel, my greatness also intimidates others, but what can you do? It’s the price we must pay……
February 9th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
@ Swaim, Racist.
February 9th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Swaim you live another day sans handjob.
February 9th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Glendoor, I kind of lumped a response to someone else in with my response to you. So, yeah, sorry about that. You all look the same to me.
February 9th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I love the british office too, but I enjoy the American office more. And that is in part because it is so much less painful. Ricky Gervais is considered awesome by pretty much everyone because he seems to have the ability to hit the exact spot to make people feel as uncomfortable as humanly possible. It’s like a super power. But in addition what makes the American office more fun for me is that there are so many more ridiculous characters. Michael Scott isn’t even the dumbest man in that office. There is just an awful lot of awkwardness.
My problem with Fawlty Towers was mostly that it came off as a sort of typical sitcom to me. It was the british three’s company.
Hey! How’d we get to arguing amongst ourselves instead of crushing the AD nonbelievers? Mustn’t they agree with us or else we crush them?
February 9th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Hello Everyone,
I would like to preface my comment with the following statements…I’m female. I’m a mom with 2 kids (12 & 10), which also qualifies me as an adult most days( I visit this site for some well deserved regression). I haven’t read every single post, yet , but a couple sorta jumped out at me. I apologise if my comments are out of sinc.
Three Stooges : It’s a scientific fact that women’s brains are wired a little differently. Generally speaking, its because of this that women are more vulnerable to experiencing an empathetic response. My theory is this… due to the pervasive violent site gags, for many women, watching the Three Stooges is on some level literally painful.
Family Guy & Southpark : I don’t see how these two shows can even be compared. Please don’t put these two together just because they’re animated shows fashioned for adults. Southpark, acheives greatness because it uses humor to take social commentary & brutal honesty outside of people’s comfort zone. It has a point of view. The vulgarity and violence are just gravy or camouflage, depending on one’s personal point of view. Love it.
On the other hand, Every episode of Family Guy is just a meandering string of vulgarity and Jr. H.S. bathroom humor. Imagination or a point of view aren’t even attempted. Hate it.
PS. I don’t allow my kids to watch either show. Which brings me to…
Fox’s Programming Genius : True story…I’m at a Parent/Teacher conference for my son. His teacher, who’s suddenly uncomfortable, awkwardly tells of an incident in which my son innocently asked her for permission to go on the classroom computer so he could look up “douchebag” on Wikipedia. I assure her that, of course, language like that isn’t used in “our” house. She says she figured as much and that she had a talk with him about steering clear of the “rougher kids” at recess. It turns out Nate did hear it at home. Guess how? The local Fox affiliate airs Family Guy at 5pm as a lead in to The Simpsons. Brilliant! This is a time when most of us haven’t gotten home from work yet, are getting supper ready or are umm… glued to the computer reading Cracked articles (woops) and aren’t paying attention to what’s on. I’m still trying to figure out how get the friggin V-chip to work.
The Office & Arrested Developement: Watching both shows I recognized the quality but I failed to really feel the “funny”. I just couldn’t get into them. I think part of the problem is that I’m a hopelessly Dweebie WASP. Perhaps my empathic female brain identified a little too closely with the characters. Combining all that with a certain camera style and I suspect my subconcious was registering those shows as more “documentary” rather than “comedy”.
Monty Python: Oh my, Hoy1229, dear girl I am sorry for you. There just isn’t enough silly in the world. That’s what Monty Python gave us. Sublime silliness. Silly sketches, silly movies, silly walks…not to mention crunchy frog, naked ministers, upper-class twit olympics, knights that say “Neet!”and most significantly operatic odes to Spam. I know you’d rather “fart in my general direction” or “bite my leg” than have my pity, but you have it just the same. And now for something completely different…
When Network Morons Cancel a Good Show: Fans are not completely helpless. There have been instances when fan outrage and subsequent action got their show put back on air after cancellation. Most recently, fans of Jericho conducted a protest campaign which put that show back in the line up. Thousand of pounds of peanuts were shipped, from all over the country, to the executive offices of CBS to signify that the fans thought they were “nuts” for cancelling the show. So for you fans of Arrested Developement or any other critically acclaimed show that gets the ax, I leave you with two words…
wiener poopie
February 9th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I need to read the other comments before I respond.
February 9th, 2008 at 11:57 am
What the fuck? You don’t like Dave Foley, Dave Foley’s bad doctor monologue was one of the funniest fucking things I’ve ever seen, Goddamn Swaim, you don’t know shit, JUST KIDDING!
I did not say that KITH were trying to be Python, I was trying to say that almost all great comedy shows owe something to Python. Things like Saturday Night Live, Not Necessarily The News, Weekend Update, The Daily Show, The Simpsons, Family Guy, South Park, KITH and a host of older shows and movies all owe something to Python and the creators have said so.
“And I didn’t mean to be smug, although I can understand how me being so great makes things come off that way” Good GAWD!!!!!
February 9th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Glendoor, I value and respect your opinion. I watch Holy Grail or Meaning of Life, I sit in awed and riotous laughter. I watch FC, I chuckle occasionally. That’s all I’m observing, and it doesn’t assert anything about others’ experiences. HOWEVER, I couldn’t care LESS what has been embraced by the most people or what will be remembered. For every Shakespeare that gets his name engraved into history there are a dozen equally deserving artists who go unappreciated. So if no one remembers Kids in the Hall sketches in 35 years, that will no less convince me that they are an equal comedy force. I’d also argue against KITH “trying to be Python.” If you define any kind of sketch comedy as that, then ok, but their cross-dressing wasn’t ironic and their style of humor was totally unique, even from one another (you can tell when you’re watching a Bruce sketch, a Mark sketch, etc.). I’d agree Mark’s were pretty Python-esque, but Bruce, Scott, and Kevin had their own brilliance going on that I think is vastly underappreciated. And I didn’t mean to be smug, although I can understand how me being so great makes things come off that way.
Gladstone, Fawlty Towers is incredible. I live another day.
February 9th, 2008 at 10:48 am
I’m not saying that you’re stupid if you don’t “get” Arrested Development, I’m just saying I don’t “get” you.
February 9th, 2008 at 8:29 am
If you like The American office better than the English office your indifference to Fawlty Towers is not that surprising. THAT’s not a dig.
It’s just that both mine for comedy in ugly, painful, cringeworthy places.
For the record, I like the British and American office equally. The British office is very painful because Gervais is fully aware how hated he is and his desperation is more apparent. Thankfully it was only meant to go 13 glorious episodes or it would have been too painful after a while.
Carrell plays the boss a touch more delusional. A little less aware of what a loser he. A little bit more able to fool himself. It’s a crucial change that makes the show easier to take for a longer American run.
