Close
That Mitchell And Webb Look 2
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Jake How said:
I don't know if this has been brought up before but That Mitchell And Webb Look
Series 2 is on early next year, here is a taste of what is to come and the link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/12_december/19/mitchell_webb.shtml
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Jake How said:
I think episode 6 will be funny.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Joey Moose said:
Nice to see it back.....loved the first series. Wow, there's a lot of decent comedy on soon........Fonejacker Xmas special, Not Going Out xmas special, new series of Mitchell & Webb, Harry Hill's Xmas TV Burp, Friday Night Project xmas special.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
I'm excited... the new series of That Mitchell and Webb look starts tomorrow. The show took some flak last year because it apparently did not live up to the hype, but in hindsight I think it was actually one of the best sketch shows we've seen for years. Little gems like the green clarinet, the skulls on caps, the bananna dance and the two sherlocks - setups other lesser sketch shows would have repeated ad infinitum till they became boring (Catherine Tate anyone?). But with Mitchell and Webb these sketches remain brilliant one-offs.
In fact apparently only three of the setups from series one will be appearing in this new series (Numberwang, Sir Digby, The Lazy Writers) - and that's only because those characters are being taken to new places (I hear The Numberwang Code is particularly good!)
To get you warmed up, here's a clip of their new footy sketch...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MusyO7J2inM
And some photos from the new series
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
I am excited too!
I don't love every single sketch, but there are so many that hardly matters.
Some of their sketches are just pure genius.
I love them!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I echo zooo.
Also, why the fuck is this in the sitcoms forum? Moving!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David H said:
I'll give the new series another go but I don't hold out great hope. I'm a huge fan of these on radio (though series 3 did dip) but I just don't think it's carried over. I believe they're keeping Numberwang which is a disaster IMO. It has got no legs.
They had two detectives on the radio (which I presume could be the ones pictured). They only used them sporadically but they were good fun.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Yes David, read Mark's post above (re Numberwang). 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
Can't wait for the 2nd series. Some of their sketches are the nearest thing we've had to a Big Train type of series (not that suprising as they wrote for Big Train). I hope, as they intend to, that they go on for many years, especially as I'd like to write for them when I grow up.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Really looking forward to this, M and W do good, clever, silly sketches and dont hammer them into the ground by repeating them week after week. In some ways they are more suited to radio, but the tv version is still great, and I think this second series might see a step up from series 1.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Blenkinsop said:
This thread is surprisingly quiet given that the new run of this started last night. 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I missed it too. Hellooooooooo Mr. Download.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Blenkinsop said:
I fear then gentlemen that you haven't really missed an awful lot. One or two nice moments but an awful lot of guff IMO.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David H said:
Abysmal. Absolutely abysmal. You can't believe the difference between radio and TV. There is so much padding in the show it's untrue.
I read in an interview that they wanted footage of a Sky Sports football game so they could do a voiceover previewing the action (something they did on radio). But the cost of the action would have taken up the full budget of the series so instead Mitchell walked round an empty Loftus Road (QPR's ground) and they had some extras with football shirts on. If they couldn't do what they wanted they should have scrapped the sketch altogether.
Complete and utter waste of half an hour. And to think I recommended them to people saying they were funny.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, chipolata said:
It certainly wasn't perfect, but I found it enjoyable and thought there were quite a few very funny sketches. The seveneties innuendo sketch, the innappropiate reconstruction, the boy with an arse for a face and the final job interview sketch were all excellent. Yes, there were a few bum notes, but it was still head and shoulders above most recent sketch shows.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Writer2K said:
Yes...very hit and miss, shame as I like the first series. As David H said he radio series seemed much better.
One of the bits I did find funny was the spoof of Channel 5 docu-shock progammes (The Boy With An Arse For A Face). This was made funnier by the BEEB showing a trailer for 'The 92 Year Old Danger Junkie' directly after the show! (Victorian freak shows are alive and well and get commissioned! 
)
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, chipolata said:
I know david h didn't like the Sky Sports sketch but I thought it worked fine and perfectly lambasted the ridiculous hyperbole that those kind of trailers usually entail.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Blenkinsop said:
Thought the innuendo hospital was very good. The football spoof was waaaaaaay too long and the only real LOL bit for me was at the very very end with the typewriter.
But I struggled with most of the rest of it. Crude for the sake of it and a bit weak overall. They could do so much better.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, James Gordon said:
i 100% agree with blenkinsop!!! Your analysis of the show is PERFECT!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
The typewriter was great wasn't it! And the 70s hospital was spot on.
