American Humour is Terrible

[Spookimitsu]

I really don't think the Sitcom is the pinnacle of the human being's potential for humor.

I'm sorry, with the caliber of American stand-up comedians, I don't think you've done enough research, TC. I've been listening to stand-up comedy since I was very little (probably where I get my dirty mouth from)
I mean we have
Dave Attell, Dave Chapelle, Jim Gaffigan, Bill Burr, George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Bill Cosby, Dick Gregory, Lewis Black, George Lopez, Bill Hicks, Tracy Morgan, Paul Mooney, Tony Roberts(!), Patrico O'neal, Steven Wright, ummm Nick Swardson, Dane Cook, Daniel effing Tosh, Brian Regan, Mitch Hedberg, Kevin Hart, David Cross, uhhhh, Greg Giraldo, uhh my memory bucket is running low, maybe someone can help me with some more...

I can't accept that "American Humor" is terrible. All of those cats up there are some funny mofos! I can however accept the fact that maybe you don't get the joke, or it's not to your taste.

 

[aashell13]

I like South Park (I know it's Canadian) for it's witty commentary of current affairs. It actually takes issues of the day and makes some good jokes at them. Family Guy is just ok - I wouldn't watch it often, but it can be funny. The kind of American humour I really don't like is shows like the Big Bang Theory. Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmLQaTcViOA

It just isn't funny. Not because it isn't my sense of humour, but there is no intelligence to the jokes involved. America has scrounged genuinely good British TV series such as Shameless and The Office, and ruined them in an effort to bring them to the American market.

My point is American humour is unintelligent and boring to watch. It is juvenile, and I find it actually almost painful to see shows like Two and a Half Men doing well when they are so full of utter crap.

So, you don't like American tv. Fair enough, lots of Americans feel the same way about British tv.
My question is why you bother complaining about it. entertainment is possibly the most subjective type of content one can have, and your opinion of what's good carries no more weight than anyone else's.

For example, I think rap is terrible and paleolithic, so i don't listen to it or follow its "artists", but i don't begrudge it to other people either.

ALSO: according to wikipedia and IMDB, south park is American.

 

[LuckyClover95]

I like South Park (I know it's Canadian) for it's witty commentary of current affairs. It actually takes issues of the day and makes some good jokes at them. Family Guy is just ok - I wouldn't watch it often, but it can be funny. The kind of American humour I really don't like is shows like the Big Bang Theory. Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmLQaTcViOA

It just isn't funny. Not because it isn't my sense of humour, but there is no intelligence to the jokes involved. America has scrounged genuinely good British TV series such as Shameless and The Office, and ruined them in an effort to bring them to the American market.

My point is American humour is unintelligent and boring to watch. It is juvenile, and I find it actually almost painful to see shows like Two and a Half Men doing well when they are so full of utter crap.

In Britain, where Shameless (excellent show) originated, they are now airing Shameless USA. Why would they make a different version for America, then air the American version where the show originated, WE ALREADY HAVE SHAMELESS!
Anywhoo, just saying

 

[Brandon237]

Eh, I actually enjoy Big Bang Theory, And I don't know anyone IRL myself who doesn't actually... And comedy doesn't have to be clever to be funny. A good witty joke can be really funny, but a really simple one can be funny too. The thing that has gotten me the most laughs this week was the sound "Naaangg". Say it with an ever so slight sheep-noise when you want to call someone, and the results are hilarious! Not.Clever. But funny!

There was a point in there somewhere, but it got lost to the Naang...
Oh, yay, over three thousand posts. I can't wait to say that after my 9000th post (not clever either).

 

[Bassik]

I disagree, while I do hate the formullic same-crap that dominates the TV, when an American show or comedian is good, then it's realy good.

 

[aPod]

This is just an awful blanket statement.

The Daily Show, Always Sunny, Zim the Invader, Futurama, Zoolander, ect.

It's not so much the comedy lacks value, more like you want it too, but those shows and movies make me laugh that's all comedy needs to do to be good. It can be cheap, raunchy, and low brow but at the end of the day if it makes people have a good time its a complete success.

 

[funguy2121]

I like South Park (I know it's Canadian) for it's witty commentary of current affairs. It actually takes issues of the day and makes some good jokes at them. Family Guy is just ok - I wouldn't watch it often, but it can be funny. The kind of American humour I really don't like is shows like the Big Bang Theory. Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmLQaTcViOA

It just isn't funny. Not because it isn't my sense of humour, but there is no intelligence to the jokes involved. America has scrounged genuinely good British TV series such as Shameless and The Office, and ruined them in an effort to bring them to the American market.

My point is American humour is unintelligent and boring to watch. It is juvenile, and I find it actually almost painful to see shows like Two and a Half Men doing well when they are so full of utter crap.

You should acquaint yourself with Google. South Park is homegrown American. Parker and Stone grew up in Colorado. In my opinion, South Park jumped the shark about 2 years in.

