[Roddimus]

Originally posted by 5InchTaint
The fact that you worked on "Blue Collar Comedy" and "MADtv", if my inference was indeed true, I don't think I like you's no more. I got respect for your "Mr. Show"s; no disrespect meant or nothing, but the other stuff....I mean....it's like you learned to wipe your ass before you knew how to shit. Ya know what I mean? C'mon.

I admit I don't know you Taint, but something tells me you haven't tried to seriously commit to a career as a comedy writer.
Until you have, ess tee eff you.

[agent_PUNT]

Originally posted by 5InchTaint
The fact that you worked on "Blue Collar Comedy" and "MADtv", if my inference was indeed true, I don't think I like you's no more. I got respect for your "Mr. Show"s; no disrespect meant or nothing, but the other stuff....I mean....it's like you learned to wipe your ass before you knew how to shit. Ya know what I mean? C'mon.

Are you kidding me?!

The only reason there is a BUTM website is because of this man.

And jesus christ, if I got offered a job writing for a nationally televised show I wouldn't pass it up. UNLESS I was already in a spot in my career where I could financially call my own shots. and no offense to mikey, who i adore, but i doubt Mr. Show made him a millionaire or any real main stream credibility.

Anyways Taint, when SNL comes calling for you to work for them, I'm sure you'll pass it up.

I know i wouldn't.

[5InchTaint]

I'd write a sitcom for Satan, Hitler, and Jim Belushi if there was a paycheck in it but I'd also realize that doing so would open me up to insults and scorn from know nothing internet losers, such as myself. I was half kidding when I wrote that but Mr. Upchurch sure did work on some shitty jobs after Mr. Show. I'm not fond of sycophancy and he did write for the two shows that are universally hated here. I do like Powerloafing and the shorts he did so maybe he helped make those shows better.

[Roddimus]

Originally posted by 5InchTaint
I'd write a sitcom for Satan, Hitler, and Jim Belushi if there was a paycheck in it but I'd also realize that doing so would open me up to insults and scorn from know nothing internet losers, such as myself.

I think Upchurch realizes this, but unlike you, he probably doesn't care.
The fact that, despite working full time on those shows, he still manages to crank out something as top notch at Powerloafing for, lessee, oh yeah, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING should be enough to shut the mouths of those know nothing internet losers.
Apparently not tho.

[5InchTaint]

It's real sweet that you want to defend your boyfriend but I think he can handle himself. So shut your fucking trap.

[Roddimus]

You're quite the badass Taint.

[Upskii]

This is exciting. As an unknown comedy writer with no power in the industry, I think it's wonderful that people are actually arguing about whether I've sold out.

I hope I can give some perspective to the comedy writers here without depressing anyone. The fact is, if you want to be a professional comedy writer, you won't always be able to work on a show of the caliber of Mr. Show. Consider that there only about 6 actual jobs, good or bad, at any given moment - whether they're hiring or not - and you'll understand the stark situation sketch writers face.

I forgot to be born into a wealthy family, so I've had to take jobs just to get by on occasion. I'm actually a very picky writer compared to most, which causes my agent untold aggravation. When I have money in the bank I won't take a job that I don't like. After I worked on George Lopez my bank account was pumped up, and I turned down everything for a year and half, bought a camera, and worked on my own stuff. I wish I had the luxury to do that all the time.

I do have a rule for any job I take: no matter what I will only pitch stuff that I think is funny. I don't think I could say to myself, "Well, this is a crappy show, so let me dish up some crap for them." I wouldn't know how to do that. I always try to write for the show I think it could be, not the show that it is. I didn't last long at Mad, but I stand by everything I pitched and wrote. Same goes with Blue Collar. (BTW: I believe there are 3 or 4 former Mr. Show writers with Mad TV on their resumes, and none of them lasted very long either. There are some really talented writers on their staff currently, but for some reason the show mostly blows. Patton made some good observations about how both Mr. Show and Mad had equally talented writers, but somehow the quality to crap ratio was completely inverted between the two shows.)

I don't think working on a sub-standard TV show is the equivalent of working for a baby raping factory, but I understand the distain hard core comedy fans have for some shows, and how it can spread to the writers. If you knew all of the super talented comedy writers that I know who are unemployed or working day jobs, you probably wouldn't consider my recent employment as a fall from grace. It actually saved my ass, but beyond that it was a good job. Consider this: I got to work with writers from SCTV, and the Kids in the Hall who I greatly respect, I was paid several thousand dollars per week, (yes per WEEK.) I also got to work within rural themes and redneck humor, which had never done before, so it was a challenge. And the fridge was loaded with ding dongs!

Anyway, Taint, I don't know why you listed Satan, Hitler, and Jim Belushi in that order. If I were making the list, Belushi would be right in the middle.

m

[creator of AM]

Originally posted by Upskii
BTW: I believe there are 3 or 4 former Mr. Show writers with Mad TV on their resumes, and none of them lasted very long either. There are some really talented writers on their staff currently, but for some reason the show mostly blows. Patton made some good observations about how both Mr. Show and Mad had equally talented writers, but somehow the quality to crap ratio was completely inverted between the two shows.

