The Comedy Thread.

[Lord_Chanticleer]

If I had to guess, it's because the network wants the ability to stretch the series out longer if it ends up being a success. For example, The Office (UK) had 14 episodes, and then it concluded when it came to a natural ending point. In America, they like to ride every successful series into the ground before ending it in order to squeeze out every last buck they can make on it. That's why The Office (US) has been going for 165 episodes, even though Steve Carell, the star, left.

What I don't understand is how someone can like the series still if there's such a sudden change of tone. I do imagine the American audience fell in love with the series for its "British-ness".

[FezzyBear]

I knew The Office (US) had been going on for a while, but I had no idea it was 165 episodes. And I also didn't know they continued after Carell left. Who's the main character now?

[Drifting]

I knew The Office (US) had been going on for a while, but I had no idea it was 165 episodes. And I also didn't know they continued after Carell left. Who's the main character now?

This guy. I admit I kind of liked the American "Office" when it first started, but I never really got into it. Steve Carell's departure would have been a decent place to stop, but NBC wants to milk it for everything it's worth. A lot of people say the show's quality has really begun to slip recently.

What I don't understand is how someone can like the series still if there's such a sudden change of tone. I do imagine the American audience fell in love with the series for its "British-ness".

Most Americans have never seen the British "Office." Greg Daniels adapted the series for the American audience and altered the tone substantially, in my opinion. It's still funny, but I feel it lost quite a bit of its more subtle humor in the transition.

[InfectedSausage]

I think the US Office is better than the UK Office though.

[Undead Priest52]

InfectedSausage has captured me and forced me to post some of my favorite comedy films against my will...

(Aside from the first one, this is in no particular order.)

Tropic Thunder
Shaun of the Dead
The Hangover
Step Brothers
The Other Guys
Click
Balls of Fury

A relatively small list, however, as I have stated before, my memory is shit.

I don't think many people will be happy with my list. But, oh well..

[FezzyBear]

Tropic Thunder was good.
Obviously SotD is amazing.
The Hangover was pish.
I've not watched the rest of them.

[Undead Priest52]

Tropic Thunder was good.
Obviously SotD is amazing.
The Hangover was pish.
I've not watched the rest of them.

There's one person who isn't going to completely disagree with me.

..All I want is Fezzy's approval, anyways. 

[InfectedSausage]

Tropic Thunder
Shaun of the Dead
The Hangover
Step Brothers
The Other Guys
Click
Balls of Fury

Very nice...

Like said before, EVERYONE please watch Trigger Happy TV! Funniest show ever...IMO.

Trigger Happy TV - White Van Man

Trigger Happy TV - Useless Band

Trigger Happy TV - Caution Yeti Crossing!

[FezzyBear]

..All I want is Fezzy's approval, anyways. 

I've been seeking that for a long time.

I've also been seeking the post for a few days waiting on my £20 Red Dwarf boxset to come through the door. No luck on either of them.

[coit105]

Tropic Thunder
Shaun of the Dead

Both wonderful.

The Hangover

Wonerful for watching once, in a cinema, with good friends. I don't understand the appeal of the DVD or the sequel.

Step Brothers

I believe this was one of those Hollywood churnouts that I was encouraged heavily to watch at one point in my life, but chose not to. I do not regret that decision.

The Other Guys
Click
Balls of Fury

Never seen, though balls of fury, for some reason, reminds me of blades of Glory, which is one of those films that's funny if you like laughing at gay romance, comedy songs and horrifically badly scripted ridiculousness. I dislike 2.5/3 of those things (ridiculousness being the obvious exception). I don't know if balls of fury is anything like blades of glory though. Anybody to shed light?

Would recommend this channel as it has amazing spoof endings of various films. Well worth taking a day or two to go through all the ones you've actually seen and then the ones you haven't just for kicks.

Also recently discovered Mark Little through my drunken debut viewing of DET SATAN CLUB! (The video's owner prevents external embedding)

I'd recommend any of his college humour stuff more than anything, though his stand up is far from stale.

[InfectedSausage]

I might as well show my top comedy films (some are higher because of nostalgia value)

1. Austin Powers: The International Man Of Mystery
2. Hot Fuzz
3. Naked Gun
4. Airplane
5. Hot Shots part DURRRR 

[FezzyBear]

Gotta say, everyone here seems to hate American comedy.

I don't hate American comedy.
I hate a lot of 'British' comedy, but if I said, 'I hate British comedy' then it wouldn't be an accurate statement.

[InfectedSausage]

I don't hate American comedy.
I hate a lot of 'British' comedy, but if I said, 'I hate British comedy' then it wouldn't be an accurate statement.

American comedy is a mixed bag for me. Some British comedies irritate me.

[coit105]

I don't hate American comedy.
I hate a lot of 'British' comedy, but if I said, 'I hate British comedy' then it wouldn't be an accurate statement.

Just for the sake of being difficult, would you define British comedy as:
A) Comedy from people who are British born and raised?
Comedy from people who have experienced England but are born and raised elsewhere?

Can't believe I left this out when I last posted... (Note: scroll down; it's not all Republican candidates having their lip movements taken out of context, they also do songs! Also, it's absolutely A-political, so far as I can tell, so no I'm not pushing anything).

[chrismafuchris]

Comedy produced with an English audience in mind.