Black Eyes Bar isn't exactly a dive, it looks like someone cut a downtown, failed Applebee's in half.
Or maybe Justin ('new owner,' right?) is trying to Gentrify a Neighborhood tap room.
Either way, it's too big, like the Apt. in Friends.
This place has one bartender and 2 waitresses that never work, and 3 regulars, who migrate to and fro to every empty table center stage. The owner is hiding in the office most of the time.
No one's ever at the bar; does it even have chairs? There are usually 2 groups of people at five or so booths.
If it's like a place downtown where office people go to after work, I imagine most of the "booth people" to be white-collar folks thinning out by 8pm on a Friday.
The only people who look out of place are our blue collar regulars, shouting, arguing, and karate kicking at each other in the middle of the room.
If I was an Office guy, perhaps sharing a few drinks after work with Melanie from accounting (who finally said yes,) the last thing I'd want to do is make eye-contact with the unkempt crazy man fighting invisible foes, while the owner of the place is screaming at him, and the waitress is trying to punch him out! I'd pay for the Appletinis, grab Melanie and GTFO ASAP!! ..Danny has chased a couple out, literally screaming at them. They never said a word; just ran out, and paid no check. Any wonder the owner is always fretting over the books?
(First thing I'd do as new owner is flag him, but I can't, he's my roommate/landlord - talk about unrealistic.)
On the other hand:
If Black Eyes were a Neighborhood Tap Room, by 8 o'clock, people who go on Friday after work, cash their paychecks, and would probably just be starting to get a little buzz on. In a Neighborhood Bar, at least the one I went to, everybody's all up in every body else's business. It's like your neighbors, ya know, but in a bar. If Ponytail Danny was starting some *beep* again, there'd be no need for the waitress to get in-between 2 guys - the other Regulars would "quietly suggest" that he sit his skinny ass down and STFU.
But then the Producers would have to pay them for their lines - and that ain't happening, is it?
So we, the viewers, will have to suspend our disbelief, no matter which situation we think we're watching -- spruced up Tap Room or Franchise Wannabe.
Our pretend patrons must either ignore the action, and pretend to talk to each other - or -
Briefly notice our cast and then ignore the action, and pretend to talk to each other.
(Here's what they're whispering:
"I auditioned for the Geek, but that guy has Got to know somebody."
"I've been sitting here for 2 years, I've never once been able to get a waitress over here to order food. Not once."
"There goes D'Elia kicking in his skinny jeans again. Ugh, I just can't look again. "
"Um, hey, Melanie, do you wanna go get a drink after work?")
To be fair, it should be mentioned that the Starring Caste has to ignore the Extra Caste as well. (Pun intended)
It is just as unlikely for your average Joe to act like an idiot, as if no one were watching, in front of a bunch of people they don't know. (Ironic, isn't it, them being actors an' all?)
The Star characters must remain just as Oblivious to the Extras as the Extras do to the Stars or the whole dynamic breaks down, as illustrated above.
Next week's lecture:
I kept refering to Fri. at 8:00, because that's what time Ron Funches said it was at start of show.
I realize the scenes take place different times of day & night, but is it always daytime in Detroit?
Daylight forever flows through the set windows.
Is it due to the city's proximity to the North Pole?
We find out next time --- See you then.
Take Care of Yourself, You're the Only You We Have.
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