"Death Becomes Him" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

pilotguy · 12-11-2003, 11:04 AM

I've just watched my tape of this last episode (the first time that I've seen this one), and I was pleasantly surprised!

For a show that was considered a "nice" sitcom, and for a series that really didn't delve into "black comedy" very often (the only other time that I can think of was when the Hackett brothers dressed their high school coach in drag and the guy ended up dying!), when "Wings" DID do this type of comedy, they did it very WELL!

This type of comedy is VERY difficult to pull off successfully. "Seinfeld" did it every so often, but people kind of expected it from THAT show....however, "Wings" was really taking a chance giving their viewers that type of comedy. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, last night's show, even though it was filled with morbid things like caskets, dead bodies, wakes/funerals, etc., was laugh-out-loud FUNNY....at least I thought it was!

I give the "Wings" cast and writers credit for having the guts to do this type of comedy...and I applaud them for doing it so WELL!

Skywalker · 12-11-2003, 02:31 PM

I love this episode! It's one of the best from the series (imo). The scene where Joe hit the man who was hitting on Helen was priceless! Also, was it just me or was Antonio a little more bitter than usual in this episode.

JS9 · 12-11-2003, 03:10 PM

I love it when the step-mother puts her fake DD's on Joe's forehead, and as she walks away Helen smacks Joe in the head and says "Wipe that smile off your face."

Krista2882 · 12-11-2003, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pilotguy
I've just watched my tape of this last episode (the first time that I've seen this one), and I was pleasantly surprised!

For a show that was considered a "nice" sitcom, and for a series that really didn't delve into "black comedy" very often (the only other time that I can think of was when the Hackett brothers dressed their high school coach in drag and the guy ended up dying!), when "Wings" DID do this type of comedy, they did it very WELL!

This type of comedy is VERY difficult to pull off successfully. "Seinfeld" did it every so often, but people kind of expected it from THAT show....however, "Wings" was really taking a chance giving their viewers that type of comedy. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, last night's show, even though it was filled with morbid things like caskets, dead bodies, wakes/funerals, etc., was laugh-out-loud FUNNY....at least I thought it was!

I give the "Wings" cast and writers credit for having the guts to do this type of comedy...and I applaud them for doing it so WELL!

I actually didn't like this one. Although, it could have been because I was half asleep. lol. I was going to set up the VCR to tape it last night, but I fell asleep during "Cheers", and woke up at 3:37 AM. So I just stayed up and watched Wings, since I missed the first 7 minutes, and there was no point in taping it then... but I really didn't think it was that funny. The only part I think I may have chuckled at was when Joe was dressed up as the dead guy in the casket, and Helen didn't know it, and he started talking to her, and she started screaming. haha. and then when Antonio tried to steal his watch, and Joe grabbed Antonio's arm, and Antonoio freaked out an passed out on the floor. lol.
Otherwise, I wasn't impressed...

Mariel · 12-12-2003, 04:38 PM

I didn't even think it was dark until you mentioned it, Pilotguy. Looking back, the coffin should've creeped me out a little. It does now. I don't know why I didn't get that feeling while watching the episode.

LOL...Antonio's reaction to the supposed dead body was priceless.

pilotguy · 12-12-2003, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mariel
I didn't even think it was dark until you mentioned it, Pilotguy. Looking back, the coffin should've creeped me out a little. It does now. I don't know why I didn't get that feeling while watching the episode.

LOL...Antonio's reaction to the supposed dead body was priceless.

Ah, but that's my point, Mariel!

That whole coffin/death/funeral business SHOULD have creeped you out...and if that episode hadn't been so well-written and performed, it probably WOULD have!

However, you weren't even thinking of the "morbid and creepy" aspect of the plot as you were watching the show...it was so darned FUNNY that you didn't even think about the "dark side" of the episode.....That means that the episode did it's job and did it well!

Chocoholic · 12-13-2003, 03:07 PM

Death Becomes Him is one of my favorites too. I agree, the part when Joe Grabs Antonio's arm and he passes out is priceless!

Critics who claimed Wings was bland and inoffensive obviously never watched this episode or Boys Will Be Girls.

12-11-2003, 11:04 AM	#1
pilotguy Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 09, 2003 Posts: 1,305	"Death Becomes Him" I've just watched my tape of this last episode (the first time that I've seen this one), and I was pleasantly surprised! For a show that was considered a "nice" sitcom, and for a series that really didn't delve into "black comedy" very often (the only other time that I can think of was when the Hackett brothers dressed their high school coach in drag and the guy ended up dying!), when "Wings" DID do this type of comedy, they did it very WELL! This type of comedy is VERY difficult to pull off successfully. "Seinfeld" did it every so often, but people kind of expected it from THAT show....however, "Wings" was really taking a chance giving their viewers that type of comedy. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, last night's show, even though it was filled with morbid things like caskets, dead bodies, wakes/funerals, etc., was laugh-out-loud FUNNY....at least I thought it was! I give the "Wings" cast and writers credit for having the guts to do this type of comedy...and I applaud them for doing it so WELL!

12-12-2003, 04:38 PM	#5
Mariel cool beans Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 04, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 97	I didn't even think it was dark until you mentioned it, Pilotguy. Looking back, the coffin should've creeped me out a little. It does now. I don't know why I didn't get that feeling while watching the episode. LOL...Antonio's reaction to the supposed dead body was priceless.
	__________________ Please check out: Amy Yasbeck Online Miranda: I just realized -- maybe it's maturity or the wisdom that comes with age, but the witch in Hansel and Gretel, she's very misunderstood. I mean, the woman builds her dream house and these brats come along and start eating it. *~Sex and the City*

12-11-2003, 02:31 PM	#2
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,204	I love this episode! It's one of the best from the series (imo). The scene where Joe hit the man who was hitting on Helen was priceless! Also, was it just me or was Antonio a little more bitter than usual in this episode.

12-11-2003, 03:10 PM	#3
JS9 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 09, 2003 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 46	I love it when the step-mother puts her fake DD's on Joe's forehead, and as she walks away Helen smacks Joe in the head and says "Wipe that smile off your face."

12-13-2003, 03:07 PM	#7
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	Death Becomes Him is one of my favorites too. I agree, the part when Joe Grabs Antonio's arm and he passes out is priceless! Critics who claimed Wings was bland and inoffensive obviously never watched this episode or Boys Will Be Girls.