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glacial906
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1738 Posts |
 Posted - 03/28/2004 : 20:41:23
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Well this is a shameless rip-off of Cheeseman's "Best British Sitcoms" thread, but oh well. It doesn't have to include solely U.S. sitcoms, but what are (or were) some of everyone's favorites? BTW, what defines a sitcom? A laugh-track? What would you call shows like "Bernie Mac" and "Arrested Development?"(Both of which are pretty good)
There's not a whole lot of especially great sitcoms out there now. I have to admit, I'm damn glad that "Friends" is finally going off the air. I will come clean and say that I used to like that show, but the last couple of seasons sucked ass and hard. The other noteworthy (to borrow a catch phrase) shows on NBC suck now too, i.e. "Will & Grace" and "Frasier." Both of them used to be all right.
I'd say I probably liked sitcoms alot better when I was younger. I used to LOVE "Night Court." Unfortunately that show doesn't come on in syndication (or else it's replayed waay too late at night) around where I live. I always liked John LaRoquette. I used to like "Murphy Brown" pretty well. There are so many.
Take me, break me, tell me a good one and maybe I'll cry
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VoVat
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
9168 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2004 : 21:54:21
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A sitcom is a situational comedy. I don't think it needs a laugh track, but I'm also not sure what makes a comedy situational.
Join the Culf of Buttoms / Correctly spelled cults are so passé. |
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TarTar
* Dog in the Sand *
1965 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 01:12:26
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Seinfeld was quite a good show, in my opinion. I think I prefer the first few seasons, when the show moved a bit slower and was still fresh to it's own ideas. Eventually, the show got so ridiculous and carried away that even though I thought it was funny, I didn't really get into the episodes all that much. But yeah, those first few seasons have some classic episodes.
"(insert clever quote here)" |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 08:25:57
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| I never miss "Malcolm in the Middle". I still say it's the funniest show on TV. And I still love "That 70s Show" even though it's probably jumped the shark. |
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vilainde
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Niue
7443 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 08:35:04
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I like Scrubs, but it doens't have a laugh track. Do you call it a sitcom?
Denis
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 09:23:16
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Seinfeld for me.
Hansel and Gretel have formed a band, .....And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Breadcrumbs!!! |
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John Dark
- FB Fan -
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 09:24:59
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Top US Sitcoms, all-time: (network only):
1. Seinfeld
2. Simpsons
3. Newsradio
4. WKRP in Cincinnati
5. M*A*S*H
6. Dick Van Dyke Show
7. Taxi
8. The Bob Newhart Show
9. Arrested Development
10. All in the Family
Hon Mens: Welcome Back Kotter, The Wonder Years, Family Ties, Frasier, Friends, Scrubs, Honeymooners, I Love Lucy, One Day at a Time
Overrated: Cheers, Home Improvement, Three's Company, Night Court, Too Close for Comfort, Will and Grace
Awful: Designing Women, Dharma and Greg, Caroline in the City, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Ellen, Family Matters, F Troop (loved it as a kid, watching it in reruns was painful), Full House. |
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Newo
~ Abstract Brain ~
Spain
2674 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 09:28:25
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Seinfeld for me too. I learned a hell of a lot of Spanish with the dubbed versions here because the characters repeat themselves so much. The don´t show it anymore, Just Shoot Me is in its place and I´d rather do something else.
--
"You one of those right-wing nut outfits?" inquired the diplomatic Metzger.
Fallopian twinkled. "They accuse us of being paranoids."
"They?" inquired Metzger, twinkling also.
"Us?" asked Oedipa.
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 09:28:29
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The Simpsons isn't a sitcom is it?
