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Do your sitcom characters have to be likeable?
June 29th, 2017 at 11:03:06 PM permalink | |
Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 | Traditionally a sitcom character was likeable. Often they were offbeat but endearing. Even Louis De Palma in Taxi would have a "moment of shit" where he was sweet and vulnerable. With Seinfeld the characters were mostly self centered and obnoxious. Difficult People (on Hulu) has set a new standard. The two lead characters, are horrible misanthropic human beings. Like Seinfeld the series is set in Manhattan. Rotten Tomatoes counted Fresh: 17 and Rotten: 3 reviews for the first season, and Fresh: 11 and Rotten: 0 reviews for the second season. Julie Klausner as Julie Kessler (the self absorbed overweight re-capper) Billy Eichner as Billy Epstein (the gay best friend) James Urbaniak as Arthur (the long suffering boyfriend) Andrea Martin as Marilyn Kessler (the Jewish psychiatrist mother) The show seems to be a magnet for famous people who guest star as either a character or as themselves. |
June 29th, 2017 at 11:14:13 PM permalink | |
Fleastiff Member since: Oct 27, 2012 Threads: 62 Posts: 7831 | This is considered entertainment??? |
June 30th, 2017 at 1:09:55 AM permalink | |
Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 |
It's very clever, but they are not loveable. |
June 30th, 2017 at 6:16:40 AM permalink | |
Nareed Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 346 Posts: 12545 |
Did you not see "Married With Children"? Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER |
June 30th, 2017 at 9:21:24 AM permalink | |
Ayecarumba Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 89 Posts: 1744 | There has to be at least one character, or aspect(s) of a character or characters that members of the audience identify with. Whether everyone else considers the same characters likeable or not is immaterial, as long as everyone can find at least one "rooting interest". For example, when watching "The Walking Dead", it's okay to root for the zombies. |
June 30th, 2017 at 10:04:14 AM permalink | |
Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 |
Try watching the show and see if you can find the aspect. In the image below they are at a funeral. The writing is really inspired. |
June 30th, 2017 at 10:47:55 AM permalink | |
JimRockford Member since: Sep 18, 2015 Threads: 2 Posts: 971 | It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. All the main characters are despicable and unrelatable. I'll check out DP and compare. The mind hungers for that on which it feeds. |
June 30th, 2017 at 11:10:29 AM permalink | |
Nareed Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 346 Posts: 12545 | Oh, the other thing about Seinfeld, remember in the finale (spoiler alert!) they all wound up in prison. Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER |
June 30th, 2017 at 11:34:33 AM permalink | |
Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 | You're the Worst is a similar sitcom. Trump is not well! |
June 30th, 2017 at 11:35:37 AM permalink | |
Evenbob Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 146 Posts: 25010 | People watch Hulu? I got a free month and saw not one reason to ever watch it. Nflix and Prime leave it in their dust on every level. If you take a risk, you may lose. If you never take a risk, you will always lose. |