Scenes That Are Meant to be Funny, But Are Really More Sad - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Adamantium · 02-07-2004, 12:15 AM

There's one in the episode "Honey, We Broke the Kid". I felt sorry for Joe and Helen in the end of the episode. They made some mistakes, but their hearts were in the right place. They tried to be good parents, but the girl ended up hating them. I just found it hard to laugh at that scene, which was meant to be funny.

Anyone have any other scenes like that?

pilotguy · 02-08-2004, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TVAdam
There's one in the episode "Honey, We Broke the Kid". I felt sorry for Joe and Helen in the end of the episode. They made some mistakes, but their hearts were in the right place. They tried to be good parents, but the girl ended up hating them. I just found it hard to laugh at that scene, which was meant to be funny.

Anyone have any other scenes like that?

I've mentioned this before, but that running gag in "The Heist Before Christmas" about Antonio buying everyone thoughtful and expensive gifts and not getting ANYTHING in return is VERY sad....It's supposed to be funny (with Antonio getting madder and madder with each person who tells him that they don't have a Christmas gift for him), and it IS funny, but there's also an underlying sadness throughout that story line.

losthighway · 02-08-2004, 03:32 PM

For me, Roy has many scenes like that. For example the episode when Antonio is getting ready to make a trip back home to Italy and he gets all his friends together for a photo and Roy sits with the group, and Antonio says, "Roy not there" so he moves to another chair and smiles into the camera and Antonio says, "Roy not there" and finally Roy gets it that he just isn't wanted in the picture. That's a hard scene for me to watch because I don't like seeing a pesons feelings hurt.

Or the Sports and Leisure episode when they make it clear they don't want Roy to come over and he is so hurt he goes into his office and cries non stop for 15 minutes and the gang is all laughing while he is crying. That is painful to watch.

I think the writers and David Schramm did a real good job with the Roy character, because it's really hard to create a character that is obviously the unlikeable guy, the one that doesn't fit in and that is mean to a degree, yet you still have to give him attributes that makes him likeable and shows he has a heart. That is a fine line and a difficult one to pull off. But I often felt sorry for Roy, even though many times he brought the pain upon himself.

Janice · 02-08-2004, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by losthighway
For me, Roy has many scenes like that.

Very well written analysis. I agree, and I too felt sad over each instance that you cited.

Roy is often left out. When Helen was rounding up her friends to accompany her to play in the BSO, she didn't invite Roy, so he had to invite himself. In that same episode, when they're getting reading for the crash water landing, and Brian said they had to lighten the plane's load...Roy mistakenly thought he was being thrown out, and I felt bad for him. He had a look of terror on his face.

Another Roy scene that comes to mind although I'm a bit vague on it. He had Joe and Helen over his home to meet his new girlfriend who was meeting his mother. I think the girl calls and breaks up with Roy. His mother, played by Rose Marie, was a piece of nasty work, and it was evident that Joe and Helen didn't want to be there. It was difficult to see Roy trying to make everything right and have everything go so wrong.

I can't think of any specifics really, but the episodes with Sylvia make me feel bad for Roy. How he told everyone she died. The scene with him and Fay was sad as he patted his stuffed hamster.

The scene with Roy and Fay in Joe's office when he describes how much he wants the Town Councilman position....very sad. During the debate, when Fay sees the chubby little boy with his pants around his ankles....funny, but it put a lump in my throat.

For all of his gruff exterior, he's a softie at heart. I really like Roy.

Krista2882 · 02-08-2004, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by losthighway
For me, Roy has many scenes like that. For example the episode when Antonio is getting ready to make a trip back home to Italy and he gets all his friends together for a photo and Roy sits with the group, and Antonio says, "Roy not there" so he moves to another chair and smiles into the camera and Antonio says, "Roy not there" and finally Roy gets it that he just isn't wanted in the picture. That's a hard scene for me to watch because I don't like seeing a pesons feelings hurt.

