Author Topic: Throwing Up on TV (Read 2347 times)

Ben · « **on:** May 07, 2015, 07:45:02 PM »

Has anyone else noticed there's a lot more vomiting on TV in the last, I don't know, five or so years? Not the implication of throwing up, but the whole full frontal throwing up in scenes.

I don't get why. I can pretty much pick up the implications, whether in drama or comedy, of why somebody is barfing with a shot from behind or a fadeout. I can't figure how actually showing the expulsion of stomach contents adds to a scene. Certainly there are exceptions in some over the top comedy or even showing extreme distress in a drama, but it seems like it has become a standard prop in recent years. "I can't think of anything to add to this scene." "I know- let's show somebody barfing! That'll get a laugh!".

Monkeyleg · « **Reply #1 on:** May 07, 2015, 07:51:28 PM »

I think it's for a bit of shock value, like so many other things. Why the need to swear so much on TV and even more so in movies? It's seldom that swearing adds anything to the dialogue. If the writer is trying to flesh out a character, there's better ways.

Same with sex scenes. The scenes on TV now get pretty close to what R rated movies would show.

Blood and gore? Millions of barrels of fake blood.

Plot lines? There's actually been a remake of "I Spit On Your Grave". That's how bad it's gotten.

Ben · « **Reply #2 on:** May 07, 2015, 08:23:32 PM »

Quote from: Monkeyleg on May 07, 2015, 07:51:28 PM

I think it's for a bit of shock value, like so many other things. Why the need to swear so much on TV and even more so in movies? It's seldom that swearing adds anything to the dialogue. If the writer is trying to flesh out a character, there's better ways.

Same with sex scenes. The scenes on TV now get pretty close to what R rated movies would show.

Blood and gore? Millions of barrels of fake blood.

Plot lines? There's actually been a remake of "I Spit On Your Grave". That's how bad it's gotten.

Yeah, I guess it's a "lazy writers" tool, same as your examples.

I always go back to old movies like "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" as examples of being able to make an excellent movie with no special props, limited dialog extremes (1940s censorship), and no special effects. "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" is my example of one of the best fight scenes in a movie, during the bar fight scene. No loud background music, no yelling. Just quiet guys hitting each other and you hear about what you would actually hear when a fist makes contact with a face, and just grunts out of the fighters. Really realistic and no special aids needed.

bedlamite · « **Reply #3 on:** May 07, 2015, 08:42:48 PM »

Many years ago a friend of mine threw up on his TV. It never worked after that.

Northwoods · « **Reply #4 on:** May 07, 2015, 09:05:25 PM »

Quote from: Monkeyleg on May 07, 2015, 07:51:28 PM

I think it's for a bit of shock value, like so many other things. Why the need to swear so much on TV and even more so in movies? It's seldom that swearing adds anything to the dialogue. If the writer is trying to flesh out a character, there's better ways.

Same with sex scenes. The scenes on TV now get pretty close to what R rated movies would show.

Blood and gore? Millions of barrels of fake blood.

Plot lines? There's actually been a remake of "I Spit On Your Grave". That's how bad it's gotten.

I object to all this sex on the television. I mean! I keep falling off!

lee n. field · « **Reply #5 on:** May 07, 2015, 09:13:42 PM »

Quote from: Ben on May 07, 2015, 07:45:02 PM

Has anyone else noticed there's a lot more vomiting on TV in the last, I don't know, five or so years?

Hmmpf.

Just as well I gave up on TV a long time ago.

lee n. field · « **Reply #6 on:** May 07, 2015, 09:18:14 PM »

Quote from: Monkeyleg on May 07, 2015, 07:51:28 PM

I think it's for a bit of shock value, like so many other things. Why the need to swear so much on TV and even more so in movies? It's seldom that swearing adds anything to the dialogue. If the writer is trying to flesh out a character, there's better ways.

I gave up on Simsons when they started that. A full out bellowed Third Commandment violation from Homer, I can do without.

230RN · « **Reply #7 on:** May 07, 2015, 09:49:42 PM »

I used to watch "Bones" for the technical aspects. Then they got pretty disgusting what with romances and kissin' and babies and stuff like that there. Ick.

