MovieChat Forums > The Whitest Kids U'Know (2007) Discussion > I Guess I'm Just Jealous?

I Guess I'm Just Jealous?

posted 16 years ago by kileysteve
38 replies | jump to latest

As a struggling comedy writer, seeing these guys on T.V. invites all sorts of feelings.

I've really given them a chance, but the show just isn't funny. Some of the ideas if better developed could be good, but Trevor is a distraction that just gets in the way of the process. He has some talented guys, I think... Who knows? If the writing were better I think it would be easier to get behind this show... I really want to like it, but at the end of an episode I find myself angry that these dudes actually have a show, when there are so many talented people out there.

Sketch comedy has many genre's, but isn't the end result supposed to actually be funny? I know comedy is subjective, hell I hate most mainstream stuff... that is what makes it is so infuriating! These guys, to me, promised to be the next Mr Show, but instead we get something that is at times embarrassing to watch. I think this show needs to go away, or re-tool before all sketch comedy shows are scrapped without consideration of what could be really funny material and replaced with reality crap. Harsh, I know, but we in the comedy subculture deserve better.

Don't fool yourselves. This is not smart, or edgy.

[–] peaceandcharm 16 years ago

You lost me in the last sentence...
Well, I suppose like you said its all subjective. I highly enjoy this TV show because I guess I have the same humor. I wouldnt say the show is "smart" but I don't mind it much when it comes to sketch comedy (I don't think i'm very aware of much better sketch comedy). Edgy? i'd say so!

[–] jrb2111991 16 years ago

If you think this is bad then you must be a pretty awful comedy writer.

[–] Wulfmoon9 16 years ago

It's not like they walked in to the studio and were given a show...these guys have been busting their butts for 8 years! They formed in 2000, and before that, they were all writing comedy, screenplays and other things. They worked damn hard to be where they are, and they deserve all the credit they get.

Heather

"It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything." ~Tyler Durden

[–] planbproduktionz 15 years ago

If it took them eight years to get this good, then it will take them another eight before I laugh at them.

[–] bbonacci 16 years ago

I think you NAILED it with your subject. You ARE jealous.
This stuff is golden. I am a big fan of sketch comedy (SNL, Fridays, MADTV, Kids in the Hall, SCTV, Monty Python, Mr. Show etc.) and I think this show is the best comedy on TV right now. If you don't think the aforementioned shows were funny, then don't quit your day job. You do have one I hope. If you agree the shows I listed are funny, then I don't have clue what your problem is.

Your last point really clarifies things. You apparently actually think that viewers are a bunch of sheep and will watch whatever is put on. Check out something called "ratings". That's how they determine if people like something or not. You say "Don't fool yourselves" WOW. No wonder you are struggling. You have a really poor opinion of us (the audience). You think we are so stupid that we are fooled into liking a show just because the commercials or reviews say it's funny. Maybe there are some sheep out there, but not enough to make or break a show. The show is good and you are jealous.

One last note. PLEASE look up the word edgy in the dictionary because you obviously do not know what it means. Even if you think this show is not funny at all, you can not say that it is not edgy.

[–] kileysteve 16 years ago

I'll respond to the most recent...

First, I do think poorly of the general audience. I think poorly of studio executives who "have their finger on the pulse of the viewers." The genreal audience are for the most part, not very intelligent. Unfortumately, enough smart people that appreciate good comedy don't watch enough tv to effect your ratings. That is the problem with the general audience.

Here is where my dissapointment lies: WKUK is not a show for the general audience, that's why I thought/hoped it would be funny. I think the main reasons are a) Trevor and b) poor writing.

I realize that it isn't popular to state these things on their imdb board... I just came here to see if there were any others that agreed that this show misses the mark, when it really shouldn't.

My tastes are different than the next... (I disagree with you about MADtv for instance) and I wanted to like the show... Twenty minutes in to the seventh or eight episode, I realized that I hadn't laughed once. That's when it hit me - This angers/frustrates me. Am I jealous? Yes. But why? I'm not jealous of good shows, with great writing and execution! Doe anyone feel the same way or is it only me???

