MovieChat Forums > Getting On (2013) Discussion > I guess I'm the minority here

I guess I'm the minority here

posted 10 years ago by jasonx165
27 replies | jump to latest

I loved this show through and through. I'm not a nurse nor do I have very much relatable expirience with nursing homes other than having to stay in one for a while for a few family members, but that isn't what made me like this show, what made me love this show was the realism surrounding it mixing funny moments with some "dark". In my opinion you don't have to be a nurse or associated heavily with nursing homes to see why this show is funny. To me it seems like alot of the people who dislike this show are going out of their way not to give it a chance. Also I think this show playing right after BE wasn't a very good choice either.

Anyways, in the end I personally love this show and sadly it looks like it won't go passed its first season, oh well I guess.

[–] kridley4 10 years ago

I loved it . Brilliant

[–] itssosublime 10 years ago

Maybe this makes me childish, but they had me at "a feces"! I thought it was superbly written and I love the cast. Alex Borstein is awesome!

[–] jasonx165 10 years ago

That was one of my favorite along with the Cambodian mimicking, I really hope this show eventually makes it passed its rough start from what it seems because I really think its a great comedy for HBO

[–] Ray Ban 10 years ago

I'm also in agreement. This show had me chuckling several times, which is not an easy feat. I think it skews a bit smarter, demographic wise. Those with cruder comedic taste might enjoy something off the CBS lineup.

[–] Can_a_bitch_get_a_donut 10 years ago

I think it skews a bit smarter, demographic wise. Those with cruder comedic taste might enjoy something off the CBS lineup.

Half the episode was about feces.

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Boopee doopee doop boop SEX

[–] Ray Ban 10 years ago

Feces may have been the subject matter (and will continue to be, by looking at the upcoming episode descriptions), but the way which it was tackles was amusing and witty.

[–] ColinInLa 10 years ago

Looks to be another great addition to the HBO lineup. The geriatric aspect makes it a fresh approach to a hospital-based comedy. Ricky Gervais' "Derek" was similarly inspired and I imagine both shows were being developed at the very same time.

Going back as far as "St. Elsewhere," which had its dark, comedic moments, the stark reality of hospital work has played well against an edgy or more surreal approach to humor. "Scrubs" and "Nurse Jackie" have successfully kept the tradition alive. There's a brilliant show from Britain called "Green Wing" that only ran the first of its two surreal seasons on BBC America here in the US. If "Getting On" appeals to you, do yourself a favor and try to track it down ( I believe Hulu or Netflix might be the path, as it wasn't even released on Region 1 DVDs, but it was flat-out amazing.

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"Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana."

[–] Cacahuate86 10 years ago

I loved it too... I was laughing so hard when they discussed feces for 5 minutes. Or the Cambodian/Chinese translation bit over the phone - that was HILARIOUS!
It was a brilliant first episode and I hope they continue with the great writing over the course of this season.
I don't understand how anyone doesn't find this show funny.

[–] lostknowledge1 10 years ago

you guys have clearly not seen the UK version of this show?

the HBO version is almost scene for scene and word for word, but the characters are just not as funny as the UK version.

check it out.

No one can replace Jo Brand in the her part.

[–] jasonx165 10 years ago

Actually, I watched a few episodes of the UK version after I ran into it while looking into it and I have to say I prefer the American version. I do see that there is no real difference in the way the show is made for America I guess it all boils down to the actresses for me, I know/am a big fan of pretty much all the actresses in the American version as aposed to the UK version. Now, if this show ends up flopping I guess I won't have that much trouble switching over, but as long as the American version is up and running ill be enjoying that one more

[–] ColinInLa 10 years ago

Hard to judge after only one episode's airing. It generally takes a little time to warm into a character's portrayal, especially if it's already been successfully established in a prior version. The same debate ensued over "Shameless" and "The Office." But in the end, as always - - "good" is what you like.

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"Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana."

[–] jasonx165 10 years ago

Yeah I guess in the end I'm usually geared towards American things just a bit more, I loved the US office alot more than the UK version as well. I know this stuff all leads to strong debates on both sides though

[–] vinsane 10 years ago

I loved the US office alot [sic] more than the UK version as well. I know this stuff all leads to strong debates on both sides though

I too enjoyed The Office US more than the original. It really surprised me as I typically will find adapted shows to be weaker at least or even a ruination of a long-time British show.

I came to The Office US rather late and reluctantly, but I got some good laughs from the show. It seemed to have an A- and a B- team writing it since the episodes were often uneven. As I was time-shifting those shows, it didn't matter when a dog of an episode popped up, I just zapped it.

Of course all the buzz that brought me to that show about how there was this hilarious British show that I had to see made me acquire the entire UK version as well. I saved it up intending to binge watch and couldn't get much past the first act of episode one before fast forwarding. A couple of minutes later, I gave up while trying to suffer through a different scene. Everyone just seemed unlikeable to the point of plain unpleasantness. There wasn't any clear balance in the characters and, speaking of plain, it might have helped if there was anyone or anything nice to look at on the show. Even the production values seemed shabby even for an English show of the era.

