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This started out as a ho-hum Office ripoff but is now fast becoming my favorite comedy series. I never cared for Amy Pohler on SNL but this is a great character for her. The rest of the supporting cast is terrific as well. Has anyone been watching?
Quote from: ddiggler on April 15, 2011, 04:20:04 PM
Has anyone been watching?
Yes and this reminds me of something I've been meaning to say for a while. I read an inordinate amount of praise for both this and Community (which I had abandoned midway through Season 1) so I went back and caught up on both shows. They both have great ensembles but the shows themselves are just not great. They're just sitcoms with sitcom premises which is kinda boring for any stretch of time. Maybe I hold TV shows to too high of a standard but I feel like if it's not going to be GREAT it's sort of wasting my time to keep up with it.
I'm having a hard time understanding what you mean by "sitcom with sitcom premises". Are there sitcoms that don't use sitcom premises? I agree with you on Community. That show is rife with possibilities but is just a little too self referential to appeal to me. They still pull out great episodes here and there but the humor is very inconsistent. Also it abuses the use of Ken Jeong, who in the first season was an occasional bit player but is now featured in every episode which is a bit much.
As for Parks, It wasn't until the Halloween episode of Season 2 that it started to pull me in. The Office comparisons are obvious due to the format (can we ditch the documentary interview thing in comedies already? at least Community does that much), but it's a much stronger show than that. The cynicism of the British Office was what made it so relatable but the American version is too much of a cartoon to really pull it off. Sure there are heartfelt moments but at the same time you get the impression that these characters can't stand each other. The characters on Parks not only seem to care about each other, but they're competent at their jobs as well! I suppose you could fault the format of the show for being unoriginal but the characters and the writing are both terrific.
You guys are watching Community wrong.
It's like the Simpsons. It's so fucking smart and quick. Next season you'll be pretending you liked it the whole time.
Community spent half a season being a promising young show, and then flipped a switch and became one of the best comedies on television. It hits highs that no other show is hitting right now, and even the average episodes are better than 95% of the rest of shows.
Parks and Recreation is also great, in a more low-key way. A flawless ensemble.
P&R got really good starting in season 2. I didn't care for it at first, but I'm glad I kept watching.
I love how they all hate on Jerry for no reason whatsoever.
BTW, I watched the Strangers with Candy movie not too long ago and was surprised to see a totally different looking Chris Pratt:
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hotflick.net%2Fflicks%2F2005_Strangers_With_Candy%2F005SWC_Chris_Pratt_001.jpg&hash=8ec3ed5058330918d1c39150a50c8e493c7ffdd4)
I kinda watch Parks, but not to the point that I try to see every episode. I watch it mostly for Aubrey Plaza I think.
Community, on the other hand, I do try to watch every one. I was kinda disappointed when Big Bang Theory went right up against it, so I always have to watch one and record the other if both show new episodes.
Community has surprised me how they will do totally out there episodes like the Christmas episode that was almost all claymation. I figure this place off all places would like it as one of the characters talks about being a director or movies quite frequently. My favorite episode off the top of my head is when they did the war movie/end of the war apocalypse spoof revolving around paintball.
The paintball episode will probably be the directorial highlight of Justin Lin's career.
I admit I haven't really given Community a chance because of Chevy's douchebaggery. It really makes it hard for me to enjoy most things he's in. It shouldn't, but it does.
I've been a Parks fan since it came on. A familiar story, I'm sure. Started watching 'cause of Poehler. Stuck with it because of Poehler even though the first season was lackluster. Was VINDICATED when season two kicked all sorts of ass after they fired that boring dude and punched things up writing-wise. Each character is so unique and heartening. Even the one Aziz plays. Mustache-dude and Mullally (whe she guest stars -- four Ls looks so wrong!) are a trip and three-quarters. Names are failing me now, but my DVR never does for this show. Nope.
The episodes manage to be funny and often poignant, and dammit, I really have to learn the names. Yes. Pratt and the hot chick. The newlyweds. Their having to clean the apartment. Great ep about them not wanting to grow up just yet. The camping one was great, too. I liked Lowe in West Wing, and I loved otherguy in Boy Meets World back in the day when he was BigBadBully take 2. But I don't know how I feel about the new fellows other than that. I think the cast as is is just fine, and I don't know if he's a match for Leslie.
Quote from: ddiggler on April 17, 2011, 04:51:19 PM
The paintball episode will probably be the directorial highlight of Justin Lin's career.
I think I saw an add for a follow-up paintball episode.
hot chick = Aubrey Plaza
look up her late night tv interviews. they're pretty funny. i know she was on Leno and Lopez. maybe Fallon, too.
she's great, I love her. I like how naturally she stays in an awkward moment with one look of those crazy eyes of hers. Her eyes are crazy. She's got those eyes you could still see in a pitch dark room. Like a cartoon.
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Quote from: Reelist on May 04, 2011, 07:44:57 PM
she's great, I love her. I like how naturally she stays in an awkward moment with one look of those crazy eyes of hers. Her eyes are crazy. She's got those eyes you could still see in a pitch dark room. Like a cartoon.
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She was on one the other day again with a P&R clip. Steven Tyler kept making passes at her.
Someone tell me how late night TV works - do they always do a pre-show interview where they set up potential jokes?
