Community Forums => General Chat => Topic started by: NWR_pap64 on October 14, 2007, 06:37:34 AM
Title: Jim Henson's Dinosaurs
Post by: NWR_pap64 on October 14, 2007, 06:37:34 AM
Lately, I've been watching all 4 seasons of this slightly underrated series and I forgot how amazing this TV show was.
In case you never saw the series (because of lack of cable, too young to remember or just plain ignorance), "Dinosaurs" takes the simple premise of "The Simpsons"(a mockery of society) and replaces the humans with Dinosaurs. In short, it shows us how civilization would be like if dinosaurs decided to get out of the wild, get married and settled down.
"Dinosaurs" follows the Sinclair family. There's Earl Sinclair, the father of the family, Fran Sinclair, the wise mother, Robbie Sinclair, the rebellious elder son, Charlene Sinclair, the spoiled younger sister and the iconic Baby Sinclair, who gained fame by being cute and hilarious. There are other characters that inhabit their lives, such as Roy, Earl's best friend and B.P. Richfield, the series's main antagonist and Earl's boss.
There are many things to love about the series. The first thing is that it features some really witty and sharp writing with plenty of commentary on many of society's quirks. What I love most about this is that it doesn't get too preachy and heavy handed with the morals and commentary (save for the final episode) and just has fun with the storyline, something series like "The Boondocks" and "South Park" have been doing in recent years, sometimes being successful, other times just being pretentious. There's even a full on attack on Disney theme parks (which at one pointed heavily promoted the series on the parks)!
The other thing I love about the series are the puppet characters. This is perhaps some of the best puppetry Jim Henson has ever done. Each character takes 3, count them, 3 performers to bring to life (one dons the suit, one controls the face and the actor provides the voice). And yet you would never know because all three are in perfect sync, creating an amazing performance that is full of life, character and charm. I LOVE Earl, he's my favorite character in the entire series. He is basically one ol' big lug, a loser with visions of grandeur and the representation of male stubbornness. Its hard to hate him, even if he does do some questionable things.
I absolutely LOVE the character expressions. Everything from subtle expressions to wacky double takes brings the characters to life even further. It reminds me of the days in which films were filled to the brim with fantastic looking puppet characters (like Labyrinth, which is also a Jim Henson production).
So add clever writing and incredible puppet acting and you have a winner.
You can check out the whole series on DVD now. If you love Jim Henson stuff you should check this one out.
Title: RE:Jim Henson's Dinosaurs
Post by: bustin98 on October 14, 2007, 10:11:37 AM
Quote Not the mama!
Quote We Are Right
Two of the things I remember from watching it when it originally aired. I caugt it when I could, but I didn't find it thoroughly engrossing. I think at the time I was hoping the Flash series would continue past season 1 on CBS.
Title: RE: Jim Henson's Dinosaurs
Post by: ThePerm on October 14, 2007, 10:26:26 AM
is it me or do they remind you of the winslows?
Robbie-Eddie Earl-Carl Fran-harriet charline-laura baby-not quite urkel but the comic relief ethyl-Estelle
Title: RE:Jim Henson's Dinosaurs
Post by: EasyCure on October 14, 2007, 11:21:16 AM
no, i thought the same even when i was a little kid. more-so now
Title: RE:Jim Henson's Dinosaurs
Post by: bustin98 on October 14, 2007, 11:28:23 AM
Its the ABC sitcom template. Just toss things around a little. Growing Pains doesn't quite fit in there, but it reminds me of Who's The Boss a bit. Full House has kinda the same 'team' as well. But the Winslow's is a perfect fit for Dinosaurs.
Title: RE:Jim Henson's Dinosaurs
Post by: NWR_pap64 on October 14, 2007, 11:30:47 AM
Quote Originally posted by: ThePerm is it me or do they remind you of the winslows?
Robbie-Eddie Earl-Carl Fran-harriet charline-laura baby-not quite urkel but the comic relief ethyl-Estelle
You have to remember that the series is a parody of both society and sitcoms of the era. At the time it was common to see a family composed of a mother, father, a son, a daughter and a baby. So its no surprise that Dinosaurs, along with many other sitcoms, use the family of four archetype. Now since there are many single parents there are shows dealing with single parents (usually stay at home fathers).
Oh I think the series got better near the end of season 2. The first seasons aren't as good or funny but the series finally grew wings after its second season.
Title: RE:Jim Henson's Dinosaurs
Post by: wandering on October 14, 2007, 02:07:07 PM
I liked the show when I was a kid. I'll probably rent some episodes at some point, to see if it's as good as I remember (I suspect it isn't.)
Title: RE: Jim Henson's Dinosaurs
Post by: ShyGuy on October 14, 2007, 04:58:12 PM
I dislike this show. I disliked it then, I dislike it now.
Title: RE: Jim Henson's Dinosaurs
Post by: Stogi on October 14, 2007, 06:35:43 PM
I love this show! It was really stupid-funny; right up my alley as a youngster.
I need to re-watch this again.......
Title: RE:Jim Henson's Dinosaurs
Post by: Darkheart on October 15, 2007, 03:53:03 AM
Quote WE NEED ANOTHER TIMMY
Still makes me cry with laughter for how damn funny that skit always was . . .
Title: RE: Jim Henson's Dinosaurs
Post by: ThePerm on October 15, 2007, 02:51:05 PM
does anyone remember the name of that sitcom where the guys whole familyis aliens it totalyl has a stewie archetype
Title: RE:Jim Henson's Dinosaurs
Post by: NWR_pap64 on October 15, 2007, 02:59:58 PM
Quote Originally posted by: ThePerm does anyone remember the name of that sitcom where the guys whole familyis aliens it totalyl has a stewie archetype
The only one I can think of is the Coneheads skit on classic SNL.
Title: RE:Jim Henson's Dinosaurs
Post by: ThePerm on October 19, 2007, 06:42:00 AM
