[Spoilers] Discussion: Season 10

[3ku11]

TBBT should have better continuity, or at least attempt. Because as writers if their is no continuity in the show. Whats the point? TBS did syndicate the show in 2010. It expanded the shows audience. Without TBS show would of not gone past 2010. TBBT don't seem to be winning tbh. Ratings are declining. Fans are tuning out. Show is on its last leg. 

Edited May 18, 2017 by 3ku11

[bfm]

7 hours ago, djsurrey said:

I like The Middle and it is the other sitcom I watch. The fan base is smaller than TBBT which means it appeals to fewer viewers. Doubt the TBBT are going to sacrifice what they focus on to ensure better continuity. They are winning doing it their way.

The shows differ in so much more ways. I don't think TBBT is popular because or partly because they care about continuty. I believe they can be as popular whilst keeping continuity.

 

BTW, remember the cow? LOL

Edited May 18, 2017 by bfm
BTW

[Carlos]

8 hours ago, bfm said:

"The Middle"'s writers should give them a seminar on continuity. These writers sometimes pick up stuff that viewers forget, it is awesome when that happens, I'm like "oh right!!! They still have to repaint that ridiculous cow statue!" and than I crack up also remembering what lead to that. These writers also care so much about their chatacters, they do character development but in a very organic way. It is a pleasure to see that and a pity that TBBT writers are not this way.

Exactly. Ultimately I believe we all judge a series because of what it means to each one of us individually. It also depends on how success is judged. The fact that ratings are higher doesn't necessarily mean a show is better, just that it appeals to more people. There could be an argument for saying that this is achieved by appealing to least common denominator, so...

At least for me, continuity has always been of paramount importance. When it's not adhered to it makes me feel cheated of the real story, as with contradicting canon it's difficult to know what part of the story to "believe". I sometimes wish TBBT wouldn't contort itself so much for the sake of a joke, because most of the times said jokes are not even particularly funny, TBH. 

[3ku11]

TBBT never had any real depth because of continuity or lack of. It means their is little phrasing. And very little pay off. Their was more continuity in the first season. But over the series the show has been known for bad continuity. Started for me in Caushion Saturation. When Penny shot Sheldons spot lol. And end of episode. Leonard is like "Penny is amazing shot". Yeah no Leonard. It is not even continuity. When the show don't even bother to attempt it. HIMYM and Friends yeah I am referencing them again. Always had backstories and continuity to their stories. Now I am not expecting TBBT to be like those shows. IT is a different show with its own agenda. But at least adhere to a story, and follow through with it. At times through out this season. It has just been plain out lazy writing. Well Season 8 and 9 too. Last season Sheldon said he had never been in jail, wrong. The show can continue to be popular. And at least attempt at continuity. Other wise its just the same old recycled, disposable jokes and stories over and over, we've seen so many times before. 6.24 Bon Voyage reaction. To me that is when they started repeating themselfs Most episodes since Season 7. Have been them repeating themselfs. Their is nothing original anymore. Even with the jokes they use with Lenny. It is disposable, because they are just placed in any random episode now.  Nothing changing. 

Edited May 18, 2017 by 3ku11

[BigBang15]

4 hours ago, 3ku11 said:

TBBT should have better continuity, or at least attempt. Because as writers if their is no continuity in the show. Whats the point? TBS did syndicate the show in 2010. It expanded the shows audience. Without TBS show would of not gone past 2010. TBBT don't seem to be winning tbh. Ratings are declining. Fans are tuning out. Show is on its last leg. 

Ratings are only declining because fewer people are watching (metered/network) television. It's all proportional. TBBT is still the number 1 rated comedy.

The ENTIRE TV audience is dwindling.

2 hours ago, 3ku11 said:

 Started for me in Cushion Saturation. When Penny shot Sheldons spot lol. And end of episode. Leonard is like "Penny is amazing shot". Yeah no Leonard. It is not even continuity.

Why can't Penny be an amazing marksman? The gun went off accidentally and hit the cushion, it's not like she was aiming for the door and hit the cushion. And before anyone says anything about Penny handling the gun, maybe there was a defective safety switch, or she thought it was on. We don't know and it was irrelevant for the story - the stain on the cushion. It happens to the best marksman.

Edited May 18, 2017 by BigBang15

[djsurrey]

3 hours ago, bfm said:

The shows differ in so much more ways. I don't think TBBT is popular because or partly because they care about continuty. I believe they can be as popular whilst keeping continuity.

 

BTW, remember the cow? LOL

I have read bits from David Saltzberg where he goes on about how the writers focus on pacing and timing. My point is that they are focussed on stuff most fans don't notice. I suspect they know there craft better than the fans! I believe they will sacrifice continuity for the sake of comedy and getting jokes in the right places with the right pacing like a poet might mangle a word to make it fit..