Hansel and Gretel have formed a band, .....And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Breadcrumbs!!! |
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El Barto
= Song DB Master =
USA
4020 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 09:47:56
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I wouldn't consider The Wonder Years a sitcom...more of a drama or dramedy (comedy/drama). There's a severe lack of good TV these days, period, especially sitcoms. Here's a list of what I watch:
1. Laugh Out Loud Sunday on FOX (Simpsons, Malcolm, Arrested Development...all great)
2. Home Movies (Adult Swim on Cartoon Network, fucking fantastic)
3. Curb Your Enthusiasm (I don't have HBO so I have to catch up with HBO On Demand at my parent's or sister's place)
4. Scrubs (hilariously great)
Friends is still good...I always thought Friends stayed fresh throughout the years, remained funny, and never got tired. I don't watch That 70's Show weekly like I used to, mostly cause I forget it's on. Grounded For Life was also great, but same situation as That 70's Show. Also, if you like Seinfeld, you'd love Curb Your Enthusiasm.
 "Join the Cult of Brit / And let your oral hygiene go out the window." |
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 11:23:45
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quote:
Originally posted by glacial906
Well this is a shameless rip-off of Cheeseman's "Best British Sitcoms" thread, but oh well.
Don't worry, mine was a shameless ripoff of Barneys!
I still like Frasier, although I think it when kind of downhill after Niles got married. I like Scrubs as well, and I've been meaning to watch Curb Your Enthusiasm. However, the only genuinely hysterically funny 'sitcom' of the last few years has been the Office, which most of you will probably realise.
Has the US version of it been released yet? I'm pretty confident that's gonna really suck...
 "Join The Cult Of Wormy Cheese Man/In Ten Words Or Less" |
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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5454 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 11:30:53
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Too bad NBC seems intent on killing Scrubs by moving it around and then putting it up against 24.
Great show. Reminds me a little of another great show NBC abused: News Radio. Phil Hartman was a king of comedy. |
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 11:35:31
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Talking of Phil, what ever happened to Phil Silvers? Now there was a sitcom and a half.
"Join The Cult Of Wormy Cheese Man/In Ten Words Or Less" |
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offerw
* Dog in the Sand *
South Africa
1264 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 11:52:15
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Night Court! That was just brilliant, something to look forward to every week. I liked MASH, The Cosby Show was funny for a while, Family Ties (mainly because of Mallory, the dumb one), Cheers, Frasier and Seinfeld.
wilhelm |
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bumblebeeboy2
> Teenager of the Year <
United Kingdom
2638 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 12:07:13
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ah yes, scrubs! one of my current faves! loved seinfeld too, shame bbc tried their best to prevent anyone from seeing it by showing it at late night slots... normally around midnight.
The Shrine of the Sea Monkey!
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VoVat
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
9168 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 13:05:13
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quote:
1. Laugh Out Loud Sunday on FOX
Is it just me, or is that just about the lamest name for a programming block EVER?
Join the Culf of Buttoms / Correctly spelled cults are so passé. |
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 13:08:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Cheeseman1000
quote:
Originally posted by glacial906
Well this is a shameless rip-off of Cheeseman's "Best British Sitcoms" thread, but oh well.
However, the only genuinely hysterically funny 'sitcom' of the last few years has been the Office, which most of you will probably realise.
Has the US version of it been released yet? I'm pretty confident that's gonna really suck...
"Join The Cult Of Wormy Cheese Man/In Ten Words Or Less"
Oh it WILL suck. Big time!!!
The yanks made their own version of Fawlty Towers but they took Basil out of it 'cos they felt he was too 'scary' for US audiences. So they made Manuel the owner. How bad is that???
Hansel and Gretel have formed a band, .....And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Breadcrumbs!!! |
Edited by - Homers_pet_monkey on 03/29/2004 13:12:27 |
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 13:55:37
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Bad? It just doesn't make any sense in the slightest? Isn't Basil the whole point?
I heard they turned One Foot In The Grave into the Cosby Show as well, which is a bit random...
"Join The Cult Of Wormy Cheese Man/In Ten Words Or Less" |
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 13:59:13
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I know it's sacrilege!!!
