The Ultimate TV Comedies Bracket -- Round Two, Day Six
Who is *the* Zapp Brannigan?
Are we getting into some tough decisions today in the second round of the Ultimate TV Comedies bracket? I am loathe to think so, at least with a couple of the matchups. But then again, you folks have already eliminated some shows I’d have figured for obvious favorites…so maybe you have a surprise in store for me (and your fellow voters) today.
Let’s find out!
(4) Friends vs. (36) Futurama: There will come a time — I have probably already said some version of this eight or nine times regarding some of the high-seeded shows — when I don’t vote for Friends. The time is not now. And especially at Thanksgiving, the time when the friends of Friends are at their best. Sayonara to Bender and company.
Friends
Futurama
(13) Newhart vs. (45) The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: Nostalgia is a funny thing, because it creeps up on you when you least expect it. I am not generally a person who indulges too much in nostalgia, except for a few choice titles or characters. While I am sure that Newhart was a better show, nostalgia and its pull lead me to say that I would rather send The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air forward. I can still recite the theme song without hesitation; it’s embedded in my cultural DNA somewhere.
But that’s me. What say you?
Newhart
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
(5) The Office (UK) vs. (37) Archer: The Office remains the high watermark of 2000s-era comedy; so many of the modern sitcoms we see now are either influenced by or a response to this groundbreaking series. And unlike Archer — which I do like — it knew when to end.
But how do you vote?
The Office (UK)
Archer
(12) The Larry Sanders Show vs. (21) How I Met Your Mother: I am as surprised that The Larry Sanders Show barely squeaked its way into this round as I am that How I Met Your Mother nearly got eliminated by Mad About You. (You’ve heard of Mad About You? How about…Mad About Shoe? Points if you get the reference.) With that said, either of these shows has a legitimate shot of moving on, but I am going to lean towards Garry Shandling and his satire of late-night talk shows.
The Larry Sanders Show
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother is unfairly maligned due to its (admittedly dreadful) last couple of seasons and horribly misaimed series finale, but for my money the first 5-ish seasons are fresh, funny, and warm without being cloying.
It would be fun to see it eventually face off with Friends, since HIMYM owes so much of its DNA to the earlier show.
I'm dismayed that the brilliant "Newhart" is going to lose to a catchy theme song.