MovieChat Forums > The Larry Sanders Show (1992) Discussion > So much time wasted with music videos!

So much time wasted with music videos!


I watched this show when it first came out and I loved it. I recently found it again, and it's still acerbic, and witty, and an interesting time capsule of what was popular in the early to mid 90s. And i always believed it was a roman à clef about David Letterman.

One thing that bothered me back then I had forgotten about, but as I watch Season 2, I remember what bothered me back then. Starting in Season 2 they had musical guests and they just wasted so much time with the camera on the bands and nothing happening with the show itself. The show was only 28 minutes long - I didn't care for them filling 3-5 minutes of that with just showing me a band.

I mean, the writing was so tight and funny and the characters so well drawn they didn't need to burn time showing me musical guests.

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I see what you're saying, but mostly disagree.
First, the music parts never reached 3-5 minutes, maybe 1-3 minutes, tops, and usually with a break in the middle somewhere with a joke. You could always hit fast forward or use the opportunity for a pissbreak, but then you'd miss the joke in the middle.
Second, they only ever focused on a music performance maybe 10 to 15 times in the entire series (roughly, not entirely sure, I'd have to double check) so it wasn't a constant issue.
Third, while I could do without a Michael Bolton or Clint Black performance for example, it was cool to see Butthole Surfers, or Wu-Tang, or Beck doing their thing. Point being, I can see where it would be annoying if you don't like the band in question, but when you're a fan then it was a nice bonus.
Forth, the show is more like 20 to 25 minutes per episode, including credits. I'm willing to bet if they cut the music parts, there wouldn't be more jokes in its place, the episode would simply be 1-3 minutes shorter that week.

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I chiefly disagree too.

Often the music plays a part in the episode - not necessarily central. Sometimes they are just inconsequential and I can understand in that circumstance it can be pointless.

I thought the episode when Colin Hay appears is a perfect example of integrating the music.

"But tonight we should have fun, not dwell on Scott Baio."

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I think it depends on if you like the band or not. If so, then its a nice bonus with a trip down 90's memory lane. If not, then it can be painful. I had to take 2 Tylenol during the episode with Porno For Pyros. There is not a proper adjective or verb to adequately describe how much they sucked.

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This is one of the best scenes of the series and it involves a RAP GROUP!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYrL4AgJPDM


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LOL I knew that was the Wu Tang Clan scene before even clicking on it - brilliant!

I don't object to the musical performances because they're usually accompanied by dialogue from the characters, and are rarely if ever long enough to feel obtrusive to the show.

In fact, my favorite Larry Sanders episode (5.1 "Everybody Loves Larry") was in large part due to a musical guest - Elvis Costello, whom I usually don't even like. The interactions between Elvis and Hank, to whom he sold a combustible sports car, were absolutely hilarious, including Hank's mugging and muttering during that incredible acoustic performance of "Little Atoms," a song I had never heard before. Due to the show, I was inspired to buy the album version but it was over-produced and I didn't care for it at all. That Sanders version of "Little Atoms" remains the only work from Elvis Costello that I really like, and that was just a bonus to the great comedy his musical presence added to the episode.


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I agree - great episode.

Gotta love Hank: “You owe me money, a**hole.”

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Wait a minute... who am I here?

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I love Warren Zevon, it was great to see him. The odd thing was now that we know when he died it seems as if his health was failing 10 years earlier when he was on the show. I wonder if he was in the early stages of cancer back then

I am broke, I spent my money on fast cars, guns, and ammo, they rest my money was wasted

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