Community had Part 1 of a new Paintball episode Thursday. I thought Alison Brie might have played up to a potential Tarentino film role soon.
Quote from: bigideas on May 08, 2011, 08:07:36 PM
Someone tell me how late night TV works - do they always do a pre-show interview where they set up potential jokes?
watch the Larry Sanders show
(yes.)
WHY doesn't Community have its own page???
I know, I know, they do lots of derivative movie stuff and meta-humor, but the writing is impeccably funny, the characters keep flowing within the oddball plots and it's one of the best-looking shows on television considering cinematography. They pack in so much per episode that it shows the you know its creators are firing on all four cylinders. They're not afraid to take chances and will even end their season on a downbeat as exemplified in Season 2. I'm probably biased because I was following the show's creator Dan Harmon back in the heyday of Channel101.com, but I must admit, this show uses the Television medium to it's greatest advantage and is in a league of its own when it comes to comedy.
Just some food for thought to my fellow Xixaxers.
Quote from: AntiDumbFrogQuestion on May 14, 2011, 09:46:35 AM
WHY doesn't Community have its own page???
to be fair, this started as a Parks and Rec thread.
Thread title changed.
Why not just split it? Thursday's episodes of Parks were great, and it at least is good enough for its own thread.
the two-part community paintball episode wasn't as good. it was like battle royale and battle royale ii.
the first paintball thing worked because how seriously it took itself and how unbelievably they pulled off something that was at once about paintball but with all the right beats and cues from an overwrought action movie. it used paintball as a metaphor to comically dramatize how badly everyone wants priority registration at a community college, amongst other motifs and jokes. but the point was that it took something very silly and blew it out of proportion.
the second one had much more of a story involving paintball itself - it was more literal I guess? so the joke became not as funny because the whole show was just about players playing paintball.
HOWEVER, that being said, I laughed really loud when Abed saw Annie running off and said "she's kinda awesome today."
Quote from: ono on May 14, 2011, 01:42:26 PM
Why not just split it? Thursday's episodes of Parks were great, and it at least is good enough for its own thread.
If it gets rid of this silly thread title, DO IT.
I feel like we've created a sufficiently crucial narrative that would preclude splitting the thread.
They're both watchable and overrated. They share a thread!
Mod just jumped the shark with that opinion.
Quote from: modage on May 14, 2011, 10:33:29 PM
They're both watchable and overrated. They share a thread!
I would have made this Arrested in the Development of Parks and Community Recreation in that case
These shows wish they were AD.
Quote from: modage on May 14, 2011, 10:42:38 PM
These shows wish they were AD.
I'm actually an AD fan myself, but I just don't get the over-love of it. Same with "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia": I like that these comedies are taking chances and breaking moulds to an extent, but in the end they're just ridiculous. And although I don't actually think the shows are overrated, I definitely think many AD fans are known to hype the show up to a status that makes it the know-all-end-all of comedies. I really think
P&R and
Community have those same kind of loving cultist fans, and that base can only grow. It's not like "Modern Family" or "The Middle" where Mom can watch it in the middle of the week and be like "That was cute! Well, off to bed."
Mod's acting like ThePlaylist!
But he's right. AD >> these shows.
Why do comedies have to compete with each other? I like all of these shows, why do I have to put them in a pissing contest? I think we can all agree we're living in a golden age of TV comedy. If you can take a show like Parks and Rec and call it overrated then you are pretty spoiled.
While we're on the subject, who's overrating these shows anyway? Last I checked, garbage like Big Bang Theory and reruns of Two and a Half Men were still killing them in the ratings.
Quote from: ddiggler on May 14, 2011, 11:53:36 PMWhile we're on the subject, who's overrating these shows anyway? Last I checked, garbage like Big Bang Theory and reruns of Two and a Half Men were still killing them in the ratings.
Also, why does Bones have any viewers at all?
Quote from: ddiggler on May 14, 2011, 11:53:36 PM
garbage like Big Bang Theory
I like this show.
Why shouldn't I?
You should. Nothing wrong with it at all. The Big Bang Theory is a solid show. Pilot was a little clunky (but so was the Veronica Mars pilot). But all-in-all it's one of the few traditional sitcoms on TV that's popular and worthwhile. How I Met Your Mother falls into this category too (save the yutz of a protagonist -- nah, I'm there for the great supporting cast on that one).
Quote from: ddiggler on May 14, 2011, 11:53:36 PM
If you can take a show like Parks and Rec and call it overrated then you are pretty spoiled.
Yeah I think I am. I can't figure it out other than to say that a TV show requires an insane amount of time invested to keep up with it. Unlike a movie (mediocre/bad/guiltypleasure) it's 2 hours and you're done but a TV show can be 20, 40 etc. hours of time and now in the age of DVR/DVD/streaming/downloading I only want to watch something if I love it. I've seen an inordinate amount of praise for both Parks and Community and they're both perfectly fine/above average sitcoms with extremely likable casts and clever writing. But they're nothing special. It may be the best that's on right now, but that just proves we're not in any comedy golden age. I have little/no patience for sitcoms.
My favorite comedies right now are Peep Show and Children's Hospital.
How is Peep Show not a sitcom?
