Production wise, I can definitely tell that community takes a lot more artistic liberties then 30 rock. 30 rock uses more conventional story telling devices such as the cutaway. Community takes on that and adds a bit more in the digital effects department.
The episodes I watched were fantastically told. The Community paintball episodes were insane! The cast works tremendously together. I can really sense the chemistry between the cast members. In 30 rock the characters come off far to much as designated stereotypes beyond believably. In community they seem far more normal as far as character archetypes go. Perhaps they are more believable and normal because I can see my friends in them. A college student is what I am and a college student is what I can easily identify. Although this does place me in a better position to cast scrutiny because I know the roles better, but I'll let it slide.
As for intertextuality, I see a lot of references to the world in 30 rock. Notably a reference to Albert Pujols, the first basemen for the St. Louis Cardinals. Let me go on the record as a Reds fan and say FUCK ALBERT PUJOLS!!! That aside, I did appreciate an MLB references, they are very few and far between, well outside of Archer anyway, Johnny Bench called. They also referenced other parts of the show in the form of a flash back sequence of what I can assume are older episodes but a definite part of it was from earlier in the episode.
Community, I didn't notice it as much, I did appreciate the Star Wars reference though. A Muslim Han Solo, who would have thought. I wonder if they have done this in past episodes but I think if they made Chevy Chase make references to his movies and everyone look at him like hes stupid it would be funny as hell.
Random, A list celebrity usage. I started up 30 Rock and the first thing I noticed was Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, and Tracy Morgan. Started up Community, Chevy Chase! And Guest stars on 30 rock, Oprah, Steve Martin, Will Arnet! Community had LaVar Burton, Drew Carey, Jack Black, and Own Wilson! I mean the only time I've seen this many Celeb's in one place that is not an award show is probably the "Fight for your right revisited" Beastie Boys video.
I agree with Community's cast working well together. I think that Community is more ensemble based than 30 Rock even though both have great ensembles on the show. How great was it at the end of For a Few Paintballs more when they came together to back Britta and Shirley and it was actually Pierce who, being an extremely sneaky bastard, wins?
ReplyDeleteI thought it humorous that 30 Rock had to use more conventional filming... on the set of NBC (You`d think that that would be the place to take liberties). Did you notice any time^period difference in the jokes?
ReplyDelete@scott I loved the paintball episodes, Chevy Chase is a badass.
ReplyDelete@john I did notice the differances. I think 30 rock is aimed more at an older audience, jokes on them though, we're in the overlap.
I agree with what you said about all of the celebrity cameo's being in both shows, I think it ads to the greatness of both of these shows
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