Letters

I received many email from people very upset about the outcome of "Situation: Comedy".  Here are a few:

Hello Mark and Shoe,

My friends and I are so disappointed that "Sperm Donor" was not chosen the winner from "Situation: Comedy."  Your pilot was so superior to "Stephen's Life" that there really was not a contest. Blame the voting (more about that below).  You should both be very happy with the results and I am sure that TV executives out there will take notice of your efforts.

I am really unhappy with how the voting was handled.  I am sure there were many people watching tonight who had no idea that the voting had closed the previous week.  Although I voted on AOL, many people seemed to be under the impression that there would be a chance to vote after your pilots were shown on BRAVO.  After all, who wants to watch a postage-stamp window for 15 minutes?  Furthermore, not everyone has a broadband connection to make the streaming video even viable.  Nowhere that I saw in last week's episode did BRAVO state that voting was closing after episode 7.  The voting procedures were mishandled and misguided by BRAVO, AOL and the producers.  The pilots should have been screened last week with an announcement that voting was closing.  This week's episode should have been a wrap-up and should have included comments/interviews with the directors, actors and NBC executives.  I am shocked by the amateur way in which "Situation: Comedy" was produced.

Was the voting rigged?  My friends and I are not usually ones to get on-board with the conspiracy theories, but we were all wondering the same thing:  Did BRAVO/NBC sandbag your production?  (because of the similar series on the WB that they did not want you to win).  It is an interesting question.  Throughout the series, one would have assumed that the "better" pilot would be "Stephen's Life."  Although David and Andrew did come across prickly and un-likeable, they did seem to be better organized and prepared.  Ah, the power of editing. The two of you came across much more likeable and earnest, but seemingly totally unprepared.  Was the show edited this way on purpose?  If so, it may have affected the voting.  How many people ACTUALLY watched the pilots on AOL BEFORE voting.  Perhaps, the voting had nothing to with the quality of the pilots at all.
 
We all felt that "Stephen's Life" was completely ludicrous.  The premise and  was unbelievable.  "Stephen" was not likeable and his voice was unintelligible many times during the pilot.  The show was so cartoonish: the behaviors unbelievable.  The children did not act or behave like children; the parents did not behave or act like parents.  It is hard to judge the other actors since the material they were given was so weak.  For all the fuss about Cheri Oteri (am I they only one wondering "Who the hell is she?"), she was not able to deliver much.  I was truly offended by some of the lines and actions in reference to her "attraction" to a grade schooler.  The worse sin: it was not even remotely funny or amusing.  The only redeeming factor (and a surprise to me) was Andrew's sister's performance.  I suspect that we can thank Fred Savage for toning her down.  "Stephen's Life" demonstrates what is wrong with sitcoms today - or, perhaps the way they are produced.
 
Mark and Shoe, I must admit that I had grave doubts about your premise.  There was a certain "ick" factor about it.  I have no problem admitting when I am wrong.  I found your premise as presented quite plausible.  There were some great lines and laughs in the show and an endearing ending.  The actors were great.  I'd hire Maggie Wheeler in a heartbeat.  I was a little concered about Mr. Deluise, but he surprised me with a good performance and showed some acting
chops in the last scene...  Amanda Bearse:  Brava!  She did a great job of directing (I want her to direct my pilot!)  I would definitely watch more in the series to see where it would go.

Thank you for sharing your "15 minutes" with us!
 
All the best,
Greg Allen
http://www.situationcomedyrejected.com
http://www.pigeon-falls.com

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As in any contest, no matter how it is conducted, one has to be prepared to lose. Sorry it happened to you guys.

I'm sure it's still possible for you to pitch SD to other networks. There's nothing like having an actual stellar pilot and cast and director already in the can to view, to give you a head up over the competition. And you don't have to limit yourself to networks -- Cable channels have been putting out some excellent shows. Witness TNT's The Closer which started this summer -- the best new show in recent memory, fabulously done.

If you want you could even get an online petition to sign to have SD picked up, if you think that might help your case. There seem to be a lot of disappointed people out there who really love the show. I wouldn't place the petition under your website though. Vanity aside, not enough people know your name. I'd start a website called The Official Sperm Donor Website or something like that -- as long as it wasn't too confusable with a medical sperm donor thing. Maybe you could have the word Sitcom after the word Donor, or something. Or do whatever you need to do to made it Google-friendly.

Anyway, best of luck to you guys -- and if you are going to run with it, to the SD show. We all had a lot of fun watching it.

Sincerely,

Aanel Victoria

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Hi guys,

Congratulations on your great effort on Situation Comedy. I can't
believe Sperm Donor didn't win, I thought it was hilarious, and the
cast was out of this world, they were so great.  In Stephen's Life, I
thought the little boy was really good, and also George Wendt and Cheri
Oteri were very funny, but overall the script didn't make me laugh.
Sperm Donor was far and away the better pilot, I thought.

Oh well, better luck next time. Best wishes for the future.

Carol
Orlando, FL

Comments

[Fun Joel]

Looking forward to great things in the future!

[Dave]

Sorry to hear that guys. I even voted on AOL without seeing it, as I enjoy your sense of humour.

Really hope that someone takes your talent and runs with it.

cheers
Dave.

[Esther]

Sorry to hear that America's not yet hip to the Markiness and Shoeyness of life yet. And Bravo did a sucky job of promotion. Hopefully the show showed those powerful Hollywood types that you guys would be a dream to work with, which one cannot say about all writers in the industry.

So let's not call it losing. let's call it "honorable menschen."

See you soon!