That there's nothing funny about hurting animals and babies?
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
When people stop laughing at it.
Posted by Earendil18 (Member # 3180) on :
Mmm, humanity.
Posted by ricree101 (Member # 7749) on :
Any particular show in mind?
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Yes, Dear when they did a show where the dog died then they joked about it getting runned over at the end. Then they did an episode about a baby getting hit on the head by all the family members and then having trouble reading years later. Now how is that funny? The I saw an ad for Free Ride where a cat gets runned over. So not amusing... South Park can kind of get away with stuff like that, but not any other show that isn't a cartoon.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
(run not runned)
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:Yes, Dear when they did a show where the dog died then they joked about it getting runned over at the end. Then they did an episode about a baby getting hit on the head by all the family members and then having trouble reading years later. Now how is that funny?
Well, nothing's funny if you present it like that...
quote:South Park can kind of get away with stuff like that, but not any other show that isn't a cartoon.
Why?
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I don't know why. They just can. Perhaps because it's a cartoon and isn't real. Or maybe because it's South Park and they have some sort of weird licence to make me laugh then make me shake my head in shame at laughing, then make me laugh again.
Although I did feel bad for that poor whale.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
If the stuff in South Park is funny to you, then I don't see why you have any problems with people laughing at a baby being dropped on its head or a cat getting run over by a car.
Posted by Reticulum (Member # 8776) on :
No, I can agree with Syn. She has a point. South Park basicly has an unspoken contract. They just can do those things. It's South Park. They just cam.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
A) Explain why SP can but others cannot. (hint: you can't) B) Syn's a she.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
It's probably the emotional attachments I have to cats and babies.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Actually, I thought the baby-dropping episode of Yes, Dear was funny.
The dog one I haven't seen, but there was a whole thing on That 70's Show where Eric ran over Donna's cat... Actually, that one wasn't as funny, but that's just because the writing on those episodes wasn't great. Okay, and it's That 70's Show. They can't pull off dead animal humor.
Wasn't there something on Friends about a pet dying?
On the other hand, I quite often find South Park singularly unfunny.
I think it's a matter of individual taste, and much as you don't like it, someone else may find it funny.
Heck, I don't know why Married With Children ever made it a whole season. I never found it interesting at all, much less actually funny. But obviously, someone did. So I don't watch it. No accounting for tastes, but no harm done.
Posted by Juxtapose (Member # 8837) on :
quote:South Park can kind of get away with stuff like that, but not any other show that isn't a cartoon.
quote:Perhaps because it's a cartoon and isn't real.
As opposed to a live-action show that isn't real? The last time I saw anything on a sitcom that could be described as real I...oh..um...hang on...
...yeah...
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:It's probably the emotional attachments I have to cats and babies.
Don't kick the baby.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
But, it's not a real baby... Not like on that episode of Yes Dear.
But perhaps it's more the brain damage thing... It struck a chord... *has no idea how this girl that got brain damaged in an accident ages ago is doing*
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:But, it's not a real baby... Not like on that episode of Yes Dear.
????????
How is the baby in one fiction more real than the baby in another fiction?
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Because one is a cartoon and it's harder to form emotional attachments to cartoons (Except in the case of some animes and the Kenny Dies episode was really sad.) and there really is nothing funny about brain damage to me... Also I thought the episode was rather.....
well....
Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :
Television is inherently not real. Work from that premise and stop getting offended at Hollywood itself and instead look at the greatest common denominator who finds it funny. It's easy to make fun of an institution instead of those who are doing the laughing.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:Because one is a cartoon and it's harder to form emotional attachments to cartoons (Except in the case of some animes and the Kenny Dies episode was really sad.) and there really is nothing funny about brain damage to me... Also I thought the episode was rather.....
Sounds like a personal problem to me.
Posted by MrSquicky (Member # 1802) on :
The thing that I find terribly amusing about this is you got so offended by the episode that you apparently sat and watched the whole thing or at least a very substantial part of it.
I imagine that the people who make television shows occasionally have the "When will people who complain about television shows learn..." conversation and when they do, Syn, they're talking about people like you. They don't care if you have problems with their shows as long as people watch them. And, apparently, you're watching them.
