NOT FUNNY.

I thought Taxi was funny.

It doesn't matter what the material is if everyone (besides Bateman and his son) is so determined to play a stylized Type instead of a human being

this is such a weird criticism of a comedy

It's almost like these people are acting!

Tracer, did you ask for the box or was it a Christmas surprise?

My brother watched the first ten episodes at his friend's insistence & just could not get into it. That was far enough in to start the whole "hermano" story arc, and to have seen Gob perform on stage, both of which were big sells for me getting into the show. So I had to face the idea that some people just can't enjoy Arrested Development. That's fine. I mean I have gotten enough shit in my life about not liking Led Zeppelin to know getting that sort of opinion waved in your face all the time is annoying as hell. What I am saying is, Tracer, it's ok not to like Arrested Development.

Good job, guys. You have invalidated all of his criticisms, and now he will surely enjoy the show.

Yeah, comedy is one of those things you can talk people into liking -- people either find something funny or they don't. xp

can = can't, argh

Yes. I mean, look, some of you laugh at it. That is great! I really don't mind! I just completely cannot comprehend it!! Ultimately one cannot perhaps explain these things!

maybe i should list all of my criticisms of granny dainger so you guys can invalidate them and then i will surely enjoy his posts.

you clearly "get it", it just looks like youre too busy thinking to enjoy it

xp

zs/que otm

yes he's thinking "why don't I find this funny?"

OK OK here's my attempt to explain. I know it won't "work" as an explanation but I'm trying anyway. Why, who knows. And yes, I actually think I do get it. I am not asking for help here.

- Wacky "types" instead of characters
- People acting totally fucking dumb all the time, almost as if they are mentally disabled.
- Actual humor at the expense of mentally disabled people (i.e. Buster)
- David fucking Cross. Oh yeah and his character has a really funny name, hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
- Abstract earnestness about the value of "family"
- Every reaction shot narrated by Ron fucking Howard leaking out everywhere

I mean! Ron Howard!!!!!

Buster is not mentally disabled

I could totally see how someone could not enjoy Arrested Development. But a lot of that sounds like it could apply to plenty of shows. Say, Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Other shows Tracer likely won't enjoy:

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
30 Rock

Oh yeah and his character has a really funny name, hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

One of the things I love about AD is that so much humor comes from language: puns, double entendres, silly wordplay, etc.

a lot of it sounds like every comedy ever--Dickens had characters with funny names, we still read Dickens.

i think this is the only thing i've liked david cross in

xpost to self
Specifically the first three criticisms (wacky "types", everyone's an idiot, making jokes out of politically incorrect situations)

- Actual humor at the expense of mentally disabled people (i.e. Buster)

what words do u stress in this sentence when u say it out loud

"I don't find this funny, so neither should you" vs. "I find this funny, so you should too" followed by excessively analytical discussion of comedy truisms and archetypes. Should be a productive discussion.

the internet is amazing

People acting totally fucking dumb all the time, almost as if mentally disabled is where the show most closely approximates life for me, and makes.me feel like, all in all, my problems aren't all that bad.

this fall, the New Adventures of Fezziwig & Chuzzlewit

Tracer Hand is a funny name

You know what Que, I think Dickens also said that family was like, real real important. You're right - this is just like Dickens!

Haha Mordy I have totally avoided those shows.

Z S I love Curb Your Enthusiasm (or least I did a few years ago, when I watched it last) but I guarantee I would not be around for that shit if Ron Howard was narrating every line like some kind of kindly scout troop leader.

Super Cub when did I ever say no one else should find this funny?? In fact I explicitly said, twice I think, that if you like it, great! I just can't understand why that would be!

I had no idea Buster wasn't supposed to be mentally disabled. They certainly make him seem that way in the first three episodes.

please note, i did not say that the show, Arrested Development, was just like Dickens.

I love AD for the characters and the writing and the acting and the premise.

Also, the second half of the second season was completely fascinating to watch as the show marched toward annihilation and the writers fully acknowledged that fact.

xpost, Tracer true, I was just describing a larger pattern of internet discourse. Apologies.

xp to self: actually a big contributing factor to my enjoyment of most television/movies/novels.

http://www.wearebored.com/gallery2/d/10728-2/Dickens+Energy+Cider.JPG

Doesn't Buster have several college degrees?

(This may not have been established until later, I don't remember.)

if you think Buster is wacky now, wait until he has no arm!

no i think in the first episode it's suggested he has multiple degrees

NOT FUNNY - education is impt

What is impt? Is it a past tense of some verb to "imp"?

like a more light-hearted, puckish version of "trolling"?

It's true that Curb has plenty of people doing extremely dumb things that you cannot imagine a real person ever doing. But usually it's just out of carelessness. Which is pretty relatable. One of the things I like about Curb is that it feels loose. Though often plotted very tightly, each scene feels like it could careen off in any direction. The actors feel less like actors and more like improvisers. You can see them really aggravating each other, really making each other laugh. If a situation escalates it feels slightly out of control.

Haha it is hilarious to me how utterly futile my efforts to explain why I can't find this show funny are.

Who needs DVDs??

this whole exchange is why i try like hell not to post about shit i don't like

i know, right?! (not that i try that hard on that front obv ; ))

Maybe stick with it for a few more episodes? I didn't 'get' a lot of the greatness first off. (It's now my favourite US show).

That said if you're actually finding it hateful rather than just a bit bewildering/ unsure of it then perhaps there's no point.

I wonder if it makes a difference being familiar with the actors already - when I watched it I had no idea who David Cross, Will Arnett or M Cera were. I only knew Lindsay from being in Ally McBeal. So I'd not seen any of their 'schtick' before.

didn't like this show at first but then gave it another chance and the rest is history

if you hate funny names then the scott baio appearance will leave you in stitches. from attempted suicide!

Though often plotted very tightly, each scene feels like it could careen off in any direction.

perhaps... larry will make a faux pas!

- People acting totally fucking dumb all the time, almost as if they are mentally disabled

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrested_development

However, in the Mental Health Act of 1983, the term "arrested development" was considered a form of mental disorder consisting of severe mental impairment, as a lack of intelligence.[1] Other researchers have objected to the notion that mental development can be "arrested" or stopped, preferring to consider the mental status as developing in other ways, rather than the notion of mental growth as arrested. Consequently, in psychological terminology, the term "arrested development" is no longer used by them in referring to a developmental disorder in mental health.

- They put a spoiler in the title

- Abstract earnestness about the value of "family"

in a show about a dysfunctional family. makes no sense. i mean boy that is silly