Old Sit Coms and Game Shows

[PRESLEY]

On 07/08/2020 at 07:26, pattricia said:

I also don’t find the modern sitcoms funny. There certainly are not any belly laughs in them like the old sit coms. When I think of , It Ain’t Half Hot, Porridge, On The Buses, etc; they were far superior, and you laughed out loud while watching them. 

I fully agree .   I think there some decent dramas  knocking about tho,  Poldark, line of duty for example but like I mentioned earlier, the so called sit coms  I find unfunny, I think America are in the same boat these days,  they dont  I make gems like Cheers and Taxi  any more infact the Majority of the actors in  Cheers and Taxi all went on to be big Film stars that indicates the quality,  same over here the likes of Porridge Faulty towers and Rising damp,  I cant imagine anyone in todays sit coms  become film stars, 

[ECCOnoob]

1 hour ago, PRESLEY said:

I fully agree .   I think there some decent dramas  knocking about tho,  Poldark, line of duty for example but like I mentioned earlier, the so called sit coms  I find unfunny, I think America are in the same boat these days,  they dont  I make gems like Cheers and Taxi  any more infact the Majority of the actors in  Cheers and Taxi all went on to be big Film stars that indicates the quality,  same over here the likes of Porridge Faulty towers and Rising damp,  I cant imagine anyone in todays sit coms  become film stars, 

Oh really.  Well here is a just a quick selection.....

 

Martin Freeman from the Office

Ricky Gervais from the Office

James Corden from Gavin and Stacey

Olivia Coleman from 2012/Mitchell & Webb/Fleabag

Julia Davis from Nighty Night

Chris O'Dowd/Matt Berry/Richard Ayoade from The IT Crowd

Tasmin Greg from Black Books/Green Wing/Friday Night Dinner

Peter Capaldi from The Thick of It

Joanna Scanlan from Getting On/No Offence

Phoebe Waller-Bridge from Fleabag

Sally Bretton from Not Going Out

 

I think you need to do a little more research.   They are actors.   Whether you personally think that "todays" comedy is not as good as the old days is irrelevant.   If a show is popular enough and the actors well thought of they will get work and advance their careers.   They dont just get cast in these roles by picking a name out of a hat.

 

Over the pond many of the modern day US superstar movie actors will have got their breaks in TV sitcoms.  Chris Pratt is one perfect example as is Mila Kunis and Shia LaBeouf who started his work on the back end of the cable networks in Disney Channel shows.   Even going back to the alleged "glory days" it was sitcoms (good and bad) which gave a platform for people like Tom Hanks, Steve Carrell, George Clooney, Jennifer Anniston and of course the great Robin Williams.

 

I can imagine back then people who weren't fans of Mork and Mindy or Roseanne or Facts of Life or thought Friends was a pile of dung would have also been just as dismissive and critical of such stars.   Didn't mean they weren't talented people who could go and hit the big time.

 

Whilst I admit there are some absolutely timeless classics mostly penned by Ronnie Baker - I never go in for this "its was all better back then" nostalgic nonsense.    On the Buses is awful.   It was back then and is now on repeats.  2 gags repeatedley infinitum across god knows how many seasons.  Even when Reg Varney left they could not get it die and dragged it out for a few more episodes.  Same concept with Mind your Language, Curry and Chips, Are you Being Served, Love Thy Neighbour.....  Its entire premise was hahaha look at the funny foreigner or a bit of pantomime style lusting over some bird with big knockers.

 

Even the 'greats' such as  Two Ronnies, Dave Allen, Morcome and Wise have some elements of their work which really really have not aged well.  In fact for many re-runs entire segments/dialogue has had to be silenced out or cut completely due to its nature. 

 

I'm sure it is a generational thing but one has to concede that times move on.   Just because 'modern' stuff is different does not automatically mean its less quality.    Just because 'modern' stuff has more swearing does not mean its automatically more offensive than the old days.  In fact, compared to some of the subject material from the 70s and 80s the use of the F word or stronger is significantly more acceptable.

Edited August 8, 2020 by ECCOnoob

[pattricia]

1 hour ago, PRESLEY said:

I fully agree .   I think there some decent dramas  knocking about tho,  Poldark, line of duty for example but like I mentioned earlier, the so called sit coms  I find unfunny, I think America are in the same boat these days,  they dont  I make gems like Cheers and Taxi  any more infact the Majority of the actors in  Cheers and Taxi all went on to be big Film stars that indicates the quality,  same over here the likes of Porridge Faulty towers and Rising damp,  I cant imagine anyone in todays sit coms  become film stars, 

They just don’t have the script writers anymore ( with the exception of The Office) They seem afraid of offending viewers. Can you imagine Alf Garnett being acceptable today ?

