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pscot

(21,024 posts)

11. Men are just better at conspicuous stupidity

Reply to Bennyboy (Original post)

Mon Dec 30, 2013, 02:28 PM

Dec 2013

And inclined to be proud of it.

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Why are almost all TV comedy "idiots, buffoons and dumbasses" male? [View all] Bennyboy Dec 2013 OP

Which is why no one ever takes men seriously, right? nt MrScorpio Dec 2013 #1

Let's go back to the 50s, when men could joke about punching their wives shenmue Dec 2013 #2

Ralph and Norton were also portrayed as fools jmowreader Dec 2013 #32

If men are portrayed as generally stupid then they can get away with doing stupid things. Whisp Dec 2013 #53

that's exactly what I was thinking. Stupid (and usually very physically unfit) becomes the norm. Voice for Peace Dec 2013 #57

Approach this from a different angle jmowreader Dec 2013 #59

Because women do the shopping. Atman Dec 2013 #153

also the portrayal of smart attractive women who for some reason love them, Voice for Peace Dec 2013 #60

messages are pretty clear... Whisp Dec 2013 #81

King of Queens falls into that model oberliner Dec 2013 #140

I don't know...IMO Linus was the smartest one. Wise even lunamagica Dec 2013 #77

I think Marcie is likable caraher Dec 2013 #86

Oh, yeah, forgot about them. They were added later, right? lunamagica Dec 2013 #100

I guess I'm just young enough that they were always part of the crew in my mind caraher Dec 2013 #129

Linus was pretty gullible oberliner Dec 2013 #138

didnt dezi actually spank lucy in one ep. she was the chikd in the relationship Liberal_in_LA Dec 2013 #72

There have, over he years, been... 3catwoman3 Dec 2013 #83

Many times. It was a recurring bit. Squinch Dec 2013 #110

This thread isn't even about that. Vashta Nerada Dec 2013 #95

Actually, it isn't unrelated. That was once considered funny. As was Desi spanking Lucy. Squinch Dec 2013 #151

Why indeed? Starry Messenger Dec 2013 #3

That is a Good Demonstration On the Road Dec 2013 #18

Maybe it started pipi_k Dec 2013 #39

exactly. Whether male or female it is their humanity that makes comedy. liberal_at_heart Dec 2013 #62

So the male viewers can feel superior to them? PassingFair Dec 2013 #139

That's another thing! Squinch Dec 2013 #145

Yeah that NEVER Goes the other way...... Bennyboy Dec 2013 #152

But they are still written so the rest of us can feel superior to them. Squinch Dec 2013 #154

There is that bloom Dec 2013 #176

When women write the comedy it often goes the other way redqueen Dec 2013 #31

OMG Kali Dec 2013 #88

Isn't she great? redqueen Dec 2013 #102

OMG, I love that. Starry Messenger Dec 2013 #93

I'm glad you found out more about her! redqueen Dec 2013 #103

I think you will appreciate it. Starry Messenger Dec 2013 #106

Probably a lot of truth in that. lumberjack_jeff Dec 2013 #55

This message was self-deleted by its author Squinch Dec 2013 #111

White males dominate NFL tight end positions. Eleanors38 Dec 2013 #156

First off, it's easy to make a list of women's roles on the dizt list for the same reason men are on Bluenorthwest Dec 2013 #4

Thread's over, and the OP utterly destroyed alcibiades_mystery Dec 2013 #7

I don't think "Ditz" is the equivalent Bennyboy Dec 2013 #22

Don Knotts had the best part, an Emmy every year for Don. Bluenorthwest Dec 2013 #43

Yeah it seems that female writers Bennyboy Dec 2013 #84

Good point... pipi_k Dec 2013 #48

I think you've got George Burns and Gracie Allen totally wrong. Shrike47 Dec 2013 #5

Gracie was pure genius. George was not bad himself. Bluenorthwest Dec 2013 #9

Uh, oh... pipi_k Dec 2013 #49

Yeah thinking of another team there... Bennyboy Dec 2013 #68

No one with a decent advocacy group would let it pass... Lost_Count Dec 2013 #6

Corporate media cares about one thing, keeping your butt glued to your couch Taitertots Dec 2013 #8

Your portrayal of George Burns/Gracie Allen's routines is completely wrong. FSogol Dec 2013 #10

Men are just better at conspicuous stupidity pscot Dec 2013 #11

Present company included? FSogol Dec 2013 #12

I certainly don't exempt myself. pscot Dec 2013 #14

Perhaps because men, primarily, Shankapotomus Dec 2013 #13

Guess you don't watch TV much. former9thward Dec 2013 #28

No, research backs this up. redqueen Dec 2013 #34

Well this research disagrees. former9thward Dec 2013 #40

Wow, that's bad. redqueen Dec 2013 #45

Its not better data. former9thward Dec 2013 #67

Wouldn't that leave 59-57% of roles to males? Isn't that "most"? Scootaloo Dec 2013 #127

