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Posted on 2/26/13 at 2:00 pm to Baloo
quote:
How is being compared to Friends a bad thing? Friends is a game-changing sitcom, and one of the very best casts in the history of TV. Sure, HIMYM is a modern Friends with a different framing device. That's a good thing. I like Friends. I think it was a better show than Seinfeld. also, why do people hate women so much? They are only 50% of the population. Why is a "chick show" inherently bad? Are you that insecure? And a chick can't enjoy stuff blowing up and a dude can't enjoy relationship drama? I mean, the undercurrent of misogyny of TV/movie criticism really bothers me. I'm not 8. I'm not grossed out by people kissing.
I love HIMYM...don't really care for BBT.
Posted on 2/26/13 at 2:02 pm to Billy Mays
quote:
This is my take as well. BBT can be a one-trick pony, sure, but at least we haven't really seen the premise before. It's something new and there will be copycats going forward. HIYMT is fine show, and so was Friends, but they are very, very similar.
...everything has been done before
Posted on 2/26/13 at 2:07 pm to Baloo
quote:
And I far prefer the show with actual characters rounding out into fully formed people.
This is the main thing that sets HIMYM apart, and that often separates good shows from bad shows in general, imo.
Posted on 2/26/13 at 2:11 pm to MrFreakinMiyagi
quote:
The problem with Friends and HIMYM is that these shows aren't funny.
Neil Patrick Harris as Barney cracks me up.
Posted on 2/26/13 at 2:31 pm to drake20
quote:
The problem with Friends and HIMYM is that these shows aren't funny.
This is the most accurate statement in this thread.
Posted on 2/26/13 at 2:40 pm to drake20
quote:
...everything has been done before
Well no shite, but the difference is HIMYM is a blatant copy of something and BBT is not
Posted on 2/26/13 at 4:34 pm to Billy Mays
Dang. Made it through this entire thread. Some good well spoken discussions from various points of view.
After reading everyone's opinions, I think what it comes down to is just that - they are our opinions. And as such the discussion can never be definitively settled one way or the other because we're not talking definitive facts which can be ascertained one way or the other.
Another thing that strikes me is the different opinions seem to be based to a very large extent on what we each bring the table (I want to say the baggage we bring, but don't mean it in a negative way)
As someone who was a geek way before it was cool to be one, I love Big Bang Theory. It's really the only show that my entire family watches and enjoys together.
I just don't see the comic book stuff, science fiction stuff, etc. as window dressing the way some do. It seems to be an inherent part of the show to me and I get the references and I enjoy them.
I also don't view the show as mean spirited towards the characters. Sure they all have their quirks but, with the possible exception of Sheldon (more about him below) they all enjoy each other's company and are there for each other for the most part. Certainly no one is treated like Meg is from Family Guy.
And as to Sheldon, I would disagree that he is static. He understands his social problems. At times he strives to conform to social conventions even though they don't come naturally to him. He went out of his way to keep Leonard as a friend and roommate when they were about to part ways. He is obviously attuned to the fact that he is "different" as is shown by his occasional statement that "my mom had me tested". He has negotiated some semblence of a relationship with Amy inspite of his discomfort in putting himself out there in that manner. He went from"a girl who is my friend" to "girlfriend" and heck, in just the last couple of episodes he acknowledged to his friends that the prospect of physical intimacy with Amy was there while also acknowledging that it was likely some ways off and admitted how long it takes him to work up to things like even holding hands, etc.
After reading everyone's opinions, I think what it comes down to is just that - they are our opinions. And as such the discussion can never be definitively settled one way or the other because we're not talking definitive facts which can be ascertained one way or the other.
Another thing that strikes me is the different opinions seem to be based to a very large extent on what we each bring the table (I want to say the baggage we bring, but don't mean it in a negative way)
As someone who was a geek way before it was cool to be one, I love Big Bang Theory. It's really the only show that my entire family watches and enjoys together.
I just don't see the comic book stuff, science fiction stuff, etc. as window dressing the way some do. It seems to be an inherent part of the show to me and I get the references and I enjoy them.
I also don't view the show as mean spirited towards the characters. Sure they all have their quirks but, with the possible exception of Sheldon (more about him below) they all enjoy each other's company and are there for each other for the most part. Certainly no one is treated like Meg is from Family Guy.
And as to Sheldon, I would disagree that he is static. He understands his social problems. At times he strives to conform to social conventions even though they don't come naturally to him. He went out of his way to keep Leonard as a friend and roommate when they were about to part ways. He is obviously attuned to the fact that he is "different" as is shown by his occasional statement that "my mom had me tested". He has negotiated some semblence of a relationship with Amy inspite of his discomfort in putting himself out there in that manner. He went from"a girl who is my friend" to "girlfriend" and heck, in just the last couple of episodes he acknowledged to his friends that the prospect of physical intimacy with Amy was there while also acknowledging that it was likely some ways off and admitted how long it takes him to work up to things like even holding hands, etc.
