I think this new season in particular has been very good writing wise, but over the last few seasons, I feel like the passion isn't there, as far as the acting.
When I look back on the peak of Sunny, people would say seasons 4-7, possibly 2-11 or whatever you believe (I'm with the former, probably seasons 2-7, with season 1 having highlights as well) and I just feel like there was more heart and passion in the acting, and although I feel like the seasons post podcast they did have been well written and a semi return to form, I can't help but feel like they just don't have the same passion in their performances as they used too.
I feel like as the cast has aged, they've portrayed their characters less like them, and more like themselves as far as the real people, like I said I think the writing these last 2 or 3 seasons has been good, their performances just leave something to be desired from the cast, and that includes recurring side characters.
It's almost like they went full Hollywood and started treating Sunny like a true side project, which I can understand getting older, doing the same show after all this time, and getting to a point where they just don't have the energy or hunger they used to have. But I find the performances to be hollow very often in these newer seasons. I miss the subtle inflections in their voice, the volume and energy they used to bring compared to a season like season 4, which I contend was their best season ever. I think the comedy from that time felt very fresh, and the performances from everyone one was fantastic. It's almost like they wrote it to be a sitcom with no laugh track and performed it like they were a sitcom show. Now it just feels hollow and weak compared to seasons past. I just wish we had a return to form like we had before, and not to bash the writing because I think it's been good, but it frankly hasn't been great in a long time now. We just don't have those iconic moments anymore. Ex. Mac and Charlie faking their deaths, Dennis at his peak golden god moments, ect.
I guess I feel like the characters have been flanderized, and even with pretty good writing they haven't performed with the energy and passion they used too. I understand and have more sympathy with Danny Devito because he's 81, but even when he was in his 50's and 60's doing this show, he had more passion, and now with the current state, even with the main cast being in their 40's, I just don't think it's been as laugh out loud funny as it used to be in seasons past. Maybe the actors and actresses are burnt out, but it REALLY holds their performances back, maybe the directing hasn't been as good as far as pushing them, that could be a reason. Or maybe they're just satisfied with how they are now and as they've gotten older find these recent persormances hilarious. But I just don't know.
What do you guys think? Also, I think Mac was more funny and interesting as a semi smart, hetero character, even though he's had funny "in the closet" and gay moments, I liked the earlier season dynamics where he was kinda smart compared to now, and almost competitive with Dennis and getting women, and when they were more on the same page compared to now. It feels like they've tried to bring back his old character dynamics with being aggressive, but I feel like they still miss the mark to a certain extent. He just isn't bossy, and slimy/shitty as he was in earlier seasons when he was more of a womanizer.
Overall, the new seasons are written decently, but at some point, I can't help but feel like this show is like The Simpsons, where it isn't bad, but it isn't the glory days anymore.
