So last week I watched three multi-cams on two different networks. The laugh box sure loved them. I don’t know why. A number of really good actors were pushing hard — desperately hard — to wring laughs out of this tepid material. Let’s just say, if I were a showrunner on any of these three shows and these were run-throughs, I’d go back to the writers room, tell the staff to put up a big pot of coffee because we’re going to be here all night. I’d throw out the script and just write a new one from scratch. I can’t believe how far this genre has sunk. Multi-camera comedies when done well is an art form. Strive higher. Please.
Then last night on NBC I suffered through something called THAT’S MY JAM hosted by laughing boy, Jimmy Fallon. I guess it’s a compilation of schtick from his TONIGHT SHOW, but it’s karaoke snippets sung by two teams of meh celebrities. And it’s supposed to be a competition of some sort, Jimmy Hyena kept throwing out 50,000 points as if that meant anything. I have no idea who won or what they won or what it all meant. The celebs last night were Kate & Oliver Hudson and Brent Morin & Jordana Brewster -- A-list celebrities all.
They had to do uproarious things like sing lyrics to one song over the music of another. Okay, first off, Jordana Brewster can’t sing. Why did she subject herself to this? Unless she thinks she really can sing, in which case it’s very sad. Kate Hudson and Brent Morin at least could really sing. So for a few brief moments the show was professional. Of course, for a show on NBC primetime, 3 professional minutes out of 30 is not a good average.
In the big finale, the two teams are put in separate booths and if they screw up a song they get sprayed with water. Oh that’s hilarious. So hilarious we were treated to a slo-mo instant replay. I thought Fallon was going to have a stroke he was laughing so hard. Is there anything in the world funnier that Jordana Brewster holding up her hands and turning away from a blast of water spray? Jimmy didn’t think so. What a tool.
What this says is NBC is desperate. They’re now at a point where they’ll put any stupid thing on the air as long as it’s cheap to produce. And they’re not alone.
Between this show and the three sitcoms I watched three of the four networks. If all they’re offering is this and six longtime franchises (oh boy, CSI is back) then I’m gone until next football season.
COME ON! DO BETTER!
39 comments :
==What a tool==
But - a tool is useful.
Sprayed with water on "The Tonight Show"?
This juvenile act would never have happened on "The Tonight Show" in the 90's...
Er....
"Fake News" says Ken Levine writing about the final Cheers episode.
Then it was time for the cast to make an appearance on The Tonight Show. “The cast, in no condition to face anybody, much less 40 million people, dutifully trooped downstairs to do the live show,” Levine continued. “Us non-celeb types stayed back and watched on TV … in horror. They were so drunk they needed designated walkers. They giggled like schoolgirls over nothing, fired spitballs into each other’s mouths, squirted water guns,"
Oh dear... nothing changes
Why won't you identify the multi-cams? Reluctance to offend potential future cohorts? I hope none of the three include "Bob [Hearts] Abishola," "The United States of Al" and "B Positive." Then again, I know you're not the most avid Chuck Lorre fan.
As for "That's My Jam," what else would you expect from Lorne Michaels' lapdog, Jimmy Fallon? The lovely Kate Hudson deserves better. I saw a few minutes of this dreck before last night's Betty White retrospective (she was amazing, and I'm thankful I saw her at work at a "Hot In Cleveland" filming in 2014).
The networks can still put out a decent single cam ("American Auto" is a rare example). But with 5-6 act breaks in a single half hour show... they make them as unpleasant as possible to watch.
Try to imagine Carson foraging for scraps while sitting in the big chair.
Aw Ken, don't be such a sourpuss. You know we're headed towards all the great shows mentioned in Network or The Running Man.
Another spot-on piece Ken. I like Fallon, a very talented man, but this show takes the bullshit on Network TV to a whole new level. This show is fake everything. A total waste of time.
One of the rounds on long-running BBC Radio 4 panel show I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue is called One Song To The Tune Of Another, at which the late, great Jeremy Hardy was the master. For those tuned to middle-class British humour, I hope this compilation will be funny. The rest of you, you're on your own. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed8Sg2M9Bqs
Jimmy Fallon is so unctuous that he makes Sammy Maudlin seem insincere.
As a game show fan, I'm very concerned about the Password reboot that Mr. Fallon is producing and hosting for NBC later this year. It seems he truly likes the show as he has done short segments of the classic format on The Tonight Show, but I'd really hate to see Mr. Ludden roll over in his grave just so 2-minute clips can get a dozen or so likes on YouTube but nothing is sacred as Steve Harvey has repeatedly shown us with has bathroom humor masquerading as scathing wit. God (played by George Burns, of course) help us all.
