Again, comedy is a personal taste kind of thing, obviously, but I feel it's more than that.  Once someone gains popularity, in a comedy sense, it seems like they can do no wrong, and it's the "hip" thing to be into.


Obviously just my opinion here, but that's the way it seems to me.

Not trying to be harsh...

Quoted from Dreamscale Again, comedy is a presonal taste kind of thing, obviously, but I feel it's more than that.  Once someone gains popularity, in a comedy sense, it seems like they can do no wrong, and it's the "hip" thing to be into. Obviously just my opinion here, but that's the way it seems to me.

To a degree, I would agree with you.  When it comes to a film like "Superbad", I got the impression that a lot of critics (not the audience, but critics) felt it would be "uncool" to voice an opposing viewpoint to the film.  But that's just the way I saw it.  I feel like most people genuinely liked it.

Quoted from dresseme Comedy can be taught, but then it's just paint-by-the-numbers stuff everyone's already seen before.  But that works for some people.

For a long time comedy was always paint by numbers.  If you look at very early comedy, which was classically Commedia dell'arte, then you will see a rigid structure and characters that must be adhered to.  And people laughed because the structure and characters worked together to produce that laugh.  This structure and these characters are even used in modern times - the most notable example Gilligan's Island.  

But comedy has fallen into the paint by numbers method many other times. One that I'm a bit familiar with is vaudville where when you placed in the line up depended on the particular type of routine you were doing.  And there were only a limited number of types of routines.

Anyway, my point is comedy can be taught and has been for centuries.  

Did you like it?  I agree that there was some funny stuff in there, but I cringed my way through the vast majority of it.  The people that I saw it with all have a little saying...Super  Bad was indeed, super bad!

Personal opinion, once again.  Jammin' obviously hated Heartbreak Kid, and I thought it was hilarious.  I actually laughed out loud most of the movie and I also really like the relationship side of it with Stiller and Monaghan. I really liked both characters.

Quoted from mcornetto For a long time comedy was always paint by numbers.  If you look at very early comedy, which was classically Commedia dell'arte, then you will see a rigid structure and characters that must be adhered to.  And people laughed because the structure and characters worked together to produce that laugh.  This structure and these characters are even used in modern times - the most notable example Gilligan's Island.   But comedy has fallen into the paint by numbers method many other times. One that I'm a bit familiar with is vaudville where when you placed in the line up depended on the particular type of routine you were doing.  And there were only a limited number of types of routines. Anyway, my point is comedy can be taught and has been for centuries.

Yeah, paint-by-the-numbers comedy isn't necessarily a bad thing.  I mean, sometimes the "tried and true" methods are tried-and-true for a reason.  AND the existence of PBTN comedy makes it so you can defy these expectations for something really special.

Quoted from Dreamscale Did you like it?  I agree that there was some funny stuff in there, but I cringed my way through the vast majority of it.  The people that I saw it with all have a little saying...Super  Bad was indeed, super bad!

I thought "Superbad" had some amusing moments, but when it came down to it, I just didn't connect with the characters.  I hated how everyone kept touting it as "realistic", because I didn't find the dialogue believable at all (and my friends and I were pretty damn vulgar).



(NOTE:  I find it kind of funny that I wrote d-*-m-n, and it converted it to "d*rn".)

Quoted from mcornetto For a long time comedy was always paint by numbers.  If you look at very early comedy, which was classically Commedia dell'arte, then you will see a rigid structure and characters that must be adhered to.  And people laughed because the structure and characters worked together to produce that laugh.  This structure and these characters are even used in modern times - the most notable example Gilligan's Island.   But comedy has fallen into the paint by numbers method many other times. One that I'm a bit familiar with is vaudville where when you placed in the line up depended on the particular type of routine you were doing.  And there were only a limited number of types of routines. Anyway, my point is comedy can be taught and has been for centuries.

Exactly. The reason people have been making paint-by-numbers comedy is because most seem to take the fallacious point of view that you've got to be born funny.

I think anyone who tries to write a comedy is a damn fool.

My 0.02:

'Superbad' felt like a '00s 'American Pie', but I think the latter resonated because it focused on the loss of virginity. That's a hugely powerful draw for any teenager who is desperate to 'get some'.