No kidding. That's what I was thinking. nt laundry_queen Dec 2013 #136

I'm loving the sound of crickets Scootaloo Dec 2013 #137

Not everyone waits breathlessly by the computer for a reply. former9thward Dec 2013 #158

So the goal is whatever arbitrary number happens to support your premise Scootaloo Dec 2013 #161

Every single sentence of yours was arbitrary. former9thward Dec 2013 #163

Maybe you have a non-standard definition of "arbitrary" mathematic Dec 2013 #167

Yes, you are correct. former9thward Dec 2013 #168

Whatever the stats Shankapotomus Dec 2013 #74

Not sure what you mean. former9thward Dec 2013 #85

This is not a man I don't think?? mstinamotorcity2 Dec 2013 #15

They're 2-legged pigs at heart, and they like it that way. DinahMoeHum Dec 2013 #16

A rather apt illustration of the divisiveness through disingenuity being discussed, one might think. LanternWaste Dec 2013 #17

Because that is the stereotype their demographics show men want to see? Rex Dec 2013 #19

Surely you can't be serious. nt rrneck Dec 2013 #47

He is, and don't call him Shirley. (Hey, somebody had to say it!) 11 Bravo Dec 2013 #56

aww man, I wanted to say it first... SummerSnow Dec 2013 #101

Yeah. It never seems to work when you pick comedy apart to try and see why Squinch Dec 2013 #113

I doubt Chevy Chase fell down the stairs to make journeyman bumbler. Rex Dec 2013 #117

Me too. I agree. I just never before wondered why it was funny. Squinch Dec 2013 #119

Me either, it made me laugh. Therefore it was funny. Rex Dec 2013 #171

Why is it funny when a man wears a dress but not when a woman wears trousers? cheyanne Dec 2013 #20

I think the main reason pipi_k Dec 2013 #58

Exactly so. +++ bloom Dec 2013 #177

I have bigger fish to fry Capt. Obvious Dec 2013 #21

Something else - why are there no commercials for chainsaws featuring women!? Rex Dec 2013 #25

Or women drinking crappy beer? Capt. Obvious Dec 2013 #27

Yes! There are like a zillion brands of crappy beer! Rex Dec 2013 #29

Have you seen the Tide Mr. Mom spots? jmowreader Dec 2013 #36

This is JUST beginning to change. I've seen four or five commercials lately Squinch Dec 2013 #114

Phoebe from Friends? NoOneMan Dec 2013 #23

Melissa McCarthy does a lot of slapstick comedy. She's funny. liberal_at_heart Dec 2013 #66

Becouse you have to have a "Fool" in the context of Comedy.... Steerpike Dec 2013 #24

Should have thought this one through a little more. NCTraveler Dec 2013 #26

What do you think is wrong with it? I think it is an interesting question. Squinch Dec 2013 #115

except for the "gotcha, you dumb son of a bitch" posts Bennyboy Dec 2013 #141

I had never considered the question before. Squinch Dec 2013 #143

It is innaccurate at face value. NCTraveler Dec 2013 #159

Sigh. Squinch Dec 2013 #173

It's called catching up... snooper2 Dec 2013 #30

Because there are more men than women in sufrommich Dec 2013 #33

Because it's a cliche and perceived as funny. Dash87 Dec 2013 #35

I disagree on a small part pipi_k Dec 2013 #37

Why are almost all "idiots, buffoons and dumbasses" male? Coyotl Dec 2013 #38

You know, I read it that way at first. Rex Dec 2013 #52

I should add, I'm not trying to fuel the gender wars, but Coyotl Dec 2013 #73

Sexism... hughee99 Dec 2013 #41

Don't be hating on Reverend Jim. lumberjack_jeff Dec 2013 #42

I don't know about you... bonzaga Dec 2013 #44

You're right, women should be getting these roles too! Tina Fey had a lot to say about bettyellen Dec 2013 #46

BUT, on 30 Rock the Buffoon was Kenneth... Bennyboy Dec 2013 #169

I think Alec Baldwin is a Buffon too... And Jane K... bettyellen Dec 2013 #178

'Tis not always thus. Brigid Dec 2013 #50

The fool cannot carry a show.... Bennyboy Dec 2013 #97

I think this discussion can't be had rrneck Dec 2013 #51

Interrupt this thread to bring you this ad...From the height of the housing bubble Jesus Malverde Dec 2013 #54

I think this has been successfully taken apart- but what about slapstick? el_bryanto Dec 2013 #61

I don't watch a lot of sitcom TV, but my impression is that male slapstick has petered out too. Squinch Dec 2013 #150

Turn off network tv JustAnotherGen Dec 2013 #63

Those are the choice parts in a comedy. LWolf Dec 2013 #64

Obviously it is an effort by the liberal Hollywood elites to emasculate the American male in full Douglas Carpenter Dec 2013 #65

