Now there's a new entrant in the genre of "webcam narrative": Web Therapy starring, co-written and co-produced by the brilliant Lisa Kudrow. But Web Therapy as the name might imply, is not another one-sided windbag borefest, it's -- hello -- actual two-way conversations that purportedly take place in real time (just 3 minutes per session!) over dual webcams between annoying psychologist Dr. Fiona Wallace and her exasperated patients. What a simple, yet clever idea! One that makes sense that it occurs over webcams.Dual webcams and annoying people? That's Bloggingheads-y. I mean, it's like what Bloggingheads could be if everyone didn't feel such a need to preserve their dignity and professional standing... and was allowed to create fictionalized conflicts....
Anyway, as you know -- or could learn by clicking the "Lisa Kudrow" tag -- I adore Lisa Kudrow. Not from "Friends," which I never found interesting enough to watch (other than that one time when Brad Pitt was on). I loved "The Comeback," which I consider the best TV comedy of all time.
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21 comments:
It is a shame that Kudrow got typecast as a ditz, because she's actually very funny in more intelligent comedies.
"... everyone didn't feel such a need to preserve their dignity and professional standing."
Is that the same Bloggingheads I've watched?
I didn't say they succeeded, only that they feel the need...
It screws up the performance.
Ann, I immediately thought of you when I read this on BoingBoing last night. It might be a fun counterpoint to "In Treatment" and other portrayals of therapy. I have lots of respect for therapy and therapists, but I also have a deep need to mock our navel-gazing society as well. And the first episode is reminding me how good Kudrow can be. That voice and steady smile is perfect.
"I loved "The Comeback," which I consider the best TV comedy of all time."
That is without a doubt the silliest thing you ever said. Holy moly Batman.
Maria Bamford (comedians of comedy) did a web show also.
You might find her skits funny as well.
this is the first episode I think. Where she tells the (fictional? true?) tale of her leaving LA and moving back to live in her parents attic in minnesota.
Funnier than the Honeymooners? I Love Lucy? Fawlty Towers? All in the Family? Mary Tyler Moore? The Office?
At first, I thought Web Therapy was kind of slow and kind of weak, but it builds beautifully. Then I remembered that this is just how The Comeback worked. Lisa Kudrow is a uniquely brilliant comic actor.
Ann Althouse said:
I loved "The Comeback," which I consider the best TV comedy of all time.
I knew ther was a reason I was attracted to this place.
THE BEST EVER! One of my most cherished DVDs. Better than the 4th season of Lucy. Even better than the first 4 seasons of "Moonlighting".
I love every episode, Can you believe HBO cancelled that?
Kudrow & King couldn't believe their baby got cancelled either. Really wrong and unfair.
I miss Valerie (I Will Survive) Cherish so much.
The best characters, writing and so much fun.
Bring back Valerie!
"Friends" was and is unwatchable. Horrible from beginning to end. I'm gettin' douchechills just thinking about it.
Kudrow is rioutously funny in a film I love but flopped badly called "Lucky Numbers". So funny.
Frankly, there was something about her delivery that seemed very Althousian. Interesting.
Frankly, there was something about her delivery that seemed very Althousian. Interesting.
Whether people here know it, Althouse has an extremely wicked sense of humor. And loves to antagonize in a fun way, she's more of a New Yorker than Wisconsonian(I made that word up, and like it), probably because she was raised on the east coast(Delaware).
...probably because she was raised on the east coast(Delaware).
Yeah, so, Ann has already acknowledged hanging out at the Charcoal Pit.
I happen to be of the time and place, and reflection leads me to recall that there was something, well, Palinesque about that crowd. Or there's something Charcoal Pit about the governor. And I mean that in a good way.
Which reminds me: Can anybody find reference to Joe Six Pack before Pete du Pont?
Actually, I find it's that they are performing without knowing how that screws it up.
You're muted now
so I can't hear you
because our session has ended.
Too funny!
Ann, I share your love of The Comeback.
The DVD is worth owning, if you don't already. Do you have a favorite episode? It's hard for me to pick, but the one where she goes to Palm Springs stands out as does the one where she goes to the People's Choice Awards. God it was so amazing.
I don't have the DVD, but I watched all the episodes many times on HBO on Demand. Can't remember the specific episodes so much now, but I fell in love with the first episode when she was doing the repeated takes on "Well, I got it."
I was lucky enough to find the entire first season of "The Comeback" on DVD in a bargain bin at a grocery store. I watched it straight through over three days. It is one of the smartest comedy series I have watched, and I thought it was finding its stride just when it was canceled.
Ann Althouse said...
I don't have the DVD, but I watched all the episodes many times on HBO on Demand. Can't remember the specific episodes so much now, but I fell in love with the first episode when she was doing the repeated takes on "Well, I got it."
I thought the first episode was the one where she did the repeated takes of "I don't wanna see that"? Which is really funny as well.
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