The best advice I can give you is to unplug your TV because you're watching too much of it. Watching a show you don't like is, by defintion, watching too much tv.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:Watching a show you don't like is, by defintion, watching too much tv.
If we had signatures on The Rack, that would be a candidate for my current one. Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen: Heck, I don't know why Married With Children ever made it a whole season. I never found it interesting at all, much less actually funny. But obviously, someone did. So I don't watch it. No accounting for tastes, but no harm done.
I wouldn't speak on that too quickly. Its quite possible that that show did in fact cause brain damage. I mean if a show that cynically bad didn't cause it, then maybe nothing can.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I'm really stupid though. i do this all the time. Last week I found myself watching Jerry Spinger and Maury Povich wondering why such shows even exist. Mostly I am astonded by the sheer badness and should watch Dir en grey videos instead that don't have those NASTY DISGUSTING CREATURES in them.
Posted by MrSquicky (Member # 1802) on :
Syn, And I say this with nothing but good will in my heart, maybe you should spend more mental effort on figuring out why you watch shows you hate and how you're going to go about stopping then on getting upset about said shows. It is completely and entirely within your power to do this, but you're going to have to make a conscious effort to do so.
Honestly, I think you might do well to kill you tv if you use the new free time for productive purposes. If I recall correctly, you want to be a writer. Why not do that instead?
edit: Because I'm apparently far over on the obnoxious truth vs. nice scale tonight, I'd sggest checking this out and expanding from there.
Also, here's a study I assisted in that might be useful. My name's even in there somewhere.
[ April 10, 2006, 12:28 AM: Message edited by: MrSquicky ]
Posted by Amanecer (Member # 4068) on :
MrSquicky, that was a very interesting study. However I think are more motivations behind watching television than just focusing one's attention away his/her inadequacies. Sometimes people are just so exhausted when they get home from work that they need some recovery time that has nothing to do with negative self-views. I'd beware of assigning motives to people that you barely know.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Then again, it could be a sign of a mental disorder because obviously these stupid shows make me a bit miserable... But they are also interesting in terms of American culture as well... Its attitudes and perceptions and the constant STEREOTYPING. Like in Yes, Dear. Why does the yuppie couple have to be so... stiff. The male is very weak and nearly effiminate and the female, prissy while the working class couple is just so... grrr, the male's stupid and lunky and likes eating and beer and the female... I just don't know why shows DO that so much. It's just so boring and irratating.
Posted by Zeugma (Member # 6636) on :
GET RID OF YOUR TELEVISION.
You have your computer, video games, and rabbit for entertainment. TV does nothing but make you angry and miserable. Sell it, spend the $50 on something you DO enjoy, and use your newfound free time to WRITE.
Seriously. I've watched you complain about bad TV shows for three years now. It's time to do something about it!
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
<makes note to pitch "Running over babies, kittens and puppies" show to the networks>
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Well, how about this: I actually do not laugh at any baby jokes, cartoon or not. In fact, I don't like it when anything that is dear to the characters gets hurt or destroyed. I hate it when Mr. Bean's mini gets crushed by the steamroller- that's a tragedy for me.
So I really am that sappy.
I do like television though. I just don't watch that much "comedy".
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
My kids get really emotional when Mr. Bean's mini dies.
quote:Well, how about this: I actually do not laugh at any baby jokes, cartoon or not.
I have made "baby dropped on head" jokes in the past.
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
South Park gets away with stuff with me... stuff that would otherwise greatly offend me... because I laugh when they do stuff that would offend other people. Therefore I have to just sit there and take it when their canons turn on something I think is important.
MOST of the time I'm laughing with them at someone else. (paris hilton, j-lo, scientologists, barbara streisand)
Plus the fact that they're conservative(*), yet non-homophobic makes me WANT to forgive them.
Pix
(*) They say they dislike conservatives, but most of their politics seem pretty conservative to me.
Posted by MrSquicky (Member # 1802) on :
quote:Then again, it could be a sign of a mental disorder because obviously these stupid shows make me a bit miserable.
But it's not. I looks to me like you're using the idea of a mental disorder here to absolve yourself of responsibility and also the possibility of change here. There is nothing preventing you from changing this behavior. All that stands between you and a different way of doing things is some effort and perhaps different strategies.
