• Susan Seligson

    Susan Seligson has written for many publications and websites, including the New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, the Boston Globe, Yankee, Outside, Redbook, the Times of London, Salon.com, Radar.com, and Nerve.com. Profile

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There are 22 comments on Seinfeld-Inspired Student Sitcom Debuts on BUTV

  1. I wish the boys well, but I think Brotter forgot the lessons he learned from watching Sid Cesear and “Mad, mad, mad world. What made those shows classics and comic genius was that they were not vulgar. I one can be funny, while still keeping it ‘clean’ then you are truly a talented comedian. Legends like Lucille Ball, Bob Hope did just that. Shows like Seinfeld and Kotter were able to be a comic success without vulgar humor. If you can’t create a show without vulgarity then you will be a flash in the pan, and if you are trying to make a mark for yourself from a professional level, always remember you have only one chance to make a first impression. My impression is that it’s “sophomoric” at best. Funny not too much. Just another show contributing to the moral dumbing down of society. Follow you dream Brotter and gut….we need more Sid Cesears. Vulgar comedies are a dime a dozen today.

  2. While Louis C.K. certainly speaks on “sophomoric” topics like his genitalia and bowel movements etc. His execution and the depth to which he explores these topics are what makes him brilliant (sometimes to such depth that you can’t help but form a gruesome, albeit hilarious and spot-on accurate, picture in your head). The great comedians and sitcoms of our generation are able to convey that blunt reality that we have all experienced or thought but could never articulate so well. I am willing to stomach “vulgarity” if it’s clever.

    1. I felt that Courtney touched on more of what made this pilot (for lack of a better word) painful for me to watch. The execution and timing was really amateur (no offense, it’s extremely difficult to master the art). I’m sure some of the jokes might have been better if the timing felt more natural.

      Also, Seinfeld incorporated an incredible amount of irony around the “punchline” of each episode. I know your show isn’t exactly like Seinfeld, but I was sort of expecting the ultimate irony to be better (the adviser jumping out the window — I saw it coming the second he said kill me now (plus he was generally too angry the entire time anyways)).

      I don’t know….I guess it could have been better if you directed the actors a little better (including yourself, your motions and facial expressions were definitely over the top (too exaggerated) especially during the initial scene).

      On the upside, I found a few of the moments were actually pretty funny:

      -Ryan introducing himself to the adviser
      -“‘…Vampire Slayer’ …strictly metaphorical.” (Could have been played up a bit more, it is easy to miss this joke).
      -introduction of the craigslist killer (just kidding….about him being a killer….sort of)
      -The specific line: “I can taste the Earl!”

      Then in terms of clarification:
      Who are the kids sitting on the couch in front of you, Ryan and the director? Are they writers?
      The actual screening of the pilot looked too similar to the rest of the episode. I think you needed to really differentiate the style between the ACTUAL show and the pilot you were showing the adviser (playing the same music in the background of the pilot (towards the elevator and ending credits) as you were in the actual show didn’t help much either).

      Anyways, I look forward to the next show!

      1. -the kill me now is called extremely intentional comic foreshadowing.
        -the pilot within a pilot is clearly a meta-ref to their earlier ep (obviously not for all who haven’t seen the show before).check out the original youtube pilot (that became the pilot within the pilot) and it’s got thousands of views…talk about the ultimate irony!

  3. I think for me it’s less about being offensive and more about challenging yourself. I’m in college, I’m no stranger to vulgarities and the “truth” you’re so adamantly defending generally does not offend me. But plain and simple, vulgarity is easy. Anyone can throw around a curse or a euphemism and get a chuckle or two but it takes talent to write intelligent comedy. That I think was part of the beauty of Seinfeld. It was smart in both its subject matter and its writing; it was accesible and appealed to a wide variety of audiences because it didn’t scare people off with vulgarity. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think Seinfeld attracted a much wider audience than Louis CK does (and don’t get me wrong here – I love them both, but that’s not the point) and I think the way the writers attacked the premise of a show about nothing was genius. It’s hard to make a show with no point meaningful and lasting beyond a few chuckles at a fart joke.
    All I’m asking is you challenge yourselves a little here. As the voice of our future, and potentially the future of American comedy, just raise the bar.

  4. Baby brotter, it’s apparent you’re not mature enough to handle constructive criticism. And don’t complement yourself, I didn’t waste time watching your show. Lol. I was talking in general terms as per your advisors initial response. And what up with the crazy rants of homophobia, racism and sexist etc. You have over interpreted what i wrote. I know what you mean about not LOLing to ie: bob hope in some of the old movies. I did however have an opportunity to see him live (after being dragged there by my folks around 1982). I think he was about 85 at the time and he was amazing. The best comedy show I’ve ever seen live. No teleprompters, just 3 hrs of non stop joke after joke after joke. My brothers,who were skeptical as well,were floored. Shame that you as an aspiring comedian and others like you don’t know how great he was. At the time being a huge Gilda Radner and Steve Martin fan, I couldn’t believe he did so and kept it clean. Everyone was howling and rolling in the aisles. Remember he was 85 at the time and his jokes were very relevant and appealed to a mass audience. That’s the message I was hoping you would hear. If you can’t take your Gammie to see your show, then pack your comedy bags. And again, goooood luck. ;)

      1. Maureen,

        In the nicest way I can ask this, how old are you and what affiliation do you have with Boston University? And how can you say the show is vulgar if you haven’t seen it? Not trying to start anything, just wanted to know.

          1. Actually, I was wondering what type of person would comment something like that on BU Today, which is something usually only BU affiliated people read. And she sounded a bit older referencing the 80’s, so I was curious if she was a parent. But feel free to continue making assumptions.

          2. both the assumptions in Anonymous’ post
            -that WBB is funny to BU kids when in fact some BU kids don’t think it’s funny and quite literally countless outside-BU adults do
            -that seinfeld is funny to everyone?

            go make your own stuff, man, then compare with all the people in the WBB credits

  5. if you haven’t watched his show, why do you get to comment on it? you don’t. watch it. then comment on if you think it is “Just another show contributing to the moral dumbing down of society?”

    To be honest, WBB isn’t even that vulgar, I’m surprised this is even an issue.

  6. Nice job with the manifesto dude. If you cut out everything from “I’m a kid writing,” to “responsibility on the air,” you’d have a good comment.

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