Some of you may recall my Taxonomy of Comedy. If you have a
particularly amazing memory, you may also recall that the ‘H’ on that list was
for the show “Happy Endings” on ABC. I love it.
Make that past tense; I loved it. Happy Endings got cancelled.
I rarely care about cancelled shows, because they are
usually shows that seem terrible (ie: “How to Live with Your Parents for the
Rest of Your Life”). But Happy Endings? Happy Endings was great! It was funny and
fresh, and it made me laugh out loud.
I hate to sound like a comedy snob (I think I might be a
comedy snob) but how can shows like Arrested Development and Happy Endings get
cancelled when “Two and a Half Men” lives to see another day? How???
Two and a Half Men has gotten better ratings than almost any
other scripted comedy in the last decade, so chances are some people reading this
post enjoy the show. Hopefully you can help me understand the appeal, because I
don’t get it. I’ve watched maybe two episodes in total, but usually get through one or two jokes before I change the channel. It’s always the same. Would
you like to watch an episode of Two and a Half Men? Here, I just found a script
here on my desk:
Two and a Half Men: Episode #(ANY)
CHARLIE (and/or Ashton Kutcher)
Oh man, I just slept with
another attractive woman.
OTHER GUY
Again? What was her name?
CHARLIE
Uh … Sandy? No no, wait, that was last night.
Debbie?
OTHER GUY
Charlie! That is despicable.
CHARLIE
No actually it was pretty hot.
LAUGH TRACK
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
LITTLE KID
Uh, guys? I need a ride to school.
OTHER GUY
Oh no! We’re late.
CHARLIE
He’ll catch up. Who cares?
LITTLE KID
I was supposed to meet Katie Simpson to work on
our history project this morning.
CHARLIE
Is she hot?
LITTLE KID
Oh yeah.
CHARLIE
Grab the keys! I know a short cut!
LAUGH TRACK
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
LIVE-IN MAID LADY
Charlie, if you’re looking for a hot
date, I’m available!
CHARLIE
Uh, no thanks!
LAUGH TRACK
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
OTHER GUY
You guys are terrible. Oops I fell down!
LAUGH TRACK
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I can’t write any more; it hurts too much. The laugh track
is particularly unbearable, which is strange because I used to watch shows with
laugh tracks all the time without thinking. Just like in fashion, the trends
change, and something that used to be funny seems cheesy in retrospect
(I’m looking at you, Full House). Two and a Half Men feels like it should have been on TV twenty years ago; the only modern touch is a high levels of inappropriateness.
I can only imagine how difficult it is to
come up with an original take on a sit-com, but I thought Happy Endings did a
good job. It didn’t feel like anything I’d seen before, and it was fun to watch. That is why I am sad. (I am saddened by the loss of a TV show, maybe I should be sad about that?)
What do you think? Did you ever watch Happy Endings? What do
you think is the best scripted half-hour sit-com on TV right now?
Oh man. I LOATHE Two and a Half Men. It's not even funny. Why is that still on tv and in all sorts of reruns?
ReplyDeleteHappy Endings is excellent. I can't believe it's gotten cancelled. So super sad. I don't even know what I would consider the best sitcom right now. I enjoy some of the antics on New Girl, but it's hit or miss. I think I've given up on most of the others that I watched.
I can't speak to Happy Endings, but Two and a Half Men is horrendous! My 92 year old grandma is a serious fan, however.
ReplyDeleteNot exactly sitcom but Delocated deserves way more attention.
ReplyDeleteAnd thankfully AD is coming back!