Last try. I’m about to buy the complete series DVD of “Slings & Arrows” starring Mark Mckinney for 60 bucks even though i ‘ve never seen an episode. Are there any Canadians out there who can tell me whether it’s as good as i hope it is? Mark McKinney was always my favorite KITH.
Not to be confused with Darth Maul.
February 9th, 2008 at 7:02 am
Dude, I love Kids in the Hall as much as the next comedy nerd, but face it, they were trying to be Python. Without flying circus I wouldn’t know a larch from a larch or even how to silly walk. It is the complete standard for sketch comedy.
I also absolutely love Freaks and Geeks and I also like the American Office better than the British Office. That may have something to do with me being American and the American Office being driven by American humor. I like My Name is Earl. I just block out the scientology and cgi crapfests he occasionally shows up in like underdog. But My Name is Earl is just a decent show. It’s not the groundbreaking, school of humor that is AD, FC, Kids in the Hall, or both Offices.
I also think that It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has been criminally undermentioned for a blog for comedy nerds. Seriously, that show is what’s keeping television comedy alive for me in AD’s absence.
And I really never liked Fawlty Towers, it just always came off as aaaaaaaaaaahhhhgggg…
February 9th, 2008 at 6:39 am
“What about it turned off a large majority of viewers?”
Either the smug airlessness or the airless smugness. (Maybe both?)
February 9th, 2008 at 6:08 am
In theory, Arrested Development was not canceled because it lacked quality, but because it cost a lot to make and didn’t get enough viewers for FOX to keep it on the air. I feel like this is reasonable enough when it comes to measuring consistencies throughout media conglomerates, and it makes sense considering FOX’s track record (they have this tendency to choose shows that they know will only attract niche audiences and then cancel them because they only attracted niche audiences…and the worst part is, it happens over and over and over again, because they cancel so many shows each season that they have enough space to put on new great shows that they’re going to cancel in time for the next season. Most of those “great but canceled” shows were on FOX. Arrested Development, Firefly, Futurama, Family Guy, Undeclared, Andy Richter Controls the Universe…all shows that attracted really dedicated fans and only one of them ever managed to get back on the air (and how is absolutely beyond me).
And of course, the official reason that it attracted niche audiences is that it was too complicated for the casual viewer to understand. They would never say that they were dumb, but they say that a person who just tuned in for one random episode wouldn’t get it and therefore wouldn’t like it, which is why they didn’t have very expansive numbers. These days, the only network shows that seem to succeed are everyplots. And I guess it makes enough sense that Arrested wouldn’t make sense to the newcomer. I can’t imagine getting half of the jokes if I started in the middle of the second season or something, because so many of the jokes are inside jokes. Like the Beatles, the thing that made it great also destroyed it.
That said, I think it is the cruelest thing that anyone has ever done to me and I feel personally insulted every day and I long for this movie more than almost anything in the world.
February 9th, 2008 at 4:39 am
Gladstone, I cannot believe that you don’t think Jen and Hoy1229 are awesome without compare.
February 9th, 2008 at 4:17 am
Thus far, these are the reasons people dislike AD:
1) Other AD fans are smug deuchbags
2) shaky camerawork
3) serial plots and incessant in-jokes
4) Other AD fans are autistic nerds who need to harden the fuck up and hold regular jobs
5) Other AD fans are passionate about the show and thus easily trolled
May I be so kind to point out that 3 of these 6 reasons are based on reactions to the audience to the show, not the actual show itself, and are irrelevant to any evaluation of its quality. The second is a matter of personal taste akin to not liking Citizen Kane because it’s in black and white. The third is only a valid criticism if you’re not watching it on DVD or don’t have the time/attention span to sit through it in entirety. So, in short,
NONE OF THESE REASONS ARE VALID AND YOUR OPINIONS ARE WRONG
AD is rated 9.7 on IMDB out of 22 thousand votes, and is widely acknowledged amongst comedy writers to be the best show since the Simpsons. If you like to dislike things that other people like, that’s cool, humor is a sense like someone said, and not everyone has it. But if you say it’s a bad show by objective standards, compared to the majority of dreck that’s out there, the burden of proof is on you.
February 9th, 2008 at 4:16 am
Man, I haven’t seen Glendoor this worked up in a while. I dont’ really agree with you, but I enjoy your passion. I don’t think Internet Party and Anonymous were Pythonesque. That’s not a dig against you Swaim, of course.
And if you wanna talk geek-quoting, the Four Yorkshiremen skit was actually from At Last The 1948 Show and not FC — although Python performed it in concert.
So, i guess no one’s seen Slings and Arrow?
Swaim, what are your feelings on Fawlty Towers?
(Spoiler Alert: You love it or you die.)
February 9th, 2008 at 3:29 am
misspelled fucking since.
February 9th, 2008 at 3:28 am
@ Swaim, No, it is not. A possibly better way to say that is after 35 years or so how many Kids in the Hall sketches are remembered as fondly, much less by name, by such a large number of people, nerds or not. The Kids in the Hall were funny ,damn funny, I got HBO pretty much just to watch them, but to say that Monty Python’s show sucked pretty much overall is an extremely glib and ignorant thing to say. Even to say that AT THE TIME it was comedy revolution is condescending. That is analogous to saying that Shakespeare had some pretty good plays but as far a whole body of work goes Wendy Wasserstein just kicks his ass. Hell yeah, Python’s work was a comedic revolution. Just about every funny show that has been done sense owes something to Python. Hell, your Internet party film and the Anonymous film are both Pythonesque, whether you realize it or not.
@ Jen and Hoy1229, I’m sure that both of you are awesome without compare.
February 9th, 2008 at 2:09 am
“glendoor, is your scale of artistic merit really based on how many nerds annoyingly quote something?”
BURN! that was great….. dungeon master….wow…love it
February 9th, 2008 at 2:06 am
I’m awesome without loving those things…..
February 9th, 2008 at 1:05 am
“It has been my experience that people of the female persuasion, as a rule, do not like South Park, Family Guy, Monty Python or the Three Stooges, for that matter, but there are exceptions to any rule.”
Oh, we’re out here. And, as a rule, we’re awesome.
February 9th, 2008 at 12:34 am
glendoor, is your scale of artistic merit really based on how many nerds annoyingly quote something?
February 9th, 2008 at 12:17 am
What about man stroke woman? I love that show simply for coming up with the concept of a man cold.
“For GOD’S SAKE woman he’s a MAN, he has a MAN-COLD”!
February 8th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Spanish Inquisition, Spam skit ,Lumberjack song, Cheese Shop, Nudge Nudge Wink Wink,
The Four Yorkshiremen skit, and a multitude of more.
Kids in the Hall. MY ASS. Name any Kids in the Hall skit that has entered the nerd public consciousness like all the aforementioned MP sketches have. Possibly “I’m squishing your head” but other that than that nothing.