Perhaps the greatest distance in quality between the two shows can be attributed to censorship and what can and can NOT be said/done that might offend. Part of the beauty that is Mr Show is that it barred no holds and the actors were really into it and HBO seemed to embrace the zainyness. The MAD actors, particularly the regulars, I think have their own ideas about the show and how it should be written. At least that's how it seemed the three times I ever watched it (and only for the musical guests, mind you). Anyway, what are your thoughts on how censorship limits the writing/creativity that could make a show great? Also, do you think if Mr Show was aired on FOX (same people, actors, writers, etc) if it would be the same disgrace that is MAD?

[5InchTaint]

Originally posted by Upskii
Anyway, Taint, I don't know why you listed Satan, Hitler, and Jim Belushi in that order. If I were making the list, Belushi would be right in the middle.

I listed them in ascending order of despicability.

[CptPlanet]

mike do you like ali g? (the show not the dumbass movie)

(i never watched the ali g movie was it any good?

[Upskii]

Originally posted by creator of AM
Perhaps the greatest distance in quality between the two shows can be attributed to censorship and what can and can NOT be said/done that might offend. Part of the beauty that is Mr Show is that it barred no holds and the actors were really into it and HBO seemed to embrace the zainyness. Anyway, what are your thoughts on how censorship limits the writing/creativity that could make a show great? Also, do you think if Mr Show was aired on FOX (same people, actors, writers, etc) if it would be the same disgrace that is MAD?

If you put Mad on HBO it would still suck, possibly even more, and if you put Mr. Show on Fox it would still be really good. The reason Mr. Show was so great was because Bob and David, and Dino, had vision. However, in the unlikely scenario that a network would even let Bob and David be the stars and producers of a show, it definitely could go wrong in many, many ways.

The chief obstacles wouldn’t be softening or censoring, but plain old dumbing down, plus incessant meddling of every kind. On any network (except HBO) Bob and David would be faced with at least a dozen executives vetting every sketch, none of whom had ever previously written a joke in their lives. They would probably argue against the pre-taped call in show, “too hard to follow” or Drugachusettes “younger viewers wouldn’t get it,” and so on. Bob and David would be clever in getting around stuff through subterfuge, like decoy sketches (inserting something you know will be killed, so the thing you want in slips by unnoticed), or flat ignoring specific comments until an exec tires out, and, as a last resort, arguing for stuff they really want in the show. Aside from arbitrary and capricious cuts, there would be endless notes on “where the show needs to go…” The “edgyness” would be debated endlessly, with everyone on record as being for more of it, and with each exec pointing to their favorite sketch as an example of the right direction. Memos shat out by execs and typed and cc’d by their assistants would arrive daily. The execs would be savaged in the writer’s room, and the memos would be read aloud with unflattering impressions, and a well-earned deep-seated resentment would grow towards the execs.

At some point late in season one, either Bob or David, could be either, would come in for a round of notes tired and short-tempered, and some well-rested exec who just got a massage and ass waxing, will launch into another long philosophical argument about the nature of comedy. This will unleash a startling and fully deserved hurricane of verbal abuse from bob/david, and whoever had the most sleep the night before would try to mitigate the situation but end up joining in the vitriol. They would both be branded as “difficult” and be fired. Then, finally, the show could be taken in that new direction all the execs were arguing for: Dino would be replaced with Bruce Vilanch, hot newcomer Jim Fallon would be brought in as the new Bob, and SNL veteran Melanie Hudsell would step into David’s shoes, and the show would be renamed “Mr. and Mrs. Show.”

Originally posted by 5InchTaint
I listed them in ascending order of despicability.

My point exactly: What on Hitler’s resume justifies putting him ahead of The Belush? Have you seen the K-9 series?

[ME!!!!]

Ascending...1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6...

[CptPlanet]

Mike I think you just almost wrote a sketch.

[Upskii]

I just remembered the definition of "ascending." You got it right Taint, the evil all flows upward to the Belush, and he gets his orders from Satan, via Hitler.

Originally posted by CptPlanet
mike do you like ali g? (the show not the dumbass movie)
(i never watched the ali g movie was it any good?

Didn't see the dumass movie either. I like the show, and I've seen most of the episodes. I like that he concentrates on being funny, and the whole thing isn't just an excuse for him to be mean to unsuspecting strangers, ala Tom Green. So many prank shows make me sad for the human condition, and I end up staring at my hands contemplating all the suffering in the world as I softly weep - which is probably not the reaction they're going for.

Originally posted by CptPlanet
Mike I think you just almost wrote a sketch.

I don't know how you could comically exaggerate the network system for a sketch, since it's already off-the-scale absurd. I caught a reality show called "sit-com" produced and hosted by Sean Hayes. If you want to see what's wrong with the network development system, this show puts it all on display. Remember the network people in Run Ronnie Run? Worse than that.

[CptPlanet]

Say what you want about network people, they've ok'd five glorious seasons of "Yes, Dear" and that makes them cool in my book!