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mathematic

(1,610 posts)

164. I think that's only true of Family Guy

Tue Dec 31, 2013, 12:48 PM

Dec 2013

Stan from American Dad isn't an idiot, he's blinded by ideology. He's usually portrayed as competent and stories are driven by him becoming less clueless as his "real life" contradicts his ideology (like when the gay neighbors moved in). If you're including smaller, supporting characters, the stoner boyfriend is an idiot but his purpose is as a foil to Stan.

Cleveland from The Cleveland Show is a bit of a mixed bag. I don't think the writers on that show ever settled on any characterization for any of the characters. Cleveland is capable, reasonable, and "boring". The comedy was supposed to come from his family not respecting him because of his dullness. It didn't. So the writers tried all sorts of things to make The Cleveland Show funny. They pretty much cycled through every sitcom trope. None of it worked.

This was just a bit of an aside. I do agree with you that this type of character has been increasing in its acceptability since at least the 90s. So much so that established characterizations will occasionally get suspended to do an easy/lazy story where "dad is an idiot". Hey, 20+ episodes a year can be tough to fill.

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Why are almost all TV comedy "idiots, buffoons and dumbasses" male? [View all] Bennyboy Dec 2013 OP

Which is why no one ever takes men seriously, right? nt MrScorpio Dec 2013 #1

Let's go back to the 50s, when men could joke about punching their wives shenmue Dec 2013 #2

Ralph and Norton were also portrayed as fools jmowreader Dec 2013 #32

If men are portrayed as generally stupid then they can get away with doing stupid things. Whisp Dec 2013 #53

that's exactly what I was thinking. Stupid (and usually very physically unfit) becomes the norm. Voice for Peace Dec 2013 #57

Approach this from a different angle jmowreader Dec 2013 #59

Because women do the shopping. Atman Dec 2013 #153

also the portrayal of smart attractive women who for some reason love them, Voice for Peace Dec 2013 #60

messages are pretty clear... Whisp Dec 2013 #81

King of Queens falls into that model oberliner Dec 2013 #140

I don't know...IMO Linus was the smartest one. Wise even lunamagica Dec 2013 #77

I think Marcie is likable caraher Dec 2013 #86

Oh, yeah, forgot about them. They were added later, right? lunamagica Dec 2013 #100

I guess I'm just young enough that they were always part of the crew in my mind caraher Dec 2013 #129

Linus was pretty gullible oberliner Dec 2013 #138

didnt dezi actually spank lucy in one ep. she was the chikd in the relationship Liberal_in_LA Dec 2013 #72

There have, over he years, been... 3catwoman3 Dec 2013 #83

Many times. It was a recurring bit. Squinch Dec 2013 #110

This thread isn't even about that. Vashta Nerada Dec 2013 #95

Actually, it isn't unrelated. That was once considered funny. As was Desi spanking Lucy. Squinch Dec 2013 #151

Why indeed? Starry Messenger Dec 2013 #3

That is a Good Demonstration On the Road Dec 2013 #18

Maybe it started pipi_k Dec 2013 #39

exactly. Whether male or female it is their humanity that makes comedy. liberal_at_heart Dec 2013 #62

So the male viewers can feel superior to them? PassingFair Dec 2013 #139

That's another thing! Squinch Dec 2013 #145

Yeah that NEVER Goes the other way...... Bennyboy Dec 2013 #152

But they are still written so the rest of us can feel superior to them. Squinch Dec 2013 #154

There is that bloom Dec 2013 #176

When women write the comedy it often goes the other way redqueen Dec 2013 #31

OMG Kali Dec 2013 #88

Isn't she great? redqueen Dec 2013 #102

OMG, I love that. Starry Messenger Dec 2013 #93

I'm glad you found out more about her! redqueen Dec 2013 #103

I think you will appreciate it. Starry Messenger Dec 2013 #106

Probably a lot of truth in that. lumberjack_jeff Dec 2013 #55

This message was self-deleted by its author Squinch Dec 2013 #111

White males dominate NFL tight end positions. Eleanors38 Dec 2013 #156

First off, it's easy to make a list of women's roles on the dizt list for the same reason men are on Bluenorthwest Dec 2013 #4

