TV Bosses Lament 'Dried Up' Comedy Genre
10-29-04, 09:46 AM
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TV Bosses Lament 'Dried Up' Comedy Genre
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...on_networks_dc
Welcome to the party. We've known this for years. Now stop talking about it and act on it.
das
TV Bosses Lament 'Dried Up' Comedy Genre
Fri Oct 29,12:55 AM ET Entertainment - Reuters TV
By Andrew Wallenstein
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The programing chiefs at all six broadcast networks held forth on the sorry state of televised comedy Thursday, blaming a shortage of originality and an abundance of executive meddling.
"I think it's dried up. It's like a prune," said Gail Berman, president of entertainment at Fox Broadcasting Co., who pinpointed her network's own Emmy-winning "Arrested Development" as an exception. "There's nothing new going on."
Berman and her network rivals shared their thoughts at the Hollywood Radio & Television Society's annual Newsmaker luncheon Thursday at the Beverly Hilton.
Kevin Reilly, president of entertainment at NBC, laid the blame on the excessive amount of creative notes scriptwriters are inundated with by network executives.
"I think the process of making sitcoms is smothering creativity," he said. "I think it's a miracle anything gets through."
Dawn Ostroff, president of entertainment at UPN, held up the originality of ABC's new drama hits as examples to emulate on the comedy side.
"We can't be derivative," she said. "Part of what makes 'Desperate Housewives' and 'Lost' is they all started with something that was not on the air."
Improving comedy development was one of many issues addressed during the panel discussion, which was moderated by "Hollywood Squares" host Tom Bergeron.
Stephen McPherson, president of ABC Primetime Entertainment, defended the primacy of the broadcasters in the television landscape and diminished the role of emerging broadband technology. "You're not going to have 28 million people watching a show on the Internet," he said.
"His opening numbers would indicate people are coming back to broadcast television in a big way," echoed Nina Tassler, president of CBS Entertainment, referring to ABC's strong start to the season.
David Janollari, president of entertainment at the WB Network, said that the development experience that all current broadcast programing chiefs have is "exciting for the business. We know how to talk to creative talent."
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
Fri Oct 29,12:55 AM ET Entertainment - Reuters TV
By Andrew Wallenstein
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The programing chiefs at all six broadcast networks held forth on the sorry state of televised comedy Thursday, blaming a shortage of originality and an abundance of executive meddling.
"I think it's dried up. It's like a prune," said Gail Berman, president of entertainment at Fox Broadcasting Co., who pinpointed her network's own Emmy-winning "Arrested Development" as an exception. "There's nothing new going on."
Berman and her network rivals shared their thoughts at the Hollywood Radio & Television Society's annual Newsmaker luncheon Thursday at the Beverly Hilton.
Kevin Reilly, president of entertainment at NBC, laid the blame on the excessive amount of creative notes scriptwriters are inundated with by network executives.
"I think the process of making sitcoms is smothering creativity," he said. "I think it's a miracle anything gets through."
Dawn Ostroff, president of entertainment at UPN, held up the originality of ABC's new drama hits as examples to emulate on the comedy side.
"We can't be derivative," she said. "Part of what makes 'Desperate Housewives' and 'Lost' is they all started with something that was not on the air."
Improving comedy development was one of many issues addressed during the panel discussion, which was moderated by "Hollywood Squares" host Tom Bergeron.
Stephen McPherson, president of ABC Primetime Entertainment, defended the primacy of the broadcasters in the television landscape and diminished the role of emerging broadband technology. "You're not going to have 28 million people watching a show on the Internet," he said.
"His opening numbers would indicate people are coming back to broadcast television in a big way," echoed Nina Tassler, president of CBS Entertainment, referring to ABC's strong start to the season.
David Janollari, president of entertainment at the WB Network, said that the development experience that all current broadcast programing chiefs have is "exciting for the business. We know how to talk to creative talent."
