Is sitcoms from the 2000's and beyond cynical? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

MrCleveland · 06-24-2015, 06:07 PM

I have my brother with me and he was watching Rules of Engagement where David Spade's character to me is an *******! Then the others on the show are 1-dimensional. HIMYM is the same way...Neil Patrick Harris' character Barney Stinson is an ******* and the other characters are one-dimensional.

The characters are unlikeable but is it just the CBS sitcoms or is it almost all of the sitcoms of the 2000's and now have this scenario where no one is liked?

Mr. Television · 06-24-2015, 06:15 PM

That is one reason why sitcoms this century have been hard to become hits. You don't care about these people. They make sitcoms anymore for shock value. I can count the good current sitcoms on one hand.

tlc38tlc38 · 06-24-2015, 06:39 PM

I agree. My current favorites are VERY limited. I really like "Girl Meets World", "Fresh Off the Boat", and "2 Broke Girls" but I'll be the first to admit that "2BG" is extremely raunchy and cynical.

Mr. Television · 06-24-2015, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlc38tlc38

I agree. My current favorites are VERY limited. I really like "Girl Meets World", "Fresh Off the Boat", and "2 Broke Girls" but I'll be the first to admit that "2BG" is extremely raunchy and cynical.

I know how it is. I loved Married with Children. lol

UMFaninMD · 06-25-2015, 08:08 PM

Cynical and unlikable sitcom characters are nothing new but at least back then they were entertaining. Not so much today.

Retro4Life · 06-25-2015, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Television

That is one reason why sitcoms this century have been hard to become hits. You don't care about these people. They make sitcoms anymore for shock value. I can count the good current sitcoms on one hand.

Could not have said it better myself. Agree on all points.

factsoflife · 06-26-2015, 02:50 AM

I'm not sure if today's sitcoms are more or less cynical than previous decades, but if they are, even slightly, I'd say that it is more of a generational thing. The people writing sitcoms today are in their 20's and 30's and grew up in a very different world than the writers who were working on sitcoms from the 1990's and prior. They've simply grown up with different life experiences and different perspectives on the world, so they have a different comedic sensibility.

I also think societal norms play a role in how characters are written, and certainly social norms have shifted dramatically since the 1990's.

Another factor could be that many of the sitcoms today are single-camera shows which require, generally speaking a more snarky tone than the traditional multi-camera series which tended to be more "feel good."

I think it's a matter of perspective, because at the time shows like Married With Children were considered extremely cynical.

MrCleveland · 06-27-2015, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UMFaninMD

Cynical and unlikable sitcom characters are nothing new but at least back then they were entertaining. Not so much today.

Perfect Example...Archie Bunker!

He's a bigot, but he sometimes admits he's wrong.

06-24-2015, 06:07 PM	#1
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,232	Is sitcoms from the 2000's and beyond cynical? I have my brother with me and he was watching Rules of Engagement where David Spade's character to me is an *****! Then the others on the show are 1-dimensional. HIMYM is the same way...Neil Patrick Harris' character Barney Stinson is an ***** and the other characters are one-dimensional. The characters are unlikeable but is it just the CBS sitcoms or is it almost all of the sitcoms of the 2000's and now have this scenario where no one is liked?
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

06-24-2015, 06:15 PM	#2
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	That is one reason why sitcoms this century have been hard to become hits. You don't care about these people. They make sitcoms anymore for shock value. I can count the good current sitcoms on one hand.
	__________________ Sonny

06-24-2015, 06:39 PM	#3
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,259	I agree. My current favorites are VERY limited. I really like "Girl Meets World", "Fresh Off the Boat", and "2 Broke Girls" but I'll be the first to admit that "2BG" is extremely raunchy and cynical.
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.

06-26-2015, 02:50 AM	#7
factsoflife Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 11, 2000 Posts: 8,747	I'm not sure if today's sitcoms are more or less cynical than previous decades, but if they are, even slightly, I'd say that it is more of a generational thing. The people writing sitcoms today are in their 20's and 30's and grew up in a very different world than the writers who were working on sitcoms from the 1990's and prior. They've simply grown up with different life experiences and different perspectives on the world, so they have a different comedic sensibility. I also think societal norms play a role in how characters are written, and certainly social norms have shifted dramatically since the 1990's. Another factor could be that many of the sitcoms today are single-camera shows which require, generally speaking a more snarky tone than the traditional multi-camera series which tended to be more "feel good." I think it's a matter of perspective, because at the time shows like Married With Children were considered extremely cynical.
	__________________ "and to the fans. I was only supposed to be on every other Tuesday. But, thanks to you, I'm here, and I promise! I will try my best never to let you down. I am going back into that studio on Monday, and I'm going to play Erica Kane for all she's worth!"-- Susan Lucci, May 1999 Daytime Emmy Speech.

06-25-2015, 08:08 PM	#5
UMFaninMD I love a mystery Senior Member Join Date: Apr 19, 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,287	Cynical and unlikable sitcom characters are nothing new but at least back then they were entertaining. Not so much today.