And if you have to ask what wrong with Freaks and Geeks, therein lies the problem.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
The final half season without Cleese was weak, but I think the overall quality of the show was very strong. You’re right the whole show is nowhere near their 10 greatest skits, but considering that those are 10 of the greatest skits in the history of sketch comedy, I don’t see that as a problem. I simply enjoy the overwhelming majority of FC.
I also a HUGE kids in the hall fan. I do think Kids at their best are almost as good as Python.
Hey, I had no idea Mark McKinney produced, wrote, and starred in Slings and Arrows? I just heard of this series the other day. Supposedly brilliant and ran for three years in Canada.
Anyone seen it?
February 8th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Grasspar=Me.
And what the hell is wrong with Freaks and Geeks?
February 8th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
I believe you’re all overlooking a key part of my statement, namely that their greatest hits (which Gladstone was kind enough to rattle off with all the enthusiasm of a Dungeon Master) are phenomenal.
Go watch five episodes in a row on the DVD box set of the series, you’ll see maybe one sketch that good. That’s a terrible average. Kids in the Hall beat that any day of the week, even if (and I’m not saying this is true) they never reach the heights of comic brilliance that Python hit in their aforementioned slew of hits.
February 8th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Ah ha !
Cainball ! Where didja go ? Freaks and Geeks DVD still playing ?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Arrested-Development-3-DVD-set-Season-One-first-1_W0QQitemZ120216956061QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item120216956061
Live it up for a penny.
February 8th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
I don’t remember promising you a handjob. Have I forgotten? Were you distracting me with a blowjob at the time?
In any event, even if I did promise you a handjob, I don’t think I could ever have hot gay sex with a man who just shit on Monty Python’s Flying Circus. That’s a dealbreaker
I feel tricked and betrayed.
Argument sketch, dead parrot, silly walks, interview skit “good night,” worlds funniest joke, interesting people, upper class twit of the year competition….
February 8th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
oooh, harsh. Is a life without aided handjobs really even a life at all?
Yeah, the Lee is a Scientologist thing is a huge bummer(how is it that crazy people can make convincing actors?), but it’s really Jamie Presley who makes that show anyway, she is 90% of the reason why I laugh while watching it, also the “Friends don’t let friends shiv” poster hanging in “Coach”’s office in the prison was hilarious. Rednecks+wacky shenanigans=comedy, what’s not to get?
February 8th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
“but that show sucked overall.” THAT SHOW SUCKED OVERALL, THAT SHOW SUCKED OVERALL!!!!!!!!!!!!! WWEEEEEEELLLL FUUUUUUUUCK YOU!!!!!!!!! See if I ever help you get a handjob again, as a matter of fact, I will never help you get a handjob again until you recant that statement. You sex life just went down the tubes, man.
February 8th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Although I’m sure AT THE TIME it was a comedy revolution.
February 8th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I don’t get “Earl” at all. Ever. And the fact that he’s a raging Scientologist starring in Alvin and the Chipmunks doesn’t help me either. I also think American Office is funnier than British, and am sad at myself because when I watch old episodes of Flying Circus I don’t find much to like. M.P.’s highlights are glorious, and their movies are really solid, but that show sucked overall.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
yeah, there are more importnt things in life than TV, and those things are WOW, Adam Sandler movies, Guitar Hero 3 and God….in that order (thought I’d throw a little actual blasphemy in there for y’all)
February 8th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
yes I am a female, and yes, I am secure in my manhood. also, I have been a fan of both South Park and Family Guy in the past, so there!!!! Now I’m gonna go cry and then buy shoes and eat ice crem to make myself feel better, and then we are going to sit down and talk about our feelings until we work this whole thing through….
February 8th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Wow, I mean, the tools you are describing are arrogant “deuche bags” (I can’t stop now tillyKGB), but to suggest that all introverts have autism is little extreme isn’t it? (and by “a little” I mean ridiculously) A lot of these elitists are actually very social, b/c how else would they prove how smart they are except by telling anyone who will listen? Your rant kind of suggests that you, in fact, ARE one of these “deuche bags”, you just have a different area that you believe yourself superior in…..people skills. Do you tell your clients that they should “harden the fuck up” and buy your product? (That would actually be awesome, now that I think about it…. I would own a lot more useless shit if the pitch was “Harden the fuck up and buy this you autistic nerd!)
Hey, does anyone remeber Clone High? There was an awesome show that got axed….. I’m not sure there was anything to get, though…..
February 8th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
@ Hailslaanesh ” but there are more important things in life than fucking TV.” BLASPHEMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“I know the differece between TV and real life, I just like TV better” Philip J. Fry.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
It has been my experience that people of the female persuasion, as a rule, do not like South Park, Family Guy, Monty Python or the Three Stooges, for that matter, but there are exceptions to any rule.
Also a male would have probably answered with “No”,but then again, you could be secure in your manhood.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I’m an idiot and I hate being called an idiot blah blah blah, you must be an elitist. I think I’m pretty smart for some reason, this means I know more about comedy than a comedy writer on a sucessful comedy website, for some reason. I may not be able to spell the word ‘douche’, but I unlike most of the college educated writers on this website ALSO got into college (GO ME). Therefore I must have a more sophisticated sense of humour than you, as I assume intelligence is directly related to maturity. Go suck a flaming dick. I’m an obnoxious asshole etc etc etc.
Now did we really need about 50 comments to say that?
February 8th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
I would have liked to see more of the show but it was on here at obscure times of the night when most people who hold regular jobs get their sleep.
That aside I too hate how people consider themselves above everyone else because they feel that they ‘get’ a show. People I know look down on the rest of us for not saying shows like Red Dwarf and Firefly are genius (I don’t know for sure, but I imagine those same people would dig AD if they stopped playing WOW for a while and watched it). These people are very intelligent but are socially inept. They have difficulty holding down regular jobs and the ones that can constantly miss out on the promotions that they should be getting with their experience. Its because they don’t understand people and cannot relate. They think people are morons for not getting these shows and wonder why they get cancelled.
The truth is, I suspect many of these nerds or geeks suffer from a minor form of autism. Don’t get me wrong, some of these people are my best friends and I wouldn’t be nasty and point it out to them. They just don’t get people, which in my opinion is one of the most important life skills to have. Well I get these shows, but there are more important things in life than fucking TV.
FYI, I work in sales where understanding individuals and the general public is crucial. Of course you want to sell as much product to as much of the public as possible, so it is little wonder that these shows that appeal to so few get axed.
I understand these people think “Why can’t the world be as smart as me so they all have my tastes and nothing I like will ever get axed?” Well it doesn’t work like that and being arrogant doesn’t fix the situation, so harden the fuck up and get over it.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Why do you ask?
I know, btw, I’m a sinner…..I scourge myself daily, but I still can’t like it…..
February 8th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
MONTY PYTHON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, BLASPHEMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,wait a minute, Hoy1229 are you female? (not that there’s anything wrong with that)
February 8th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Did I mention that was an expensive hat?
