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Outsourced

post #1 of 21
9/23/10 at 11:28pm
Thread Starter 
I just want to let you know, that this post was dictated and then typed in India for your reading pleasure.

Of the bat, yes I'm Indian, so I kind of felt obligated to watch the show because it had Indian people in it. I mean all we have really is Kal Penn and Dev Patel for Hollywood representation! I'm happy that Danny Pudi and Aziz Ansari are getting popular slowly, but Indian penetration (oh dirty thoughts) into mainstream American culture has had us limited to roles of stereotypes of playing terrorists. Obligation rant over.

So I dunno who wrote the show, but I'm not offended in any way, but I hope people who write the show actually take the time to see Indian culture for what it is. While watching this, I kinda felt like I was watching a white washed American's interpretation of things. I really hope this show isn't "Indian's being cultured shocked" the whole way through.
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post #2 of 21
9/23/10 at 11:41pm
How long until Parks & Rec comes back?
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post #3 of 21
9/24/10 at 3:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raspberry Leper View Post
How long until Parks & Rec comes back?
HAHAHAHAH! Thank you. That post made my day.
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post #4 of 21
9/24/10 at 11:35am
I kind of hated it. They're wasting a really good, really timely premise on the cheapest jokes they could come up with. I mean, "Manmeet?" Seriously?
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post #5 of 21
9/24/10 at 11:38am
Who calls to place orders anymore?
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post #6 of 21
9/24/10 at 11:49am
I give this show three weeks. No one wants to watch a show about outsourcing in the middle of the worst job market in history.

ETA: In history since the depression, I meant.
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post #7 of 21
9/24/10 at 12:51pm
I don't see any point to this show. Just watch the movie it's based on.
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post #8 of 21
9/24/10 at 1:28pm
The show was terrible and an embarrassment to all involved. I felt bad for Indian people so I'm glad to see that you weren't offended by anything, Sairus, but the depiction of Indian culture was nothing but a undercooked stew of tired stereotypes. I can't believe they made the main character so ignorant and apparently unprofessional and lecherous.

It has a great premise, but horrible execution. I was hoping this show would be smarter, and aimed at the 30 Rock crowd. Instead it has a Big Bang Theory vibe-- written by outsiders who don't understand what they're making fun of.
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post #9 of 21
9/24/10 at 8:56pm
I gave it ten minutes, and I didn't laugh once. I'm done with it.
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post #10 of 21
9/24/10 at 11:22pm
Absolutely refusing to watch this. I need Ron Swanson back NOW
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post #11 of 21
9/24/10 at 11:25pm
Oh hell, it was cute enough, but I want P&R back too.
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post #12 of 21
9/25/10 at 1:27pm
I have a couple of friends who have been life long best friends with one of the writers/actors (at least I think he's one of the writers) from the show. He's Indian and supposedly a very funny and smart person. And of course my friends think the show is brilliant.

I don't know if I even should bother to burst their bubble or not. I know it's going to come up 'cause they know I watch the NBC comedies on Thursday night, and Outsourced is all they've been fucking talking about for a week before it came out and ever since then. I just don't know how to tell them that their friend isn't funny at all and the show is one of the worst things I've seen in years.
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post #13 of 21
9/25/10 at 5:22pm
Is there some kind of executive mandate that says every sitcom on NBC must include two regular characters who have a long running, on-off romance?
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post #14 of 21
10/8/10 at 1:55pm
Thread Starter 
Well I played catch up on the show, and I actually thought the recent episode finally had something resembling momentum in a TV show, but hell, even Entourage had a storyline that was coursing and pushing it's most recent season.

I don't know exactly where to start what's wrong with the show. I explained my view point on stereotypes before, and yes it got old by the 2nd episode. So here we go:

The Main Character
The guy has no momentum and character arc at all. He comes to India with 0 transition problems and very hard to relate to.

The General Premise/The Supporting Characters
How do we relate to characters that take our jobs in this time of economic issues? Like the main character, their is no reason to like them or feel for them. While The Office is about the issues that take place in an office, people can relate to that. Hell, even Community had characters with issues, discovering themselves as time has gone on. This show is had to connect with on its location and its characters.

The fix?
The main character feels like he has nothing to lose and nothing in jeopardy, so please give him something to strive for so when he gets there we feel happy for him. Give him character flaws, so he has something to relate to and fix overtime.

The location can't be changed, but it should be further explored. Limiting yourself to the call center doesn't really get to exploit the beauty (and darker aspects) of India. Being isolated in a world you don't understand and trying to adjust because you have no choice would make for a good TV show.

The supporting characters need to have aspects of flaws as well, and further help move the main character. I think that India is pretty westernized in parts and some is rather still traditional. It would create an interesting dynamic even between the supporting characters, and the reminisces of the caste system and treatment of employees would work better as well.

I'm all for the show trying to be funny, its a great defense mechanism for dealing with change, and that's what the show should be about.
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post #15 of 21
10/8/10 at 4:05pm
This show just feels so lazy. And cheap. Seriously, both Scrubs and The Office look like they took place in real places(And in the case of Scrubs, they really did use an old hospital), but Outsourced looks and feels like a set, especially when they ventured outside into "India".
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post #16 of 21
10/8/10 at 4:17pm
What would have made this show interesting was if they actually filmed it in India and had an Indian crew and all that ... you know to actually 'outsource' some of the show's production. It'd be meta enough to be intriguing and would feel less like making fun of a place based on stereotypes.

Plus, producing it internationally would allow you to actually see some stuff that 'feels' foreign and it'd help keep costs down. Maybe the writers would actually maybe be able to find some relevant insight and experiences to keep the show going.
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post #17 of 21
10/8/10 at 5:06pm
Thread Starter 
Oh god, I'm sure if they dig into the cliche basket, there will be a musical episode.
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post #18 of 21
10/9/10 at 1:30am
Yeah this show's pretty crappy, the 9-10 pm block is not as solid as the 8-9 with Community and 30 Rock. However, NBC's hailing Outsourced as the new hit from thursday night that y fear they will keep it and move Parks and Recreation all over their schedule when that one returns.
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post #19 of 21
10/9/10 at 3:06am
I'm just thankful that NBC sticks it at the end of the Thursday block, saving me half an hour.
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post #20 of 21
1/27/11 at 8:10pm

Left NBC on after watching Community, and I got quite a few good laughs out of this episode. Considering a re-evaluation. Anyone else catch tonight's episode?

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post #21 of 21
1/27/11 at 8:50pm

Thankfully, no. Tuned out after about five minutes of last week's episode.

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