I love Childrens Hospital as well, I think the new season is starting soon? THAT'S an ensemble.
http://www.avclub.com/articles/dan-harmon-walks-us-through-communitys-second-seas,57085/1/ (http://www.avclub.com/articles/dan-harmon-walks-us-through-communitys-second-seas,57085/1/)
This is an epic, four-part interview with Community creator Dan Harmon, breaking down the second season episode by episode. It's funny, informative, and brutally honest, to an extent that you wouldn't expect from a show-runner talking about his still-running show. I think Harmon internalizes the creative process of his show more than just about anyone in television, and it's fascinating holding a spyglass up to it.
I'm with you. I like reading these more than I like watching his show. It's hard for me to figure out how he can be so smart but the show is so meh.
Quote from: RegularKarate on April 15, 2011, 04:54:23 PM
You guys are watching Community wrong.
It's like the Simpsons. It's so fucking smart and quick. Next season you'll be pretending you liked it the whole time.
love this description, RK. i'm on the third episode and it's all been good.
The title was annoying me. I changed it back.
Quote from: polkablues on June 10, 2011, 06:26:41 PM
http://www.avclub.com/articles/dan-harmon-walks-us-through-communitys-second-seas,57085/1/ (http://www.avclub.com/articles/dan-harmon-walks-us-through-communitys-second-seas,57085/1/)
This is an epic, four-part interview with Community creator Dan Harmon, breaking down the second season episode by episode. It's funny, informative, and brutally honest, to an extent that you wouldn't expect from a show-runner talking about his still-running show. I think Harmon internalizes the creative process of his show more than just about anyone in television, and it's fascinating holding a spyglass up to it.
I had to read these articles Twice so far because you know they're transcriptions of audio from the informal nature of the syntax. I really, really, really like the Channel101 comedy that Dan Harmon & Rob Schrab & others put out there, so I'm always in full support of this show, but it's SO strange to read Harmon talk trash about his creation and talks up everyone on the staff as amazing except himself. Especially such an upbeat silly show!
Guess it goes to show you that sometimes comedy can be harder than drama, and it's pretty great to see such passion put into a damn sitcom. Especially a show the head cinephiles on this site are so "meh" about.
Hope he enjoys drinking less out of guilt and more out of celebration if Season 3 goes well.
Parks and Recreation is back, and it's just SO GOOD. The characters are now at a point where they're fully-fleshed, and it's a joy to see them interact. April and Andy. Jerry (with the biggest dick ever). Ron, growing a full beard in a day. I love it. Please split this from Community. *shudder*
Quote from: Jeremy Blackman on May 14, 2011, 02:22:29 PM
I feel like we've created a sufficiently crucial narrative that would preclude splitting the thread.
no one else is onboard with OMAR from the wire being a regular on community?
At first I liked the idea of his character more than how the character actually worked, but this last episode was great. The LEGO speech, his casual takedown of Magnitude, "We had a name for groups like you in prison... the mean clique." It was all gold.
So NO remarks yet on "Remedial Chaos Theory."
No surprise for Xixax to hate on this show & not even take note of the incomparable editing and non-linear storytelling techniques used to make a pretty dense half hour of television come to life.
Malcolm in the Middle did a pretty good Sliding Doors episode back in the day, and I don't even like that show that much now, but know that it was GOOD.
I agree with your opinion on Community.
I do not agree with your opinion of Xixax.
Everyone should be watching both Parks&Rec and Community.
Quote from: AntiDumbFrogQuestion on October 18, 2011, 11:27:36 PM
No surprise for Xixax to hate on this show
haha xixax doesn't hate Community. xixax is just being misrepresented by ono when he says that Parks and Rec is "SO GOOD". it is not.
Community is one of a few current shows i am nuts about (along with Bobs Burgers when it comes back and Breaking Bad which i am catching up to) so as part of xixax i can tell you that there is no basis for this "hate" perception. i guess that's just something you like to think.
but even as a huge Community fan i have to disagree with everyone who is praising the last episode, it felt like filler. the multiple story arcs didn't even feel that clever, it seems ppl are just latching on to that gimmick because it makes it easy to demonstrate the uniqueness of the show but it is probably the least interesting/successful gimmick the show has employed. it is nowhere near as clever as the stop motion xmas gimmick they did a while back, that was one of the best episodes of TV this decade.
i'll have to see how the rest of the season deals with the multiple universes (a similar idea that was touched on brilliantly in the parallel model UN conventions) to judge whether it was a huge waste of time or not. it just felt like they had a premise they wanted to work on, that troy and abed moved in and there was a party, and nowhere to go from there. i suspect that's the only element of the episode that will carry through to the rest of the season.
Quote from: Pubrick on October 19, 2011, 12:17:12 AM
Quote from: AntiDumbFrogQuestion on October 18, 2011, 11:27:36 PM
No surprise for Xixax to hate on this show
haha xixax doesn't hate Community. xixax is just being misrepresented by ono when he says that Parks and Rec is "SO GOOD". it is not.
also, things will be misrepresented when two completely different shows share the same thread for no apparent reason.
future thread ideas:
conan / arsenio
Magnolia / Wedding Crashers
anything good / Parks and Recreation
hi/bye again.
