MovieChat Forums > Root of All Evil (2008) Discussion > I don't quite understand this.

I don't quite understand this.

posted 16 years ago by saltysweetener
2 replies | jump to latest

Don't misunderstand me on this. I understand the concept of the show. I am fully aware of what the show is doing, but I feel like it is missing somthing essential. Its humor could be infinitely better, but that is not what is wrong with it.

This show has the potential to be better then any other show that has ever come on directly after South Park. I think where it goes wrong is the fact that it only goes so far into the subject material. It is too general. I think this show would improve significantly if it presented the subjects in a more thought provoking manner. The way the cases are presented should be changed as well. I think that the humor would improve tenfold just by making these small changes, but overall this show definitely needs to have a major broadening of the concept if it is to last past the first season. Right now the show is way too goofy to take it seriously as a comedy show.

I could be completely wrong about what the show needs. Personally I think that they should go find passionate people to argue their points. The comedians so far have shown they lack original material. I also think that it should be closer in style with the type of show it parodies. Lewis Black is basically the Judge Judy of comedy anyway. I understand that they are trying something new, and it will take a while to develop properly. Comedy Central seems to have a get it right the first time or be canceled policy though.

I would like to know other opinions about how to improve this show. I know that I could be heading into the wrong direction, but I don't think I am way off.

[–] frey78 16 years ago

My problem is that each episode essentially rehashes the same material five times at least. First Lewis presents each candidate for the root of all evil. Then each comic gives their opening statement. Then they make their argument - which is basically the same thing. Then Lewis asks them questions about the same stuff. Then they do their "ripple of evil" (which is about the only segment with comic potential). Then they give their closing argument. But they've covered the same ground over and over. Saltysweetener, I think you're right - they don't get into enough depth with each topic. You can only get so much mileage of "look at Trump's hair, how ridiculous" or "the Catholic church has priests who molest boys." You can't get 30 minutes worth of the same two jokes over and over.

[–] saltysweetener 16 years ago

Comedy in general seems to have been bland this decade, but now it seems to be improving very slowly right now. I am glad CC is not my sole source of comedy.

The comedians try to present things as if the audience is stupid. They act as if people have avoided television and pop culture for the past 6 years. This show might have worked "as is right now" 5 years ago. I hope it gets better because I really like the concept a lot.