Reflecting back on 2009, this was when I first truly became engulfed in my love for web series. Of course, those that know me already know that The Guild was my first watched series, followed by The Crew along side The Web Files. I noticed a creative independent energy within these series. As I watch others, that observation rang true in those as well. Was excited to learn who would be nominated this year. For there were soo many to choose from. Look at my lists if you doubt me. Due to previous planned engagements, I missed the live feed. When I got home, was kinda put back by what I saw… Even more so, when I started to watch some of the nominated series. The following will be two micro reviews from the nominations list. To be posted each Wednesday. These will not be in my normal review section. If you think I might be off on my review, please post comments.
Best Comedy Series
Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis
This series is basically a spoof of a low budget talk show… Or at least that’s what I gathered. The “Host” is, Zach Galifianakis, who was in the movie ‘The Hangover’. Between Two Ferns is posted on Funny or Die. Has had quite a few big named guests. The episodes only last a few minutes, and are filled with degrading, humiliation, fights, cold hearted joke about a dieing dog and at one point forcing a guest to massage the hosts inner thigh. Even if the guests are in on the skit, I do not find anything laughable with this series. I think Zach always plays someone with inner turmoil, resentment of others success and an air of being wasted. No moments of glee, of a smile not even cracking up out of character. The show & Zach takes itself too seriously. If you find humiliation, putting people into uncomfortable and compromising positions and flat-out being rude to be totally funny, then I can see why this was nominated. I personally think a comedy should make you laugh and be amusing. Not play off as being cruel, mean, degrading and malicious. Can only see the fact of his movie being a hit and the fact that big actors were guests as to why he was on the nomination list.
While thinking on this today, I tried to think of other “talk show” like comedy web series that would be better suited for a nominee.
Invention with Brian Forbes. Very Monty Python-esque, does not take itself seriously and is enjoyable as well as funny. Then,
Web Series 2 watch scale: -5
Easy to Assemble
This series is slightly creative in the fact that the premise is of an out of work actor gets a job in IKEA. Maybe because there is no IKEA near where I live, or that the dialog seems rushed and forced… I’m not finding this funny. Like the previous series, this one has a wide variety of well-known actors, and is film in an IKEA. Besides that, the storyline is relatable if you; 1) shop or have been in IKEA on a regular basis, or 2) are in the acting field, so you can relate to some conversations and jokes. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Illeana Douglas in ‘Stir of Echos’, but it’s just that she seems nervous and has a very forced way of speaking. This causes me not to be able to listen to her for long periods of time. Which possibly hinders my openness to enjoying this series.
Tend to get tensed up when shows are rushed or forced. That’s why I am more open when the shows pace is smooth and better timed. The following are examples of such…
Safety Geeks: SVI, has amazing digital effects and a superb cast. Extremely creative cast and crew. The actors all are professional and spot on funny.
Web Series 2 watch scale: 3
It might be just my personal taste in comedies that makes me not like these two. Something lacks in the creativity and comedy when actors portray themselves. When they are “themselves”, the viewers (me) can’t get into the fictional side of the story. It’s like the writer said, instead of taking some time and create a fictional back story and a deep character…. Just use me and make it wacky. No effort.
Final comments on these two:
With the ‘Between Two Ferns’, seriously felt disgusted. I even watch some of Zachs other works, and is pretty much the same. Extremely dark to the point of not knowing if or when to laugh…
The ‘Easy to Assemble’ is funny to a point, but I feel no emotion from any character. The pace is forced and rush dialog. Sure both these series have well known actors who play themselves. Just not finding these noms worthy… Just my opinion.
Next week will be The Guild and Legend of Neil.
Following week will be Wainy Days…
Best Comedy Series
Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis
This series is basically a spoof of a low budget talk show… Or at least that’s what I gathered. The “Host” is, Zach Galifianakis, who was in the movie ‘The Hangover’. Between Two Ferns is posted on Funny or Die. Has had quite a few big named guests. The episodes only last a few minutes, and are filled with degrading, humiliation, fights, cold hearted joke about a dieing dog and at one point forcing a guest to massage the hosts inner thigh. Even if the guests are in on the skit, I do not find anything laughable with this series. I think Zach always plays someone with inner turmoil, resentment of others success and an air of being wasted. No moments of glee, of a smile not even cracking up out of character. The show & Zach takes itself too seriously. If you find humiliation, putting people into uncomfortable and compromising positions and flat-out being rude to be totally funny, then I can see why this was nominated. I personally think a comedy should make you laugh and be amusing. Not play off as being cruel, mean, degrading and malicious. Can only see the fact of his movie being a hit and the fact that big actors were guests as to why he was on the nomination list.
While thinking on this today, I tried to think of other “talk show” like comedy web series that would be better suited for a nominee.
Invention with Brian Forbes. Very Monty Python-esque, does not take itself seriously and is enjoyable as well as funny. Then,
Web Series 2 watch scale: -5
Easy to Assemble
This series is slightly creative in the fact that the premise is of an out of work actor gets a job in IKEA. Maybe because there is no IKEA near where I live, or that the dialog seems rushed and forced… I’m not finding this funny. Like the previous series, this one has a wide variety of well-known actors, and is film in an IKEA. Besides that, the storyline is relatable if you; 1) shop or have been in IKEA on a regular basis, or 2) are in the acting field, so you can relate to some conversations and jokes. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Illeana Douglas in ‘Stir of Echos’, but it’s just that she seems nervous and has a very forced way of speaking. This causes me not to be able to listen to her for long periods of time. Which possibly hinders my openness to enjoying this series.
Tend to get tensed up when shows are rushed or forced. That’s why I am more open when the shows pace is smooth and better timed. The following are examples of such…
Safety Geeks: SVI, has amazing digital effects and a superb cast. Extremely creative cast and crew. The actors all are professional and spot on funny.
Web Series 2 watch scale: 3
It might be just my personal taste in comedies that makes me not like these two. Something lacks in the creativity and comedy when actors portray themselves. When they are “themselves”, the viewers (me) can’t get into the fictional side of the story. It’s like the writer said, instead of taking some time and create a fictional back story and a deep character…. Just use me and make it wacky. No effort.
Final comments on these two:
With the ‘Between Two Ferns’, seriously felt disgusted. I even watch some of Zachs other works, and is pretty much the same. Extremely dark to the point of not knowing if or when to laugh…
The ‘Easy to Assemble’ is funny to a point, but I feel no emotion from any character. The pace is forced and rush dialog. Sure both these series have well known actors who play themselves. Just not finding these noms worthy… Just my opinion.
Next week will be The Guild and Legend of Neil.
Following week will be Wainy Days…
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