Is the writing on "Girl Meets World" often too heavy-handed - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 12-08-2014, 02:52 AM

What I mean is that instead of allowing things to occur organically, it's all a "scheme" or a push to make things happen. To put it in another way, In effect, the writers did a lot of "telling" us how the characters feel (or spelled out and explained) instead of "showing" us how they feel.

For example, in the "Girl Meets Home for the Holidays", instead of Shawn and Maya coming to the realization that they're the same on their own, Riley pushes them together. They tried to make Shawn out to be the "bad guy" and Maya basically put him on trial to find out why. Ultimately, they bonded because we were told so. But it seemingly lacks subtlety and has very little sincerity when you get right too it. It all sounds like stilted dialog to drive home the message which is why it is lacking subtext and subtly.

More to the point, instead of showing that Maya's a bad influence, we're told she's a rebel. The only rebellious thing she's done so far was in the pilot where she set off the fire sprinklers in Cory's classroom. There are simply no real stakes. And instead of the girls getting into a situation that forces them to learn a lesson, the lesson is telegraphed from the onset. Instead of Lucas being sad or acting strange because he misses his old friends, we're told he does.

At the end of the day, you can argue that unless the show is exploring a Boy Meets World connection, every episode seems like a "very special episode" from an '80s sitcom. Maybe part of the problem is Michael Jacobs wants to be more a teacher then entertainer or writer. He sort reminds me a lot of Christian filmmakers (e.g. Brenda Hampton) trying to push their agenda ahead of being honest and entertaining.

Michael Jacobs just needs to be confident in his staff's writing that the young audience will "get it" without being hit over the head with it. Good screenwriters can argue their theme (good and bad) by presenting interesting scenes and actions performed by the characters.

As I suggested before, hardly anything on Girl Meets World feels organic or real. It perhaps instead, feels too staged and on-the-nose from the ham-fisted life lessons to how the kids AND adults talk. I mean, Boy Meets World definitely had life lessons too, but they were able to teach them though without actually saying "life lessons," though. There's nothing wrong with thoughtful entertainment but you can't put the message ahead of the entertainment or else it shows.

Mace Dolex · 12-08-2014, 04:51 AM

It sounds to me like you're expecting too much from a Disney kiddie show.

TMC · 12-08-2014, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace Dolex

It sounds to me like you're expecting too much from a Disney kiddie show.

Just because it's on Disney Channel doesn't necessarily mean that it can't strive to be better than that. And plus, since it's a sequel to a prime time show that aired on the ABC network, wouldn't you think that GMW would be more "sophisticated" than the average DC sitcom?

Spark Of Spirit · 12-08-2014, 05:15 PM

It's fairly in-line with BMW season 1, which was to be expected.

mets82 · 12-08-2014, 06:03 PM

TMC, if anything I think the writing is very cheesy not so much heavy handed. A lot of the jokes go over my head. Remember too, is that BMW was G to PG rated show whereas GMW is purely G. With BMW being a PG rated show sometimes you could get away with stuff although some of the dialogue on BMW went over my head as well.

Blackout · 12-08-2014, 06:31 PM

this is true that BMW had stuff that Disney can't allow: i.e. making out, swearing etc.

it sucks man, i really hope Disney lets ABC take over the show when Riley is older so they can have it appeal to teens more than pre teens.

JO Sweet Heart · 12-30-2014, 11:14 PM

^^^ In my opinion, that is one of the things that makes the show as good as it is, the fact that it is G rated.

God bless you always!!!

Holly

Mace Dolex · 12-30-2014, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JO Sweet Heart

^^^ In my opinion, that is one of the things that makes the show as good as it is, the fact that it is G rated.

God bless you always!!!

Holly

Thats the whole problem with GMW being on the Disney channel, it will never deal with serious teen issues (alcohol, teen pregnancy, drugs, racism) because it will always play it safe and let's say this show goes on for 4 years the actors on the show will still be acting like grade schoolers even during their high school years.

