Classic TV Comedy

[Metamorpho1977]

What happened to these great shows? Where did the writers go? Did todays writers not learn anything from them?

I'm talking about greats like The Andy Griffith Show, I Love Lucy, Hee Haw, All in the Family...Too many others for me to mention.

You could watch these shows and have real big belly laughs. You know the kind where it hurts and you're crying from laughing so much? Even the humor back then, the jokes now would be called politically incorrect. But you still laugh every time you hear Fred Sanford cracking about other races or Archie Bunker wise cracking George Jefferson whenever he came over.

We need more shows like that. That's all I'm saying? Opinions, questions, or short statements?

 

[superhero]

i wouldlike to see a show likesanfrod andson orthe jerffersons if you like the wonder years i recomed checking out everyone hates chris. its narration by chris rock. it comes on every nite on nick at nite. it my favortie new show.

 

[Metamorpho1977]

I like Everyone Hates Chris. It's very reminiscent of some of the writing from those old shows. I grew up with Wonder Years. I skipped first period of most of the classes my senior year because it came on Spike in the mornings and I'd watch the whole series through.

 

[Soapy]

What happened to them? They were either cancelled or finished their run. And the reason that type of show doesn't exist today is because they are stylistically and comically outdated. I don't know where you've been the last twenty years, but there have been many, many shows that rival or even better than the classics.

 

[Metamorpho1977]

Yeah, there were some good shows, but the writing now isn't near as good as it used to be. They could make you laugh without slapstick. Sure there were exceptions to the rule, but for the most part, they could make you laugh by the good humor.

 

[Gilpesh]

Someone doesn't watch Community, 30 Rock, etc.

 

[Soapy]

Someone doesn't watch Community, 30 Rock, etc.

Yeah, no kidding.

Yeah, there were some good shows, but the writing now isn't near as good as it used to be.

What?

Have you not watched Arrested Development? Comedy writing just doesn't get any better than that. It's not possible.

There are many other recent shows that have similarly sharp writing as well.

They could make you laugh without slapstick.

Most old shows were nothing but slapstick.

I wonder what that zany redhead is up to tonight? Oh look, she's stuffing her mouth full of chocolates! How delightful. Her pants too! ...Wait? Pants? On a woman!? Ha Ha Ha, only in television.

 

[Sawyer]

Yeah, no kidding.



What?

Have you not watched Arrested Development? Comedy writing just doesn't get any better than that. It's not possible.

There are many other recent shows that have similarly sharp writing as well.



Most old shows were nothing but slapstick.

I wonder what that zany redhead is up to tonight? Oh look, she's stuffing her mouth full of chocolates! How delightful. Her pants too! ...Wait? Pants? On a woman!? Ha Ha Ha, only in television.

Yeah, I have to agree with these guys. If anything, television comedy has gotten better over time.

 

[Gilpesh]

Have you not watched Arrested Development?

To be fair.... David Cross pratfalls in that show. That clearly means it is disqualified.






(Even though it was one of the best pratfalls that I have ever seen)

 

[Sawyer]

To be fair.... David Cross pratfalls in that show. That clearly means it is disqualified.






(Even though it was one of the best pratfalls that I have ever seen)

[YT]kKXkfLhn6pA[/YT]

 

[Soapy]

He does. And it's glorious. I think there is some slapstick in every comedy to one degree or another. But in my opinion Arrested Development is all about the writing.

Where, in a show like I Love Lucy, the writing serves only to get her in a weird situation so she can do her physical comedy. There's nothing wrong with slapstick, but I just feel like the vast majority of shows today rely much, much more on writing than the classics ever did.

 

[Gilpesh]

[YT]kKXkfLhn6pA[/YT]

I'm talking about when he slips on a spilled drink.

but I just feel like the vast majority of shows today rely much, much more on writing than the classics ever did.

Definitely.

 

[Dr. Evil]

To be fair.... David Cross pratfalls in that show. That clearly means it is disqualified.






(Even though it was one of the best pratfalls that I have ever seen)

He's also a nevernude analrapist.

 

[Travesty]

I just rewatched the first season of Sarah Silverman, and holy ****, is that show hilarious.

I dunno, I think comedy is better then it has ever been, it's just more spread out with the vast amount of channels we have now. Back in the day, we had a few channels, but now, we have a TON.

 

[Soapy]

I'm talking about when he slips on a spilled drink.

Is that the same scene where George Michael slips on something and he think's its Lucille's pee?

 

[Gilpesh]

Is that the same scene where George Michael slips on something and he think's its Lucille's pee?

Yes. And David Cross does this amazing one leg up in the air as he falls out of frame.

 

[Shifty]

While The Honeymooners are enjoyable and provided the blueprint for the sitcom along with Lucy it just doesn't hold up.

The shows from the past 20 years particularly the past 10 have been the best comedies in the medium.

 

[Soapy]

Yes. And David Cross does this amazing one leg up in the air as he falls out of frame.

Yep. Haha. I love that scene. It's probably my favorite slapstick scene in the series.

 

[Sawyer]

I'm talking about when he slips on a spilled drink.

That one was pretty fantastic too, but damn if that Mary Poppins scene didn't literally have tears coming from my eyes.

 

[Metamorpho1977]

Maybe I'm just getting older I don't know.

 

[Gilpesh]

Yes. It's really is you getting older. As there's tons of great comedies now or recently. It's just more niche than the old ones where everyone gathered to watch it.