MovieChat Forums > Uncle Grandpa (2010) Discussion > Trying too hard

Trying too hard

posted 11 years ago by zephc
15 replies | jump to latest

It seems the show is trying too hard to be quirky in the way better recent shows (primarily Chowder, Flapjack, Regular Show, and Adventure Time) are, but it tries in uncreative and unfocused ways. It's like they had sat in a board room and tried to brainstorm the most random characters they could come up with, and ended up with a mediocre mess.

As I stated in a previous post, it's quirkiness in the same way Hot Topic clothing is rebelious, which is to say it isn't - it's pre-packaged and pre-calculated 'comedy' in the same way Johnny Test is (shudder). It's cartoon painting-by-numbers.

[–] pjmuck-161-277643 11 years ago

Wow, you really read my mind on this. Totally agree. It seems to be the trend of late with newer shows to throw together a bunch of incongruous characters to create a quirky ensemble. When it works, as you mentioned, you have the makings of a fresh, original show, but Uncle Grandpa feels so annoyingly forced.

[–] wrathofachilles 11 years ago

It basically results from the misconception that randomness is funny in and of itself. Now, randomness CAN be funny based on context. But randomness by itself isn't funny. Trying to be random is never funny.

[–] grrrdevin 11 years ago

it's quirkiness in the same way Hot Topic clothing is rebelious,

Quote of the century.

"I've been living on toxic waste for years, and I'm fine. Just ask my other heads!"

[–] verycoolnin 11 years ago

yep, good one.

[–] zephc 11 years ago

Well thank you. I just adapted it from my long-standing belief that Hot Topic (and other similar places) is what I call "pre-packaged rebellion"

[–] Madotsuki_the_Dreamer 11 years ago

Adventure Time is pretty forced in its manufactured "quirkiness" too, but nowhere near to the same extent as this. This is ADHD television in its purest form, devoid of anything even vaguely resembling plot, character development, or actual jokes. It's TV for obese teenage girls who want to show off how "omg so quirky xD" they are.

[–] verycoolnin 11 years ago

Adventure Time actually has a decent story.

[–] iamahero 11 years ago

I was hoping this show would be better. I love Giant Realistic Flying Tiger, but I hate everything else. Especially the voices. I have a feeling this show will disappear like Problem Solvers (which is by far the worst show they've ever put on the air).

[–] General_Haberdashery 11 years ago

It's like they had sat in a board room and tried to brainstorm the most random characters they could come up with, and ended up with a mediocre mess.

As I stated in a previous post, it's quirkiness in the same way Hot Topic clothing is rebelious

Stole the topic and words right out of my head.

I could not agree more.
Never seen something so shamelessly desperate to be 'strange-quirky-cool' in my life.

Well maybe Lady Gaga...

[–] dvbar1 11 years ago

Agree, I hate few things but this show is one of them.

[–] alienjazzcat 11 years ago

wow its like you measured their trying with your Trying Stick!

I wish I had one of those.

My kids love this show.. perhaps that's the target audience? If you can't distinguish between this and Johnny Test, I'm thinking you missed something

PIZZA STEEEEEVE..!