Are People Rooting For 'Whitney' To Fail Because It is A Multi Camera Sitcom? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 09-22-2011, 09:45 AM

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/a3...ur-demise.html

robyrob · 09-22-2011, 10:56 AM

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.

Marvo301 · 09-22-2011, 12:58 PM

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.

yankeesrj12 · 09-22-2011, 01:17 PM

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

ryan423 · 09-22-2011, 07:54 PM

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!

Dork · 09-22-2011, 08:43 PM

Probably

mets82 · 09-22-2011, 09:11 PM

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.

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 09-22-2011, 09:25 PM

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.

mets82 · 09-22-2011, 10:22 PM

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

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 09-23-2011, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mets82

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.

Brian Damage · 09-23-2011, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Pleasant Tomorrow*

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

Very true

EmoJoe · 09-23-2011, 11:17 PM

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.

TVFactFan · 09-24-2011, 04:00 PM

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

Brian Damage · 09-24-2011, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

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

Why?

TVFactFan · 09-24-2011, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Why?

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

09-22-2011, 09:45 AM	#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: 63,108	Are People Rooting For 'Whitney' To Fail Because It is A Multi Camera Sitcom? 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/a3...ur-demise.html
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

09-22-2011, 10:56 AM	#2
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,159	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.
	__________________ * firefox * AdAware * HiJackThis * CoolWebShredder * Spybot * SpywareBlaster * Spyware Terminator * * GeeksToGo * AntiVir * Avast antivirus * Housecall Online * Sysinternals Security Utilities * * ZoneAlarm * Agnitum-firewall * Comodo Firewall * AVG Anti-Rootkit * RootkitRevealer * ParasiteCheck * * Annoyances * FreeCodecs * Mikes-Hosts-File * GRC.com * MSAntispyware * DVD's * TradeList * myspace *

09-22-2011, 12:58 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,450	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.
	__________________ 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

09-22-2011, 09:25 PM	#8
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	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.
	__________________ my name is ashlee Welcome! Everything is fine.

09-23-2011, 11:17 PM	#12
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	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 know the difference between TV and reality, Jeff. TV has structure, it makes sense, there are likable leading men. In real life, we have this. We have you." - Abed Nadir, Community www.sitcomsarestupid.blogspot.com

09-22-2011, 01:17 PM	#4
yankeesrj12 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 09, 2008 Posts: 4,335	Gah, I can't wait to see this show!!!!

09-22-2011, 07:54 PM	#5
ryan423 Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 15, 2007 Posts: 1,829	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!

09-22-2011, 08:43 PM	#6
Dork Member Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 30, 2010 Posts: 591	Probably

09-22-2011, 09:11 PM	#7
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,058	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.

09-22-2011, 10:22 PM	#9
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,058	As far as Two and a Half Men go, I dont watch the show but Ive heard it has had great ratings.

09-24-2011, 04:00 PM	#13
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,950	I was surprised it was shot in front of a live audience