Upon viewing episodes of this show, I knew immediately that this is postmodernism at its worst. No logic, no order, no sense whatsoever. Modernist humor by sharp contrast is grounded in logic and the use of reason. Postmodernism is antireason, and appeals to the Gen X and Gen Y cynical worldview that nothing is absolutely true and all is meaningless. Nothing is better than anything else, and all truth is self-made and relativistic.
Richard
*Reads topic*
... *faaarrrrt* Ah man, I just *beep* myself... got any toilet paper, lrc-7?
I just love when some pseudo intellectual tries to sound profound.
Go smoke another bowl, dumbass.
@TC: I really don't get where the postmodernism comes into effect here outside of the fact that ATHF has a lot of "random" or nonsequitorial humor. Postmodernism clearly has a lot more to it's definition than obscure humor. I'm almost positive that the idea behind this show was to simply be random because some people find randomness funny. I wouldn't say it's exactly stoner humor necessarily; most of the people I know who watch it aren't stoners at least. I don't think you need to be high to "get" it either.
There is no greater meaning to it. I remember the commentary for the first episode, the creators more or less suggested that they wanted it to be about "guys who just hang around their house and weird stuff happens to them." Paraphrasing there.
Wikipedia defines postmodernism as: "Postmodernism is a movement away from the viewpoint of modernism. More specifically it is a tendency in contemporary culture characterized by the problem of objective truth and inherent suspicion towards global cultural narrative or meta-narrative. It involves the belief that many, if not all, apparent realities are only social constructs, as they are subject to change inherent to time and place. It emphasizes the role of language, power relations, and motivations; in particular it attacks the use of sharp classifications such as male versus female, straight versus gay, white versus black, and imperial versus colonial."
I really don't see the deep political and social implications in a show about sentient food items. It's not enough that the humor is "esoteric" to say the least. There needs to be more to call it postmodern. As far as I'm concerned, regardless of the preferences of the writers/creators which I do not personally know, the show doesn't come across as either liberal or conservative either because ignorant white trash (as Carl and Shake often represent) can be either one.
i would say it's a tad more conservative than liberal due to the jokes about gays and objectification of women and other stuff that hippies are ultra sensistive to ;)
shareCould be either still. A liberal could argue that those jokes satirize people who actually are homophobic/womanizing. And a conservative could argue that by portraying those topics, the show acknowledges the politically incorrect nature of the world. But yeah I would agree a hyper-sensitive liberal could be offended by some of the show's jokes.
shareAnd also X-Y = 345xy + the square root of x(x+y). You are out of your element here, Richard. Either you just took a course in Art Styles in Television and Film or you read the newest Variety. Can't be sure of which one. This is a show to appeal to people who don't like all of their humor to make sense. It grabs from random old TV shows and cult classic movie references. I laugh all the time at this show, whereas, say Masterpiece Theater (your type of show) I didn't laugh at all. I'm not an idiot, I'm college educated in Film and me and my friends love the show. So, Richard, light up a joint and just enjoy the ride.
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I'm quite lightened up, thank you. The fact that the humor doesn't make sense proves my point. This is postmodernism. The show is in fact used as an example of postmodern humor, and it was a man with a doctorate who introduced me to the show who loves it.
Richard F. Lee, J.D., M.Div.
What is modern humor then, is it 2 and Half Men? Or are we going into the early stages of stand up comedy from the 1930s? Postmodernism has such a barrage of uses that so many shows are postmodernism, shoot they have Xena: Warrior Princess listed as Postmodernism. In some places in the Southern US every soda is a coke, what flavor would you like? Too bland and generic use of the word to describe this show.
No it isn't, Dr. Lee. You can start with the Simpsons. Aqua Teen Hunger Force started in 2000, with Space Ghost: Coast to Coast doing it before it. I'll bet you could find an example that goes back to the 70s.
As you are suggesting, other types of entertainment can go under Postmodernism, such as The Simpsons. It could be said that fantasy entertainment is postmodern because of its resistance to the Age of Reason. I don't know why you are arguing with me about this.
I only believe that Aqua Teen Hunger Force is illogical absurdity that is postmodernism at its worst, being a reflection of how 20-40 somethings feel inside and is their life setting unlike the Boomer Generation and Great Depression Generation, which are rooted in the 20th century and modernism with an emphasis on reason and logic.
Richard F. Lee, J.D., M.Div.
Irc-7: Why so cynical? If you don't like it don't watch it and quit whining about it. I don't think Glee is good yet I don't make futile attempts to make myself seem smart and relate it to a phrase that a film teacher told me on the Glee forum.
I'm glad that you have found a place to flaunt your degree so that you can feel important, I know it has been burning a hole in your pocket since you got it. I hope you find another place to impress people with that. Teletubbies maybe? What about American Idol? A few if those posters might be fooled by your vague allusions 11th grade vocabulary enough to tell you how they wish they were you.
