BuzzSugar

Do You Prefer TV Sitcoms or Dramas?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Is the TV sitcom dying? USA Today printed an interesting story recently pointing out that there are only half as many half-hour sitcoms on TV today as there were five years ago. I know I've certainly turned more to dramas and hour-long "dramedies" such as "Ugly Betty" than to the traditional half-hour sitcom. All of this makes me wonder: When you turn on the TV, would you rather watch a sitcom or a drama?

Recast "The Cosby Show"!

BuzzSugar — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:02:25 -0800

Every Wednesday on BuzzSugar, I post a Recast challenge, where I'll ask you to choose new actors for a classic TV show or movie. This week, I've decided to tackle a sitcom that many of us grew up watching obsessively: "The Cosby Show."

This series, which debuted in 1984, introduced a multitude of characters over its 8-year run: Cockroach, baby Olivia, cousin Pam, and on and on. But let's just recast the original core members of the Huxtable family, from Bill Cosby's classic grumpy Cliff all the way down to spunky (and slightly annoying) Rudy.

Leave your entry us in the comment section below, and I'll pick one winner to feature next Tuesday, March 7, complete with a "new" cast photo.

Characters to recast:
Dr. Cliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby)
Clair Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad)
Sondra (Sabrina Le Beauf)
Denise (Lisa Bonet)
Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner)
Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe)
Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam)

Joel McHale and Ken Jeong Share Details About Community!

BuzzSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:00:29 -0800

Community is one of those shows where you know the cast has an awesome time together. So I wasn't all that surprised to hear stars Joel McHale (Jeff) and Ken Jeong (Senor Chang) fawn over one another when they recently sat down with reporters. I've been waiting to see these two cement their friendship on-screen too, and it sounds like I'll get my wish tonight. Both actors shared a few tidbits from the episode, plus thoughts on Chevy Chase, the possible Jeff and Annie romance, and their mutual admiration.

Joel on Jeff and Annie's kiss last week: I haven't seen any scripts where it'll be revisited, because I'll probably be arrested, but believe me it was good times. I mean it's Alison Brie from Mad Men!
Joel on Jeff's relationship with Britta: His first initial reaction was, hey there's a really hot chick. And she has like an endless, you know, she has all the denim jackets that you can find. And so I think that was his first reaction. And then at the complete rejection of him he was like, ah, a challenge. And then as he got to know her, she was so much more than he expected, which was she was a totally grounded cool person...So that intrigued him, and she really is I think the moral compass of the show.

To hear more from Joel and Ken, including what's in store for this week's episode, read more.

Ken on Senor Chang's constant power trip: There is something to be said about being in a room where you have students hanging on every word. And it's definitely, as a teacher I think it's an ego rush, you know. You're definitely feeding off of that. It's really the only time in life you get to have a room where people are hanging on your every word and learning from it, and you have a power to influence.
Ken on tonight's episode: You really get to see why Senor Chang has the chip on his shoulder that he does. And some of that involves love and some of that involves friendship, and you really get to see more of the back story of Chang...And it's the relationship with Joel. Joel is really the guy that sees how [Chang's] character comes to be, and why he's developed all these traits along the way.
Joel on working with Chevy Chase: It's like working with Nolan Ryan. He's older than everybody, he's got the best stories. He has worked way more than any of us, but he still throws it harder than any of us...We have a lot to learn from that guy and it's so weird to be walking around with this kind of icon and legend that, you know, you grew up with.
Joel on Ken: Ken he will invent comedy where there is not comedy. He creates it...He's a damn good performer and you pray to God you get him in your movie or your TV show because it's like having a secret weapon.
Ken on Joel: I'm amazed at how Joel handles everything. He's always just grace under pressure this guy, because we'll be working, you know, on a Wednesday or middle of the week, and then he's got to do the Soup or another show and it's just how he switches gears is effortless. I just marvel at that. I'm like dude, how do you do it?
Ken on Community hitting its stride: I think that my wife has a good theory about sitcoms...They're like fine wine, you give them a little bit of time, and they just keep tasting better and better......The audience gets more familiar with the characters, the writers get more familiar characters, and so do the actors.

Do you like the theory that comedies get better with time? I think Community has gradually improved week after week, don't you agree? (Don't forget to watch tonight!)

Seth Rogen Talks Monsters, Aliens, and Halloween

BuzzSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:30:00 -0700

Tonight, NBC is airing a Halloween-themed follow up to last Summer's animated hit Monsters Vs. Aliens, Monsters Vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins From Outer Space. Seth Rogen, who voices the gelatinous jokester B.O.B. in the half-hour special, chatted on the phone with a few reporters about reprising his role. He talked animated films, Halloween, and even a little bit of the upcoming adaptation of The Green Hornet that he's currently filming with Michel Gondry.

On why he enjoys voicing B.O.B.: I enjoy it because, I mean, this is the stupidest answer - I enjoy it because it's fun. The character is funny and the directors are cool and the story is funny; to me it's like a very fun format to kind of improvise, and try to discover a character in a different way than physically doing it, you know. You've got to do it all with your voice, and I really enjoy that.
On dressing up for Halloween: I have a girlfriend now and I've entered the unfortunate world of paired costuming. It's not fun. I don’t recommend it. I always end up being the lamer half - it's like she's a dog and I'm a fire hydrant or something like that. It's never fun. So maybe I'm dodging a bullet this year.

To hear what Rogen said about The Green Hornet and what he loves about Halloween TV, just read more.