Edited May 18, 2017 by djsurrey

[April]

2 minutes ago, djsurrey said:

I have read bits from David Saltzberg where he goes on about how the writers focus on pacing and timing. My point is that they are focussed on stuff most fans don't notice. I suspect they know there craft better than the fans! I believe they will sacrifice continuity for the sake of comedy and getting jokes in the right places with the right pacing like a poet might mangle a word to make it fit..

Not to mention a lot of jokes are written on the fly while taping the episode. I can imagine quite a few "continuity errors" happen that way because the priority is to make the studio audience laugh so they don't have time to check for any and every inconsistency.

[Jonny]

21 minutes ago, April said:

Not to mention a lot of jokes are written on the fly while taping the episode. I can imagine quite a few "continuity errors" happen that way because the priority is to make the studio audience laugh so they don't have time to check for any and every inconsistency.

Like the painting in 4B? 

Yeah if they feel they can get a nice moment or a gag out of it they will ignore continuity, well minor continuity anyway.

Edited May 18, 2017 by Jonny

[Chrismo]

31 minutes ago, djsurrey said:

I have read bits from David Saltzberg where he goes on about how the writers focus on pacing and timing. My point is that they are focussed on stuff most fans don't notice. I suspect they know there craft better than the fans! I believe they will sacrifice continuity for the sake of comedy and getting jokes in the right places with the right pacing like a poet might mangle a word to make it fit..

At this point fans can write the show. Maybe not in the beginning but in the last 3-4 years. I could  people on this forum who could write. How many know who writes the show. You have million dollar actors all you need a two bit writer. That's IMO what you have right now.

[BigBang15]

3 hours ago, Chrismo said:

At this point fans can write the show. Maybe not in the beginning but in the last 3-4 years. I could  people on this forum who could write. How many know who writes the show. You have million dollar actors all you need a two bit writer. That's IMO what you have right now.

 

3 hours ago, Chrismo said:

At this point fans can write the show. Maybe not in the beginning but in the last 3-4 years. I could  people on this forum who could write. How many know who writes the show. You have million dollar actors all you need a two bit writer. That's IMO what you have right now.

No one here can write the show. It'd be too Mary-Sue (or shipped or fan-boyish).

[Tensor]

46 minutes ago, BigBang15 said:

 

No one here can write the show. It'd be too Mary-Sue (or shipped or fan-boyish).

Have you read a script from anyone here?    While I wouldn't say anyone here could write the show.  I would hesitate to say no one could.  

[Chrismo]

1 hour ago, BigBang15 said:

 

No one here can write the show. It'd be too Mary-Sue (or shipped or fan-boyish).

Isn't already?

[GnuHopper]

Speaking of continuity errors ... in "The Space Probe Disintegration" (S08E12) Amy says she can't skate  because she has "unnaturally brittle ankles", but later in "The Separation Oscillation" (S09E02) Sheldon gives Amy back the scarf she wore the time they went ice-skating together.  

[Nogravitasatall]

5 hours ago, Jonny said:

Like the painting in 4B? 

Yeah if they feel they can get a nice moment or a gag out of it they will ignore continuity, well minor continuity anyway.

Sometimes they'd possibly be happier writing sketch comedy.  I like the idea of "...and now for something completely different". But that doesn't have the emotional heroin/OxyContin/crack effect of the relationship soap opera into which they have sucked people (like me). 

But they do get their bits in, like random "the hail the hive queen (?)" moment that came and went without comment or repetition. If they could be sillier they'd have that as a running gag. I'd laugh, maybe.

[joyceraye]

Talking of continuity, how about the forshadowing of Ramona's return when Amy suggested to Sheldon if really wanted to achieve more he could try spending less time on his video games and sci-fi shows ?

Edited May 19, 2017 by joyceraye

[Carlos]

11 hours ago, Jonny said:

Like the painting in 4B? 

Yeah if they feel they can get a nice moment or a gag out of it they will ignore continuity, well minor continuity anyway.

The problem, at least for me is that they ignore major continuity as well, all for the sake of a joke. Sometimes the situation is so contrived that it ends up not being funny. IMO some jokes are tired and old, and have overstayed their welcome due to mindless repetition.

