|
I loving love Theroux's documentaries; the guy knows when to take a back seat and let the participants tell their story in their own way, for good or bad. Pointing a camera at the parents having to retrain their autistic son seems kind of voyeuristic, but listening to their voices at breaking point while saying afterwards 'people need to see this, this is what it is like' is loving heart-breaking.
|
#
?
Apr 27, 2012 17:26
|
|
so I could say that I finally figured out what this god damned cube is doing. Get well Lowtax.
|
|
| # ? May 16, 2024 11:45 |
|
|
Paperhouse posted:yeah, that was the one. Totally smug and self satisfied. I think he also went on about how all music now is terrible compared to in the golden age of the Bee Gees, which always gets on my wick http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbVb8COFOpM It's one of the most infuriatingly smug things I've ever seen.
|
|
#
?
Apr 27, 2012 20:50
|
|
|
To the surprise of absolutely no one, Very Important People is a load of poo poo.
|
|
#
?
Apr 27, 2012 21:36
|
|
|
Answers Me posted:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbVb8COFOpM christ, it really is awful. There's an unbelievable amount of boasting that is totally irrelevant to the questions asked.
|
|
#
?
Apr 28, 2012 00:04
|
|
|
MrB posted:Yeah the Louis Theroux Dementia episode was a drat hard watch. Having cared for a loved one suffering from early-onset Alzheimer's up until death I teared up for almost every patient he interviewed. Just though it should be said that you're a legend.
|
|
#
?
Apr 28, 2012 00:07
|
|
|
The "city on crystal meth" and the American superjail theroux docs are great watches, there is just something about him that makes people open up. Especially considering who he is talking to and the situations he's in (with a camera crew)
|
|
#
?
Apr 28, 2012 01:06
|
|
|
Leon with a Zero posted:The "city on crystal meth" and the American superjail theroux docs are great watches, there is just something about him that makes people open up.
|
|
#
?
Apr 28, 2012 08:57
|
|
|
To add to the Louis Theroux love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taUqt_E0aOs
|
|
#
?
Apr 28, 2012 12:45
|
|
|
Golly golly golly golly golly golly golly golly golly. The wife of the dentist was also heartbreaking, just coming to terms with the fact that her husband thinks she's his office assistant and that he has a couple of lovers.
|
|
#
?
Apr 28, 2012 17:08
|
|
|
So I just watched the entire first series of Nighty Night in 24 hours, and really enjoyed it, especially Mark Gatiss' character. Can anyone recommend anything similar at all? I think I've missed out on a lot of good comedy over the last decade or so.
|
|
#
?
Apr 28, 2012 21:19
|
|
|
The second series also owns. Apart from that I hope you have already seen Peep Show, Black Books and Father Ted. Those 3 I will recommend without qualification.
|
|
#
?
Apr 28, 2012 22:00
|
|
|
Also Snuffbox and Fifteen Stories High.
|
|
|
#
?
Apr 28, 2012 22:07
|
|
|
Snuffbox was wonderful, the BBC were supremely spineless in not renewing it.
|
|
#
?
Apr 28, 2012 22:32
|
|
|
Rapey Joe Stalin posted:Snuffbox was wonderful, the BBC were supremely spineless in not renewing it. How so? I always just assumed it only got one series because it didn't do well. Was there something more to it?
|
|
#
?
Apr 29, 2012 00:15
|
|
Mickolution posted:How so? I always just assumed it only got one series because it didn't do well. Was there something more to it? Everyone in this thread gushes over Snuffbox, the BBC really were spineless in this case.
|
|
|
#
?
Apr 29, 2012 01:36
|
|
|
SeanBeansShako posted:Everyone in this thread gushes over Snuffbox, the BBC really were spineless in this case. They gave Snuff Box 6 episodes and this 3 series. The BBC can be utter shite at times (unless it's news, then it's all the time)
|
|
#
?
Apr 29, 2012 01:45
|
|
|
SeanBeansShako posted:Everyone in this thread gushes over Snuffbox, the BBC really were spineless in this case. That doesn't really answer my question, how were they spineless?
|
|
#
?
Apr 29, 2012 13:54
|
|
|
Berry and Fulcher are great and everything but maybe the BBC didn't want them taking the piss and literally repeating the same jokes, word for word, for another 6 episodes. Don't get me wrong I thought it was good, but that aspect in particular was lazy (ironic-taking-a-dig-at-sketch-shows laziness idk?)
|
|
#
?