This text conversation was the origin of the multiple timelines episode:
http://twitpic.com/70szy5
I enjoy Parks and Rec a lot, it reminds me of early Simpsons. They built a town and are slowly populating it with cartoonish yet likeable characters. They even have their own Shelbyville with Eagleton, and Dan Castellenata made a hilarious one scene cameo as a radio host. It started off as a riff on the office but I think it's become a much stronger show and developed their characters to be more likeable. Community is more ambitious and memorable but I just laugh more at Parks and Rec.
really? what about annie moving in?
I liked the concept, but I thought that episode was very, and I'm using this in the correct context, "skit like." Brita about to sing and getting cut off by Jeff and then saying bathroom right after - really stale and awkward interaction, all over the episode. the set ups should be better.
but I liked it.
I like the show.
Quote from: Tictacbk on October 18, 2011, 11:52:46 PM
I agree with your opinion on Community.
I do not agree with your opinion of Xixax.
Everyone should be watching both Parks&Rec and Community.
I've been on Xixax for over 5 years now and as soon as I became a fan of Community I looked up it's thread. Then when I asked why they had to share a thread the common response was that they are both mediocre shows. In fact, a couple pages ago a poster mentioned Community followed by this: *shudder*
for those of us who support both shows, GREAT. and for those of us who Like one show and Dislike the other, it seems odd to keep them together. I suppose it's been long enough with them in the same thread and the admins don't see any point in changing that, but it's kind of unfair for those of us with differing opinions on the shows.
Just to say, my opinion does not cover all of Xixax, yet it does bring to light the common responses associated when I brought up Community here within the last year.
I personally just got hooked to Parks & Recreation, so I'm not supporting one over the other.
I love Parks & Rec as well as Community. It's light-hearted, entertaining fun for when I'm not looking for something doused in tension and drama and just looking for chuckles. Those who would rather spout their 'entertainment choice superiority,' I would feel are taking everything too seriously and as a result end up losing more than gaining.
I don't care, just please don't put "/Whitney."
So, basically, Community got bumped from the mid-season and its fans (myself definitely included) are concerned over nothing less than it's cancellation. Lots of people are using Arrested Development as a compass point for this development. 2.5 Seasons, then they shift it around, then it's gone?
(ok, minus the fantastic news about that series' return)
We all got a bit overzealous, but as Dan Harmon said on his Twitter: "Don't worry. Just enjoy {the show}."
So the rallying cry of "SIX SEASONS AND A MOVIE!" actually translates to FOUR SEASONS, that's all that fans want of the show at the least. A logical ending to the idea of a "4 years at college". Like the show or not, I hope this show can go and end right there. We don't need 8 seasons of "The Office". I enjoy "Parks & Rec" and see maybe 1 or 2 more seasons in it.
Then, after the 4th season wraps, maybe "Heat Vision and Jack" will come back.
*crosses fingers*
http://www.avclub.com/articles/ratings-roundup-five-reasons-community-could-see-s,65685/
Really good AV Club article about why Community is still more likely than not to get at least a fourth season. Maybe I'm just hearing what I want to hear, but it seems like there are some good points.
Community's high concept episodes are just turning into parodies. simpsons kept it classy and only did one or two a year. Every other community episode is a parody, and the show is just not set up to do that.
other news - did everyone catch Omar's Wire reference on tonight's episode?
I don't actually watch Community, but last night I watched the A Day In The Life (http://www.hulu.com/a-day-in-the-life) episode featuring Joel McHale. Most of it is obviously on the set of Community. (FYI, if you like ADITL I highly recommend both the Tim Ferriss and Richard Branson eps).
Quote from: pete on April 27, 2012, 04:07:36 AM
Community's high concept episodes are just turning into parodies. simpsons kept it classy and only did one or two a year. Every other community episode is a parody, and the show is just not set up to do that.
other news - did everyone catch Omar's Wire reference on tonight's episode?
I am starting to agree. I think that because people abandoned Community because it felt too cartoonish, they may have felt that they really had to push the cartoonishness and there has been WAY too much parody stuff. It's as if News Radio were to do a parody episode every episode instead of once per season (making them much more entertaining).
Quote from: pete on April 27, 2012, 04:07:36 AM
Community's high concept episodes are just turning into parodies. simpsons kept it classy and only did one or two a year. Every other community episode is a parody, and the show is just not set up to do that.
other news - did everyone catch Omar's Wire reference on tonight's episode?
This season they've done a fraction of concept eps (depends on your opinion of the concept episode). The most obvious send-ups they did were "Law & Order" and one that was Ken Burns' Civil War documentary. They did a "Glee" Episode and one wherein they repeated the same sequence with different results. They also did one where Abed and Annie pretend in their Dreamatorium which kind of goes into a few spoof-ish ideas.
Sure, they have the little excursions into parody, like where Jeff & Shirley get mad over playing foosball and temporarily become Anime, but otherwise this has been a pretty straightforward season. And each of those send-up episodes ties into character and, in some cases, plot advancement.
So as much as I've heard people are turned off by "every other episode being a parody", I'd like to point out that I've referenced 5 episodes out of a 24-episode season, which is a little more than 1/5 of the run this year.
I'm not saying you have to LIKE the show, but you need to be able to back up your arguments in a more specific manner IMO.
hey!
Parks & Rec season 4 is over. What did everyone think?