I actually found quite a few of the sketches funny... some of the more obscure ones were the best - the idea that every TV show has its own garden for example. The sly dig at Two Pints was excellent.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, James Gordon said:
Yeh the digs at 2 pints was brilliant!! Personally the hospital gag was the funniest....But i dont think it was better than the first series
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Nick said:
I enjoyed it on the whole. Several of the sketches - the hospital, the reenactment, the typewriter etc. - made me laugh and they are always entertaining to watch. There were a few duff sketches in the middle but I'm hopeful for the rest of the series.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
SIR DIGBY CHICKEN CEASAR!
Well, I enjoyed it but I mostly echo the comments about it being hit and miss. The Numberwang spoof was good though. "Oooh, it's an anagram."
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, James Gordon said:
The welsh scene making a swan with a lock didnt do it for me...although i loved the heres one i made early final product!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, shaggy292 said:
Bit poor. Disappointing.
I would like to have seen a few more M&W regulars (snooker commenatators, BMX Bandit etc) now and then though. Maybe in future shows...
Arse for face was funny, as was the typewriter. Hospital was good.
Can do better. C+.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, M Lewis said:
first time i've seen them. lot of the sketches were nice concepts but just went on and on. The hospital was the same gag 3 times, the football one was good but could have lost 20 secs, the garden thing was ok but the 2 pints thing was a bit "in joke". Only thing i laughed at was the typewritter.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Skibbington von Skubber said:
I only recently discovered Peep Show. I have watched series 1 & 2 and am watching series 1 again. I fucken love it; love Mitchell & Webb as a team; love Super Hands for the gnarly, slimy creep that he is...
I watched last night's That Mitchell & Webb Look...There were some mildly funny moments...Was there a laugh track?!?...Overall it was a disappointment in comparison to Peep Show...The guys prove they can act outside of the box of their Peep Show characters but I don't care. As with Coogan's Partridge, I just want to see them at their best and their best will always be their Peep Show characters.
And just a quick kick in the groins of some of you twigs:
Fuck you and your adherence to the passing fashion of dissing repeatable characters and episodic sketches. Your slavish praise of shows that only feature one-off sketches but belies your inability to write anything but one-off sketches. You couldn't write three episodes featuring the same characters if you tried for the rest of your life.
You can't even develop one single unique character to write three episodes for. Punchliners, that's what you are. Bottom of the barrel.
For the record: I thought Little Britain was often hilarious. Lucas & Walliams were brilliant comic actors. I loved seeing their repeatable characters---especially the Puking Lady. Yea, I know what's coming, she's gonna act pleased and then act disgusted and then puke an ungodly amount of sick---and I'm gonna laugh!
I like familiarity---and you can't get that with one-offs. With one-offs you inevitably reach the actor's limitations so that the actor may be dressed as a character never seen before and is playing someone named Mr Jones but looks and sounds like a previous one-off character named Mr Smith...
I'm gonna lean back and stretch now and cut a seriously stinky fart...and think of you.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Ondupe said:
I think dissapointing would be *the* word to sum up this programme, they had some good sketches but they were mostly copies of the ones they did on the radio and to be honest they were all much better on the radio.
Boy with arse for face was radio.
Football was radio, and it worked a lot better on the radio because they could do it at the right speed.
I believe the numberwang code was done on their third radio series.
Sir Digby Chicken Ceaser kind of works on the radio but really doesn't on TV.
I know TV is generally considered "better" or "your more of a sucess on the TV than the radio" but really they should stay on radio with this programme and keep Peep Show as their TV presence.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Charisma said:
The boy with the arse for the face...I'm surprised no-ones mentioned it before, but that was done in South Park.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Ondupe said:
In the same way as Mitchell and Webb did it or just there was a boy with an arse for a face at some point?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Charisma said:
There was a whole episode about a boy with an arse for a face, and when he spoke it sounded like farting. IIRC, Kenny posed for the school photo with his hoody on backwards so you saw his arse; then Cartman sent that picture off to the milk carton people who advertise for missing people. Then a couple claim that the picture is their son.
As for the rest of the show, I have no problem with it being "hit-and-miss"...if you watch back the old Two Ronnies shows, there is an awful lot of hit and miss on that, but maybe that just my age.
Numberwang is definitely my favourite part of that show!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Well, I thought it was great!
Thank god the snooker commentators have gone, I was getting quite bored with them (although it was wonderful on the radio version).
