Quote: SlagA @ April 21 2009, 9:59 AM BSTThis makes the assumptions that: the only fresh comedy is about taboo-breaking; and anything that doesn't break taboo is mindless repetition.
I'd disagree with either.
Precisely. Just because next year's hottest new sitcom will be about the misadventures of a lovable coprophagic paedophile, it won't necessarily be funny or clever. Fawlty Towers isn't remembered for breaking taboos (although abusing hotel guests, attacking a Spanish waiter, dragging a corpse around a hotel, hitting a bratty kid and groping an Australian tourist's boob probably were new). And prior to Extras I hadn't seen Barry off EastEnders wanking off over a novelty pen before. And although South Park is often hilarious when it breaks taboos, Family Guy breaks fewer taboos and is funnier.