JersElizabeth

Update: I will admit when I’m wrong. Though I maintain my opinion that its roots were totally unoriginal, Modern Family got considerably better, less cheap, and more creative after “Deer P*nis” press time and Community failed to improve consistently; and as a result, I give both comedies a solid B for their first seasons.

There are a few things that I need to get off my chest. Please don’t be upset.

I need to talk to you about your prime-time comedies. I tell you these things for your own good.

First, Modern Family is an unforgivably cheap imitation of the two most venerable comedies of the last decade, relying on stolen goods shamelessly and constantly and stifling its own creative instincts where they arise. It falls flat in every definable comedic category.

Yes, it has gotten consistently rave reviews. But I’m sure you’d agree with me when I say – people are stupid.

Ugh. Too easy.

The only comedy that has done the docu/interview splice with any savvy is The Office, and Modern Family attempts to combine the pirated “interview” style with the “mockumentary” single-camera technique of Arrested Development – the difference is, the actors of AD were brilliant comedians and intelligent individuals who understood wit, satire and timing, while the MF actors clearly do not (the proof, as they say, is in the badly timed and over-acted pudding).  The MF cast reads as a mish-mash of marginally talented “actors” (as in, non-comedians) who are extremely good at copycatting the style of true comedians like Steve Carell, Chevy Chase, Jason Bateman and Jeffrey Tambor. The premise and plot are stale and stereotyped.

Modern Family expects no intelligence of its audience. This offends me.

I expect originality and wit from my comedies, or at the very least purposeful hyperbole (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, anyone?). For this reason, The American incarnation of The Office has earned a “pass” from my judgmental heart. The fact that this show was British first set the bar high for wit and sarcasm, which is consistently delivered – with a healthy dose of America’s favorite: bonehead slapstick.

The original "Michael Scott"

While the characters I grew to love for their subtlety and believability have become broad, ridiculous caricatures of who they once were (Dwight Shrute, I’m looking at you), the entire production is still a clinic on how to do slapstick with a brain. Ed Helms has become delightfully funny, and Mindy Kaling is always hilarious.

The Office seems to straddle the line between those who still laugh when someone says “deer penis” (Saying “deer penis” with a straight face does NOT equal “deadpan” comedy) and those who appreciate Creed Bratton’s character comedy. (The number of facebook status updates that quoted Dwight’s “deer penis” statement was definitely disconcerting.) Just because YOU find it funny, Jeff Cargill, does not make it “genius” or “brilliant.”

A brief blurb on Parks & Recreation – I consider this a fairly benign comedy that is, unlike Modern Family, less an Office rip-off than its beloved only child. There are very few risks taken, and therefore very little about which to cry “foul.” Large mustaches are funny, Rashida Jones is cute and Amy Pohler has perfected the awkward pause/camera stare. It doesn’t hurt that she’s married to Will Arnett.

See? Large Mustache. Funny.

All this brings me to Community.

Community is among the most intelligent and creative comedies on television. It is quick-witted, the actors are truly original comedians, and I am consistently impressed by its cleverness. Joel McHale (whose day has finally come) heads up an accomplished cast that includes the always funny Chevy Chase, Gillian Jacobs (a Juilliard grad), Danny Pudi (of Marquette University and the respectable Second City), and Donald Glover (who wrote for 30 Rock and performed with Pohler and at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade). Ken Jeong plays Señor Chang (who is the only character that I consider an acknowledgement of Community’s attempt to lure a more remedial audience. With the exception of Ed Helms, The Hangover did not fulfill its potential - and neither does Ken Jeong).

Of course, Americans demand so little of their comedies (and their own intellects) that they are consistently satisfied by watching people fall down, get kicked in the crotch, get hit in the face, or say “deer penis.” (See last week’s episode of 30 Rock for a cleverly embedded acknowledgement of this fact). Community, boldly, respectably and perhaps stupidly, is so confident in its excellent, incisive material that it doesn’t do “the 30 Rock” – as in, it doesn’t throw together a constant bombardment of jokes at all levels of comedic intake to satisfy both the remedial and more sophisticated comedic tastes of its viewing audience.

This is Community’s strength – as well as what may prove to be its downfall. Community is the Diane Court of primetime comedy – it could go through four years of high school with few friends, despite its beauty and intelligence, simply because most people lack the courage to experience the sheer ecstasy of an intellectual comedy that demands more than the brain waves of a couch potato. What Community needs is a Lloyd Dobbler – someone to bring it to the party and introduce it around. Someone to let people know that it’s OK to like it, even though you may not understand it right away, because you will be better off having known it.

What does your favorite comedy say about you?

Arrested Development: You know your comedy, your comedians and your quotables.
The Office: Fish & Chips with a double bacon cheeseburger on top. You appreciate a good British Import, but with a heavy dose of USA.
30 Rock: You’re willing to overlook your candidate pandering to the masses if his overall politics are solid.
Parks & Rec: You followed Amy Pohler from SNL because she deserved her shot, and since The Office isn’t an hourlong comedy, you’ll stick around for it.
Modern Family: You were late finding out about Arrested Development. You like watching Leno.
Community: You can get A’s without studying. Everything is a social commentary. You like Letterman.