None of the sketches disappointed me, actually. So I don't know where you all are coming from.
Although, somehow I missed the Two Pints dig. What was it?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
Still better then any other sketch show about at present, IMO. All sketch shows are "hit and miss". The boy with the arse for a face was a variation (I'm not suggesting plagiarism) of an old Alexei Sayle sketch of a boy with a wooden head. Not many sketch ideas are entirely original, but the point is to make people laugh. (The bawdy 1970's hospital sketch reminds me of something similar I wrote ten years ago for a revue). Plus, I do think just how good as performers M&W are has been overlooked a bit.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
They are indeed, jolly good performers.
I haven't seen the old Alexei Sayle thing, but the fact that the M&W sketch is a comment on today's channel 5 et al predilection for 'the boy whose legs fell off' style docs, I don't really think you could say it was really related to that?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
The Alexei Sayle sketch was actually thumbing its nose at that type of documentary to a degree. Prurient and voyeuristic documentaries have been around for a long time.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Ah, in that case, I retract!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
Quote: zooo @ February 22, 2008, 4:55 PMAh, in that case, I retract!
View original
No need for you to do that, but thanks. Anyway, as a sketch writer I'm painfully aware of how difficult it is to write a completely original sketch. I'd rather laugh at a funny, well-performed variation on a theme than some original but desperately unfunny sketch.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Winterlight said:
Most sketch shows are hit and miss. Look at Monty Python for example, some genius, genius sketches mixed with some painfully unfunny oxbridge nonsense. The Fast Show was probably consistently hit though.
I didn't see last nights M+W, but I recall the first series was hit and miss as well. Some of the hits though, were excellent.
I don't know if they're great performers though. I mean they're ok, but neither of them are Paul Whitehouse or Graham Chapman. Those are two versatile comedy actors.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
They ain't Chapman, but I think they're both better than Whitehouse. Webb is great in Smoking Room.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Bam! said:
I don't normally like sketch shows. The only ones I have ever liked are Harry Enfield and Chums and The Fast Show. I didn't think much of the first series of this but after watching the start of series 2 I thought it was great.
A lot of funny stuff, from the carry on hospital to the interview (I liked it when he would just call him a wanker while the others where talking) the boy with an arse for a fce was good and I like to think a nod to South Park and the garden part was hilarious IMO.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Winterlight said:
But look at Whitehouses versatility. Ted, The 15th Duke of whatever, Chris the thief, Brilliant kid and the one who used to say "With my reputation?". Actually Charlie Higson was pretty damn good too - Colin Hunt and the artist who was obsessed with black.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Joey Moose said:
I enjoyed it. Was it funny? Errrm....in places, it was hilarious, but those moments were a bit few and far between. Merrr....I'll see what next week brings. Sir Digby Chicken Caesar was still in it, and that does it for me.....I often crack up when he does his own theme music using his poor musical voice - very amusing (have no idea why.....just one of those things!)
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, ian_w said:
I thought it was ok. Didn't make me lol at any point, but there were some good sketches. I will definitely keep watching.
Quote: Winterlight @ February 22, 2008, 11:34 PMthe artist who was obsessed with black.
View original
One of my fav Fast Show sketches - forgot all about that, and reminded me how brilliant the FS was. Think I might treat myself to a DVD.
@ zooo,
The 2 pints bit was when they were in the garden. In a nutshell, M said 2 pints has a huge garden and W said 'is that why it keeps getting re-commisioned?'.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Ohhhhhh.
I saw that sketch, I don't know how I missed that bit.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Magnus D said:
I only saw the second half, but i thought it was good. Nothing excrutiatingly funny though (other than that typewriter bit at the end, that was brilliant). I'll be watching next week.
Incidentally, to those that noticed the variation on the Alexei Sayle's Stuff sketch, I'm surprised you didn't notice that the final sketch was a variation of a sketch done in the first episode of Absolutely, where a person is interviewed for a job and there's someone who gives constant abuse to the interviewee.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, chipolata said:
I'd be interested to hear from the people who have a real downer on this show, what the last consistently good sketch show was they enjoyed? Surely the nature of these shows is that they are hit and miss. And although this isn't brilliant by any means, it's the best we've had since the second series of The Fast Show.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Ondupe said:
The last sketch show I really enjoyed?
Last series of That Mitchell And Webb Look or at least the first few episodes.
That's in terms of TV.
On Radio I've enjoyed many many sketch shows more than this second series of TMAWL.