Enjoy your handjob, Swaim.
February 8th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
So, do you get the handjob at 101 then?
February 8th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
I’d love to assist in some platonic man-on-man handjob action (can that even exist?) so here goes…..
I love The (American) Office, “Earl”, 30 Rock, Scrubs, The Simpsons, That 70’s Show and Seinfeld
I don’t like South Park, Family Guy, Arrested Development, The (British) Office (or Monty Python!), The Royal Tannenbaums, and There’s Something About Mary (gasp! How can that be?)
Now, judge me if ye dare! (yes, I am a pirate….thanks for asking….)
February 8th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Gladstone once fatuously promised me a handjob if it happened, so I’d like to hold him to it.
February 8th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
C’mon people, are you gonna knock this post over a hundred comments or what? Now THAT
would be an expensive hat.
February 8th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
I want to thank the people who gave reasonable, interesting, and edifying answers. Really intriguing to me. You know who you are. Thanks for being brave enough to make yourself a target for morons to ridicule. It’s appreciated.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
I absolutely am NOT saying popular = more valid (though who even knows what that means.) If you’re refering to Jeff Buckley, no, Britany Spears is obviously not more talented. Nice straw man there jerkoff.
I find it interesting that you’ve attempted to confront NONE of my claims, and have instead tried to twist them so that somehow you look credible. First, American writing is stupid and is internationally hated. I prove you wrong, so you switch to “other countries might like American shows, but only stupid American shows.” I notice, also, that you decided to ignore the popularity of American sitcoms in your examples, which is what we were debating (in case you have been asleep this whole time.) Seems like your running for cover there.
First, it was American humor by and large is stupid. Now, it’s American humor can be a splendid thing (and you site, again, very different shows.) Well… which is it? First, American humor was by and large more low-brow than the rest of the world. Now, we go for cheap, easy laughs LIKE EVERY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. Seriously, WHICH IS IT?
Why don’t you come right out and say it: “I have no basis for any of what I have said thus far. Basically, I’m just making it up as I go in order to sound quasi-smart.” Guess what? You’re failing.
I also find it laugable that one of your main examples of bad American television was American Idol, a show writen, produced, and starring a freaking ENGLISHMAN. Could you get any more hypocritical? Survey says: no.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
That’s 3 .
February 8th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Michael,
I didn’t care for AD. I consider myself an intelligent erson who likes a wide variety of humor including very dry humor. Can’t put my finger on exactly why I didn’t like AD, just didn’t want to watch it. There was plenty of advertising for it, btw. I knew when it was on and occasionally flipped to it, but never cared that it was cancelled, wouldn’t go to a movie version. (although I don’t really ever waste money going to movies, to be fair) I think maybe it was too much work to watch with not enough pay-off. Maybe it’s that the crowd of people most likely to enjoy the show spend less time watching TV than the crowd that enjoys, say, “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth-Grader” or “American Idol”? I would say that is a fair possibility. From my experience the person who watches TV as their main form of entertainment (as opposed to reading, going to theatre, writing, or interacting with other humans in a social setting, etc.) is more inclined to like America’s Funniest Home Videos or Beauty and the Geek, etc. (I’m not passing judgement, I’m just saying those shows are VERY different than AD)
TillyKGB:Big Kahuna is one of the best movies I have ever seen! I would argue that it is about even more than business and religious ethics and also that it is a career best performance by Peter Facinelli(sp?) as well, other than Can’t Hardly Wait of course (”Somebody in there called me a fag”), but we clearly agree that it is an awesome movie that deserves a rent if you’ve got $4 burning a hole in your pocket and nothing to do on a Saturday afternoon.
We can also be agreed that self-important elitists are some of the world’s most annoying creatures. These “deuche bags” (I kinda like your spelling, it’s like saying it with a New English accent) never cease in reminding you that the UK version of The Office is soooo much better than the US one and that anyone who doesn’t like 9/10ths of the crap they think is hilarious must not “get it” or , conversely, than anyone who laughs at anything they don’t think is funny is proving their low intellect to all the world, blah blah blah….. If I don’t like oranges is there something wrong with my tastebuds or am I just lateraly different than someone who does like oranges? I would argue the latter. Get it? Of course you don’t, you like oranges after all, and we all know what that means…..
February 8th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Scrubs ?
So is that …humor or humour ?
February 8th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Scrubs.
Scrubs.
In two hours ?
SCRUBS !?!?!
February 8th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
I’ll be back in about 2 hours, if you care (which I doubt). I am actually enjoying the articulate and intelligent debate, by the way.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Yes, there are many places that like and even copy american shows. Shows like The Biggest Loser and American Idol. What a proud accomlishment.
And because something is popular, according to your reasoning, makes it more valid. It’s logic like this that allows people to believe that Spears is more talented than Buckley because she has sold more albums.
American humour can be a splendid thing, as evidenced by AD or Scrubs. Unfortunately, like every other country in the world, it more often goes for the cheap easy laughs, re: Friends.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
That was an expensive hat!
February 8th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I love you guys.
Seriously.
Let’s cancel our Friday nights and just stay in.
Rap about what’s going on in the media.
C’mon CAINBALL !
You can go see “Walk Hard:The Dewey Cox Story” tomorrow night……
CAINBALL !!!!! C’MON !!!!!!!!
February 8th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
First hour down? Sorry, did I miss something?
I do, however, appreciate the points
February 8th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
“……except their hipsters (if this is possible) are more douche baggy than ours are.”
HA HA AH AH AH AH AH H HA H HA H HA HA HA HA !!
Now THAT is funny.
Two points.
First hour down.
Two points.
February 8th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Shutdown the blog. Cease all comments. Keep your opinions to yourself.
CAINBALL has all the facts !!!
February 8th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Cainball,
Really? The rest of the world find the American sitcom vapid and uninspired, huh? That’s a pretty bold statement. I’ve been to multiple places internationally that LOVE our television. Japan and Mexico come to mind immediately. So do Turkey (surprisingly) and India.
Don’t give me that BS about how American writers take the easy way out because they used an idea from one show. Do you really want to compare how many American ideas get used abroad with how many we use from other countries. Yes, I thought not. On top of this, the first season (6 episodes) was the only part of the American Office that followed the British script. Nice try there douche bag.
Yes, to an American, British humor (the Office is a great example) suffers from lack of comedic timing. Much like how over there (I’m guessing you’ve never been by the way you seem to “know” about how their humor works) our timing seems ackward and, perhaps, a bit forced.
You are certainly a wanna-be-hipster loser, whether you are American or not. I would guess that if you’re not American, you’re Canadian. Not much of a difference there, except their hipsters (if this is possible) are more douche baggy than ours are. I also noticed you took no issue with me calling you shallow. Not surprising.
By the way, I’m especially a big fan of your “hey, everybody look at the asshat over there” style of attacks. It only goes to prove my intuition that you have very little opinion (or any frontal lobe activity) of your own and only seek the aproval and attention of others.
