JKKN

I enjoyed this article quite a bit, despite my disagreement with it. Your argument is compelling, your style is smooth, and overall, this is a great piece of writing. I just can’t bring myself to say that screenplays do not qualify as art, and not just because I write them. Screenplays, even unproduced ones, can be just as visual as novels if they are written well. In a sense, one needs to become familiar with the visual formula and grammar of film in order to make sense of a screenplay, just as one needs to become familiar with the written formula and grammar of other written works. Scripts–when written correctly and succinctly–almost take on a poetic nature in the way that every word must be chosen for a reason, every action pushing the story forward. Novels have the luxury of lengthy, helpful descriptions to paint a story for the reader–screenplays do not, mostly because of the simple fact that it would be pointless. However, for all my criticism, I sincerely enjoyed your article, and look forward to more!

I do think what this article points out about these show is pretty important in the sense that, while entertaining and capable of giving us all respite from the suckiness of whatever goes on in our daily lives, they are, first and foremost, entertainment. They’re great shows, and I’d love to see a hundred more comedians with the raw personality of Stewart or the affability of Oliver or the razor wit of Colbert. But it can be dangerous at times to mix business with pleasure, and at moments where the general audience needs undiluted news, these shows–and any news show on T.V., really–may not be the best sources.

The greatest strength of The Legend Of Korra is no doubt how willing it is to delve into the dark gunk of humanity’s inner-workings, providing intricate and complex stories, fascinating characters, a world that isn’t too far removed from our own in terms of societal conflict, and above all, maintaining these themes and concepts despite technically being a kids show. Fantastic show, fantastic analysis of said fantastic show.

I personally think some of the best material from South Park comes directly from its ability to not only warp the show’s plotlines into completely insane situations and occurrences, but the fact that it still contains such brilliant satire and strikingly accurate commentary is amazing given how ridiculous it oftentimes makes the context of said satire.