Thread's over, and the OP utterly destroyed alcibiades_mystery Dec 2013 #7

I don't think "Ditz" is the equivalent Bennyboy Dec 2013 #22

Don Knotts had the best part, an Emmy every year for Don. Bluenorthwest Dec 2013 #43

Yeah it seems that female writers Bennyboy Dec 2013 #84

Good point... pipi_k Dec 2013 #48

I think you've got George Burns and Gracie Allen totally wrong. Shrike47 Dec 2013 #5

Gracie was pure genius. George was not bad himself. Bluenorthwest Dec 2013 #9

Uh, oh... pipi_k Dec 2013 #49

Yeah thinking of another team there... Bennyboy Dec 2013 #68

No one with a decent advocacy group would let it pass... Lost_Count Dec 2013 #6

Corporate media cares about one thing, keeping your butt glued to your couch Taitertots Dec 2013 #8

Your portrayal of George Burns/Gracie Allen's routines is completely wrong. FSogol Dec 2013 #10

Men are just better at conspicuous stupidity pscot Dec 2013 #11

Present company included? FSogol Dec 2013 #12

I certainly don't exempt myself. pscot Dec 2013 #14

Perhaps because men, primarily, Shankapotomus Dec 2013 #13

Guess you don't watch TV much. former9thward Dec 2013 #28

No, research backs this up. redqueen Dec 2013 #34

Well this research disagrees. former9thward Dec 2013 #40

Wow, that's bad. redqueen Dec 2013 #45

Its not better data. former9thward Dec 2013 #67

Wouldn't that leave 59-57% of roles to males? Isn't that "most"? Scootaloo Dec 2013 #127

No kidding. That's what I was thinking. nt laundry_queen Dec 2013 #136

I'm loving the sound of crickets Scootaloo Dec 2013 #137

Not everyone waits breathlessly by the computer for a reply. former9thward Dec 2013 #158

So the goal is whatever arbitrary number happens to support your premise Scootaloo Dec 2013 #161

Every single sentence of yours was arbitrary. former9thward Dec 2013 #163

Maybe you have a non-standard definition of "arbitrary" mathematic Dec 2013 #167

Yes, you are correct. former9thward Dec 2013 #168

Whatever the stats Shankapotomus Dec 2013 #74

Not sure what you mean. former9thward Dec 2013 #85

This is not a man I don't think?? mstinamotorcity2 Dec 2013 #15

They're 2-legged pigs at heart, and they like it that way. DinahMoeHum Dec 2013 #16

A rather apt illustration of the divisiveness through disingenuity being discussed, one might think. LanternWaste Dec 2013 #17

Because that is the stereotype their demographics show men want to see? Rex Dec 2013 #19

Surely you can't be serious. nt rrneck Dec 2013 #47

He is, and don't call him Shirley. (Hey, somebody had to say it!) 11 Bravo Dec 2013 #56

aww man, I wanted to say it first... SummerSnow Dec 2013 #101

Yeah. It never seems to work when you pick comedy apart to try and see why Squinch Dec 2013 #113

I doubt Chevy Chase fell down the stairs to make journeyman bumbler. Rex Dec 2013 #117

Me too. I agree. I just never before wondered why it was funny. Squinch Dec 2013 #119

Me either, it made me laugh. Therefore it was funny. Rex Dec 2013 #171

Why is it funny when a man wears a dress but not when a woman wears trousers? cheyanne Dec 2013 #20

I think the main reason pipi_k Dec 2013 #58

Exactly so. +++ bloom Dec 2013 #177

I have bigger fish to fry Capt. Obvious Dec 2013 #21

Something else - why are there no commercials for chainsaws featuring women!? Rex Dec 2013 #25