I know edgy, pal. Bruce, Carlin, David Cross are edgy. These guys are a bad version of Stella, or the State with potty-mouths - not edgy. A better example is that these guys are like a racist joke - taboo, sure, but edgy?

As for me, well who knows. I'll "make it" or I won't.

[–] Papa_Legpa 16 years ago

Well my only issue with your posts is you aren't really giving any examples or arguments for what you don't like about them. You're opinion is valid but maybe you can expand on it? Give us some, you know, reasons for it? Besides your own personal jealousy, which is big of you to admit. It's one thing to just declare "poor writing" but can you actually delve inside and explain what you mean?

Also I don't necessarily think (and this is from knowing them) it is their intention to be edgy, despite how the show is advertised.

-Jordan
www.timwarnermovie.com

[–] kileysteve 16 years ago

Sure, I'll take a stab at it... But let me first say that I never pan other writers, it really isn't my style.

A good sketch should have a beginning a middle and an end. Rarely is this executed here, with the most common offense being that there aren't many good endings or an ending at all. Often they pick up somewhere in the middle and get stuck there.

A good sketch should take the audience by suprise with a clever or unpredictable pay-off. The pay-offs here are either non existant, predictable or ridiculous.

A good sketch should build momentum. More often than not, here, one joke is repeated in a sketch, over and over getting stale fast.

A good sketch should be built on a great premise. Here, many sketches are one dimensional, or one poor joke that has been expanded into an entire sketch. The sketch that comes to mind is the dinner scene with the girlfriend and the girlfriends parents where Trevor makes farting noises with his mouth, or the conductor with no arms using his feet. There really isn't anywhere to go with ideas like that.

They just don't seem to have a good sense of editing. Many ideas shouldn't/can't ever be developed, and many of the ones they choose to explore, that they shouldn't come off as forced.

They haven't utilized the effectivness of the straight man, nor have they ever tried to develop a character's motives beyond anything superficial - they don't probe into the characters psyche enough to truly sell the joke. Tough to do in a sketch with literally seconds to set up, but it can be done. A great example of what I mean - Fred Armisen did a character on weekend update about a month ago - a political comedian and set up his character in one sentence and the audience was on board immediately. (he killed by the way)

Profanity or shock value material is often the only humor in a sketch, which is lazy.

[–] drustu311 16 years ago

You sound like the kind of person who will never make money in the writing business.

WKUK were picked up because the network knew the group had something that audiences wanted to see. They saw them as a good investment, and apparently it's paying off. You may not think they're funny, but they appeal to a large amount of people who do think they're funny. Good business model.

There's a reason they call it the comedy "business."

[–] planbproduktionz 15 years ago

I saw a board that listed the top ten sketches of the whitest kids U know. Slow Jerk was at the top. It that the best they have? If it is then I want to know when the devil will be collecting on their souls.

At best the sketch is mildly amusing and would be funny in a sea of things that were much more funny than that. At worst it is juvenile potty playground humor that a sixth grader would like. But maybe that is their target audience. If that is then I have no problem.

[–] jgroub 16 years ago

Here's my two cents. Sometimes I'm in a WKUK mood, and sometimes I'm not. When I'm not, the stuff just gets a coupla chuckles. When I am, I'm pausing the Tivo from laughing so hard so I won't miss the next joke. But I'll admit that some shows just don't hit the mark. Like the latest new one, with the alcoholic guy and his wife, or the boss they play pranks on. A coupla yuks, and that's it.

From the statement "Twenty minutes in to the seventh or eight episode" it sounds to me like you watched a bunch of them back to back. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. But if I'm right, you just weren't in a WKUK mood when you did your marathon! Give them a second and third chance.

I suggest you go to YouTube and put in WKUK. Then look at the following sketches:

Leg Peeing
Abraham Lincoln
Slow Jerk
Glory Hole

If you don't think these are funny, then yes, there's something wrong with YOU, and you ARE jealous. Because those skits are damned funny.

I asked the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] Luke902 16 years ago

i'm sorry, but as a writer i find these guys to be a huge source of inspiration.

Would you like some tar toast?

