Whitney's executive producer Betsy Thomas has urged viewers to be "open-minded" about the show.

The series, which will premiere on NBC tonight, stars stand-up comedian Whitney Cummings and has a multi-camera format.

Thomas has now told TV Guide that people are "closed off" to shows filmed that way.

"I think there are a lot of people that enjoy smart comedy that feel that multi-cam is an old-fashioned lesser form - it's for broader, cheaper humor," she said. "I think it's developed a reputation that isn't really fair. So I think we're hoping that people will just be open-minded to our show and embrace what we're doing regardless of its format."

Thomas admitted that the team is feeling "a little pressure" about being part of NBC's Thursday night comedy lineup, but also appeared to criticize the other shows.

"There's a comedy snobbery around the Thursday night lineup folks that I find incredibly irritating," she said. "It's like somehow it became cool to stop trying to be funny. I think the single-cam, like smirking at the camera, mockumentary thing is one way to do comedy, but I don't think it's the only way."

http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a341713/whitney-exec-people-are-rooting-for-our-demise.html

I like Whitney's comedy, but it isn't very suitable for network television - so whatever is left is going to be marginal and that isn't going to stand out no matter how many cameras they use.

the writing has to be good or it will fail.

It sounds to me like Betsy Thomas is already expecting her show to be a failure and is already making excuses! From the commercials I've seen my only complaint about this show is that it's too raunchy for my tastes.

Gah, I can't wait to see this show!!!!

I love the multi-camera sitcom genre, and I'll defend it to the grave, but NBC hasn't had a good multi-camera sitcom since FRIENDS ended. CBS does it best now, and it shows in the ratings. As someone who has seen the pilot of WHITNEY, I can't even begin to explain how much I don't recommend watching this, and this is coming from someone who likes Whitney Cummings!

Probably

I'll be honest, I'll give Whitney a shot. Is there really difference between multi-camera, single camera etc.? I dont know too much about it. I really cant see people not watching a show based on camera work, although thats just me.

No, people are rooting for it to fail because it looks terrible and it looks like another cheap, one joke show like Two and a Half Men. At least that's my reason.

I do understand the comedy snobbery. I see it a lot and it bothers me, too. I don't think there's anything wrong with the old format so long as it's well done. Unfortunately, a lot of multi-cam sitcoms these days just aren't very well done. It's like they just don't put as much effort into them anymore. I hear Whitney is actually a really funny woman (I haven't seen any of her stuff myself) but the show itself...meh...I'll pass.

Okay, okay, I'm watching tonight to see how awful it is. :devil:

As far as Two and a Half Men go, I dont watch the show but Ive heard it has had great ratings.

As far as Two and a Half Men go, I dont watch the show but Ive heard it has had great ratings.
It does. Of course, quantity doesn't always equal quality.

It does. Of course, quantity doesn't always equal quality.


Very true

So...she decided to fight the notion that multi-camera comedies use cheap and broad humor by creating a multi-camera sitcom that uses cheap and broad humor.

I was surprised it was shot in front of a live audience

I was surprised it was shot in front of a live audience

Why?

Why?


Because most sitcoms today are not in front of a live audience

Because most sitcoms today are not in front of a live audience


True, but shows like Hot in Cleveland, The Big Bang Theory and Two and a half men are so it is less common but still works.

True, but shows like Hot in Cleveland, The Big Bang Theory and Two and a half men are so it is less common but still works.
IMO NBC needs more of those type of sitcoms. That's the type that turned around NBC once before in 1984.

IMO NBC needs more of those type of sitcoms. That's the type that turned around NBC once before in 1984.


Very good point, it has also worked well for CBS

True, but shows like Hot in Cleveland, The Big Bang Theory and Two and a half men are so it is less common but still works.

Yep, you're right. Rules of Engagement is filmed in front of a live audience too, as is 2 Broke Girls. How I Met Your Mother is filmed without one, but then a tape playback is shown to an audience and the laughter is recorded. Just thought I'd share what I knew!