Or women drinking crappy beer? Capt. Obvious Dec 2013 #27

Yes! There are like a zillion brands of crappy beer! Rex Dec 2013 #29

Have you seen the Tide Mr. Mom spots? jmowreader Dec 2013 #36

This is JUST beginning to change. I've seen four or five commercials lately Squinch Dec 2013 #114

Phoebe from Friends? NoOneMan Dec 2013 #23

Melissa McCarthy does a lot of slapstick comedy. She's funny. liberal_at_heart Dec 2013 #66

Becouse you have to have a "Fool" in the context of Comedy.... Steerpike Dec 2013 #24

Should have thought this one through a little more. NCTraveler Dec 2013 #26

What do you think is wrong with it? I think it is an interesting question. Squinch Dec 2013 #115

except for the "gotcha, you dumb son of a bitch" posts Bennyboy Dec 2013 #141

I had never considered the question before. Squinch Dec 2013 #143

It is innaccurate at face value. NCTraveler Dec 2013 #159

Sigh. Squinch Dec 2013 #173

It's called catching up... snooper2 Dec 2013 #30

Because there are more men than women in sufrommich Dec 2013 #33

Because it's a cliche and perceived as funny. Dash87 Dec 2013 #35

I disagree on a small part pipi_k Dec 2013 #37

Why are almost all "idiots, buffoons and dumbasses" male? Coyotl Dec 2013 #38

You know, I read it that way at first. Rex Dec 2013 #52

I should add, I'm not trying to fuel the gender wars, but Coyotl Dec 2013 #73

Sexism... hughee99 Dec 2013 #41

Don't be hating on Reverend Jim. lumberjack_jeff Dec 2013 #42

I don't know about you... bonzaga Dec 2013 #44

You're right, women should be getting these roles too! Tina Fey had a lot to say about bettyellen Dec 2013 #46

BUT, on 30 Rock the Buffoon was Kenneth... Bennyboy Dec 2013 #169

I think Alec Baldwin is a Buffon too... And Jane K... bettyellen Dec 2013 #178

'Tis not always thus. Brigid Dec 2013 #50

The fool cannot carry a show.... Bennyboy Dec 2013 #97

I think this discussion can't be had rrneck Dec 2013 #51

Interrupt this thread to bring you this ad...From the height of the housing bubble Jesus Malverde Dec 2013 #54

I think this has been successfully taken apart- but what about slapstick? el_bryanto Dec 2013 #61

I don't watch a lot of sitcom TV, but my impression is that male slapstick has petered out too. Squinch Dec 2013 #150

Turn off network tv JustAnotherGen Dec 2013 #63

Those are the choice parts in a comedy. LWolf Dec 2013 #64

Obviously it is an effort by the liberal Hollywood elites to emasculate the American male in full Douglas Carpenter Dec 2013 #65

Ah! Of course! A conspiracy! How did we miss that? Squinch Dec 2013 #118

Oldest rule of comedy: Punch up. nolabear Dec 2013 #69

yes, same reason it's considered hilarious for males to dress as females but not the reverse Liberal_in_LA Dec 2013 #71

I don't think that's where the humor lies. It's not mocking, it's overblown caricature. nolabear Dec 2013 #90

I never understood why that, in itself, is considered funny. n/t hughee99 Dec 2013 #92

This is it treestar Dec 2013 #112

I think so too. Squinch Dec 2013 #122

hey, jim ignatowski went to harvard! unblock Dec 2013 #70

TV Tropes has the answer mathematic Dec 2013 #75

Yes, I remember the sit-com dads from my youth... Blue_In_AK Dec 2013 #94

Maybe you could ask the writers gaspee Dec 2013 #76

Superman? Harry Potter? Tom Sawyer? Sherlock Holmes? King Arthur? Jesus? Bugs Bunny? Happyhippychick Dec 2013 #78