I think ABC would have chosen wisely and picked up GMW to revive their Friday TGIF lineup.

Blackout · 12-31-2014, 12:38 AM

they need to do a weed episode....a PRO weed episode

Mace Dolex · 12-31-2014, 04:34 AM

^^ and have Nancy Reagan all decrepit walking in crutches giving her "Just say NO" sermon.

cleverfun3000 · 12-31-2014, 09:52 AM

I look at the show regularly simply and ONLY because I was such a huge fan of "Boy Meets World." I also find Topanga to be very attractive as a grown woman. Other than those reasons, there's really no reason whatsoever to watch this dry toast of a show. It's silly - the characters act and talk silly and the set-ups seem to have been written by a cheesy stand-up comic. Oh! Gotta go! It's coming on now in a few minutes!

mets82 · 01-07-2015, 07:00 PM

I agree. Its more that I grew up with BMW.

TMC · 01-11-2015, 05:09 AM

The "current groves" in GMW if you agree w/ this assessment:
- Farkle saying his "Ha!" catchphrase
- Auggie screentime
- Ava
- Ava being bratty & obnoxious towards Topanga
- Maya's crush on Josh
- Riley making her not-so-subtle crush on Lucas obviously known
- Riley x Maya subtext (for those fans who ship them)
- Classroom scenes ruining the episode (and relating to the story)
- A reference to BMW (Cory recognizing that Auggie & Ava dating young are like him & Topanga)
- Lucas being boring

Also:
- The "How ya doin" catchphrase
- Maya scatting
- Maya making fun of Lucas for being from Texas
- Lucas x Maya subtext
- Riley's personal problems taking over the class lesson

D-Dey · 01-11-2015, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

The "current groves" in GMW if you agree w/ this assessment:
- Farkle saying his "Ha!" catchphrase
- Auggie screentime
- Ava
- Ava being bratty & obnoxious towards Topanga
- Maya's crush on Josh
- Riley making her not-so-subtle crush on Lucas obviously known
- Riley x Maya subtext (for those fans who ship them)
- Classroom scenes ruining the episode (and relating to the story)
- A reference to BMW (Cory recognizing that Auggie & Ava dating young are like him & Topanga)
- Lucas being boring

Also:
- The "How ya doin" catchphrase
- Maya scatting
- Maya making fun of Lucas for being from Texas
- Lucas x Maya subtext
- Riley's personal problems taking over the class lesson

Sounds like you're setting up the rules for a "Girl Meets World Drinking Game."

ThomasE · 01-16-2015, 10:18 PM

I do like the show. I would like to check Maya from time to time but the show is cool. I am loving it.

12-08-2014, 02:52 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,010	Is the writing on "Girl Meets World" often too heavy-handed What I mean is that instead of allowing things to occur organically, it's all a "scheme" or a push to make things happen. To put it in another way, In effect, the writers did a lot of "telling" us how the characters feel (or spelled out and explained) instead of "showing" us how they feel. For example, in the "Girl Meets Home for the Holidays", instead of Shawn and Maya coming to the realization that they're the same on their own, Riley pushes them together. They tried to make Shawn out to be the "bad guy" and Maya basically put him on trial to find out why. Ultimately, they bonded because we were told so. But it seemingly lacks subtlety and has very little sincerity when you get right too it. It all sounds like stilted dialog to drive home the message which is why it is lacking subtext and subtly. More to the point, instead of showing that Maya's a bad influence, we're told she's a rebel. The only rebellious thing she's done so far was in the pilot where she set off the fire sprinklers in Cory's classroom. There are simply no real stakes. And instead of the girls getting into a situation that forces them to learn a lesson, the lesson is telegraphed from the onset. Instead of Lucas being sad or acting strange because he misses his old friends, we're told he does. At the end of the day, you can argue that unless the show is exploring a Boy Meets World connection, every episode seems like a "very special episode" from an '80s sitcom. Maybe part of the problem is Michael Jacobs wants to be more a teacher then entertainer or writer. He sort reminds me a lot of Christian filmmakers (e.g. Brenda Hampton) trying to push their agenda ahead of being honest and entertaining. Michael Jacobs just needs to be confident in his staff's writing that the young audience will "get it" without being hit over the head with it. Good screenwriters can argue their theme (good and bad) by presenting interesting scenes and actions performed by the characters. As I suggested before, hardly anything on Girl Meets World feels organic or real. It perhaps instead, feels too staged and on-the-nose from the ham-fisted life lessons to how the kids AND adults talk. I mean, Boy Meets World definitely had life lessons too, but they were able to teach them though without actually saying "life lessons," though. There's nothing wrong with thoughtful entertainment but you can't put the message ahead of the entertainment or else it shows.

