Can anyone tell me what is funny about Seinfield or Family Guy?
Most overated shows!
I don't really like family guy.
Overated comedy - dare I say The Office...and Extras...and Ricky Gervais as a whole?
Quote: feck, arse, drink, girls, gobshite @ February 6, 2008, 3:32 PMcan anyone tell me what is funny about seinfield or family guy?
Can anyone tell me what is British about Seinfeld or Family Guy? 
Moving thread.
Quote: Ian Wolf @ February 6, 2008, 3:37 PMOverated comedy - dare I say The Office...and Extras...and Ricky Gervais as a whole?
Yes you dare, and I shall ditto that.
While I am not the biggest fan of either show I would have to say that Seinfeld is funny because of it's diverse first and secondary characters who were so different from what was on at the time. They were superficial, conflict oriented with strange quirks about all of them; Something which I think many Americans could associate with. The fact that there was nothing going on in many of the episodes was just funny in general and like Seinfeld's stand up relied a lot on pointing out small quirks about people and society.
Family Guy's humor is based (in my opinion) two points : nostalgia and shock comedy. They have also built a following on their secondary characters who are often more funny then the main characters (in my own opinion).
That's what I believe at least.
Quote: Aaron @ February 6, 2008, 3:38 PMCan anyone tell me what is British about Seinfeld or Family Guy?
Moving thread.
Yes you dare, and I shall ditto that.
I thought this was a general discussion
I think The Office is ace and fab and jolly good, so I don't think it's overrated as such.
But I am always surprised that it's so massively mainstream and popular.
That's mainly becasue I'm a snob though, and I think it's too good for the masses.
Office is funny, Seinfeld is funny, Family guy is funny.
Can't be arsed to explain why just accept that people like em and get on with life.
Quote: feck, arse, drink, girls, gobshite @ February 6, 2008, 3:43 PMI thought this was a general discussion
It was in British Sitcoms. I moved it General Discussion. 
Quote: Gavin @ February 6, 2008, 3:59 PMOffice is funny, Seinfeld is funny, Family guy is funny.
Can't be arsed to explain why just accept that people like em and get on with life.
I'm not saying they are not funny (I like Seinfeld and Family Guy by the way), I'm just saying that things can get hyped-up a bit. I think Gervais is an example of someone, who whilst being funny, is not the greatest comedian around.
Quote: zooo @ February 6, 2008, 3:57 PMI think The Office is ace and fab and jolly good, so I don't think it's overrated as such.
Aye, that it may be, but it gets far far more praise than it warrants. Gervais in particular. How does one successful show make you a "comedy God/genius/insert your own praise here"? As has been noted numerous times, yes it was a huge success, but The Office didn't really have anything that hadn't been done before. It wasn't overly new or different, but it hit the "big time" in a way which others hadn't. So it gets all the attention and all the praise, sometimes deservedly so, but often not.
I liked the Office and thought it was a good show but I never continued watching the show past series 1.
Quote: zooo @ February 6, 2008, 3:57 PMThat's mainly becasue I'm a snob though, and I think it's too good for the masses.
Being a snob is shockingly good fun, isn't it? 
Yes!!
To me, The Office isn't remotely his only show, or his first show. But to the masses, it probably is so I see your point.
Quote: Aaron @ February 6, 2008, 4:10 PMBeing a snob is shockingly good fun, isn't it?
But not as much fun as being a racist.