NBC Comedy: The Office, Parks & Recreation, 30 Rock, Community

[jwinslow]

So it's better than the hot garbage that was his ABC flameout? The previews seemed surprisingly similar, but I haven't watched a single minute of the NBC show.

 

[BayBuck]

So it's better than the hot garbage that was his ABC flameout? The previews seemed surprisingly similar, but I haven't watched a single minute of the NBC show.

Oh yeah, it's a lot better than Mr. Sunshine, with its completely stupid premise and generally bad supporting cast. A couple of the women can have their annoying moments, but I really enjoy the Go On cast: John Cho (Harold & Kumar) and Tyler James Williams (Everybody Hates Chris) are good supporting actors. Terrell Owens playing himself as a sports-radio intern in a few episodes has been surprisingly fun.

Mr. K can venture a little into Frank the Tank parody, but he also has moments of greatness:

 

[Muck]

I know I know, it's not a popular opinion on the internet, and I've always been a big Joel fan, but boy I just cannot stand Community.

To be honest if your opinion was so unpopular Community would have higher ratings. I actually view it as more of a niche show and am surprised it's lasted so long. Usually the quirky weird stuff I like (Wonderfalls, Undeclared etc) get canned pretty quick because they don't translate well with the mainstream audience.

I'm just glad we got three good years out of it as it's been my favorite comedy of the past decade (although that could be construed as damning with faint praise). The never ending pop-culture 'in'jokes just work for me. I'm also a huge Donald Glover fan.

Oh and I really want to build a giant blanket fort.

 

[jwinslow]

To be honest if your opinion was so unpopular Community would have higher ratings. I actually view it as more of a niche show and am surprised it's lasted so long. Usually the quirky weird stuff I like (Wonderfalls, Undeclared etc) get canned pretty quick because they don't translate well with the mainstream audience.
.

Actually wired had an article this month detailing that the best rated shows actually have pretty average totals when it comes to viewers.

Now their examples were more watched than community, but overall America likes accessible garbage, not great content.

If only the writers strike never ruined television.

 

[Muck]

Actually wired had an article this month detailing that the best rated shows actually have pretty average totals when it comes to viewers.

I meant Nielsen ratings, not reception by critics.

 

[BayBuck]

To be honest if your opinion was so unpopular Community would have higher ratings. I actually view it as more of a niche show and am surprised it's lasted so long. Usually the quirky weird stuff I like (Wonderfalls, Undeclared etc) get canned pretty quick because they don't translate well with the mainstream audience.

I'm just glad we got three good years out of it as it's been my favorite comedy of the past decade (although that could be construed as damning with faint praise). The never ending pop-culture 'in'jokes just work for me. I'm also a huge Donald Glover fan.

Oh and I really want to build a giant blanket fort.

That's why I said on the internet, where it seems to be held in such hyperbolically high esteem, like Arrested Development was/is, while the ratings never matched the intensity of the message boards and critics. There's a lot about Community I wanted to like, I just never felt a heart beating behind all that cleverness.

 

[jwinslow]

America doesn't have the patience or maturity for Arrested Development. They want two broke girls, eighty five dance and singing contests, just as many physical/social contests, and four variations of every good crime drama.

It is the same reason we regurgitate old movies instead of making new ones. Familiar and simple is more accessible.

Add Freaks and Geeks to the list as well. Community isn't as great as those, but boy does it hit the upper stratosphere when it is on.

 

[exhawg]

America doesn't have the patience or maturity for Arrested Development. They want two broke girls, eighty five dance and singing contests, just as many physical/social contests, and four variations of every good crime drama.

It is the same reason we regurgitate old movies instead of making new ones. Familiar and simple is more accessible.

Add Freaks and Geeks to the list as well. Community isn't as great as those, but boy does it hit the upper stratosphere when it is on.

You forgot Smallville. :p

But really I've been saying for years that everyone that watches shitty reality TV is responsible for the downfall of good new TV. Why spend millions developing an hour drama when you can get twice the ratings for a fraction of the cost with reality. On the bright side the cable networks have picked up the slack.

From what I've heard it's so hard to get money to produce movies now that it's hard to make something original unless it's an indie. If you have a new idea and you aren't James Cameron or Christopher Nolan forget about it. JJ Abrams does a pretty good job on TV, but his most successful movies have been series that he has taken over or reinvented with a Cloverfield or Super 8 sprinkled in.

 

[Merih]

That's why the future is in shows like House of Cards that are online exclusives.

Great show, by the way.

 

[RB07OSU]

America doesn't have the patience or maturity for Arrested Development. They want two broke girls, eighty five dance and singing contests, just as many physical/social contests, and four variations of every good crime drama.

It is the same reason we regurgitate old movies instead of making new ones. Familiar and simple is more accessible.

Add Freaks and Geeks to the list as well. Community isn't as great as those, but boy does it hit the upper stratosphere when it is on.

All of this...I've been saying this for years but you articulated it so much better.

I also agree that I think Arrested Development was "on" a ton more than Community has turned out to be. A lot of the more recent shortcomings I feel were an unsuccessful adaptation to appease the ignorant masses...Arrested Development just subtly hurled insults at people who didn't like the show (and not so subtly in the one episode imploring viewers to tell their friends about the show ). To me, Arrested Development is a show that you need to start from the beginning and watch the tapestries of humor build upon themselves. I can watch the entire series a million times and pick up on new subtle nuances every episode.

As for Community, the last few episodes have been superb. They are now clearly trying to bring back elements of the show that made it so great on the front end...making Pierce the barely palatable racist, "Changnesia" is pure Chang, the classic Leonard and Garrett one-liners, great give-and-take from Troy and Abed, and the Dean whoring the school out to be sponsored by a spin-off potato chip company. I had to watch the last two episodes a few times they were so great. I am going to really miss this show but it has had a great run.

Edit: We all realize Arrested Development is doing a Season 4 on Netflix next month correct? I am besides myself with joy.

 

[RB07OSU]

Oh and Abed abandoning the reception party to start a fraternity called "Delta Cube" just because the Dean said there would be no fraternity at Greendale in passing...pretty epic. Ok, I'm done.

 

[Mac]

The Office tonight was hilarious

Opening scene was awesome

 

[RB07OSU]

That's why I said on the internet, where it seems to be held in such hyperbolically high esteem, like Arrested Development was/is, while the ratings never matched the intensity of the message boards and critics. There's a lot about Community I wanted to like, I just never felt a heart beating behind all that cleverness.

For awhile, I know what you mean...but watch the laste 5 episodes and whether it is death-induced or not, there is finally a heartbeat.

 

[WolverineMike]

The Office tonight was hilarious

Opening scene was awesome

Agreed. I never really thought about what would happen if they actually aired the documentary the were supposedly filming.


This was the best Andy has been in an episode since he took over as manager, in my IMO.



and the girl Dwight is courting is smoking hot. DAMN

 

[jwinslow]

Please be an entire episode of Muppets next week on community :)

For awhile, I know what you mean...but watch the laste 5 episodes and whether it is death-induced or not, there is finally a heartbeat.

When I saw this in BP Spy, I thought you meant the office, which has been true as well.

Recently they have remembered that awkward silence is supposed to be complimented with humor. This week had a number of good moments.