Comedies have never been my thing. I love to laugh don't get me wrong but the stories tend to be hackneyed and shallow. It's also hard to fall for the characters as the writers seem to have a hard time simultaneously coming up with plot and staying true to their developed protagonist. This year I've been pleasantly surprised with quite a few winners…let's review shall we (listed in alphabetical order)…
2 Broke Girls is an American television sitcom that debuted on CBS during the 2011–12 television season. The series was created by Michael Patrick King and Whitney Cummings for Warner Bros. Television. The show won Favorite New TV Comedy at the 38th People's Choice Awards. The show stars Kat Dennings as Max Black, Beth Behrs as Caroline Channing, Garrett Morris as Earl, Jonathan Kite as Oleg, Matthew Moy as Han "Bryce" Lee with recurring cast Brooke Lyons as Peach Landis and Jennifer Coolidge as Sofi Kerchinsky.
This is what the CBS website said about their show: "2 Broke Girls is a comedy about two young women waitressing at a greasy spoon diner who strike up an unlikely friendship in the hopes of launching a successful business – if only they can raise the cash. Sassy, streetwise Max Black works two jobs just to get by, one of which is waiting tables during the night shift at the retro-hip Williamsburg Diner. Sophisticated Caroline Channing is an uptown trust fund princess who's having a run of bad luck that forces her to reluctantly give waitressing a shot. At first, Max sees Caroline as yet another in a long line of inept servers she must cover for, but she's surprised to find that Caroline has as much substance as she does style. When Caroline discovers Max's knack for baking amazing cupcakes, she sees a lucrative future for them, but first they need to raise the start-up money. While they save their tips, they'll stay at the restaurant, working with Oleg, an overly flirtatious Russian cook; Earl, a 75-year-old kool-kat cashier; and Han Lee, the new, eager-to-please owner of the diner. Working together, these two broke girls living in one expensive city might just find the perfect recipe for their big break."
—Yay! Kiss…Purr~ Moment
I was sucked in right away by Kat Dennings as Max Black, and Beth Behrs as Caroline Channing. Their chemistry really worked and allowed me to overlook many other problems/dislikes.
—Pro and Cons: A Review
I've already been watching a few of my other favorite sitcoms when I started this show. So the crass humor passed right over my head as I was totally interested in the two women and their developing relationship. I loved the idea that they had a long term mission and that every episode had some glancing connection to their cupcake venture.
The rich girl forced poor sees a lot of potential in her new friend and the poor girl needs a little hope with her downtrodden history. I enjoy how they use the natural stereotypes yet do so in a very specific to the character sort of way. Max and Caroline are by no means generic. The writers actually utilize natural stereotypes really well here to garner a laugh. Is it terribly politically correct? No…but who cares, the show isn't that pretentious. Everyone comes from somewhere and this show banks on it.
The fact of the matter is the show makes me feel good. You laugh rather consistently and out loud. It's not an overly smart or cerebral show but it never pretended to be. This might seem an odd choice for me. To most people I probably seem to overthink most things. The girls are great – characters check. The main storyline is classic American – premise check. Each episode twists and turns around the cupcake business – plot check. So the jokes are at times crass, vulgar and rude…isn't life?
—My Episode Connection
I'm torn between two of my favorite episodes: "And Hoarder Culture" and "And The Really Petty Cash" which both center around Max's love interest Johnny. Anyone as bitter and obviously unhappy as Max needs a little happiness in her life and Johnny, a patron she flirted with regularly, was her little bit. These are the two episodes where this storyline comes to a head. Exit Johnny stage right, you dirty dog! Unfortunately, the most recent episodes aren't the best. They seem to have gotten more extreme, perhaps at the demand of the fans? In any case I hope they can get back to what is great about these characters and this premise.
—Writing Diagnostic
For the most part I like the show's secondary characters. Han's character is socially awkward but nerdy and smart (he does own his own business after all). Oleg is really crass but has a sort of lecherous charm. Earl is a great splash of upbeatness and you really felt it when he was in the hospital. I could see less of Sofi but I can see where they are trying to take the character and Jennifer Coolidge carries her off well. (On a side note, the horse to me really worked as Caroline's "best friend" whom Max bonded over, hard core.)
Sure these are all based on ethnic stereotypes. I don't hate this practice, don't love it either. Stereotypes can work in a writer's favor (like with the protagonists) but also to their detriment. Nowadays ethnic stereotypes is a hot button issue and could tank the show. Talk about lazy character development too. For example, in the prison episode ("And the One-Night Stands") Max's one-night stand didn't need to be Irish. He could have been anything, or it could have just not been mentioned. Wasn't it enough he had her picture tattooed on his stomach?
Lazy techniques will out a lazy writer. Of all the negativity about the show the ethnic stereotypes stand as a major hole that could sink 2 Broke Girls. Time will tell because a lazy writer won't be able to maintain the delicate balance needed to keep this show steaming ahead.
Cougar Town is an American television sitcom that premiered on ABC on September 23, 2009 and now is in it's third season. Originally slated to premiere in November 2011, due to ABC's promotion of the ill-fated Man Up, it premiered on February 14, 2012. The show was created by Bill Lawrence and Kevin Biegel and is produced by Doozer and Coquette Productions in association with ABC Studios.
