Among the several post-Seinfeld sitcoms that have revamped their model, changing their characters, setting, structure or feel Still Standing is one that made a few major changes. Like many sitcoms of the time it’s based on a family, the relationships within the family and with others, everyday life and set in the home place. It is different in its conceptualization of ‘family’.
The parents are portrayed as ignorant and self absorbed. Bill Miller, the father, is lazy and not very smart. Judy Miller, the mother, though being a dental assistant isn’t that much smarter showing that they are unlike the conventional responsible and selfless role model parents depicted in most post Seinfeld sitcoms. In the episode “Still Eighteen” their son Brian is busy applying to colleges after taking a conscious decision on the college of his preference. Judy is not even aware of his major and misreads ‘physics’ for ‘psychics’. Bill on the other hand claims the credit (though misplaced) for Brian’s aspiring to be the first Miller to go to college. Later in the episode when Judy confronts Brian about quitting his job and spending time in a strip club, Bill instead of showing concern about the whereabouts of his son is more annoyed that Brian didn’t bring him back his favorite chicken wings! The father is shown as being self-centered and unlike the normal father figure depicted in sitcoms of that time. A classic example of a post-Seinfeld sitcom with a not so classic portrayal of “family”.
1 comment:
Thanks, Akshaya. You've done a nice job answering the question about post-SEINFELD sitcoms.
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