Meeting the Parents episode (2/24) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

dlemond · 02-25-2003, 02:09 PM

What did you guys think?

I thought parts were very funny. Frank got all the best lines in this episode.

Fred Willard playing Amy's stiff dad is a waste of his comedic talents, there is no way for him to shine when playing this bland of a straight man.
He is a very funny in subtle ways in the right role (Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show).

And Chris Elliot needs his own show- playing 7th banana to these characters is not his best forte.

Central Perk · 02-25-2003, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dlemond

I thought parts were very funny. Frank got all the best lines in this episode.

I agree. Overall I didn't the show was great but some parts were funny. I bet Amy's brother trying to break-up the wedding could add some funny moments to the show.

callmetootie · 02-25-2003, 05:15 PM

Good, but not great. Peter Boyle, Ray Romano, and Doris Roberts were all great, but I didn't care for the plot or other cast members. Engel and Willard were funny at first, but just got a bit obnoxious. Boyle and Roberts were delightfully funny together, with Romano pulling through at the end to give a good SUPPORTING performance. Heaton was totally wasted, with Garrett getting mostly weak material. I can't see the relationship lasting much longer. The parents are far too bland and strict to have their daughter wind up with the Barone clan! Good eppie for Boyle to sumbit at emmy time, but otherwise just a good episode. B/B-.

izzyB · 02-25-2003, 06:15 PM

agree that peter boyle had a good performance. but as several others have pointed out, when you assemble such an ensemble of first-rate actors some are going to get overlooked on the material. i feel like this coming together had to happen at least once but the storyline might be better served in the future to narrow the cast as plot dictates. for example one time engels and roberts and then another time romano and elliot, etc. but i still feel there is great potential for all of these players!

Brian Damage · 02-25-2003, 06:32 PM

I agree with everybody else. Certain parts were funny, but overall, was just an ok episode.

Chocoholic · 02-25-2003, 07:00 PM

My favorite line...

Ray: "Why don't we go spend some time by ourselves?"
Debra": "Ray, we already had sex this week."

Overall, I thought it was an OK episode. Amy's family really creeps me out. I think I'd rather be stuck with Robert's family.

flutey · 02-26-2003, 12:30 AM

Quote:

And Chris Elliot needs his own show- playing 7th banana to these characters is not his best forte.

I do agree

Not a bad episode..not the best..

Janice · 02-28-2003, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dlemond
And Chris Elliot needs his own show- playing 7th banana to these characters is not his best forte.

I agree. I've said it many times on SO that I think Chris Elliot is underrated. I've been a fan of his since he was the guy living under the floor on David Letterman's show back in the 80s.
Chris kills me.
I think it's unfortunate that he's never found the right vehicle to star in. Luck plays a part in this profession--so does a good agent.
I think Meeting the Parents was okay. Nothing great. That's one thing about ELR... some shows are fall off the chair funny while others are mediocre or downright lame.
Fortunately, most episodes are winners.

dlemond · 02-28-2003, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Janice

I agree. I've said it many times on SO that I think Chris Elliot is underrated. I've been a fan of his since he was the guy living under the floor on David Letterman's show back in the 80s.
Chris kills me.
I think it's unfortunate that he's never found the right vehicle to star in. Luck plays a part in this profession--so does a good agent.

It was a crime that Get a Life was cancelled after 2 seasons.
Did you watch that show?

Always amusing, sometimes hysterical, and sometimes just plain weird, this show was a great vehicle for Chris Elliot, but it didn't catch on.

There are 2 DVDs releases out with 4 episodes apiece on them.

You can also find people on ebay selling the whole series from their own tapes.

Chocoholic · 02-28-2003, 03:18 PM

Chris Elliot can be pretty funny. I feel safe to admit a deep dark secret here.

I'm one of the dozen or so people who actually liked Cursed/The Weber show.

Janice · 02-28-2003, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dlemond

It was a crime that Get a Life was cancelled after 2 seasons.
Did you watch that show?

Always amusing, sometimes hysterical, and sometimes just plain weird, this show was a great vehicle for Chris Elliot, but it didn't catch on.

I loved Get a Life. It is a shame it didn't catch on. I remember the opener with Chris flying off the bicycle which of course he used for his paper route...while living over his folk's garage, lol. It was to the tune of Stand by REM? Wow, I just pulled that from the archives of my brain. I didn't even know it was there, lol.
His father, Bob Elliot, was great. He was part of an old comedy team, Bob and Ray. He was funny on the show. It was a nice touch having his real dad play his sitcom dad.
There's not enough Chris Elliot out there for me. Hell, I even enjoyed Cabin Boy which I believe did a crash and burn at the box office.
He's one of those guys that I laugh at before he opens his mouth. Gene Wilder always struck me that way too.

