Disjointed

I attended live recordings of the last two shows (#19/#20) of this series in June (2017) at Warner Studios, Burbank. I can assure you that the laughter you hear is from a live audience. The expense to produce a multi-camera sitcom in front of a live audience is not insignificant. I don't understand how reviewers can be so confident that the laughter is canned.

Watching it on TV is even funnier because I can pause it and give myself time to complete my laugh before moving on. And I can replay it as well.

The show is funny and goofy yet it has a heart and soul too. If you stick with it for a few shows, it will definitely grow on you. It takes some time to understand the individual characters and their relationships. The last taping we saw, which was the 20th and last show of this series, contained some very heart rending moments with beautiful resolutions.

This last recording was also few days from Kathy Bates' birthday. The staff brought out a cake and we all sang happy birthday to her. It was a very nice vibe.

My big question is how does Betsy Sodaro (Dabby) create those crazy expressions? Does she practice in front of a mirror or do they just come naturally? She is sooooo funny.

Carter, Pete / Dank and Dabby! !! Oh my! I will watch everything they are in. There's so much going on there. The weed is just a background.

I don't watch a lot of TV, and I certainly don't watch sitcoms. But, this is a fun, stupid, and hilarious show. It aims to be exactly that, and achieves it. It's not going to make you think much, and it's not going to be transcending sitcom boundaries.

The cast is subtle at times and outrageous at other times; a good ensemble here. People whining about Kathy Bates' elderly hippie schtick clearly don't get out much, because she's great here. And people whining about the laugh track? Jeez, I didn't even notice it because I was busy laughing.

Lighten up/light up and enjoy. We don't see "traditional" sitcoms like this anymore without the usual "ironic upgrades" or pretentious attempts to "break boundaries". It's not a ten, but I don't think it's aiming for that; it's exactly what it is, so enjoy it for that.

Firstly, I'm not going to re-write a precis of the series - read the IMDb blurb for that. This review is of the series in a general sense... with few specifics.

Watching the first 2 episodes of the series was almost painful, the laughter, the camaraderie and in- jokes usually rampant in a small work-place - where everybody knows everything about everybody else - is stilted and where not so, forced.

However, you only have to look at past, successful, series to see that this is almost always so. A good example would be the pilot episode of Start Trek: The Next Generation, where the bonhomie is totally absent, the acting wooden and any attempts at humour fall flatter than the usual cliché - Yet history records that this series went on to enjoy great success.

The 'laughter track' used in Disjointed does nothing to assist in creating any kind of feedback for the actors - it's used far too frequently and, on occasion, inappropriately - this has been mentioned several times in other reviews and I can't help but agree.

The Main Characters -

Ruth (Kathy Bates) the Dispensary owner/manager is portrayed with a kindness and an edge that few can get away with, giving sensible, worldly advice while not give a sh*t!

Carter (Tone Bell) the Security Guard - a veteran suffering from PTSD - is played with an understated depth of emotion - this is an actor to watch.

Peter (Dougie Baldwin) - the Dispensary 'Grow Specialist' - a child of 'commune life' which, perhaps unfairly, hints at subtle types of abuse. His almost effortless portrayal of the stereotypical 'pot-head' belies extreme acting acumen - it's far easier to play a genius then a fool.

Travis (Aaron Moten) - Son of Ruth, maligned for his MBA and thus his 'giving in to the man' is played with a casual but witty style.

As far as I can tell - the series does nothing to enhance or detract from any arguments for or against the legalism of Cannabis - it's just pure entertainment - and one that just seems to be getting better and better. Perhaps a less frequent use of the F-word might be called for - but seeing as this now seems to be used in just about every type of

media - maybe that the prudish side of this sixty-seven year old reviewer.

Please note, that though I do not use and have never used Cannabis - I do not condemn users nor do I condone it's use - there's room in hell for all of us (apparently!).

I love Kathy Bates. I should get that out of the way right at the start. She always seems to become the character she is playing, and this is no exception. The series starts a little slowly. The stoned laughter at every corny joke from the studio audience makes the show feel a little dated, and at first, the zany cuts to SNL style commercial parodies and animated weirdness can seem a little... well... disjointed. After a couple of episodes; however, the cast comes into focus, and the live sativa, and Grape Ape interludes seep into your brain and you start laughing. This is creeper weed for sure. By the fourth episode, you are surprised to find these characters have dimensions. The ensemble cast is a lot of fun. I especially enjoyed Gulf War Vet/Security Guard Tone Bell Carter, Guru/Grower Dougie Baldwin, and conflicted Asian Hippie Girl Jessica Lu, but the real center is Bates, who never rings false as a hippie pot seller hen always ready to offer a protective wing to her flock. Stick with this one past the goofy laughter from the studio audience and you'll be hooked by the third or fourth episode.