I agree! That part never makes me laugh. I always thought it was pretty mean, even though it's supposed to be funny.

pilotguy · 02-08-2004, 04:51 PM

The whole relationship between Roy and the Sandpiper gang is sad in itself.....

Here's a guy who owns and runs a successful charter airline....MUCH larger and more successful than it's immediate competitor (Sandpiper Air)....but Roy STILL feels a need to hang out with the Sandpiper gang. As much as Roy may insult members of the group, you just know that he really LIKES these people and desperately wants to be "one of the gang", although he would be the last one to ever admit it.

It makes you wonder just how lonely must this guy be if he has to look to his business rivals for friendship?

Adamantium · 02-08-2004, 05:38 PM

Another Roy scene like that, although Roy wasn't aware it was a lie, was when he was talking about going to Italy for a vacation. Then Antonio had to make up that whole Turkey Worm story and then Roy decides not to go. It seemed kind of mean of Antonio.

It's obvious that Roy really likes the group, otherwise he wouldn't talk to them at all. There are scenes where he is just part of the group, when they're all sitting around talking. So if he didn't like them, he wouldn't waste his time sitting with them. He just doesn't think like them. Maybe he resents that they're all more attractive than him, so he feels the need to lash out at them.

This may sound weird, but in the series finale, I felt sorry for Roy when he bought Sandpiper and then Brian comes over and tears up the contract. I mean I know Joe is the guy we're supposed to be rooting for in the airline competition. Maybe if Roy wasn't so cocky whenever things did go his way.

Roy was one of those characters I didn't like the first time around, but has slowly become one of my favorites.

Roy is often left out. When Helen was rounding up her friends to accompany her to play in the BSO, she didn't invite Roy, so he had to invite himself. In that same episode, when they're getting reading for the crash water landing, and Brian said they had to lighten the plane's load...Roy mistakenly thought he was being thrown out, and I felt bad for him. He had a look of terror on his face.

Speaking of that episode, I found it hilarious when Roy is scared and praying to God about becoming a better person and then he turns over and glances at Fay and notices that she's got a big smile on her face, which just sets him off. That whole Fay-Roy bit made the episode funny for me.

Fay: Funny, I never realized George to be a big a man as you are. Well I guess when someone has a pleasant personality you tend to look past the physical.

***
Lowell: You're not an easy man to love, Roy Biggins.

wingshock · 02-09-2004, 11:14 AM

Roy has a way of being endearing, like in "Sports & Leisure" when he goes into the hangar and is talking to Joe about how he's good at business, but Joe has him beat in the people department. He's dragging his toe across the floor like a little boy. He admits that his problem is that he doesn't like people... that's the Roy that I love and want to hug. But then he's so mean sometimes. I can't say enough good stuff about Schramm and the writers when it came to Roy.

I agree w/ all the scenes y'all already mentioned being sad... there's a point where I feel sorry for the character, and then it's not funny anymore.

Love,

Wing<><

Chocoholic · 02-10-2004, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pilotguy
I've mentioned this before, but that running gag in "The Heist Before Christmas" about Antonio buying everyone thoughtful and expensive gifts and not getting ANYTHING in return is VERY sad....It's supposed to be funny (with Antonio getting madder and madder with each person who tells him that they don't have a Christmas gift for him), and it IS funny, but there's also an underlying sadness throughout that story line.

That scene makes me sad too. Maybe they didn't think he'd want to remember Christmas that year, after what happened to him the year before.

Also, while I think Insanity Claus is a funny episode, I can't help but feel so bad for Antonio.

02-07-2004, 12:15 AM	#1
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,840	Scenes That Are Meant to be Funny, But Are Really More Sad There's one in the episode "Honey, We Broke the Kid". I felt sorry for Joe and Helen in the end of the episode. They made some mistakes, but their hearts were in the right place. They tried to be good parents, but the girl ended up hating them. I just found it hard to laugh at that scene, which was meant to be funny. Anyone have any other scenes like that?

