Interesting Thought From A Media Professor - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

pilotguy · 08-29-2003, 07:49 AM

This morning one of our local radio call-in talk shows had as it's guest a Professor of Television at Syracuse University's Newhouse Schools of Communication.

This professor guests every so often on the show, and he gives his thoughts and opinions of the current TV scene, both on the networks and on cable.

He's very knowledgable, and very down-to-earth....He never comes across as stuffy, pompous or arrogant.

Anyway, he was talking about the upcoming fall TV schedule, and he was lamenting the absence of "Just Shoot Me"....

He said that it was time for that show to end as it had been around for a long time, but he was sorry to see it go....

He said, "You know, it wasn't one of those sitcoms that people made a point to stay home for, and it wasn't one of those sitcoms that people talked about in the office the next day....It was never a "mega-hit" series like "Friends" or "Seinfeld", but it was like "Wings".....a solid show that you could always tune in and KNOW that you would get some good laughs from."

I thought that that was a good assessment of "Just Shoot Me", and I also thought that summed up "Wings" quite nicely too...and I liked the fact that he even MENTIONED "Wings" in his on-air thoughts.
Perhaps "Wings" made more of an impression on people than we realize!

(For the record, I think that his description could also apply to "News Radio")!

Chocoholic · 08-29-2003, 12:27 PM

That professor sounds like that guy who used to be the couch critic on TV Guide. (What was his name?) He said that about Wings too.

I love NewsRadio. Just Shoot Me wasn't too bad, but like Frasier, it was a show I couldn't seem to get into.

losthighway · 08-29-2003, 02:35 PM

I was never much of a "Just Shoot Me" fan but the comparison is reasonable. I still think the acting and writing was superior on Wings, but it is very fair to compare the shows in terms of not being big hits, but still enjoyable and reliable entertainment.

Interestingly enough the head writer and creator of "Just Shoot Me", Steve Levitan, got his big break as a writer on Wings. That's probably why Crystal Bernard did that guest spot on Just Shoot Me....at the time Wings was in its final season and Steve probably just asked her to do it as a favor.

Adamantium · 08-29-2003, 07:58 PM

I never got into "Just Shoot Me." I remember back when it was in it's second season, Entertainment Weekly did an article comparing it to "NewsRadio."

As for "Wings", I try talking about it at work. You know, trying to get it's popularity up, but no one knows what I'm talking about.

On the subject of talking about Seinfeld and Friends at the offie the next day ...

In an episode of "NewsRadio" (I know this is the Wings board, but) Catherine was sitting down to lunch when three people sat down next to her. One of them asks "So did you all catch "Friends" last night?" Catherine gave a disgusted look. I've mentioned earlier that I liked the early years, but not much as I like Wings. And I'm just not that interested in talking about "Friends" as much as I enjoy talking about other shows.

Wow, this reply has it all. Just Shoot Me, NewsRadio, Seinfeld, Friends, and um, yes and Wings, too.

AgtSkye · 08-31-2003, 06:09 AM

I heard Wings described several years ago as a "sleeper hit". I think that is a good assessment of it. Also, totally out of the blue I also remember hearing that Steven Webber found out that Tom Hanks enjoyed watching Wings. I was pretty surprised when I heard that.
I didn't have cable for a little over a month recently, and I was not able to watch Wings at all. No tv period. So it's good to be back to watching it again. I'm just very sorry that I missed the first season, and the first part of the second. That is some of the best of the series I think. Very funny stuff.

Anne

pilotguy · 08-31-2003, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AgtSkye
I heard Wings described several years ago as a "sleeper hit". I think that is a good assessment of it. Also, totally out of the blue I also remember hearing that Steven Webber found out that Tom Hanks enjoyed watching Wings. I was pretty surprised when I heard that.

Anne

I'm not really that surprised....although Tom Hanks is NOW regarded as a highly-regarded dramatic film actor, don't forget that his roots are in comedy...and TV SITCOM comedy at that ("Bosom Buddies"!).

