Which aspect of the show is most important and why?? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

barwars · 05-01-2004, 09:48 AM

What is more important....

the acting??

the characters??

or the writing??

barwars · 05-01-2004, 10:09 AM

Personally, I think it depends on the show.

"Frasier" for example is all about the writing. But it also has great characters, and if it werent for the great acting -- we would despise the characters, because they're everything most people hate in real life.

But on the other side, "The Cosby Show" was carried by Cosby's zanniness, and if it werent for him, the show would be trash. The writing wasnt all that good, and the characters werent all the interesting (except for maybe Denise and Elvin), but the interactions between the actors, especially with Cosby, made the show work.

From least important to most important....
3) Actors
2) Characters
1) Writing (because without good writing, you dont have good characters)

dawsongirl · 05-02-2004, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by barwars88
What is more important....

the acting??

the characters??

or the writing??

Um...for me really, it has to be a good combo of all three. But if I was forced to pick just one...I'd say character. A good, in depth character can make a show interesting despite lame plotlines and cardboard acting.

Central Perk · 05-02-2004, 10:54 AM

I'd say writing is the most important part of the show. I'd rather watch a show with great writing and ok actors, instead of an ok show with great actors.

FamilyTiesGOP · 05-02-2004, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by barwars88
Personally, I think it depends on the show.

So do I. With some shows all three are important, in others one dominates. I think Family Ties is so much better than the average family comedy because of the smart writing. It is never lame or stale like *cough* Full House. But the acting and characters were also important.

With a show like Cheers I think it is more writing and characters. I mean, look at Norm. Very funny but bascially does nothing but sit.

But if I had to pick the order I would say:

1) Writing
2)Characters
3)Actors

barwars · 05-02-2004, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FamilyTiesGOP
So do I. With some shows all three are important, in others one dominates. I think Family Ties is so much better than the average family comedy because of the smart writing. It is never lame or stale like *cough* Full House. But the acting and characters were also important.

I think good writing played a major role in Family Ties.... but much like with Frasier and Niles on Frasier....
Michael J. Fox took his character of Alex, who was really -- a very unlikeable person-- and made him standout above the rest -- and somehow made him extermely likeable.

FamilyTiesGOP · 05-02-2004, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by barwars88
I think good writing played a major role in Family Ties.... but much like with Frasier and Niles on Frasier....
Michael J. Fox took his character of Alex, who was really -- a very unlikeable person-- and made him standout above the rest -- and somehow made him extermely likeable.

Exactly. With Family Ties it was really all three working together that made it so good. Even when Alex was being cold, you could still like him.

Sitcomwriter · 05-02-2004, 05:36 PM

They are all important IMO but the writing is the most important.. I can't watch a show that's preachy or childish (IE: Full House) and Family sitcoms aren't quite my cup of tea either (even ones like "Reba", which I find mildly amusing). A show needs to be mildly realistic and filled with clever dialouge and entertainment references, not just jokes. While "Newsradio" was often sily and not completely realistic, I still like it because it was smart and funny. I also seem to prefer workplace comedies like "The Office", which is a good example when it comes to clever dialouge and entertainment refrences. It's a brilliant show.

Also, setting is important to me. I guess it's because I'm a New Yorker but I can't stand shows or movies (IE: Andy Griffith [TV] and Sweet Home Alabama [Movie]) that take place in the south. I prefer shows like "Sports Night" and "Mad About You", both New York-based shows.

Chocoholic · 05-03-2004, 09:28 AM

I think they're all important, but I think characters are the most important aspect. I love watching a show with likable characters that seem like real human beings that I can relate to. I also prefer watching shows where I feel like I'm laughing WITH the characters instead of AT them, if you know what I mean. I find that a lot of the shows I don't like have a lot of characters that reflect the people I try to avoid.

05-01-2004, 09:48 AM	#1
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	Which aspect of the show is most important and why?? What is more important.... the acting?? the characters?? or the writing??

05-01-2004, 10:09 AM	#2
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	Personally, I think it depends on the show. "Frasier" for example is all about the writing. But it also has great characters, and if it werent for the great acting -- we would despise the characters, because they're everything most people hate in real life. But on the other side, "The Cosby Show" was carried by Cosby's zanniness, and if it werent for him, the show would be trash. The writing wasnt all that good, and the characters werent all the interesting (except for maybe Denise and Elvin), but the interactions between the actors, especially with Cosby, made the show work. From least important to most important.... 3) Actors 2) Characters 1) Writing (because without good writing, you dont have good characters)

05-02-2004, 10:54 AM	#4
Central Perk ~~~~~ Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2002 Posts: 4,553	I'd say writing is the most important part of the show. I'd rather watch a show with great writing and ok actors, instead of an ok show with great actors.

05-02-2004, 05:36 PM	#8
Sitcomwriter Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 27, 2001 Posts: 7,356	They are all important IMO but the writing is the most important.. I can't watch a show that's preachy or childish (IE: Full House) and Family sitcoms aren't quite my cup of tea either (even ones like "Reba", which I find mildly amusing). A show needs to be mildly realistic and filled with clever dialouge and entertainment references, not just jokes. While "Newsradio" was often sily and not completely realistic, I still like it because it was smart and funny. I also seem to prefer workplace comedies like "The Office", which is a good example when it comes to clever dialouge and entertainment refrences. It's a brilliant show. Also, setting is important to me. I guess it's because I'm a New Yorker but I can't stand shows or movies (IE: Andy Griffith [TV] and Sweet Home Alabama [Movie]) that take place in the south. I prefer shows like "Sports Night" and "Mad About You", both New York-based shows.

05-03-2004, 09:28 AM	#9
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	I think they're all important, but I think characters are the most important aspect. I love watching a show with likable characters that seem like real human beings that I can relate to. I also prefer watching shows where I feel like I'm laughing WITH the characters instead of AT them, if you know what I mean. I find that a lot of the shows I don't like have a lot of characters that reflect the people I try to avoid.