tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post2938661319671389703..comments2024-03-28T18:01:28.997-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Community, "Introduction to Film": Call me NwandaAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-55574925818312017102009-10-05T19:11:39.067-04:002009-10-05T19:11:39.067-04:00Am I the only one who was confused that Abed and h...Am I the only one who was confused that Abed and his father are supposed to be "Arabs"? It's a stretch to buy Abed as an Arab (the actor is of Indian descent), and even more unbelievable for the father (the actor was born in Pakistan). Non-Arab Muslims frequently point out that they're NOT Arabs, and that sharing a religion doesn't mean sharing an ethnic background. I've seen tv comedies use that confusion as a joke, so it just seemed odd here.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06594366540174848732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-66949310249288200742009-10-04T21:54:43.025-04:002009-10-04T21:54:43.025-04:00Loved it - it had many great individual moments, m...Loved it - it had many great individual moments, most of which have already been mentioned. Lots of shows end up with only one great/ laugh out loud moment, so this is doing well, and I look forward to more time with these kooks.AJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-6980055902054661282009-10-04T21:15:58.510-04:002009-10-04T21:15:58.510-04:00Um, sorry Alan, but this was by far better than th...Um, sorry Alan, but this was by far better than the last two episodes.Brian H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11415979343451674167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-69385049537756984042009-10-04T20:23:42.037-04:002009-10-04T20:23:42.037-04:00See, I thought this episode was hilarious. Possibl...See, I thought this episode was hilarious. Possibly the funniest of the three I've seen (then the Pilot followed by Spanish Class). I'm not a huge slapstick/people getting hurt comedy fan, but the girl falling off the desk killed me every time I saw it--on the ad, in the episode, on the ad again when I watched my DVRed The Office. And "9/11 was the 9/11 of the felafel industry..." is making me laugh even as I write it.<br /><br />Like, the whole Dead Poet's Society deal wasn't, like, a mere "pop culture reference". It was a whole hearted completely preposterous (and really funny) plot mechanism. Which totally worked. And the kiss punch line was a great pay off.<br /><br />I loved this one. I mean, the semi-heartwarming yet bizarre film at the end (which was also a good punch line) was a bit too close to semi-heartwarming. But I'm ok with that.bakijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11357029145748622693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-72422239099689454992009-10-04T04:47:58.752-04:002009-10-04T04:47:58.752-04:00weakest of the three, agreed...but still super str...weakest of the three, agreed...but still super strong, IMO<br /><br />maybe as a mid-30s guy, these guys are just playing into my wheelhouse...but I grew up watching these exact movies they're referencing<br /><br />shalzbat! you gotta love it<br /><br />altogether, the first three episodes of this show may be funnier than the first three episodes of any show in the history of televisionMikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07507357966627792330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-25525016508888541942009-10-04T03:58:55.647-04:002009-10-04T03:58:55.647-04:00This is the first episode I liked.
The premise is...This is the first episode I liked.<br /><br />The premise is still very flimsy and stupid, though. They better come up with a plausible reason for these people to stay together soon.ghotihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17285176297822242753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-90321906120434335482009-10-04T02:08:01.283-04:002009-10-04T02:08:01.283-04:00Although it was the weakest of the first 3 shows, ...Although it was the weakest of the first 3 shows, I still rate it above most of the stuff o n TV right now. I really like this show and its characters and think Joel Mchale has a bright future. I loved the intro and hope the show can continue to gain some popularity..love your blog btwAnthony Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07621537362546624886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-6396401690575916392009-10-03T18:20:26.957-04:002009-10-03T18:20:26.957-04:00I "watched" most of the episode from the...I "watched" most of the episode from the computer room, which isn't a good sign. Nothing against the episode, I was still able to follow it without actually seeing it. But I saw Higgins and it gave me an idea for David Letterman "As Seen On TV" and I wanted to grab some pics.<br /><br />From this point on, however, I'll have to watch on Hulu. Moving the show to 8 pm EST clashes in the DVR with Bones and Flash Forward. And I'd rather watch a half-hour show online than a full hour....Toby O'Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06999037844031101965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-18710007666063230572009-10-03T16:49:44.192-04:002009-10-03T16:49:44.192-04:00I don't know. I just don't find it funny. ...