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Tuesday, February 02, 2010

ESPN: Nick Swisher shines on “How I Met Your Mother”

Outside of the dynamite Dino & Cheryl Kartsonakis show, I rarely watch TV…was this grub any good? (hits head with studded Saget-stick)

Nick Swisher just gave us another reason to dislike the New York Yankees.

They’ll snake your girl.

That’s exactly what the Yanks outfielder will do—unwittingly, anyway—Monday night on “How I Met Your Mother.” In the episode airing on CBS, Barney’s (Neil Patrick Harris) pursuit of “the perfect week”—seven girls in seven days—is disrupted when Swisher, playing himself at a New York City bar, catches the eye of Barney’s latest prey.

...“That’s a myth,” said Swisher, who is dating Gossip Girl’s Joanna Garcia. “We’re normal, man. The only difference between us and everybody else is we work at Yankee Stadium, and our job just happens to be on TV. We put our pants on one leg at a time, too. The same rules apply to everybody.”

Does Nick Swisher ever get shot down?

“Oh, yeah. Absolutely!”

A losing record?

“No,” he laughed. “I don’t have a losing record.”

Repoz Posted: February 02, 2010 at 12:36 PM | 374 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
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   1. Gold Star for Robothal Posted: February 02, 2010 at 02:02 PM (#3452434)
Greg Oden, of course, puts his pants on one leg and then one leg and then one leg at a time..
   2. hokieneer Posted: February 02, 2010 at 02:28 PM (#3452448)
Greg Oden, of course, puts his pants on one leg and then one leg and then one leg at a time..

While dislocating both knee caps.
   3. bunyon Posted: February 02, 2010 at 02:49 PM (#3452459)
“No,” he laughed. “I don’t have a losing record.”

Well, then, you ain't like everybody else.
   4. RMc's grumbling has gone far enough Posted: February 02, 2010 at 03:15 PM (#3452481)
Yeah, being rich and famous and young and athletic has nothing to do with anything.
   5. Greg (U)K Posted: February 02, 2010 at 03:21 PM (#3452484)
I was impressed with Siwsher, my first reaction was "wow he could have easily played Joey on Friends and the show would have been about the same"

My second reaction was...."oh right...that's not that impressive"
   6. Enrico Pallazzo Posted: February 02, 2010 at 04:10 PM (#3452540)
Friends sucks.

So does HIMYM for that matter.

Two and a Half Men is the worst show on television.

I have a bone to pick with laugh tracks. I mean, if it's actually funny, I'll laugh. Those shows are rarely funny.
   7. Moloka'i Three-Finger Brown (Declino DeShields) Posted: February 02, 2010 at 05:33 PM (#3452549)
I like "HIMYM," and don't think it bears more than a superficial resemblance to "Friends." However, this is the first season that my wife and I have watched in "real time" (we watched the previous seasons during a week when we were both sick), and it does seem to have declined from what it was two or three years ago.

I'm not really sure that Nick Swisher did much of anything on this episode; the stunt guest who "shined" was Jim Nantz.
   8. The Piehole of David Wells, Red Sox Colostomy Bag Posted: February 02, 2010 at 05:54 PM (#3452567)
I actually like HIMYM. I thought Jim Nantz was brilliant last night. Also, I'm an English Ph.D. student, so I love the narrative framing device. Last night's triple framing device (Moseby narrating Nantz's narration of Barney's thoughts) was very clever and well-executed.
   9. billyshears Posted: February 02, 2010 at 05:55 PM (#3452569)
Friends sucks.

So does HIMYM for that matter.

Two and a Half Men is the worst show on television.


In their primes, each of these shows was very, very good. I thought Two and a Half Men was dreck until I actually, you know, watched an episode. And I just don't believe anybody else who has actually watched it could think that it was anything close to the worst show on TV. At worst, it's a competent sitcom.
   10. CrosbyBird Posted: February 02, 2010 at 05:56 PM (#3452572)
I have a bone to pick with laugh tracks. I mean, if it's actually funny, I'll laugh.

Laugh tracks are almost instant death for a show as far as I'm concerned. The canned laughter just bores into my skull.

A live audience is fine, even if they find more stuff funny than I do.
   11. Charlie O Posted: February 02, 2010 at 05:59 PM (#3452576)
The promos run by the networks during their sports broadcasts are enough to convince me none of those shows should ever be watched.
   12. McCoy Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:03 PM (#3452581)

In their primes, each of these shows was very, very good. I thought Two and a Half Men was dreck until I actually, you know, watched an episode. And I just don't believe anybody else who has actually watched it could think that it was anything close to the worst show on TV. At worst, it's a competent sitcom.