You very much fail, sir (and I use that term liberally.)
February 8th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
“…..rest of the world (not just England) finds the average american sitcom to be vapid and uninspired”
“american television simply takes the easy way out every time.”
“hister-loser.”
“It helps me to keep it real.”
“say something else”
Oh, come on, CAIN-BALL, I think you said it all for us.
February 8th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
And I happen to like my indie douchebag status. It helps me to keep it real.
February 8th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Actually, Tilly, the rest of the world (not just England) finds the average american sitcom to be vapid and uninspired. The fact that there had to be an american version of The Office in the first place only serves to show that the typical writer for american television simply takes the easy way out every time.
And not being American, I certainly don’t fit into the category of an american wanna-be-hister-loser.
The UK Office suffers from a lack of comedic timing? That is quite easily the stupidest comment I have ever read. Miles, it looks like you have a contender for the ‘Dumbest Asshat of this Thread Award’. Quick, say something else before Tilly starts typing again and seals the deal.
February 8th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
That’s one.
February 8th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Socially retarded was the phrase. And thank you for proving my point.
February 8th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Cainball,
You are apparently a caricature of the elitist asshole douchebag I cited above. Thank you for the real life example.
Do not put Superbad in the same category as Juno and AD. They are extremely different styles of comedy. Superbad is closer to American Pie than Juno. The only reason you put them together is so that you can like Superbad without losing your “indie douchebag” persona and status.
How do you know what Miles’ tastes are like? How do you know what he finds funny and amusing? All he said was that he didn’t like AD (something that makes me like him already.) There are lots of other types of comedy out there. The fact that you villainize him for not liking a show you do only demonstrates what a bottom feeder you are.
I spent some time in London. I “get” British humor. I don’t always think it’s funny, but I get it. The Americans who claim the UK version of the Office is superior are the same hipster-wanna-be losers who can’t seem to understand why AD was pulled from Fox. Not suprising you are in both of these categories.
For ANY American, watching the UK Office is like watching the American version, but sometimes completey indecipherable and without any of the comedic timing. For some reason an idiotic sect of douchebags in America seem to think it’s somehow cool to like foreign things for the sake of them being foreign and also think that average American = bad. How rediculous. Are you really that insecure? Do you really have so little substance that you have to cling to whatever identity you think will get you noticed?
How’s that for guessing?
PS: Don’t get me wrong, the UK version of the Office is very successful in England. However, this is because their idea of what makes something funny is very (very very) different than ours. Even if you think the “average American” humor is stupid, you still fall into this category. Our humor in general, be it slapstick, sarcasm, dark humor, dry humor, etc. is just different. If you grew up in America, you can’t escape it. That’s not to say British humor can’t be funny to Americans, but to champion it like its inherently funnier just makes you look like an idiot.
February 8th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Cainball,
…when you get around to buying that Criterion collection Jackass Season 3 DVD collection
make sure you get the one with the special Tom Green gut-buster bonus scenes.
Philisitine.
February 8th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
I stopped reading after your first line.
The only people YOU KNOW that disliked those two were - ‘retarded’ ?
Good choice of words, ‘CAINBALL’
Seagal and Van Damme are your markers for what is deemed bad ?
I would encourage you to expand your barometer.
Duh, Van Damme bad….fire hot…duh…..
Let me guess, your still recovering from being BLOWN AWAY by Extras.
They might as well quit trying to make any more movies. Right ?
Right, CAINBALL !??!
Well, let’s see. It’s about 4:00 PM Friday.
Let’s see how many other uncouth people get a laugh out of your deep sensibilities.
February 8th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Seriously, Miles, the only people I know who genuinely disliked Juno, Superbad and AD were socially retarded. So I have some more guesses for you, as per your request.
I guess:
You are a fan of Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme.
If a movie contains witty and fast dialogue, you claim everyone who enjoys it is pretentious, when really you are envious that you are incapable of writing or enjoying said dialogue.
You are easily angered because you can’t articulate an appropriate response to something that upsets you.
You like driving around in a car listening to ganster rap with all of your friends even though you are as white as the driven snow.
You have a small penis.
How’s that for guessing?
PS:
The best show of all time is the UK version of The Office. In case you were wondering. Although someone with your short attention span and puddle depth emotional range would be better off sticking to your DVD collection of Full House.
February 8th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
You guess ?
Yeah, because all of these movies in question are so BEYOND the average American.
Futurama ?
Juno ?
Certainly there are anachonisms that are glaring after a decade or two pass….
But if Arrested Development is the shining star that our generation’s in-the-know championed.
Not only am I not of that collective but I would like to remove myself as far away from that soon to be forgotten show.
Look, the show wasn’t awful. But, the best ? Really !?!?!?!
The best of all time ?
Really ?!?!
Again, maybe not the best company that I would want to be tied to.
Keep guessing.
February 8th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Miles, you have the viewing taste of… well, the average american, I guess.
February 8th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Look, here’s the thing. I tried watching these things… AD, Superbad, Napolean, etc. I thought, maybe I just don’t get it. No, wait… I get it..
See what happens is, I watch the movie ( or show ) and absolutely hate it while I am watching it. Then when someone asks me about it, I tell them about a scene, and the retelling is hilarious even to me!!
I figure, these are only funny on paper. I think they just forgo delivery and directing and acting… well, you can’t make a great comedy movie by only concerning yourself with the script. If I tell you about a scene from Deuce Bigelow, it’s as funny as hell…. the actually movie is complete crap.
February 8th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
The most amusing twist of Juno was it’s return to the movies of the 40’s.
Characters delivering wit at breakneck speed like Bogart trading lines.
Oh yeah, because EVERYBODY talks like that. Armed with the ability to one-line after one liner ad- nauseum.
Oh no, FORGET that ‘less is more’ fallacy. Let’s ram eight culture references down the viewers throat at once.
The Red Bull of comedy all of sudden gives Kevin Smith some credence.
February 8th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Superbad was crap.
Juno, well, if you have to ask…….
February 8th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Miles, are you saying that Superbad and Juno were crap?
February 8th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
“I weep for the unfortunate souls who may never see this masterpiece. Not because they are idiots, but because they likely never gave it a chance.”
You mean I have to watch it again ? Is it the Dennis Miller of sitcoms ?
After repeated viewings the thirty fast paced hidden yucks become salient ?
Well thought out and different does not equal funny. Ask Carlin.
February 8th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the fans of A.D. for the future offspring of this failed attempt.
Juno, Superbad, et al.
How’s that My Name is Earl back tattoo working out for you ?
February 8th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Gob: “My God. What is this feeling?”
Michael: “You know, the feeling that you’re feeling is just what many of us call … a ‘feeling.’
Gob: “It’s not like envy, or even hungry.”
Michael: “Could it be love?”
