Dialogue irrelevant to the plot isn't really a problem if you're using it to illustrate characterisation. Coogan uses it to good effect with Partridge/Saxondale.
System behind the dialogue... Page 3
Quote: Rebecca Davies @ April 15 2008, 2:40 PM BSTAll three of those are character based though. They reveal something new, or reinforce something old, about the characters themselves. They may not add anything to the specific episodes story line, but they add the the bigger picture, and our knowledge of the individual relationships.
True - but the point I was arguing against was that ever line has to relate to the plot specifically, progressing theplot. I never said they couldn't relate to character, develop character (I think that was the entire thrust of my argument).
In terms of construction of dialogue ( in comedy) as well as the set-up / punchline that you mention, repetition is also ofthen used e.g.
WIFE: You're ignoring me!
HUSBAND: I'm not ignoring you dear, I'm patronising you....PATRONISING.
Quote: jacparov @ April 15 2008, 4:34 PM BSTIn terms of construction of dialogue ( in comedy) as well as the set-up / punchline that you mention, repetition is also ofthen used e.g.
WIFE: You're ignoring me!
HUSBAND: I'm not ignoring you dear, I'm patronising you....PATRONISING.
Wasn't that Frankie Howard?
Quote: Marc P @ April 15 2008, 5:35 PM BSTWasn't that Frankie Howard?
Not that I'm aware of, I just made it up over the keyboard as a quick example.
OK, no need to be condescending.
Quote: Tim Walker @ April 16 2008, 1:26 PM BSTOK, no need to be condascending.
I think you mean "condescending".
Well spotted. Corrected.
Quote: Tim Walker @ April 16 2008, 5:48 PM BST
Well spotted. Corrected.
It's ok I was making a joke anyway.
Titter ye not!
Quote: Antrax @ April 15 2008, 12:36 PM BSTOff the top of my head I'd say Royle Family, Family Guy and Seinfeld. Possibly others. In all of them there'll be random bits of conversations and oddball jokes not directly related to the plot.
You'd class Seinfeld as a sitcom that has random dialogue that doesn't serve any purpose?!
For me Seinfeld would probably be one of the top examples of a sitcom in which everything that happens in it, from action to dialogue serves a purpose in either forwarding the plot, revealing something about a character or reinforcing something about a character.
Seinfeld wasn't really a joke by joke type sitcom, it was all very plot based, the humour came from the plot and the characters reactions to the situations within the plot. Almost every bit of the dialogue in Seinfeld is necessary I would say, even little bits like "Have a Junior Mint Jerry, they're really refreshing" serves its purpose of not only making a joke about the fact they had to advertise them (remember when products were just blatantly advertised on TV shows?) but also as a set up to the later altercation with the Junior Mint in the hospital.
Other shows like this I would say are Arrested Development, Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Office (both the original and the American version).
Shows that are not like this I'd say maybe something like I'm Alan Partridge, especially the second series. Now I'm a huge fan of Partridge but even I could see in the second series that there were bits of random dialogue that didn't really advance the plot or serve any real purpose, they were kind of exaggerated Partridge-isms that didn't quite work.
But the daddy of bad, random, pointless dialogue goes to Family Guy which you've rightly pointed out. That is all over the place and as much as it claims that that is the 'style' of the show, I just don't think they can write funny enough stories or jokes.
Quote: Marc P @ April 16 2008, 6:05 PM BSTIt's ok I was making a joke anyway.
Titter ye not!
I realised. I'd unwittingly set myself up for it.
Quote: Martin Holmes @ April 16 2008, 6:17 PM BSTYou'd class Seinfeld as a sitcom that has random dialogue that doesn't serve any purpose?!
For me Seinfeld would probably be one of the top examples of a sitcom in which everything that happens in it, from action to dialogue serves a purpose in either forwarding the plot, revealing something about a character or reinforcing something about a character.
While I agree that Seinfeld is by no means a meandering affair, there are often lines of dialogue that serve no story purpose. Off the top of my head I can think of one episode where George rings the buzzer to Jerry's flat but the door won't open. He has to buzz a second time to get in. It's a funny little observation but has no story payoff.
Quote: Martin Holmes @ April 16 2008, 6:17 PM BSTYou'd class Seinfeld as a sitcom that has random dialogue that doesn't serve any purpose?!
I didn't mean throughout each episode. I mean from time to time. There will occasionally be random jokes that have nothing to do with the actual story, just little gags about nothing in particular.