Would that make you happy?
I believe the humor in AUPS 1 (Formerly ATHF) is cynical. Life is absolutely nothing but a bunch of impulsive bodily functions. Glee sucks, too. Now Masterpiece Theatre, that's something to be proud of....and Star Trek: Voyager.
Richard F. Lee, J.D., M.Div.
If the posts before didn't do the trick, that last one really extinguished any respect I would have had for Irc-7. Go bitch somewhere else Irc-7, this is a happy place.
shareI have every right to give my opinion. Typical postmodern Gen Y'er probably with missing daddy issues and covered with body piercings and tattoos.
Richard F. Lee, J.D., M.Div.
As Voltaire said “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Unfortunately he forgot pompous scholars who get too excited when they learn a term (even moreso than him).
And I'm a Generation X with a father and an unpierced/untatted body. Maybe you should think before you overgeneralize, didn't they teach you that where you got your fancy law degree that you believe to give you credibility when discussing a CARTOON?
[deleted]
Typical religious arrogant jerk making ASSumptions about another person based on what they have written.
Let me ask you, clergyman, how would God perceive your actions on this message board?
Let us quickly set thr stage. A significant amount of your post are stationed here, the ATHF boards. There are lots of imdb boards, but this is the one you pick..,l
You made your initial point and it was met with some intelligent and some less than intelligent discussion. You have continued on with this particular thread since March of 2010, and it just baffles me.
You don't like ATHF (which I can understand, although I enjoy it I can easily see why many do not) and you've made that clear. You also do not like Family Guy, which you've made clear. Although they aren't the same, there is a firm footing in absurdity between the both of them. This is fine, it really is. But your continued attempt to post here makes me question your priorities.
I wonder... arguing like this, specifically your baseless judgement of the previous poster, is it something you'd feel proud to tell your fellow clergy about? What look would you have on your face if St Peter asked you about it?
"Richard, so... About this thing, 'Judge not lest ye be judged'....."
You, unfortunately, have seemed to fit the mold of troll. Even if that was not what you set out to become, it has engulfed you. The more you continue this fight, the more you become no different than the mindless fools IMDB boards hold so dear.
Whatever your initial intent was, it sure does seem to be a desire to judge and ridicule, you have gone far beyond that and.. Well, for your schooling and your highly touted religious background you sure come across seeming rather foolish.
Oh, and why just here? Why not in the Family Guy board? Why not in the boards of the highly offensive Cannibal Holocaust or Salo? Brown Bunny? No? But here? Isn't it strange where people feel they want to set their pitchfork down.
Pretty impressive troll piece here, can't believe most of you guys were led on for so long.
"Heineken??? F*#k that sh*t!!! PABST, BLUE RIBBON!!!" Crazy Frank in "Blue Velvet"
First, I'm sure the creators/producers/animators/voice actors/whoever else is involved in the production of ATHF are glad that there is so much discussion about there show. Whether good or bad, we are all seem passionate about the show.
Second, Irc-7, what was your original purpose in posting your less-than-positive opinions of ATHF on the ATHF message board? You had to know you were going to catch a lot of flak for your comments. Most people that come to the message boards like the shows or have questions about the shows. All anyone is ever going to do by posting negative comments on any IMDB message board is annoy all the people that like the show in the process of not changing anyones mind. So I ask again, what did you hope to get out of posting your comments and opinions?
Third, Irc-7, listing the degrees you have earned as your IMDB signature comes off as incredibly egotistical. Certainly you should be proud of yourself because I know earning them took a lot of work, but what good are they here? Here on IMDB your degrees are totally useless, regardless of the discussion topic. You might as well be the handsomest guy on the radio or the best singer in a silent movie.
No one here will take you more (or less) seriously because of your degrees because we have no way of knowing whether or not you really earned them. Maybe you just like having those letters to the right of your name. The same goes to saying you are part any group/club/organization/movement/association/etc. There is no way to prove whether any of that is true or not, so no one will put any stock in it.
All anyone in IMDB is likely to believe about anyone else is that:
1) They own, or have access to a computer with Internet connection
2) They have at least a rudimentary understanding of the language
3) They know how to type on a keyboard (fairly well, at least)
4) They have watched the show/movie/film (although not always)
5) They care enough (whether positively or negatively) about the show/movie/film to come to a message board and make a comment about that show/movie/film
Just wanted to see how postmodern viewers would respond, and I guessed right!
lrc-7
Obvious troll is obvious
shareCool story, bro.
shareOr post modernism at its best. See also Sealab 2021, The Brak Show, Squidbillies, Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, on and on.
shareI love Aqua Teen Hunger Force! The weird endings of most of their episodes have inspired me to do endings of the same kind of style while writing an own show myself! :)
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