Do you enjoy sitcoms only if you find them funny? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Fallon97 · 06-12-2021, 04:39 PM

Do you only watch sitcoms (30-minute tv shows) because you find them funny?

The reason I ask this question is because I remember someone told me that even though they felt that I Dream of Jeannie was funnier than Bewitched, they actually prefer Bewitched. I thought people would prefer the show that they find the most funny.

So what makes you love a sitcom or prefer it over another sitcom? Does a sitcom that you love or prefer always have to be the most funniest or make you laugh so hard that it hurts your stomach?

cnnbcbs · 06-12-2021, 05:45 PM

Yes. That's why I never cared for 30 minute dramas like The Wonder Years.

Babalu · 06-13-2021, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fallon97

Do you only watch sitcoms (30-minute tv shows) because you find them funny?

The reason I ask this question is because I remember someone told me that even though they felt that I Dream of Jeannie was funnier than Bewitched, they actually prefer Bewitched. I thought people would prefer the show that they find the most funny.

So what makes you love a sitcom or prefer it over another sitcom? Does a sitcom that you love or prefer always have to be the most funniest or make you laugh so hard that it hurts your stomach?

I don't find sitcoms funny anymore which is why I gave up watching them with the exception of ones I was a fan of when I was much younger. The exceptions to that are shows like I Dream of Jeannie only because I like to look at Barbara Eden. Same for any shows with Valerie Bertinelli, Farrah Fawcett and a few others.

RetroGuy2000 · 06-13-2021, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fallon97

Do you only watch sitcoms (30-minute tv shows) because you find them funny?

The reason I ask this question is because I remember someone told me that even though they felt that I Dream of Jeannie was funnier than Bewitched, they actually prefer Bewitched. I thought people would prefer the show that they find the most funny.

So what makes you love a sitcom or prefer it over another sitcom? Does a sitcom that you love or prefer always have to be the most funniest or make you laugh so hard that it hurts your stomach?

I actually prefer sitcoms that have some serious moments. My favorite sitcoms use both humor and drama, which is how real life is. Sitcoms that are just funny feel hollow to me, especially if they use a laugh track. F-Troop is a good example of a sitcom I cannot watch.

SledgeBarone · 06-13-2021, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I actually prefer sitcoms that have some serious moments. My favorite sitcoms use both humor and drama, which is how real life is. Sitcoms that are just funny feel hollow to me, especially if they use a laugh track. F-Troop is a good example of a sitcom I cannot watch.

I'm kind of similar. Frank on Everybody Loves Raymond is otherwise a joke machine (and often mean-spirited), but his serious moments are memorable. I liked his moment in the series finale, when Ray discovered he almost didn't wake up at the hospital and accused Debra of thinking about being able to resume dating. Frank yelled at him, saying how Debra suffered and how Frank never wanted to see her like that again. Those moments humanize the characters.

LUNCH · 06-13-2021, 04:22 PM

Very interesting question. For me a sitcom does not always have to be that funny for me to watch and enjoy it. If a sitcom is pleasant to watch, has a good likeable cast and has a certain happy and relaxing atmosphere I still enjoy watching it. Here is just one example. I never found The Bob Newhart Show that funny, however it is so nice and pleasant to watch. I love the atmosphere of that show.

RetroGuy2000 · 06-13-2021, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SledgeBarone

I'm kind of similar. Frank on Everybody Loves Raymond is otherwise a joke machine (and often mean-spirited), but his serious moments are memorable. I liked his moment in the series finale, when Ray discovered he almost didn't wake up at the hospital and accused Debra of thinking about being able to resume dating. Frank yelled at him, saying how Debra suffered and how Frank never wanted to see her like that again. Those moments humanize the characters.

Yeah, humanizing the characters is important. I'm not an ELR watcher, but I can see where you would want balance to the characters. If the characters feel flat, the show seems lifeless.

merlinjones · 06-13-2021, 06:23 PM

I watch a lot of sitcoms that aren't particularly funny for many reasons - like interesting/likeable/charismatic/sexy actors, some thematic resonance perhaps, a style of presentation, design and color, cool theme song, engaging premise, charm, nostalgic appeal, writing, recognizable character traits, pace, direction, period interest, lack of pretension, sincerity, etc.

I recall someone back in the 80s commenting that they didn't think kids liked the classic Disney features anymore because they weren't laughing out loud in theatre -- and I said but look at them they are stone silent and totally mesmerized/enchanted. That is way harder to achieve than fart gags.

AB · 06-13-2021, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUNCH

Very interesting question. For me a sitcom does not always have to be that funny for me to watch and enjoy it. If a sitcom is pleasant to watch, has a good likeable cast and has a certain happy and relaxing atmosphere I still enjoy watching it. Here is just one example. I never found The Bob Newhart Show that funny, however it is so nice and pleasant to watch. I love the atmosphere of that show.