I have enjoyed what I've seen of the British Office, but I love the American version. Though we do have a nasty habit of importing just about everything from the UK and, usually, ruining it (see: Coupling).

Your assertion that our humor is insipid is unfounded and, respectfully, makes you sound ignorant. Instead of insulting you in response and starting a flame war, I'll offer some shows, and some comedians, who prove otherwise. Take a trip to youtube/whatever you have over there instead of Hulu and check these guys/shows out.

David Cross, Bill Hicks, Patton Oswalt, George Carlin.

Community, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, How I Met Your Mother, Arrested Development.

There's no cultural disparity strong enough to prevent enjoyment of these comics, or these shows. They aren't funny in a purely American way; they're just damned good.

I've seen a few episodes of the Big Bang Theory and, although they do have a few traditional sitcom (read: unfunny) jokes and the laugh track is a lot to stomach (two issues that also are present in How I Met Your Mother), I still think it's great. But what's up with the guy who looks like one of the Monkeys?

 

[SodaDew]

South Park is made in the U.S.A. in Colorado. Also I don't believe you should have to have comedy be intelligent, the 'dumber' you make it the more audience members can understand the jokes, I'm not a big fan of British comedy I'm really not sure why, but I do like the humor of the guys on Top Gear.

 

[vivster]

i like scrubs, big bang theory, family guy, futurama, the daily show, the colbert report
i don't like the office(the whole concept and execution... not the actors)

so i guess you just had no luck with your sense of humor to enjoy these shows
watch something else then
no one's problem but yours

 

[Buizel91]

I know not many people like this...but...*Ahem*


Admittedly i prefer British Humour, because i get more of the jokes, but that doesn't mean American Humour is terrible.

 

[Flare_Dragon123]

Scrubs
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
South Park - Canada is America, and its made in America, and produced in America, so its American
Whose Line Is It Anyway (okay yeah we stole that from the Brits, buts its not bad)
The Office - Okay yeah, TOTAL RIP OFF, the british is funnier

Anyways, you guys act like British Humor is all high brow intelligent stuff you need a college education for. If anything I've seen less mature humor erupt from Britain like a damned Geyser compared to American humor.

That being said, WHO GIVES A FLYING **** where something came from, if its bad, its bad, if its good, its good, if its your opinion then congratulations.

 

[drummond13]

Americans, like virtually every country that produces a lot of comedy shows, has some terrible shows along with some great shows. You can't make a general statement like "American Humor is crap" based on Two and a Half Men.

 

[That's Funny]

You can't go around accusing American Humour, and using all these examples of good british comedies, when you leave out shows like 'My Family' or 'Life of Riley' or even 'Two Pints of Lager and a packet of crisps'. The fact is yes we british have intelligent comedies, but we also have rubbish ones, just like America.

Oh and by the way, America does have some great comedies like, Curb your Enthusiasm, Arrested Development.

Sorry for the rant.

 

[BrightDeathFriend]

Honestly dude, I can't begin to tell you how prejudiced that statement was.

You can't just say that a country's comedy stylings is terrible just because it's not like the UK's. I will admit that some of their stuff isn't as intellectual as i'd like but there's alot of stuff that I do enjoy! The fact of the matter is that the US's comedy genre is what it is because it's popular. You should know that! They're happy with it, they like it and they may even like other kinds of comedy too! But it's not really right to call someone else's preferences wrong.
So...yeah. I hope in future you either keep your opinions to yourself about your comedic preferences or accept the fact that everyone enjoys a different kind of laugh.

 

[Technicolor]

Well first off let me respectfully disagree. Second let me say that you are making broad generalization of an entire countries entertainment industry, based on popularity rather than actual quality.
The shows you listed are made to appeal to the lowest common denominator, they aren't made to be the wittiest thing out there. They are just half-assed scripts put for TV because they know they'll get ratings anyway.

There are plenty of great American comedies, M*A*S*H* (Notable for its experimentation of the sitcom format), Seinfeld (popularizing the slice of life comedy and has been copied by endless shows), & the Simpsons (Introducing the idea of a mature theme cartoon show, also known for utilizing the animation as a new format for social commentary & satire).

For modern shows there a several great comedies on TV now
30 rock
Futurama
Archer (James Bond meets Arrested Development)

I'm not really in the mood to post a shitload of clips, so other shows include: Colbert Report, Conan O'Brien, Parks & Recreation, Frisky Dingo, Aqua Teen, and more

 

[Jonabob87]

I think it's unfair to say that American humour sucks because of two programmes. I do think a lot of American-made comedies are awful, but there are some gems out there.

 

[Bran1470]

that's what i think of British comedy so I guess we are even.

 

[Valkyrie101]

Ever seen Airplane? The Naked Gun? Modern Family? The Simpsons?