I can't speak for the other networks, but NBC has been this desperate before, back when the three networks were programming 7 nights per week. In spring 1980 NBC aired a Best of Saturday Night Live as a part of its regular weekly schedule, following (I believe) Hello, Larry. No expense, other than editing the shows to 1 hour. (Also that spring, out of either courage or foolhardiness, it aired and quickly canceled Larry Gelbart's United States, a way-before-its-time single-cam half-hour, with no laugh track, that I watched once or twice.)
The only multi-camera sitcom I watch is Call Me Kat. I don't mind if that was one of the shows to draw your ire.
I keep seeing That's My Jam in my Peacock and Hulu suggestions, but have never been interested in watching. As much as I like Jimmy Fallon, your critique confirmed my decision not to watch. That's My Jam will never be my jam.
Daron, I'm a game show fan, too. Password hasn't been the same since Super Password ended 33 years ago. Million Dollar Password was painful to watch, even with Regis Philbin hosting. The contestants were morons. I assume the ones on Jimmy's reboot will be just as dense. Speaking of George Burns, my great-grandfather knew him growing up (as Natty). His birthday was exactly four years after George. And that brings me to George's friend Jack Benny, who I thought of as I read Tom Brady's retirement statement. Tom's sons are Jack and Benny. His daughter is Rochest- I mean Vivi.
Surprised to find myself *really* liking ABBOTT ELEMENTARY--a PARKS & REC-style comedy on ABC (which I watch on Hulu of course). Worth a look.
@David Simpson as I'm sure you heard, Barry Cryer, one of the main panelists and a UK comic writing legend, died last week. And the whole key to I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue (which will be 50 years old this spring) was that it didn't take itself seriously. Instead of Jimmy Fallon overkill, it had Humphrey Lyttleton deadpanning monologues and seeming not to know where the jokes were.
I watched s01e01 of Head of the Class last night. Howard Hessman was awesome, and the show was actually kinda funny. It's also 35+ years old. Rather than "remake/reboot" it, they should just show that for a few weeks. I'm guessing it would do better than most.
I also heard that reruns of Young Sheldon on CBS are beating first run shows on all other networks. Clearly, there is a dearth of good sitcoms out there.
Wasn't Jordana in the reboot of Dallas? The Hudson's are Goldie Hawn's children. Kate is pretty and a decent actor, but I'll never watch that show.
The only scripted show (network or otherwise) that I watch is "B Positive". Great cast and I can even make it through Tony award winning Annaleigh Ashford's nasal deliveries. Anything else I watch is either game shows (Jeopardy, most ABC reboots) or news programs (60 Minutes, the Rachel Maddow show). But mostly if I want to be entertained I turn to my DVD library of past TV shows.
Like one poster has mentioned before, I am concerned that Fallon will turn a classic like Password into the Tonight Show or this Jam junk (both totally unwatchable, mainly because of Fallon), I'm anticpating about 15 minutes of game play per hour show with the remainder being Fallon laughing at the least funny things or mugging for the camera.
Nick Jonas Fan, I liked Howard Hesseman better on Head of the Class than WKRP in Cincinnati, but also like the allusions to his earlier series in some episodes. Frank Bonner even directed a couple of episodes, one in the first season and one in the last (with Billy Connolly). I follow several HOTC alumni, so to speak, on Instagram and they were on my mind when I learned Howard died. I have yet to watch the reboot and am hesitant to do so.
Great to find other fans of I'M SORRY I HAVEN'T A CLUE. Any word on a possible future, now that only Graeme Garden is left of the original cast?
I thought there would be more here about Howard Hesseman, who died yesterday. RIP Dr. Fever.
I had to SIT through a taping of the Josh Groban episode 🙄...HE was actually pretty fantastic. Playing random instruments...but for the most part the chairs (for FOUR hours) were NOT My JAM! 😛
Yes, Mike B., Jordana was in the Dallas reboot. Goldie's son Oliver followed in her Laugh-In footsteps by playing a self-described "borderline moron" on Rules of Engagement.
1. I agree with the basic sentiment of what you're saying, but in defense of Mr. Fallon, I will give him one thing: he IS sincere. I briefly worked with him on a Tonight Show remote shoot, and he is genuinely wide-eyed and friendly. That's not an act. He is the 1% of celebs who will seek out and say hi and chat with The Help.
With regard to his talent, his musical impersonations are unparalleled, and I realize that doesn't make up for the rest of The Tonight Show. So maybe he's been miscast as a "host" since 2009, dunno.
But if you saw the un-promoted Tonight Show he did after the passing of Garry Shandling, where he re-created the premise and style of "The Larry Sanders Show", starring himself as a totally ego'd-out jerk whose (real) celebrity guests made no effort to hide their contempt for him between the scenes... well, it was a work of art. Best Tonight Show he ever did;
2. I accidentally stumbled-onto "Ghosts". You'll probably hate that too, but the actors are so talented and amusing in a specifically weird situation that I'm beginning to really like the show. There aren't that many episodes, so you should binge it, in order to get the premise and all the little plot hooks.