Hansel and Gretel have formed a band, .....And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Breadcrumbs!!! |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 14:46:13
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quote:
quote:
Originally posted by Homers_pet_monkey
Has the US version of it been released yet? I'm pretty confident that's gonna really suck...
Oh it WILL suck. Big time!!!
The yanks made their own version of Fawlty Towers but they took Basil out of it 'cos they felt he was too 'scary' for US audiences. So they made Manuel the owner. How bad is that???
Hopefully it will suck. Then maybe they will give up on rehashing Brit shows (like Coupling, which was widely promoted and pulled after only one or two episodes aired). There is only one Gareth Keenan and there could never be another. Same for David Brent.
What this about a US remake of Fawlty? I've never heard of that. Millions of Americans love the original and would never accept a bastardized version. Please name this show of which you speak. |
Edited by - BLT on 03/29/2004 14:46:43 |
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ramona
"FB Quote Mistress"
USA
3988 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 15:06:48
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| I love Scrubs and That 70's Show (mmm, Hyde. I love me some smart ass!) and I try to remember when they are on. It seems like they keep moving around though. I also still watch Friends, I guess b/c I have watched it thus far and it's almost over. Will & Grace is okay but it would be much better if it was called Jack & Karen. |
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bumblebeeboy2
> Teenager of the Year <
United Kingdom
2638 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 15:13:50
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quote:
Originally posted by ramona
I love Scrubs and That 70's Show (mmm, Hyde. I love me some smart ass!) and I try to remember when they are on. It seems like they keep moving around though. I also still watch Friends, I guess b/c I have watched it thus far and it's almost over. Will & Grace is okay but it would be much better if it was called Jack & Karen.
never really seen that 70's show. been watching quite a bit of will & grace, it's not bad. i like will, he was cool in free enterpise (great film! kind of a mallrats for sci-fi geeks rather than comic geeks)... just checked to make sure i had the right name of the film and saw there's a sequel in production, with will in it again! cool.
oh yeah, but scrubs! amazing! need to get the dvd box-set when it's out, love it. so funny. so many great characters!
and same here with friends really, just going through the motions now, watching it because i have seen most of the other episodes, waiting for the odd funny bits... i like how ross has come on though, think he's probably my fave character now, since they made he a bit more agressive and prone to lose it. none of the other characters seem to have developed at all...
The Shrine of the Sea Monkey!
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 15:36:16
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I have a theory that "That 70s Show" is actually "Happy Days". Besides both being "period comedies", the characters correspond as follows:
Eric = Richie
Hyde = Fonzie
Kelso = Potsie
Fez = Ralph Malph (I know that's stretching it a little)
Eric's Parents = Richie's Parents (obviously)
Laurie = Joanie
Which leaves Donna and Jackie, who have no HD equivalent but put the show over the top and make it great.
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mereubu
= FB QuizMistress =
USA
2677 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 16:18:26
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I exhort everyone to watch Arrested Development lest it go to the "great-but-unwatched" graveyard filled with other hilarious, low-rating victims.
 "Join the Cult of Derek/Lest you incur his Tubbycizing wrath" |
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NimrodsSon
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1938 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 16:22:04
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My favorite sit-com is Married With Children and I occasionally watch That 70's Show. But then again, I don't watch much TV at all.
ˇViva los Católicos! |
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Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 17:41:45
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hmm..can't stand most of these shows..haha..
I'd say from what i've seen, the Office is #1. By a landslide.
CYE is okay, but too predictable and scripted.
Night Court was pretty good when i was a kid. I almost wanted to be a judge. =)
I'd say most sitcoms suck ass tho. Too lowest-common-denominator for me.
A neat new show is Wonderfalls. I've laughed pretty good a few times, tho i'm sure it'll start to suck really soon.
I find shows these days start off quick and sharp, then deteriorate really quickly...
