Fletch and I are almost finished watching the newest season of The Bear. The viewer reviews have been mixed—some think it’s been a huge mess of montages and backstories, and some are saying it’s peak TV. (I’m referring to chatter on social media, and not actual reviews, which I don’t want to read for fear of spoilers.)
We happen to err on the peak TV side. Fight me.
Between “Napkins” and “Ice Chips,” I’ve rarely seen television more compelling. But for those who want their comedies to be “funny all the time” and not “so anxiety-inducing I need to self-medicate,” I can see their point. But why is this not classified as a drama? What was the thought behind this decision? The length? The occasional antics? The juxtaposition between humor and pathos? (Maybe this is why I loved Succession so much—it was serious, but punctuated by moments of hilarity.)
Before we started Season Three of The Bear, we rewatched “Forks” (Season 2, Episode 7) and “The Bear” (Season 2, Episode 10). We viewed the finale again so we’d be up to speed, and “Forks” because it may be my all-time favorite episode of anything ever. I hated Cousin Richie until this episode but his sea change, illustrated by him singing Love Story, cracked my shriveled black heart wide open.
Since we haven’t had a solid discussion post for a while, I thought we could chat about TV comedies today. In a social situation, it doesn’t matter where you are or who you’re with, there’s nothing that gets people engaged like discussing shows. (Also, Fletch and I are looking for stuff to watch/rewatch.)
I gravitate to comedies, but not necessarily the most mainstream offerings. That’s largely because I never want to see a punchline coming unless it’s so stupid that it makes me laugh. (Adam Sandler, I blame you.)
Full disclosure: I am in a small fraternity of people who hated Friends, Cheers, The Big Bang Theory, and Golden Girls. I was lukewarm on Seinfeld and thought Modern Family could be hit or miss. I was a fan of The Office until Michael left and then I didn’t care. I haven’t watched The Simpsons since the late 1990s because the Conan O’Brien years were so perfect that everything after them fell short.
(I know, I know. You are disgusted by my taste and that is okay.)
Bottom line is, when I’m watching a comedy, I want to be surprised. I want irreverence. I love non sequitur. In no particular order, my faves include:
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