Dick Van Dyke Is NOT A Fan Of Today's Sitcoms - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-03-2011, 10:39 PM

But one activity that isn't high on Van Dyke's list is watching TV, particularly comedy.

“Most of the sitcoms today are just punchlines,” he says, allowing that he did like Seinfeld. “For me, everybody is trying too hard. You can see them trying, and that's death. You cannot try to be funny.”

http://www.usaweekend.com/article/20110429/ENTERTAINMENT01/105010314/Dick-Van-Dyke-You-cannot-try-funny-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage

Marvo301 · 05-03-2011, 11:04 PM

I agree with Dick! The classic sitcoms had a rhythm. Set up, punch line, set-up, punchline. Today's sitcoms just try to hit you over the head with punchline after punchline. And it's not nearly as funny!

Retro4Life · 05-03-2011, 11:15 PM

^That's largely because the classic sitcoms took their cues from real life, and let the comedy grow from that reality.

Today's sitcoms, by contrast, take their cues from OTHER sitcoms, probably the sitcoms that the writers watched as kids. And as Dick said, try so hard to be funny that they lose all sense of reality. It's very sad and I despair of them ever successfully turning the clock back.

catlover79 · 05-04-2011, 05:03 AM

Dick, I agree with you 1000%!!!!

70s show watcher · 05-04-2011, 05:37 AM

while i do like a number of todays sitcoms mr van dyke does have a valid point too many of todays sitcoms lack a certan createtiveness that the classic sitcoms had . of course anytime a network gets something createive the mess with it anyway

catlover79 · 05-04-2011, 05:45 AM

Just one more reason not to like the network executives - they screw everything up!!!

Schmoopie · 05-06-2011, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Dick, I agree with you 1000%!!!!

I second that! BTW, is that a recent picture of him? He looks amazing! Does this man ever age?

catlover79 · 05-06-2011, 02:30 PM

He has held up very well indeed. God bless him.

05-03-2011, 10:39 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Dick Van Dyke Is NOT A Fan Of Today's Sitcoms But one activity that isn't high on Van Dyke's list is watching TV, particularly comedy. “Most of the sitcoms today are just punchlines,” he says, allowing that he did like Seinfeld. “For me, everybody is trying too hard. You can see them trying, and that's death. You cannot try to be funny.” http://www.usaweekend.com/article/20110429/ENTERTAINMENT01/105010314/Dick-Van-Dyke-You-cannot-try-funny-?odyssey=tab\|topnews\|text\|Frontpage
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

05-03-2011, 11:04 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	I agree with Dick! The classic sitcoms had a rhythm. Set up, punch line, set-up, punchline. Today's sitcoms just try to hit you over the head with punchline after punchline. And it's not nearly as funny!
	__________________ 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

05-03-2011, 11:15 PM	#3
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	^That's largely because the classic sitcoms took their cues from real life, and let the comedy grow from that reality. Today's sitcoms, by contrast, take their cues from OTHER sitcoms, probably the sitcoms that the writers watched as kids. And as Dick said, try so hard to be funny that they lose all sense of reality. It's very sad and I despair of them ever successfully turning the clock back.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

05-04-2011, 05:03 AM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Dick, I agree with you 1000%!!!!
	__________________ "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

05-04-2011, 05:37 AM	#5
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,549	while i do like a number of todays sitcoms mr van dyke does have a valid point too many of todays sitcoms lack a certan createtiveness that the classic sitcoms had . of course anytime a network gets something createive the mess with it anyway

05-04-2011, 05:45 AM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Just one more reason not to like the network executives - they screw everything up!!!

05-06-2011, 02:30 PM	#8
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	He has held up very well indeed. God bless him.