This is what the ABC site said about their show: "Courteney Cox stars as Jules Cobb in her Golden Globe® nominated role as a recently divorced mom in her forties facing the often humorous challenges, pitfalls and rewards of life's next chapter. Along for the journey is her son—a college freshman, ex-husband, and friends who together make up her dysfunctional, but supportive and caring extended family… even if they have a funny way of showing it sometimes. Jules' circle of friends, a.k.a. "the cul de sac crew," includes next door neighbor Ellie (Christa Miller), her sarcastic, unapologetic confidante; Ellie's average, but loveable husband Andy (Ian Gomez); Grayson (Josh Hopkins), the overly flirty neighbor from across the street who's also her "someday guy;" Laurie (Busy Philipps), her younger, feisty protege; ex-husband Bobby (Brian Van Holt), a classic under-achiever who tests her patience; and Travis (Dan Byrd), her dry and witty son who more often than not is the adult observer amongt the group."
—Yay! Kiss…Purr~ Moment
The balance of secondary characters is pitch perfect and cast so well on top of it.
—Pro and Cons: A Review
The first year I wasn't even sure I liked this show. I watched it because it was mine alone, a little trial run if you will to see if I could like a sitcom. For the most part I did and for a long time I wasn't really sure why. You take the characters individually and they are rather stupid and shallow. Over time I came to see though that they worked well together.
I really, really hate all the boozing. The large carafe Jules hangs around her neck…so sickening. Perhaps it's because it feels rather forced at times. It doesn't always flow with the characters and the current plot. I believe it's just something the writers deemed a recurring gag or theme and so feel they must include it…or perhaps the audience simply can relate. In any case I watch in spite of all the wine.
The best thing about the show is the very specific relationships between the different characters. Andy worships Bobby. Jules and Bobby are exes who share a child. Jules and Ellie are best friends. Laurie and Travis are really close. Anyway the list goes on some with broader strokes and some with lighter swishes. For the most part the interactions and tests to the relationships are what supply the laughs.
A cute show that bridges a varied adult audience.
—My Episode Connection
It's funny that the third season was held back so long because actually I've found my favorite episodes to be from the new season! Toilet-papering Jules own listing but making her believe the cops were after her. Jules dividing the maid of honor duties between Ellie and Laurie. I loved the murder portraits Ellie and Andy make when they are mad at each other. And in the most recent episode: "Full Moon Fever" Grayson urges Travis, through Jules, to let Bobby date his photography teacher. Again it's all about the relationships and the subtleties thereof being explored and tested for laughs.
—Writing Diagnostic
Balance is so important in storytelling. It's fascinating to find it in this sitcom. If you think about each characters' role in the group they each occupy their own specific point of view and place within the group.
Jules is great as the central character because she is so uptight and controlling. Even though I don't love the boozing it makes sense character wise she would be an alcoholic so I can stand it.
Grayson, the single ladies man, makes an intriguing love interest for Jules because they've had their differences before the relationship and just because they are now together doesn't mean those differences no longer exist.
Ellie, the bitchy best friend, happily married with a child she doesn't always relate to. She doesn't much like the others in Jules life so is free to contend with each and every one of them.
Andy, such a unique position close to both Ellie and best mate Bobby. A little insecure and yet totally confident in his roles, he adds a ton of heart.
Bobby, the forever kid and ex-husband who cheated but regrets it. A touch needy, he adds that hint of fun and the unexpected the group needs.
Travis, the son and college student, he tends to take the more adult road because his mother and her crew tend to crowd him out of his. He's witty and yet still has so much to learn.
Laurie, the co-worker friend, she's the epitome of the current generation of young, single and slutty. Her white trash take on the world is refreshing in contrast to the more older outlook.
As the writers have gotten to know their characters better and learned to explore them to maximum effect Cougar Town has improved as a sitcom. Balance is so important in making the elements of a tv show, book or movie work as a whole.
Happy Endings is an American television series for the ABC network. It premeried April 2011 as a midseason replacement, with a one-hour premiere of two back-to-back episodes. Renewed for a second season, it premeried September 2011, receiving an additional episode order of 6 scripts from ABC, citing improved ratings for the series. November 2011, ABC picked up the series for a full 22-episode second season. The series is from executive producers Jamie Tarses, Jonathan Groff, Anthony & Joe Russo and co-executive producer David Caspe. The show stars Eliza Coupe as Jane, Elisha Cuthbert as Alex, Zachary Knighton as Dave, Adam Pally as Max, Damon Wayans, Jr. as Brad and Casey Wilson as Penny.
The ABC network site said this about their show: "Forget who gets to keep the ring — when a couple splits, the real question is, who gets to keep the friends? In this modern comedy, a couple's break-up will complicate all of their friends' lives and make everyone question their choices. When life throws you for a curve, hold on tight to the people you love. Every circle of friends has someone who's the gravitational center. For years, perfect couple Dave and Alex drew their friends in and held them together. Now that they've split, does this group have the stuff to stay together? Or do Max, Brad, Jane and Penny have to choose sides? Suddenly every event is a negotiation… like, who gets to go on the annual ski trip? There are a lot of big questions to be answered, but this group has been together so long, somehow, little by little, they'll figure out how to hold on, even though their center is split up. It helps that Dave and Alex have agreed to stay friends. But there will definitely be other complications down the road. This show isn't afraid to ask the embarrassing personal questions that inevitably arise in every long-term, close-knit group of friends."