Perhaps it can be the defensive Rogers Hornsby of sitcoms then. Out of all the sitcoms that last more than a season or two it is probably the worst sitcom I have seen. Usually sitcoms that are this bad don't last a season and even a bunch of sitcoms that are better don't last a season. The jokes are stale, the acting is bad (I'm convinced Charlie Sheen cannot do the small screen*), pretty much everything about this sitcom was ripped straight from the 80's. It is like watching Growing Pains with guest star Sam Malone.



*I sometimes wonder why Charlie Sheen wasn't bigger movie star than he was and the easy answer is drugs but I think the real answer after watching him in a couple of sitcoms is that he simply cannot act.
   13. RJ in TO Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:08 PM (#3452588)
In their primes, each of these shows was very, very good. I thought Two and a Half Men was dreck until I actually, you know, watched an episode. And I just don't believe anybody else who has actually watched it could think that it was anything close to the worst show on TV. At worst, it's a competent sitcom.


It's a competent sitcom that has lasted for something like a decade despite starring an incredibly unlikeable (and creepy) actor.
   14. Best Dressed Chicken in Town Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:15 PM (#3452596)
Charlie Sheen can do certain things. I seem to recall him being quite entertaining in those Hot Shots movies. Now Emilio Estevez, he cannot act.
   15. RJ in TO Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:20 PM (#3452604)
Charlie Sheen can do certain things.


Like hookers.

Now Emilio Estevez, he cannot act.


So you're saying you're not a fan of the Mighty Duck movies?
   16. billyshears Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:21 PM (#3452608)
pretty much everything about this sitcom was ripped straight from the 80's. It is like watching Growing Pains with guest star Sam Malone.


I don't get this at all. There's never any lesson. Many of the jokes push the edge of what's appropriate. There's a pretty steady supply of T&A.
   17. Mister High Standards Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:22 PM (#3452609)
There are currently tree sitcoms on TV that I currently enjoy. That is fairly unusual. Modern Family, 30 Rock and Community.

I watched the first few episodes of the in-between that Tim Goodman recommended last week. Lousy.

I'm actually quite glad that I do like these comedies because the active drama's are quite poor only Men of a Certain Age seems intriguing. Ms. High Standards likes the Deep End and the Human Target, HT I'm still undecided on. Of the shows that just wrapped only Mad Man and Sons of Anarchy are solid.

The narrative on TV just isn't up to what we have seen over the earlier part of the decade.
   18. SOLockwood Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:24 PM (#3452610)
Oddly enough the creepiness of the actor might actually be a positive, especially considering how creepy the character he portrays is. It may also make up for Sheen's lack of acting ability -- with this role, he doesn't actually have to act.
   19. Koot Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:24 PM (#3452611)
Charlie Sheen plays a very good Charlie Sheen/Harper/Crawford.

Laugh track must be good for something, I think it was the main character in "Everybody Loves Raymond". That was most awful successful sitcom ever. I mean, how many times can you watch Ray Romano make a joke and stand there grinning while he basks in the over-the-top laughtrack for about 10 seconds?
   20. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:26 PM (#3452612)
HIMYM is a pleasant show that will make me laugh a few times an episode that has a couple of likeable characters (other than the lead Ted) and one especially memorable character (Barney). I don't DVR it, but if its Monday and there isn't a good hoops game on, I'll watch it.

I have caught two episodes of Two and Half Men and I really don't get why its so popular. I find it awful. And I hate their promos (which run endlessly during sports). I don't understand how its not okay for an adult cop procedural to drop an f-bomb from time to time, but its okay for a show about a male whore to run ads during daytime programming that children watch showing how he sleeps around.

I've had three people recommend "Big Bang Theory" to me, and while I think its perfectly competent, I can't really muster the energy to watch it anymore.
   21. Moloka'i Three-Finger Brown (Declino DeShields) Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:28 PM (#3452614)
Out of all the sitcoms that last more than a season or two it is probably the worst sitcom I have seen.


I take it you never had the misfortune of clicking on "Becker"?

I'm not a huge sitcom fan these days, but we get sucked in to the CBS block most Mondays. "Two and a Half Men" is thoroughly pedestrian and utterly formulaic, but the one thing that keeps it above the "Becker" or "According to Jim" level of muck is that the kid is pretty good at playing a kid.

The point above about laugh tracks is well-taken. Plugging a laugh track into "HIMYM" or "Big Bang Theory" seems unnecessary (but conventional). "Two and a Half Men" feels like it should have one.
   22. Athletic Supporter leads the nation in drifters Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:31 PM (#3452615)
21 is dead on. Becker is the worst show ever to have been on TV.

2.5 men is bad, not awful. HIMYM is pretty good. Big Bang Theory happens to parallel the life (setup-wise) of this girl I have an enormous crush on, so it gets points from me for that.
   23. RJ in TO Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:31 PM (#3452616)
"Two and a Half Men" feels like it should have one.


It doesn't feel like it should have one. It feels like it desperately needs one, so people call tell when a joke has occurred.
   24. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:32 PM (#3452617)
Becker is the worst show ever to have been on TV.

Wrong! The correct answer is "According to Jim."
   25. Kiko Sakata Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:33 PM (#3452618)
That was most awful successful sitcom ever.


I can only assume y'all are too young to remember the '80s. The worst successful sitcoms of all time were Full House and the one with Urkel, whose name is thankfully escaping me at the moment.
   26. Repoz Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:33 PM (#3452619)
Kippy Spagenbusch and PLONSKY...best shows anywheres!
   27. JJ1986 Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:35 PM (#3452621)
I like seasons 1-4 of HIMYM, but this one isn't very good. A lot of it seems like fanfiction, overly focused on Barney and trying to recapture the past instead of mature. It's the only network sitcom I watch though. I quit both The Office and 30 Rock this year. The latter seems to have basically the same show every week and the former is way past dead.

I've never seen Big Bang Theory. The commercials are enough to drive anyone away.
   28. RJ in TO Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:36 PM (#3452622)
Wrong! The correct answer is "According to Jim."


I agree with this statement.
   29. RJ in TO Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:36 PM (#3452624)
I can only assume y'all are too young to remember the '80s. The worst successful sitcoms of all time were Full House and the one with Urkel, whose name is thankfully escaping me at the moment.


Family Matters.
   30. JJ1986 Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:37 PM (#3452625)
There was some show with two women's first names a few years ago, Faith and Hope or something. That was the worst sitcom I've seen.
   31. McCoy Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:37 PM (#3452626)
Charlie Sheen 1984 to 1989
Red Dawn
Lucas
Platoon
Wall Street
Young Guns
Eight Men Out
Major League

Tom Cruise 1981-1989
Taps
Outsiders
Risky Business
Top Gun
Color of Money
Rain Man
Born on the 4th of July

After 1989 Charlie Sheen has basically only the Three Musketeers amount to anything and really devolves into movies that really are more like straight to video releases than anything else. Meanwhile Tom Cruise does A Few Good Men, The Firm, Interview with the Vampire, Mission Impossible, Jerry Maguire, Minority Report, Collateral, The Last Samurai, War of the Worlds, and Valkyrie to name some of the more succesful ones (and of course MI sequels).

Coming up Sheen has the action flicks, the dramas, and the comedies and the people like all of them but then poof nothing. Meanwhile Tom Crusie has the dramas and one action flick and poof Tom Cruise becomes the summer blockbuster guy.
   32. SoSH U at work Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:39 PM (#3452628)
can only assume y'all are too young to remember the '80s. The worst successful sitcoms of all time were Full House and the one with Urkel, whose name is thankfully escaping me at the moment.


Family Matters. And while both shows were born in the late 1980s, more of their runs were in the 1990s. I was fortunate enough to miss these shows during their first go-arounds, but they've been reborn on Nick and ABC Family for my kids to belatedly latch onto and retroactively torment me.
   33. Moloka'i Three-Finger Brown (Declino DeShields) Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:40 PM (#3452629)
the one with Urkel, whose name is thankfully escaping me at the moment.


"Family Matters."

Originally came on when I was 15 or 16. In my experience, the number one motivator to sustain a good social life at age 15 or 16 was so that you had no reason to stay home watching "Family Matters." Fear is a great motivator of the young.
   34. RJ in TO Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:40 PM (#3452630)
There was some show with two women's first names a few years ago, Faith and Hope or something. That was the worst sitcom I've seen.


You've got the name right. The strangest part of that show (apart from it lasting for longer than a single episode) was that they chose the actress Faith Ford to play the character called Hope.
   35. Banta Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:42 PM (#3452632)
Becker is the worst show ever to have been on TV.

Wow, that's really harsh.

I don't profess to have good taste though. I find cookie cutter sitcoms to be a decent distraction most of the time. The formulaic plots keep me in a nice, comfortable zone. And for Becker, I found most of the episodes to be above replacement level in that category.

The roughest sitcoms for me to watch are the ones that try to take themselves seriously too often. I don't derive my morals from television and movies and I don't like it when a show tries to preach. Most characters on most standard sitcoms are little more than stereotypes and that's fine. That's where low level comedy lives. Trying to put those characters in a dramatic, serious situations is just a horrible idea because it comes off too contrived.

This is just my opinion, of course, coming from the guy who's written a near complete screenplay where for 90 minutes the only real joke is that velociraptors are taking over the world, pretending to be human and for some reason, no one can tell.
   36. McCoy Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:43 PM (#3452635)
Well, if we are going back to the 80's then the worst one ever has to be Small Wonder.

My memory of Becker is that it didn't last long on the network and went to the superstations. Was it actually on prime time for many seasons or was it simply good enough for late night filler on the superstations? Because the only place I ever ran into Becker was at 2 in the morning on UPN or some such channel.

At least Full House had Ramos's hot girlfriend who I believe was in their Hawaii special in a bathing suit. Other than that the whole TGIF lineup sucked.
   37. Moloka'i Three-Finger Brown (Declino DeShields) Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:43 PM (#3452636)
Faith and Hope


From the early 2000s, created by Bud Selig? Yeah, I remember that one.
   38. billyshears Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:44 PM (#3452638)
Laugh track must be good for something, I think it was the main character in "Everybody Loves Raymond". That was most awful successful sitcom ever. I mean, how many times can you watch Ray Romano make a joke and stand there grinning while he basks in the over-the-top laughtrack for about 10 seconds?


This is just wrong. It was a hugely successful show. It won multiple Emmys. It's very respected in the industry. I know we're supposed look down upon pop culture and awards and insiders and go with the default assumption that if too many people like something that it must be crap, but every so often, the masses get something right. Everybody Loves Raymond was a very well crafted family sitcom. It was usually very funny. The acting (especially the supporting characters) was generally outstanding. I get that most of the people here are not in its target demographic, but that doesn't make it a bad show.
   39. RJ in TO Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:46 PM (#3452640)
I have no problem with Everybody Loves Raymond. It's not something that I'll actually try to find, but I haven't been bothered by it when I've watched it. I've seen far, far worse shows than that.
   40. Moloka'i Three-Finger Brown (Declino DeShields) Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:47 PM (#3452642)
27: That's fair. Too much focus on Barney, not enough focus on what worked in earlier seasons. They're in the process of absolutely murdering Robin's character right now. "Big Bang Theory" is okay, but I've found gimmick running dry after a few episodes. It's from the same guy who came up with "2.5 Men" -- and, from a certain point of view, the break-out guy Sheldon is sort of a bizarro Charlie Harper.

36: I'm sure I've been "coked" by now, but "Becker" somehow lasted 6 seasons!
   41. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:49 PM (#3452643)
The 80s had tons of bad comedies. Really, the worst shows today are better than most shows from the 80s.

The most underrated sitcom of all-time: Newsradio
   42. phredbird Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:49 PM (#3452644)
Now Emilio Estevez, he cannot act.


which made him perfect for repo man.

Becker is the worst show ever to have been on TV.


night court. nuff said.
   43. SoSH U at work Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:50 PM (#3452645)
My memory of Becker is that it didn't last long on the network and went to the superstations. Was it actually on prime time for many seasons or was it simply good enough for late night filler on the superstations?


It ran for six seasons, all on CBS. So you were close.
   44. RJ in TO Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:51 PM (#3452648)
Becker is the worst show ever to have been on TV.

night court. nuff said.


Wow. It's not very often that I've encountered someone who is so obviously wrong. Night Court, while not exactly high art, was an extremely entertaining show.
   45. SoSH U at work Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:51 PM (#3452649)
The most underrated sitcom of all-time: Newsradio


No, that's Bakersfield, P.D., though I suppose underwatched is a better description.
   46. Banta Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:52 PM (#3452650)
The 80s had tons of bad comedies. Really, the worst shows today are better than most shows from the 80s.

The most underrated sitcom of all-time: Newsradio

I strongly agree with both parts of this.
   47. Alex_Lewis Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:52 PM (#3452652)
Most underrated sitcom: Wings.

Now, I haven't seen it since, I guess, middle school, but I'm pretty sure it has passed the test of time with flying colors.
   48. phredbird Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:52 PM (#3452653)
Everybody Loves Raymond was a very well crafted family sitcom.


i liked some of it. the supporting cast was awesome. the mother was so eerily like my mom that it made me uncomfortable.
   49. RJ in TO Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:55 PM (#3452655)
Most underrated sitcom: Wings.

Now, I haven't seen it since, I guess, middle school, but I'm pretty sure it has passed the test of time with flying colors.


Provided you never watch an episode again, you can keep on believing what you've written.
   50. Alex_Lewis Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:56 PM (#3452656)
Provided you never watch an episode again, you can keep on believing what you've written.


I'm comfortable with that.
   51. sardonic Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:57 PM (#3452657)
In their primes, each of these shows was very, very good. I thought Two and a Half Men was dreck until I actually, you know, watched an episode. And I just don't believe anybody else who has actually watched it could think that it was anything close to the worst show on TV. At worst, it's a competent sitcom.


I always think of Two and a Half Men as a replacement level sitcom. It doesn't really offend me in any way, so it's perfectly fine to put on in the background if I'm on the laptop and want the occasional mildly funny one-liner.

HIMYM is a great serial sitcom. It's off its peak, but still consistently entertaining. I'm glad that they're likely pulling the plug after this season though.

The Big Bang Theory is pretty funny and a good episodic sitcom. So the conceit is lower, but from time to time has better laugh performance than HIMYM.
   52. phredbird Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:57 PM (#3452658)
Wow. It's not very often that I've encountered someone who is so obviously wrong. Night Court, while not exactly high art, was an extremely entertaining show.


well, we're just pontificating on a bulletin board, so whatever. harry anderson's smug shtick was unbearable after about one show, john larroquette was one-dimensional and overrated, the bailiff character was beyond inane, and it got preachy too often and the writing was ridiculously unfunny. it is a perfect example of the junk that was on in the 80s that people have nostalgia for but would cringe if they were watching it now.
   53. Fred Lynn Nolan Ryan Sweeney Agonistes Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:58 PM (#3452659)
Night Court, while not exactly high art, was an extremely entertaining show.


No show featuring Markie Post can be all bad.
   54. Harmon "Thread Killer" Microbrew Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:58 PM (#3452660)
the mother was so eerily like my mom that it made me uncomfortable.


You should go upstairs and apologize to her.
   55. RJ in TO Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:59 PM (#3452663)
Also, I would like to nominate Sledge Hammer! for the most underrated sitcom ever, except I saw an episode not too long ago and discovered that my memory of the show did not match the reality of the show.
   56. gef the talking mongoose Posted: February 02, 2010 at 06:59 PM (#3452664)
No, that's Bakersfield, P.D., though I suppose underwatched is a better description.


Curmudgeon that I've become, I've grown to despise TV in general & sitcoms in particular & at this late date can barely comprehend how anyone who even pretends to have a brain could ever watch anything but movies*, but ... yeah. Bakersfield, P.D. was pretty damned good.


*No doubt this is all an example of sour grapes stemming from my not having had cable in about a half-decade now, of course.
   57. Best Dressed Chicken in Town Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:00 PM (#3452665)
Everybody Loves Raymond was a very well crafted family sitcom. It was usually very funny. The acting (especially the supporting characters) was generally outstanding. I get that most of the people here are not in its target demographic, but that doesn't make it a bad show.

This is a DiPernian statement. Horrible, painful show.
   58. Esmailyn Gonzalez Sr. Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:02 PM (#3452670)
This is just my opinion, of course, coming from the guy who's written a near complete screenplay where for 90 minutes the only real joke is that velociraptors are taking over the world, pretending to be human and for some reason, no one can tell.

I would watch this.

The most underrated sitcom of all-time: Newsradio

Seconded
   59. Tom Cervo, backup catcher Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:02 PM (#3452671)
There are currently tree sitcoms on TV that I currently enjoy. That is fairly unusual. Modern Family, 30 Rock and Community.


If I loved Arrested Devlopment, would I like Modern Family? I tried Community, but thought the main character was awful and just couldn't get into it.

Right now I'll watch 30 Rock, Parks and Rec, Office, and It's Always Sunny. The latter two are going down in quality (Office for the last couple seasons), but are still pretty funny.

I just got into Parks and Rec a couple weeks ago, and I think Ron Swanson may be my favorite character ever.
   60. The Good Face Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:02 PM (#3452673)
Becker is the worst show ever to have been on TV.

night court. nuff said.


What the hell, I don't even...

I won't hear a bad word against Night Court, and by extension, Markie Post, who was hot as hell by 1980s standards.
   61. Joe Mauer Power Hour Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:02 PM (#3452672)
HIMYM is a great serial sitcom. It's off its peak, but still consistently entertaining. I'm glad that they're likely pulling the plug after this season though.

Is that true? It would make sense, given where they are with Ted, but I hadn't heard that.
   62. McCoy Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:02 PM (#3452676)
Nightcourt and Cheers are pretty much the only shows that I have watched that were originally from the 80's. They are pretty much the only two sitcoms from that era that didn't try to teach us anything and last more than a season.
   63. RB in NYC (Now with New Running Goal!) Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:04 PM (#3452679)
Jeeze, it sure is bizarre how all these different people have different opinions about a completely subjective subject. You'd think there was no accounting for taste.
   64. RJ in TO Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:04 PM (#3452680)
Nightcourt and Cheers are pretty much the only shows that I have watched that were originally from the 80's. They are pretty much the only two sitcoms from that era that didn't try to teach us anything and last more than a season.


So you're saying that you're not a fan of Growing Pains?
   65. hokieneer Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:04 PM (#3452681)
I've never seen Big Bang Theory. The commercials are enough to drive anyone away.

I had the same opinions as well, figured it would just be full of stereotypical humor. A few people I work with swear by the show, and have been harassing me for a solid year to watch it. I finally gave up and actually watched 2-3 re-runs this past summer. It's a pretty good show. Now there is still a lot of cookie-cutter-ness to it, but the character of Sheldon overcomes all of it.

HIMYM, is weird for me. I've watched 5-7 episodes every season since it's been on, but have never got any more interested in it than that. I don't' DVR it, and I never remember when it's on. Yet when I find it on, and can't find anything else to watch, I usually "settle" on it and enjoy it (been that way for years).

IMO, the best sitcom on prime time currently (now that Earl is done, and the Office is way past done), is probably Community.
   66. Fred Lynn Nolan Ryan Sweeney Agonistes Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:05 PM (#3452682)
Markie Post, who was hot as hell by 1980s standards.


You know what? Even that qualifier is kind of pissing me off.
Grrrrr.
   67. JJ1986 Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:05 PM (#3452683)
I thought Season 5 of Always Sunny was better than Season 4. Mac and Dennis Break Up and the episode where the Waitress got engaged were great.
   68. sardonic Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:05 PM (#3452684)
HIMYM is a great serial sitcom. It's off its peak, but still consistently entertaining. I'm glad that they're likely pulling the plug after this season though.

Is that true? It would make sense, given where they are with Ted, but I hadn't heard that.


That's more of an inference than anything, given that they have enough episodes to go into syndication, and the plot seems to be working its way toward it's natural conclusion.

I'll be disappointed if they try to stretch for another season.
   69. Alex_Lewis Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:06 PM (#3452685)
This is a DiPernian statement. Horrible, painful show.


Based upon roughly ten seconds of review, I'd guess that the best sitcom ever has to be The Simpsons.
   70. Jose Can You Seabiscuit Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:06 PM (#3452686)
Modern Family


Everyone, I mean EVERYONE I know tells me this show is great. I watched an episode, thought it absolutely sucked. I said to myself, no, it must have been a bad episode, that many people cannot be wrong. I watched another episode, that many people are in fact wrong. The show is not even remotely amusing. I realize I'm probably a bad person with no taste but I don't see what makes this show so popular.

And I'm with Ryan, I enjoyed Night Court quite a bit.
   71. phredbird Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:07 PM (#3452687)
You should go upstairs and apologize to her.


that would be a long trip, smart guy.
   72. sardonic Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:08 PM (#3452689)
Active sitcoms that I watch on current form:

How I Met Your Mother
Parks and Recreation
The Big Bang Theory
The Office
30 Rock

Active sitcoms I watch on peak form:

The Office
How I Met Your Mother
30 Rock
Parks and Recreation
The Big Bang Theory
   73. Alex_Lewis Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:08 PM (#3452690)
Jeeze, it sure is bizarre how all these different people have different opinions about a completely subjective subject. You'd think there was no accounting for taste.


You're wrong!
   74. Moloka'i Three-Finger Brown (Declino DeShields) Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:09 PM (#3452691)
I'll be disappointed if they try to stretch for another season.


Then you're likely to be very disappointed. "HIMYM," which has picked up ratings steam this season, was renewed for a sixth season. Plus, the creators entered into a development deal with the studio in which they'll be executive producers of a new show created by two former "HIMYM" writers -- and apparently paves the way for seasons seven and eight, if they want.
   75. RJ in TO Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:09 PM (#3452692)
The HIMYM people have indicated that the mother will be introduced this season. It's not clear whether or not the show will end at that point, or if they'll go into the "what happened after" part of the story.

EDIT: It looks like Declino follows the news more closely than I do.
   76. OsunaSakata Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:12 PM (#3452695)
On NBC's 80s Thursday night block, Night Court, was the only one I could watch. Cosby and Family Ties were too sappy and preachy and Cheers contained totally despicable people. To me, rich, unlikeable people are funny, working unlikeable people are not. Which is why I would watch a Cheers episode if Lilith was on, so I could see her interact with Frasier. Similarly, I like Absolutely Fabulous.