<i>I don't know. I just don't find it funny. And, in my opinion, anyone that compares this to Arrested Development must be crazy. That show was brilliant because the characters, even though they were terrible people, were at least great characters, and you wanted to spend time with them. These characters really aren't that funny, likeable, or memorable.</i> <br /><br /> <br />I think they're all funny, likable, and memorable. I'll reiterate Q Ball's comment, which is that what humor is highly subjective. I don't know if comparing Community to Arrested Development is on the mark or even necessary, because I think Community can already stand on its own. That doesn't mean that comparing the two makes someone crazy. It only means that they have different taste in comedy than you do.<br /><br />Using Dead Poets Society as the <i>accounting</i> teacher's inspiration for his every waking moment was hilarious. "If I hadn't already cried at the sunrise this morning" made me laugh out loud, as did watching Chevy Chase trying to eat pizza. I didn't think I would ever find him funny again. He lost it ages ago, whatever "it" is. I guess he finally found it again. Maybe it was behind the couch the whole time.<br /><br />I hope they keep doing a teacher of the week. I love the idea.Maurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17301288188119355801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-33323629387123594382009-10-03T14:42:04.372-04:002009-10-03T14:42:04.372-04:00I'm with those who liked it better than the se...I'm with those who liked it better than the second episode.<br /><br />Maybe I'm just a sucker for Mr. Higgins, but I thought his delivery was sensational. <br /><br />Is it all clicking together? Not just yet, but I'm happy to give it time when the jokes are so well written.Tyrocnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-73937810566663265642009-10-03T03:29:15.300-04:002009-10-03T03:29:15.300-04:00I'm also really enjoying the show so far. Yes,...I'm also really enjoying the show so far. Yes, they're sometimes trying too hard and it looks like we're in for lots of 80s references, but then they have things like John Michael Higgins climbing the tree (and doing a perfect heel hick before that!) or the reveal it was an accounting class. And most importantly, the characters are all quickly gaining depth (except maybe Trudy from Mad Men) - it was a small moment but I really liked the emotion behind Shirley's outburst.<br /><br />This is the second week a scene initially looked stunningly bad (the Guatemala rally, Abed's video) only to turn into something hilarious (the pinata/beaten to death exchange and the electrical tape) or poignant (the way the video was edited at the end, followed by the exchange between Abed and his father).<br /><br />My class spent the entire first week of sixth grade on "Carpe Diem"...ugh. At least we only had to watch a couple scenes from the movie.Number Fivenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-71140734097106467702009-10-03T01:45:16.226-04:002009-10-03T01:45:16.226-04:00Since the comment thread for this show seems to be...Since the comment thread for this show seems to be turning into a straw poll of sorts, please count me in the "I love Community" camp. I think it's the best comedy writing on TV since the first season of 30 Rock (which was the best since the oft-mentioned Arrested Development). It's packed so tight full of jokes that it makes my head spin—in the good way. <br /><br />Any show with a throwaway like "9/11 was the 9/11 of the falafel business" has my undying loyalty.CJ at Creating a Comedianhttp://www.creatingacomic.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-81049139410334706592009-10-02T23:40:53.491-04:002009-10-02T23:40:53.491-04:00I'm going to fall into the 'not funny'...I'm going to fall into the 'not funny' category here. This show just doesn't do it for me. I've never seen 'Talk Soup' before, so maybe I just don't get Joel McHale's humor, but his character isn't a charming jerk, he's really just a jerk. The lead female actress isn't especially funny, and I hated the constant references to Abed's religion/background. How the other characters thought his father needed to be taught what it is to be 'American',and accept girls as equals. <br /><br />I don't know. I just don't find it funny. And, in my opinion, anyone that compares this to Arrested Development must be crazy. That show was brilliant because the characters, even though they were terrible people, were at least great characters, and you wanted to spend time with them. These characters really aren't that funny, likeable, or memorable.<br /><br />The reason this show keeps getting compared to Modern Family is not because they are on rival networks, etc, but rather because they are the two high-profile freshman comedies of the season. They are a natural comparison, and Modern Family is just so much better right now.Steve Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10433315770570085004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-29860337930691341392009-10-02T21:11:03.327-04:002009-10-02T21:11:03.327-04:00Any show that gives Chevy Chase a chance to eat pi...Any show that gives Chevy Chase a chance to eat pizza is a show I am going to give a lot of chances. Saying that, I liked this episode. It feels like they are still trying to figure out what they can do with the situation and the characters, but there are more than enough good, funny moments to keep me watching.Lisabeth Laikenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01848968586816681576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-15482592329072424082009-10-02T20:15:37.258-04:002009-10-02T20:15:37.258-04:00John Michael Higgins is the male equivalent of Jan...John Michael Higgins is the male equivalent of Jane Lynch. I always enjoy whatever kooky characters they play...and love it when they show up randomly because I know they're going to deliver and make me laugh.Lizbethhttp://travelswithlizbeth.typepad.