Lawrence and Gus recently finished and was much more consistent and better than TMAWL.
The Consultants is better
The Museem of Everything is of about the same standard.
There are many other better sketch shows I could mention but they aren't as well known.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
I like this show, though the first episode of the new series wasnt the strongest. On tv, the last really strong and consistent sketch shows for me would be Big Train and The League Of Gentlemen. I think were long overdue a really great sketch show.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Blenkinsop said:
The Fast Show, IMO, was the last consistently good show - marking the end of the great tradition of BBC sketch shows stretching back to the sixties.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Winterlight said:
In my opinion, the last great ones were: Big Train, Jam, The Fast Show.
I'm a huge fan of The League of Gentlemen and I know a lot of people refer to it as a sketch show, but I can't accept that! The continuing story lines between the scenes make it a sitcom for me.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Yes. Sitcom strung together using sketch-esque humour. Much like Green Wing. Except less funny (IMO).
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Winterlight said:
Whether it was a sitcom or a sketch show it was damn funny.
I shall be watching Mitchell and Webb tonight. I missed last weeks episode.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I saw the pantomime, very good it was too. Managed to catch Pauline's pen. Haven't seen the film or the other live stuff though.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Baumski said:
Quote: Griff @ February 28, 2008, 2:44 PMBut it eventually crumbled to bits. Bloody shoddy workmanship.
View original
Mitchell and Web borrow so much I just don't know how they manage to get away with what they do. On his own, Mitchell does alright but as for Webb.....
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
I didn't know you saw the pantomime Aaron!
I didn't catch any pens. 
Quote: Griff @ February 28, 2008, 2:44 PMDoes anybody else have any treasured relics obtained from live comedy shows ?
View original
I got one of the paper aeroplanes Naboo threw into the audience at the live Boosh show. I still have it.
I wonder who made them? Did they employ a special backstage person to make 20 paper aeroplanes?
I prefer to think that Julian made them all. While naked, naturally.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: zooo @ February 28, 2008, 3:49 PMI didn't know you saw the pantomime Aaron!
View original
Yep. At the Hammersmith Apollo. I might have actually seen it before I saw the actual series proper. But it was good.
Quote: zooo @ February 28, 2008, 3:49 PMI didn't catch any pens.
View original
Boo!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, M Lewis said:
Oh well, at least a pattern has emerged over the last 2 episodes..... only the last 30 secs is LOL funny. I'll know for next week!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
Last night's was weaker than the opener wasn't it. Shame.
I'd like to see a spin-off sitcom about the office adventures of the hostage negotiator guy and the porn writer.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, chipolata said:
It was weaker but the panto sketch was excellent. As was the vets who cook and eat the animals.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Nick said:
I still enjoyed it. There were a few duff sketches but it's still one of the best sketch shows of recent years.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, M Lewis said:
some sketches just drag on and on. I watched on sky+ and the forward wind button was in regular use! The panto sketch peaked with the girl and her strap on, likewise the vet gag was done once we saw the baking tray.
I dont like it when something starts as normal, is exposed as surreal and then they let the sketch run on in surreal mode.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: chipolata @ February 29, 2008, 9:58 AMIt was weaker but the panto sketch was excellent. As was the vets who cook and eat the animals.
View original
Ah yes, they were good - that's the trouble with sketch shows, you often forget the good ones because...
Quote: M Lewis @ February 29, 2008, 10:54 AMsome sketches just drag on and on
View original
... which is a shame. The waving hands historian was funny... but not after the fifth time it came back.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
I really like the man who couldn't control his arms.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, swerytd said:
Like others, I do find it a bit hit and miss. The thing is that the sketches are 'cleverer' than most other sketch shows and, even when the sketch doesn't quite work, you can see more thought went into it.
As for which other sketch shows I've enjoyed recently; all the relationship-y ones that were on in the last year or so: Swingers, Spoons and Man Stroke Woman which I think is more consistently funny to me than Mitchell & Webb but doesn't quite hit the heights that M&W hit in the last series. The 'Chip and Pin' sketch last series was absolute genius and one of the best sketches I've ever seen, as was the one where they're sat talking to each other discussing the script and leafing through it saying exactly what they're saying.
Series 2 hasn't hit these notes yet, but the ludicrous extensions of Numberwang are actually funnier than Numberwang itself from last series. It's taken me well over a year to 'get' it.
