Samantha Who?
February 6, 2009
I’ve recently started watching Samantha Who. My main reason for trying the show, was down to Christina Applegate, and based almost entirely on my enjoyment of her in Married With Children, and maybe a little in the few films I’ve seen her in, since those days.
The show is quite funny, I’ve certainly laughed at the writing, and I do enjoy Christina, as I knew I would. But, I just don’t find myself drawn to it, or yearning for more. I’m almost having to force myself to watch the next episode, even though I know I’ll enjoy it.
That got me to thinking. Thirty minute comedies don’t really do it for me anymore. I remember times in my life when they ruled pretty much supreme, from the classics like The Young Ones, Steptoe & Son, Only Fools & Horses, through things like Bottom, The office, Friends, Joey, etc. But now, I just can’t get into the newer ones at all. It’s like they’re making me laugh, but doing nothing else.
I’ve been thinking about my comedy tastes over recent times, and I think the problem might be I’ve spoiled myself. Something like Samantha Who? just can’t compete with the rush of watching Lisa Lampanelli live, or Comedy Central Roasts, or listening to the old recordings of Bill Hicks and Richard Pryor. Even the shows i outlined above spoiled me. I mean how can I get a buzz from watching something like Samantha Who? after being used to the fast moving hilarity of Bottom, or the extremely well written Office.
Maybe Samantha Who? just isn’t that good, when compared to other things which were better. It would certainly explain why I laugh, and enjoy the show, but just don’t really find myself committing to it, or even getting involved with the characters, etc.
I’d still recommend it though, it’s a funny show, and if you have thirty minutes to kill and it just so happens to be on, give it a go. Maybe you could comment on this post too, and help me come to terms with my situation.
February 8, 2009 at 07:26
I’ve seen the show mentioned but I’ve never felt inclined to watch it or seek it out, I still don’t feel any inclination after reading this.
Problem is that most of the current crop of comedy is crap. We’ve seen it all before. The most recent American sitcom I remember enjoying was Curb Your Enthusiasm. Everything else seemed stale. UK comedy is as bad. I watched that recent BBC abomination Clone. It had a great premise; mad scientist working for the government makes a genetically engineered super-soldier that turns out to be a useless geek, then looses said geek into the real world. First episode was a tedious bore and I avoided the rest.
Life is too short to waste on poor TV. Unless something really grips me I’m not going to bother with it. There are other things to do than sit infront of the goggle-box.
February 8, 2009 at 09:30
Yeah, I think you have a point there. It’s very possible that my romanticizing the comedies of the past is more to do with them being all that was on offer back then, on 4 basic TV channels. Only the very good stuff got to TV back then, or at least the best of the crop.
I did remember one recent comedy show that’s really good though, The Big Bang Theory. So all hope is not lost, you just have to look harder to find the good shows now.
I’ve not seen Curb Your Enthusiasm. I will at some point though, as I quite like Larry David and Jeff Garlin.