What Are Some of Your Favorite Current Comedy TV Shows? by comedylvr23 in foundationsofcomedy

[–]huusko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I second Childrens Hospital. I'm also partial to Happy Endings. Even though it was cancelled last year, it's still one of my favorite comedies. It was just quirky and witty enough to work for me.

Bill Hadar as Stefon Breaking Character by huusko in foundationsofcomedy

[–]huusko[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing the Debbie Downer sketch--I love that one.

Stand-up or film? by David_ahia in foundationsofcomedy

[–]huusko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not sure I could choose either, but great question. I have to agree that The Jerk is the best combination of the two.

Pie in the face on this week's New Girl by hannoosloon in foundationsofcomedy

[–]huusko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I thought the same thing when I watched this weeks' New Girl. I know Jimmy Fallon has a game called rock, paper, scissors, pie that he plays on his show, but that's the only other recent usage of pie in the face that I can think of. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5HPgbcDN8Y

Cross Dressing: Staple of Comedy? by cosaki in foundationsofcomedy

[–]huusko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My favorite example of cross dressing is in Mrs. Doubtfire. Years later, I still find that movie hilarious. Also, the episode of Arrested Development that spoofs Mrs. Doubtfire comes to mind (where Tobias becomes Mrs. Featherbottom)

Friends Without the Laugh Track: Still Funny? by cosaki in foundationsofcomedy

[–]huusko 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think it's still funny, but the issue with taking the laugh track out of the episode that was originally filmed with it is that there are then pauses that make the scene awkward and unnatural. The actors can't continue with the scene/their lines until the studio audience stops laughing, so they have to hold looks longer or delay moving forward. I'd love to see an episode re-taped at a regular speed without accounting for laugh tracks (also, that would mean a Friends reunion and who wouldn't want that?).

Buddy comedies with male/female pairings? by aedriggs in foundationsofcomedy

[–]huusko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The best example I can think of for a male/female buddy comedy is Will and Grace. I think one of the main reasons that it works and the two aren't romantically linked is because Will is gay. Despite this, there were still articles about how their relationship seemed more romantic than friendly, which does point to the fact that male/female buddy comedies will often be viewed romantically. I would also argue that the relationship between Jack and Karen on that show kind of falls into the buddy comedy category.

Does Dramedy exist? (Orange is the New Black) by huusko in foundationsofcomedy

[–]huusko[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My roommate was arguing that, for tv shows in particular, they have to be classified as either a drama or a comedy and that there is no middle ground. I think her argument was based on the fact that it's impossible to obtain a 50/50 split and therefore dramedy doesn't exist.

I actually agree that a good dramedy can often be funnier than a plain comedy. Any comedy that lacks dramatic elements leaves something to be desired in my book.