Friday's Top Five - TV Comedies

So, here's a feature I haven't done in a while (since the end of January actually). Thought I might resurrect it and reveal yet another five things I really enjoy and the reasons why. Today, we'll be talking about the TV shows that make me laugh the most. Many people who know me know that I prefer the television dramas to the comedies (mainly due to their episodic nature & film-like production quality). Today is not time for that, though. It's time for comedy.

5. "Family Guy" (1999-present)
Now I'll be the first one to admit that I don't laugh at this show nearly as much as I used to. Like so many other shows, it's gotten to a point where it's too much about the shock value and has become very preachy with regard to the political views of series creator Seth MacFarlane. That having been said, the early episodes of this show - particularly the first three seasons - were witty, original, and laugh-out-loud funny (particularly with regard to its unpredictability).

4. "The Simpsons" (1989-present)
Say what you will about the declining quality of this show in recent years (heaven knows I've said plenty), but it is difficult to deny that "The Simpsons" is one of the funniest shows of the last twenty years. Granted, most of their genius was contained to their first six seasons or so, but the brilliance in those seasons is incredible... all culminating the the two-part cliffhanger "Who Shot Mr. Burns?" At this point, I feel the show lost a lot of steam, but it's impossible to overlook its contribution up to that point.

3."The Office" (BBC version; 2001-2003)
In my mind, anyone who references "The Office" and is not talking about the BBC version is not a true "Office" fan. British humor makes the premise of this show work in a way that ceases to be gimmicky or soap opera-esque. The awkwardness of the workers in relation to each other and their boss David Brent is palpable... making it just that much funnier! After watching both seasons of this show and the Holiday Special, I don't think the American version even comes close. Dwight is a pale imitation of Gareth, Pam doesn't hold a candle to Dawn, Jim completely lacks the subtlety of Tim, and Michael Scott is a poor clone of Ricky Gervais' Brent. If you haven't seen this show, do yourself a favor and check it out STAT!

2. "Arrested Development" (2003-2006)
One of the funniest shows of the last decade, "Arrested Development" turned the whole idea of the family sitcom on its head by introducing the completely unrelatable, unlikeable, and utterly dysfunctional Bluth family to the world. Led by the brilliant former child star Jason Bateman with a fabulous supporting cast that includes comedy veterans like Jeffrey Tambor and Jessica Walter (who play Bateman's parents) to relative newcomers Michael Cera and Alia Shawkat (who play literal "kissing cousins"). From the brilliant insular humor to the in-jokes put in just for the fans, this is a prime example of a show that got cancelled long before its time.


1. "Seinfeld" (1990-1998)
From relative obscurity to an American classic, no television comedy has had the long-lasting impact of "Seinfeld". From their changing the way Americans talk, interact, and look at television and pop culture in general, "Seinfeld," unlike many shows that get a lot of hype and praise, actually finds itself worthy and deserving of the accolades. Taking the traditional sitcom and ignoring every and all conventions associated with it, "Seinfeld" was a gamble - something completely new and original... and funny to boot! From the zany antics of Cosmo Kramer to the abrasive absurdity of George Costanza, from the polarizing insanity of Elaine Benes to the harmonizing observation of Jerry Seinfeld, the cast and the jokes just worked for this program, which is why it, more than any other, is deserving of the top spot on this list.

Honorable Mentions: "Saturday Night Live" (1975-present), "Robot Chicken" (2005-present), "Extras" (2005-2007), "Monty Python's Flying Circus" (1969-1974), "That '70s Show" (1998-2006)

So, what are some of your favorite TV comedies?

Emmy Highlights

So, my roommate Brett and I turned on the Primetime Emmys last night (remember when they were just called 'The Emmys' and they didn't have to distinguish from 'Daytime' and 'Primetime'? Ahh... those were the days!) in order to watch the wonder and amazement that was 'the Primetime Emmys'!

...man, was I disappointed...

Some highlights:

• I'm not sure who's decision it was to make the five contestants for 'Best Reality Show Host' the hosts for the show, but whoever they are, they need to be fired. Badly. Worst decision ever! The egos were enormous - I'm amazed they were able to fit Ryan Seacrest ("American Idol") and Howie Mandel ("Deal or No Deal") on the same stage! Tom Bergeron ("Dancing With the Stars") and Jeff Probst ("Survivor") were just awkward, and, though she was gorgeous (as always), Heidi Klum ("Project Runway") contributed nothing. The opening bit ("We have... nothing planned!") was like watching a train wreck and it really didn't get better from there. The best bit with them all night wasn't even theirs, but Jimmy Kimmel's, who played the announcement of the winner like an episode of "American Idol" - announcing that each nominee was "in the final two" and then taking a commercial break right before announcing the winner. When the winner was announced, Kimmel held out a card with the name of the winner - Jeff Probst of "Survivor" - just like on "Survivor".
• Jeremy Piven: "Do you want me to just stand up here and talk for twelve minutes? That was the whole intro!"
  
• Steve Martin showed everyone what true comedic genius really is. Had the Academy just let him (or another funny comedian) host, the show would've been better by far. His honorary award to Dick Smothers was as hilarious as it was heartfelt.
• Ricky Gervais punking on Steve Carrell to hand over the Emmy he won last year (that John Stewart and Stephen Colbert 'awarded' to Carrell as Gervais was in absentia). As a diehard fan of the British "Office," I liked seeing Carrell get his comeuppance at the hands of a better comedian!
• Don Rickles! If you didn't see it, check YouTube or something! Dude had me in stitches all night! Even Kathy Griffin seemed to be losing her composure - which seemed odd.
• Neil Patrick Harris: "Thanks to Howie Mandel's incessant prattling, our bit has been cut."
  Kristen Chenoweth: "Bitter, party of two!"
• Barry Sonnenfeld: "Love television, fear the Internet."
• "John Adams" took home bucco awards! I always feel a small personal victory when Paul Giamatti wins anything, so it was awesome to see him take home "Best Leading Actor in a Miniseries or Made-For-TV Movie"! I also loved the exchange between Sally Field and Tom Hanks when she presented him the award for "Best Miniseries" (Hanks executive produced). It went a little something like this:
  Sally Field: "How you been, son?"
  Tom Hanks: "Fine, Mama. (pause) Mama always said, 'Life...' Ah, forget it!"
• Craig Ferguson: "Brooke... I've always respected you."
  Brooke Shields: "Is that your hand on my @$$?"
  Craig Ferguson: "Yes... and it's respecting you."
• There was a lot of hooplah regarding a "Laugh-In" cast reunion. It was unbearably cheesy! If you didn't used to watch the show, you were pretty much up a creek in terms of understanding what the heck was going on... and a lot of them just weren't as funny as they used to be.
  

All in all, I suppose the show wasn't too bad, but the hosts did drag the proceedings down a bit. Towards the end, presenters were just running out, saying, "We're running out of time! Here are the nominees!" The writer's strike made for a pretty lackluster season, this I know - but, hopefully, with things back to normal, next year will pick up and things will improve dramatically!