The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / TV Mockumentaries

**Posted by RadioActive** October 29, 2024 3:58 pm

I just heard a spot advertising a new Fall TV show that's getting good buzz. It's called St. Denis Medical and it stars some familiar TV names. It debuts next month on NBC.

But here's the thing. It's yet another of those "TV mockumentaries." That's a show where an unseen film crew is shooting a supposed 'real life' group of people at their job or at home, showing how they live and work. Think "The Office" and "Modern Family," where you see the characters interact and then they speak to some off screen interviewer as part of the show.

It was a great and original idea when it started.

But now it's becoming almost a crutch. Too many shows are doing this, including "What We Do In The Shadows," an admittedly terrific FX satire about incredibly stupid vampires who live in Staten Island. This one also has characters being filmed and speaking to the camera. (Although in the opening of the final season last week, a long dormant vamp asked why they let them in, so at least they're being referred to.)

Abbott Elementary is also using this same technique.

And now St. Denis Medical will be part of the same old worn out cliche.

It was a great idea when it started. Now, it seems, almost every other show is using it as a gimmick. Maybe it's time to think of something else.

**Posted by RadioActive** October 29, 2024 4:17 pm

I'm still disappointed they never used my idea for the very last episode of "Modern Family."

What I would have loved to see after 11 years of the show was at the very end, the Family leaves the house and the camera finally swings around and shows you the crew who has been filming them all this time. Then you hear the director say, "Nope! Nothing useable here! That's a wrap!"

The camera is turned off and we fade to black.

Now THAT would have been an ending worthy of "Newhart!"

**Posted by Leslieville Bill** October 29, 2024 7:45 pm

I like this format and was a big fan of the Office and Modern Family. I plan to check it out.

**Posted by Shorty Wave** October 30, 2024 8:35 am

I agree with RadioActive that the mockumentary TV sitcom style has been overdone a bit, however I am looking forward to St. Denis Medical as it is created and produced by Justin Spitzer, who brought us Superstore, which I enjoyed immensely! He also did American Auto, which wasn’t quite as good but still entertaining.

Last edited by Shorty Wave (October 30, 2024 8:37 am)

**Posted by RadioActive** October 30, 2024 11:50 am

Shorty Wave wrote:
I agree with RadioActive that the mockumentary TV sitcom style has been overdone a bit, however I am looking forward to St. Denis Medical as it is created and produced by Justin Spitzer, who brought us Superstore, which I enjoyed immensely! He also did American Auto, which wasn’t quite as good but still entertaining.

I liked both those shows, too. Here's the first review I've seen on the series.

NBC’s Hospital Mockumentary Has Heart but Lacks Teeth

You can watch the first four minutes of the show below.

**Posted by Shorty Wave** October 31, 2024 9:12 am

RadioActive wrote:
I'm still disappointed they never used my idea for the very last episode of "Modern Family."

What I would have loved to see after 11 years of the show was at the very end, the Family leaves the house and the camera finally swings around and shows you the crew who has been filming them all this time. Then you hear the director say, "Nope! Nothing useable here! That's a wrap!"

The camera is turned off and we fade to black.

Now THAT would have been an ending worthy of "Newhart!"

Works for me! Or the director says, “Crap, we were at the wrong address….!”

**Posted by RadioActive** October 31, 2024 9:21 am

Shorty Wave wrote:
Works for me! Or the director says, “Crap, we were at the wrong address….!”

Hadn't thought of that. It's brilliant and it would have worked, too!

TV Mockumentaries - Fun But How May More Do We Need?

Shorty Wave wrote:

RadioActive wrote:

Shorty Wave wrote: