In response to your question/comment "Do we really need to be told when to laugh?" YES when at a live taping of a sitcom they have an applause sign that they light up (so subtly) when they think you should laugh or applaud. So they do try to give you somewhat of an idea of when they would like you to laugh. Lol.:star::sunglasses::thumbsup:
Review by cutecruelBlockedParent2023-10-12T13:44:46Z
The revival wasn’t bad, but it also wasn’t any where near as funny as the original. I wanted to love it, but it was very like every CBS sitcom, like" "Mike and Molly" for example.
The competence on display really reminds you that the best of the original series was a masterclass in ensemble cast work. Kelsey slips into the role like a pair of socks, as for the rest of the cast, I'm reserving my judgment until I’ve watched at least a few more episodes.
Definitely feels like they're just trying to replace characters like for like. I get that David is basically doing his best Niles impression, but something isn’t clicking here, so far he seems to have been written like Shelton from Big Bang Theory to me rather than Niles. Flipping the Martin/Frasier dynamic with Frasier/Freddie just feels like "been there, done that". I'm worried about Frasier not having anyone to snob around with, I felt that his and Niles' discussions about clothing, opera etc. were quite important. Alan doesn't seem to fill that slot, and neither does David.
The canned laughter is spoiling the funny bits. It's on almost every damn line. Do people really need to be told when to laugh?
I’m hoping that it gets funnier as the characters develop.