—Yay! Kiss…Purr~ Moment
I recorded it on a whim and found the show actually funny.
—Pro and Cons: A Review
I thought the premise of the show rather stupid but it trailed one of my favorite comedies, Raising Hope, so I thought I'd give it a try. Overall I found the show funny. Perhaps because I really didn't like most of the characters and so all the poking at each other didn't bother me so much.
I especially dislike the characters the show is based around – Dave and Alex. I have come to appreciate the fact that Dave made a major change in his life by starting a food truck to pursue his lifelong dream of opening a restaurant. I find many of his other story arcs (not to do with the food truck) rather dull and quite unfunny in spite of this fact. Alex will probably never be a like, let alone a love, but she adds depth to all the other characters and thus is of import.
Max also is truly grating at times and every once in a while his antics will make me want to cancel the show. I persevere in spite of him and did find his story arc with the perfect boyfriend ("Everybody Loves Grant" and "Cocktails & Dreams") rather softening me toward him. It's his crudity I think I find so offensive (which is odd considering my liking of another sitcom, 2 Broke Girls) but I suppose most people have a friend like this? (Not me.)
Penny gets herself into the oddest situations and much of the time her problem is her personality. She's grown on me though as many times she's a really funny aspect of the episode.
So why do I watch this show…? Hmm. I really adore Jane and Brad. The actors cast were spot on. They make you believe in the sanctity of marriage…in a funny sort of way. I know quite odd. It makes me wonder why others watch the show…
—My Episode Connection
Pretty much any episode clip with married couple Jane and Brad has me laughing stitches in my side. Eliza Coupe and Damon Wayans, Jr. act like a real couple and their character's personalities play off one another very well. I loved in "Makin' Changes!" when Brad was threatened by the idea that Jane changed him and then they realized they changed each other. It's cute but not sickeningly so like some shows can be. The spring smack-down in "The Butterfly Effect Effect" and how the friends tried to force it and Jane and Brad faked it was pretty funny and cute as well.
—Writing Diagnostic
For me this show is like a lesson in sitcoms. I think like Cougar Town they did a good job balancing the roles of the characters. Beyond their interactions though are the quirky and funny situations each character gets into and drags the others into. Each and every time these situations arise through an extremity of character.
This is most apparent with Penny as she is the perpetual single gal of the group. Many times she drops a guy she's dating for some odd quirk and they make her whole character arc for the episode swirl around this one hang-up.
Max is another great example. He tends to do everything in an overboard manner. Like during the spring smack-down episode he acted like a hibernating bear grumpily waiting for spring. It's apparent that the writers thought of that because he always approaches everything in an overboard outlook.
When plot rises naturally from character and personality you can totally believe what happens was meant to happen. When a comedy's plot, like in Happy Endings, rises extremely from character and personality it can't help but be funny.
Hot in Cleveland is an American sitcom on TV Land, their first original scripted series as well as holding their highest rated telecast in the cable network's 14-year history. The series premiered June 16, 2010 and is now in it's 4th season. The show was created by Suzanne Martin (Frasier, Ellen) and is executive produced by Martin, Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner, through their production companies SamJen Productions and Hazy Mills Productions, and is produced in association with TV Land. The concept behind the show is based on an original idea by Lynda Obst, who serves as Executive Producer. The show stars Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick and Betty White.
The TV Land website had this to say about the show: "Hot in Cleveland revolves around three fabulous L.A. women of a certain age who are best friends (Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick.) Their lives are changed forever when their plane — headed to Paris for a girls-only celebration — unexpectedly lands in Cleveland and they soon rediscover themselves in a new 'promised land'. Loving their new home, the women find themselves living under one roof and battling the sassy caretaker (Betty White) of the property they have rented."
—Yay! Kiss…Purr~ Moment
The very first episode had John Schneider. At the time I didn't realize it was as a guest appearance, but found I really enjoyed Melanie's character (Valerie Bertinelli) and the idea of an older character really appealed to me, played by Betty White to boot.
—Pro and Cons: A Review
This is one of the few sitcoms that isn't premiering this season. I chose it because it really started me on my quest for a sitcom I could enjoy and lead me to give many of these other comedies a chance. Yet I don't watch it anymore.
It's strengths are Betty White for sure and that the three tenants (Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick) have chemistry and comedic chops.
It's weaknesses are a lack of growth. Some of my other choices are so good because even though they are comedies about particular situations the characters are still evolving as "people" and so new situations are always coming about. It's not that the women of this show don't find themselves in new situations, they do, it's that they never seem to learn anything from those experiences. Part of the difficulty having three characters on the same journey but from different point of views is keeping those paths different and fresh while exploring the same territory. It doesn't help that all three are women as sex can't play a part in their differences. It's exhausting work from a writing perspective.
It's not that the writers don't include object lessons for the women. I can think of a handful off the top of my head: Melanie having to give up her house in LA, Joy dealing with the son she gave up and Victoria using a fake relationship with Joy to try to further her career. It's just that they don't seem to contribute to the future of the characters, I can't feel that history informing later episodes.
