Anonymous
04/23/2023 15:19
Subject: Re:Friends is the dopiest, most basic show
They were cute and had good chemistry. I don' think the show holds up very well, but it was fine for the time.
Also, I actually think Rachel's career development was a decent storyline.
Also, I actually think Rachel's career development was a decent storyline.
Anonymous
04/23/2023 15:16
Subject: Re:Friends is the dopiest, most basic show
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:How old are you OP? You need to understand the time when this took place. It was also a time when you didn't need TV to make a statement, or demand something of you when you watch. It was simple, fun, and easy to absorb. It was pretty groundbreaking at the time due to the "ensemble" cast set up. It was awesome and I still enjoy an episode from time to time.
Try to have a little perspective OP. I promise you in 25-30 years people will look back at some show you enjoyed and declare it a pile a crap....
OP again--as i said above, I'm 45. Probably older than you and remember more shows
You still lack perspective. I posted upthread about what the appeal of Friends was when it aired. I’m your age and remember watching it sometimes in HS but was never a huge fan. But it seems obvious to me why it was a hit. Most very popular tv, movies, and music are very middle of the road and basic.
I find it surprising that you have a degree in media studies and wouldn’t get this. You don’t have to love it, but it should be easy to identify why it was made and had longevity (which was as much about its appeal to advertisers as audience, and Friends offered access to a broad and upwardly mobile swath of American, plus spurred their interest in consumer products like clothes, coffee, and furniture).
Anonymous
04/23/2023 14:04
Subject: Re:Friends is the dopiest, most basic show
Anonymous wrote:How old are you OP? You need to understand the time when this took place. It was also a time when you didn't need TV to make a statement, or demand something of you when you watch. It was simple, fun, and easy to absorb. It was pretty groundbreaking at the time due to the "ensemble" cast set up. It was awesome and I still enjoy an episode from time to time.
Try to have a little perspective OP. I promise you in 25-30 years people will look back at some show you enjoyed and declare it a pile a crap....
OP again--as i said above, I'm 45. Probably older than you and remember more shows
Anonymous
04/23/2023 13:17
Subject: Friends is the dopiest, most basic show
Completely agree, OP. I was in college in nyc then. Some people would gather to watch it. I never could. It was so mediocre and unfunny.
Anonymous
04/23/2023 13:14
Subject: Re:Friends is the dopiest, most basic show
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:After season 5 I stopped watching it except for the big storylines. I never likes Mondler getting married or staying together. First part of relationship was funny but that was it. Chandler wasn’t as funny once with Monica.
Didn’t like Ross dating a student. Added nothing to the show. Nor Charlie’s storyline.
Friends was supposed to end season 8. Pretty sure Rachel have the baby and Ross and her get married. Season 9 and 10 were not that good. Too many forced storylines. But who could say no to the money?
And in Big Bang could get their couples together and stay together and still be funny, why couldn’t Friends do the same for Ross and Rachel? Jen and David’s on screen chemistry was outstanding.
Big Bang? Never funny. Just a mean hearted show and I’m a trekkie lovin nerd.
Yeah, I really could not get into Big Bang Theory - those characters got on my nerves.
I don’t mean to hijack the thread but csn either of you say more. Why are they mean? I have never watched but was considering it.
I agree Matthew Perry was the funniest cast member of Friends.
They were all fairly cruel to each other all the time, with out downs and disdain and each full of “im a scientist” ego.
It was billed as “for nerds” but it took the things nerds loved and then very stealthily mocked them. I think this is why it was so popular — all the anti-science middle America loved to see the nerds going at it
A quote I came across:
“ I was in a university lecture a few weeks ago. The subject was about equality in STEM careers. The lecturer mentioned TBBT and how it was very stereotypical (in a negative way)- majority of characters are white, there's a blonde woman who is made out to be dumb and the men are physicists/an engineer at a top university. Even when they introduce Bernadette and Amy, they're both in biology-focused careers which reinforces another stereotype in science. Not sure if that's a reason others don't like it but that was the first time I'd come across any negativity towards the show”
My mom loved the Big Bang Theory. My Dad was a theoretical physicist (what Sheldon is) and she thought they nailed the characters. They did have Leslie Finkle as a female physicist early on, but Sara Gilbert left to do The View and then The Connors. I think they would have continued her character if she was available. I liked it despite its flaws. I really liked how they showed how interaction and socialization helped all of them and Penny was key in that.