Ah! Of course! A conspiracy! How did we miss that? Squinch Dec 2013 #118

Oldest rule of comedy: Punch up. nolabear Dec 2013 #69

yes, same reason it's considered hilarious for males to dress as females but not the reverse Liberal_in_LA Dec 2013 #71

I don't think that's where the humor lies. It's not mocking, it's overblown caricature. nolabear Dec 2013 #90

I never understood why that, in itself, is considered funny. n/t hughee99 Dec 2013 #92

This is it treestar Dec 2013 #112

I think so too. Squinch Dec 2013 #122

hey, jim ignatowski went to harvard! unblock Dec 2013 #70

TV Tropes has the answer mathematic Dec 2013 #75

Yes, I remember the sit-com dads from my youth... Blue_In_AK Dec 2013 #94

Maybe you could ask the writers gaspee Dec 2013 #76

Superman? Harry Potter? Tom Sawyer? Sherlock Holmes? King Arthur? Jesus? Bugs Bunny? Happyhippychick Dec 2013 #78

I'm not sure I'm reading the responses to this thread right... Shandris Dec 2013 #79

What is your explanation for it? Squinch Dec 2013 #120

I don't have one. Shandris Dec 2013 #125

I thought the question posed was a very interesting one. Squinch Dec 2013 #132

I agree. Shandris Dec 2013 #175

Simple answer ...sexism is rampant especially on televison sitcoms etherealtruth Dec 2013 #80

Because it sells a lot of beer and cheetos to the "idiots, buffoons and dumbasses" that watch them. Tierra_y_Libertad Dec 2013 #82

All sitcoms use basically the same formula of Lummox, clueless ingenue, long suffering Mama Warpy Dec 2013 #87

Because there is a much larger feild of idiots, buffoons and doc03 Dec 2013 #89

Humor? (P.S. You've never heard of the Ditzy Blonde? Or the Unattractive Secretary? The Nasty WinkyDink Dec 2013 #91

Mike Brady from "The Brady Bunch" is a counterexample. Nye Bevan Dec 2013 #96

And he was seriously un-funny. Squinch Dec 2013 #121

except in the movie: Nye Bevan Dec 2013 #124

True. And HE had a truly great wardrobe. And hair. Squinch Dec 2013 #133

Until they got their variety show oberliner Dec 2013 #142

This goes all the way back to the stone age. Zorra Dec 2013 #98

Substitute 'black people' for men in many of these responses - maced666 Dec 2013 #99

I don't think anyone is broadbrushing. I think the OP is asking why this situation exists, and Squinch Dec 2013 #123

I know why I find it funny..... Bennyboy Dec 2013 #144

I haven't seen MOM but I do love Allison Janney. Squinch Dec 2013 #146

You gotta watch it. Bennyboy Dec 2013 #155

Penny on Big Bang is the dumb blonde. PeteSelman Dec 2013 #104

Well you know, I think Penny Bennyboy Dec 2013 #147

But Penny's social awareness makes her the "straight man" of the show ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2013 #180

Rose was an innocent, not an idiot. There's a difference. WillowTree Dec 2013 #105

Sophia and Dorothy called her "idiot" all the time on the show. Romulox Dec 2013 #148

I don't know, it's the one category where men truly are superior to women? notadmblnd Dec 2013 #107

I think Edith trumped Archie on AITF ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2013 #182

Not on SNL, and various spinoffs like 30 Rock and Parks and Recreation kwassa Dec 2013 #108

I don't know. Why is almost all of the congress male? When can we get a lady president? LeftyMom Dec 2013 #109

"Art" and social constructs can lead the way bloom Dec 2013 #179

This is a reason why I like Bob's Burgers and Jamaal510 Dec 2013 #116

Seriously? Men are the "real victims"? VanillaRhapsody Dec 2013 #126

Type casting. Egalitarian Thug Dec 2013 #128

Don't forget.. sendero Dec 2013 #130

'Cause us dudes just can't catch a break. Iggo Dec 2013 #131

The "male idiot" character seems even more prevelant today oberliner Dec 2013 #134

And Will Ferrell has made a career of it too. Squinch Dec 2013 #135

I think that's only true of Family Guy mathematic Dec 2013 #164

Maybe so oberliner Dec 2013 #172

Molly on Mike & Molly is no Einstein! 2 Broke Girls B Calm Dec 2013 #149

It's safe. Eleanors38 Dec 2013 #157

Penny On "Big Bang Theory" erpowers Dec 2013 #160

Penny is just not book smart.... ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2013 #181

Jethro Bodine..... Bennyboy Dec 2013 #162

Because most TV protagonists are male? Tom Ripley Dec 2013 #165

like everything else in Uhhhhmerican comedy FatBuddy Dec 2013 #166

This trope is also a stupid gimmick to explain the product or how well it works. It's like 'amnesia' Dash87 Dec 2013 #170

Because Misrule. n/t Orsino Dec 2013 #174