Gob: “I know what an erection feels like, Michael. No, it’s the opposite — it’s like my heart is getting hard.”
February 8th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Oh… and I never even noticed the Shaky Camera thing, and I got motion sick watching the last two Bourne movies, so I do notice that sort of thing.
February 8th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Futurama was another great show that Fox decided was not worth it. They had dozens of episodes finished, but Fox said… meh. Also, I don’t think it was the running story that killed the show. Look at Friends. The whole series was one long running story. Fox just doesn’t know a good show if it slapped it in it’s face. Bad scheduling killed it. I’m seriously surprised that The Office has lasted as long as it has, do to the lack of laugh track and also the running story through out.
February 8th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I think the biggest problem with Arrested Development was that the laugh-out-loud comedy started to wane as you started to care about the characters. What at first had been a jerk getting his comeupance turned into horrible things happening to people you kinda liked, which gets less and less funny. Before I stopped watching, I had stopped laughing and just felt embarrassed for the poor saps.
February 8th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
They call it a “sense” of humour for a reason. There’s no defending or attacking it. You either think something’s funny or not. You either think a smell or a feeling or a song is pleasant or unpleasant. Trying to bully someone into sensing the opposite of what they sense is silly, and more often than not, impossible.
Unfortunately, a lot of humour is tied to knowledge rather than intelligence, e.g. if you don’t know who the Prime Minister of Canada is you’re not going to “get” a bunch of Stephen Harper jokes. That doesn’t necessarily make you stupid, you just don’t have the context to understand it, or perhaps even the interest in getting the context.
I actually have only seen one part of an episode of this show (never knew when it was on - part of the problem I believe), and I liked what I saw. But a friend whose sense of humour is similar to mine tells me I’ll love it, so I’m going to try it on DVD.
However, I do have to agree with grasspar on the whole shaky camera thing. It isn’t a reason to NOT watch a good show, but it does affect my decision. If the show with that kind of filming doesn’t grab me in the first episode, I won’t come back. If I wanted to watch a mediocre, crappily filmed and framed show, I’d make my own.
Seriously, are we as a society not over this trend yet? When we’re using it for cereal commercials, IT’S OVER. Let it go already.
February 8th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
“We could make a beautiful baby.”
*5 second flash of a very ugly, hairy, spotty bespeckled ‘thing’*
“Uh Michael, I need to speak to your mom.”
That one gets me every time.
February 8th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Go out and get it!!! Funniest show I’ve ever seen. Period.
The main reason this show was cancelled is that it has a running storyline. When people watch a random episode without context, it’s hard to recognize the humor. I could compare it to an inside joke.
However, for those reasons, this show is perfect for dvd. I have all three seasons on dvd and my only complaint is that there aren’t more.
February 8th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Hey Charlie, are you saying there are standardized tests out there that DO ask questions about spelling “douche” correctly? Or are you just an ass?
That being said, yeah, I spelled it wrong. You’re right. I’m certainly not the worlds best speller as it is (never my strong suit) and trying to cram a long diatribe into a 10 minute coffee break doesn’t help one’s editing process. Sorry for the mistake.
I also made a grammatical typo (where = who,) but I guess you couldn’t think of a sarcastic remark for that one, huh?
February 8th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Sorry for the typos.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Hey TillyKGB, I guess none of the standardized tests you’ve taken your entire life had any questions about spelling “douche” correctly…
The show may have been canceled because of people like me. I thought it was hilarious when I watched it, but I never really got into the groove of consistently seeing it every week. Just from this message board it sounds like a lot of viewers were like that. Ratings would be lower without a consistent group of weekly viewers.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:55 am
I hate how a show can be a litmus test for intelligence. Liking something does not make you smarter than those who don’t. I hate elitists pricks who flaunt their politics (If you aren’t appalled you aren’t paying attention) or their love of pop culture (if you aren’t watching X, than you are an idiot) in my face. Get over yourself. You are not a, hyper intelligent, pretty and unique snowflake. Your just the product of the most narcissistic generation in our Countries history. (”Those mouth-breathing Smallville fans”)
That being said, I weep for the unfortunate souls who may never see this masterpiece. Not because they are idiots, but because they likely never gave it a chance. TiVo it now. I missed it during its first run. I caught a few minutes of one episode and thought it was OK, but uneven. When it hit HDNet I watched a full episode and was so hooked that within two weeks I had watched its entire run. Every single episode, back-to-back-to-back. Its the funniest thing to ever grace the television. I was floored by how many layers of wit they could weave in to interesting, albeit somewhat absurd, storyline. Its easy to come up with very witty one-liners but its quite difficult to do that through a cohesive narrative where all those things fit in to the context of the story. Maybe that’s a little abstract but I was constantly amazed at just how skilled their writers were. I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE MOVIE!
February 8th, 2008 at 11:52 am
They cancelled the show because they kept putting it in the worst timeslots ever. At one point it was up against Monday Night Football and I think even the Superbowl, to which Fox execs said, “You can’t do better than that?” and decided to cancel them. Fox is basically just the mongloid child of the broadcasting family.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:51 am
To answer your question Mr. Swaim,
I did not enjoy the show. I gave it the requisite 5-6 episode chance I give most new shows, and it just didn’t work for me. I like shows that don’t feel the need for a laugh track, so it’s not that. I knew the parts that were trying to be funny, but it just didn’t resonate with me.
I’ve even tried rewatching it at the behest of friends who have asked me to give it another chance, but the affect was the same. I actually think Jason Bateman in his present career is underrated, and I enjoy anything I’ve seen Will Arnett in. This series just failed to do it for me.
As one who has really tried to give it a chance, It irks me to no end when people accuse me of being too thick to grasp its genius. I give you that it is original, well-thought and more cerebral than the sacks and sacks of shitty sitcoms out there. However, to accuse someone that has given the show ample attention in a quest to enjoy it, an idiot is just elitist bullshit that will forever damn this show to the status of Cut Classic rather than a general consumption entertainment product.
Hope that helped.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:30 am
My gauge for the quality of a show is whether or not FOX cancels it.
AD, Firefly, Family Guy, all good shows.
American Idol, in its nth season and sucking every minute.
February 8th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Sorry for the adendum, but a few more points I forgot:
1. David Cross is not funny. Ever. Screw Mr. Show.
2. AD =/= The Office. People can identify with the Office. Plus, Steve Carell is funny. I would listen to an arguement that he could have single handedly made AD funny, but it wasn’t on its own.
February 8th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Tobias: It appears I prematurely shot my wad on what was supposed to be a dry run, so now I’ve got something of a mess on my hands.
Michael: There’s so many poorly chosen words in that sentence.
February 8th, 2008 at 10:40 am
I hated the show. Seriously.
In college, I knew a lot of deuche bags from organizations I was involved in. Guess what? More than a few (all where were part of the same deuche bag sub-species) not only loved this show, but loved to tell me why I was an idiot for not liking it and that “I must not get it.” No, I got it. It was still stupid.
