Weekend Small Talk: The Decade's Funniest
Another week or 30 Rock, another very good episode. The show is quickly moving up the list of my favorite comedies this decade which made me think: What are the funniest shows/films of the decade? And what do you know, it happened to be Friday and time for me to babble a bit about a potential subject for people to bring up in case they face a lull in a conversation this weekend.
So, what are my top 10 comedies of the decade?
First, a couple of Honorable Mentions. Little Miss Sunshine was perhaps the best written comedy of the year, with the way it balanced heartfelt emotion, tragedy, and humor. Still, I can't say it's one of the funniest programs of the year. As for Family Guy, I just haven't watched it enough to put it on the list. I should also mention the Simpsons; I don't think I've even watched it this decade so I couldn't add it to the list.
10. The Office (British): I'm sure a lot of people would have this higher but I'm not a huge fan of awkward humor so it doesn't get past #10. It's too funny to leave off. I'm not a fan of the US Office (or at least, not a fan of the episodes I've seen). I don't know. I find most of the characters annoying in a not funny way on that show.
9. Old School: The film that really got the Apatow ball rolling is, not surprisingly, the best of the bunch. I considered putting 40 Year Old Virgin here but I think Old School still edges it out.
8. Curb Your Enthusiasm: Again, the awkward, uncomfortable humor isn't my favorite so this isn't higher but it's too funny to put any lower on the list. The situations that Larry David gets himself into are hilarious and usually surprising. Between this and Seinfeld, David has to considered one of the all-time greats when it comes to sit-coms.
7. Arrested Development: It took me a while to get into it but this is incredibly well-written and the jokes are layered to an extent that you never see on TV. And judging from the shows rating, we probably won't be seeing the likes of it any time soon. You think in the era of cable and multiple reruns that this kind of show would grow in popularity but the problem might have been that it aired on Fox instead of FX. Had it been on the cable station, there's a decent chance that it would still be on the air.
6. 30 Rock: Tina Fey's show is coming VERY close to taking over the #5 spot but the first season was uneven and this year has had some good but not great episodes. Still, it's consistently funny (if not hysterical) and is the funniest show on TV right now. Tracy is hilarious, Tina is a great comedic actress (who'd be an A-list film star if she acted in more projects), and Alec Baldwin seems like he's been possessed by the ghost of Phil Hartman. From top to bottom, a great show.
5. Pineapple Express: Now we have a conversation. I get that I liked this film more than others but I think it is an almost perfect send-up of the modern action movie. If you tuned in to a stoner film, I can see why you thought the final 30 minutes were completely out of the blue but, as an action parody, it fit perfectly. Action films always have a little bit of violence and then some huge gratutious over-the-top finale. And I'm sorry but if Craig Robinson isn't able to completely steal the spotlight then you are probably doing something right. He's a comedic lithmus test.
4. Jackass: The Movie: Really? Yeah. It's basic but good god, I haven't laughed that much in a theater... ever? The film is jam-packed with great material. Jackass 2? Not so much. But the original Jackass movie has to be on my list.
3. South Park: One year stands between #3 and #1. Had the South Park movie come out in 2000 rather than 1999, I'd put the South Park kids at #1. However, since 2000, I just haven't watched South Park as much and while it is funny, I don't think it's as good as the initial seasons. Still, it's one of the funniest shows of the decade so let's not act like the bronze is a diss.
2. Chappelle's Show: Putting Chappelle's Show here is kind of like putting Nirvana over Pearl Jam. It was a short lived high, had some missteps but, in the end, the influence is too much to ignore. People are still quoting this show and if Dave ever came back with a new program, I have no doubt that it would premiere to some ridiculous ratings.
1. Anchorman: Quotables. Rewatchability. Arguably the best utilization of Jack Black's manic energy. This film has it all. This film is probably high on my All-Time funniest list so it definitely gets a spot at the top for this decade.
So what say you? Comedy is subjective so rather than just focusing on what you disagree with, throw up your own lists or suggestions of shows/films I should check out or rewatch to better appreciate them.