I don't need to back shit up nyah. but I will and I will blow off work for a few minutes because this is the board and I'm a committed man.
first of all - five high concept episodes out of a season is a lot. season one had that paintball one. the simpsons had maybe one per season when they were good as well.
they have the alternate reality one, a noir one, the horror parodies, mockumentary about the dean's ad, the civil war one, the law and order one, and last week just did a parody of flashback episodes that sitcoms used to do. and it wasn't out of twenty five episodes, it was out of 19 that have aired so far. 7 out of 19, that's almost half. that's my back up you faggot baby cunt, now stop being so condescending so I can go back to work, you stupid stupid jew.
Quote from: AntiDumbFrogQuestion on May 14, 2012, 09:31:29 AM
This season they've done a fraction of concept eps (depends on your opinion of the concept episode). The most obvious send-ups they did were "Law & Order" and one that was Ken Burns' Civil War documentary. They did a "Glee" Episode and one wherein they repeated the same sequence with different results. They also did one where Abed and Annie pretend in their Dreamatorium which kind of goes into a few spoof-ish ideas.
Sure, they have the little excursions into parody, like where Jeff & Shirley get mad over playing foosball and temporarily become Anime, but otherwise this has been a pretty straightforward season. And each of those send-up episodes ties into character and, in some cases, plot advancement.
So as much as I've heard people are turned off by "every other episode being a parody", I'd like to point out that I've referenced 5 episodes out of a 24-episode season, which is a little more than 1/5 of the run this year.
I'm not saying you have to LIKE the show, but you need to be able to back up your arguments in a more specific manner IMO.
Quote from: AntiDumbFrogQuestion on May 14, 2012, 09:32:25 AM
hey!
Parks & Rec season 4 is over. What did everyone think?
I loved it. It's amazing how the show has created this whole history behind this town and this people to make it feel like a real place. These people live here, and have traditions, and inside jokes, and lifes, and loves. It's all so very real, and genuine, and heartwarming, and most importantly, humorous in a way that makes people feel good. It's such a happy show. Each character brings their own brand of happiness to the mix, their own thing that they can do to color the world they live in. And they all love Leslie and came together to support her and help her achieve her goal. Seeing Donna hug and comfort April after she was worried she lost some important files, and then having Donna bring Andy in for the hug too just underlined how fleshed out these characters are. When even Donna, such an underused minor character can help to cement these characters personalities and relationships, it's something special. It goes double for the episode a few weeks prior where she teared up at Andy's reenactments of different movies.
Quote from: pete on May 14, 2012, 11:40:01 AM
that's my back up you faggot baby cunt, now stop being so condescending so I can go back to work, you stupid stupid jew.
hey you just offended babies EVERYWHERE!
I'm sure the gays, jews, or gay jews on this board appreciate your words though.
In actuality, I'm sorry if that upset you man. I was just trying to write reasonably about a show that I really like. And you're right, those were concept episodes I just didn't consider them as heavily contained when it came to being strictly spoofs.
That's a pretty good job backing yourself up and I respect it. You explained what alienated you, then I said you probably needed to say more, and you did, and that's actually helpful to give a person like myself perspective on what could make a stronger show.
I'm certainly surprised that someone on this board, committed as you are, had to stoop low to just vulgarity though. I've been on this board for nearly a decade (all starting with a link from CigarettesAndRedVines.com) and don't think I've ever had to experience that kind of blatant attack. I mean, was I really that bold in stating my opinion that I was trying to be hurtful towards you or anyone that doesn't see things the way I do? Was I actually being condescending? If that was the case, apologies, because I didn't mean to be, and never mean to stir up arguments in person or on the internet.
Did Pete actually write that post? Was he attempting to be meta/ironic/satirical? Members have been banned for behaving like that... I'm just confused that Pete posted it. I have to assume he wasn't being serious.
hmm, yeah, instead of "but you need to be able to back up your arguments in a more specific manner IMO" I should have said "it would be great if you could be more specific about what bothers you about it." it does come off as a bit condescending. like I said before, sorry.
as for Parks & Rec, I couldn't agree more with you Ono!
it kind of reminds me of "The Simpsons" with the Pawnee community grows like it does. I especially liked that, even up to the end, Paul Rudd's Bobby Newport was a well-meaning flake with lots of money, and was still a sweet guy (no pun intended). His demeanor made me think "What if for some reason Leslie had to go up against Andy over a political rivalry?"
No idea where they could go next season, but they've just gone uphill since the 1st season ended.
I'll apologize for the outburst or whatever. at no point was I serious or angry or anything. it was just easier to sound that way than anything else at the moment.
(though - now that I think of it - that's a bit ridiculous for a board to be okay with cunt but not faggot or jew, especially all thrown out in the same manner.)
Heh, well, we don't have any formal rules against certain words. We haven't needed anything like that in a long long time.
Quote from: pete on May 14, 2012, 06:36:09 PM
(though - now that I think of it - that's a bit ridiculous for a board to be okay with cunt but not faggot or jew, especially all thrown out in the same manner.)
Yeah, well, being a 'cunt' isn't gender, race, or orientation specific...anyone can be one of cunt if they so choose the path.
i came here to talk about this show jumping the shark, not pete jumping the shark. sheesh!
i think pete was either operating on a level few of us can fathom.. or he was being a dumb cunt.
it's all good, we know he's a mad cunt.