Apr 29, 2012 15:03
|
|
Al2001 posted:in particular was lazy (ironic-taking-a-dig-at-sketch-shows laziness idk?) I really think Snuffbox was a little deeper than lazy parody at sketch shows. The musical numbers alone sink that theory into the water.
|
|
|
#
?
Apr 29, 2012 15:25
|
|
|
Al2001 posted:Berry and Fulcher are great and everything but maybe the BBC didn't want them taking the piss and literally repeating the same jokes, word for word, for another 6 episodes. Don't get me wrong I thought it was good, but that aspect in particular was lazy (ironic-taking-a-dig-at-sketch-shows laziness idk?) *drops fish tank on thread; runs away*
|
|
#
?
Apr 29, 2012 16:59
|
|
|
I think your swarthy Victorian ancestor would disapprove of such actions and words. And then have an orgy with some 19th century prostitutes to a jaunty melody.
|
|
|
#
?
Apr 29, 2012 17:05
|
|
|
Mickolution posted:That doesn't really answer my question, how were they spineless? As I understand it they didn't like how dark it was (central characters being hangmen, hence the name), and wanted the language toned down, which is probably why the series ends with the song it does.
|
|
#
?
Apr 29, 2012 17:06
|
|
|
Matt and Rich in the commentary sort of get embarassed at how sweary it was, but the dark humour was excellent. And yet the BBC willingly keeps Coming Of Age which is poo poo and Eastenders which is the most depressing fictional thing I've ever seen on the screen.
|
|
|
#
?
Apr 29, 2012 17:34
|
|
|
How can you compare Eastenders to Snuffbox? One is a strange obscure sketch show on a cable channel and the other gets some of the biggest ratings on the BBC.
|
|
#
?
Apr 29, 2012 18:24
|
|
|
Snuffbox is more cheerful. Unless I missed the episode where Matt Berry killed Fulcher and buried him under the floor of the gentlemens club whilst having an affair with a ugly person. God I'd watch that still.
|
|
|
#
?
Apr 29, 2012 18:44
|
|
|
You seem to be confusing what you like with what the BBC are supposed to do.
|
|
#
?
Apr 29, 2012 19:13
|
|
|
The BBC is a public service broadcaster. I am a member of the public. Therefore, the BBC should adapt to service me. Glad we cleared that up. 
|
|
#
?
Apr 29, 2012 19:39
|
|
|
I've recently gotten round to watching the first two series of "Auf Wiedersen Pet" online, and discovered what a great show it is. I remember watching the later episodes when I was young but the early seasons are really top class TV. I never see it mentioned on UK TV threads on here though, too working class for you Guardian reading lot? 
|
|
#
?
Apr 29, 2012 22:19
|
|
Mickolution posted:You seem to be confusing what you like with what the BBC are supposed to do. I'd like to be entertained by telly, not depressed by it.
|
|
|
#
?
Apr 29, 2012 23:38
|
|
|
Mickolution posted:You seem to be confusing what you like with what the BBC are supposed to do. The BBC do have some sort of duty or other to put out programming that wouldn't be viable on advertising-driven stations.
|
|
#
?
Apr 30, 2012 01:29
|
|
|
Double Happiness posted:I've recently gotten round to watching the first two series of "Auf Wiedersen Pet" online, and discovered what a great show it is. I remember watching the later episodes when I was young but the early seasons are really top class TV. I never see it mentioned on UK TV threads on here though, too working class for you Guardian reading lot? I just assume that all TV made before the turn of the millennium is poo poo, then I can be pleasantly surprised when a few things aren't. (but what I'm saying is, although there are numerous exceptions, TV has evolved alot in the past ~15 years and most stuff I remember being good as a kid has aged really badly.) Haven't watched Auf Wiedersehen Pet since I was 8 or something, will revisit at some point. Watched The Singing Detective for the first time when they repeated it recently and that blew me away. Genius.
|
|
#
?
Apr 30, 2012 01:37
|
|
|
Kerbtree posted:The BBC do have some sort of duty or other to put out programming that wouldn't be viable on advertising-driven stations. Absolutely they do, but I think that's more stuff like Attenborough documentaries (which cost a fortune) or most of BBC 4's output than Snuffbox. Not saying I didn't like it, I did, but I'm not surprised it didn't last. I guess it was always going to be compared to something like Little Britain, which was also a BBC 3 show and was way more successful. It's frustrating that BBC 3 is so poo poo, though. I know I'm probably not in their target demographic, but it really is lowest common denominator stuff when it could be so much better. You'd have to think that if it were around 20 years ago that's where the likes of Fist of Fun and Shooting Stars would have been and now it's just poo poo like Coming of Age, but I guess it's cheap to make and gets viewers. At least we have BBC 4. On that point, other than Snuffbox, I really can't think of a sketch show I've enjoyed since Big Train, probably.
|
|
#
?