I agree with you for the most part. I do like a few laughable moments in any sitcom I watch.

Furienna · 06-24-2021, 05:30 AM

I don't really need to laugh all the time.
But a sitcom that I don't find funny at all isn't likely to work for me either.

I'm probably in the minority about this, but I prefer sitcoms with laugh tracks.

SarahBellum · 06-24-2021, 11:42 AM

Great question. I stopped watching new sitcoms many years ago because they all seem to rely on raunchy humor and sexual innuendo. But when I did watch, I preferred sitcoms that were funny without being silly. An example would be Barney Miller. Some sitcoms start off OK, but then turn silly. An example would be Newhart. I liked it initially, but it got silly with too much of Larry, Daryl and Daryl. I also got tired of Stefanie and Michael.

Dude111 · 06-24-2021, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnnbcbs

Yes. That's why I never cared for 30 minute dramas like The Wonder Years.

Ya I dont mind if they are funny just not stupid like Naked Gun 33 and 1/3 is....

Chocolate Moose · 06-24-2021, 04:05 PM

it's got to be laugh-out-loud funny for me. Otherwise, it's not a sitcom.

Caroline13 · 06-24-2021, 04:28 PM

The ones that stick in my mind, Archie Bunker, The Golden Girls, Married with Kids, 2-1/2 Men and they were all pretty funny and loved the story lines.

TVLegend · 06-24-2021, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caroline13

The ones that stick in my mind, Archie Bunker, The Golden Girls, Married with Kids, 2-1/2 Men and they were all pretty funny and loved the story lines.

Well, finally we can come to an agreement on something. I LOVE The Golden Girls.

06-12-2021, 04:39 PM	#1
Fallon97 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2007 Location: America Posts: 1,270	Do you enjoy sitcoms only if you find them funny? Do you only watch sitcoms (30-minute tv shows) because you find them funny? The reason I ask this question is because I remember someone told me that even though they felt that I Dream of Jeannie was funnier than Bewitched, they actually prefer Bewitched. I thought people would prefer the show that they find the most funny. So what makes you love a sitcom or prefer it over another sitcom? Does a sitcom that you love or prefer always have to be the most funniest or make you laugh so hard that it hurts your stomach?

06-24-2021, 05:30 AM	#10
Furienna Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 22, 2006 Location: Örnsköldsvik, Sweden Posts: 6,277	I don't really need to laugh all the time. But a sitcom that I don't find funny at all isn't likely to work for me either. I'm probably in the minority about this, but I prefer sitcoms with laugh tracks.
	__________________ Intelligence and purity.

06-24-2021, 04:05 PM	#13
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,887	it's got to be laugh-out-loud funny for me. Otherwise, it's not a sitcom.
	__________________ How long a minute is, depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

06-24-2021, 04:28 PM	#14
Caroline13 Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Jan 30, 2021 Location: So Calif Posts: 14,483	The ones that stick in my mind, Archie Bunker, The Golden Girls, Married with Kids, 2-1/2 Men and they were all pretty funny and loved the story lines.
	__________________ Inexpensive Health Insurance = Grape Seed Extract Keep It Simple

06-12-2021, 05:45 PM	#2
cnnbcbs Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 08, 2017 Posts: 366	Yes. That's why I never cared for 30 minute dramas like The Wonder Years.

06-13-2021, 04:22 PM	#6
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	Very interesting question. For me a sitcom does not always have to be that funny for me to watch and enjoy it. If a sitcom is pleasant to watch, has a good likeable cast and has a certain happy and relaxing atmosphere I still enjoy watching it. Here is just one example. I never found The Bob Newhart Show that funny, however it is so nice and pleasant to watch. I love the atmosphere of that show.

06-13-2021, 06:23 PM	#8
merlinjones Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 30, 2019 Location: los ángeles Posts: 931	I watch a lot of sitcoms that aren't particularly funny for many reasons - like interesting/likeable/charismatic/sexy actors, some thematic resonance perhaps, a style of presentation, design and color, cool theme song, engaging premise, charm, nostalgic appeal, writing, recognizable character traits, pace, direction, period interest, lack of pretension, sincerity, etc. I recall someone back in the 80s commenting that they didn't think kids liked the classic Disney features anymore because they weren't laughing out loud in theatre -- and I said but look at them they are stone silent and totally mesmerized/enchanted. That is way harder to achieve than fart gags.

06-24-2021, 11:42 AM	#11
SarahBellum Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 15, 2007 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 3,873	Great question. I stopped watching new sitcoms many years ago because they all seem to rely on raunchy humor and sexual innuendo. But when I did watch, I preferred sitcoms that were funny without being silly. An example would be Barney Miller. Some sitcoms start off OK, but then turn silly. An example would be Newhart. I liked it initially, but it got silly with too much of Larry, Daryl and Daryl. I also got tired of Stefanie and Michael.