Actually if you are a woman and just want a show that makes you laugh and takes your mind from your own problems this is probably a good choice. It's rather predictable but if you enjoy their gags then it's going to continue to be funny. Where this show really falls down is in comparison. The first year it came out I didn't watch many other sitcoms, all I cared about is liking the characters and the show having an interesting premise/perspective to bounce the "jokes" off of. Unfortunately, with a little more knowledge, I see the flaws clearly now.
—My Episode Connection
One of the episodes that stands out in my mind is Season 3, episode 5: "One Thing Or A Mother" particularly the Winnie the Pooh references with regards to Melanie's boyfriend, played by Sean O'Bryan. This whole episode actually was rather stellar with Victoria's hand model boyfriend, Joy dating a man of indeterminate age and Elka struggling with Roy's mother. (I always welcome a guest appearance by John Mahoney!) To me this stood out because it had a bunch of men woven into the episode. Melanie, Joy and Victoria are good together but they really shine the best playing off the opposite sex.
—Writing Diagnostic
The strengths of the show are really good strengths, my problem is the writers don't always play to those strengths. Sure Melanie, Joy and Victoria have good chemistry but after three seasons we've seen the three of them alone together bonding over and over. It's the status quo. In the beginning it was fresh and new, now it's becoming tired. They could really take a page from almost any anime series. We have a core group of characters, with one central character, villains that must be fought pop in routinely and natural conflict amongst themselves fill in the spaces.
Of course the villains are love interests. That's because change and conflict don't happen in a vacuum. Sure we can't have every episode be about the women's love interests of the moment but then other conflict needs to be developed between the three women. I find my highlighted episode so sad because soon after I cancelled the show (recording). It was an excellent episode but highlighted to me the fact that the rest of the month's episodes were so-so by comparison. I really don't have the time or the inclination to watch something only funny some of the time.
That leads me to Betty White. You could say she's the main character in this "anime series." Much of the long term storyline is centered around her character. This is okay but as we've had three seasons of it, each year it feels more and more contrived. This is especially so since it tends to be about love interests of her own. In my opinion White is at her best interacting with her three tenants. Her love interests are cool and funny but we really could take a rest from them a little. Lets threaten White's status quo, perhaps take the three tenants away…?
As a writer we must always test the status quos that we have established, this keeps any series fresh, doesn't matter if it's a tv series, books or a movie franchise. By repeating the same plot over and over Hot in Cleveland became tired…to the point the audience (me) became tired as well…of the show entirely.
Mike & Molly is an American sitcom created by Mark Roberts, which premiered on CBS on September 20, 2010. The series stars Billy Gardell and Melissa McCarthy as the title characters. Melissa McCarthy won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2011 for her role. The cast also includes: Katy Mixon as Victoria Flynn, Reno Wilson as Carl McMillan, Nyambi Nyambi as Samuel, Swoosie Kurtz as Joyce Flynn, Cleo King as Grandma, Rondi Reed as Peggy and Louis Mustillo as Vince.
This is what the CBS site had to say about their show: "Mike & Molly is a comedy about a working class Chicago couple who find love at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting. Officer Mike Biggs is a good-hearted cop who sincerely wants to lose weight. Mike's partner, Officer Carl McMillan, is a thin, fast-talking wise-guy who, despite his teasing, encourages Mike on his road to slimness and romance. While speaking at an O.A. meeting, Mike meets Molly Flynn, an instantly likeable fourth-grade teacher with a good sense of humor about her curves. For Molly, focusing on smart choices isn't easy while living with her sexy older sister, Victoria, and their mother, Joyce, both of whom flaunt their effortless figures while indulging their healthy appetites right in front of her. Mike also faces temptation at the diner he and Carl frequent, where they've become friends with a Senegalese waiter, Samuel, to whom dieting is a foreign concept. Mike and Molly found each other in the most unexpected of places. Now, they're about to find out where their quest for companionship will take them."
—Yay! Kiss…Purr~ Moment
I love Melissa McCarthy and wanted to give her show a shot. Turns out she really is a great actress. And actually so is Billy Gardell. They have tons of chemistry and heart together.
—Pro and Cons: A Review
Fat jokes. This show is full of them. Much like how 2 Broke Girls are constantly making fun of crass, vulgar, rudeness, Mike & Molly make fun of themselves with fat jokes. Sometimes they are funny, a few times they haven't been. Again…not so politically correct…but being a fat man or woman is getting to be more and more dangerous as pressures from society are starting to make being fat a taboo.
Fat jokes aside, whether you laugh at them or don't, this show is funny, touching and upbeat. At times Cougar Town and Happy Endings can get downright depressing as the cul-de-sac gang is perpetually drunk (is that what our future holds?) and the single daters are never really happy (isn't there someone out there for you Penny and Max?). So an upbeat show about two people working through their differences to accept one another how they are is a rather nice change.
I really enjoy the secondary characters as well, especially Katy Mixon as Victoria Flynn and Swoosie Kurtz as Joyce Flynn. Their characters really seem to accept Mike and yet still find funny situations and outlooks on Mike and Molly's relationship. A funny little show for when you need a shot of happiness.