I’m a pretty smart guy, as far as standardized tests I’ve taken my entire life are concerned. I got through college on a full ride scholarship. I’m not trying to brag, just laying some context.
That being said, I hate snobbery (the sub-species I alluded to.) I hate people who want you to know how smart they are (yes, I see the irony, no need to point it out.) More accurately, I REALLY hate people who are arrogant enough to describe things they like as “intelligent.” As in crap like, “Arrested Development is intelligent humor.” Again, I like to think I’m fairly intelligent. I don’t find it humorous at all.
Honestly, I never saw enough shows to make a fair judgement about the entire series. What I saw wasn’t funny, but people I know who like the show tell me I need to get past the first few episodes to get to the funny stuff.
I can’t. Why? Because of deuche bags like them (and many of you.) I simply find it near impossible to like something that is enjoyed by wanna-be sophisitcated assholes.
Personally, I really (really!) like the movie “The Big Kahuna.” It’s rare that I find anyone that has ever even heard of it even though it featured, in my opinion, career-best performances by both Danny DeVito and Kevin Spacey. However, I don’t go around telling people it’s a thinking man’s movie and the reason it did terrible in the theatres is because it’s for intelligent people and most of the public are complete morons. Honestly, the reason, again in my opinion, that it did bad is because it had (seriously) no action, was all dialog between 3 characters, and dealt with subject matter that many people probably don’t find interesting at all (business/religious ethics, anyone?)
I bring this up to illustrate a point: just because you like something, doesn’t mean everyone else should. If you like AD, fine, good for you. But for those of you who can’t understand why it got cancelled, it’s because of ratings. The show did poorely, and FOX makes shows to make money. It’s not your own personal station that plays what you want regardless of how well any particular show does. Besides, most people don’t like being talked down to. Perhaps shows like AD and the snobbish crowd they pander to might take note of that. I don’t think it’s coincidence that many of the fans of the show, at least that I’ve encountered, share a hard-on for condecention.
February 8th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Please to be refering to the Season 2 blooper reel and the tirade from David Cross at the end. I believe that sums up why AD was destined to be canceled.
February 8th, 2008 at 10:27 am
michael
having a nice day at the beach?
while the rest of us are busting our asses to deliver your mail
ignorance is bliss, and most american tv viewers are really really happy
February 8th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Srsly anyone who doesn’t like this show hates laughter in all it’s forms. And the people in here who said they don’t like it because everyone else says it’s so good are wasting my air. K Thanks.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Kingmonkey is right, AD, Firefly and Family Guy have all been cancelled by FOX because FOX are shit. Also, their viewer base consists of people who think knives and forks are posh. Maybe on another network Firefly and AD would have survived, as they were some of the best TV out there. Family Guy has only been brought back because of DVD sales…All in all FOX is shit and always cancel the good shows.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:22 am
I’d like to point out that FOX does have poor scheduling ability when they feel a show won’t make it. Firefly, for example, was aired out of order, and the pilot was never played on FOX. They didn’t feel the show would go over very well, so they made every effort to sabotage the show to prove themselves right.
Self-fulfilling prophecies, and all that.
February 8th, 2008 at 7:44 am
Swaim actually skipped a few grades. He’s nine.
February 8th, 2008 at 7:13 am
Damnit, you’re my age. Here I was thinking all the Cracked writers were wise sages beyond my years. Way to put it in perspective.
Arrested Development made me love The Blue Men.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:56 am
Annyong
February 8th, 2008 at 5:28 am
Was it a comedy, I thought it was some foreign movie? I remember seeing a few minutes of it when this kid was trying to fuck his sister or cousin or someone (European movies have plenty of this). I was starting to get pretty hot at the thought of incest with an attractive relative, but just as I made a grab for my man meat, the end credits started. ‘WTF’ I thought, that show sucks.
February 8th, 2008 at 4:57 am
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoop what does that even mean? You’re going to attack me from high up? What are you, an eagle? That’s crazy. You’re crazy.
February 8th, 2008 at 3:01 am
I’ll watch AD if it’s on, but I really can’t see what’s so great about it. It was vaguely amusing, but it’s just not that good. Shows like Coupling (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0237123/) and King of the Hill (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118375/) are much better sitcoms.
February 8th, 2008 at 2:34 am
Your mum loves teenage boys. Which is about as witty and mature as your comment. I’m not above stooping when necessary.
February 8th, 2008 at 2:28 am
hey im just saying it failed because of the camera work. doesn’t change that the show’s content loves teenage boys.
February 8th, 2008 at 2:04 am
Best. Show. Ever.
I have a couple of friends that don’t like it–only a couple–and ironically they found it to be “stupid”. One of them claimed it was just a bunch of quirky characters that he did not find funny. The other just uses the word “gay” a lot to describe it. The fact that one of them is a big fan of that Shaq dieting reality show is a relief though. I don’t think such opinions can be taken seriously.
February 8th, 2008 at 1:22 am
grasspar, you are a moron.
There are some kick ass shows that use the shaky cam effect, such as The Shield.
Not liking a show because you aren’t a fan of the camera work? Jackass.
February 8th, 2008 at 12:53 am
Arrested Development sucks a teenage dick. It failed cuz the camera looks like parkinsons.
February 8th, 2008 at 12:34 am
I’m sick of people always getting on FOX. In all honesty, the show should have been cancelled in the first season. I give FOX credit for keeping the show as long as it did and telling that that it would be cancelled but let them produce the last 5 episodes so we got a decent finale. And FOX did do some promotion for the show. I love the show, but i think the problem is that you actually have to pay attention to the show to “get it” which most Americans aren’t willing to do. I am ampted for a possible movie though. I hope it comes to fruition!
February 8th, 2008 at 12:06 am
That Funke is some kind of something. Boy, this Funke is all anybody’s ever talking about. So sick and tired of hearing about how brilliant that Funke is. Overrated.
Unlike the show itself, which is no way overrated. Funnier every time I watch it.
Perhaps Miles is a Mr F.
February 7th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
The Young Ones ruled. Now Seinfeld, that was overated as hell. If wanted to watch a bunch
whiny, yankee, New York jews I would go to my inlaws house, in Florida.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Fuck Miles, did you just talk shit about The Young Ones? “Hey, Neal I’ve got 8 pairs of hands.”
Booo! “Good, good Daddy long legs.”
February 7th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
NO! Miles, don’t go! You are exactly the type of person I was hoping to hear from. Could you at all elaborate as to why you didn’t like it? Was it just the fans being high-and-mighty, or the show itself? I am honestly curious about this.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Miles, the people who say you must not get it are probably right. Sorry.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Arrested Development: Most Overrated TV Comedy since “The Young Ones”.
Everybody with their, “Oh, you must not really GET it…” attitude…..