12-08-2014, 05:15 PM	#4
Spark Of Spirit Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 20, 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 563	It's fairly in-line with BMW season 1, which was to be expected.
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12-08-2014, 06:03 PM	#5
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,058	TMC, if anything I think the writing is very cheesy not so much heavy handed. A lot of the jokes go over my head. Remember too, is that BMW was G to PG rated show whereas GMW is purely G. With BMW being a PG rated show sometimes you could get away with stuff although some of the dialogue on BMW went over my head as well.
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12-08-2014, 06:31 PM	#6
Blackout Sart Bimpson Senior Member Join Date: Jan 13, 2003 Location: where the sun rises Posts: 2,235	this is true that BMW had stuff that Disney can't allow: i.e. making out, swearing etc. it sucks man, i really hope Disney lets ABC take over the show when Riley is older so they can have it appeal to teens more than pre teens.
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12-30-2014, 11:14 PM	#7
JO Sweet Heart Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 11, 2012 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 7,854	^^^ In my opinion, that is one of the things that makes the show as good as it is, the fact that it is G rated. God bless you always!!! Holly
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12-08-2014, 04:51 AM	#2
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,668	It sounds to me like you're expecting too much from a Disney kiddie show.

12-31-2014, 12:38 AM	#9
Blackout Sart Bimpson Senior Member Join Date: Jan 13, 2003 Location: where the sun rises Posts: 2,235	they need to do a weed episode....a PRO weed episode

12-31-2014, 04:34 AM	#10
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,668	^^ and have Nancy Reagan all decrepit walking in crutches giving her "Just say NO" sermon.

12-31-2014, 09:52 AM	#11
cleverfun3000 Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 18, 2008 Location: Manhattan Posts: 1,685	I look at the show regularly simply and ONLY because I was such a huge fan of "Boy Meets World." I also find Topanga to be very attractive as a grown woman. Other than those reasons, there's really no reason whatsoever to watch this dry toast of a show. It's silly - the characters act and talk silly and the set-ups seem to have been written by a cheesy stand-up comic. Oh! Gotta go! It's coming on now in a few minutes!
	__________________ I'm not speaking for everyone. Just myself and those that agree with me.

01-07-2015, 07:00 PM	#12
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,058	I agree. Its more that I grew up with BMW.

01-11-2015, 05:09 AM	#13
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,010	The "current groves" in GMW if you agree w/ this assessment: - Farkle saying his "Ha!" catchphrase - Auggie screentime - Ava - Ava being bratty & obnoxious towards Topanga - Maya's crush on Josh - Riley making her not-so-subtle crush on Lucas obviously known - Riley x Maya subtext (for those fans who ship them) - Classroom scenes ruining the episode (and relating to the story) - A reference to BMW (Cory recognizing that Auggie & Ava dating young are like him & Topanga) - Lucas being boring Also: - The "How ya doin" catchphrase - Maya scatting - Maya making fun of Lucas for being from Texas - Lucas x Maya subtext - Riley's personal problems taking over the class lesson

01-16-2015, 10:18 PM	#15
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	I do like the show. I would like to check Maya from time to time but the show is cool. I am loving it.
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