02-09-2004, 11:14 AM	#8
wingshock Way, Truth, Life <>< Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 30, 2003 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 308	Roy has a way of being endearing, like in "Sports & Leisure" when he goes into the hangar and is talking to Joe about how he's good at business, but Joe has him beat in the people department. He's dragging his toe across the floor like a little boy. He admits that his problem is that he doesn't like people... that's the Roy that I love and want to hug. But then he's so mean sometimes. I can't say enough good stuff about Schramm and the writers when it came to Roy. I agree w/ all the scenes y'all already mentioned being sad... there's a point where I feel sorry for the character, and then it's not funny anymore. Love, Wing<><
	__________________ http://wingsfanfic.homestead.com

02-08-2004, 03:32 PM	#3
losthighway Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 14, 2003 Posts: 370	For me, Roy has many scenes like that. For example the episode when Antonio is getting ready to make a trip back home to Italy and he gets all his friends together for a photo and Roy sits with the group, and Antonio says, "Roy not there" so he moves to another chair and smiles into the camera and Antonio says, "Roy not there" and finally Roy gets it that he just isn't wanted in the picture. That's a hard scene for me to watch because I don't like seeing a pesons feelings hurt. Or the Sports and Leisure episode when they make it clear they don't want Roy to come over and he is so hurt he goes into his office and cries non stop for 15 minutes and the gang is all laughing while he is crying. That is painful to watch. I think the writers and David Schramm did a real good job with the Roy character, because it's really hard to create a character that is obviously the unlikeable guy, the one that doesn't fit in and that is mean to a degree, yet you still have to give him attributes that makes him likeable and shows he has a heart. That is a fine line and a difficult one to pull off. But I often felt sorry for Roy, even though many times he brought the pain upon himself.

02-08-2004, 04:51 PM	#6
pilotguy Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 09, 2003 Posts: 1,305	The whole relationship between Roy and the Sandpiper gang is sad in itself..... Here's a guy who owns and runs a successful charter airline....MUCH larger and more successful than it's immediate competitor (Sandpiper Air)....but Roy STILL feels a need to hang out with the Sandpiper gang. As much as Roy may insult members of the group, you just know that he really LIKES these people and desperately wants to be "one of the gang", although he would be the last one to ever admit it. It makes you wonder just how lonely must this guy be if he has to look to his business rivals for friendship?

02-08-2004, 05:38 PM	#7
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,840	Another Roy scene like that, although Roy wasn't aware it was a lie, was when he was talking about going to Italy for a vacation. Then Antonio had to make up that whole Turkey Worm story and then Roy decides not to go. It seemed kind of mean of Antonio. It's obvious that Roy really likes the group, otherwise he wouldn't talk to them at all. There are scenes where he is just part of the group, when they're all sitting around talking. So if he didn't like them, he wouldn't waste his time sitting with them. He just doesn't think like them. Maybe he resents that they're all more attractive than him, so he feels the need to lash out at them. This may sound weird, but in the series finale, I felt sorry for Roy when he bought Sandpiper and then Brian comes over and tears up the contract. I mean I know Joe is the guy we're supposed to be rooting for in the airline competition. Maybe if Roy wasn't so cocky whenever things did go his way. Roy was one of those characters I didn't like the first time around, but has slowly become one of my favorites. Roy is often left out. When Helen was rounding up her friends to accompany her to play in the BSO, she didn't invite Roy, so he had to invite himself. In that same episode, when they're getting reading for the crash water landing, and Brian said they had to lighten the plane's load...Roy mistakenly thought he was being thrown out, and I felt bad for him. He had a look of terror on his face. Speaking of that episode, I found it hilarious when Roy is scared and praying to God about becoming a better person and then he turns over and glances at Fay and notices that she's got a big smile on her face, which just sets him off. That whole Fay-Roy bit made the episode funny for me. Fay: Funny, I never realized George to be a big a man as you are. Well I guess when someone has a pleasant personality you tend to look past the physical. *** Lowell: You're not an easy man to love, Roy Biggins.