Funny the way people are bashing Fallon's upcoming remake of Password (which must contain 28 characters and must include a upper case, number, and at least 1 special character %,@, etc.), if he did the EXACT same show, he would be critiqued as having nothing new to give. But when he changes it, he gets slammed for changing a classic show. Won't win. p.s. not a big fan of gigglepuss, can't interview anyone.
But his next project should be to have another award show. We need more award shows.
..
Hey ! We're getting a rebooted version of CRIMINAL MINDS !! Mandy Patinkin could not be reached for comments.
I'd be interested in knowing if what you don't like happens to line up with what I do like.
I've found two shows I like.
Grand Crew, which I think is essentially Friends redone in LA With black actors.
Pivoting, which is about three female friends going through midlife crisis's and happens to use a lot of jokes as throwaways that the character says, and each character has their own personality.
I've been hat watching American Auto. It seems to be working too hard at being funny and missing the mark each time.
I also got sucked in by promos during the football games. I was particularly intrigued by B Positive. After struggling through two episodes, I realized that the clips used for the promos were the only funny moments from the show. With competition from streaming and cable, you would have thought that the networks would be at the top of their games to keep viewers. Instead, they have apparently raised the white flag.
What's next, QUEEN FOR A DAY:THE REBOOT?
FWIW, this Friday, Amazon will release Reacher based on the Jack Reacher book series by Lee Child. The first season is said to be based on Killing Floor - one of the better novels in the series.
Two weeks later - season four of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Speaking of Password, following the, er, passing of Betty White, I went down a rabbit hole watching her appearances there. What a fun, addictive show.
You can find quite a few entire episodes on Youtube. The ones with Carol Burnett are especially good.
I would also like to know to which shows you are referring.
"That's My Jam," represents either everything you love about Jimmy Fallon or everything you hate about Fallon. For me it's the latter.
@maxdebryn. I had to look up "unctuous" in the dictionary. Very appropriate.
I have nothing against Jordana Brewster, but she hasn't worked much lately. I can picture her telling her agent, "Get me something! Anything!!" And that's how she wound up on "T.M.J."
Speaking of NBC's desperation, they're bringing back "Law and Order." (original format) I loved the show first run and often watch it in syndication. Yet I thought the show had run its course. So why the reboot? Is it because they really couldn't find anything new to air? Or could it be because Dick Wolf holds a lot of sway with the network.
Based on some of the comments in today's blog, it just proves how subjective comedy really is.
Happy New Year!
M.B.
-- "Ghosts" and "Abbott Elementary" are enjoying both critical and ratings success, a rare feat. I'm an avid "Ghosts" watcher, and I'll check out "Abbott" and "American Auto" after the Olympics (I'll be neck-deep in the hockey, curling and biathlon).
-- Re: "Password", I have a fondness for the late '70s "Password Plus" edition. Heck, a rerun on late night GSN cheered me up once. As Allen Ludden strode onstage to meet the applauding audience, he extended his arm toward the camera and asked with a smile, "How are you?" That gesture really did warm my spirits. Nice touch I'd like to see more emcees or hosts use.
-- As for other game shows, your recent podcasts reminded me that Marc Summers would be a great host for "Jeopardy!" Besides "Double Dare", he's hosted game shows on GSN and even one on the History Channel. He's adept at interacting with contestants and would be good with handling the pace of "Jeopardy!"
I agree "That's My Jam" is pretty silly, but Johnnie did some silly stuff (for the time too).
"Sometimes you have to step back and let them burn it to the ground" - Young Man's Town, by Vince Gill.
I really like "B Positive", too, but the last two episodes were terrible...it's like they were trying to fit the entire cast (which is a good one) into each scene...didn't sit well with me.
I'll hop on the B Positive love train. I think it should win some kind of award for "Year 2 pivot" since the original story (the kidney transplant) is over, and they basically started a new show entirely. I suspect that Drew was meant to be the main character, but Annaleigh Ashford surprised them with how good she is, nasally voice notwithstanding.
I taped the football game long (in case it went OT), and caught the Fallon show. Even fast-forwarding through it, it was irritating.
Celebrity Squirts, anyone?
I just can't believe someone here called Fallon "sincere".
I'm glad to see that Abbott Elementary is getting some love here. We laugh out loud - multiple times - during the show. The show has so much heart. The characters are well designed for humorous conflict. My only complaint: The principal is played too broadly as a self-centered fool/slacker, but she is funny too sometimes.
The Wonder Years reboot is very good too. Yeah, I'm wary of reboots too, but this has all of the heart and humor of the original but from a different viewpoint.
How soon before one of the networks tries to have a reality show called "America's Next Best Sitcom writer" to try to bolster their stock of sitcoms to fill the schedule?
The question is mostly a joke, but also a small part serious.
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