The show was a platform for otherwise taboo early nineties issues. Including, but not limited to, alcoholism, date rape, domestic violence, gay rights, drug abuse, AIDS, teenage pregnancy, bulimia, and abortion; it was a real pick-me-up show.
One of the most confusing decisions in the history of entertainment is why the cast was WAY older than the characters they played on TV (Andrea Zuckerman, who was suppose to be 16 when the show started, was played by Gabriele Cateris, who at the time was 29 years old. She was only six years younger than James Eckhouse, who played the Walsh family father.) By the way, that means that Andrea Zuckerman (Cateris) is now FIFTY years old. Insane.
Beverly Hills, 90210 had some of the most memorable scenes in television history. Who can forget when Scott accidentally killed himself in season two. What a dummy.
I remember the build up to this episode. FOX said "Thursday night, Beverly Hills will lose one of its own. They made us think it was going to be Brenda, Brandon, Steve, Kelly, Donna, David, Dylan, or Andrea. They killed off Scott. It was quite anti-climatic.
I will never forget how nervous I was that Donna was going to be the one killed off. I had major crush on Donna, and was terrified that her time could be coming to an end. I remember the Thursday that the episode was on. I was a nervous wreck all week, and my mom picked me up from swim practice around 6:30, just an hour and a half away from the highly anticipated "kill-off" episode. I got into the car and turned on the radio. Minutes after I turned it on, there was a "Breaking News" segment which interrupted a song (more than likely "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice, or "Blame it on the Rain" by Milli Vanilli.) The DJ announced that Magic Johnson has been infected with HIV and in the early 90's that pretty much meant that he would be dead within a week or two.
I was never a huge fan of Magic Johnson's and was not terribly distraught that he was ill, but all I could think about was that there better not be any special news conference that makes me miss the special kill-off episode of 90210. If there was, Magic Johnson had bigger issues than being the first person to successfully kick AIDS, he would have to deal with the rage of 11 year old Ryan not knowing if Donna Martin lived or died.
..... or who can possibly forget when Dylan's brand new wife, AKA, the Noxzema girl, died. Powerful stuff.
I love the way Brandon really moved into action. Uh, call the cops, or do CPR or scream or something. Don't just stand there in the rain looking like a fool.
Does anybody NOT pretend you are Brandon punching Dylan in the face at the beginning of the opening. "Da da da da, da da da da PUNCH PUCH"
If you have no idea what I am talking about, then you are not a true fan, so stop pretending.
9. The Office (2005 - Present) - If this list was made two years ago, "The Office" would probably have been in the top 5, however, in the past few years "The Office" has not been as hilarious as it once was. I still enjoy it, and it still makes me laugh, but without Michael Scott there is a very large void. Probably the biggest contribution "The Office" has made to society is that it is single handedly responsible for bringing back the term "That's what she said" into our everyday lives. Contrary to popular belief, this phrase has been around for a very long time, but apparently some people have never heard of it until Michael Scott used it so often. Regardless, it is always hysterical when it is used properly, and you can never get enough "that's what she said" jokes.
The format "The Office" uses is what makes the show so unique. I enjoy the documentary style television show, and "The Office" was one of the first to make it popular. Shows like "The Office", "Modern Family" and Parks and Recreation" have made it almost impossible for me to watch television shows with live studio audiences or laugh tracks.
All the characters have their own unique personality and it is very difficult to dislike any of them. However, I will attempt to finally rank them in order of how much they make me laugh.
-
17. Stanley. He does not make me laugh. But I do love how much he hates his job and his life. I don't blame him. If I made that face when I talked, I would hate my life too.
16. Oscar - The jokes at his expense are very funny, but he is not humorous whatsoever.
15. Toby - I really like him, and feel real bad for him, but he is the opposite of funny.
14. Phyllis - She is really bringing knitting back in style. So hot.
13. Creed - What a creep.
12. Kevin - I love dumb people, but he is just a little too dumb for my liking. It is getting a little old. And, he is just painful on the eyes.
11. Darryl - He is funny enough, but should go back to the warehouse where he belongs.
10. Ryan - He is very odd too. He is like a young, good-looking, Creed.
9. Meredith - I want her as my friend.
8. Angela - Mean is the new funny.
7. Andy - How in the world is he the boss? I must have missed something. Also, he is much less funny as boss, and needs to return to the funny salesman.
6. Kelly - Being lazy and not caring about your job is hot.
5. Pam - I like how normal her and Jim are, but she is a bit of a buzz kill at times, and that is totally lame.
4. Jim - His use of sarcasm is second to none. Brilliant.
3. Erin - She. Is. Perfect.
2. Dwight - Who doesn't love a good Acrostic Name Poem highlighting all of the best qualities about oneself.
1. Michael Scott - He is who I strive to be in my everyday life. Look for Michael Scott next year when I release my list of favorite fictional characters of all time. Michael, you are missed.
Much like the office of "Parks and Recreation" I would work 40 hours/week at Dunder Mifflin for an annual salary of about $1,000. Maybe I will start my own paper company and only hire fun, lazy, dumb, funny people. What a dream that would be.
No comments:
Post a Comment