By: Sanah Faroke/Columnist
This year’s fall season has been full of many promising new comedy material, but it is clear that comedic acting isn’t for everyone. It seems like any show that has a laugh track is classified as comedy – even if the show is a complete flop.
Comedy: “Whitney”
NBC, Thursdays
9:30 p.m.
Anyone with a sense of humor who has seen the show would agree that “Whitney” is an abysmal joke. The romantic comedy revolves around Whitney’s relationship with her boyfriend and the problems they encounter. They met at a bar, hooked up after and then began their relationship – the typical story of “how they met,” right? What was supposed to be a humorous aspect of the show comes off as sleazy.
“Whitney” is shot in front of a live audience but it sounds like someone is pressing the “laugh” button at random intervals; no one laughs as much in the course of 30 minutes on stale, trailer trash jokes than the so-called live audience. Whitney Cummings, comedian and apparently poor actress, reflects her stand-up comedy through Whitney’s on-set character.
Whitney needs to realize that there is a difference between bringing justice to the show as a comedian and being obnoxious by constantly yelling moronic jokes. Neither her writing or acting routines lure in fans – it really is time to start fresh, Whitney – producing isn’t your thing either.
The second episode improved; it made me chuckle and laugh at one instance. With a dreadful pilot, there’s only one way to go – either up or off the air.
Comedy: “Community”
NBC, Thursdays
8 p.m.
Study groups never work, but at Greendale’s Community College, they are definitely worth the time. “Community” incorporates pop culture, proves stereotypes wrong and creates a mockery of film and television clichés.
The package is very much appreciated, especially for a cliché lover like myself. Britta, for example, plays the role of “mumsy,”
the one who takes control of problems.
Her good looks and blonde locks gave me the impression that she would need the study group more than anyone else, yet she is the one who tries to keep everything together – until it begins to fall apart again.
Annie reminds me of Rachel Berry on “Glee”- brunette, studious and naïve. Her innocence can be interchanged for a “dumb blonde” occasionally. Maybe stereotypes are flawed.
Typical character traits from “Community” still remain embedded from previous seasons; the comedic familiarity is like home. For example, Abed’s TV obsession and Jeff taking his place on the soapbox – what’s an episode without a speech?
The wittiness and humor of “Community” makes the show one of the must-see comical programs on TV right now. Yes, there are many humorous up-and-coming shows that are predestined for greatness, but “Community” is anything but mediocre – it’s madness 101.
Comedy: “The Big Bang Theory”
CBS, Mondays
8:30 p.m.
“Beauty and the Geek” meets “Friends” in this sitcom; it literally encompasses everything I love in a comedy. Within six minutes, the audience is sure to be amused at the “geekiness” spawned from Sheldon’s scientific babbling or the hilarity of Leonard’s sarcasm.
Sheldon and Leonard are ingenious physicists who ditch their video games and rocket models when Penny moves to their floor. The two, along with their friends Howard and Raj, enter the world of women.
Life becomes a science project – one experimenting with the laws of attraction.
Penny’s character (Kaley Cuoco) resembles Cuoco’s former role as Bridget on “8 Simple Rules.” She is the less-educated, girly one, but Penny’s personification isn’t as irritating to Bridget’s. In fact, Penny’s character evens out the brainy aspect of “The Big Bang Theory.” Sheldon’s my favorite – he’s the life-size version of Jimmy Neutron, plus the college (partial) insight to women and the overall mechanics of sex.
The 30-minute episode is just the right amount of hysterical laughter to keep me going throughout the week; the staged roaring audience is not nearly as aggravating as those you expect from “Whitney.” The show is the perfect combination of science terms and playfulness – the balance makes the show a hit.
Channel Surfing is a weekly TV review column. Look for it every Friday this fall.
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