The Soddit - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Lalwendë · 08-31-2004, 12:19 PM

I've been thinking again about parodies/spoofs, and I've definitely come to the conclusion that it's hard to find a truly great parody. I think it depends upon the knowledge of the writer/director/comedian has of the source material. An example in point might be Kill Bill, which obviously parodied Kung Fu movies - it was obvious that Tarantino knew his genre inside out or he wouldn't have maintained the quality of the films for that length of time (and that's a moot point with some). Another good example, perhaps better, might be Spinal Tap.

But, when you think of the Austin Powers series of films, they began humourously, but then declined in quality as they became more elaborate and strayed from the original idea. There's a temptation to extend a profitable parody beyond its lifespan as a means of making more £££s, unfortunately.

So, IMHO, to be a good parody, the understanding of source material must be excellent, and the writing must be tight and focussed. Of course, there's also only so far the joke can be taken.

Thinking about it, I find film parody much more entertaining, but maybe I've read some really poor literary parody! As for finding parody/spoofs offensive, I'd only think this if they were really badly written. Now, if someone who is into literary parody could recommend the absolute best, then I might like those!

Mithalwen · 08-31-2004, 01:20 PM

With the Dead Riners things it was almost another variant ..... some were not parodying LOTR but used the fact of the outline of the story bein familiar enouh (sorry the keyboard is refusin to type theletter between f&h in the alphabet!!!!)
to most listeners to use it as a basis for topical humour ... the route of the quest bein a tactic to avoid the London conestion charge .....

Gil-Galad · 08-31-2004, 01:36 PM

Funny story, me and a friend were going to see Scary Movie 3, we looked at its descrption and it said it takes parodies from signs, 8 mile etc. well it said Lord of the Rings, my friend who is very impresionille(sp?) didn't want to see it if it makes fun of LotR, but it was just a misprint, it was suppose to be The Ring...

Encaitare · 08-31-2004, 03:36 PM

Ah, Spinal Tap. A truly brilliant parody which teaches us that drummers are expendable and huge plastic body-enveloping pods are not to be trusted.

To remain on topic, a parody should not be pushed too far, otherwise it just gets campy and distasteful. As Lalwende said, Austin Powers is a good example. They're all funny, but the laughs are cheap and the same jokes over and over get tiresome. I think that a really great parody is something -- if I may even use this word to refer to a parody! -- original. It should play off the original but not rely on it or follow it word-for-word. I have read some parodies which are crossovers with LotR and usually a comedy movie, and it's just not funny after a while because the author simply replaces the names/places in the original movie with those from LotR. The jokes aren't funny anymore and it only serves to drive one ballistic!

Sleepy Ranger · 08-31-2004, 03:42 PM

Quote:

To remain on topic

Thats ironic. The topic is what your thoughs are on The Soddit, yet people are now discussing parodies in general and what they think would make them better.

I opened this topic because I wanted to know what people thought of The Soddit not what they thought of parodies. I hate to stop your debate about parodies, I really do but it would be much better if you stayed on topic.

Encaitare · 08-31-2004, 03:47 PM

Beg pardon, Sleepy Ranger, I was just trying to stay somewhat on topic to LotR. Since I have not read the Soddit, I suppose I shall quietly withdraw.

Estelyn Telcontar · 09-01-2004, 01:46 AM

Actually, Sleepy, sometimes threads take turns that make them more interesting than they started off. I've been debating moving this one to the Books forum, since the general discussion on parodies, as long as it stays Tolkien-related, is on a high level. But since you'd rather keep this thread exclusively on 'The Soddit', I will start a new thread in Books, copying the pertinent contributions to that one. Those who wish to continue discussing Tolkien and parody in general, please look for that new thread to open soon.

Here it is: Tolkien and Parody

08-31-2004, 01:20 PM	#2
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	With the Dead Riners things it was almost another variant ..... some were not parodying LOTR but used the fact of the outline of the story bein familiar enouh (sorry the keyboard is refusin to type theletter between f&h in the alphabet!!!!) to most listeners to use it as a basis for topical humour ... the route of the quest bein a tactic to avoid the London conestion charge ..... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

08-31-2004, 01:36 PM	#3
Gil-Galad Psyche of Prince Immortal Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Above a Parapet Obvious exits are: North, South, and Dennis Posts: 4,734	Funny story, me and a friend were going to see Scary Movie 3, we looked at its descrption and it said it takes parodies from signs, 8 mile etc. well it said Lord of the Rings, my friend who is very impresionille(sp?) didn't want to see it if it makes fun of LotR, but it was just a misprint, it was suppose to be The Ring... __________________ Love doesn't blow up and get killed.

09-01-2004, 01:46 AM	#7
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Keeping this thread on 'The Soddit' Actually, Sleepy, sometimes threads take turns that make them more interesting than they started off. I've been debating moving this one to the Books forum, since the general discussion on parodies, as long as it stays Tolkien-related, is on a high level. But since you'd rather keep this thread exclusively on 'The Soddit', I will start a new thread in Books, copying the pertinent contributions to that one. Those who wish to continue discussing Tolkien and parody in general, please look for that new thread to open soon. Here it is: Tolkien and Parody __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...' Last edited by Estelyn Telcontar; 09-01-2004 at 02:46 AM.

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08-31-2004, 12:19 PM	#1
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	I've been thinking again about parodies/spoofs, and I've definitely come to the conclusion that it's hard to find a truly great parody. I think it depends upon the knowledge of the writer/director/comedian has of the source material. An example in point might be Kill Bill, which obviously parodied Kung Fu movies - it was obvious that Tarantino knew his genre inside out or he wouldn't have maintained the quality of the films for that length of time (and that's a moot point with some). Another good example, perhaps better, might be Spinal Tap. But, when you think of the Austin Powers series of films, they began humourously, but then declined in quality as they became more elaborate and strayed from the original idea. There's a temptation to extend a profitable parody beyond its lifespan as a means of making more £££s, unfortunately. So, IMHO, to be a good parody, the understanding of source material must be excellent, and the writing must be tight and focussed. Of course, there's also only so far the joke can be taken. Thinking about it, I find film parody much more entertaining, but maybe I've read some really poor literary parody! As for finding parody/spoofs offensive, I'd only think this if they were really badly written. Now, if someone who is into literary parody could recommend the absolute best, then I might like those!

08-31-2004, 03:36 PM	#4
Encaitare Bittersweet Symphony Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: On the jolly starship Enterprise Posts: 1,814	Ah, Spinal Tap. A truly brilliant parody which teaches us that drummers are expendable and huge plastic body-enveloping pods are not to be trusted. To remain on topic, a parody should not be pushed too far, otherwise it just gets campy and distasteful. As Lalwende said, Austin Powers is a good example. They're all funny, but the laughs are cheap and the same jokes over and over get tiresome. I think that a really great parody is something -- if I may even use this word to refer to a parody! -- original. It should play off the original but not rely on it or follow it word-for-word. I have read some parodies which are crossovers with LotR and usually a comedy movie, and it's just not funny after a while because the author simply replaces the names/places in the original movie with those from LotR. The jokes aren't funny anymore and it only serves to drive one ballistic!

08-31-2004, 03:47 PM	#6
Encaitare Bittersweet Symphony Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: On the jolly starship Enterprise Posts: 1,814	Beg pardon, Sleepy Ranger, I was just trying to stay somewhat on topic to LotR. Since I have not read the Soddit, I suppose I shall quietly withdraw.