Did you ever notice Lily from HIMYM and Willow from Buffy have self-righteous streaks? Is this typecasting or something in Alyson Hannigan's personality?

The late Everybody Hates Chris was pretty funny.
   77. hokieneer Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:12 PM (#3452696)
The HIMYM people have indicated that the mother will be introduced this season.

I've watched the show off and on from the beginning. Is it suppose to be obvious who the mother is? It isn't Robin (I believe I've seen one of the story telling, where Saget calls her Aunt Robin). Is it one of Teds old GFs from a past episode, or a soon to be or newly introduced character?
   78. JJ1986 Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:13 PM (#3452697)
I've watched the show off and on from the beginning. Is it suppose to be obvious who the mother is? It isn't Robin (I believe I've seen one of the story telling, where Saget calls her Aunt Robin). Is it one of Teds old GFs from a past episode, or a soon to be or newly introduced character?


There was an episode a few weeks ago that basically spelled out who she was, but she still hasn't been seen. She's not a prior character.
   79. The Good Face Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:16 PM (#3452700)
Markie Post, who was hot as hell by 1980s standards.


You know what? Even that qualifier is kind of pissing me off.
Grrrrr.


Well, it's just timelining. I'm 100% confident that if Markie Post was able to avail herself of modern fashion, fitness, training, diet, hair, makeup and cosmetic surgery, she'd be perfectly capable of competing with 2000-era hotties. Even saddled by the horrors of 1980s fashion, she was pretty awesome.
   80. Cowboy Popup Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:16 PM (#3452701)
I thought Season 5 of Always Sunny was better than Season 4.

Agreed. I hurt myself laughing at the intervention episode.
   81. villainx Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:21 PM (#3452705)
I think for the Night Court haters, it's because of what the show ended up being. It was slightly edgier and "real" first, maybe second season.
   82. Banta Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:22 PM (#3452706)
I hurt myself laughing at the intervention episode.

Me too, holy crap, it was classic. I wanted to drink wine in a can for a week afterwards. "Look at me, I'm comfortable, I'm gesturing."

I would watch this.

Congratulations, you are now a producer. The movie is called, by the way "Return to the Escape from Raptor Island II: The Secret of the Ooze".

There is, of course, no mention of ooze in the movie.
   83. SoSH U at work Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:24 PM (#3452708)
Well, it's just timelining. I'm 100% confident that if Markie Post was able to avail herself of modern fashion, fitness, training, diet, hair, makeup and cosmetic surgery, she'd be perfectly capable of competing with 2000-era hotties.


Does that upgrade come complete with tattoos?

I think for the Night Court haters, it's because of what the show ended up being. It was slightly edgier and "real" first, maybe second season.


Maybe it's a Larroquette thing. His first season in that show set in the bus station was pretty good. Then they made it lighter and it sucked.
   84. Lassus: Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:25 PM (#3452709)
I'm late to this thread, but the current "Better Off Ted" rocks. Again, not high art, but great ensemble comedy and very good writing. It's probably going to die, but it's great.

I just don't get Always Sunny. I think that's a rather personal show, more than many.
   85. berselius Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:26 PM (#3452710)
I think HIMYM is a good show too, though it has definitely lost its edge. It lost a lot of its mojo when Barney was mooning after Robin and they started dating. They ended it clumsily but the show has really bounced back with Barney being Barney. I'm curious to see what they do with the show in another season, seeing as they've tapped out most of the obvious storylines. I also think it's hilarious that Ted is a professor now because it gives him that many more opportunties to be pretentious, which is what makes him so annoying.

Agreed for the most part with people above on Raymond. I used to watch it, but eventually stopped because I hated Raymond and Deborah's hateful relationship so much. The rest of the supporting cast is FANtastic though - especially his brother Robert.
   86. Stately, Plump Buck Mulligan Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:26 PM (#3452711)
I think "HIMYM" is a solid B+ sitcom. Yes, the laugh track is bad, but it has some fun with how it tells stories, and the cast is very strong. (I just wish they wouldn't focus so much on Neil Patrick Harris, as good as he is -- Jason Segel and Cobie Smulders can be equally awesome.) It maybe hasn't had the creative peak that "30 Rock" did*, but I've really disliked the last season or so of that show (and recently stopped watching it).

And I agree with Mister High Standards about "Modern Family" and "Community" -- both have really strong ensembles. Plus you get to stare at Sofia Vergara and Alison Brie, respectively.

