There has been a trend in humor within current popular media that many audiences have voiced their complaints about. Cynical humor has been a part of the entertainment industry for decades, with many shows from Succession, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Family Guy, BoJack Horseman, and more drawing viewership up to the millions. This style of humor has proven to work wonders, to the point that it’s escaped past the comedy drama and into almost every current ongoing television production. However, that prevalence has begun to take a toll, and many audiences are wondering if that is all there is.
The latest spinoff to the Game of Thrones franchise, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, reignited this discussion since its premiere episode. The new series is a far cry from the main source material. Despite existing in the same world, the content is far more light-hearted and whimsical compared to the drama and political intrigue in the main series. That isn’t to say that Game of Thrones had no humorous moments, but compared to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, it’s like night and day.
In normal circumstances, it would be a refreshing take on the Game of Thrones world, but many see this new series falling into similar pitfalls to other shows of its caliber. There is only so much crude humor audiences can sit through before it goes stale. While some wish for the complete abandonment of shows of this type of humor, what is really needed is balance.
There is a rising need for shows that are heartfelt and don’t rely on crude humor. Pop culture shouldn’t just provide commentary on the world or prevalent tropes in fictional dramas, but inspire audiences to dream of a world that is better than before. Regardless, cynical humor still has its impacts. Smiling Friends is the biggest indicator that this genre is going nowhere.