[PRESLEY]

36 minutes ago, ECCOnoob said:

Oh really.  Well here is a just a quick selection.....

 

Martin Freeman from the Office

Ricky Gervais from the Office

James Corden from Gavin and Stacey

Olivia Coleman from 2012/Mitchell & Webb/Fleabag

Julia Davis from Nighty Night

Chris O'Dowd/Matt Berry/Richard Ayoade from The IT Crowd

Tasmin Greg from Black Books/Green Wing/Friday Night Dinner

Peter Capaldi from The Thick of It

Joanna Scanlan from Getting On/No Offence

Phoebe Waller-Bridge from Fleabag

Sally Bretton from Not Going Out

 

I think you need to do a little more research.   They are actors.   Whether you personally think that "todays" comedy is not as good as the old days is irrelevant.   If a show is popular enough and the actors well thought of they will get work and advance their careers.   They dont just get cast in these roles by picking a name out of a hat.

 

Over the pond many of the modern day US superstar movie actors will have got their breaks in TV sitcoms.  Chris Pratt is one perfect example as is Mila Kunis and Shia LaBeouf who started his work on the back end of the cable networks in Disney Channel shows.   Even going back to the alleged "glory days" it was sitcoms (good and bad) which gave a platform for people like Tom Hanks, Steve Carrell, George Clooney, Jennifer Anniston and of course the great Robin Williams.

 

I can imagine back then people who weren't fans of Mork and Mindy or Roseanne or Facts of Life or thought Friends was a pile of dung would have also been just as dismissive and critical of such stars.   Didn't mean they weren't talented people who could go and hit the big time.

 

Whilst I admit there are some absolutely timeless classics mostly penned by Ronnie Baker - I never go in for this "its was all better back then" nostalgic nonsense.    On the Buses is awful.   It was back then and is now on repeats.  2 gags repeatedley infinitum across god knows how many seasons.  Even when Reg Varney left they could not get it die and dragged it out for a few more episodes.  Same concept with Mind your Language, Curry and Chips, Are you Being Served, Love Thy Neighbour.....  Its entire premise was hahaha look at the funny foreigner or a bit of pantomime style lusting over some bird with big knockers.

 

Even the 'greats' such as  Two Ronnies, Dave Allen, Morcome and Wise have some elements of their work which really really have not aged well.  In fact for many re-runs entire segments/dialogue has had to be silenced out or cut completely due to its nature. 

 

I'm sure it is a generational thing but one has to concede that times move on.   Just because 'modern' stuff is different does not automatically mean its less quality.    Just because 'modern' stuff has more swearing does not mean its automatically more offensive than the old days.  In fact, compared to some of the subject material from the 70s and 80s the use of the F word or stronger is significantly more acceptable.

Apart from Oliva Coleman and Ricky Gervais and Martin Freeman  the rest you mentioned are just one step up from being Extras,  Im on about big stars like Ted Danson, Christopher Llyod, Kirsty Alley, Danny Devito,  by the way the Office is around 20yrs old not one of todays sit coms. 

[ECCOnoob]

2 hours ago, PRESLEY said:

Apart from Oliva Coleman and Ricky Gervais and Martin Freeman  the rest you mentioned are just one step up from being Extras,  Im on about big stars like Ted Danson, Christopher Llyod, Kirsty Alley, Danny Devito,  by the way the Office is around 20yrs old not one of todays sit coms. 

You are doing it again. You are taking your own personal opinion as if it's fact. Just because you have never heard of them does not automatically mean they are not big stars.

 

You declared that ".....don't imagine most modern sitcom actors would become film stars..."   I've given you several examples which counter that position and now you are trying to nitpick about who you recognise and the level of their roles in films.

 

Go and do some research. Take a look at some of your own examples of what you deem big stars - you will find that they didn't exactly have blockbuster movie after blockbuster movie.  Many of those 'big star' actors in between films will do lower level television work or cameo roles or theatre work just like many of the 'modern' sitcom actors do.  Sometimes such roles will be a smash hit, another time they will be a ratings flop.  A big name alone doesn't automatically mean a good programme.  