Anonymous
04/23/2023 13:13
Subject: Re:Friends is the dopiest, most basic show
How old are you OP? You need to understand the time when this took place. It was also a time when you didn't need TV to make a statement, or demand something of you when you watch. It was simple, fun, and easy to absorb. It was pretty groundbreaking at the time due to the "ensemble" cast set up. It was awesome and I still enjoy an episode from time to time.
Try to have a little perspective OP. I promise you in 25-30 years people will look back at some show you enjoyed and declare it a pile a crap....
Try to have a little perspective OP. I promise you in 25-30 years people will look back at some show you enjoyed and declare it a pile a crap....
Anonymous
04/23/2023 13:08
Subject: Re:Friends is the dopiest, most basic show
it’s too bad, Cosby Show was great.Anonymous wrote:Yeah, but Cosby was a pervert so Friends has held up well.
Anonymous
04/23/2023 12:59
Subject: Re:Friends is the dopiest, most basic show
It’s a show about beautiful people with flaws — very appealing. They all had fantastic comic timing and repore with each other. Great writing and it did not take itself too seriously — no political message, just funny. Loved it and can’t think of a show like it since.
Anonymous
04/23/2023 12:50
Subject: Re:Friends is the dopiest, most basic show
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:After season 5 I stopped watching it except for the big storylines. I never likes Mondler getting married or staying together. First part of relationship was funny but that was it. Chandler wasn’t as funny once with Monica.
Didn’t like Ross dating a student. Added nothing to the show. Nor Charlie’s storyline.
Friends was supposed to end season 8. Pretty sure Rachel have the baby and Ross and her get married. Season 9 and 10 were not that good. Too many forced storylines. But who could say no to the money?
And in Big Bang could get their couples together and stay together and still be funny, why couldn’t Friends do the same for Ross and Rachel? Jen and David’s on screen chemistry was outstanding.
Big Bang? Never funny. Just a mean hearted show and I’m a trekkie lovin nerd.
Yeah, I really could not get into Big Bang Theory - those characters got on my nerves.
I don’t mean to hijack the thread but csn either of you say more. Why are they mean? I have never watched but was considering it.
I agree Matthew Perry was the funniest cast member of Friends.
They were all fairly cruel to each other all the time, with out downs and disdain and each full of “im a scientist” ego.
It was billed as “for nerds” but it took the things nerds loved and then very stealthily mocked them. I think this is why it was so popular — all the anti-science middle America loved to see the nerds going at it
A quote I came across:
“ I was in a university lecture a few weeks ago. The subject was about equality in STEM careers. The lecturer mentioned TBBT and how it was very stereotypical (in a negative way)- majority of characters are white, there's a blonde woman who is made out to be dumb and the men are physicists/an engineer at a top university. Even when they introduce Bernadette and Amy, they're both in biology-focused careers which reinforces another stereotype in science. Not sure if that's a reason others don't like it but that was the first time I'd come across any negativity towards the show”
This examines a lot of its flaws. https://www.reddit.com/r/netflix/comments/rvityo/the_big_bang_theory_is_a_terrible_show/
Anonymous
04/23/2023 12:47
Subject: Friends is the dopiest, most basic show
Anonymous wrote:How old are you, OP? What other TV shows are you aware from that era?
I'm 45 and majored in media studies. Loved Seinfeld, Mad About You, Frasier, Brooklyn Bridge, Wonder Years, Living Single.
Anonymous
04/23/2023 12:47
Subject: Re:Friends is the dopiest, most basic show
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It’s easy. It’s a lot of good looking people and it really was funny. Back in the day at least. I’m not sure how clever you want a comedy to be? It’s a show anyone with friends can identify with. They also stayed together for the series which usually does not happen.
None of the characters were relatable or even believable as legitimate friends. Oh yes, my circle includes a guy with a romance novelist mom, a ditzy masseur, a chef who somehow seems to never work, a barista with a bottomless budget, and a soap actor. Oh yes. Def.
Are you able to separate fiction and reality?