Dan
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
Quote: swerytd @ February 29, 2008, 6:07 PMThe 'Chip and Pin' sketch last series was absolute genius and one of the best sketches I've ever seen,Dan
View original
Completely agree, it's one of those sketches that as a writer you would dream of writing. Not just a very funny idea, but very well written and executed.
I think going back to all this 'hit-and-miss' stuff, sketch shows by their very nature are. Mitchell & Webb have made it quite clear they don't want to do three series of recurruring catch-phrase characters and then move on to films. They're in the comedy sketch partnership for the long-term.
I don't care if not everything comes off. At least it's intelligently written, they're testing out different ideas and along the way there are some sublime moments.
The Two Ronnies, Morecambe & Wise, Smith & Jones - all did many, many series together. Go back an watch entire shows, rather than best-offs, and there were plenty of dud moments in an individual show. I'd rather have a M&W show than had only one moment of pure comedy gold in it, than a succession of shows that were consistently only mildly amusing.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, swerytd said:
Quote: Tim Walker @ February 29, 2008, 6:27 PMI'd rather have a M&W show than had only one moment of pure comedy gold in it, than a succession of shows that were consistently only mildly amusing.
View original
Damn purist!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Blenkinsop said:
Agree with you Dan - that when it's good it's very good and when it's bad it's horrid (didn't somebody else say that?). Chip and Pin was a cut above; top drawer.
Problem is the show overall, IMO, it is mostly miss more than hit. Others have compared it to Fry and Laurie and I think that's fair. It has more of an intellectual dimension and sometimes it loses its way because of this.
The wavy arm guy for me didn't make sense. I don't think that anybody would exaggerate their arm movements like that after having been asked not to. For me it was a breach of one of the first rules of comedy (Spike) you gotta have reality. And by the time it was "take five" it was more "take the piss"
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Winterlight said:
The wavy arm thing I really didn't like, although I thought the bit with his hands in his pockets was quite novel.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Magnus D said:
It wasn't quite as good as last week for me. That's not to say it was that bad or anything, and i thought there were a few good sketches. I liked the sketch spoofing American law drama's, where Rob is interrogating a criminal in court as to whether he killed this person, and he keeps saying no, so he shoots a gun in the air and then out of fear the criminal admits he did it. The bit at the end was confusing though.
I do agree that sketch comedy has always been hit or miss, and to me people always seem to concentrate too much on the negatives and not enough on the positives. I think you could have a sketch show with all the writers and performers from Monty Python, The Fast Show, Big Train, and every other quality sketch comedy show to ever exist, and even then there would be a few poor sketches among the brilliance. And it would be the bad one's that are criticised, because, well, that's what we do as viewers and critics.
The problem really is that sketch comedy is more miss than hit right now, and the misses seems to cancel out the sketches that are hits in a lot of our eyes. Things will improve: sketch comedy can't stay in a rut forever, and it will improve in the future.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
One of the problems with sketch shows is budget. Sketch shows are historically notoriously expensive to produce if they are to have good production values. And with the way TV is generally going at the moment, commissioners are looking to squeeze as much product for their money.
People complain that performer-led, performer-written sketch shows use repetitive characters with a lot of weak sketches. Well, if you're holding the purse-strings then you can save a lot of money by having one or two performers write and perform the show, whilst dictating that they have to stick to eight to ten set locations with returning characters to fill six to eight episodes.
You don't have to be an accountant to realise you're going to save time and money by building one set and then shooting six sketches on it in one or two day's filming.
I'm not saying it's right, it's just a fact of life with the sketch show at the moment. I wouldn't expect another Big Train to chug along any time soon. (Multiple performers to pay, multiple writers to pay, one-off locations for a high production values single sketch? Sets, make-up, costume, time?)
An example of someone who was canny and well-respected enough to play the system and buck the trend was Armando Iannucci (with producer Adam Tandy) in 'The Armando Iannucci Shows'. Those eight shows took about two years plus to film and they cut a lot of corners to stretch the budget to as much screen time as possible. Also kept Channel 4 pretty much in the dark about what was going on (helped by the turnover of heads of Channel 4 was fairly constant throughout the filming).
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Nothing personal to you Tim, but...
God, I hate this 'production values' wankery. It's all just fucking snobbery bollocks. As long as it's funny and doesn't look like it was filmed by a 13 year old girl on her webcam, I don't give a shit. It doesn't have to look sleek, there don't have to be Hollywood-esque special effects, it just has to be fucking FUNNY.