—My Episode Connection
My favorite episode so far is "'57 Chevy Bel Air" where Mike loses his will power when he buys a 1957 Chevy Bel Air, despite Molly's desire to save money for their wedding. The best five minutes of the episode were when they discussed their finances and how each one deals with money. I thought that had so much character development in it and added dimension to who Mike and Molly are as individuals. It also illustrated how they needed to work together about money. There, of course, are lots of other funny episodes but this one came together with the trifecta of character, plot and premise.
—Writing Diagnostic
If you told me I'd love watching a show about two fat people falling in love I'd have laughed in your face. This show is about more than that though. It's a great example of growth. Each episode is bringing Mike and Molly closer to their future. The writers utilized this growing relationship to good effect with the courtship in the first season. Season two brought moving in together and now we are heading toward the wedding. Along the way we get to see the growth of the secondary characters: Carl in a serious relationship, Samuel dating and Victoria dating a single guy. While it doesn't have the complexity of my next choice, Modern Family, Mike & Molly takes us on a journey of growth with upbeat insight into acceptance and happiness.
Writers don't always have to be about the next mega blockbuster or Emmy winner they can simply write a great little story with growth and depth.
Modern Family is an American television comedy series created by Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan which debuted on ABC on September 23, 2009 and now is in it's 3rd season. Lloyd and Levitan serve as showrunners and executive producers under their Levitan-Lloyd Productions label. The series has won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series and the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series twice so far, as well as the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. It also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy.
The show revolves around three families that are interrelated through Jay Pritchett and his children, Claire Dunphy and Mitchell Pritchett. Jay Pritchett (Ed O'Neill), the patriarch, is married to a much younger woman, Gloria (Sofía Vergara), a passionate mother, who, with help from Jay, raises her son, Manny (Rico Rodriguez). Claire (Julie Bowen) is a homemaker mom married to Phil (Ty Burrell), a real estate agent and self-professed cool dad. They have three children: Haley (Sarah Hyland), the stereotypical teenager, Alex (Ariel Winter), the smart middle child and Luke (Nolan Gould), the offbeat only son. Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson), a lawyer, and his partner Cameron (Eric Stonestreet) have adopted a Vietnamese baby, Lily (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons).
This is what the ABC network site has to say about their show: "After 11 Emmys and countless belly laughs, it's obvious we're not the only ones who fell in love with this hilarious Modern Family. First, let's meet the Dunphys. Phil is the enthusiastic, "tries too hard" husband/dad who loves his slightly-uptight (but in a good way) wife, Claire, and their three way different kids. Haley is the independent, eye-rolling teen. Middle sister Alex is wise beyond her years and little brother Luke, well, isn't. Claire's no-nonsense dad, Jay Pritchett, married a much younger Colombian beauty named Gloria Delgado. Her passion for life has rubbed off on her young son Manny, who marches to the beat of his own drum, usually in a burgundy dinner jacket. Jay's lawyer son, Mitchell, embraced a major life change when he and his free-spirit partner, Cameron, adopted their super-cute Vietnamese baby, Lily. They're learning all the parenting ropes as they go. Fortunately, they have the loving support of their extended, eclectic, ever-funny family."
—Yay! Kiss…Purr~ Moment
I really enjoy the family dynamics and the massive cast.
—Pro and Cons: A Review
I heard about this show and started watching it sometime at the start of the second season. I'm not sure I adore any one character. Perhaps Gloria and Manny are the ones I would say are my favorite if pressed. Or better stated they are the ones I hung around because until the others grew on me. Jay, Mitchell and Claire are all so neurotic that they are sometimes hard to take as individuals. They are also the best kinds of character due to natural conflict. Much of the plot wouldn't even happen if one or the other of them would just calm down.
Watching a few episodes what became apparent was their ability to laugh at themselves and realize this is my family and I can look like an ass in front of them and they accept me for who I am irregardless. It's a great message of accepting your fellow man in the same way. Not a message of racial injustices or even more unjust size, sex and education-level prejudices, but one of positivity and example.
During the third season, I've noticed at times the jokes read appalling rather than funny. They've used the naturally funny ideas with so many characters and now are having to reach more to get it right. It's bound to happen, I just hope they can keep it up. A large cast while making development easier at first will derail future production with it's great weight. I'm rooting for this show and it'll take a lot more unfunny moments to make Modern Family pale in my eyes.
—My Episode Connection
The recent episode "Leap Day" is the perfect example of why this show is so popular. The crazy birthday shenanigans as Mitchell changes his plans for Cameron's birthday at the last minute. Cameron trying to deal with turning 10 or rather 40, he was born on Leap Day. Meanwhile, Jay gets mixed signals from Gloria and Phil's plans for his extra 24 hours go awry when all three of his girls get their period. When this show is good, it's really good and all comes together.
—Writing Diagnostic
The reason I enjoy the show is that all the elements that I enjoy in other sitcoms come together in one with Modern Family.
Premise is so important because if too specific the potential audience is smaller and too general and it captures no one's attention. The show is very balanced here, being about exactly what it presents: a modern family. Really sitcoms about family have been around the block a few times, so there is definitely an audience but the idea of a modern one twists it just enough to bring those same fans back to the table.
Character to me is the most important of aspects because I am drawn in by them and rarely will read or watch without feeling a connection to one of them. The show's cast is massive and I really like that detail. It adds great depth through all the relationships some shallower than others. This adds a lot of realism and allows a suspension of disbelief at even the most outrageous of plots. With only a few characters it's a lot harder to create and maintain this kind of immediate depth.