 

Yes I'm aware that The Office was 20 years ago but given you were harking back to the 'glory days' of sitcoms from from over 40+ years ago - you are not exactly clear in your interpretation  "modern" or "todays" sitcoms.

 

Doesn't this all really boil down to to a load of simplistic......dont like change...... all this youth stuff is rubbish......and everything was better in the old days....

Edited August 8, 2020 by ECCOnoob

[PRESLEY]

44 minutes ago, ECCOnoob said:

You are doing it again. You are taking your own personal opinion as if it's fact. Just because you have never heard of them does not automatically mean they are not big stars.

 

You declared that ".....don't imagine most modern sitcom actors would become film stars..."   I've given you several examples which counter that position and now you are trying to nitpick about who you recognise and the level of their roles in films.

 

Go and do some research. Take a look at some of your own examples of what you deem big stars - you will find that they didn't exactly have blockbuster movie after blockbuster movie.  Many of those 'big star' actors in between films will do lower level television work or cameo roles or theatre work just like many of the 'modern' sitcom actors do.  Sometimes such roles will be a smash hit, another time they will be a ratings flop.  A big name alone doesn't automatically mean a good programme.  

 

Yes I'm aware that The Office was 20 years ago but given you were harking back to the 'glory days' of sitcoms from from over 40+ years ago - you are not exactly clear in your interpretation  "modern" or "todays" sitcoms.

 

Doesn't this all really boil down to to a load of simplistic......dont like change...... all this youth stuff is rubbish......and everything was better in the old days....

Correct!  it is my opinion and to be honest I dont read  most of the drivel in your long winded post,  

Edited August 8, 2020 by PRESLEY

[ECCOnoob]

1 hour ago, PRESLEY said:

Correct!  it is my opinion and to be honest I dont read  most of the drivel in your long winded post,  

Perhaps you should and then you will be able to participate in a reasoned debate without trying to prove a point with silly emojis. 

 

Go and look at every single one of the "big stars" you have listed as an example.  Look at their chronology and the amount of television work, small cameos or other minor roles that they all will do in between the odd major/high profile part.

 

That is how life is for most actors and unlike you, I don't see any distinction between those past big stars and many of the modern sitcom actors that you seem to dismiss.   

 

I've said it before and I'll say again someone's personal taste isn't a factor.  Success is measured in many different ways and with far more objectivity than simply "...I don't like" or "...I've never heard of".

 

Was it really "better" in the old days or is it just that times now are different as are tastes and trends.  

[PRESLEY]

12 minutes ago, ECCOnoob said:

Perhaps you should and then you will be able to participate in a reasoned debate without trying to prove a point with silly emojis. 

 

Go and look at every single one of the "big stars" you have listed as an example.  Look at their chronology and the amount of television work, small cameos or other minor roles that they all will do in between the odd major/high profile part.

 

That is how life is for most actors and unlike you, I don't see any distinction between those past big stars and many of the modern sitcom actors that you seem to dismiss.   

 

I've said it before and I'll say again someone's personal taste isn't a factor.  Success is measured in many different ways and with far more objectivity than simply "...I don't like" or "...I've never heard of".

 

Was it really "better" in the old days or is it just that times now are different as are tastes and trends.  

Look at other post, they tell you  they laughed out loud and belly laughed at the older sit coms but dont at todays, that should tell you something,  the typical attitude of young people today is, if something is before their time they knock it or just simply refuse to accept its existence and think older people dont know anything,   if the cap fits, wear it.  No emojis

[Arnold_Lane]

On 08/08/2020 at 20:17, PRESLEY said:

Look at other post, they tell you  they laughed out loud and belly laughed at the older sit coms but dont at todays, that should tell you something,  the typical attitude of young people today is, if something is before their time they knock it or just simply refuse to accept its existence and think older people dont know anything,   if the cap fits, wear it.  No emojis

Well, that’s not a great reply to EccoNoob.

 

I bet a lot of old people thought The Beatles were rubbish at the time.

 

Maybe old and young people aren’t meant to like the same stuff?

Edited August 26, 2020 by Arnold_Lane

[PRESLEY]

55 minutes ago, Arnold_Lane said:

Well, that’s not a great reply to EccoNoob.

 

I bet a lot of old people thought The Beatles were rubbish at the time.

 

Maybe old and young people aren’t meant to like the same stuff?

Ive never been a  fan of the Beatles , , but I understand what you mean,  ref Ecconoob, no offence intended , just giving my opinion.