[3ku11]

Every single idea and storyline since Season 8. Has been unorganic and contrived. Or recycled matarial. And that is not shocking. Most sitcoms/tv shows after so many years lose that impact. So you tend to see them going around in circles, or hitting a wall so to speak. You saw that alot this season with Lenny. Seems like they have gone around in so many circles, they started repeating them selfs. Rehashing past episodes. I guess if it is not broke don't fix it. But from a creative stand point. Nothing original or new happens in this show anymore. Same tired, played out scenarios we have seen so many times in this show. I also think if the show had more screen time. Was not so many ads. 4-5 mins in this show would be gold. Would allow some storylines. And some dynamics, ahem Lenny to develop more on screen. But when 17 minutes of 19 minutes is dedicated, to yours truley. They just have nothing left for the rest of the show. Sad thing is, it is not a tv show anymore. They sold out to the masses a long time a go. It is just a cash cow to sell their merch. And yes they still dominate their time slot. But for how long? Ratings are steadily declining. How long well it be, until this show is just too expensive to keep producing. 48 episodes, man I have severe doubts the current show runners. Especially with Moloro in charge. Has it in them to have fresh ideas for full two seasons. Hell luckey if 5 of those 48 episodes are watchable based on how far the writing has declined. But well see. Be smart to put Lenny at the forefront for a while again. But it seems their story is over. The Narrative is now Shamy. 

[joyceraye]

12 hours ago, April said:

Not to mention a lot of jokes are written on the fly while taping the episode. I can imagine quite a few "continuity errors" happen that way because the priority is to make the studio audience laugh so they don't have time to check for any and every inconsistency.

Makes you wonder why the cast don't say something when they read discontinuity in the script or when a joke gets inserted on the night. It wouldn't have taken up any time for Penny to say 'Ramona now she's a doctor' rather than 'This Doctor Ramona chick' so why wouldn't Kaley say at the table-read or whenever it was written, 'I remember saying "Holy crap on a cracker" when she was here before so shouldn't Penny say x or y to show she recognises her ?'. It was such a memorable episode she can't have forgotten.

When they were having dinner if they could have let Ramona answer,'Sorry, you were speaking so I thought you were drunk' it would have established the continuity after Raj said,'I think you made that very clear' and got some reaction. She could sound catty to get our backs up or pretend-sweet to ingratiate herself with the group to make us even more suspicious.

[April]

1 hour ago, Carlos said:

The problem, at least for me is that they ignore major continuity as well, all for the sake of a joke. Sometimes the situation is so contrived that it ends up not being funny. IMO some jokes are tired and old, and have overstayed their welcome due to mindless repetition.

The problem with that is that they don't care what you or I think is funny - the benchmark is first and foremost the live audience in the studio. As long as they are still laughing at the same old jokes those jokes won't be written out or at least not dropped with any sense of urgency.

11 minutes ago, joyceraye said:

Makes you wonder why the cast don't say something when they read discontinuity in the script or when a joke gets inserted on the night. It wouldn't have taken up any time for Penny to say 'Ramona now she's a doctor' rather than 'This Doctor Ramona chick' so why wouldn't Kaley say at the table-read or whenever it was written, 'I remember saying "Holy crap on a cracker" when she was here before so shouldn't Penny say x or y to show she recognises her ?'. It was such a memorable episode she can't have forgotten.

When they were having dinner if they could have let Ramona answer,'Sorry, you were speaking so I thought you were drunk' it would have established the continuity after Raj said,'I think you made that very clear' and got some reaction. She could sound catty to get our backs up or pretend-sweet to ingratiate herself with the group to make us even more suspicious.

Because, quite frankly, the actors don't remember every line or continuity detail as much as we do. They don't watch the show and sometimes they don't even know which scene or what line actually made the cut. They learn their scripts one week and forget most about it when they have to learn the next one. Remembering what they said 8 years ago is a stretch for pretty much anyone. I remember 8 years ago I was still in university but I couldn't even tell you what courses I had at that time without looking them up.

[Tensor]

It's memorable to us.  Unless it means something special to the actor, they forget about it at the table read the next day.   If I'm doing another show right away, the previous show is gone in less than two weeks.   

In some cases, they may not even memorize their lines.   My last show, I had few enough lines that I could read the scene, several times, just before we rehearsed it, and could remember it long enough to do the scene.  

I'm willing to bet that unless there is some sort of large paragraph, most of them could do that, and get through the scene.  Then repeat that a couple of time.  There have been comments on rehearsals (and even shows) where scripts hidden, on set, while they do the scene.  This leads me to believe they are going over their lines long enough to get through the scene.  You don't, however, retain a lot for any length of time when you do that.    

ETA:  Well, April beat me to it, but at least my insight may help.  

[3ku11]

It is up to the writers to maintain continuity not the Actors anyway. 

[Nogravitasatall]

13 hours ago, 3ku11 said:

 ...But it seems their story is over. The Narrative is now Shamy. 

I'm sad. I sympathise with the contingent that don't want stereotypes - but the nerd getting the girl isn't really that over done. Usually the nerd just pines and withers.  The girl nerd however, is under done. 