I've been watching repeats of The Kenny Everett Television Show on Paramount 2 recently, and it's the funniest sketch show I've seen in a long time. They obviously had no hang-ups about making things perfect with pin-point precision, but just had quality writing and performing. Fuck you, "production values" comedy snobs. FUCK. YOU.
Grrrrrr.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
Fair enough, Aaron, you can have all the 'comedy' you want filmed on a mobile phone. I'm not being a snob at all. And the quality of production can, does and has affected how well funny material comes across. (Don't be so dismissive of an opinion please.)
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Aaron @ March 1, 2008, 9:49 AMAs long as it's funny and doesn't look like it was filmed by a 13 year old girl on her webcam, I don't give a shit.
View original
The thing which gets me most is the criticism of 70s sitcoms, particularly ITV ones I find, as having "low production values". I know we've got quite a few reviews on the BSG saying how now "the low production values show". But unlike FAWLTY TOWERS, I've never seen those with wobbly sets or microphone shadows visible.
Like I say, as long as it doesn't look like it's been filmed on a webcam (or mobile, since you raise the point), all that matters IMO is that it's funny.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
The point is, Aaron, I'm not a comedy snob. My post was not about the "right way" to produce comedy. All I was simply doing was responding to the regular criticisms of sketch shows by people that they're reliant on repetitive characters and very hit-and-miss. My comments relating to 'production values' were just hightlighting what networks want from their sketch shows at the moment (based on the few kindly meetings with producers I've had).
I haven't got the time or strength in life to be a snob, honest.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Of course, of course. I'm not having a go at you. Nothing personal, as I said at the top of the post. It just spurred me on somewhat. I think maybe this subject deserves its own thread...
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
No, I think I've taken it almost into the arena of the writer's forum and all the problems about writing and getting a sketch show made thesedays. (Hangs head in shame.)
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
And a legitimate point that is. I'm just asking why it's such a crucial point, whether you're a fan, a writer, or a producer. If people were less concerned with this low production values stuff, it sounds like you might have had a show made! Like I said, nothing personal. It just set me off.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Kes83 said:
No-one seems to have mentioned the very heavily pregnant Olivia Colman in Mitchel and Webb.
I love Mitchell and Webb but, as a mother and a woman, I cant help but watch the programme and worry about her as she is waddling through each scene.
Fair play, the woman is funny and is great with M+W.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Seems theres been a bit of negativity regarding this shows return; I just got around to watching episode two and I have to say I thought it was great. Lots of great ideas skillfully realised; and, most importantly, very funny. A step up I thought from last weeks opener.
Quote: Blenkinsop @ February 29, 2008, 6:58 PM
The wavy arm guy for me didn't make sense. I don't think that anybody would exaggerate their arm movements like that after having been asked not to. For me it was a breach of one of the first rules of comedy (Spike) you gotta have reality. And by the time it was "take five" it was more "take the piss"
View original
It was a silly exaggeration of the tendancy theyve observed in certain tv historians; and since when did sketches have to have so called 'reality'? There is so, so much great comedy that would obviously never in a million years actually happen, because most people arent mental, and to do three quaters of the things that occur in sitcoms or sketch shows you would have to be insane!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Quote: Blenkinsop @ February 29, 2008, 6:58 PM(The wavy arm guy for me didn't make sense. I don't think that anybody would exaggerate their arm movements like that after having been asked not to.
View original
Heres a perfect example, from the great Fry and Laurie; a wonderful sketch, but theres no way, in real life, the bloke being interviewed would carry on time after time telling his story after being repeatedly told to wait. And yet in this sketch he does. And its hilarious.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vJBgSCcy6iI
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
Quote: Kes83 @ March 1, 2008, 8:18 PMNo-one seems to have mentioned the very heavily pregnant Olivia Colman in Mitchel and Webb.
I love Mitchell and Webb but, as a mother and a woman, I cant help but watch the programme and worry about her as she is waddling through each scene.
Fair play, the woman is funny and is great with M+W.
View original
I have a friend who is a friend of Olivia... I wouldn't worry too much about her, she's a very clever and sensible gal.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
I didn't even notice she was pregnant.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Nick said:
I thought last night's ep was the weakest of the series so far. Several of the sketches dragged on for far too long but, having said that, it still made me laugh quite a few times.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, chipolata said:
I've been a defender of this show so far but I thought last nights was very poor indeed. The cricket film sketch seemed to go on for an eternity, and was completely devoid of laughs. The cheese smelling robot was similarly long winded and light on laughs. I did laugh a few times, but I can't remember what made me laugh.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mick Green said:
Seemingly going against the grain here but I think the programme is awful. Without going into excessiveanalysis, there simply hasn't been anything of note to really make me laugh. It appears to me that Mitchell & Webb have, over the past few years, become media darlings and are lauded and praised for some very mediocre (at best) output.
