tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post2385845288689921195..comments2023-08-19T06:19:28.990-04:00Comments on the nytpicker: If Ben Brantley Compares Your Play To A Sitcom, Don't Feel Bad. You've Got Company.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-29542623132861308372009-03-06T08:53:00.000-05:002009-03-06T08:53:00.000-05:00Brantley's just a classic theater snob who can't a...Brantley's just a classic theater snob who can't abide the idea of mass entertainment. Frasier is better than most of the crap on Broadway but he'd never acknowledge that, because it diminishes his importance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-66242073438536910962009-03-06T07:21:00.000-05:002009-03-06T07:21:00.000-05:00Oh, I'm not as offended by tossing off comparisons...Oh, I'm not as offended by tossing off comparisons to sitcoms. It's like an analyst for natural gas companies comparing prices of natural gas to oil. They're competitive products.<BR/><BR/>And just like the theater, the sitcom world has its own rules that are followed just as slavishly. Whatever "rule breaking" is small and concentrated on unimportant artiface. The central rules are never challenged. <BR/><BR/>It's all about knowing your audience. Timothy Egan scores big points by calling Rush Limbaugh a clown. Sitcom writers score big points by ending the season with a wedding. And authors of plays score big points by having a caustic, cynical view of life. The audience gets what it wants and everyone goes home happy-- even if they're looking to be fed depressing news.<BR/><BR/>Do you honestly think that anyone turns to NYTPick for complements about the NYT? Nope. They want to see the mighty brought low. And you better deliver or the flighty humans will go elsewhere.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-40526251347409450602009-03-05T22:47:00.000-05:002009-03-05T22:47:00.000-05:00Bet he likes Will & Grace. I'm just saying...Bet he likes Will & Grace. I'm just saying.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007635024151290238.post-40401493923921408472009-03-05T20:30:00.000-05:002009-03-05T20:30:00.000-05:00How does Brantley know anything about sitcoms, any...How does Brantley know anything about sitcoms, anyway? If he's doing his job right he's at the theater during prime time. He's a pompous ass.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com