If you’re still watching “The Cleveland Show†after this week’s episode, you’re either a glutton for punishment, or you have no idea what real comedy is.
Disjointed, ridiculous and flat out cruel at times, this show has absolutely nothing going for it. This week’s plot as well, like last week’s, makes virtually no sense and takes way too many elements from “Family Guy†to make itself truly enjoyable and even somewhat original.
Sure it’s a spin off, but damn, does it have to steal every story-telling technique from the show that spawned it?
Cleveland has a gay boss? Does that remind anyone of Mr. Weed? Peter Griffin’s old boss at the toy factory during the first few seasons of “Family Guyâ€? What’s going to happen next week Fox, the Browns’ and Tubbs’ are going to get a dog, that talks and drinks alcohol?
Give me a break.
After the first four episodes of any sitcom, even an animated one, there’s got to be a reason to watch. The characters have to be endearing or have qualities that make you tune in. Through its first few episodes, this has not happened with this show.
A talking bear that smokes, prays to Jesus for the return of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer†and a main character that wants to wear a top hat?
Not funny.
Well, maybe the Buffy part.
At any rate however, it’s not enough and the show doesn’t help itself by throwing in so many bad jokes in such a rapid fire succession that you’ll feel like your face is a speed bag. The punchlines make virtually no sense and aren’t comedic. It’s a wonder that Fox has let this show stay on the air for as long as it has and an even bigger wonder that the show has been extended for a second season. It goes to prove how much clout Seth McFarlane has with the network.
That’s not to say that his other work isn’t funny, [even though “Family Guy†has lost serious steam over the past two seasons as well] it’s just that this show, isn’t.
The playing off of racial stereotypes featured on this show is old and not funny. The fact that the show is starring an African American family, you’d expect many of the jokes that come their way, so in order for this show to be funny, the writers have to think a bit more outside the box and not rely on the things that got them shock laughs before.
While they eventually try to do this, making fun of Don Rickles isn’t the right way. Any one who knows anything about comedy knows that Rickles is a god and the boys at Fox could learn a thing or two from him, rather than incorporate him [or an impersonator] in one of the worst episodes of any animated sitcom ever.
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