Apr 30, 2012 01:42
|
|
|
Bruiser? You must have liked Bruiser!
|
|
|
#
?
Apr 30, 2012 01:52
|
|
|
Haven't seen it, will check it out tomorrow. Was Man Stroke Woman any good? I caught an episode once and thought it was fairly bad, but then a friend was raving about it a while later. Was it poo poo or just something that takes a bit of getting into? It's so long ago now, I can't remember it at all, so not sure what I didn't like about it. edit: Watching some Bruiser now, seems promising. Not sure how I missed it. Mickolution fucked around with this message at 02:59 on Apr 30, 2012 |
|
#
?
Apr 30, 2012 02:57
|
|
|
Al2001 posted:I just assume that all TV made before the turn of the millennium is poo poo, then I can be pleasantly surprised when a few things aren't. (but what I'm saying is, although there are numerous exceptions, TV has evolved alot in the past ~15 years and most stuff I remember being good as a kid has aged really badly.) I think British drama from the 70s and 80s has generally aged better than American drama of the same era. Quite a few of the marquee BBC and C4 productions of that time still stand up surprisingly well. I, Claudius for example is just as compelling as Game of Thrones for my money. But then you'd expect so with such a ludicrously talented cast.
|
|
#
?
Apr 30, 2012 02:58
|
|
|
Agree with that, there was some great Drama back then, but if you're used to modern stuff, it can be a little slow. I recently watched Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy and while I loved it, if a series of it was made now, it'd probably have half the episodes. Also, it may just be because of my age when they first aired, but 90s British comedy was a real high point.
|
|
#
?
Apr 30, 2012 03:03
|
|
|
Richard Herring's Objective was on the Comedy of the Week podcast this week and it's really cemented my dislike for him. I just find his material so weak, there's nothing really there other than applying basic extrapolations to get to a gag that doesn't do anything for me at all. I know it's a character, but his "petty and self-pitying" schtick just annoys me. I hesitate to compare him to goon favorite Stewart Lee, but when you compare their two styles Herring comes off worse every time. They're sort of opposites these days, with Herring being so prolific and basically winging everything he does without preparing, whilst Lee clinically and precisely works on the timing and delivery of every word, but I feel that's because Herring is much more limited as a performer. I don't rate comedy entirely on how "clever" it is at all, but Richard Herring isn't interesting, or cutting edge, nor reliably semi-amusing like say The News Quiz. I would be interesting in watching an hour of his prepared material to see if it's any better, but every other stand-up who's been around as long as he has can hit the fundamentals better than he can imo. Someone like Jeremy Hardy is decidedly past it now, but he can still go through the motions and churn out some enjoyable enough stuff. It's the gag you're expecting but it can still make you laugh, whereas Herring doesn't necessarily do the gag you're expecting, but it falls flat. Most comedians eventually lose it in middle age but they can still deliver drab material in a more decisive way. Hoops fucked around with this message at 03:15 on Apr 30, 2012 |
|
#
?
Apr 30, 2012 03:10
|
|
|
I've seen Spaced, The Office, Extras, Fawlty Towers, I'm Alan Partridge... ...and just recently I've come to really, really love The Thick Of It. What other British comedies or sitcoms should I look into?
|
|
#
?
Apr 30, 2012 04:04
|
|
Dilkington posted:I've seen Spaced, The Office, Extras, Fawlty Towers, I'm Alan Partridge... Black Books, Blackadder, Snuffbox, Red Dwarf up to the 6th series, Inbetweeners, Ideal, The IT Crowd, Father Ted and Peepshow are some of my suggestions.
|
|
|
#
?
Apr 30, 2012 04:19
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 16, 2024 11:45 |
|
|
Cross-posting from the UK Megathread: Anyone been watching "The Bridge" on the BBC? It's a Swedish/Danish investigative thriller. I just watched the first four episodes on the iPlayer, then went and watched the remaining six by other means. It's utterly brilliant. Genuinely great writing, excellent mood, very well acted and filmed. I'm struggling to think of anything nearly half as good made over here for our television. Yes, I'm up at 6:30 am because I watched it all overnight. Been a long time since I did something like this. Apologies if it's been discussed and I missed it (though nothing came up in forums search): I'm not a regular thread reader. Just curious what other people think.
|
|
#
?
Apr 30, 2012 06:30
|
|