---
Amanacer, Of couse there are more motivations than that. No one suggested different. I'd be wary of the "relaxation" angle, though. A lot of the literature I've read suggests that people who perform some stimulating activity (physically as in exercise or an enjoyable mental exercise) report being more relaxed and more energetic than those who watch tv.
As to not assigning motives to people I barely know. Your solution is what exactly? That I not offer advice to someone who watches television shows they hate? Should I just assume that this is a perfectly fine state of affairs and not try to help them overcome it?
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
I thought the scenes in Something About Mary... where the dog is treated to all sorts of ill fates are the funniest of the movie. It would be tragic if it actually happened, but it's hysterical in the movie because it is so absolutely unreal. You never believe for a minute that a real dog is actually being injured.
For that matter, Scrat from Ice Age is forever subject to the worst of fate. And he's the best part of the movie.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I need to do enjoyable things like lay around and listen to music instead while thinking of my story. I am just astonished by the sheer... dumbness and stupidity... Now I'll go to the store and library instead of watching this dumb show and wondering who it has to be so dumb.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:I need to do enjoyable things like lay around and listen to music instead while thinking of my story. I am just astonished by the sheer... dumbness and stupidity... Now I'll go to the store and library instead of watching this dumb show and wondering who it has to be so dumb.
I promise you, whatever you really do enjoy, there will be some people that will be astonished by its sheer dumbness and stupidity.
Posted by Amanecer (Member # 4068) on :
quote:Of couse there are more motivations than that. No one suggested different. I'd be wary of the "relaxation" angle, though. A lot of the literature I've read suggests that people who perform some stimulating activity (physically as in exercise or an enjoyable mental exercise) report being more relaxed and more energetic than those who watch tv.
My comment about relaxation came from personal experience. When I worked in retail and got off of an 8 hour shift where I was constantly on my feet, I didn't have the energy to do anything other than watch television for a half hour to an hour when I got home.
quote:As to not assigning motives to people I barely know. Your solution is what exactly? That I not offer advice to someone who watches television shows they hate? Should I just assume that this is a perfectly fine state of affairs and not try to help them overcome it?
I thought your first two paragraphs were a great response. The implication that the study applied to Syn seemed more invasive. But now I'm thinking that I just shouldn't post at 2am. My posts seem to be more contentious than I like.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
But listening to music and reading, doesn't get any better. Also playing video games and flipping off the screen. And learning guitar chords so I can write a song. And wishing I had a two story music box like the one in Innocence because it was so COOL.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
quote:My kids get really emotional when Mr. Bean's mini dies.
See? See? In general I cannot watch Mr. Bean- it's just too embarrassing and painful.
I totally miss the point, don't I?
And Syn, I agree with Zeugma. If I think a show is dumb, or too violent or otherwise unwatchable, I don't watch it- there are plenty of shows that I actually enjoy. You should stop watching shows like those you find dumb and perhaps start watching shows that inspire you. There are shows out there that are good.
Also, much of comedy is deliberately supposed to be stupid. That's the point. It's supposed to exaggerate the world and draw attention to the ridiculousness of extremes and so hence the stereotyping in the show Yes, Dear. It's the POINT .
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
But stereotyping like that makes me crazy... Especially when it's the point!
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
::shows Syn an episode of Drawn Together 'n watches her head asplode::
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
*Now watching Trapped in the Closet, South Park*
Never even seen that show before...
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
So don't watch it or comedy in general. This is not a new concept; people have been making fun of stereotypes for time immemorial (I love that phrase) , and if that's not the way you like your tv, watch drama or 'dramedy' shows instead.
If you're not laughing at the comedy, it's not because there's something wrong with you, or that the show is necessarily bad or immoral, it's just that it's not your type of show. By watching it more and more, you're only confusing yourself into thinking that it's somehow your fault, and that this show is somehow indicative of everything on television right now.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Shows like that bug me, especially with the women because they make me feel a bit abnormal or something. Especially when you got all these chicks nagging over something incredibly stupid which I wouldn't do because that is just so boring. They should talk about cool things. Like really large music boxes used as melodic instruments and electric guitars and Dir en grey... But then everyone that isn't interest in those would be very bored.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by MrSquicky: Also, here's a study I assisted in that might be useful. My name's even in there somewhere.