Plot rising naturally from the characters is the best kind. And with the large cast it can't help but, for the most part, do this. Balancing all the different personalities dictates that any idea will naturally fall to one character or another. This means more laughs, more consistently. It's also more work for the writers but well worth the effort.
When premise, character and plot come together just right, balanced and natural, you have some of the best on television today.
New Girl is an American television sitcom that premiered on Fox on September 20, 2011. A comedy series from executive producer and writer Liz Meriwether, it stars Zooey Deschanel, Jake Johnson, Max Greenfield, Lamorne Morris and Hannah Simone. On December 15, 2011, the show was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy and Deschanel was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy.
This is what the Fox site had to say about their show: "After a bad break-up, Jess Day needs a new place to live. An online search leads her to a great loft…and three single guys she's never met before. But Jess moves in, and through her upbeat personality, unique sense of self and the unlikely support of her new roommates, she learns to move on.
Nick is the most grounded of her new roommates…and also the most jaded. A law school dropout, he spends most of his time hiding his feelings under his hoodie and tending bar. Schmidt is a hustling young professional who's pretty proud of his own abs. Winston is an intensely competitive former athlete who doesn't know what to do next – but whatever he does, he wants to win it.
Rounding out the group is Jess' childhood best friend, Cece. A model with a killer deadpan, Cece is extremely protective of Jess and the target of Schmidt's inept passes. As their relationships progress, these five realize they need each other more than they thought they would and end up forming a charmingly dysfunctional – or strangely functional – family."
—Yay! Kiss…Purr~ Moment
Zooey Deschanel, enough said…except when it isn't. There's also Nick played by Jake Johnson who shares a lot of chemistry with the entire cast.
—Pro and Cons: A Review
I love this show. I have to admit at first it was simply about the chemistry between Nick and Jess. Period. I wanted to see if that would go anywhere. Now, with most of the first season under my belt, I have come to enjoy the other characters for their own merit. Cece and Schmidt in particular are hilarious and I look forward to their inane relationship developments.
I have noticed that the first half of the episode tends to leave me in stitches and then the latter half of the episode tends to be more sober and resolving. These tend to be tender moments and they are upbeat but just not funny. It's a startling contrast to the absolutely funny beginnings. Other shows, like Mike & Molly, tend toward switching between funny and momentous all through the show so no one skit overwhelms another. I can see how for some this might be an off putting hapstance, especially for guys. It doesn't overtly bother me, I just wonder why the entire episode can't have funny moments?
Like other shows, the relationships between the characters really is what makes the show great. The episode I just watched last night, "Control," is proof of what I'm saying. Schmidt does all the cleaning and cooking for the flat and because of this the other two let him have his way a bit about how he does it. Jess talks him out of such strict control and later basically has to buy him off to get him to return and clean up after them. Nick and Winston, childhood friends, meanwhile argue about money owed to each other. These pairing came right out of character and their relationship to each other. It worked and a lot of funny moments came from it.
—My Episode Connection
I have several favorite episodes. "Bells" is probably the first one I thought was the best episode ever, Schmidt and Nick fight about the best way to fix the broken toilet. Schmidt wants to just pay a plumber and get it done. Nick wants to jury-rig the toilet until it works once again, at least to a point. Also Jess' jealousy of Winston's natural talent with ringing the bells was a side you hadn't seen of her before now. The next funniest episode ever was "Jess & Julia" Schmidt has a fit when he gets out of the shower and finds his towel damp. At the end of the episode Schmidt finds out he's ben sharing the blue towel with Nick the whole time, the red untouched. I'm not done yet, if you can believe it! In "Landlord" Jess out-crazies a crazy person by being nice to the gun-toting driver. Then Jess befriends the landlord who the three guys trained previously for a surprise visit, because only three are supposed to be in the flat. I really liked this episode because all of the characters played a part in this storyline.
—Writing Diagnostic
For me, what makes the show supremely watchable are the personalities. They did an excellent job making everyone around the really quirky Jess, just quirky enough that they'd orbit near her solar system.
Nick is the best of these. His whole back history speaks to it, the defunct law student turned bartender. With an ex-girlfriend he was obsessed with for a long, long time after she broke up with him. He's a bit of a stick in the mud, always embarrassed by Jess and her crazy ways. It makes a great foil for not only Jess but Schmidt and Winston as well.
Schmidt is great too though with his back history of being fat and now being a health and fitness nut. He's rather obsessive in personality and quite a bit OCD. (I've always had a soft spot for slightly OCD individuals.) He's also a bit of a ladies man, which makes sense after being fat.
Winston is very competitive and a retired basketball player. Perhaps my least favorite character, he's not jelled quite right yet. I like individual aspects of his story arcs you feel like they are rather random though.
Jess though is the best of the personalities. Personally, eternally cheerful people irritate the hell out of me but with Jess it works so well in contrast with the guys. It also gets her into trouble as the world doesn't quite jive with her view of it. She's quirky, like I've been saying and different.
New Girl is one to watch, the personalities shine and even though there might be moments of reflection, the funny times overwhelm any melancholy.
