That show, while at times I hated watching, really is brilliant in its execution of the theme. Multiple times you're drawn in, you have pity and start rooting for him, and then he just does everything he can to make you hate him. His interactions with his buddy in the wheelchair are particularly ridiculous.
Well, first of all, how in the flying hell are I Love You Man and Girls in the same sentence? Those two things are not even remotely similar. At all. But, yeah, awkward is not funny. Funny is funny. And sometimes, awkward is part of that, if you can use the discomfort to make it funny. Just like any other "part" of comedy, like slapstick. Just falling down is not funny, but if the timing or the entrance is right, it is funny.
Louie is the only show I've seen that pulls off the awkward bit while still being hilarious. Most shows that try it are just hard to watch.
The two characters of Merchant and his roommate who is trying to make it in the acting business are well written, I think. They are two genuine people trying to make it in a fake world. Doing whatever they can to get ahead. She sleeps with her agent who is the douchiest person possible and clearly does it for the temporary validation that someone finds her attractive as well maaaayyybe getting an audition. And he tries really hard to fit in to a scene where he doesn't have the personality and lifestyle to blend. Her scenes are just as awkward and uncomfortable as his.
I agree. Like when he went on that date and just made that weird smile at her every time she looked at him. He had no idea how to act around a woman and was trying to be the nicest guy in the world.
The Brits have the market cornered with awkward funny and Ricky Gervais has built his career on shows that have him playing the same neurotic awkward character in every one. Life's too Short is hilarious but is just Extras with a midget instead of Ricky Gervais. His new series on netflix is basically the same but you wonder if he is supposed to be mentally handicapped or not. I'd say the lion's share of British comedies are just derivatives of the same concept. Lead character has to live in a traditionally proper British society while having no clue about social interactions and norms. Rinse repeat.
Louie is hilarious, to the point where my girlfriend thinks he's funny. She usually isn't a fan of the awkward-style humor but he's great. My roommate just got Netflix and I've been going through random episodes recently. Tim and Eric? That's for when you're uncomfortably stoned.
That's not just "a midget", you nazi. It's Warwick Davis. Willow. Leprechaun. The annoying Ewok "Wicket". Lover. Poet. The little man has been in the game for over three decades. ...come to think of it all the Ewoks were annoying. George Lucas' worst idea until Howard The Duck.
I have to disagree with you here Crown. Howard the Duck was pure awesome. An underrated comedy if there ever was one.
Warwick Davis was also 2 characters in the Harry Potter series - Prof Flitwick and Griphook the goblin I think the only midget with a longer career was Billy Barty. edit: I had to look up his name, but another one with a long career was Phil Fondacaro. Although his most notable role (in my eyes) was Troll.
Anyone have spare hours in their day they can give me? Jesus. I haven't had a chance to breathe in a week.
Sigh, I just got home from a whirlwind short vacation to NYC and am now dreading changing out of my jammies to go get my hair done. Sorry - no time to spare here.
11:26 MST, I think it's about time to leave the office for a bit, thereby ditching out on the company potluck. I just don't feel like forcing any conversation today.