MovieChat Forums > Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best? (2011) Discussion > Why the scripting overload for season 4?

Why the scripting overload for season 4?


Okay, we all know this show - as many others has either scripted or staged moments. Whether the moments are set up and the people really play it out, or they have actual lines to say, varies from show to show. However, in the past this show was a little better about it. Joan's everyday life is "scripted" in a sense because she's constantly working on jokes and side-comments for all times, so it sort of played into that well.

That being said, this season was more than just staged moments or situations. They are following painfully bad scripts, story lines...everything. It reminds me of what happened to The Simple Life with Paris and Nicole. The minor scripting in the beginning made it a fun show...but by the last few seasons it was practically a written sitcom episode week by week, totally ruining it. So I'm wondering why in god's name are they doing it to this show? My favorite episode of this show was back in season 2 when they went out to the ranch in (Wyoming?). Joan was funny, we were all in on the "setup" situations and there was noticeably very little scripting. Great episode!

And like I said, I always knew it wasn't 100% or maybe even 50% reality, but I still really enjoyed watching it. Now, it's becoming painful There are some completely bs moments/story-lines (the "sleeping pill" episode for example, every conversation was scripted lol). But it's mostly stupid little things! Like the episode last night where Melissa "runs into her friend" at the race-track (meanwhile the woman has been standing behind for the past 5 minutes waiting for her que), or just the "confessional" moments where Joan and Melissa are talking to each other (I love Melissa, but they are trying to make her "funny" now and it's beyond nauseating).

Why? So disappointing!

reply

Please read what I wrote on the link......Are we to think this really happened..
It's right before your link.

I couldn't agree with you more. I feel the same way.

Now about that pill episode. That's the last episode I've watched although I do have the two recorded that aired on 4/26, just haven't had the time to watch them yet. I've never before thought something was 100% scripted until this episode.

So, are the next two (that both aired as new on the same day.....incidentally, next week as well, two new episodes back to back) as scripted as the pill episode? I guess I mean are they worth watching? Like I said I already have them recorded on DVR. Are they funny? Are they 100% scripted or just partially? Do they insult our intelligence by trying to pass themselves off as real reality?

I was just so shocked by the pill episode I haven't made up my mind that I will watch the show as a sitcom or give up on it altogether. Now it makes me question everything. Melissa catching friend in her boyfriend's bed, etc etc.

Appreciate your opinion.

reply

I got the feeling that Joan walking in on Melissa having sex was set-up, but I thought it was pretty funny and certainly a representation or reenactment of something that probably actually has happened.

The episodes from the other night were not as bad. I don't think anything will be as bad as the pill popping episode. That was terrible! The entire situation at the end was clearly the most scripted part. The queen's chair, the "recorded skype call", Tony's party...fake fake fake fake! Even the party goers in the background were obvious extras (including drag-performer Coco Peru lol).

But no, the episodes this weekend had their fake moments (as they always do) but I still found them watchable and funny.

reply

You misunderstood something. I believe that Joan caught Melissa and Duncan in bed. I'm talking about when Melissa caught her best friend (can't think of her name she's one of the joke writers) in bed with Duncan. That led to their permanent breakup. Mel had broke up with him then after talking to her mom decided to give him another chance. Went to his hotel room and he answers door wearing only a towel and she walks in to see Lynne (that's her name) in his bed with covers laying perfectly as not to expose anything bad but to expose enough to make it look bad.
Lynne had hit on and even kissed Duncan at a bar earlier that night. Turns out she just passed out there. But before Mel forgave her the situations they got into now seem completely fake.
Like Mrs.Jenner showing up to do Joans bedroom talk show at the exact same time that Mel walks in and sees Lynne there. They start yelling screaming etc and Joan is trying to figure out what is going on. So Mel has to tell her the story at the same time Mrs Jenner is hearing about it. Joan AND Mel throw Lynne out of the house.

I bought the story of Joan walking in but now looking back at the triangle situation I'm not convinced it was 100% real. Maybe somewhat real.

Yes, like I wrote in my thread that's immediately before yours that chair thing........I won't repeat it but you should read it.

So, you missed the episode I'm talking about?

reply

Oh okay. Yes, I caught that episode. I felt that whole situation from beginning to end was completely set-up. Why would they be filming Duncan/Lynne alone in a bar like that unless Joan or Melissa was gonna be there to meet up with them? They are only secondary "characters" on the show and their personal stories aren't really involved unless it directly affects Joan or Melissa within the same scene.

Kris "walking in" on the fight was completely fake but I'm sure she is used to those sort of set-up situations anyways.

reply