Raising Hope is a television comedy program first aired on September 21, 2010, on Fox and is in it's second season. The show is produced by Amigos de Garcia Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television. Garcia serves as executive producer on the series. The show stars Baylie and Rylie Cregut as Hope, Lucas Neff as Jimmy, Martha Plimpton as Virginia, Garret Dillahunt as Burt, Shannon Woodward as Sabrina and Cloris Leachman as Maw Maw. Following its first season, the show received two nominations at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards. Martha Plimpton was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and Cloris Leachman was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. Plimpton also won the 2011 Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.
This is what the Fox site said about their show: "From Emmy Award winner Greg Garcia the show follows the Chance family as they find themselves raising the newest addition to the household: a baby named Hope. Hope is the product of Jimmy's one-night stand with a wanted felon, whom his mother, Virginia, helped capture and send to prison. Virginia and her husband, Burt, who had Jimmy at the tender age of 15, find themselves back in the baby game – but now with their granddaughter, they have a chance to get it right. The Chances live with Jimmy's great-grandmother, Maw Maw. Once the rock of the family, she now forces everyone to stay on their toes. In her mind, the house is infested with mongooses, she's cheating on her dead husband and it just might be World War II. When Jimmy isn't working for Burt's lawn-care service, he moonlights at Howdy's Supermarket for the health insurance benefits and a chance to be close to Sabrina, a sardonic checkout clerk with an annoying boyfriend – all under the watchful eye of his doll-collecting, fight-clubbing boss Barney. Together with his family, friends, neighbors and coworkers, Jimmy will give Hope the best upbringing he can while facing the toughest job of his life: being a father."
—Yay! Kiss…Purr~ Moment
I love the premise! Love, love it.
—Pro and Cons: A Review
This is another, not terribly politically correct show. So I'm not going to get into who they make fun of, I'm just going to say that the actors carry their roles off in such a way that the mocking is endearing rather than insulting.
I really enjoy the characters. I think this has a lot to do with the actors playing their roles so well. Each and every character, but especially the Chance family members, works and feels like someone I could meet in almost any town in America. Because they feel real, you buy into the emotional aspect of the plot. For me this makes the most outrageous of plot totally believable.
In the end, this is another show that just makes me feel good. I love Hope and I know her family does too. She's the central character and such a huge motivator. No matter how crazy the Chance family gets you know they will be there for each other.
—My Episode Connection
My favorite episode so far was this season in the episode, "Mrs. Smartypants." Jimmy returns to school to get his GED (because of Hope) and his parents follow him because they don't want to be the stupidest in the family either. One of the best moments was the duel definitions for the word caper and how Burt and Virginia saved Jimmy by looking up the word. Burt's like, "Why two definitions? Just make up another word – it's so easy…" Another funny moments was between Frank and Burt, Burt envisioned words floating around – boring and stupid – Frank said to make a movie in your mind. Then the whole deal with pi and how they thought it was a food question and then came to see it was about the radius of a circle.
—Writing Diagnostic
For me this show shines because of its premise. Premise can do wonders for simple writing, basic characters and even freshen up stale plot.
Sure it's a bit of a stretch that Jimmy slept with serial murderer and that she got the injection and then they sent Jimmy Hope. I think what sold the idea for me was Jimmy. He's not the brightest or most popular and tends to take the path of least resistance. At least before Hope. So for me the perfect personality to get into this kind of trouble. Burt and his reaction went a long way to bolstering any lingering doubts we might ave had and did so in probably the funniest way. And best of all was Virginia conking the serial murderer on the head and turning her in. It was such a character establishing setup that you could overlook the ridiculous elements in the plot.
The thing is the premise continues to lend credibility to outrageous plot in each episode, all backed by the character personalities being grounded in that premise. Raising Hope is a heartfelt show and best of all really rather funny.
Suburgatory is an American television series created by Emily Kapnek. The series premiered on September 28, 2011, airing on Wednesday nights at 8:30/7:30 Central following The Middle. The title is a portmanteau, developed by former CNN Senior Producer Linda Keenan, of the words "suburban" and "purgatory".
The ABC network site says this about the show: "Single father George Altman is doing his best to raise his sixteen-year-old daughter Tessa in the big city. When he discovers a box of condoms in her bedroom, though, he decides the time has come to move her to a more wholesome and nurturing environment: the suburbs. But behind the beautiful homes and perfect lawns lurk the Franken-moms, spray tans, nose jobs, and Red Bull-guzzling teens who have nothing in common with Tessa. It's a whole new world, one that makes George wonder if they haven't jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire. With the help of suburbanites like old college friend Noah, flirty Alpha mom Dallas and awkward classmate Lisa, George and Tessa slowly learn to navigate the pitfalls of suburban life. With time, they might even find that it isn't so bad. Once you get past the plastic smell."
—Yay! Kiss…Purr~ Moment
Cheryl Hines. I just love her Dallas Royce. I literally wait for her to come onscreen to see what crazy yet reasonable thing she'll do next.
—Pro and Cons: A Review
I don't love this show nearly as much as the critics do. Part of my problem with the show is Tessa Altman is so damn self-righteous. That said she's grown on me. I'm not really sure why I started recording this show other than the fact that I love to try new things. At first I was like this show is so weird, it had very little heart, though I found Tessa trying to rationalize her experiences (at the end of the episodes) quite fascinating.
