Oh, how I've missed her, how I've missed her. Just like Pavlov's dog, I would often drool just at the sound of Norman Lear's name - and Lear has never disappointed. I'd always enjoyed watching soaps as well as sitcoms and Lear's name on top of the two was a hell of a mix.
I'd heard it was a comedy, I'd heard it was a drama. I was surprised there was no laugh-track, but that was a good thing because it challenged my sense of humor and I think I won. It didn't matter what anyone said, I laughed at whatever happened to strike me funny - I went with my instincts. From the age of 12 (when this initially aired), I didn't need anyone to tell me when something was funny, and, thank God, I still don't, even though others will try, by God.
I loved the use of overly melodramatic music in the background underscoring a really funny scene, which caused middle America to scratch its head and try to guess whether or not it was funny. They let the music tell them how to feel. You decide - you're watching something being played out in front of you - do you think it's funny - do you think it's sad. Mary Hartman Mary Hartman let us decide for ourselves and God bless Norman Lear for going in this direction. It paved the way for more of the same with Arrested Development, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Extras, the British "Office". Nice to finally have the spearhead of this movement back in my living room where it belongs.
I'd heard it was a comedy, I'd heard it was a drama. I was surprised there was no laugh-track, but that was a good thing because it challenged my sense of humor and I think I won. It didn't matter what anyone said, I laughed at whatever happened to strike me funny - I went with my instincts. From the age of 12 (when this initially aired), I didn't need anyone to tell me when something was funny, and, thank God, I still don't, even though others will try, by God.
I loved the use of overly melodramatic music in the background underscoring a really funny scene, which caused middle America to scratch its head and try to guess whether or not it was funny. They let the music tell them how to feel. You decide - you're watching something being played out in front of you - do you think it's funny - do you think it's sad. Mary Hartman Mary Hartman let us decide for ourselves and God bless Norman Lear for going in this direction. It paved the way for more of the same with Arrested Development, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Extras, the British "Office". Nice to finally have the spearhead of this movement back in my living room where it belongs.