Comedy writing was so much better back then! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Marvo301 · 09-24-2009, 07:46 PM

I was watching an episode of Sanford and Son last night. Rollo threw Lamont a bachelor party (at which he was the only attendee because all of Lamont's other friends had dates that night!)and gave him a gift. When Lamont opened it he said "what is this?" Rollo said "It's a combination flashlight and skillet. It's called the flash in the pan." Now this joke had nothing to do with the plot, it didn't move the story forward, it was just a hilarious little gem in the middle of a conversation. It occurred to me while I was watching this that the art of comedy writing has deteriorated considerably in the last 30 years. You don't get little gems like this anymore. Your lucky to get a decent punchline these days. And if you get a complete story in 22 minutes consider yourself lucky! I guess this is just another reason I'd rather watch a classic sitcom on DVD that almost any current TV show.

Schmoopie · 09-24-2009, 09:39 PM

"Flash in the pan" OMG, that's hilarious!!!

You are SO right. Sitcoms today are so unfunny and they seem to think that bodily functions or other sick jokes are entertaining.

Retro4Life · 09-24-2009, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

"Flash in the pan" OMG, that's hilarious!!!

You are SO right. Sitcoms today are so unfunny and they seem to think that bodily functions or other sick jokes are entertaining.

Totally agree. And for the most part, the characters are either morons or reprobates, or both!

Marvo301 · 09-24-2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Totally agree. And for the most part, the characters are either morons or reprobates, or both!

Yeah the characters were better developed back in the day. Of course back then comedy writing was an art form. These days its merely a job.

Retro4Life · 09-24-2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Yeah the characters were better developed back in the day. Of course back then comedy writing was an art form. These days its merely a job.

I seldom have any empathy with any characters today. For me great comedy has to have viewer identification, i.e. "hey I can see myself in that guy!". Nowadays it's mostly "pointing and laughing" at how stupid or vain the characters are. It's a more juvenile type of humor.

Modern TV comedy also lacks the sense of poignancy we saw in AITF, MASH, Taxi, Barney Miller, WKRP, etc. While I can enjoy shows that are pure comedy, that combination of laughter and tears really puts a show over the top for me. And I can't think of one modern show that employs that.

catlover79 · 09-25-2009, 12:23 AM

I agree with you all!! Thank goodness for reruns and DVDs of these fine shows!!

Schmoopie · 09-25-2009, 03:54 AM

I used to go to my grandparents house after work and I'd stay there for dinner. Mostly we would just sit and talk and watch TV. I don't think that they really paid much attention to what was on (they kept it on ABC, unless it was Thursday, and then I'd ask to watch Seinfeld!), but oh my gosh, I would actually get embarrassed to be sitting there listening to all the crude stuff going on. That's terrible when you can't even watch regular TV with your grandparents without worrying about offending them.

Big Fred Fan · 09-25-2009, 11:18 AM

And, what's with the "fat slobs" with the pretty, sexy, cute wives? i.e., 'Still Standing', 'According to Jim', I'm sure there are more that I'm not thinking of. But the biggest slob of all with a cute, petite, sexy wife is 'King of Queens'!!! But, I must admit Still Standing and King of Queens are both tollerable. And let's not even talk ablout the animated wastes of air space, i.e. 'Family Guy'...OMG (hey, another example of a fat slob with a sexy wife!) I'll shut up now! :-)

Cloud9 Lorraine · 09-27-2009, 07:29 PM

I agree, the writing was much better then. Also the humor was often very germane to the events of the time. Some could be considered dated, yet a wonderful documentation of significant events and attitudes of an era in time. Timeless in many respects.

A lot of the comedy writing nowadays is just yuckity yuck slap your knee type of predictable humor, and not clever at all.

comedyfreak · 10-02-2009, 05:53 AM

The comedy writing was better back then, now it's all about sex jokes.

09-24-2009, 07:46 PM	#1
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	Comedy writing was so much better back then! I was watching an episode of Sanford and Son last night. Rollo threw Lamont a bachelor party (at which he was the only attendee because all of Lamont's other friends had dates that night!)and gave him a gift. When Lamont opened it he said "what is this?" Rollo said "It's a combination flashlight and skillet. It's called the flash in the pan." Now this joke had nothing to do with the plot, it didn't move the story forward, it was just a hilarious little gem in the middle of a conversation. It occurred to me while I was watching this that the art of comedy writing has deteriorated considerably in the last 30 years. You don't get little gems like this anymore. Your lucky to get a decent punchline these days. And if you get a complete story in 22 minutes consider yourself lucky! I guess this is just another reason I'd rather watch a classic sitcom on DVD that almost any current TV show.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

09-24-2009, 09:39 PM	#2
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	"Flash in the pan" OMG, that's hilarious!!! You are SO right. Sitcoms today are so unfunny and they seem to think that bodily functions or other sick jokes are entertaining.
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

09-25-2009, 12:23 AM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I agree with you all!! Thank goodness for reruns and DVDs of these fine shows!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

10-02-2009, 05:53 AM	#10
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,061	The comedy writing was better back then, now it's all about sex jokes.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

09-25-2009, 03:54 AM	#7
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I used to go to my grandparents house after work and I'd stay there for dinner. Mostly we would just sit and talk and watch TV. I don't think that they really paid much attention to what was on (they kept it on ABC, unless it was Thursday, and then I'd ask to watch Seinfeld!), but oh my gosh, I would actually get embarrassed to be sitting there listening to all the crude stuff going on. That's terrible when you can't even watch regular TV with your grandparents without worrying about offending them.

09-25-2009, 11:18 AM	#8
Big Fred Fan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 28, 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 179	And, what's with the "fat slobs" with the pretty, sexy, cute wives? i.e., 'Still Standing', 'According to Jim', I'm sure there are more that I'm not thinking of. But the biggest slob of all with a cute, petite, sexy wife is 'King of Queens'!!! But, I must admit Still Standing and King of Queens are both tollerable. And let's not even talk ablout the animated wastes of air space, i.e. 'Family Guy'...OMG (hey, another example of a fat slob with a sexy wife!) I'll shut up now! :-)

09-27-2009, 07:29 PM	#9
Cloud9 Lorraine Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 10, 2007 Location: NY Posts: 342	I agree, the writing was much better then. Also the humor was often very germane to the events of the time. Some could be considered dated, yet a wonderful documentation of significant events and attitudes of an era in time. Timeless in many respects. A lot of the comedy writing nowadays is just yuckity yuck slap your knee type of predictable humor, and not clever at all.