"Oh, is that just your thing, Kevin? I don't want to step on any toes." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbPp9PeEIdY#t=21s
Earlier today, Jaime Weinman -- the television critic for MacLean's magazine -- posted an interesting analysis about why it is so tough to write Bugs Bunny properly. He contends that most Bugs Bunny stories violate accepted rules for good screenplay writing. http://bit.ly/iOif04 Bugs Bunny is less of a classic protagonist, but rather he's like a trickster spirit who will torment the antagonist when provoked through various put upons. The problem and the antagonist is less important to Bugs than it is to most protagonists. Now, this is a character archetype that is very hard to write for, as without a very good reason to root for Bugs, he becomes a jerk. That is the problem that plagued characters like Screwball Squirrel, Woody Woodpecker. This dilemma could probably explain why it seems that this is not Bugs Bunny, but Porky Pig playing the role of Bugs Bunny in "The Looney Tunes Show". The show is premised around Bugs and Daffy being roommates (a la The Odd Couple). Daffy Duck is mostly the self-absorbed, self-interested version of Chuck Jones but with bits of Bob Clampett insanity, but without an actual villain to play off of, Bugs is now saddled as the straight man to Daffy Duck's schemes. I suspect one's opinion of The Looney Tunes Show will depend on how much much you revere the personalities of the characters from the 40s-60s -- or at least the Bugs Bunny personality. I was somewhat disappointed by the show. I really could not accept Bugs Bunny being domesticated. That said, the show does have a path to improvement. Daffy Duck's antics are always enjoyable, and when the show moves on to focus on Daffy (Daffy tries to make amends to Bugs for knowing nothing about him by trying to become the bestest best friend possible), it becomes amusing. Another path to improvement is noting that most Bugs & Daffy cartoons tend to have three characters. Bugs generally needs a good (comic) villain to play off of, with Daffy Duck being a complication. (It's unlikely that they will make Daffy a villain, but someone whose will need rescuing from the real villain or from himself.) (Also of note: Speedy has been unbanned.) -- Wesley McGee http://www.ambivi.com http://drawing-a-blank.tumblr.com -- TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en
