Talk:Mockumentary

Listing every possible film and series?

This article is being slowly being crushed by what appears to have become a list of every mockumentary and fictional documentary ever made. Shouldn't the distinction be made, and only a select few be given as examples? - JeffJonez (talk) 01:33, 24 March 2009 (UTC)

• Absolutely agree. Maybe we should clean this up in a similar manner to the docudrama page, where we simiply list various nations' first theatrical mockumentaries.216.121.141.237 (talk) 22:33, 12 April 2009 (UTC)

I think we need to spin this off into a "List of mockumentaries" or such, leaving "notable" or important examples. However, this page would become little more than a snub so would need some work. Duggy 1138 (talk) 00:56, 4 August 2009 (UTC)

How is Arrested Development NOT a mockumentary?

Several people on the thread say AD should not be on the list for reasons that are completely irrelevant or wrong.

Someone mentions the fact that the presence of the camera is not acknowledged in the series: this is false. If you listen to the commentary track, show creator Mitch Hurwitz mentions several moments when the camera is acknowledged (an example would be the trial scene where the camera is asked to go out of the room because cameras are forbidden).

Secondly, although the narrator is not a de facto necessity of a mock/documentary, it is still a recurrent element, especially when the narrator is EXTERNAL to the events taking place, as is the case in AD (and not on a show like Scrubs).

I wonder what the problem is with including AD in here, considering these arguments are unconvincing at best.

There are moments that reference cameras, yes, but most of the time the existence of a documentary team would be impossible or highly unlikely. Duggy 1138 (talk) 14:46, 1 August 2009 (UTC)

I would say that the references to cameras are more breaking the fourth wall than implying any documentary status... — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.231.226.189 (talk) 02:52, 10 August 2011 (UTC)

Organize

This article reads like something of a prose laundry list. It lists films, at first in something like chronological order but eventually breaking down into ME TOO! There is only one source cited, and that appears to be a primary source describing The Office, not the concept of the mockumentary. It is in need of reorganization, better sources, and general polishing. Cnilep (talk) 19:46, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

I've made a stab at it, but this is not my area of specialization. More work is needed. Cnilep (talk) 22:42, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

Borat

Is Borat really a mockumentary? It's obviously a comedy, but my understanding is that generally the participants in the segments are real people, responding honestly to the outrageous character and situations. It's not scripted or pre-arranged. Just because it's a 'funny documentary' doesn't mean it's a mockumentary. It's closer to reality TV. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 207.109.68.2 (talk) 15:47, 17 August 2011 (UTC)

Yes, Borat is a mockumentary according to The University of California at Berkeley Library's media collection. I was uncertain too, so I looked there. The URL for the entry that describes Borat as such is in the "External Links" section. --FeralOink (talk) 12:55, 1 June 2013 (UTC)

The Onion

The Onion news produces videos that would fit under the description of a mockumentary. Should it be added as an example?--Sanya3 (talk) 04:40, 3 March 2013 (UTC)

Needs more information

While the format of this article was great, it did however need more information giving the reader a better understanding of its mark on pop culture. A major area that I thought was missing, is the evolution of mockumentary Essentially, how has mockumentary evolved through the evolution of media and technology?

I also felt that the article does not touch bases on the popularization of mockumentary, especially in recent times. Because it is a fairly popular form of comedy that is seen in numerous movies and sketch comedy shows like SNL, I think it is important to talk about what is making it even more desirable for audiences. Fundamentally, there should be a part describing the comedic value behind the original concept.

Additionally, this article is slightly out of date by not referencing widely popular and viral T.V shows such as Arrested Development and the new mockumentary comedy show, Documentary Now, which features SNL alums, Fred Armisen and Bill Hader

Furthermore, it would be interesting to talk about the different styles of mockumentary in different parts of the world. For example, how american mockumentary differs from British mockumentary. Because language and culture largely influence a country's comedic style, it is important to note that all mockumentary isn't exactly the same.

Lastly, the most popular example of mockumentary in Pop Culture, which is Borat, was barely mentioned in this article. I think it would be helpful to talk more about how the movie, "Borat" revolutionized the genre. One positive aspect of this article is the notability of each of the facts presented. All the citations came from reliable and appropriate sources. Simone.cook (talk) 06:44, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

Simone.cook (talk) 06:44, 9 September 2016 (UTC) Simone Cook

References

agreed. anyone coming to the page is going to be disappointed if they're expecting any sort of contextual commentary or analysis. individual pages (e.g. for the orson welles wells adaptation) give a little more detail, but we're still a long way off understanding what it is that motivates people to make these things (cynicism, surrealism &c), how & whether they are regulated by licensing bodies (FCC, OfCom &c), what their cultural & social impact is (e.g. spinal tap's key moments being quoted by bands on tour, especially to deflate egos & defuse situations), & instead we have a growing list of things that are 'knowing', 'post-ironic' & far less likely to fool the audience than things like WOTW or TIST.

we don't need fans explaining how things are or are not eligible for inclusion in his category, not in the article. put them in a simple list form & we'll debate their inclusion here. if they've got their own page, people can read about it there. if they don't have their own page, chances are no-one's bothered enough to have made one. either way, this page should be about the phenomenon- how & why it works, & how this has affected the way the various media are treated by audiences & regulators alike. a list of examples isn't a bad thing in & of itself, but it shouldn't be the bulk of the text.

duncanrmi (talk) 12:49, 31 October 2022 (UTC)

plenty of examples yet

First show that came to mind: The Boondocks. I think the documentary form was used two or three times, definitely for the 2010 opener, "It's a Black President, Huey Freeman," narrated throughout by Werner Herzog. There are documentary-style features employed regularly, as in "Return of the King" (0109).
Weeb Dingle (talk) 18:56, 30 July 2017 (UTC)

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Inclusion of The Atomic Cafe

The reliability of the source is in question, but it should be worth noting that it refers to The Atomic Cafe both as a "mockumentary" (in quotes) and a documentary (without quotes). // Liftarn (talk) 13:36, 18 May 2018 (UTC)

The Oxford Handbook of Science Fiction (2014) calls it "mockumentary" (in quotes). Not saying if it should be included or not here. Added it to List. StrayBolt (talk) 14:58, 18 May 2018 (UTC)

Longer discussion here in Talk:The_Atomic_Cafe#Mockumentary StrayBolt (talk) 20:50, 19 May 2018 (UTC)

Buñel -Land of Bread/Un Chien Andalou

Although I have never had the courage to watch this - I would wager that this is somehow NOT a comedy, thus not a mocumentary. Anyone who has watched it, feel free to correct me - perhaps the surrealism can be interpreted as comedy?? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Kats987124 (talk • contribs) 17:53, 15 December 2020 (UTC)