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-10602400829864268082009-10-02T18:20:44.260-04:002009-10-02T18:20:44.260-04:00I think I liked this one better than last week'...I think I liked this one better than last week's as well. I'm definitely on board with this show, and I anticipate that it will only continue to get better.<br /><br />I can't believe that there are TWO great new comedies that I like this season! What a pleasant surprise.Savvy Veterannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-59731230155895201982009-10-02T18:08:37.755-04:002009-10-02T18:08:37.755-04:00I'm with Jen, why the need to compare the two ...I'm with Jen, why the need to compare the two and pick sides? I'm not going to the Grey's Anatomy thread and telling them that House is way better.<br /><br />That said, I find this show to be pretty damn funny (and look, I like Modern Family too!), and it's been since Arrested Development that a network comedy has made me laugh this much. Higgins climbing the tree was classic, and being a ridiculous pop culture junky, the reliance on it for humor actually falls right in my wheelhouse. The dancing after the credits was also hilarious. Keep it coming.Hatfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01184680741873873714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-17861400398430758752009-10-02T17:20:49.086-04:002009-10-02T17:20:49.086-04:00@ GregP
Comedy is incredibly subjective and Commu...@ GregP<br /><br />Comedy is incredibly subjective and Community is certainly not for everybody. If you don't enjoy pop culture references and fast-paced jokes (you probably aren't a fan of Arrested Development), then this show is not for you.<br /><br />For the record, I enjoy Modern Family, but so far only the dad and the Sophie's Choice character have stood out to me. On Community, almost every character has made me laugh at some point.Q Ballnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-66065806428642920272009-10-02T16:59:27.256-04:002009-10-02T16:59:27.256-04:00C'mon best line of the episode was when Higgin...C'mon best line of the episode was when Higgins tore up the menu at the coffee bar and said <br /><br />"I'll have a birthday cake!"<br /><br />Incredible stuff.Coach Ackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10244199476009363615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-81662105923416179122009-10-02T16:40:43.303-04:002009-10-02T16:40:43.303-04:00This episode wasn't as good as the others I th...This episode wasn't as good as the others I think but still had one of the best lines thus far:<br /><br />Shirley: "You sneeze like a girl."<br />Troy: "I'll pound you like a boy! Wait, that didn't come out right."Amelienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-51671001292069140662009-10-02T16:36:09.218-04:002009-10-02T16:36:09.218-04:00I'm giving up on this show, mostly because I c...I'm giving up on this show, mostly because I can't stand stand to look or listen to Chevy Chase anymore, but also because it's just not funny. I find myself just staring at the tv, waiting to laugh at something. The appearance of JMH means that I have to watch at least this week's episode before I delete it from my DVR.Millienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-88124577297953178052009-10-02T16:08:17.314-04:002009-10-02T16:08:17.314-04:00Wow since when do we have to pick between Communit...Wow since when do we have to pick between Community and Modern Family? It's not like they're in rival timeslots. Personally I like them both. NBC was right when it said that people want more comedy. Unfortunately they thought that meant Jay Leno.<br /><br />Also, I loved that Abed's dad is played by Iqbal Theba from Glee. Is Hollywood running out of actors that they're borrowing them all from other shows?Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10432007267363208929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-16073632478560366742009-10-02T15:56:54.239-04:002009-10-02T15:56:54.239-04:00Modern Family is funnier, but I like this show and...Modern Family is funnier, but I like this show and will give it time to grow.Melissanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-69274919538602983042009-10-02T14:23:23.642-04:002009-10-02T14:23:23.642-04:00I'm dumbfounded by these positive comments. T...I'm dumbfounded by these positive comments. This show is just plain boring, unfunny, annoying and stupid.<br />(the exact opposite of "Modern Family"Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03584857448950235346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-75580348625571050632009-10-02T14:01:35.660-04:002009-10-02T14:01:35.660-04:00Ditto Diana. I thought it was the funniest episode...Ditto Diana. I thought it was the funniest episode to date. Much better than last week's lameness and a bit better than the pilot. Guess I'll see next week if this is going to suffer from the "Every Other Week" syndrome that "The Office" did - in my opinion - during its first season.bsangshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11292004104772610373noreply@blogger.com