I could tell Pete was kidding, I think he just forgot to frame it in a way that made it a little more obvious that he was kidding. It was like the end of a Louis CK joke without the beginning of a Louis CK joke.
Also, I still like Community, but it's started to go too far with the parody shit.
Also, Parks and Rec and community could join forces, cut out the fat, and become the new Simpsons. I know it won't happen, but it would be fun (for a few seasons).
Quote from: RegularKarate on May 15, 2012, 11:20:46 AMAlso, Parks and Rec and community could join forces, cut out the fat, and become the new Simpsons. I know it won't happen, but it would be fun (for a few seasons).
They could all go to work there when they graduate.
I like the gentle rebuking all of you have bestowed on me. thank you for bringing me back.
I'm always gentle.
I actually thought the most recent Community episode was the funniest of the season. You reference the Simpsons in saying that they limited their parodies to one episode a season, but every Simpsons episode (at least in it's prime) contained countless references and spoofs (Knightboat anyone?). Just because the overall storyline of an episode isn't a parody doesn't mean there aren't parodies within it. The last Community episode even had a "Time Enough At Last" sendup. I think the meta commentary of all things relating to nerd culture is what the show is, so the parodies don't bother me.
Parks and Rec finale was sweet. Amy Pohler is becoming quite an actress.
I don't see it that way - I see a show that's pretty bored with its characters and their stories that is fighting to get out of it any way it can. The Office (US) went through something like that in season three where every episode was a field trip outside of the office because the writers just didn't care about the office anymore. Simpsons at its prime - though packed with satires and hip references - was still a show about an American family in an American town, and the show became kinda soulless in the early 2000s when it had no more jokes that were related to that premise.
I see it more as desperation than boredom. They are making all the stunt episodes in hopes to draw attention outside the normal viewership... "The Dr. Who Episode" or "The Law and Order Episode"... it's leaves the characters a little in the dust when they do that.
I disagree about the finale being that good. I laughed a few times, but it was inconsistent and didn't feel like a finale. The pacing was way off and it was just a bunch of gags with a stupid twist thrown in.
I would think that the stunt episodes actually leave out more viewers, as doctor who and parodies probably draw in less people since they have no idea what the show's premise is?
Quote from: RegularKarate on May 16, 2012, 11:37:53 AM
I disagree about the finale being that good. I laughed a few times, but it was inconsistent and didn't feel like a finale. The pacing was way off and it was just a bunch of gags with a stupid twist thrown in.
Are you talking about Parks and Rec? The Community finale hasn't happened yet.
I don't really care whether Community pulls in viewers or not, it speaks to me, and I was pretty meh on the show at first. I think the comedic pacing of the show has gotten much better.
Quote from: ddiggler on May 16, 2012, 12:38:48 PM
The Community finale hasn't happened yet.
Hah...this is why it didn't feel like a finale. It WASN'T. I was so into Community last season and the beginning of this one, but it dropped the ball enough to where I'm not paying enough attention to even know if the fucking season is over.
I liked the Parks finale a lot.
Well! All I can say about Community's season finale is that it followed through with what Dan Harmon said about wanting this season to be like The Wire in some sense.
This was such a scattered season with so much insanity that didn't seem to connect, but I'm going to give it a B+ for effort. Hopefully season 4 will be streamlined and less distracted by thoughts of cancellation.
Welp, Dan Harmon got fired.
Quote from: Tictacbk on May 19, 2012, 01:15:39 AM
Welp, Dan Harmon got fired.
hah! well, it was a fight for the show and showrunner as a package deal for most, and the person willing to take the most risks on the show is gone now. hope for a good last season, don't hold any high expectations.
I'm sure most of you who care about Community have already read this because you're familiar with how the internet works, but here is what Dan Harmon had to say about his "exit":
http://danharmon.tumblr.com/post/23339272200/hey-did-i-miss-anything (http://danharmon.tumblr.com/post/23339272200/hey-did-i-miss-anything)
Quote from: Dan Harmon
A few hours ago, I landed in Los Angeles, turned on my phone, and confirmed what you already know. Sony Pictures Television is replacing me as showrunner on Community, with two seasoned fellows that I'm sure are quite nice - actually, I have it on good authority they're quite nice, because they once created a show and cast my good friend Jeff Davis on it, so how bad can they be.
Why'd Sony want me gone? I can't answer that because I've been in as much contact with them as you have. They literally haven't called me since the season four pickup, so their reasons for replacing me are clearly none of my business. Community is their property, I only own ten percent of it, and I kind of don't want to hear what their complaints are because I'm sure it would hurt my feelings even more now that I'd be listening for free.
I do want to correct a couple points of spin, now that I'm free to do so:
The important one is this quote from Bob Greenblatt in which he says he's sure I'm going to be involved somehow, something like that. That's a misquote. I think he meant to say he's sure cookies are yummy, because he's never called me once in the entire duration of his employment at NBC. He didn't call me to say he was starting to work there, he didn't call me to say I was no longer working there and he definitely didn't call to ask if I was going to be involved. I'm not saying it's wrong for him to have bigger fish to fry, I'm just saying, NBC is not a credible source of All News Dan Harmon.
You may have read that I am technically "signed on," by default, to be an executive consulting something or other - which is a relatively standard protective clause for a creator in my position. Guys like me can't actually just be shot and left in a ditch by Skynet, we're still allowed to have a title on the things we create and "help out," like, I guess sharpening pencils and stuff.