I'm not sure I'm reading the responses to this thread right... Shandris Dec 2013 #79

What is your explanation for it? Squinch Dec 2013 #120

I don't have one. Shandris Dec 2013 #125

I thought the question posed was a very interesting one. Squinch Dec 2013 #132

I agree. Shandris Dec 2013 #175

Simple answer ...sexism is rampant especially on televison sitcoms etherealtruth Dec 2013 #80

Because it sells a lot of beer and cheetos to the "idiots, buffoons and dumbasses" that watch them. Tierra_y_Libertad Dec 2013 #82

All sitcoms use basically the same formula of Lummox, clueless ingenue, long suffering Mama Warpy Dec 2013 #87

Because there is a much larger feild of idiots, buffoons and doc03 Dec 2013 #89

Humor? (P.S. You've never heard of the Ditzy Blonde? Or the Unattractive Secretary? The Nasty WinkyDink Dec 2013 #91

Mike Brady from "The Brady Bunch" is a counterexample. Nye Bevan Dec 2013 #96

And he was seriously un-funny. Squinch Dec 2013 #121

except in the movie: Nye Bevan Dec 2013 #124

True. And HE had a truly great wardrobe. And hair. Squinch Dec 2013 #133

Until they got their variety show oberliner Dec 2013 #142

This goes all the way back to the stone age. Zorra Dec 2013 #98

Substitute 'black people' for men in many of these responses - maced666 Dec 2013 #99

I don't think anyone is broadbrushing. I think the OP is asking why this situation exists, and Squinch Dec 2013 #123

I know why I find it funny..... Bennyboy Dec 2013 #144

I haven't seen MOM but I do love Allison Janney. Squinch Dec 2013 #146

You gotta watch it. Bennyboy Dec 2013 #155

Penny on Big Bang is the dumb blonde. PeteSelman Dec 2013 #104

Well you know, I think Penny Bennyboy Dec 2013 #147

But Penny's social awareness makes her the "straight man" of the show ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2013 #180

Rose was an innocent, not an idiot. There's a difference. WillowTree Dec 2013 #105

Sophia and Dorothy called her "idiot" all the time on the show. Romulox Dec 2013 #148

I don't know, it's the one category where men truly are superior to women? notadmblnd Dec 2013 #107

I think Edith trumped Archie on AITF ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2013 #182

Not on SNL, and various spinoffs like 30 Rock and Parks and Recreation kwassa Dec 2013 #108

I don't know. Why is almost all of the congress male? When can we get a lady president? LeftyMom Dec 2013 #109

"Art" and social constructs can lead the way bloom Dec 2013 #179

This is a reason why I like Bob's Burgers and Jamaal510 Dec 2013 #116

Seriously? Men are the "real victims"? VanillaRhapsody Dec 2013 #126

Type casting. Egalitarian Thug Dec 2013 #128

Don't forget.. sendero Dec 2013 #130

'Cause us dudes just can't catch a break. Iggo Dec 2013 #131

The "male idiot" character seems even more prevelant today oberliner Dec 2013 #134

And Will Ferrell has made a career of it too. Squinch Dec 2013 #135

I think that's only true of Family Guy mathematic Dec 2013 #164

Maybe so oberliner Dec 2013 #172

Molly on Mike & Molly is no Einstein! 2 Broke Girls B Calm Dec 2013 #149

It's safe. Eleanors38 Dec 2013 #157

Penny On "Big Bang Theory" erpowers Dec 2013 #160

Penny is just not book smart.... ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2013 #181

Jethro Bodine..... Bennyboy Dec 2013 #162

Because most TV protagonists are male? Tom Ripley Dec 2013 #165

like everything else in Uhhhhmerican comedy FatBuddy Dec 2013 #166

This trope is also a stupid gimmick to explain the product or how well it works. It's like 'amnesia' Dash87 Dec 2013 #170

Because Misrule. n/t Orsino Dec 2013 #174