Maybe the multitudes are not wrong but I couldn't personally make the transition in reverse to the UK original once I'd been exposed to the newer and more lavishly made US version.

Eeek!!! I'm getting dressed.

[–] Ray Ban 10 years ago

Saw the BBC pilot out of curiosity. Did not find it funny, unlike the American remake. I think the show translates well from the HBO audience. British humor/delivery doesn't work very well stateside.

[–] Blue_Afternoon 10 years ago

Jo Brand can't act.

Robin Hood Country....

[–] katjoeus 10 years ago

Jo Brand doesn't HAVE to act. She is just naturally funny in her delivery. She is probably the best known and best loved comedienne in the UK.

[–] xxpo 10 years ago

Just watched the first 2 eppys last night and also LOVED the show!!!

The BI POLAR WOMAN in PART 2 was so FUNNY!!!

Her political UNCORRECTNESS was also kind of refreshing, and it was also nice to see how the BLACK nurse let's what she says about her being a DIKE roll off of her back the same way as water would roll right off the back of a duck.

The Black Nurse is also definitely the STAR of the show. She SHINES BIGTIME. And it's also funny how the rest of those who work there (who are probably also certifiable if a shrink evaluated them) also seemed to feel threatened by the way the New Nurse is so good at doing her job.

So they've also made up some kind of fake problem for her so she fits in with the rest of them????

Can hardly wait to watch the rest of the other 4 eppys and see SEASON 2 of the show!!!

🐇 🐰

[–] aldiemincey 10 years ago

Admittedly, the show description didn't compel me to check it out. However, I can't say "no" to Niecy Nash. I have enjoyed all of her work to date. Fortunately, the rest of the cast, writers and directors have not disappointed. Excellently subtle, dark and clever. Thanks, to all involved.

[–] skjalg2-1 10 years ago

Same here. She was one of the highlights of Reno 911. I am easily creeped out by sickly old people, but I love the vibe of this series.

Rated it a 10 to balance it out.
If you are a fan of non-slapstick humor like The Office (the real one, not the bastardized highly inferior american spinoff), Extras, Curb, Darkplace, parks & rec, you might find this enjoyable. I sure do.

[–] gearhart 10 years ago

I like it too. I'm also not a nurse, but I've been hospitalized a few times and I used to work as a secretary for nursing instructors. Getting On seems more realistic than other medical shows, in how they interact with the patients.

I didn't realize Alex Borstein was Bunny Swan from MADTV. She was a hoot!

I like this show much better than Nurse Jackie, which IMHO is very unrealistic.

Laurie Metcalf is excellent here. The things she does with her face are just perfect.

[–] montebellomommy 10 years ago

I agree. I have stopped watching NJ a season ago. It had lost it's satisfying afterglow. Getting On is a more fulfilling past time. I am glad I got past the first episode and allowed myself to not push this show into a pre-determined category.

[–] rich_laflamme 10 years ago

Holy crap, i love this show, i think it's downright hilarious and sad as hell at the same time, and everyone in it is genius!! I hope HBO keeps this going..

[–] modica 10 years ago

HBO won't keep the series going. They get rid of all the good shows and leave the bad ones on. Game of Thrones, Girls and Boardwalk Empire are way overrated. Girls is just a piece of trash. Lena Dunham is really disgusting with all the nudity. Gross.

[–] kleary1 10 years ago

I binge-watched the last 4 episodes last night and I really love this show. HBO needs to promote it more--get it reviewed in EW and The New Yorker, etc.

I can find shows quite funny but never actually laugh out loud at them--it doesn't mean I'm not enjoying them. But wow is it fun to see something that makes you really laugh out loud and that is so rare. From sitcoms, I think I can count them on my fingers--the Will & Grace where Mira Sorvino, Will's first and only, comes to dinner and Grace freaks out, also Will & Grace when Jack and Will Arnett have a dance-off for Jennifer Lopez, Raising Hope when Amy Sedaris does her seductive dance for Burt, Louie when he tries to fix the American Girl doll for his daughter's Christmas (I still have that on my DVR, couldn't bring myself to erase it), and the Cambodian translation scene from Getting On. Those actresses are so good. And it's so much fun to see Laurie Metcalf again. I think I'm not remembering some laugh out loud moments from older sitcoms like Mary Tyler Moore--I remember my mother couldn't stop laughing at the Chuckles the Clown episode (I was really young, maybe not fully formed sense of humor)--want to give them all their due. It just doesn't happen often that I'm wiping away tears at a bit.

(Oh, but I think Girls is also very good. I loved the first episode with the Amy Schumer scene. I think they were going for the worst seeing the ex-girlfriend encounter ever and Hanna just standing there looking dazed was perfect.)

Too much to watch on TV!!!!

[–] marie_hood 10 years ago

You are not alone... I'm binge watching this right now and I think it's a great show. Of course I am a fan of British humor.

[–] Blue_Afternoon 10 years ago

I binge watched the last 4 episodes too. Loved it. LM is amazing.

Robin Hood Country....

[–] mathmaniac 9 years ago

I just started watching (amazon instant video) and the cambodian woman had me on the floor, laughing! I immediately bought the second season.