Is anybody else sick of sitcoms where main characters are true, loving and kind to their inner-circle, or at least to their chosen few, but are outright mean, narcissistic and horrible to everyone else?
I first noticed this personality trait for some sitcom characters way back in SCIENFELD. Here the four core characters were generally okay with one another, but to the rest of the world they were horrible. In fact, they were douche-bags, and it made the show unwatchable for me.
Think as well, Barry, Erica and Beverly in THE GOLDBERGS. Or Sheila in CALL ME KAT. Or nearly any character Christa Miller plays in any of her sitcoms. These are just a few examples from the top of my head. I'm sure there are many others.
In HIMYF Valentina and Sophie fit the bill here, (not to mention the future Sophie with her obvious narcissism and borderline alcoholism.) In their dealings outside their circle, these two often come across as self-centered, self-absorbed, selfish, and outright nasty.
Neither of them would themselves pass the test they proposed for Sophie's maybe-Dad.
HIMYF seems to pride itself as an ensemble show, but despite this more-often-than-not the main story line revolves around these two characters. (HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER did a better job at being an ensemble.) And as such, as these two have terrible personalities, I am about to give up this show.
Would it have been funny still if what Valentina was doing to her woe-begotten "fiancé", she did to Charlie instead? Treating people badly, just because they are not part of the core group, just isn't funny to me. And it's bad comedy-writing.
So if no effort is made to make these characters less distasteful, I really won't be spending any more time on them or this show.
I first noticed this personality trait for some sitcom characters way back in SCIENFELD. Here the four core characters were generally okay with one another, but to the rest of the world they were horrible. In fact, they were douche-bags, and it made the show unwatchable for me.
Think as well, Barry, Erica and Beverly in THE GOLDBERGS. Or Sheila in CALL ME KAT. Or nearly any character Christa Miller plays in any of her sitcoms. These are just a few examples from the top of my head. I'm sure there are many others.
In HIMYF Valentina and Sophie fit the bill here, (not to mention the future Sophie with her obvious narcissism and borderline alcoholism.) In their dealings outside their circle, these two often come across as self-centered, self-absorbed, selfish, and outright nasty.
Neither of them would themselves pass the test they proposed for Sophie's maybe-Dad.
HIMYF seems to pride itself as an ensemble show, but despite this more-often-than-not the main story line revolves around these two characters. (HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER did a better job at being an ensemble.) And as such, as these two have terrible personalities, I am about to give up this show.
Would it have been funny still if what Valentina was doing to her woe-begotten "fiancé", she did to Charlie instead? Treating people badly, just because they are not part of the core group, just isn't funny to me. And it's bad comedy-writing.
So if no effort is made to make these characters less distasteful, I really won't be spending any more time on them or this show.