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
das
10-29-04, 09:59 AM
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Re: TV Bosses Lament 'Dried Up' Comedy Genre
Originally posted by das Monkey
Welcome to the party. We've known this for years. Now stop talking about it and act on it.
das
Welcome to the party. We've known this for years. Now stop talking about it and act on it.
das
Yep - it has been a dark ages for sitcoms since the late 90s. Even my long-term favorite 30-min comedies - King of Queens and That 70s Show are old and tired now. When Joey is considered the best new comedy, you know the genre is very very weak overall.
The best comedic programs on television now tend to be hour-long programs like Rescue Me, Desperate Housewives, The O.C. and Gilmore Girls.
Last edited by Red Dog; 10-29-04 at 12:07 PM.
10-29-04, 10:12 AM
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Re: TV Bosses Lament 'Dried Up' Comedy Genre
Originally posted by das Monkey
"I think it's dried up. It's like a prune," said Gail Berman, president of entertainment at Fox Broadcasting Co., who pinpointed her network's own Emmy-winning "Arrested Development" as an exception. "There's nothing new going on."
"I think it's dried up. It's like a prune," said Gail Berman, president of entertainment at Fox Broadcasting Co., who pinpointed her network's own Emmy-winning "Arrested Development" as an exception. "There's nothing new going on."
10-29-04, 10:26 AM
#5
DVD Talk Legend
Between this and the comments on HBO having an "unfair advantage": it sounds like the suits just don't get it and have no interest in working hard to fix things. In other words: same old, same old. 
10-29-04, 10:27 AM
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According to Jim is one of the few traditional sitcoms on the air that doesn't suck. Look, I'm as shocked as anyone else, but it's a funny show. Besides, Kimberly Williams is a permanent resident on my Top ## ... Brad Paisley's on another "list" of mine too.
das
das
Last edited by das Monkey; 10-29-04 at 10:31 AM.
10-29-04, 10:30 AM
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Originally posted by das Monkey
According to Jim is one of the few traditional sitcoms on the air that doesn't suck. Look, I'm as shocked as anyone else, but it's a funny show. Also, Kimberly Williams is a permanent resident on my Top ## ... Brad Paisley's on another "list" of mine too.
das
According to Jim is one of the few traditional sitcoms on the air that doesn't suck. Look, I'm as shocked as anyone else, but it's a funny show. Also, Kimberly Williams is a permanent resident on my Top ## ... Brad Paisley's on another "list" of mine too.
das
10-29-04, 12:06 PM
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New sitcoms need to pass the "living room" test.
If the living room is one of the primary sets for a sitcom, chances are there is nothing "fresh" about it.
If the living room is one of the primary sets for a sitcom, chances are there is nothing "fresh" about it.
10-29-04, 12:22 PM
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Originally posted by ChrisHicks
this whole problem could be fixed by just doing a "when big fat obnoxious animals get married to millionaires and try to get a job from Donald Trump" type of show.
this whole problem could be fixed by just doing a "when big fat obnoxious animals get married to millionaires and try to get a job from Donald Trump" type of show.
10-29-04, 12:23 PM
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"People, this isn't working. We need something new and fresh...quick, get out your TV's and start channel flipping!"*
*apologizes for probably mangling the quote, it's from memory
*apologizes for probably mangling the quote, it's from memory
10-29-04, 12:43 PM
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Re: Re: TV Bosses Lament 'Dried Up' Comedy Genre
Originally posted by Jeraden
"And if there is, we'll just cancel it like Greg the Bunny, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, Undeclared, ...."
"And if there is, we'll just cancel it like Greg the Bunny, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, Undeclared, ...."
10-29-04, 02:19 PM
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Originally posted by Charlie Goose
Of course. Any genre is going to get stale when it breeds hundreds and hundreds of bad shows amongst just a few gems.
Of course. Any genre is going to get stale when it breeds hundreds and hundreds of bad shows amongst just a few gems.