 Join the Cult of the Flying Pigxies - I'm A Believer! |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 20:16:38
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Joey has been the funniest character on Friends for about 6 years. Still it's a show I'm almost embarrassed to watch.
I've never been able to take more than five minutes of Frasier. If I haven't flipped already, I'm gone once one of those pretentious scene titles appears. |
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El Barto
= Song DB Master =
USA
4020 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2004 : 22:19:34
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"Curb" does get predictable at times, but I still love it. Married With Children is another classic, I fucking love that show.
"Join the Cult of Brit / And let your oral hygiene go out the window." |
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benji
> Teenager of the Year <
New Zealand
3426 Posts |
Posted - 03/30/2004 : 04:40:24
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thoughts:
I think Married with Children is the best US Sitcom ever made...but man i haven't seen it for years....
Scrubs was good for the 1st series - but since then it's been LAME
That 70's show is hilarious....or has it gone downhill now?
Malcolm in the middle is probably the best recent US sitcom.
Friends has become very boring and predictable, and i pretty much hate all the characers now cause they're just so annoying.
(i have to say that UK television sucks for showing US sitcoms, as i haven't seen any of the one's presently on air (except friends) on at decent times in the 8 months i've been here)
 "I joined the Cult of Frank / I think that man deserves a DB!" |
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 03/30/2004 : 09:50:23
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As I have said before - T.V is crap on the whole, full stop.
And the fact that we don't fill our schedules with American shows is a good thing. The world wants to become like America too much anyway. I remember when I lived in Australia for a year, they had American sitcoms all night long, and I don't mean on satellite. Most of them were really bad ones too like Veronica's Closet.
But like I said, whatever they show, whichever country it's from then it will invariably be crap.
Unless it invlolves animals. 
Hansel and Gretel have formed a band, .....And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Breadcrumbs!!! |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 03/30/2004 : 09:54:37
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Irish telly is full of American stuff. In fact, I think we get some series before the UK....there's a lot of formulaic British TV shows, but maybe the same could be said for any country; It's just America and the UK lead the field in the western world, as far as TV is concerned.
CARL.
"-JOIN ME!!"
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ramona
"FB Quote Mistress"
USA
3988 Posts |
Posted - 03/30/2004 : 13:13:52
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| The difference between That 70's Show and Happy Days is that T7S is ironic and sarcastic and FUNNY and Happy Days was none of these. |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2004 : 03:58:22
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I was thinkin' about Happy Days recently(remembering those halcyon 'happy days'?);somebody would mention Fonzie and he'd come in on cue;"Heeeyyyyy!" to audience cheers. Corny feel-good amusement all-round.
CARL.
"-JOIN ME!!"
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2004 : 06:56:26
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| Happy Days (and pretty much all '50s nostalgia) was viewed through rose-colored glasses and totally unrealistic. |
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TarTar
* Dog in the Sand *
1965 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2004 : 07:03:53
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I remember when That 70's Show first came on, I was convinced it was supposed to be a Happy Days for the 90's. You know, Happy Days was on in the 70's and took place in the 50's, and That 70's Show was on in the 90's and took place in the 70's... and both took place in Wisconsin. Ritchie and Eric had a similar look, too. So I thought it was going to be really nostalgic, but That 70's Show just seems like sitcom teens in the 90's/00's dressed like it's the 70's, and doesn't deal with any social issues from that time. Honestly, I enjoy watch it from time to time, but it's a poorly written show and has unleashed some horrible young actors into the mainstream. I'd say the best talents on the show are Red and Kitty.
"(insert clever quote here)" |
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Supersumomegafrankfan
- FB Fan -
USA
33 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2007 : 15:35:16
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I agree with your comment about Happy Days/That 70's Show. There was very little "70's" about "That 70's Show." I think the only reason they made it take place in the 70's was because they needed a gimmick.
Into the dust we struggled...and yet we couldn't make coffee |
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Sitcoms