On his Halloween TV faves: I always liked The Simpsons' Halloween specials, personally. They were always amazing. I always looked forward to that on Halloween. And I watched TGIF sitcoms growing up because I was a nerd and had nothing to do on Friday nights, and whenever the sitcoms would do their Halloween episode, I always enjoyed that for some reason. That always spawned some good comedy.
On the pressure of making The Green Hornet: I will blame Gondry if it sucks. No, I'm just joking. No, we are all in it, you know. I will say, I take a huge amount of the pressure. I understand that. I understand that. I understand that it's my face on it, you know, when it literally comes out even if it sucks for another reason, people will blame me and that's why I have to be so involved - to try to make sure that it doesn't suck. But there's a lot of pressure. I understand that. I've been talking about this movie for years, and if it sucks, then no one will be more disappointed than me, believe me.
On improvising as a voice actor: You can actually improvise a lot as a voice actor. I mean, real people I think don't - and I didn't - understand how animation works really. The time consuming part is really creating the characters and the sets and the worlds. And aside from that it's not that entirely different than shooting a live action movie; the characters mouths are quite easy to manipulate once all the information is built into the computer. So you can improvise a lot and it doesn't matter really how far along they are in the process; they can just make the character say something different. Almost more than in a live action movie because of how slow the process is.
On whether he'll do more voice acting in the future: I really enjoy it and I mean, I've always been a fan of animation - yes, I would like to.

Rob Corddry Scores Deal With Warner Bros. For His Own Show

BuzzSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:30:01 -0700

Rob Corddry, one of my favorite comedic actors who's usually relegated to bit parts in movies, has struck a deal with Warner Bros. to get his own sitcom.

Corddry will create, executive produce and star in the TV show, which he describes as an "unconventional family comedy" set in a "weird world that doesn't run by an exact rule."

The comedian got his start on The Daily Show and has made movies like What Happens in Vegas watchable. Though he has tried his hand at sitcoms before (the short-lived "The Winner" in 2007), I hope this idea sticks - my primetime lineup could always use some more funny.

Matthew Perry Is Still There For You

BuzzSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:30:29 -0700

Matt LeBlanc isn't the only Friend who's heading back to TV - his former on-screen roommate Matthew Perry has a new sitcom of his own in the works.

The comedy revolves around a narcissistic manager of a sports arena who starts rethinking his life plan when he turns 40. (Is it just me or does this sound like it may have been inspired by Perry's most recent movie, 17 Again?) Clearly this is a pet project of Perry's: he's set to star in, co-write, and executive produce the single-camera comedy, which will be produced by Sony Pictures TV.

After Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip was canceled, I was sad that Perry disappeared for a while. I think he shines the brightest on the small screen, even if his new character doesn't sound as much fun as my favorite friend Chandler Bing. Are you excited about this news?

If you're a Friends fanatic, check out the community group dedicated to the show!

Matt LeBlanc Returns to TV as Matt LeBlanc

BuzzSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:30:32 -0700

Matt LeBlanc's career hasn't exactly been blossoming since his days as Joey Tribbiani, but Friends fans will be happy to know that he's returning to the small screen on a new Showtime comedy called Episodes. The show focuses on a British couple who find their successful show in the UK adapted into a "dumbed-down" American sitcom starring LeBlanc, which means he'll be playing himself on the show.

With popular BBC shows like The Office and Skins adapted for American audiences, the premise for Episodes is timely and sounds like it has the potential to be pretty funny. Plus, LeBlanc poking fun at himself just might be gold - are you excited to welcome him back to TV?

The Ladies of Mad Men Score New Roles

BuzzSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:30:24 -0700

We're halfway through the third season of Mad Men, and the actors have already finished up shooting for the time being, which means there's some free time in their schedules for new projects. In fact, we've already seen some of their pretty faces popping up on other Fall TV! From sitcoms to big time movie roles, the ladies of Sterling Cooper have scored some serious accounts lately. Check out where we can expect to see these women slipping out of their '60s business dresses and into something a little more modern.

Photos courtesy of AMC and Getty

View Slideshow ›

What Happens After SNL? Jim Breuer's Sitcom Will Tell You

BuzzSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:30:44 -0700

Post-Saturday Night Live, some people go on and have a wildly successful career (Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler) . . . but plenty more just kind of seem to fade away. Sometimes the fade is inexplicable because the star was so popular while on the show (Chris Kattan, Cheri Oteri). I've always wondered what happens in that post show world, and a new show is about to divulge exactly that: Jim Breuer has just scored a deal with NBC for a sitcom that will focus on his life after his stint on SNL.

Breuer - whose goat character I liked but whose performance in Half Baked is really why I have a soft spot for him - apparently spent the years after the show raising his three daughters and taking care of his elderly parents. The show will focus on that, and the humor therein (a relief: I don't know how many sad goat-boy stand-ups I could take).

Would you watch this show? I'm intrigued, I admit. And note to Michaela Watkins and Casey Wilson: buck up! Maybe one day NBC will have a sitcom deal for you too.

ABC Brings TV Show From the Writers of (500) Days of Summer

BuzzSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:30:26 -0700

What if the Friends loft and Central Perk were infiltrated by hipsters? We might find out soon, because ABC has just struck a deal to make a sitcom called Friends With Benefits from the writers of this Summer's indie rom-com (500) Days of Summer.

Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber have been given the green light to bring their show to TV, saying, "It's about a group of twenty-somethings at a point in their lives that everyone can relate to, when they ask questions like: 'Is this your girlfriend or someone you just hang out with? Is this a job, or is this a career?'"

It's a familiar concept, but a pretty timeless one - relationships can always be mined for fodder, and when you add young, good-looking actors, you have a recipe for potential success. It's not a far cry from (500) Days, which finds a new way to detail what happens when boy meets girl. I thought the movie was sweet despite its too-hip leanings, so I'd probably watch this. Oh, and the Wedding Crashers director is attached to shoot the pilot. Intrigued yet?

Photos courtesy Fox Searchlight and Getty