[–] MrBark 16 years ago

I agree with a lot of what kileysteve says. The main problem I have is that this is really the Trevor show. Does he have to be in every sketch? I don't get the sense of teamwork from this troupe like I do from others, like Python, SCTV, SNL, KitH, State, Mr. Show, and UCB. For comparison, I watched an old "Kids in the Hall" episode, and everyone seemed to get equal time in the sketches, and everyone had a writing credit. Not so with this show. I get the sense that Trevor views himself as Sting to everyone else's Police, or George Micheal to everyone else's other-guy-from-Wham!, and it's only a matter of time before he ditches them (if the opportunity arises).

This fog is getting thicker!
And Leon's getting laaaaarrrrrger!

[–] Papa_Legpa 16 years ago

Timmy stop posting under a fake name!

Jordan
www.timwarnermovie.com

[–] MrBark 16 years ago

Now, THAT was funny. LOL.

This fog is getting thicker!
And Leon's getting laaaaarrrrrger!

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] squeakytoad 16 years ago

For an aspiring writer, you're not a very good writer. I wouldn't hire you.

Whereas, on the other hand, were Trevor Moore to complain about a comedy show, I'm quite sure his post would be far more engaging, entertaining, and (most importantly) worth reading.

[–] bobbybob-13 16 years ago

WKUK is definitely not for everyone. And they aren't geniuses or gods or anything, they're human. But they make me laugh. Most times they take something clever and make it dumb or do the opposite. That's what comedy is about. 180's. I think for season 2 they were bored of 180's and wanted to push a joke to the extreme. Sometimes their stuff misses, but like i said, they're human.

[–] bobbybob-13 16 years ago

also, it's okay to be jealous. i can think of 100 people I'm jealous of.

[–] spaceghost44 16 years ago

You sound like you're jealous.
You probably worship George Carlin.
You sound like an *beep* that just got in film school.
Your sense of humor is not good.

My name is Jim.....but my friends call me.....Jim.

[–] bobbybob-13 16 years ago

you don't have to be mean spaceghost

[–] spaceghost44 16 years ago

And I don't have to be nice. It's just my opinion, if I hurt his feelings then he shouldn't be a comedy writer.

My name is Jim.....but my friends call me.....Jim.

[–] bobbybob-13 16 years ago

word. it's a tough world.

[–] kileysteve 15 years ago

Carlin was hilarious!

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] kileysteve 15 years ago

No, I don't feel "jealous" of Trevor and the gang anymore. I have grown to be completely indifferent about the show.

If you have a hard time thinking I'm funny, that's ok, my mom says I'm very funny. She also thinks I'm handsome. Come to think of it, I think my mom has been hitting on me. That woman will do anything to get laid! And that is just one of many of my jokes! Man, I sure am funny!

I wouldn't consider anything you mentioned as the stuff that excites me... My favorite show was the Larry Sanders Show. I like some of Woody Allen's earlier stuff. Big fan of Bob and David. I like Flight of the Concords. Zack Galikfinakas is a big influence as is Dmetri Martin. One of my favorite movies was Grizzly Man.

But, who really cares about what I think? I certainly don't!

Long Live Whitest Kids You Know! They are also the Funniest White Kids You Know that have a 15 minute show on Th 37th Best channel on teevee!!! Hooray! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm trying to decide what to watch... The volleyball scene in top gun, or the shirtless karate meditation scene in Roadhouse!

[–] jrb2111991 15 years ago

You might be the least funny person I've ever met. Well not met but you know what I mean.

Both Candidates suck 08

[–] skinniemalinkie 15 years ago

And what's sad is that you know it's his best material.
The greenhouse effect is killing Frosty.

[–] El_Guapo_Caballo 11 years ago

Mister, you are really not funny.

[–] robsfilms 15 years ago

ya they may not be good writers, but they went out and actually did something, they created their own projects and got a following, this sparked interest in television producers....a lot of the problem with many writers now days, is that they write, write, and write, but nobody sees their stuff, you have to go out and find somebody to produce your work, do it yourself, just because you're sending in portfolio's of your work doesn't mean it's getting read...this is why this show and the writing of it has been somewhat of a success.....

[–] 15 years ago

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