Right away I loved Cheryl Hines' character though. I'd actually prefer her to be the protagonist but she gets tons of story arc so I'm happy enough with her as she is. There is just something about Dallas that sucked me right in. I admittedly enjoy how much she likes George Altman but also in turn how low key she plays that attraction. Because Dallas likes the Altmans I have softened toward them both. I really dislike people who are just plain mean to others (which probably contributed to my dislike of sitcoms in general).
I think this show does take the stereotypes of the suburbs and twist them into funny skits. The supporting cast in particular are rather hilarious even though I'm not a SNL fan. Altman's dentist BFF, Noah, in particular leads skits to really funny places. I'm not as much a fan of Lisa as others (I think she's freaky and rather earned her outcast label) but I can see why she is so beloved…she made me believe she's a freak after all…
A totally contemporary comedy that utilizes it's cast in refreshing ways.
—My Episode Connection
I loved when Dallas finally left her husband, then took a stand against George (her crush) when he wouldn't help her with her shop in "Sex and the Suburbs." Alan Tudyk shined in "Fire With Fire" where he went to lengths to win back his wife. And I enjoyed the story arc with Tessa when she got the boy in "Driving Miss Dalia." The plot is really strong in this show as illustrated by my episode loves.
—Writing Diagnostic
Some of the best plot comes from so-so characters. This show is a great example of that fact.
Jeremy Sisto as George Altman has had many funny story arcs but one of my favorites is when he wants to be a member of the country club and someone anonymously rejects his being sustained.
Carly Chaikin as Dalia Royce plays her part well. I really love one of the more recent episodes where she tries to win over Lisa to get back at Tessa. Also the episode where Tessa wants the school to help a worthy cause and Dailia suggests people who can't exfoliate.
Rex Lee as Mr. Wolfe is way over the top but his contributions to many different story arcs, namely the gay awareness and the worthy cause ones, adds the right touch to make them really come together.
Allie Grant as Lisa Shay was really great chasing the detective who Tessa thought was gay and going over to the dark side to experience popularity with Dalia.
Alan Tudyk as Noah Werner, of course, I love the story arc where he gets back his wife and rides a horse against traffic and hurts his neck. I also liked him against George in the country club episode.
Cheryl Hines as Dallas Royce is always spectacularly funny but I've loved this whole story line where she leaves her husband and becomes liberated. I'm not one for championing divorce but when it must happen this is the way to do it.
Ana Gasteyer as Sheila Shay was great in the PTA episode against George but she's always funny as the really opinionated mother of Lisa.
Maestro Harrell as Malik tends to fill a place as third friend to Tessa's little group but he has his moments, like missing Lisa's friendship and the Medium fanclub gags.
Kara Pacitto as Kenzie and Katelyn Pacitto as Kaitlin are the twins that run around with Dalia. They had a great story arc where they ran for student body president against Tessa. In the end they made a deal to win with terms from Tessa.
Abbie Cobb as Kimantha is another of Dalia's followers and had an episode arc where she joined forces with Tessa and Malik to win back her place from Lisa. She was really funny as a point of jealousy for Lisa with Malik.
Chris Parnell as Fred Shay is great as the dominated husband to Sheila but his gambling problem story arc was hilarious and made the entire episode.
Parker Young as Ryan Shay, Lisa's brother, the parent's favorite and the dumb jock had a touching story arc where he let Lisa have the spot light with her parents after experiencing what it felt like to be out of the parent's good graces.
These were all moments I thought funny off the top of my head, there are probably many more I don't remember. Plot is all about character. The best plot rises directly from an internal place. Suburgatory is set in a fascinating world where funny things happen, thanks to odd and mocking characters.
—In Summary
For the most part all 10 of these sitcoms are watchable and fun. I broke them down into two groups because about half of them I wouldn't ever re-watch a previously seen episode. I'm not one to ever watch a rerun actually but if I ever did waste my time with one it would be Mike & Molly, Modern Family, New Girl, or Raising Hope reruns I'd watch.
Mike & Molly, Modern Family, New Girl, Raising Hope
2 Broke Girls, Cougar Town, Happy Endings, Hot in Cleveland, Suburgatory
Each of these comedies share something in common – they are funny and tend to make a viewer feel good about life. 2 Broke Girls and Mike & Molly tend toward a type of humor that isn't terribly politically correct. Cougar Town, Modern Family, and Raising Hope are ensemble cast sitcoms that aren't always funny due to the sheer dint of storyline that must be developed for each episode but when they are funny, they're hilarious. New Girl and Suburgatory have strong, quirky female leads that allow many funny situations to rise around them. Hot in Cleveland, Mike & Molly and Raising Hope all have old gals that are a joy to watch and inform us about the older generation. Whatever your reason for watching none of these are a sure bet, but they are sure to impact you in other ways that offset the few unfunny moments.
A quick note: I've never seen some of the more popular fan favorites like Community, The Big Bang Theory or How I Met Your Mother. At the time that these came out comedies in general and sitcoms specifically were not on my radar. Are they good? I wouldn't know and at this point am not terribly interested in finding out. If these are your favorite then great! I'm a self admitted sitcom newbie and would love to find out how my picks measure up against yours…comment below.
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