Splain this, LAGuy
So I watched The Middle the other day and really enjoyed it, as always--probably even more than usual. ColumbusGal remarked that it was the best episode in awhile.
Then I saw this blogger link to the episode for its college PC angle, which, needless to say, was prominent in the story line. He prints a large segment of the script.
Here's my question. I found the script quite a bit funnier than watching the episode. It's not that I didn't hear it or missed the jokes, and I had already enjoyed it as an exceptional episode. But reading the script is somehow a stronger experience. The episode, I enjoyed a lot. The script, I am in awe of.
So what's up with that, my screenwriter friend?
posted by ColumbusGuy @ 3:00 AM
3 Comments:
I can't say why you reacted that way, but I can suggest an answer.
I remember seeing my first sitcom scripts when I moved to LA--actual ones that had been performed and shown on television. Seeing them written down was impressive--the professionalism, the flow of constant, well-written jokes. (Even seeing a bad script written out was sort of impressive.) Like everyone else, I was used to watching TV, where everything simply happened, not thinking about what goes on behind it--seeing it all in print was a different experience that made you realize how hard it was to do and how well done it was. (Perhaps you can add to that the respect one has for the written word--something written down as opposed to something spoken seems more important and official.)
Plus whenever you read something, you can imagine it being done as well as possible. This is something that may apply more, though, to reading a piece before you've seen it performed--I've enjoyed reading many plays and then felt let down when I saw a performance.
Ironically, I didn’t think that much of the episode. I guess the drunk scene with the parents was a bit different, though it hit on themes they've been hitting hard this season.
But the Brick plot was tired and the Axl plot was so-so. The big thing about the show was Sue's story, but it didn't work for me at all. The tree hugger guy was a one-note joke that we already got last week (and one that was done earlier this season with the neighbor's son). I recognize Sue is changing, her world opening up, but for her to suddenly become angry, arrogant and self-righteous was a 180 from her character that I didn't buy.
Oddly enough, I can hear your last sentence in Brick's voice.
I need to catch up on my Middles. I'm only through Sue falls for guy consdering the priesthood. I do feel like the show is focusing more on Sue (which is good). I'll be disappointed if they are taking her in a dark direction.
The worst episodes for me are those focused on Frankie, when she does insane things. Perhaps they view her as a new Lucy, who was a champ at that type of screwball comedy. But I cringe when Frankie makes choices no one in their right mind could make. It's not as bad when Brik does some of these things, because he has been presented as strange from the beginning.
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