August 17, 2009
The five funniest TV characters of this decade
Those of you who have read a few posts on my blog may have noticed that I like to make lists. I like lists because it's easier than writing actual paragraphs filled with sentences, and they also appeal to my selective OCD that forces me to use orderly bullet points or numbers to break up large blocks of text.
Anyway, here are my top five TV characters of the 00's (How do you say that? The oughts?) I made a rule for myself that I could only use one character per program, just to widen the variety a little bit:
5. Murray Hewitt (Flight of the Conchords)
I hadn't seen any Flight of the Conchords for a while, but Dan just bought season 2 on DVD, so I've been reminded of how much I like the character of Murray. Without Murray the show would only be a collection of moderately amusing music parodies. Murray provides the much needed (and somewhat melancholy) anchor to the Conchord's dry, fish-out-of-water shtick.
Rhys Darby's delivery of his lines is so perfect, I'm surprised he hasn't popped up in more movies. This scene always kills me, especially his understanding of the bass guitar being the "dad guitar."
4. Tracy Jordan (30 Rock)
30 Rock really has a great ensemble cast with Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, Jack McBrayer, and Jena Maroney all contributing to its greatness. However, there is one reason I started watching the show in the first place and that is Tracy Morgan's manic portrayal of the barely fictionalized version of himself, "Tracy Jordan." He taught me to live every week like it was shark week, and for that I am grateful. BANTER!
3. Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm)
I'm amazed that Larry David (the character) somehow manages to gather enough of the audience's sympathy to make a watchable TV show. After I see a few episodes of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" I start feeling annoyed by everything--it's like Larry David's Larry Davidness rubs off on you in a terrible way.
2. GOB Bluth (Arrested Development)
GOB Bluth will always hold a special place in my heart. I sometimes think that I like Buster better, but I always end up coming back to GOB. I kind of overdosed on Arrested Development a few years ago, but I have a feeling I'll start watching it again, in no small part due to Will Arnett's brilliant portrayal of everyone's favorite failed magician.
1. Charlie Day (It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia)
I can't even describe my love for Charlie. His inarticulate outbursts, his tragic learning disabilities, the fact the he is an abortion survivor all make him one of the most lovable TV characters of all time. Or...maybe he just appears lovable next to the rest of the cast. In any case, the only clip I felt encapsulated the whole of Charlie's spirit is this very short one:
Anyway, here are my top five TV characters of the 00's (How do you say that? The oughts?) I made a rule for myself that I could only use one character per program, just to widen the variety a little bit:
5. Murray Hewitt (Flight of the Conchords)
I hadn't seen any Flight of the Conchords for a while, but Dan just bought season 2 on DVD, so I've been reminded of how much I like the character of Murray. Without Murray the show would only be a collection of moderately amusing music parodies. Murray provides the much needed (and somewhat melancholy) anchor to the Conchord's dry, fish-out-of-water shtick.
Rhys Darby's delivery of his lines is so perfect, I'm surprised he hasn't popped up in more movies. This scene always kills me, especially his understanding of the bass guitar being the "dad guitar."
4. Tracy Jordan (30 Rock)
30 Rock really has a great ensemble cast with Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, Jack McBrayer, and Jena Maroney all contributing to its greatness. However, there is one reason I started watching the show in the first place and that is Tracy Morgan's manic portrayal of the barely fictionalized version of himself, "Tracy Jordan." He taught me to live every week like it was shark week, and for that I am grateful. BANTER!
3. Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm)
I'm amazed that Larry David (the character) somehow manages to gather enough of the audience's sympathy to make a watchable TV show. After I see a few episodes of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" I start feeling annoyed by everything--it's like Larry David's Larry Davidness rubs off on you in a terrible way.
2. GOB Bluth (Arrested Development)
GOB Bluth will always hold a special place in my heart. I sometimes think that I like Buster better, but I always end up coming back to GOB. I kind of overdosed on Arrested Development a few years ago, but I have a feeling I'll start watching it again, in no small part due to Will Arnett's brilliant portrayal of everyone's favorite failed magician.
1. Charlie Day (It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia)
I can't even describe my love for Charlie. His inarticulate outbursts, his tragic learning disabilities, the fact the he is an abortion survivor all make him one of the most lovable TV characters of all time. Or...maybe he just appears lovable next to the rest of the cast. In any case, the only clip I felt encapsulated the whole of Charlie's spirit is this very short one:
September 26, 2008
Office Backlash
Let me make myself clear: I like "The Office." I really do.
BUT, I am beginning to feel like I've missed something about the show because apparently it is the greatest show in the history of recorded time and all eternity. Seriously guys, an "Office Party" for every episode? Also, for the last two weeks I was privileged enough to have heard nothing but excited office chatter from schoolmates, "Holy crap! The Office is coming back on!!!! I'm making nachos!"
Maybe the reason I don't understand the depth of "Office" fanaticism is because I am a man. I'm not saying that The Office is a show made for women, or even that there aren't male fanatics of the show, but almost all of the most ardent fans I've met are girls and all of them absolutely love the show with the passion of one thousand suns. Here is why: The Office is a cleverly designed soap opera/sitcom hybrid, but it's subtle enough that you can ignore the part that bores you. Girls love watching Jim and Pam struggle to finally reach relationship nirvana and guys like it when Creed says weird stuff.
I know I'm generalizing here, but honestly how many girls would be extremely upset and possibly cry if Jim and Pam suddenly left the show? All of them? For me, the Jim/Pam storyline is kind of getting stale anyways now that they're together, so all the writers can do is throw vague obstacles in their path to avoid a Sam/Dianne (Cheers) situation. Did you see that there is already a potential rival suitor in the mix (that chubby college kid who drew the professor)?
Also, the greatest aspect of the show, and what makes it truly funny/devastating is the existential angst of the characters, but whenever they make a show that kicks the misery up a few notches (the "Dinner Party" episode from last season) it seems like everyone deems it "too dark." I would prefer dark, harrowing episodes like the one where Pam and Jim stay at Dwight's bed and breakfast (if you remember, Dwight kept them up with his haunting cries of anguish) rather than the ridiculous "Michael acts like a wacky insane person" episodes like when he drives into the lake or holds the pizza guy ransom.
Summary: The Office is very funny, but not the funniest sitcom of all time (Arrested Development"), or even the funniest sitcom currently airing ("It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" or even "30 Rock"?). Girls, if you want to watch a soap opera, there's always Grey's Anatomy.
Labels: TV
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