It was okay, but mainly because Julia Davis is hot in a horsey kind of way.
 

Quote: chipolata @ May 6 2008, 9:47 AM BST

Aren't all sitcoms pretty much "comedy of comfort"? Name one that isn't?

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The Larry Sanders Show, The Office, The Thick of It, The Mighty Boosh, Nighty Night...um, pretty much all of the best output over the last several years.

But either way, the point about Fawlty towers is that it has become comedy of comfort due to years and years of repeats and media goodwill. Not to mention slavish fanboy devotion.
 

Quote: chipolata @ May 6 2008, 10:26 AM BST

It was okay, but mainly because Julia Davis is hot in a horsey kind of way.

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Aaron
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Quote: monkeybeard @ May 6 2008, 9:23 AM BST

Ever Decreasing Circles is one of the best sitcoms ever made but it ended so perfectly that I wouldn't want another series of it. It wouldn't work if they weren't living in the close anymore.

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I don't know why I chose this actually. I've only seen the frist two series and don't know how it all ends. I just enjoy it, think the Martin Bryce character is superb. Must watch the rest now.
 

Quote: manchester's trendy chorlton @ May 6 2008, 10:27 AM BST

Fawlty towers ... has become comedy of comfort due to years and years of repeats and media goodwill. Not to mention slavish fanboy devotion.

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Quote: manchester's trendy chorlton @ May 6 2008, 10:27 AM BST

The Office, The Mighty Boosh...

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Aaron
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Quote: shaggy292 @ May 6 2008, 10:29 AM BST

I don't know why I chose this actually. I've only seen the frist two series and don't know how it all ends. I just enjoy it, think the Martin Bryce character is superb. Must watch the rest now.

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You'll enjoy watching the rest of the series. The quality of writing and performance lasts throughout. A brilliant sitcom.

You're right, the character Martin Bryce is one of the all time sitcom greats and the best Richard Briers has ever been


I still can't think of a second choice. It's a difficult question, as most of the sitcoms I love I wouldn't wish to spoil by having more episodes.

Of very recent times I hope there is a second series of Empty. I really enjoyed watching the first series. Pleasantly surprised.
 

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Never trust a man who can't grow a decent beard
 

Quote: manchester's trendy chorlton @ May 6 2008, 10:27 AM BST

The Larry Sanders Show, The Office, The Thick of It, The Mighty Boosh, Nighty Night...um, pretty much all of the best output over the last several years.

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I find all of those very comforting!

But perhaps because I've watched them so much, and like the world they create.

I'm trying to think of a sitcom I like that makes me feel uncomfortable...
 

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Oh dear, you have misunderstood the point.

Re-read my original point: what is comforting for the viewer is that they know exactly when the joke is coming, exactly what the joke will be. This is due to repeat viewing over a period of years. Once this stage has been reached, it becomes difficult for the viewer to take an impartial view of whether the comedy is working. and thus, you get a comedy like FT, which everyone assumes is flawless - but only because people refuse to critique it.
 

I understand you perfectly, you're not that complex.
 

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We understand the point MTC. We just don't agree with it.

But let's agree to differ.
 

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"'Reality,' sa molesworth 2, 'is so unspeakably sordid it make me shudder.'"

 

Quote: zooo @ May 6 2008, 10:54 AM BST

I understand you perfectly, you're not that complex.

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Aaron
BSG Forums & DVDs Editor
(Half man, half Internet, half TV.)
(Loyal follower of The Magical Aura of Laura.)

 

Quote: manchester's trendy chorlton @ May 6 2008, 10:27 AM BST

The Larry Sanders Show, The Office, The Thick of It, The Mighty Boosh, Nighty Night...um, pretty much all of the best output over the last several years.

But either way, the point about Fawlty towers is that it has become comedy of comfort due to years and years of repeats and media goodwill. Not to mention slavish fanboy devotion.

View original

In their own way, all those shows are just as comfortable and safe as Man About The House and Fresh Fields.
 

Quote: manchester's trendy chorlton @ May 6 2008, 10:51 AM BST

Oh dear, you have misunderstood the point.

Re-read my original point: what is comforting for the viewer is that they know exactly when the joke is coming, exactly what the joke will be. This is due to repeat viewing over a period of years. Once this stage has been reached, it becomes difficult for the viewer to take an impartial view of whether the comedy is working. and thus, you get a comedy like FT, which everyone assumes is flawless - but only because people refuse to critique it.

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I'd be happy to critique it, if I saw anything TO critique. I loved it the first time I saw it. A perfect mixture of numerous types of comedy, notably lots of farce, with sharp writing throughout.

Oh, and I rarely watch it, just so it's that bit fresher when I do. It's one of my favourite sitcoms, but I don't remember what jokes is coming, and when.
 

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Aaron
BSG Forums & DVDs Editor
(Half man, half Internet, half TV.)
(Loyal follower of The Magical Aura of Laura.)

 

To get back back to the original question I'd love to see another series of How Do You Want Me (assuming you could perfect reanimation since one of the cast is dead). And Joking Apart, which I much prefferred to Coupling.
 

Correction: Trendy is complex. He is an enigma wrapped inside a riddle, underneath a vibrant layer of charisma.

And Fawlty Towers is outdated crap! Old stuff is rubbish!