In fact, Hanks' character in the comedy film "Bachelor Party" is a LOT like Brian Hackett....a smart-aleck wise guy who is LOADED with funny one-liners!

08-29-2003, 07:49 AM	#1
pilotguy Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 09, 2003 Posts: 1,305	Interesting Thought From A Media Professor This morning one of our local radio call-in talk shows had as it's guest a Professor of Television at Syracuse University's Newhouse Schools of Communication. This professor guests every so often on the show, and he gives his thoughts and opinions of the current TV scene, both on the networks and on cable. He's very knowledgable, and very down-to-earth....He never comes across as stuffy, pompous or arrogant. Anyway, he was talking about the upcoming fall TV schedule, and he was lamenting the absence of "Just Shoot Me".... He said that it was time for that show to end as it had been around for a long time, but he was sorry to see it go.... He said, "You know, it wasn't one of those sitcoms that people made a point to stay home for, and it wasn't one of those sitcoms that people talked about in the office the next day....It was never a "mega-hit" series like "Friends" or "Seinfeld", but it was like "Wings".....a solid show that you could always tune in and KNOW that you would get some good laughs from." I thought that that was a good assessment of "Just Shoot Me", and I also thought that summed up "Wings" quite nicely too...and I liked the fact that he even MENTIONED "Wings" in his on-air thoughts. Perhaps "Wings" made more of an impression on people than we realize! (For the record, I think that his description could also apply to "News Radio")!

08-31-2003, 06:09 AM	#5
AgtSkye Jedi knightess Frequent Poster Join Date: May 04, 2003 Location: a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away Posts: 185	Interesting Thought From A Media Professor I heard Wings described several years ago as a "sleeper hit". I think that is a good assessment of it. Also, totally out of the blue I also remember hearing that Steven Webber found out that Tom Hanks enjoyed watching Wings. I was pretty surprised when I heard that. I didn't have cable for a little over a month recently, and I was not able to watch Wings at all. No tv period. So it's good to be back to watching it again. I'm just very sorry that I missed the first season, and the first part of the second. That is some of the best of the series I think. Very funny stuff. Anne
	__________________ En það besta sem Guð hefur skapað er nýr dagur But the best thing God has created is a new day ~ Sigur Rós

08-29-2003, 12:27 PM	#2
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	That professor sounds like that guy who used to be the couch critic on TV Guide. (What was his name?) He said that about Wings too. I love NewsRadio. Just Shoot Me wasn't too bad, but like Frasier, it was a show I couldn't seem to get into.

08-29-2003, 02:35 PM	#3
losthighway Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 14, 2003 Posts: 370	I was never much of a "Just Shoot Me" fan but the comparison is reasonable. I still think the acting and writing was superior on Wings, but it is very fair to compare the shows in terms of not being big hits, but still enjoyable and reliable entertainment. Interestingly enough the head writer and creator of "Just Shoot Me", Steve Levitan, got his big break as a writer on Wings. That's probably why Crystal Bernard did that guest spot on Just Shoot Me....at the time Wings was in its final season and Steve probably just asked her to do it as a favor.

08-29-2003, 07:58 PM	#4
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,839	I never got into "Just Shoot Me." I remember back when it was in it's second season, Entertainment Weekly did an article comparing it to "NewsRadio." As for "Wings", I try talking about it at work. You know, trying to get it's popularity up, but no one knows what I'm talking about. On the subject of talking about Seinfeld and Friends at the offie the next day ... In an episode of "NewsRadio" (I know this is the Wings board, but) Catherine was sitting down to lunch when three people sat down next to her. One of them asks "So did you all catch "Friends" last night?" Catherine gave a disgusted look. I've mentioned earlier that I liked the early years, but not much as I like Wings. And I'm just not that interested in talking about "Friends" as much as I enjoy talking about other shows. Wow, this reply has it all. Just Shoot Me, NewsRadio, Seinfeld, Friends, and um, yes and Wings, too.