MovieChat Forums > Maude (1972) Discussion > Shocked at how funny it still is

Shocked at how funny it still is

posted 8 years ago by I_hatenazis
4 replies | jump to latest

I caught two episodes recently just to see how much I would cringe and I was surprised at how funny and entertaining they were.

I realized that the humor was based on over the top, cartoonish behavior and the liberal preachiness was balanced with just enough self-deprecating hypocrisy to provide that eye rolling laughter. It's as if the cast was wise enough not to be overly serious. If anything the whacky 70's look actually helped the comedy over the years rather than make it look dated. It was a very pleasant surprise. I'm going to see if I can record more episodes on TV Land.

[–] McGannahanSkjellyfetti 8 years ago

I've always enjoyed the series. I love the characters. Liberal Left winged Maude vs Conservative Right winged Arthur with Walter and Vivian in the middle of it all...

[–] I_hatenazis 8 years ago

I also think I caught a couple of their better episodes. The first episode that I saw was about a couple who wanted to 'swing' and his wife had the most annoying laugh I ever heard. Her husband reacted like he was hearing fingernails on a chalkboard. It was hysterical.

Maude - Her facial expressions and mannerisms are great. She is definitely the heart and soul of the show.

Arthur - His deadpan expression is priceless. He plays the part of the doctor with no personality skills perfectly. He is almost a proto-Sheldon.

[–] McGannahanSkjellyfetti 8 years ago

Maude's New Friends with the McGraths visiting. That's one of my favorites.

He's gotta hole in his sock!
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[–] jarrodmcdonald-1 8 years ago

One thing this show has going for it is that it embraces the issues of its era. And in an ironic way, while 'Maude' is contained within a single decade and it's all about those specific years, it somehow manages to come across as timeless because of the razor-sharp writing and the razor-sharp performances.