Thursday, May 29, 2008

Stranded, then and now

The conversation in todays strip actually happened at Penguincon in Michigan. I was struck by the stark difference in culture represented by these two shows. In the early sixties (I think) a show about people stranded on an island is a comedy. Today a show about people stranded on an island is quite different. I wonder what that says about today's choice of entertainment.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Now the popular comedies are about: alternative couples or ironic groups of people dating and/or raising children together, working boring soul crushing jobs, and working well paying glamorous jobs. I can't think of anything similar to Gilligan's island being on today. The style of sitcoms have changed a lot, but we don't seem to be coming up with any revolutionary new sit coms. When does a space exploration comedy get big?

Dramas are about being stuck on secret conspiracy islands, hospitals, and ... wow. I can't think of anything else.

Unknown said...

You forgot the crime dramas. The multitude of CSI's and Law & Order shows.

I think that society as a whole has changed a great deal and wants more escapisim now

Anonymous said...

think about it.. the original star trek series was "on the edge" of what *could* be broadcast..

and ya know.. ginger often didnt wear much..

so like in thirty years it will be back to comedy.. but it will be like benny hill and porn .. and we'll be old and bitch about how terrible the youth of today are.

Urakh said...

Don't forget that around the time Gilligan was out, lots of really bizarre TV shows were out too, stuff Lost is in homage of; The Prisoner, The Avengers, and strange stuff like that.

Kyle Voltti said...

indeed TV today has far less of the wacky... but it had the wacky only a decade or so ago. Shows like Herman's Head for example. and the wacky still exists in animated fare like Family Guy

two bits said...

I just have to say I love this comic (today's in particular, and DP in general). I don't have poison ivy in my bush, but I do have it in one of my planting beds. Stubborn stuff, nothing kills it! I have already sprayed it with PI killer twice this season. I tried the organic method of boiling water and vinegar last year. I dug it all up (at least I thought I did), and still it comes back. Any tips?

Meagan said...

Wow... reading today's strip... last panel... I've asked that exact question and gotten that exact look in response... nice capture.

Unknown said...

Space exploration comedy?

Been and gone. From the UK: "Red Dwarf" Very funny, 8 Seasons IIRC

William said...

My understanding is that the creators of "Lost" were inspired by "Survivor", and the creators of "Survivor" were inspired by "Gilligan's Island". So, strange as it seems, there's a direct line.

Xheralt Delencradier said...

Now compare both Gilligan and Lost against Robinson Crusoe, and you'll really understand how much society has changed...

When does space exploration comedy get big? When a Japansese animation studio does it. Why isn't there anything like Gilligan's Island out there? Because they'd get their asses sued off for copyright infringement.

The latest Great Idea For Serial Drama seems to be Witness Protection, two different cable nets.

I hate the current crop of American cartoon fare, South Park, Family Guy, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, etc. Why is it that so-called "mature" fare is actually the most immature crap out there?!

Jennifer Rose said...

Cartoon Network has a show called "Drama Island." I think it's a spoof of Survivor. I died laughing when I saw the preview!

Anonymous said...

Chuckles, "Don't forget that horrible reality TV version of Gilligan's Island they perpetrated last year (or was that 06?)."

Rip Ford said...

There have been a number of "space exploration comedies" over the years such as "Quark" and "Far Out Space Nuts" which starred Bob "Gilligan" Denver and who can forget "Home Boys In Outer Space" (try as we might)?