10-29-04, 02:23 PM
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I HATE sitcoms. There is the rarest one that I can handle like Bernie Mac (no laugh track), Curb Your Enthusiasm (no laugh track) and Seinfeld (laugh track not needed).
When I see people bitch about reality shows I often think that sitcoms are an easier target of vitriol. At least from me.
When I see people bitch about reality shows I often think that sitcoms are an easier target of vitriol. At least from me.
10-29-04, 03:12 PM
#16
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Traditional sitcoms may be dying out, but it doesn't mean tv comedy is. Right now the funniest shows on tv IMO are Gilmore Girls, South Park, Arrested Devlopment, and the Chappelle Show. That's an hour long comedy/drama, an animated show, a nontraditional half hour comedy, and a sketch comedy show. I do watch Joey and That 70s SHow, but that's it for traditional style comedies.
10-29-04, 04:12 PM
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Re: Re: TV Bosses Lament 'Dried Up' Comedy Genre
Originally posted by Jeraden
""And if there is, we'll just cancel it like Greg the Bunny, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, Undeclared, Futurama..."
""And if there is, we'll just cancel it like Greg the Bunny, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, Undeclared, Futurama..."
Comedy isnt dead...the good stuff is on "Adult Swim".
10-29-04, 05:16 PM
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Re: Re: Re: TV Bosses Lament 'Dried Up' Comedy Genre
Originally posted by UAIOE
Comedy isnt dead...the good stuff is on "Adult Swim" and BBC America (Coupling, The Office, Peep Show...).
Comedy isnt dead...the good stuff is on "Adult Swim" and BBC America (Coupling, The Office, Peep Show...).
10-29-04, 06:45 PM
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Well there's a few other sitcoms other than Arrested Development that are good. they include Scrubs and Reno 911 but there isnt much else. Most of the writers these days dont know how to write good stuff.
Think of shows that are clever and they dont last long because the audience liked dumbed down stuff that they can watch while doing something else at the same time.
Think of shows that are clever and they dont last long because the audience liked dumbed down stuff that they can watch while doing something else at the same time.
10-29-04, 11:09 PM
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Traditional Sitcom Checklist
Funny - Hope and Faith
Not Funny - According to Jim
Funny(sometimes) - Everybody Loves Raymond
Not Funny - My Wife and Kids
Funny - Scrubs
Not Funny(but different) - Life with Bonnie
D
Funny - Hope and Faith
Not Funny - According to Jim
Funny(sometimes) - Everybody Loves Raymond
Not Funny - My Wife and Kids
Funny - Scrubs
Not Funny(but different) - Life with Bonnie
D
10-29-04, 11:16 PM
#23
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Originally posted by das Monkey
According to Jim is one of the few traditional sitcoms on the air that doesn't suck. Look, I'm as shocked as anyone else, but it's a funny show. Besides, Kimberly Williams is a permanent resident on my Top ## ...
According to Jim is one of the few traditional sitcoms on the air that doesn't suck. Look, I'm as shocked as anyone else, but it's a funny show. Besides, Kimberly Williams is a permanent resident on my Top ## ...
It's really not that bad.
10-30-04, 07:54 AM
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I've seen a few of the According to Jim episodes. I agree, it isn't that bad, but then again, it isn't Tivo season pass worthy either. If I catch one I catch one.
Glad someone finally mentioned Scrubs.
I'll add George Lopez. It is like a typical family sitcom, but every situation is taken to the extreme and blown out of proportion. Two and a Half Men is pretty good two, not totally original but it's funny.
Lastly, on the fresh idea, but cancelled anyway list I'll add the ever popular Sports Night.
Glad someone finally mentioned Scrubs.
I'll add George Lopez. It is like a typical family sitcom, but every situation is taken to the extreme and blown out of proportion. Two and a Half Men is pretty good two, not totally original but it's funny.
Lastly, on the fresh idea, but cancelled anyway list I'll add the ever popular Sports Night.