In terms of sketch shows I think Aaron hit the nail on the head earlier - oh for some new comedy of the like of Kenny Everett in his prime. Perhaps I'm just too much of a fan of The Fast Show - now there was a show filled with brilliant characters, supremely talented contributors and excellent writing.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, ian_w said:
I must admit I'm starting to lose a bit of patience with it now. The episodes seem to be getting progressively worse. Think I'm at the stage now where I'll keep watching, in hope as much as anything, but I won't cry if I miss one.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Skibbington von Skubber said:
Watch Peep Show series 4 to wash the bad taste out. Webb is incredibly funny throughout the series. Really at his peak with the facial expressions and voice overs.
I started watching Peep Show to see Dave Mitchell but now Webb is my favourite. Both are excellent, but Webb really comes into his own in series 4.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
I found it maybe the funniest episode so far.
The cheese/petril robot, and the 'cheese isn't cooked milk' argument in particular.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Loved this weeks episode, I think the series is just getting better and better as it goes along. Apart from the helivets, theyre rubbish.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Oh yes, they are not good.
The reanimated corpses sketch was actually quite disturbing, especially when he tried to climb back into the freezer.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
I think they're both great, I just can't get on with this show, although I'll admit to not watching any of this series.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
?
You haven't watched any?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
I watched the last series (was that the first?) and wasn't very impressed. So haven't been to eager to see the new one.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Ohhh. Fair enough.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Oh... I thought I was going to feel your wrath?
I DO like them both and I'm going to give it another try, I should really.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Yes you should!
(I have no wrath. I'm on holiday from work as of now!)
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
No more pies?!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Well, not for a week or so.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I've only seen the first episode so far, so you're not that far behind me (oo er) Lee! Must remember to watch the others tomorrow.
Quote: zooo @ March 7, 2008, 3:51 PM(I have no wrath. I'm on holiday from work as of now!)
View original
You can spend the next week adding many many things to your Gimme wishlist.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Gimme wishlist?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
That sketch about the 'wacky' comedian who makes money out of 'zany' dares... does anyone else translate that a thinly veiled attack on either Dave Gorman or Danny Wallace?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Yes! I was just going to post about that. There are lots of comedians that do that sort of thing, but I'd say Gorman is the most obvious.
Why don't they like him?
Hopefully they were attacking the concept, not the person.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Rockabilly said:
I think maybe they dont like him because his programmes are about as entertaining and pointworthy as big brother.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
That is certainly one possibilty.
It's wrong of course.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
The zooo has spoken!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Rockabilly said:
Big brother fan then are you? , figures.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
I enjoyed it. Really liked the cricket sketch, even though it went on a bit too long. The petrol/cheese sketch was appauling though.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
That was my favourite bit.
Petril.
It doesn't take much...
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, swerytd said:
Quote: Mark @ March 7, 2008, 5:33 PMThat sketch about the 'wacky' comedian who makes money out of 'zany' dares... does anyone else translate that a thinly veiled attack on either Dave Gorman or Danny Wallace?
View original
Funnily enough, I was watching America Unchained a couple of days ago and thought to myself 'What is the point of this one? -- you are very near to turning into an unbearable tit who just doesn't want to get a proper job', and that was sad cos I really, really like Dave Gorman (the comedian, not one of the thousands with a similar name, especially the Norweigan). His other projects, The Dave Gorman Collection and Googlewhack were excellent but seemed to have come about as a genuine interest in following up an idea conjured on the spot; a thing we'd all like to do that most of us never follow through with. But this latest film smacked of pretentiousness. I'll still buy his book as he's a good author and tells a story well though.
Anyway, my point is that I was thinking just the same thing when the Mitchell & Webb sketch was on and it seemed more relevant. Seemed like they were having a stab at Tony Hawks (not the skateboarder) too at some point (as I'm sure I've heard them have a go at either Hawks or Gorman somewhere in the past, though don't quote me on that). Certainly until the bit about 'all your flatmates doing a similar sort of thing' which smelt of Danny Wallace (not the footballer).