Liar! I read the whole thing, and it doesn't say "Squicky" once! Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
This episode of South Park cracks me up... "So I took out my gun!"
Posted by Amanecer (Member # 4068) on :
Rivka. I was also wondering what Squicky's real name was while reading that.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Syn, your interests aren't mainstream, so don't go looking to find yourself in shows with stereotyped women because, even though you may be aware of how different the characters are from you, you are still going to feel like you don't measure up to some imagined writer's idea of the world. Even at the best of times, television rarely mimics anything remotely like real life because it has to fit a certain pattern (a small number of characters in a sustainable situation). Certain shows are going to be less like you than others. Personally, I'm a geek, so I watch Science Fiction or other such shows because I'm not 'in' Desperate Housewives or the O.C.
But even further, if you don't even find yourself in Science Fiction shows or, say, crime shows, both of which tend to cater more to the more peculiar person, just do as Zeugma says and put away the television and read. You seem to be trying to fit yourself in the television and some people don't fit inside small boxes so well.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Oddly enough I like Desparate Housewives though I don't really identify with any of the characters. It's just that the dialogue in that show is sometimes so good and the characters are so interesting. Like that Bree character. People like her urk me, but her character is so interesting and complex I can't help but like her. And I like the Sopranos for a simular reason. Good dialogue, interesting characters that have a lot of contrasts. That's what I'd like to see a lot more of. Bernie Mac is good... And Everybody Hates Chris, but thse are not really typical sitcoms. And mostly I hate family sitcoms or sitcoms about single mostly white people who sit around and drink beer and talk about their rather dull sex lives...
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Well there you go! You like well-written shows. Desperate Housewives is not up my street, as I said, but I can appreciate that it's well-written. Your 'problem' is that you seem to be watching shows that aren't of very good quality. All those 'family sitcoms' are written by teams of writers with little or no scope for imagination.
You wouldn't read badly written books, so it is the same with television; many are badly written and only there two fill the billion and one channels available.
I get the feeling you're home during the day and this is daytime tv. I suggest that yes, you drop the television during the day and focus on your writing, or going for a walk or baking or whatever else that isn't the television.
Posted by camus (Member # 8052) on :
quote:That there's nothing funny about hurting animals and babies?
I think that sometimes things are funny because they're tragic. Sometimes the best way to deal with tragedies that we are powerless to change is to find a way to laugh about them. It's not always right, but it's a lot less depressing.
Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :
Arsenic and Old Lace is currently running at BYU -- if you haven't heard of it, it's about a pair of old ladies who regularly poison men who rent a room in their house and bury them in their cellar. Their nephew is a psychotic serial killer who decides to use their house as a base of operations.
It's freaking hilarious--everything and everyone is silly and crazy and fun. Why do people laugh at such dark content? The director's theory is that laughter is a coping mechanism for scary events. That's why people laugh at them -- if it actually happened in their lives, it would be horrific and tragic.
Posted by kmbboots (Member # 8576) on :
They will learn when they stop making money from people watching their shows. If you want them to change, stop rewarding what they do.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I avoid bad songs like the plague, so I can't understand why I can't avoid stupid shows. What I really need is a job. Being out of work over the last week or so has driven me completely insane.
Posted by Zeugma (Member # 6636) on :
Seriously, get rid of the television, Syn. Unplug it, shove it into a closet, and post a flyer at the library or something offering it for $25 or $50 or whatever you think you can get for it.
That's how you avoid stupid shows. It's something simple that you can do RIGHT NOW to make a positive change in your life. Do it!
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
Get addicted to an MMORPG. best one out right now is WoW. You won't worry about your TV.. your friends... your family... hygene... eating... going to the bathroom....
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I kind of need it for video games and the shows that really are good. Like Bernie Mac and House.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Speaking of annoying television, why do I watch 7th Heaven? I hate that show...
Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :
You don't *need* a television, though it is nice to have sometimes. Nothing you get from a television is a "need". Not even the news, since you seem to have a perfectly good computer handy.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
there's always dling the good shows. I ought to watch the Sopranos I dled. Now that's one quality show even though I hate violence.
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Rivka. I was also wondering what Squicky's real name was while reading that.