IDLEchild
Well-Known Member
Seriously, does anyone know why? Why are the British so damn geniuses at comedy whereas most American comedy relies on horribly predictable and most often physical humor? I mean the British also have physical humor (the god like Monty Python being an example) but why do they make comedy look so brilliant and effortless? Americans seldom do that and even then it mostly relies on loud or flashy techniques to get a genuine laugh...not the British....nope these guys will have their comedies based in the most mundane and every day surroundings and still put out genius comedy? how do they do it? For a country riddled in tradition and known for it's stuck up, pompous aristocracy it sure does understand the anthesis of its earnest mannerisms very well. For a country that suppressed 25% of the world in its heyday with its boring, forced ideas of civility and etiquettes it sure does manage to mock it in ingenious ways.
That brings me to another point; British comedies on average are far more potent and intelligent than average American sitcom comedies. That does not mean the characters portrayed are very bright individuals, in fact many British comedies have characters which are social goofs but even their dialogue, as absurd it may be, is far more engaging and interesting, than that of the average doofus in American sitcoms. The British seem to have human psyche pinned down and dissected ready for all to laugh at but not the Americans... nope, rarely a comedy here is human and faithful in its approach but the British focus their comedy on the characters and their nuances, how they interact with their environment, the little, little details whereas American comedies seem to want to put their characters through completely unrealistic situations in equally unrealistic surroundings and see how much they can endure before even the shoddy writers stop laughing at their own swill. British comedies: This is how you'd expect people to behave in real life. American comedies: [/I]If this is how people acted they'd be dead in real life.[/I]
What is it? Is the general American populace to be blamed for low ratings of engaging new comedies which are cancelled right away? The new comedy Arrested Development is brilliant, and follows a consistent plot line, is already suffering low ratings and facing possible cancellation. Many other comedies which actually made viewers think (Titus comes to mind right away...damn you FOX) face quick cancellation despite a cult following and endless critical success. Why?
Why are British so much better?
I need answers goddamint.....now *shakes fist*
That brings me to another point; British comedies on average are far more potent and intelligent than average American sitcom comedies. That does not mean the characters portrayed are very bright individuals, in fact many British comedies have characters which are social goofs but even their dialogue, as absurd it may be, is far more engaging and interesting, than that of the average doofus in American sitcoms. The British seem to have human psyche pinned down and dissected ready for all to laugh at but not the Americans... nope, rarely a comedy here is human and faithful in its approach but the British focus their comedy on the characters and their nuances, how they interact with their environment, the little, little details whereas American comedies seem to want to put their characters through completely unrealistic situations in equally unrealistic surroundings and see how much they can endure before even the shoddy writers stop laughing at their own swill. British comedies: This is how you'd expect people to behave in real life. American comedies: [/I]If this is how people acted they'd be dead in real life.[/I]
What is it? Is the general American populace to be blamed for low ratings of engaging new comedies which are cancelled right away? The new comedy Arrested Development is brilliant, and follows a consistent plot line, is already suffering low ratings and facing possible cancellation. Many other comedies which actually made viewers think (Titus comes to mind right away...damn you FOX) face quick cancellation despite a cult following and endless critical success. Why?
Why are British so much better?
I need answers goddamint.....now *shakes fist*