Posted on 2/26/13 at 4:39 pm to Billy Mays
quote:
he difference is HIMYM is a blatant copy of something
That's just untrue. Now, I'll grant that HIMYM shares some similarities to Friends, but its pretty darn different. First, HIMYM always had the married couple anchor, which always changes a group dynamic. It also employ an unreliable narrator, which is hugely different. It is also different in tone, as HIMYM is a lot sillier than Friends, and it has always dipped its toe in the pool of absurdism. Also, one of the big knocks on Friends is that they never explain how these people can afford their lifestyles. HIMYM makes a big deal out of this -- and the office setting is employed regularly. You know what they do for a living, and see them in the office a lot. HIMYM is also a workplace comedy, which Friends never was.
I do see some similarities between the shows, mainly a group of upper middle class white people living in New York City falling in and out of relationship trouble. But the shows have a lot different as well. There's no way one could fairly call HIMYM a Friends copy. Influenced? Sure.
Posted on 2/26/13 at 4:46 pm to Methuselah
quote:
I just don't see the comic book stuff, science fiction stuff, etc. as window dressing the way some do. It seems to be an inherent part of the show to me and I get the references and I enjoy them.
Honestly, and not to get into a brawl because you often have well informed posts, I don't see how. First, it's not about getting and not getting references. I was a geek too, long before the show, so the small nods to the obscure and not so obscure geek properties are easy to spot and hear. But they are not intrinsic to the humor itself, while on the other hand something like Community and Futurama uses geek references as the certain point of the joke, not just as the content.
They might as well be talking about something else. Of course, within the setting and characters it fits contextually, but it is still inconsequential to the humor. I mean I could break down a show, but that would be boring.
I find it odd, as an admitted geek, that you would think the show serves geek culture well.
But this:
quote:
It's really the only show that my entire family watches and enjoys together.
Is spot on. Middle America families are the target audience. It's no surprise everyone likes it. It's a very simple show that has actually nothing to do with geeks and everything to do with normal sitcom archetypes.
This post was edited on 2/26/13 at 4:50 pm
Posted on 2/26/13 at 6:14 pm to Freauxzen
I can only speak for myself of course. But I enjoy things like the following:
1 - The show having devoted large parts of episodes to things like HG Well's time machine, the One Ring, meeting Stan Lee, dressing like the Justice League in costume contest, seeing the latest Indiana Jones movie, showing the sword Ice, etc. etc etc. (OK, Ice wasn't a large part of an episode but had to mention it as it brings to mind a young boy running around in the yard with a mallet pretending he was Thor so many years ago).
2 - Having Leonard going through the angst of wondering whether he should give up the geek stuff (in the Time Machine episode).
3 - Establishing Will Wheaton as the most succesful foil for Sheldon. (Admittedly they tried twice before with Kripke and Winkle but I think it says something for the show and/or the audience that Wheaton is the one that clicked). And having guests like Brent Spiner, Leonard Nimoy (his voice at least), Stan Lee, etc.
To me, their love for science fiction and comic books, etc. is presented as an inherent part of who they are. Wednesdays are new Comic Book day, they set aside time for their favorite sci-fi shows and gaming.
It's enough for me, anyway. But I understand mileage may vary.
Oh, gotta say to the mention of Futurama earlier - love that show also. I consider it way underrated in most discussions of the great modern adult cartoon shows.
1 - The show having devoted large parts of episodes to things like HG Well's time machine, the One Ring, meeting Stan Lee, dressing like the Justice League in costume contest, seeing the latest Indiana Jones movie, showing the sword Ice, etc. etc etc. (OK, Ice wasn't a large part of an episode but had to mention it as it brings to mind a young boy running around in the yard with a mallet pretending he was Thor so many years ago).
2 - Having Leonard going through the angst of wondering whether he should give up the geek stuff (in the Time Machine episode).
3 - Establishing Will Wheaton as the most succesful foil for Sheldon. (Admittedly they tried twice before with Kripke and Winkle but I think it says something for the show and/or the audience that Wheaton is the one that clicked). And having guests like Brent Spiner, Leonard Nimoy (his voice at least), Stan Lee, etc.
To me, their love for science fiction and comic books, etc. is presented as an inherent part of who they are. Wednesdays are new Comic Book day, they set aside time for their favorite sci-fi shows and gaming.
It's enough for me, anyway. But I understand mileage may vary.
Oh, gotta say to the mention of Futurama earlier - love that show also. I consider it way underrated in most discussions of the great modern adult cartoon shows.
Posted on 2/26/13 at 7:45 pm to TigersRuleTheEarth
I have gotten to really like "Rules of Engagement"
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