Amy may represent a population that hasn't been greatly featured. I don't want to step on that so much as regret that that stepped on the thing that I wanted. 

cest la vie, peut etre. (Franglais version)

Edited May 19, 2017 by Nogravitasatall
Won't want

[hokie3457]

1 hour ago, Nogravitasatall said:

I'm sad. I sympathise with the contingent that don't want stereotypes - but the nerd getting the girl isn't really that over done. Usually the nerd just pines and withers.  The girl nerd however, is under done. 

Amy may represent a population that hasn't been greatly featured. I don't won't to step on that so much as regret that that stepped on the thing that I wanted. 

cest la vie, peut etre. (Franglais version)

There is so, so much more to be explored with the nerd now that he has the girl.  The thing is people have to be willing to go that route. To think about and write storylines that would tell that sort of story.  We have seen the girl experience growth and knowledge about treating others in a more respectful way.  We could see the nerd learn to not look down on people of lesser intelligence (he has somewhat, but can go futher).  We could look at the couple grow together and mature and live their lives as a happily married couple instead of bickering; instead of witnessing writing that goes for the quickest, easiest laugh.

This television show is more than well-established. It has reached the point where it is now (wait for it---) legendary. Now is the time to flex some storytelling muscles. To show us something that we have not seen. Is there a chance of being cancelled in the next two years? Hardly. People (TPTB) need to become brave.  People (TPTB) need to expand their horizons.  The Big Bang Theory is a 2,000 pound gorilla.  Perhaps it is time they act the part and take on all comers.  Make Raj bi-sexual and bring us along on his journey.  Show us Halley being a toddler running around and touching Sheldon's things (wouldn't that be a hoot).  Show us why Penny calls Leonard the love of her life. Show us that he didn't wear her down, he made her comfortable admitting who and what she loved.   It is time for TPTB to grow a pair.  People whine about OITNB winning awards?  The star of Transparent has won the last two Emmy Awards for best actor in a comedy?  Pull up your pants and be big boys and girls.  Take them on!

[veejay]

15 minutes ago, hokie3457 said:

There is so, so much more to be explored with the nerd now that he has the girl.  The thing is people have to be willing to go that route. To think about and write storylines that would tell that sort of story.  We have seen the girl experience growth and knowledge about treating others in a more respectful way.  We could see the nerd learn to not look down on people of lesser intelligence (he has somewhat, but can go futher).  We could look at the couple grow together and mature and live their lives as a happily married couple instead of bickering; instead of witnessing writing that goes for the quickest, easiest laugh.

This television show is more than well-established. It has reached the point where it is now (wait for it---) legendary. Now is the time to flex some storytelling muscles. To show us something that we have not seen. Is there a chance of being cancelled in the next two years? Hardly. People (TPTB) need to become brave.  People (TPTB) need to expand their horizons.  The Big Bang Theory is a 2,000 pound gorilla.  Perhaps it is time they act the part and take on all comers.  Make Raj bi-sexual and bring us along on his journey.  Show us Halley being a toddler running around and touching Sheldon's things (wouldn't that be a hoot).  Show us why Penny calls Leonard the love of her life. Show us that he didn't wear her down, he made her comfortable admitting who and what she loved.   It is time for TPTB to grow a pair.  People whine about OITNB winning awards?  The star of Transparent has won the last two Emmy Awards for best actor in a comedy?  Pull up your pants and be big boys and girls.  Take them on!

Spot on for your post!

[bfm]

18 minutes ago, hokie3457 said:

There is so, so much more to be explored with the nerd now that he has the girl.  The thing is people have to be willing to go that route. To think about and write storylines that would tell that sort of story.  We have seen the girl experience growth and knowledge about treating others in a more respectful way.  We could see the nerd learn to not look down on people of lesser intelligence (he has somewhat, but can go futher).  We could look at the couple grow together and mature and live their lives as a happily married couple instead of bickering; instead of witnessing writing that goes for the quickest, easiest laugh.

This television show is more than well-established. It has reached the point where it is now (wait for it---) legendary. Now is the time to flex some storytelling muscles. To show us something that we have not seen. Is there a chance of being cancelled in the next two years? Hardly. People (TPTB) need to become brave.  People (TPTB) need to expand their horizons.  The Big Bang Theory is a 2,000 pound gorilla.  Perhaps it is time they act the part and take on all comers.  Make Raj bi-sexual and bring us along on his journey.  Show us Halley being a toddler running around and touching Sheldon's things (wouldn't that be a hoot).  Show us why Penny calls Leonard the love of her life. Show us that he didn't wear her down, he made her comfortable admitting who and what she loved.   It is time for TPTB to grow a pair.  People whine about OITNB winning awards?  The star of Transparent has won the last two Emmy Awards for best actor in a comedy?  Pull up your pants and be big boys and girls.  Take them on!

Hell yeah!