The Ultimate TV Comedies Bracket -- Round Five, Day Three
You took MY sandwich?!?
Friends, we’re halfway through the Elite Eight of the Ultimate TV Comedies bracket! (See what I did there? Because, you see, the name of the show in the photo above this paragraph is…oh, never mind.) Sadly, we’re not going to get a Final Four of all shows from one network — even if Friends were to win today, it’s not an all-NBC bracket. (Hey, best shows from the same network — there’s a bracket idea! And one I…probably won’t do! Who knows.)
But Friends is indeed one of two shows begging you to send it to the Final Four today. You ready to decide? Let’s go!
(1) M*A*S*H vs. (4) Friends: I have to imagine that M*A*S*H is going to win here, if only because it seems like enough of you aren’t super-thrilled to see Friends make it this far in the bracket. But there is the whole “biggest series finale of all time” thing, and the fact that it blended comedy and drama very effectively, considering its Korean War setting. Now, that said, in my heart of hearts, where sometimes what I look for with sitcoms is comfort food, I would…kind of, sort of, vote for Friends.
But that’s me. You get to vote, so do it wisely!
M*A*S*H
Friends
MASH is a whole lot of things. There's a reason the finale was watched by so many. I've had the chance to see both of these series all the way through. And there's just no comparison. MASH's capacity for humanity and empathy is unequalled. Watching these characters struggle to maintain their humanity and bring dignity to people who were suffering is so engaging. But MASH is at its greatest when these goofy characters are brought to the edge and they rail against the absurdity and injustice of needless war and carnage. MASH has always ben - the movie, too - anti-war. It meant something. While being a ridiculous 24-minute sitcom. Just the best.
Glad to finally be rid of Friends. What an overrated show