Humour aside, 'American Pie' was a true reflection of growing pains, whereas 'Superbad' felt forced at times. 'American Pie' had something to say.

'Knocked Up' was more than just a comedy, IMO. It attempted to delve into the notion of letting life slip away/idly dreaming (their website), and then the realisation that life can spring surprises on you. It was sporadically funny, but again, had something to say for itself.

One man's meat, and all that.

Andrew

American Pie is a great example of a comedy that was a total success...pretty much on all levels.  It delivered for sure. Funny as Hell.  Great characters who all had their own voice. Great sight gags.  Memorable scenes.  And great nudity.  It also told us something and gave a life lesson.

Super Bad didn't do any of these things, IMO.   Other than McLovin, nothing stood out for me at all.

Quoted from JamminGirl ...so you don't find "that 70's show" funny then? Well comedy is subjective. What you may find dull and boring, I may be rolling on the floor(well not really) for. I don't find Chris Rock funny but some swear he's hilarious. There are various techniques that one can use successfully to gain laughter from an audience. Once a person understands the anatomy of a joke or funny situation, they should be able to successfully  create one. Anything doable can be taught. (Script)writing was considered unteachable once... EDIT to add: "Knocked up" was a good film, comedic or not. It depicted realism.

No, I don't find that 70's show funny. I also hate Family Guy and about 97% of all tv... It's just not funny.  The thing here is not what "I" find funny or what "YOU" find funny, cos' we're going to have our own opinions.  What you did was tell me I was wrong... then turned around and gave me your opinion as if it was right.

See how that works?  

When writing comedy you have to make it for a certain demograph... You have to. You can't sit down and write a comedy and say "I'm going to make this movie so funny EVERYONE is going to love it"  Why? Cos' it don't work that way.  You have different kinds of comedies and all of them appeal to different people and groups and races and creeds.

When I say comedy can't be taught, I mean it from the bottom of what "I" believe. Not what you believe. I say that not to be mean or rude or anything, but because I know everyone is going to have a difference of opinion and my word isn't king.

Quoted from Baltis. When writing comedy you have to make it for a certain demograph... You have to. You can't sit down and write a comedy and say "I'm going to make this movie so funny EVERYONE is going to love it"  Why? Cos' it don't work that way.  You have different kinds of comedies and all of them appeal to different people and groups and races and creeds. When I say comedy can't be taught, I mean it from the bottom of what "I" believe.

I said you're wrong because you didn't qualify your statement as an opinion. You stated it as 'fact'.
Now you're giving a more nuanced response regarding demography.

I'm very well aware that there are people who believe(quite wrongly) that some things are simply impossible unless one is born with a propensity to conquer those things. It's strange, but I know the mindset exists...

Jammin, I think it's quite clear that there are those who are funny, and those who aren't.  Same goes with those that are athletically gifted and those that aren't, and won't ever be.

Throw it up on the board and sometimes it's going to stick, but as someone else said (I think Brian), think about an irritating office coworker who continually tries to be funny...and isn't. It just doesn't work sometimes, and people need to understand that.

No problem with trying though, for sure.  We've all got our "special talents"...nothing wrong with exploring what they are, but if they're not there, "look another way".

Quoted from Dreamscale Jammin, I think it's quite clear that there are those who are funny, and those who aren't.  Same goes with those that are athletically gifted and those that aren't, and won't ever be. Throw it up on the board and sometimes it's going to stick, but as someone else said (I think Brian), think about an irritating office coworker who continually tries to be funny...and isn't. It just doesn't work sometimes, and people need to understand that. No problem with trying though, for sure.  We've all got our "special talents"...nothing wrong with exploring what they are, but if they're not there, "look another way".

While it's true that some people might have a gift for comedy and that they might be funnier than you (or like your sports analogy stronger or speedier) that does not preclude someone from writing a funny comedy.  So, it isn't the funniest comedy - so what.

There's always going to be something funnier.  "ers" are the way of the world, they are always going to be there and they aren't a reason not to do your best.

Then there are folks like Jim Carrey, who are funny for 30 second spurts, as when he was on In Living Color, but when you are subjected to him for 90+ minutes at a time, he wears your nerves down to nothing.