However, if I actually chose to go to the office, I wouldn't have any power there. Nobody would have to do anything I said, ever. I would be "offering" thoughts on other people's scripts, not allowed to rewrite them, not allowed to ask anyone else to rewrite them, not allowed to say whether a single joke was funny or go near the edit bay, etc. It's....not really the way the previous episodes got done. I was what you might call a....hands on producer. Are my....periods giving this enough....pointedness? I'm not saying you can't make a good version of Community without me, but I am definitely saying that you can't make my version of it unless I have the option of saying "it has to be like this or I quit" roughly 8 times a day.
The same contract also gives me the same salary and title if I spend all day masturbating and playing Prototype 2. And before you ask yourself what you would do in my situation: buy Prototype 2. It's fucking great.
Because Prototype 2 is great, and because nobody called me, and then started hiring people to run the show, I had my assistant start packing up my office days ago. I'm sorry. I'm not saying seasons 1, 2 and 3 were my definition of perfect television, I'm just saying that whatever they're going to do for season 4, they're aiming to do without my help. So do not believe anyone that tells you on Monday that I quit or diminished my role so I could spend more time with my loved ones, or that I negotiated and we couldn't come to an agreement, etc. It couldn't be less true because, just to make this clear, literally nobody called me. Also don't believe anyone that says I have sex with animals. And if there's a photo of me doing it with an animal - I'm not saying one exists, I'm just saying, if one surfaces - it's a fake. Look at the shadow. Why would it be in front of the giraffe if the sun is behind the jeep?
Where was I? Oh yeah. I'm not running Community for season 4. They replaced me. Them's the facts.
When I was a kid, sometimes I'd run home to Mommy with a bloody nose and say, "Mom, my friends beat me up," and my Mom would say "well then they're not worth having as friends, are they?" At the time, I figured she was just trying to put a postive spin on having birthed an unpopular pussy. But this is, after all, the same lady that bought me my first typewriter. Then later, a Commodore 64. And later, a 300 baud modem for it. Through which I met new friends that did like me much, much more.
I'm 39, now. The friends my Mom warned me about are bigger now, and older, bloodying my nose with old world numbers, and old world tactics, like, oh, I don't know, sending out press releases to TV Guide at 7pm on a Friday.
But my Commodore 64 is mobile now, like yours, and the modems are invisible, and the internet is the air all around us. And the good friends, the real friends, are finding each other, and connecting with each other, and my Mom is turning out to be more right than ever.
Ah, shit, I still haven't called my fucking Mom.
Mom, Happy Mother's Day. I got fired.
Yes, Mom. AGAIN.
I think he's gonna be like joss whedon or apatow and find greener pastures in films and cable networks. he was fighting an uphill battle to somehow find 10 million people informed enough to get his references every week. there are a few reference-heavy comedies out there where you don't necessarily have to understand the references to laugh (like midnight in paris or arrested development), but community definitely isn't one of them.
Goodbye good NBC comedies...
"We're in a transition with our comedy programming and trying to broaden the audience and broaden what network does," NBC entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt told critics at the Television Critics Association's press tour in Beverly Hills on Tuesday. "Those Thursday comedies, which the critics love and we love, tend to be a bit more narrow than we'd ultimately like as we go forward."
http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/07/24/nbc-defends-community/ (http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/07/24/nbc-defends-community/)
Quote from: Tictacbk on July 24, 2012, 04:21:33 PM
"Those Thursday comedies, which the critics love and we love, tend to be a bit more narrow than we'd ultimately like as we go forward."
http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/07/24/nbc-defends-community/ (http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/07/24/nbc-defends-community/)
idiot.
The problem is that networks and advertisers still put way too much stock in Nielsen ratings. The way that young people with buying power watch tv has changed. On average, we don't watch shows as they air anymore; we DVR them, we watch them on Hulu, we wait until the season's over and buy the DVDs. NBC is really shooting themselves in the foot by going after the CBS audience, which is growing closer to death with each tick of the clock. A much smarter move would be to embrace their status and expand on it, bringing in more creative and risky shows, and striking better DVD and online deals so that they can be profitable for the network even without NCIS Nielsen ratings.
I admit I never did give Community a fair chance before. I saw one episode early on that employed Aimee Mann's Wise Up. It was okay. Apparently it's been the backdrop of many a cliche, earnest movie montage -- since when? Anyway, I didn't like the douchebaggery of Chevy Chase and felt that it would carry over and ruin my enjoyment of the show. Besides, I still had P&R and 30 Rock was still good back then.
Anyway, I decided to give it another chance, and am loving it. One of the more unique shows on TV. Abed is my hero. I'm right now in the middle of S2E09, the one with the massive pillow/blanket fort and conspiracy theory professor. Brilliant. Invoking nostalgia and wonder all at once. During the chase, Troy and Abed come across Britta while searching for the Turkish district, and a few notes from the Eyes Wide Shut theme play as she's lounging back as if straight out of a scene from the orgy. Wonderful.
Parks and Recreation is still my favorite comedy right now. It has heart in addition to humor. But this and Louie are up there I tell ya.
Too bad Harmon's out. I look forward to season 3, to reading the article on his thoughts on season 2, and dread what may come of season 4.
