MovieChat Forums > Whoopi (2003) Discussion > I can already see "Rita" havin...

I can already see "Rita" having her own spin-off show


The pilot was one of the strongest pilots I've seen in awhile, but I have a sneaky suspicion that the "Arab/Persian" jokes will get old quick and eventually people will start feeling like everything Whoopi's character says will feel like schtick they've already heard her do years and years ago. Don't get me wrong, I hope the show will do well, but I think Elizabeth Regan's character "Rita" has the highest breakout potential. Yeah, that bit could also get old quick, but I get the feeling that if the show is ever re-tooled, that she will test the highest and get more camera time. Thoughts, people?

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The very thought of that occurence gives me cold chills

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I agree with you 100%. She steals every scene she's in. And to think there are people like her out in the world. I listen to hip hop, rap & r&B all the time, but I'm white and I act white. To see her in action, wow. I hope she can save this show from being cancelled. Whoopi is one of the funniest women out there. Another female character that makes me laugh hard, is Barbara-Jean from Reba. She cracks me up so much. All hail Rita and her ghetto fabulous ways.

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I think you have the dynamics of the show exactly backward. The "hip-hop white woman" and her personality-free boyfriend are the part of the show that ISN'T funny. As they flesh out the characters and get off the silly idea that a white person "acting black" is supposed to be funny, the show will be better.

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The character of Rita's kind of funny if you've actually known anyone like Rita, and I went to school with two white kids who you couldn't convince that they weren't black. In reality, it was far more annoying than Rita, who does have her charm. Glad to see someone finally had the balls to tackle that character (though there was a white kid in NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE who thought he was Asian or something).

As for fleshing out the characters, I don't think they're gonna have enough time before the show gets cancelled. They're not making many attempts to flesh the characters -- the show plays as a series of (sometimes hysterically funny) insulting jokes and one-liners. The only character who's even shown a hint of a second dimension is the lead herself, Whoopi. All of the other characters are there to bounce jokes off of, as is evident by the addition of the Jadwiga and Sophia characters. The show has gotten better (I was rolling during the first airing of "The Vast Right Wing Conspiracy," then annoyed that they reran it two days later), but it still doesn't have much staying-power. Of course, that was my first impression of Carsey-Werner's 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN, which eventually did flesh out the characters (causing the downfall and cancellation of the show). NBC is giving WHOOPI a chance, but I have a feeling by early 2004, they're gonna give up on it, as they've often done in the past with shows in that timeslot (DAG, IN-LAWS, etc.). I wish them luck keeping the show going -- they're gonna need it.

Forecast for tomorrow: A few sprinkles of genius with a chance of doom!

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I love Rita. I am a black girl and there is nothing funnier than a white girl trying to act/talk black. It's too funny. She is the only reason I even stop to watch the show because Whoopi is not funny. Only a few of her scenes are funny.

My only problem with whites acting black though is the issues that can come down on them when push comes to shove. For example, if a black person wants to stand up for what they believe in and they just happen to get in trouble, a white person will bolt because they don't want to be screwed over along with us.

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I'm a white guy, I don't act black, but I certainly wouldn't bolt if a black friend got in trouble for standing up for what they believe in. If a friend has something that they believe in and are fighting for, I'm gonna stand behind them no matter what -- even if it meant getting screwed over myself. It comes from having a conscience and principles, something that many people are lacking. Whites who act black show that they're lacking in those traits to begin with -- otherwise they wouldn't try to be something that they're not. Think we strayed way off subject here...

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I think you nailed it right on the head. One single character cannot float an entire show, and you need more than just "fleshy" characters to have a funny sitcom.

The show now is basically a string of punch lines strung together by nonsensical actions or dialogue. Yeah, some of the one-liners are funny, but you have to sit through dredge to get to them. I can't even say the pacing is off, cause there is NO pacing.

I think it'll get more than it's fair chance cause of Whoopi's clout, but I honestly don't see much of a future in it unless the writing is drastically improved. It seems like every year producers try to reinvent the wheel when it comes to sitcoms. TV has had seriously funny stuff since the 50s. Get back to basics, write some honestly good stuff, and people will watch it -- not because it's "provocotive" or "ground-breaking" or cause there's a "very special episode" -- but cause it's FUNNY.

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She is sexy. I don't usually care for anyone acting unlike the "norm" - whatever that may be. But she is cute and has a great body. Those legs are long and luscious and she is quite funny. >)

I don't care for the racism, but it is cool as it makes fun of it in itself usually. Atleast they pick on everyone - like Family Guy did. Besides, I'd much rather see racism parodied and televised than in real life.

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Yes a little bit only fergie is much shorter



**Somebody said to me the world is a stage and everyone should play it's part**(elvis presley)

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If she got her own show it would just be awesome. A lot better than i anticipate "Joey" the friends spin off, being

"You're a bastard"
-The Oracle

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It'll happen. Any day now.

-- Sent from my 13 year old P.O.S. DesktopĀ®

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