Friends (1994-2004)

Devilmaycare

King of Technicalities
Administrator
Moderator
Joined
Jan 5, 2019
Posts
7,962
Reaction score
12,147
Location
Scottsdale
I wish the Big Bang Theory television show never ended.

About the only programs I watch are Expedition Unknown, documentaries and sports.
And it's funny because I wish BBT never existed. As a mega nerd it did not work for me. I found most of the humor to be cheap and forced. It was laugh track driven too. Try watching it without and it's cringe.

A couple comedies that haven't been mentioned that are good:
The IT Crowd - It's British, so it might not be for everyone.
It's Always Sunny in Philly - A show for the not easily offended :)
 

Cheesewater

(ex-Uriah Heep)
Joined
May 27, 2007
Posts
2,186
Reaction score
729
Location
Armatage
The diversity of what we find funny is fascinating. I enjoyed Friends when it was first airing...I was their age then. Now, it is NOT funny. In fact, when I catch it recently I wonder how I ever thought it was amusing. I never laughed at The Big Bang Theory.

But my sitcom education was M*A*S*H, The Bob Newhart Show, Mary Tyler Moore, SOAP, Barney Miller, Taxi, etc...the usual classics.

I have enjoyed shows that slipped through the cracks. Notably ALL of the Bonnie Hunt shows (The Building, The Bonnie Hunt Show, etc.), Grounded for Life, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, Better Off Ted...

We just rewatched all of Brooklyn Nine-Nine which is fantastic, and are through season 4 of Scrubs, which mostly holds up quite well.
 
OP
OP
Covert Rain

Covert Rain

Father smelt of elderberries!
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2005
Posts
36,536
Reaction score
15,631
Location
Arizona
I remember it getting bagged on by some for its lack of diversity among the friends back then. Imagine the casting if it were made today?
In the main cast yes. However, one thing I have noticed? Since season one they have featured black characters even if they are only secondary. I don't think that would be the case today though as you stated. I think it would be a more diverse cast for sure.

Friends is still hilarious and most people feel the same. It's still the number one re-run syndicated comedy last time I checked.
 
OP
OP
Covert Rain

Covert Rain

Father smelt of elderberries!
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2005
Posts
36,536
Reaction score
15,631
Location
Arizona
Oh man, how did I forget to mention the BBT? Easily my favorite all time half hour comedy show even with it's ups and downs. We don't ever rewatch it start to finish anymore but there's probably 60 episodes we watch fairly regularly.

BBT is freaking hilarious as well. I can rewatch that. Every once in blue moon I will see an episode out there and watch it.
 

Chaplin

Better off silent
Joined
May 13, 2002
Posts
46,422
Reaction score
16,941
Location
Round Rock, TX
I can't stand Big Bang Theory -- I don't know what it is considering how ingrained I am into Pop Culture. Most of the humor is forced, my guess here is that it's very tame -- it doesn't go all the way into touchy feely like Ted Lasso and it isn't edgy at all like Parks and Rec and especially What we Do in the Shadows. Just doesn't work for me.
 

Bada0Bing

Don't Stop Believin'
Joined
Feb 19, 2004
Posts
7,706
Reaction score
956
Location
Goodyear
Yeah, David Schwimmer just ruined everything for me, couldn't stand to watch him in pretty much anything. Well, except for the greatest show of all time, Band of Brothers. And even there he was just great at being easily disliked. Anyway, I actually liked Phoebe and Joey quite a bit along with most everyone's favorite, Chandler. All told, I guess I liked the characters overall (minus Ross) but the humor just didn't work for me.

I liked Married With Children a lot until Steve (David Garrison) left the show. In fact, I had been looking forward to the premiere initially because Garrison and Ron Leavitt were involved in it. Garrison co-starred in one of those great but cancelled far too quickly TV shows called It's Your Move where he played opposite a very young Jason Bateman and Leavitt created both shows. I probably would have stayed with it even after Steve left but for me it was a double whammy when they replaced him with Ted McGinley.

And I loved the Soprano's, I was hooked just from hearing the opening song.

Best opening song for a tv show ever. I always skip tv show intros, but I watched this one every single time. It sets the tone!
 

Bada0Bing

Don't Stop Believin'
Joined
Feb 19, 2004
Posts
7,706
Reaction score
956
Location
Goodyear
I wish the Big Bang Theory television show never ended.

About the only programs I watch are Expedition Unknown, documentaries and sports.

Did you watch Young Sheldon? We're on the final season. It's actually really good!
 
OP
OP
Covert Rain

Covert Rain

Father smelt of elderberries!
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2005
Posts
36,536
Reaction score
15,631
Location
Arizona
Pretty cool tribute. 16 years old and super talented. :oops:

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
Covert Rain

Covert Rain

Father smelt of elderberries!
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2005
Posts
36,536
Reaction score
15,631
Location
Arizona
I can't stand Big Bang Theory -- I don't know what it is considering how ingrained I am into Pop Culture. Most of the humor is forced, my guess here is that it's very tame -- it doesn't go all the way into touchy feely like Ted Lasso and it isn't edgy at all like Parks and Rec and especially What we Do in the Shadows. Just doesn't work for me.
I work with a ton of Engineers (IT folk) and we all loved it. Plus, every single one of us knew a person just like the characters. We all thought it was hilarious and would talk about the episodes at work.
 

Mainstreet

Cruisin' Mainstreet
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Posts
118,309
Reaction score
58,656
And it's funny because I wish BBT never existed. As a mega nerd it did not work for me. I found most of the humor to be cheap and forced. It was laugh track driven too. Try watching it without and it's cringe.

A couple comedies that haven't been mentioned that are good:
The IT Crowd - It's British, so it might not be for everyone.
It's Always Sunny in Philly - A show for the not easily offended :)

I enjoyed the Big Bang Theory. I need to watch the others if I ever get a chance.
 

oaken1

Stone Cold
Supporting Member
Banned from P+R
Joined
Mar 13, 2004
Posts
18,211
Reaction score
16,316
Location
Modesto, California
Bob Newhart show was good

Hmmm,... maybe get a semi sci-fi fix and look for The Six Million Dollar Man?
took my own advice and watched the first four episodes of the 6 million dollar man.

it holds up surprisingly well for being 50 years old.
 
OP
OP
Covert Rain

Covert Rain

Father smelt of elderberries!
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2005
Posts
36,536
Reaction score
15,631
Location
Arizona
took my own advice and watched the first four episodes of the 6 million dollar man.

it holds up surprisingly well for being 50 years old.
During Jim Carey’s peak they almost green lit comedic version of this show for a movie. I read a rumor the premise was it was supposed to be 6 billion but because of budget cuts they only had 6 million to rebuild him which is funny. However, there is a reason it never moved forward.
 

Chaplin

Better off silent
Joined
May 13, 2002
Posts
46,422
Reaction score
16,941
Location
Round Rock, TX
During Jim Carey’s peak they almost green lit comedic version of this show for a movie. I read a rumor the premise was it was supposed to be 6 billion but because of budget cuts they only had 6 million to rebuild him which is funny. However, there is a reason it never moved forward.
It's only a matter of time. I mean, they just did a Fall Guy movie, I imagine 6 Million Dollar Man isn't that far away.
 
Top