Oh, I get it.
And I get why you will be selling those DVD’s on eBay in a couple of years.
February 7th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
I’ve never missed an episode of Arrested Development. Best show in years.
February 7th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Oh Michael, you’re such a pussy!
February 7th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Stop licking my hand, you horse’s ass!
February 7th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
What did you do? Spill paint on you?
February 7th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
I just blue myself!
February 7th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
I feel guilty for not watching this show when it was on the air. I don’t know what my problem was at the time. The DVDs have made it my favorite show ever.
Can’t wait for the movie!
February 7th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Well well Michael, you are quite the cupid. You can zing your arrow into my buttocks anytime.
February 7th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Is that kid who played the negligent father in that movie going to be in it?
February 7th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
In my shallow-mindedness I did over look the fact that a major reason why it would have been cancelled is that they basically didn’t market the show at all. Come to think of it, I don’t ever remember seeing but one or two commercials for the show. You say true, O’Brien.
February 7th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
It wasn’t just the “people are stupid” factor that got AD canceled, (though it did play a role and is a very real problem in this country, as far as television is concerned), possibly other areas as well), it was, a) an expensive show and b) a show that Fox murdered for reasons known only to Fox. The show bounced around time slots which isn’t always a problem, (Scrubs bounced all over the place and maintained a loyal fan base), but to make matters worse, Fox did absolutely zero promotion for AD. They would air it one Sunday and inexplicably take a few weeks off before airing the next episode and they never gave advanced notice or try to plug the show in any way. Even the series finale flew in almost completely under the radar.
So the short answer is “ratings,” but the ratings problem is directly tied to Fox completely damning the show with an inconsistent schedule making it almost impossible for AD to develop a regular audience.
February 7th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
@ graphmac1, Yes.
February 7th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
I thought the show was hilarious, forget the laugh tracks and all that crap. Sometimes people just aren’t smart enough to realize they need to actually see a few episodes (or all, recommended) to understand that maybe a lot of the jokes aren’t tied into a laugh track (if you need something to tell you when to laugh you obviously do not know what real comedy is), maybe they are just tied into the characters personality. Don’t kill it till you see at least the first 5 episodes or so I would say. Also, sometimes the only thing that makes a joke is the way it’s said. Tones of voice and keeping a straight face while saying something completely retarded (see Will Arnett) is the basis of most jokes in movies today. Just look at anything Will Ferrell says in almost all of his movies, not a whole lot of people can make comedy like that work. Look at “The Office”, is AD a much different that? I think not, I believe it was just too early with too many unknown actors at the time. I’m glad this was brought up, I was afraid I was the only one who enjoyed the show.
February 7th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Glendoor42 and that other guy who said it first (but I’m too lazy to scroll up to check his name) are right. Without the laugh track, I was kinda like “woah, what the fuck! Ben Stiller spent a few hours hidden inside a box so that he could surprise everyone with his magician skills!” Then I started to cry about how much effort a man could dedicate just to make everyone surprised. After that, I realized it was a joke… no laugh track, that’s what you get. I wish every show was like John Belushi’s brother show.
February 7th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Are you kidding??!! This was won of the GREAT shows! Besides MST3K and some other shows, this is one of those Comedy-For-The-Somewhat-Intelligent shows, IMO, that most people didn’t get….I can’t wait!!
February 7th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Yup. I take total responsibility.
February 7th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
So it’s YOUR fault then, is what you’re saying.
February 7th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I hated “Arrested Development”. There was no laugh track to tell me when to laugh, like really goods show like “Home Improvement” and “According to Jim”. I’m not surprised it was canceled. Problems were not resolved at that end, the stories just kept going and going. Maybe I could have followed the stories better if someone on the show could fly or had super strength.
Actually, I never watched the show. I was in Iraq for the second of three times in my life, while you ,Swaim, sat there in your dorm room doing drugs, listening to hippie music and getting laid, well, probably not getting laid, whining why nobody realized what a great TV show “Arrested Development” was and how smart you were for knowing it.
David Cross is funny as hell and Jason Bateman is majorly underrated as an actor.
February 7th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Matt,
I know Lost and Heroes are NOT sitcoms. That was my point. People want their sitcoms self-contained and will only deal with continuing story lines in dramas like Heroes and Lost. I don’t know why, but there it is.
February 7th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I’ve actually only seen AD once, and it was alright, but i guess you do have to see a bit more than ten minutes of and episode in the middle of a season. I think i’ll rent it because i’ve never heard anything but good things about it.
that is my input.
February 7th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Gladstone - Lost and Heroes are dramas, not sitcoms.
I remember catching a few random episodes and not getting a lot of it because I missed out crucial things that happened before. I actually could see myself liking that show a lot if i gave it a chance. Im typically a big fan of dry humor.
About the laughtrack thing - The office?
February 7th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Who wants a banger in the mouth?
February 7th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
analrapist.
February 7th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
I liked Arrested development when it was on the air, but then I rented the first season and was quickly bored with it. I like the Office, if THEY WOULD EVER FINISH SEASON 4. Damn Writers, I didn’t even know they used writers on TV as most of the dialog is CRAP. I HATE FAMILY GUY AND I HATE THE QUICK SWITCH TO MAKE A JOKE STYLE OF PRODUCTION. Oh yeah and liberals… don’t get me started on kneepad liberals and their hold on broadcast TV. It make me sick to hell what has become of TV. They should require ALL WRITERS to not watch TV EVER and only listen to RADIO. GOD DAMN radio is sick and filled with pansy ass idiots. WHAT HAS BECOME OF THIS COUNTRY, WE USED TO HAVE GREAT TV SHOWS WITH PLOTS AND GREAT ACTING, NOW ALL I SEE IS CRAP CRAP CRAP and another thing, why do they stil insist on using CORKS in wine, why cant they just use a twist off cap. I hat all sports and and most politicians EEEHHAAHHHH!!!!
February 7th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Swaim, even if you get everyone you know to see the movie, I doubt you’ll get far. Even 36 movie tickets won’t swing the opinion of the studio execs. I suggest kidnapping TV execs, instead. Even if you don’t get AD back on the air, you’ll still be doing some good in the world.
I agree with Gladstone (but only this once) that this show was cancelled as a result of supidity. Withou a laugh track to let the viewer know something funny has happened, how will you keep peolpe from getting lost? And besides, where’s the wisecracking fatass and his disproportionately hot wife? The wacky neighbour? You’re missing key things here!
February 7th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
It was canceled because it had no laugh track.
It was canceled for the same reason Home Improvement was a hit and According to Jim is still on the air: people are stupid.
You’re not actually surprised it was canceled?
Also, dumb people like their sitcoms self-contained and AD had continuing storylines that people can only follow if its about super heroes or being lost on a island or something.
February 7th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
not only are you ridiculously funny, you have good taste too. =D
now i actually care about the writers strike.