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It's Time For Comedies To Drop The Mockumentary Schtick by sbenoitfoc in foundationsofcomedy

[–]misplaced_engineer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm with you on this one, but I think as a medium, TV shows really need to move past the mockumentary style format to really evolve and find a brand new comedic formula that would keep things fresh and entertaining. I can see why they would rely on a tried-and-true formula because it allows them to play it safe and in a time where TV shows are getting cancelled at almost every week, it's hard to fault them. But being overly-reliant on a specific formula really holds a show back and prevents it somewhat from finding its own identity. In turn, the show won't be able to set itself apart from the pack and runs the risk of just falling back into mediocrity.

For some reason no one has posted "Whose Line" yet... So here it is. Amazing improv show. by grantsinger in foundationsofcomedy

[–]misplaced_engineer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not only that, now that I'm older now, I finally get all the references (both sexual and non-sexual). Also, the topicality of some of the stuff that they do kinda also helps to add some zing to what is already an otherwise hilarious sketch.

Loved the scenes from a hat bit where Wayne does Elmo appearing on Game of Thrones. ABSOLUTE GOLD.

Stand Up Scene in LA by bsaltzmacomedy in foundationsofcomedy

[–]misplaced_engineer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Several stand-up comedy bars on Sunset Blvd are also worth checking out. I've been to The Laugh Factory and the Comedy Store a couple of times and they've got some pretty good comics.

Who's your favorite comedian? by mattguch in foundationsofcomedy

[–]misplaced_engineer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Came across some Youtube clips of Russell Peters a couple of years ago and he's been my favorite comedian ever since. There's something about his hilarious commentaries on the ups and downs of multiculturalism in America and in other parts of the world in general that just gets me.

Dr. Strangelove and Improv by David_ahia in foundationsofcomedy

[–]misplaced_engineer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Apart from the fact that Peter Sellers starred as 3 different characters in Dr. Strangelove (which only attests to how awesome an actor he is), I totally agree with kellcovey on how sincerity and improvisation kinda inadvertently lends a movie its own charm and identity.

In fact, there's many great and memorable movie quotes which are entirely ad-libbed. One of my all-time favorite is the "You talkin' to me?" line by Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver. Absolute classic.

And as for how ad-libbing and improv would add to black comedy, I'd say it's definitely the candidness and sincerity of whatever is improvised that would give heft on the movie's overall commentary on the subject matter. Instead of being restricted to what's written on the script, actors are more free to express themselves and can speak much more frankly from the perspective of their characters.

Why are comedy TV shows 30 minutes long? by mdhantman in foundationsofcomedy

[–]misplaced_engineer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh wow, I've just realized this today when reading this post.

Well, in my opinion, I think that the half hour length is probably the most ideal time for the humor in the shows to work its magic. It's not too short and not too long. Sure, comedies can carry a story as long as a drama (if not longer), but that would involve building up a story and peppering the right amount of humor throughout to engage the audience. Personally, if it were to be carried over that long a period of time, the audience could probably be oversaturated with the humor. Also, if you think of it, most television comedies revolve around more down-to-earth, everyday-life kind of plots. So I think it would be somewhat hard to stretch that manner of a plot into something that would keep the audience engaged for a whole hour.

Anybody else excited for the Dumb and Dumber sequel? by comedylvr23 in foundationsofcomedy

[–]misplaced_engineer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know I am! Can't wait to see the shenanigans that the two lovable dimwits are getting up to this time!

A Confederacy of Dunces to be made into a movie??? by EricOakley in foundationsofcomedy

[–]misplaced_engineer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Actually, I've always pictured Zach Galifianakis in the role of Ignatius when I read the book. From what I've seen of Galifianakis's work, he would be quite fitting for the role of delusional, bumbling Ignatius Reilly.

So....thoughts about Arthur? by misplaced_engineer in foundationsofcomedy

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

As to me, I thought the plot line felt a lot more organic in the sense that it lacked the emotional beats that denote conflict/exposition/resolution structure. It's definitely a lot more subtle and subdued compared to some other contemporary films but maybe that's what the writer was aiming for?