» My Name is Earl Options

[whojackie]

First, I have to admit that I’ve noticed something weird about myself. I talk out loud when I type. Does anyone else do that?

The one thing I wish MNiE did more was wink to the audience now and again. I think it would be cool if they did more meta jokes like AD used to do. I think I would enjoy Earl and other shows more if they did. Does any one agree with me on this?

I have to say that I like my TV shows to be pure. When they start winking at the audience and trying to be too cute it really starts to chip away at the reality of the show’s world for me. I like to think that the people in the show don’t know the audience exists. When the writers use cheap and easy gags to amuse a small group of the audience it causes the rest of us to snap back into reality and remind us we’re just watching a show and that upsets me. And I'm sure it bothers other people as well. So, I guess my response to your question would be:

No, I don’t think shows should do more meta jokes that cater to the online bloggers and I’m sure everyone at Television Without Pity Dot Com agrees with me.

[bookemdano]

No, I don’t think shows should do more meta jokes that cater to the online bloggers and I’m sure everyone at Television Without Pity Dot Com agrees with me.

Well I'll go ahead and disagree with you (and I'm no "online blogger"). Dramas should respect the 4th wall, but I do like my comedies with a healthy dose of meta, so long as it's funny meta.

IMHO, comedies aren't really believable situations anyway, so I've no need for the performers to pretend I'm not there. On the contrary, meta references, callbacks, etc. let the audience in on the jokes, making the whole thing funnier and more rewarding to observant and repeat viewers.

But as much as I love AD, part of its demise is that it was so metariffic that new viewers were bewildered by the jokes if they didn't start from the beginning or pay close enough attention. I would hate to see that happen to Earl. But Earl also isn't as serialized as AD was, so at least new viewers can hop into an episode and know what is going on with the plot.

There is a balance to be struck, and I think Earl could incorporate a bit more meta and still keep everyone happy.

This post has been edited by bookemdano: Jan 17, 2007 @ 11:55 pm.

[peeayebee]

I like MNIE's humor as it is. I don't think they need to wink at the audience. They don't need to mess with success.

[edoug]

They already do jokes just for people with HD tv's. Randy/Catalina is going to be one of the subplots tonight. I wonder if they've consumated their marriage yet?

[Golfshirt]

Randy/Catalina is going to be one of the subplots tonight.

That's good! While the last two episodes have been possibly my favorites of the series so far, it seemed odd that the Randy/Catalina marriage was not so much as mentioned after being a cliffhanger of sorts on the previous episode. I wonder if the last two episodes were shown out of order to accomodate the placement of the hour-long marriage episode.

[OreoCookies]

AAHHH!!! My Name is Earl just did a TWoP shout out!

[QueenoftheImps]

Holy shit! We got mentioned! And it even made fun of metajokes, too!

This post has been edited by QueenoftheImps: Jan 18, 2007 @ 8:26 pm.

[jedicaboose]

Dude. Did TWoP almost kinda sorta get name dropped?

R-O-T-F-L.

ETA: Heh. Guess so.

Was it actually televisionwithoutpity? I thought he said withoutpay. Maybe i just misheard.

This post has been edited by jedicaboose: Jan 18, 2007 @ 8:28 pm.

[rock lobster]

Ah! I just saw that! Yay!

...It's weird how excited I am about this.

[Grey Skies]

Shout out! That was awesome.

This post has been edited by Grey Skies: Jan 18, 2007 @ 8:27 pm.

[hlisy]

Sorry to hear about your passing WhoJackie...<g>.

LOL at major shoutout in tonite's episode. Thanks guys.

[sjoanzors]

Isn't it a bit beyond shoutout when they actually name the website?? I actually shrieked when he said the name! Sure it was slightly mocking, but I'd like to think it was mocking in love.
On a related note- who IS the actor who played Josh?? I know I've seen him somewhere, and it's killing me.
ETA: used the wrong term!

This post has been edited by sjoanzors: Jan 18, 2007 @ 8:28 pm.

[selvig]

What was the exact reference? I only caught on when he said twop.

[hotwings]

yep just came to type because of the shout out. w000t :)

[TV_Buffy]

Awesome shoutout. I knew it was coming as soon as they said Josh got on the computer to bitch about TV shows. Awesome.