An Open Challenge

I’d like to issue a challenge to screenwriters who pen teen comedies. Push yourself. Try to do more than dick and fart jokes. I know it’s difficult, give it a shot.

I watched a trailer for another cookie cutter teen comedy, I Love You Beth Cooper. I had a couple ‘heh’s, but that’s about it. The whole shock humor genre is on its way out, and some recent teen flops (Sex Drive, College) are the flare. I think American Pie really led the charge, which was released 10 years ago! Although to give it credit, the story/characters were much more interesting and genuine then the million imitations we’ve come to see since it’s release.

You can tell the comedy tide is shifting, when Judd Apatow’s latest film is not like anything he’s done. He’s already been there, done that with 40 Year Old Virgin/Knocked Up/Superbad. It’s time to no longer only appeal to the lowest common denominator. Judd has been somewhat of a trend leader with the resurgence of R-rated comedies, so it’s interesting to see him lead off in a different way.

Just my two cents on it all; I’m sick of seeing movies greenlit who’s plot is as paper thin as its characters with jokes that were written by 8-year-olds, for 8-year-olds.