Anonymous
04/23/2023 12:46
Subject: Re:Friends is the dopiest, most basic show
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:After season 5 I stopped watching it except for the big storylines. I never likes Mondler getting married or staying together. First part of relationship was funny but that was it. Chandler wasn’t as funny once with Monica.
Didn’t like Ross dating a student. Added nothing to the show. Nor Charlie’s storyline.
Friends was supposed to end season 8. Pretty sure Rachel have the baby and Ross and her get married. Season 9 and 10 were not that good. Too many forced storylines. But who could say no to the money?
And in Big Bang could get their couples together and stay together and still be funny, why couldn’t Friends do the same for Ross and Rachel? Jen and David’s on screen chemistry was outstanding.
Big Bang? Never funny. Just a mean hearted show and I’m a trekkie lovin nerd.
Yeah, I really could not get into Big Bang Theory - those characters got on my nerves.
I don’t mean to hijack the thread but csn either of you say more. Why are they mean? I have never watched but was considering it.
I agree Matthew Perry was the funniest cast member of Friends.
They were all fairly cruel to each other all the time, with out downs and disdain and each full of “im a scientist” ego.
It was billed as “for nerds” but it took the things nerds loved and then very stealthily mocked them. I think this is why it was so popular — all the anti-science middle America loved to see the nerds going at it
A quote I came across:
“ I was in a university lecture a few weeks ago. The subject was about equality in STEM careers. The lecturer mentioned TBBT and how it was very stereotypical (in a negative way)- majority of characters are white, there's a blonde woman who is made out to be dumb and the men are physicists/an engineer at a top university. Even when they introduce Bernadette and Amy, they're both in biology-focused careers which reinforces another stereotype in science. Not sure if that's a reason others don't like it but that was the first time I'd come across any negativity towards the show”
Anonymous
04/23/2023 12:45
Subject: Friends is the dopiest, most basic show
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It is the Cheesecake Factory of TV shows. How on earth is it, or was it ever, popular? Truly.
Phoebe had no character beyond being a ditz and a flake. NOBODY acts like this in real life.
Shrewish Monica was unlikable and Cox couldn't act her way out of a paper sack.
Aniston was boring, blah, and basic.
Joey was one-note and LeBlanc was a painfully weak actor.
Schwimmer/Ross was punchable.
And poor Matthew Perry/Chandler Bing - he was actually a talented comic but was lost in this sad muddle of a cheezeball show.
Oh, and this was supposed to take place in NY? More like Disney.
People will say the same thing 30 years from now, about shows that are popular now.
I agree about Phoebe and Joey. I wasn't a fan of either character.
This is television, it wasn't supposed to be real. The only show I can think of off hand where the living situation shadowed real life financially is Theee's Company. They were often short on rent money, or broke until payday.
My family kind of lived “The Middle” life
Anonymous
04/23/2023 12:44
Subject: Friends is the dopiest, most basic show
Anonymous wrote:It is the Cheesecake Factory of TV shows. How on earth is it, or was it ever, popular? Truly.
Phoebe had no character beyond being a ditz and a flake. NOBODY acts like this in real life.
Shrewish Monica was unlikable and Cox couldn't act her way out of a paper sack.
Aniston was boring, blah, and basic.
Joey was one-note and LeBlanc was a painfully weak actor.
Schwimmer/Ross was punchable.
And poor Matthew Perry/Chandler Bing - he was actually a talented comic but was lost in this sad muddle of a cheezeball show.
Oh, and this was supposed to take place in NY? More like Disney.
People will say the same thing 30 years from now, about shows that are popular now.
I agree about Phoebe and Joey. I wasn't a fan of either character.
This is television, it wasn't supposed to be real. The only show I can think of off hand where the living situation shadowed real life financially is Theee's Company. They were often short on rent money, or broke until payday.
Anonymous
04/23/2023 12:43
Subject: Friends is the dopiest, most basic show
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:A few years ago when Netflix added Frasier, that became my favorite 90s sitcom. David Hyde Pierce is just incredible. John Mahoney is also great. As a nerd, I love the literary, musical and other various cultural references and jokes. The endless social climbing and rivalry between Frasier and Niles kills ne. And then Martin or Roz putting them in their place to provide balance.
Friends hasn’t been the same for me since.
Cheers and Frasier set a high bar.
So to speak, unintentional pun!