Anyway, I did like this week's M&W. The 'cheese/milk' argument is the best sketch of the series so far -- made me laugh out loud and a very clever, strong finish from the boys. I liked the cricket sketch too as have about as much respect for the game as they do. The above sketch about possibly Dave Gorman was funny and a sly dig but it seemed rushed and I think could have been polished (or possibly written) better.
On the whole, there is a certain whimsy to this show that I like and sets it apart from other sketch shows. ie. I like some of the sketches ideas, even if they don't pay off for me personally. I can see how this could annoy the shit out of people so understand why people feel disappointed in it. I've never understood the Sir Digby Chicken-Caesar sketches though...
Dan
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Nick said:
Quote: swerytd @ March 8, 2008, 12:10 PMI've never understood the Sir Digby Chicken-Caesar sketches though...
View original
I don't think that they should have brought this character back. It seems like they've completely run out of ideas for him and this weeks sketch was completely unfunny.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Even when Olivia Colman kept screeching 'it's got germs!' ?
P.S. Yes, Tony Hawks (not the skateboarder) with his fridge.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: zooo @ March 8, 2008, 12:27 PMEven when Olivia Colman kept screeching 'it's got germs!' ?
View original
Oh, that's what she was saying. I couldn't quite hear it. Thanks.
Oh, and Dan, very interesting post!
When Dave Gorman started ranting about that tattoo he got, that's when I went off him. I'm thinking, well yes Dave, you may now have a bad tattoo - but it's making you a lot of money so don't knock it!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, shaggy292 said:
This week's was rubbish. That was their last chance. No more.
How best to phrase this...the man with 19 penises, or whatever - I would have liked to seen them. Petrol/cheese was terrible, cricket was too long, Helivets was exactly the same as previous weeks.
A terrible waste. There's always Peep Show...
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, ajp29 said:
Sketches are too long and too obvious. Are they either going to satirise the media or do a sketch about normal people in abnormal situations. The suspenders are killing me
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Hennell said:
I've always like their sketches, some are misses for me, but I find most very funny. I personally prefer their radio series though, the sketches seem to have a bit more thought behind and seem less stretched then the TV ones can, I guess because radio scenes cost nothing in comparison to TV things so they go more with funny then budget.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Skibbington von Skubber said:
The laugh track...but why??
It's so...un-British, ain't it?
Nevertheless,I'm glad M & W got a paying gig out of it. Now give us more PEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Nick said:
I thought this week's was pretty weak. The usually mid-series dip in quality I suppose. Shame as I thought that the first 2 episodes of this series were great.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, feckless said:
The last few are really hit or miss. I wish they could keep it up forever, but they are worrying me.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
I enjoyed the Alien Invasion sketch. David Mitchel thinking he's the Messiah. Sir Digby Chicken Ceaser. The Julie Davenport sketch. It was quite good really.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Quote: hotzappa11 @ March 20, 2008, 11:11 PMDavid Mitchel thinking he's the Messiah.
View original
Yes! I liked that one.
Myth child.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, feckless said:
Sir Digby Chicken Caeser, love that crazy camera-work. Like Peep Show on acid.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Badge said:
I thought tonight's was godawful. Virtually all the sketches were tortuously long.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
Quote: zooo @ March 20, 2008, 11:12 PMYes! I liked that one.
Myth child.
View original
James Bachman, man, bark at the moon.
Or something like that.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, maidenpriest said:
Last Nights was really funny IMO, loved the history of numberwang sketch - brilliant, the scarecrow one was good as well!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Overall a very patchy series - much like series one in that respect. Last nights was pretty poor, although the Scarecrow sketch was genius with a good pay off, and reminded me of Big Train. I disagree on Numberwang, to me it was a good idea for a two minute one-off sketch but it was stretched out to two series.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
Quote: maidenpriest @ March 28, 2008, 9:44 AMLast Nights was really funny IMO, loved the history of numberwang sketch - brilliant, the scarecrow one was good as well!
View original
I agree with this comment.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, maidenpriest said:
Quote: chipolata @ March 28, 2008, 9:55 AMOverall a very patchy series - much like series one in that respect. Last nights was pretty poor, although the Scarecrow sketch was genius with a good pay off, and reminded me of Big Train. I disagree on Numberwang, to me it was a good idea for a two minute one-off sketch but it was stretched out to two series.
View original
Monty Python was also very patchy, the best ofs of M&WL will be brilliant!!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, ian_w said:
I liked the little run of explorer sketches.
Trying to think what the scarecrow one was but I can' remember it.