Dan Harmon finally confirmed on Twitter that he's back on the show.
I'm not one of those who thought season four was a disaster, but it's an objectively better show with him than without him, so this is fantastic news. He always seemed to be the arbiter of the show's big picture, in terms of the overall arcs of the characters, and the biggest issue with season four was definitely that the characters often didn't feel like the same people they had spent three seasons developing into. I look forward to them getting back on track.
Community is back~!
I had mixed feelings about S4. Seems like no one here had much of any feeling, which is understandable. With Harmon's return, this should change.
Harmon is back with Re-Pilot, and the second of 13 episodes. The pilot was a bit dark in multiple ways. I thought even though this was the best way Harmon could keep all these people around, it was a bit contrived. Though Jeff's faux turn was believably dark and he had me going until the moment he went to the dean and told him just how disappointed everyone was in Greendale.
The second episode was much better. They had to get the first one out of the way for this to work. Loved the Faculty Lounge, and Jonathan Banks is great in his new role as a foil to Jeff. "It's one duck, his name is Jim, and publishers are interested!" Abed's impression of Nic Cage is an instant classic moment. Love how they dissected his career, though I don't think you can put actors on a spectrum, no matter how facetious it may be ("Johnny Depp, the bad kind of good" -- heh).
Yes, the Nic Cage scene was hilarious.
I guess I haven't seen enough Cage movies, because I didn't recognize what movies/lines he was parodying.
I'm pretty sure the imitation was just in the spirit of what Nic Cage would do. Either way, as skeptical as I was, these first couple episodes had the dialogue and kind of jokes that had me back in the mood moreso than season 3 or 4. Seems like the writers or more trusting of their sense of humor because the pressure's off and they get to wrap up their form of a story for the season. Good stuff in that regard.
don't know where to put this, but i had a yard sale the other day.
i went through some ancient boxes and found a book i was given as a present when i was like 8 called 'great clean jokes for kids'.
and the author is 'dan harmon'.
i can't find any information on the book, or of him ever writing books, so i was just curious if any of you interweb geniuses wanna attempt to figure this out.
the book is so incredibly horrible and basically impossible to find any information on, i'm wondering if i have some rare shit he tried to sweep under the rug. because technically it is comedy, so it's not a huge leap to theorize it might be him.
Just name coincidence I guess, this Dan Harmon is coming from Christian community and not Community. Some other books of his: Man of the Bible, 128 Greatest Stories from the Bible, Life After Death... you get the idea.
I went and wrote a whole post with Amazon links and everything, and Mel beat me to the punch. Anyway, I concur.
Quote from: polkablues on March 16, 2014, 07:22:51 PM
I went and wrote a whole post with Amazon links and everything, and Mel beat me to the punch. Anyway, I concur.
+1 for effort.
Yeah, so today it was announced that Community is coming back March 17th on Yahoo! Screen.
https://tv.yahoo.com/blogs/tv-news/-community--cast-announces-premiere-date-162306410.html
Double-episode premiere, then one episode every week after, for the 13-episode run. Very excited about that.
Also, Parks and Rec premiered its final season tonight with a two parter which toed the line between vintage P&R and flash forward frenzy, setting itself three years in the future (well, two now, actually). Werner Herzog cameoed in a quite apt part, too, so it's well worth checking out just for that.
My first introduction to Herzog was "Incident at Loch Ness", so my first impressions of him were "what a good sport". He continues to be a good sport.
Herzog acting is one of my great joys in life. If he and David Lynch ever acted in something alongside each other I wouldn't even be able to handle it.
Strikes me as one of those Jimmy Fallon/Mick Jagger mirror things. Or holding a microphone up to a speaker.
Hung out with some old friends this weekend, watched several classic P&R episodes. This show really does well on repeat viewings. Four episode we watched:
* The Fight - The most iconic shot of the series, I think. Ron dancing while hopped up on Snake Juice.
* Flu Season
* Jerry's Painting
* Woman of the Year
Other great episodes:
* Pawnee Rangers - Ron vs. Leslie in scouts, and Treat Yo' Self!
* London
If I went on I'd name them all.
Parks and Rec's final season has been really good.
This week's penultimate two episodes were out there, and one had a great cameo. They've also been trotting all the greatest supporting characters in every episode. This week Ethel Beavers got her due with the cameo role.
Finale is next week. Sad it's ending, but the time is right.
The Parks and Recreation finale was amazing. Better than any finale I had seen in a long time (Breaking Bad, I'm looking at you).
In other news, here's the Community: Age of Yahoo trailer: https://www.yahoo.com/tv/after-avengers-2-age-of-ultron-perhaps-no-112608507155.html
I don't know how many people here have stuck with Community, but for those who did, the finale was an absolutely perfect emotional capstone to the whole ride. It provided closure without locking any doors behind it. If this is all the Community we're ever going to get, I can live with that now. If "and a movie" ever comes true, all the better.
That finale season, in general, was great. The new characters were good. The episodes had more space to feel like episodes. I didn't care about that new resurrection. Season 5 wasn't great. But Season 6 is one of their best seasons. And, yes, the finale is perfect. And emotional!
I only halfheartedly followed these last two seasons(and skipped season 4) and even then I got choked up near the end. And then that end tag and the Harmon disclaimer. Dream Community finale.