13 chapters across the catalog
The hosts reflect on the shift in media standards over the last decade, citing jokes made by David Letterman about Anderson Cooper and the content of the sitcom "Two and a Half Men." They observe that many jokes considered acceptable in 2009 would likely be banned or heavily criticized in the current cultural climate.
ABC premiered a new sitcom titled Alex Inc starring Zach Braff, which depicts a family man starting his own podcast. The portrayal is criticized for reducing podcasting to the "mall cop of broadcasting." There is skepticism regarding the show's longevity and the accuracy of its depiction of the medium.
Equal Pay Rally, Media Portrayal of American Males
A scripted moment at a Hillary Clinton rally involving a young boy's question about equal pay is criticized for promoting the idea that effort should dictate wages. This leads to a broader discussion on the media's long-standing portrayal of the American white male as a "bumbling doofus," citing shows like "All in the Family" and "The Simpsons."
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Tina Fey Sitcom Recommendation
Tina Fey's Netflix sitcom, "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," is highlighted for its screwball humor and satirical take on modern technology. One scene in the show mocks the planned obsolescence of Apple products, showing an iPhone literally falling to pieces the moment a newer model is released. The series is recommended for those who enjoy Fey's specific comedic style.
Two and a Half Men, Television Sexual Innuendo
A segment of the CBS sitcom "Two and a Half Men" is played to illustrate the "over-the-top" sexual innuendo prevalent in modern network television. The dialogue features heavy double entendres regarding "front and rear" positions, punctuated by a constant laugh track. The hosts suggest that this style of media is a relic of an "old world" that is slowly losing its audience to alternative platforms.
NBC Up All Night, If You See Something Say Something Jingle
The hosts react to a scene from the NBC sitcom "Up All Night" that features a "neighborhood watch" melody similar to their own "If You See Something, Say Something" jingle. They jokingly accuse the show's writers of stealing their audio branding. The segment concludes with a thank you to the live chat room participants.
The NBC sitcom "The New Normal" features Ellen Barkin as a bigoted grandmother reacting to a gay couple using her granddaughter as a surrogate. While the show relies on heavy stereotyping of homosexual relationships, it attempts to use Archie Bunker-style humor to address social dynamics. Critics note the production's reliance on exaggerated tropes common in network television comedies.
Vagina Monologue Movie, Two Broke Girls, Ad Pitch
The sitcom "Two Broke Girls" featured a segment using the word "vagina" multiple times in under a minute. The hosts speculate this is a "sales pitch" to attract advertisers for feminine products or a setup for an upcoming movie related to the Vagina Monologues.
The hosts review the current state of network television, criticizing the writing in sitcoms like "Whitney" and the cancellation of "The Playboy Club." They express satisfaction at the declining ratings of "The X Factor," suggesting that audiences are becoming tired of amateur talent competitions. The discussion centers on the lack of quality scripted content.
Television Networks, Vagina Word Usage Experiment
ABC, NBC, and CBS have reportedly agreed to allow the word "vagina" to be used in sitcoms and comedic scripts as part of a new broadcast experiment. This follows a previous trend of incorporating the word "penis" into network television dialogue. The New York Times reported on the shift, suggesting that the term is now considered acceptable for humorous situations on mainstream television.
Kay Hymowitz, Manning Up, The Decline of the Authoritative Male
Author Kay Hymowitz discusses her book "Manning Up," which argues that the rise of women has turned men into "child-men." She cites sitcoms like "The Big Bang Theory" and "The Simpsons" as examples of media portraying men as incompetent or effeminate. The term "mansplaining" is identified as an attack on male authority.
Family Guy Sitcom Punchlines Parody and Howard Hessman
A parody commercial from the television show Family Guy is played, featuring 1980s sitcom tropes and an appearance by Howard Hessman. One host recounts an anecdote about auditioning for a remake of WKRP in Cincinnati, noting he was offered the role but declined because his spouse at the time refused to relocate to Los Angeles.
Canned Laughter, 30 Rock and Television Production
A critique of "canned laughter" in sitcoms like Friends argues that the practice is insulting and distracting to viewers. The host contrasts this with 30 Rock, which does not use a laugh track despite lower ratings. The discussion explains how audience reactions are often recorded separately and manipulated by technicians to trigger psychological responses in the home audience.
