Thursday, February 23, 2012

Comedy In Moderation

I heard a rumor (and hopefully it will stay this way) that a Dwight Schrute spinoff is being considered. (Yes, I realize I can figure out the legitimacy of this rumor with a quick Google search, but I like to live in this small world of hope.) I enjoy Dwight's antics and he has made me laugh, but I imaging that the only way for this to be successful is if some other character can steal this show away from him. Dwight in the spotlight is too much. I've done research on this. 

Okay, not research, but I've done a sort of Doug Benson Build a Title style chain of how this doesn't work. I start with Adam Sandler.

Ben Stilller stole from Adam Sandler in Happy Gilmore.
Will Ferrell stole from Ben Still in Zoolander.
Steve Carell stole from Will Ferrell in Anchorman.
Seth Rogan  stole from Steve Carell in 40 Year Old Virgin.
Jason Segal stole from Seth Rogan in Knocked Up.
Russell Brand stole from Jason Segal in Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
Russell Brand was also in Arthur with Jennifer Garner who was in Juno with Dwight Schrute himself Rainn Wilson who was in Super with Kevin Bacon!

I went off the rails because I have not seen Get Him to the Greek, or Arthur and I'm not sure how the comedic stealing works when Jonah Hill is the real comic in charge and according to reviews, Arthur wasn't funny so how can you steal from it? I suppose the point is I'm happy that comedic big shots allow their cohorts to shine not truly realizing a little it being taken from them.

I guess a better lesson here is if you have all your ducks in a row Frasier style and give the familiar character some good people to work with, you can have a good thing develop. If you pluck a beloved character(I use this loosely) and put him in a new scenario so hijinks can ensue, get ready for a mid season replacement pronto.