US TV Comedy recommendations please!
By
Amy_Amp,
Posted on: 2011-06-03 16:32 in Comic and Hero-Villain Culture
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The episode where Chris and his fiance bring both of their totally reprobate and dysfunctional families together for a "normal" Thanksgiving dinner (which winds up with everyone at the emergency room and a few arrests) is absolutely classic. I was amazed at how much comedy got packed into 22 minutes in that episode.
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Originally Posted by Reiraku
This show is amazing. Having been a huge fan of Christopher Titus' standup, I can honestly say this was one of my favorite shows ever.
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Arc# 92382 -- "The S.P.I.D.E.R. and the Tyrant" -- Ninjas! Robots! Praetorians! It's totally epic! Play it now!
Arc # 316340 -- "Husk" -- Azuria loses something, a young woman harbors a dark secret, and the fate of the world is in your hands.
All anybody wants is a normal life and a cool car. Most people settle for the car.
-- Christopher Titus, Titus
The Alt Alphabet ~ OPC: Other People's Characters ~ Terrific Screenshots of Cool ~ Superhero Fiction
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I was just about to post how nobody had mentioned this. It's only one season, but it's top notch stuff. It's very realistic compared your typical comedy. They do stellar use of music as well.|
Originally Posted by mousedroid
-Freaks and Geeks (more a "dramedy" than straight up comedy, but very funny and full of '80s pop culture references)
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Link
And yes, that's James Franco.
Thanks for the tips all 
Should have mentioned I've seen all the Scrubs already! 
Gonna check out some of these though, Parks and Recreations looks interesting, just about to start on the US Office
We built this city on Rock and Roll!
I SOOOOO agree with Archer. That cartoon is freaking funny. Fast shooting comedy, irreverant homage to spy flicks, HILLARIOUS characters (with an odd depth for a cartoon). Love it.
Le Blanc 50 Dark/Dark Scrap
High Huntress 50 Archery/NRG Blast
And a goatload of others. On a goatload of servers.
Official Rickroller of Hero Con 1
To those who recommended that I watch the US version of the office, I just wanted to say....
thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouTH ANKYOU!!!
Damn, this series is amazing!
I swear, I can't stop laughing every time I see Dwight on screen!
Just about to finish season 3, so much more to come
We built this city on Rock and Roll!
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Awesome! glad you enjoy. Would be interested to hear your take on compare/contrast with the UK version.
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Originally Posted by Coin
To those who recommended that I watch the US version of the office, I just wanted to say....
thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouTH ANKYOU!!! Damn, this series is amazing! I swear, I can't stop laughing every time I see Dwight on screen! Just about to finish season 3, so much more to come |
@Mental Maden @Maden Mental
"....you are now tackle free for life."-ShoNuff
I would like to know also, I have the UK version ready to watch.
Oh, another series I thought was great, though I'm not sure if it was released on DVD - Chris Elliott's "Get A Life."
I haven't seen it in years, but I thought it was hilarious back in the late '80s(?) when it originally aired.
(Sometimes, I wish there could be a Dev thumbs up button for quality posts, because you pretty much nailed it.) -- Ghost Falcon
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Two volumes for sale on Amazon, but they are pretty spendy. $26+ for used and $70+ for new. Supposedly, there's a Season 1 set that's been recorded but is pretty much in development hell and probably won't see the light of day.|
Originally Posted by mousedroid
Oh, another series I thought was great, though I'm not sure if it was released on DVD - Chris Elliott's "Get A Life."
I haven't seen it in years, but I thought it was hilarious back in the late '80s(?) when it originally aired. |
Get a Life was one of those shows that was on Fox back before it became one of the Big 4. I would add Herman's Head to that list of shows, along with Married w/ Children.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia has been described as being like "Seinfeld on crack." IMO, it's one of the funniest comedy series around.
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I always said that Arrested Development was one of those shows too smart for the general public. The subtle humor was hilarious. From Ron Howard's narration, the fact that they replaced Henry Wrinkler midway through with Scott Baio, Carl Weathers' self-depricating role, etc.|
Originally Posted by MentalMaden
It's not "all that funny". It's hilarious!
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Abraham Higginbotham, one of the creative minds behind Modern Family, was also behind Arrested Development.
I also think WKRP still holds up.
"These phone cops play hardball, man!!!"
Learn modesty, if you desire knowledge. A highland would never be irrigated by river." (Kanz ol-Haghayegh)
It's already been mentioned, but I would like to recommend 3rd Rock from the Sun. John Lithgow may be the funniest man to ever be on television.
Also, another vote for Boston Legal. It's not a comedy exactly, but full of comedic moments.
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Wow, I never realized the significance of that until just now. Brilliant. Also, the name Bob Loblaw has to be one of the best names in the history of television.
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Originally Posted by The_Dude73
I always said that Arrested Development was one of those shows too smart for the general public. The subtle humor was hilarious. From Ron Howard's narration, the fact that they replaced Henry Wrinkler midway through with Scott Baio...
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(Sometimes, I wish there could be a Dev thumbs up button for quality posts, because you pretty much nailed it.) -- Ghost Falcon
Well we're not here to talk nonsense with Bob Loblaw.
@Mental Maden @Maden Mental
"....you are now tackle free for life."-ShoNuff
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Originally Posted by mousedroid
Also, the name Bob Loblaw has to be one of the best names in the history of television.
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Tobias Fünke: So what are your plans for this evening?
Bob Loblaw: I thought that maybe I would stay in and work on my law blog.
Tobias Fünke: Ah, yes. The "Bob Loblaw Law Blog". You, sir, are a mouthful.
I'd echo the approval of Curb Your Enthusiasm, with the caveat that you really should watch a few episodes of Seinfeld first; some familiarity with Seinfeld serves as useful context for a good part of CYE.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 isn't really a sitcom, but it never fails to make me laugh.
For that matter, SCTV hasn't always aged well, but those parts that still do work are great.
I see that another poster has suggested Cheers, since you've watched through Frazier. I'd take it a step further and suggest looking into Wings, which featured a couple of crossovers with Cheers and Frazier.
For an couple of offbeat choices, if you can find them, both Buffalo Bill and Slap Maxwell are worth investigating. Both feature Dabney Coleman at his unpleasant best, and have some very sharp writing.
Both the 70's era Bob Newhart Show and the 80's era Newhart are entertaining; if nothing else watch a couple of episodes of each show, then watch the last episode of "Newhart" for a fun surprise.
Not a true comedy, but an action/drama/comedy I'd recommend is Burn Notice.
It has a lot of snappy dialogue, doesn't take itself too seriously, and really solid comedic moments. And of course, Bruce Campbell.
"Null is as much an argument "for removing the cottage rule" as the moon being round is for buying tennis shoes." -Memphis Bill
My recommendations (in no particular order):
-Arrested Development
-Newsradio (the Phil Hartman years)
-Scrubs (the first few seasons)
-Archer
-It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
-All in the Family
-Futurama
-The Wonder Years
-Freaks and Geeks (more a "dramedy" than straight up comedy, but very funny and full of '80s pop culture references)
-Curb Your Enthusiasm
-Flight of the Conchords (I think this is considered American despite starting two New Zealanders)
(Sometimes, I wish there could be a Dev thumbs up button for quality posts, because you pretty much nailed it.) -- Ghost Falcon