*Although I think season 2 was really good, and "Slap Bet" is one of the funniest half-hours of television I've ever seen.
   87. berselius Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:28 PM (#3452715)
*Although I think season 2 was really good, and "Slap Bet" is one of the funniest half-hours of television I've ever seen.


The big reveal at the end of Slap Bet was the greatest moment in TV sitcom history.
   88. Tom Cervo, backup catcher Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:32 PM (#3452720)
I thought Season 5 of Always Sunny was better than Season 4.


I think you may be right, but it still doesn't come close to seasons 1-3.

Same for The Office, IMO. I like this season more than last (I hated the Michael Scott Paper Company arc), but it's still a vastly inferior show to what it once was.
   89. Banta Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:32 PM (#3452721)
Community hasn't been that strong so far, but I like the cast and what they're building there. The first episode that aired this year, with Jack Black in it, was ####### hilarious though.

I still enjoy NBC's Thursday lineup. I know many think that the Office is declining, and that's probably true, but I still find it amusing. Parks and Recreation does seem to be sharper now though. 30 Rock is what it is.

I'm really not that picky though. And I don't ever give up on shows. I'm still watching Heroes for ####'s sake and that show has been an utter abortion since season one. This last season has been somewhat better though, but it suffers from god awful pacing. All the elements in the show could be compelling, but they don't know how to assemble them together properly.
   90. berselius Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:33 PM (#3452723)
Parks and Rec is probably the best show currently on network TV. They've got three plus plus characters in Ron Swason, Tom Haverford, and April (who cracks me up every time she's on the screen). It's too bad Brendanawicz is such a boring schlub.
   91. Stately, Plump Buck Mulligan Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:34 PM (#3452724)
The big reveal at the end of Slap Bet was the greatest moment in TV sitcom history.


Seriously. I almost posted a link to the music video here but, as funny as it is, it's funnier when you know what leads up to it.
   92. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:34 PM (#3452725)
I have no problem with Everybody Loves Raymond.

Every character except Raymond was a despicable human being. I kept waiting for Raymond to grow a pair, divorce his wife, and move far, far away from his horrible family.
   93. Fred Lynn Nolan Ryan Sweeney Agonistes Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:35 PM (#3452727)
Even saddled by the horrors of 1980s fashion, she was pretty awesome.


You just made my day. Bless you, sir.
   94. Lassus: Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:37 PM (#3452728)
The only problem for me with Parks and Rec is that it wants to be funny too hard. Again, again, subjectivity is all, but I don't find any whimsy, which I'm a fan of.

I'm not sure how we're qualifying underrated sitcoms, but WKRP is Cincinnati has to be way way way up there in that department.
   95. Alex_Lewis Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:40 PM (#3452733)
Every character except Raymond was a despicable human being.


Considering how despicable Raymond was, that's really saying something.
   96. Forsch 10 From Navarone (Dayn) Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:45 PM (#3452742)
I like 30 Rock (you could put Julianne Moore on ####### Entourage, and I'd be tempted to watch). It's pretty well written. Modern Family is great. My wife turned me on to The New Adventures of Old Christine, and Always Sunny is good for a few laughs. Other than that, I have little use for sitcoms. I've been exposed to 2.5 Men, and it's just awful.
   97. sardonic Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:45 PM (#3452744)
I agree with whoever said that HIMYM should spend more time with Marshall and Robin. I'm a big fan of Segal's work in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and I Love You, Man, and I think that the episode where Robin and Barney bro about town (late season 1 or season 2, I think), is one of the show's best.

Barney is great, but I can't help but think that there was probably a better Marshall storyline than Suits vs. Girls, for example.
   98. sardonic Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:46 PM (#3452746)
I guess one problem is how you separate Marshall from Lily. Actually, I don't think this should be a problem at all -- see the Marshall and Robin Minnesota bar storyline, which really worked, but lately it seems like they are always a unit.
   99. berselius Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:50 PM (#3452748)
That Minnesota bar episode was great (even more amusing considering I rewatched it the day before the Vikes-Saints). But it's not just recently that Marshall and Lily have been inseparable - Marshall and Lily have always been a unit except for the half-season where they broke up. I would be shocked to see that happen again.

Pretty much the only 'new' thing that they could do with the two of them is have Lily get pregnant, but they passed on that last season when Alyson Hannigan actually WAS pregnant.
   100. Juan V is the mustard of your doom! Posted: February 02, 2010 at 07:53 PM (#3452749)
2.5 Men is one of my favorite active sitcoms I can watch regularly (although they haven't had a really good episode in a while). Big Bang Theory can be nice at times, but sitcoms where the main character is incredibly annoying aren't long for this world IMO (however, my mom loves it). I've never gotten 30 Rock.
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