Minor rant

[David Baxter PhD]

Needed to get this off my chest...

I detest Jay Leno. He is never funny, merely smug. I cannot for the life of me understand why he was chosen to succeed Johnny Carson. They would have been far better off just grabbing somebody from the audience.

Here's an example:

"Although a lot of people are on these low-carb diets, doctors say be careful, because you need carbohydrates because carbohydrates create a chemical in your brain that cheers you up and fights depression. So the next time you
see a guy on a ledge, about to jump... throw him a doughnut." ~ Jay Leno

1. Looking at it purely as an attempt at humor, it's not funny. It's not even remotely amusing. It's just LAME!

2. Going beyond it's intended goal of humor, it's about as sensitive as a power hammer.

I realize he doesn't write the stuff but surely he must have some say in what he reads from the teleprompter.

:rant:

 

[NicNak]

That is awful Dr Baxter. I know we all here have a great sense of humor and even I do not find any humor in that.

It is in very bad taste. It just serves to trivalize the pain of depression and suicidal thoughts.

I am discusted quite franky.

Shame on you Jay Leno and your shows writers! :rant2: One would only hope that none of you ever have to experience this personally.

Just adds another TV show to my boycott list of "Dr" Phil and Tom Cruise movies.

 

[Yuray]

.....and yet, people laughed. His smugness sells advertising spots. Its all about money isn't it, despite the the damage that perhaps a small percentage of the viewers may have felt a such a joke. It was in bad taste for some (accountable sensitive people), and hilarious for others ( those who miss the bigger picture).

The final Seinfeld episode was of the same nature in a way.
A man was being brutalized while the Seinfeld gang found it funny. (the message of the show was to illustrate the consequences of inaction to insensitivity, and they all paid a price).

Did you see it as such Dr. Baxter or were you as irritated by this afront as you were by Jay Leno's?

 

[David Baxter PhD]

No, I didn't see that Seinfeld episode.

However, I do find Seinfeld funny (both in the series and in his dtand-up comedy). I never find Leno even mildly amusing - he just alternates between being puerile and arrogant or being obnoxious. He can't seem to grasp the concept that the obvious joke is rarely funny - it's what surprises that makes us laugh. The only time the obvious is funny is when the delivery is funny and Leno can't even do that.

 

[Yuray]

I chanced across a Seinfeld episode in 1992 for only a couple minutes, and judged the show on that instance. I never watched an episode until it was off the air, and since then I have developed a great appreciation for the mans wit, contributions, and scruples.

I perceive the concept of the show as incidents revolving around superficiality, impositions in other peoples lives with good intent, but with disasterous results, and total lack of accountability for their actions. There is seldom remorse, and when remorse is evident for a short time, it is not on the consequences suffered by their victims, but of self indulgemce. These characters are without a doubt the most selfish of people.

I find the humour in the way everything backfires on them. Unintended good triumphing over accidental evil.

I watch Seifeld at every convenient opportunity, despite having seen the episodes before. The final episode is a culmination of everything they have ever done wrong (9seasons worth, complete with characters) coming back to bite them in the ass. Even while they are in jail, their inane conversations take precedence over their situation!

When Jerry is a guest on Leno, it is Jerrys smugness to Leno's probing queries that make the inteview worth watching.

Brilliant show! Seinfeld 10....Leno 0....no soup for you!

 

[David Baxter PhD]

You might want to try watching Larry David's show, Curb Your Enthusiasm. Larry David was a writer and co-creator of Seinfeld. The character George Costanza was loosely based on Larry David and Larry played the character of George Steinbrenner and one or two other characters over the lifetime of the show, although you never say his face and I believe he always wore a wig.

Curb Your Enthusiasm is like Seinfeld unfettered, minus all restraints and boundaries.

 

[ladylore]

Glad you had the rant David. Every now and then it's good for the soul.

 

[Yuray]

Curb your Enthusiasm. good one...social faux pas' at their best. I watch the show whenever I can. Despite the obvious success of Seinfeld and Curb, television producers by and large fail to provide articulate insightful comedy.

The old days have a distinct quality as well. Andy of Mayberry, My Three Sons, Leave it to Beaver etc. Sit coms where humour is not derived from other peoples misfortunes in a slap stick one line gag format.

Thanks for your impressions.

PS Larry David played Frank Costanza's lawyer in a couple episodes.

 

[white page]

That sounds so crass and plain idiotic , Dr Baxter , I really relate to your rant .

I like Buster Keaton and Mr Bean humour , No words .!

 

[Jackie]

I've never heard of Jay Leno. I love Red Dwarf and the TV channel called "Dave" has a whole weekend of it starting at 9.00pm so I am looking forward to that