An Open Letter to NBC
Thursday, May 3rd, 2007 at 11:05 pmDear NBC,
Thank God You’re Here would be about twelve times funnier if you got rid of the host and the judge - who, incidentally, are far more irritating than entertaining - and gave the time to the four guest stars, who are usually hilarious. The final sketch, with all four of them, is the funniest part, and every time that Canadian dude hits the buzzer, I just want to drop a deuce on the floor of his green room.
Hearts, Brock
May 4th, 2007 at 12:34 am
While DAG and Dave Foley are bad, my biggest problem with this show, and a problem that will likely keep me from watching it much longer, is the utter unwillingness of the rest of the cast to improv with the actors. They refuse to budge from their scripts, so when the actor says something, there’s really only a 50% chance that they’ll pay attention, usually they just jump to their next line.
Right now the show is just a really shitty version of madlibs. If they don’t start making it more like whos line and tell the other cast to drop the script and play along, this show is going to keep sucking.
The two biggest offenders for this were Tom Green and Jason Alexander. Tom Green was some plumber I think who tried to hit on the lady, who was completely repulsed, she kept trying to get him to look at this stupid pipe, and as soon as he does, she throws herself at him. It made absolutely no sense at all. Then Jason Alexander would say stuff, and the crew would ignore it and basically say "oh, you really mean the exact opposite of what you said, look at this video". George Takai was the only one so far who really forced them to play along with him by calling them idiots, but even then it was tough to watch. (posted on LiveJournal)
May 4th, 2007 at 7:21 am
That’s why I think the last sketch is the best part - this week’s, with Tom Arnold, was hilarious before the regular cast guy even had a chance to say anything, because they just launched into it before he could set the scene. (posted on LiveJournal)
May 4th, 2007 at 9:22 am
I watched a couple episodes of TGYH and I have to agree with ya Rob. David Allen Grier and Dave Foley are collosally unfunny in these roles, but the worst part is nothing the actor says really seems to matter. There are TONS of unknown gifted improv actors out there in Hollywood, and yet none of them seem to be on this show.
I also think any funny reaction to their costume is ruined by the little "pregame" moment before the door. If it were me, I would have the regular cast set a scene and then… BLAM, in comes Shannon Elizabeth dressed as a warrior woman. "Thank god you’re here Xenia, Warrior Duchess! The forces of darkness need you!"
But yeah, the show needs to go. It’s just painful to endure. (posted on LiveJournal)
May 4th, 2007 at 10:23 am
Dear NBC,
How can you cancel the goddamn Black Donnellys? It’s the best non-HBO show ever, and you cancel it and replace it with a reality TV show. What the fuck?
Dicks in your eye, Fonny
May 4th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Here’s what you do: Tivo it, then fast forward through almost everything. An hour-long episode only has about 20 minutes of funny, so you don’t even feel like you’re wasting your evening! (posted on LiveJournal)
May 4th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
I’m in the english class you left a comment about and I just want to say thanks for the smile I got on my face. I was a little mad at the other comments but I loved yours. We’re new at blogging so we aren’t sure about everything, but thank you!!!
May 4th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
I agree with you completely. It is so frustrating to watch this show because it could be so funny but because the cast breaks the first rule of improv in almost every scene it’s just not good. First rule never say NO, always agree with what was said and go with it; only if you are taking the scene elsewhere and not stopping the action can you maybe say no. I really don’t get why they need to stick to the script so much.
And yes Tivo is the only thing that makes it watchable. Fastforward, thank god you are here! (posted on LiveJournal)
May 5th, 2007 at 11:15 am
Additionally, my problem with this show is that Dave Foley is completely unwilling to say anything remotely negative about anyone. He’s a terrible judge because he’s just a cheerleader for everyone, and I believe in the British version he actually did call out back acts, but there have been some really bad ones (The blonde in the premiere and the other woman who could only make poop jokes), yet he just said something positive and moved on, and even gave the trophy to the second one.
I can’t tell if it’s because they want him to be like that, or if he’s afraid of offending real celebrities. (posted on LiveJournal)
May 9th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
YES. The show is unfunny, precisely because the other actors don’t play along.
Improv Rule #1: Yes, And — this clearly states that no matter what, you agree with the other actor, then add something else to keep the scene going. Instead, they negate everything. Lousy. I really wanted it to be good, too.