Streaming puts sit-coms in a different light

The beauty of Netflix and Amazon streaming makes me realize that my judgemnt on television viewing through the years is utterly questionable.

My iPad propped up while I do the things I do every day, I tune into such jewels as the old episodes of Frazier, Seinfeld, Friends and Wings.

Watching them now I realize that some of these episodes are not as entertaining as I once thought.

Let me begin with Frazier.

Overall, it remains entertaining enough. Yeah, binge-watching while preparing meals or just wasting time, the unrelenting Niles obsessing over Daphne (could she really be that oblivious to his leering?) gets tiresome. But, I can overlook all that fawning.

For me, the biggest blunder in character development on this show was the Roz storyline.

The moment they took that tough-as-nails gal down the maternity-lane, they lost one of the fierest female characters in sitcom-land.

This becomes crystal -clear when you compare the early years Roz with the later years. For whatever reason the Frazier honchos diminished Roz Doyle into just another ineffective sitcom prop.

Too bad.

##

Summing up my feelings as I try to re-watch Seinfeld is not difficult.

Some shows hold up (mostly the ones primarily featuring Jerry and Elaine), but many are absolutely cringe-worthy.

As an avid fan back in the day, how was I so completely unaware just how obnoxious the George character was? Now, I find him completely unbearable to watch.

##

Tuning in Friends causes me to immediately begin my search for something more worthy like any episode of Burn Notice (for the umpteenth time).

Each and every one of the characters seem painfully shallow and the actors simply became more smug with each episode.

Yes, Tom Selleck gave it some credibility. Not enough.

##

This all brings me to, Wings.

Remember that little airport in Nantucket with all the zany people?

I just have one thing to say about the worthiness of this sitcom.

Thomas Haden Church. -- Pam

---