Jack And Liz And Leslie And Ron: How Comedies Have Excelled At Portraying Platonic Re - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 09-15-2016, 01:18 PM

http://uproxx.com/tv/platonic-relationships-sitcoms/

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While Liz Lemon’s terrible dating life and Jack’s sexual prowess constantly made their way into the plot lines of 30 Rock, despite seven seasons of banter, a hook up between Jack and Liz never seemed possible. Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin had undeniable chemistry, but that sort of relationship never would have worked. Despite that one accidental marriage, friendship was the only logical possibility. As Jack helped her navigate her life and her career and Liz showed Jack that (surprise!) you can have a meaningful relationship with a woman without sleeping with her, they both provided new avenues of growth for the other. What worked so well with their relationship was how it forced them both to confront their own hangups and move on as better people because they knew the other.

Plus, sometimes it’s just good to know when someone always has your back. When Jack’s mother Colleen (Elaine Stritch) dies in season seven’s “Florida,” Liz fills the role that a best friend is bound to do and is there for him through this confusing time, even traveling with him to deal with Colleen’s personal effects and relationship mysteries. This intimacy does not go unnoticed by Liz, who is left to wonder why their relationship never turned to the romantic.

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Liz: Why didn’t anything ever happen between us?
Jack: Good God, Lemon. If you’re trying to conjure my mother’s ghost, you could just shake a jar of coins while praising Jimmy Carter.
Liz: No, I’m not saying I wanted something to happen, but why didn’t something happen? We’ve spent a lot of time together. We’ve been drunk together, and day drunk together, and on the rebound at the same time. And also you’re kind of a slut.
Jack: I did sleep with Jenna a lot in season three.
Liz: If I was a different person, would you have hit on me?
Jack: I understand what you’re getting at, Lemon. There was a particularly youth-oriented priest in my childhood parish who went after everybody but me. Even Fat Ralph, and he ate his boogers. I felt so unpretty.
Liz: No, this isn’t about appearance, Jack. Did nothing ever happen between us because I’m not fun?
Jack: Good God, Lemon. Obviously, our relationship, however you define it, Mentor/mentee —
Liz: –Sister-ployee/work oracle.
Jack: — Is more interesting than some dating scenario. And obviously, to ruin what we have with a tawdry, yet expert sexual encounter would’ve been a mistake.

And there’s the rub: If Jack and Liz had hooked up (ew), what made their relationship interesting and different would have changed, and not in a good way. Some people are just better off as platonic sparring partners. Adding sex into the equation does complicate things, as Ephron was right to point out, but an across-gender relationship without it isn’t impossible.

Anna Karenina · 09-15-2016, 01:39 PM

On "Cheers" Rebecca and Sam were platonic friends with occasional benefits. After Diane they didn't want to do another serious romance for Sam.

Shirley and Reuben were platonic.

Jack and Janet, platonic.

I think it is very nice to see these kind of relationships shown on TV. Of course men and women can be friends without there being inherent sexual tension.

Walter White · 10-03-2016, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Karenina

On "Cheers" Rebecca and Sam were platonic friends with occasional benefits. After Diane they didn't want to do another serious romance for Sam.

Shirley and Reuben were platonic.

Jack and Janet, platonic.

I think it is very nice to see these kind of relationships shown on TV. Of course men and women can be friends without there being inherent sexual tension.

09-15-2016, 01:39 PM	#2
Anna Karenina Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 09, 2006 Posts: 10,086	On "Cheers" Rebecca and Sam were platonic friends with occasional benefits. After Diane they didn't want to do another serious romance for Sam. Shirley and Reuben were platonic. Jack and Janet, platonic. I think it is very nice to see these kind of relationships shown on TV. Of course men and women can be friends without there being inherent sexual tension.