Terry, 230RN

brimic · « **Reply #8 on:** May 07, 2015, 09:52:30 PM »

Quote from: bedlamite on May 07, 2015, 08:42:48 PM

Many years ago a friend of mine threw up on his TV. It never worked after that.

I knew a guy who peed on not one, but two computers in seperate incidents while drunk. They didn't work after that either.

TommyGunn · « **Reply #9 on:** May 07, 2015, 10:50:41 PM »

Quote from: Ben on May 07, 2015, 07:45:02 PM

Has anyone else noticed there's a lot more vomiting on TV in the last, I don't know, five or so years? ...

Frankly, no. I haven't. Have you been watching Fox Broadcast?

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #10 on:** May 08, 2015, 01:06:16 AM »

Quote from: Ben on May 07, 2015, 07:45:02 PM

Has anyone else noticed there's a lot more vomiting on TV in the last, I don't know, five or so years? Not the implication of throwing up, but the whole full frontal throwing up in scenes.

I don't get why. I can pretty much pick up the implications, whether in drama or comedy, of why somebody is barfing with a shot from behind or a fadeout. I can't figure how actually showing the expulsion of stomach contents adds to a scene. Certainly there are exceptions in some over the top comedy or even showing extreme distress in a drama, but it seems like it has become a standard prop in recent years. "I can't think of anything to add to this scene." "I know- let's show somebody barfing! That'll get a laugh!".

I was too busy noticing that sitcoms now feel the need to include the clinical terms for reproductive organs at least once per season. NPR even talked about what a great step forward it was. I guess the major media just turned 9, and learned some fascinating new words.

Northwoods · « **Reply #11 on:** May 08, 2015, 01:15:04 AM »

Quote from: fistful on May 08, 2015, 01:06:16 AM

I was too busy noticing that sitcoms now feel the need to include the clinical terms for reproductive organs at least once per season. NPR even talked about what a great step forward it was. I guess the major media just turned 9, and learned some fascinating new words.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31b_70kzfwQ

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #12 on:** May 08, 2015, 01:23:32 AM »

Quote from: sumpnz on May 08, 2015, 01:15:04 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31b_70kzfwQ

Pretty much.

KD5NRH · « **Reply #13 on:** May 08, 2015, 09:42:43 AM »

"Ow, My Balls" will be premiering any season now.

Ben · « **Reply #14 on:** May 08, 2015, 09:52:58 AM »

Here's the fight scene from "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" that I was referring to:

http://movieclips.com/DGHAT-the-treasure-of-the-sierra-madre-movie-give-us-our-money/

230RN · « **Reply #15 on:** May 10, 2015, 06:19:21 PM »

IIRC, the first reference to throwing up was in Seinfeld, where "he hadn't thrown up since...(date)."

Me, I don't even like spit takes.... even with the Three Stooges. Just not funny.

Ben · « **Reply #16 on:** May 10, 2015, 06:30:01 PM »

Quote from: 230RN on May 10, 2015, 06:19:21 PM

IIRC, the first reference to throwing up was in Seinfeld, where "he hadn't thrown up since...(date)."

That's actually an example, to me anyway, where they keep it funny through clever writing. For instance, having someone put their hand to their mouth and run off screen. You know what's going on without needing to view particulate matter ejecting from their mouths (I wonder what they mix together for fake barf?). I'm really referring to the increased propensity to actually show the vomit coming out. I just don't get that.

zxcvbob · « **Reply #17 on:** May 10, 2015, 06:38:40 PM »

lee n. field · « **Reply #18 on:** May 10, 2015, 07:46:54 PM »

"Just one little thin mint."

BlueStarLizzard · « **Reply #19 on:** May 10, 2015, 08:20:18 PM »

I watch a lot of network TV. Throwing up isn't something I've really noticed a lot of... So, I guess the real question is, what is Ben watching?

The most graphic barf scene that comes to mind is not one from TV, but the movie Detroit Rock City.
If you've ever seen that movie, you know what I mean. If you haven't seen that movie, despite the graphic puking scene, it really is a great movie. Dad loved it, and he HATES Kiss.

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Author Topic: Throwing Up on TV (Read 2347 times)