ElTacoBlanco · 03-09-2003, 01:28 AM

I thought it was very decent. My fav line from that episode was:

Frank: "Liar."

Amy's Father: "What do you mean?"

Frank: "You probably spend all Sunday watching T.V. in a muffin shop."

Excellent performance by Boyle and Romano!!

PracTz · 03-09-2003, 07:45 PM

I liked this episode and thought it was great how they had two likable performers (Fred Willard and Georgia Engel) playing UNlikable characters! Also, Frank was hilarious here from beginning to end- especially with his Pants Muffin Chase (good to see that Boyle's health has improved enough for him not to get winded doing that)!
The only downsides: Chris Elliot did a good job playing the character but he looks WAY too old to be Amy's brother or Georgia Engel's son (she's 12 years older)! Perhaps if they'd made him a cousin or bummy uncle that would have helped. Also, Pat Heaton looked ridiculous - like she was applying for a job in some teen boutique but would have been laughed off the premises!

Janice · 03-09-2003, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PracTz
Also, Pat Heaton looked ridiculous - like she was applying for a job in some teen boutique but would have been laughed off the premises!

What was she wearing? I forget. She usually looks great in anything with her cute figure.

MTM1Fan · 03-09-2003, 11:05 PM

Cute figure? I swear that woman is a humpback.

02-25-2003, 02:09 PM	#1
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	Meeting the Parents episode (2/24) What did you guys think? I thought parts were very funny. Frank got all the best lines in this episode. Fred Willard playing Amy's stiff dad is a waste of his comedic talents, there is no way for him to shine when playing this bland of a straight man. He is a very funny in subtle ways in the right role (Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show). And Chris Elliot needs his own show- playing 7th banana to these characters is not his best forte.
	Last edited by dlemond; 02-25-2003 at 02:25 PM.

02-25-2003, 05:15 PM	#3
callmetootie Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 06, 2001 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 4,768	Good, but not great. Peter Boyle, Ray Romano, and Doris Roberts were all great, but I didn't care for the plot or other cast members. Engel and Willard were funny at first, but just got a bit obnoxious. Boyle and Roberts were delightfully funny together, with Romano pulling through at the end to give a good SUPPORTING performance. Heaton was totally wasted, with Garrett getting mostly weak material. I can't see the relationship lasting much longer. The parents are far too bland and strict to have their daughter wind up with the Barone clan! Good eppie for Boyle to sumbit at emmy time, but otherwise just a good episode. B/B-.
	__________________ Andrew Carden

03-09-2003, 11:05 PM	#15
MTM1Fan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 06, 2001 Location: Philadelphia, Pa Posts: 219	Cute figure? I swear that woman is a humpback.
	__________________ Why are you reading this, you should be looking at the posts!

02-25-2003, 06:15 PM	#4
izzyB Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 09, 2003 Posts: 8	agree that peter boyle had a good performance. but as several others have pointed out, when you assemble such an ensemble of first-rate actors some are going to get overlooked on the material. i feel like this coming together had to happen at least once but the storyline might be better served in the future to narrow the cast as plot dictates. for example one time engels and roberts and then another time romano and elliot, etc. but i still feel there is great potential for all of these players!

02-25-2003, 06:32 PM	#5
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: 63,107	I agree with everybody else. Certain parts were funny, but overall, was just an ok episode.

02-25-2003, 07:00 PM	#6
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	My favorite line... Ray: "Why don't we go spend some time by ourselves?" Debra": "Ray, we already had sex this week." Overall, I thought it was an OK episode. Amy's family really creeps me out. I think I'd rather be stuck with Robert's family.

02-28-2003, 03:18 PM	#10
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	Chris Elliot can be pretty funny. I feel safe to admit a deep dark secret here. I'm one of the dozen or so people who actually liked Cursed/The Weber show.

03-09-2003, 01:28 AM	#12
ElTacoBlanco Couch Potato Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 09, 2003 Location: California Posts: 14	I thought it was very decent. My fav line from that episode was: Frank: "Liar." Amy's Father: "What do you mean?" Frank: "You probably spend all Sunday watching T.V. in a muffin shop." Excellent performance by Boyle and Romano!!

03-09-2003, 07:45 PM	#13
PracTz Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2002 Location: United States of America [Happily Living in the 20th Century] Posts: 2,711	I liked this episode and thought it was great how they had two likable performers (Fred Willard and Georgia Engel) playing UNlikable characters! Also, Frank was hilarious here from beginning to end- especially with his Pants Muffin Chase (good to see that Boyle's health has improved enough for him not to get winded doing that)! The only downsides: Chris Elliot did a good job playing the character but he looks WAY too old to be Amy's brother or Georgia Engel's son (she's 12 years older)! Perhaps if they'd made him a cousin or bummy uncle that would have helped. Also, Pat Heaton looked ridiculous - like she was applying for a job in some teen boutique but would have been laughed off the premises!