I know I shouldn't count turkeys before they are hatched, but a new HBO comedy 'series' (it is set to run for only about thirteen episodes) seems to set a new high in low. It is called "Extras'. Here is a sumary of the first episode:

Four-time Oscar nominee Kate Winslet guest stars as Kate Winslet, lead actress in a move about the Holocost, a role she has taken to ensure an Oscar win. In the episode, she overhears one of the movie's extras fretting about phone sex with her boyfriend; Winslet offers some very graphic pointers. "The great thing about these scenes," says the show's producer, "is that, not only do we have this quintessentially English actress saying all of these awful, dirty things - but she's also dressed as a nun."

Hmmm. Doesn't seem funny to me.

This 'laff riot' seems to offend everyone. Christians and Jews are taken care of via the nun's habit and the Holocost referral. Islam isn't mentioned. Maybe a scene could be added
showing Mohammad slipping on a banana peel.

I always thought I had a pretty good sense of humor. Maybe a little twisted. But comedy, to me, is not routed in blatant disrespect for one's religion or the horror of mass murder. It used to be that comedians, when comedic writing talent for some reason dried up, based their acts on shock value, like how many obscenities could be uttered in thirty minutes.

I guess this is progress, comedy's evolution.

This is one milestone I'll miss. I'll be watching reruns of Bob Newhart, Mary Tyler Moore and Carol Burnett.

Yep. As Mary Richards would say-
"A little song,
a little dance...
a little seltzer down
your pants..."


[ from MTM episode Chuckles Bites the Dust]

Did you know that the 'Chuckles Bites the Dust' episode of the MTM Show was voted 'The Best Comedy Episode Of All Time' by the viewers of the Nick At Night cable channel? I still laugh out loud every time I see it.

Now THAT was great comedy from great, talented writers and actors.