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Freezing
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, swerytd said:
Kind of mentioned previously on http://board.sitcom.co.uk/post/8656 but the first 'series' of Freezing is on Beeb 2 at 10pm. I use 'series' lightly as I think the first episode is the pilot made last year, and also it's only three episodes; so 'series' in the way that The Thick of It was two 3-ep serieses.
Also, like Outnumbered showing on three consecutive nights (Wed/Thu/Fri).
I thought the pilot was excellent and probably the best of the 'Tight Spot' series of pilots (though I did miss one of them). Glad there's a 'series' of it.
Dan
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
It's actually three new episodes, the pilot is not being re-broadcast (which is an odd decision in my mind). You're right though, not a full 'series'...
http://www.sitcom.co.uk/freezing/series1.shtml
EDIT: I'm wrong! It is only two new plus the pilot. See below.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Writer2K said:
I’ll def be watching this although I didn't see the pilot episode.
Someone has told me the premise is very similar to something I’ve been working on 
So if you all listen carefully at approx 10.30pm tomorrow (Wed) night you might just hear a script being torn in half 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, swerytd said:
Quote: Mark @ February 19, 2008, 4:35 PMIt's actually three new episodes, the pilot is not being re-broadcast (which is an odd decision in my mind). You're right though, not a full 'series'...
http://www.sitcom.co.uk/freezing/series1.shtml
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Hmm, from your write-up, episode 1 sounds *very* much like the pilot I saw! The adverts I've seen for it seem to be from the same episode I've seen. If Vincent Gallo is the ex-flame and film director Liz talks to on the phone, it is the pilot.
Dan
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Paul W said:
Quote: Writer2K @ February 19, 2008, 4:47 PMSo if you all listen carefully at approx 10.30pm tomorrow (Wed) night you might just hear a script being torn in half
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On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: swerytd @ February 19, 2008, 6:47 PMHmm, from your write-up, episode 1 sounds *very* much like the pilot I saw! The adverts I've seen for it seem to be from the same episode I've seen. If Vincent Gallo is the ex-flame and film director Liz talks to on the phone, it is the pilot.
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You know what, I'm sorry - you're right now I look at it! I blame BBC Publicity for being so vague!
I've just looked through the stills of Wednesday's episode and they look like they come from the pilot. Unfortunately I didn't see that episode myself but if I remember rightly Richard E Grant, Alan Yentob and Ben Miles had cameos in it?
Here's a scene that will be in Wednesday's episode. From the pilot yeah?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Ooohhhhhhhhhhhh, I think I did see that pilot. I think it was rather good.
My memory is awful. Stupid drugs. 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Yeah I saw it too.
Cannot remember if I liked it or not.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, chipolata said:
I seem to remember quite enjoying the pilot, but I can't help but groan at the thought of yet another media-centric sitcom. Surely there must be other subjects out there for TV to cover? That said, Hugh Bonnerville's great and long overdue for his own show.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, swerytd said:
I don't recall the picture, but Grant and Miles were definitely in it.
Now, where is that picture from?
[wracks brain trying to recall]
Dan
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Godot Taxis said:
Based on last year's pilot this is likely to be a completely ordinary piece of writing with no jokes produced by someone who is not really a comedy writer, dragged out of the bins by stellar acting. It has two of the best actors in Britain in it - Tom Hollander and Hugh Bonneville. Anyone who saw BBC4's Diary of a Nobody and This Charming Man will know that Bonneville is an unsurpassed comedy actor and nobody plays little shits like Hollander - cf Hotel in Amsterdam.
Assuming that there's only two new episodes because the writer couldn't manage any more rather than the studio burning down, or the crew busted for drugs etc., one has to ask what is up at the BBC. Why don't they throw their money at someone who can push out a couple of series. There are enough cunts who can.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
Much as I admire great actors, not many great actors are great comedy actors. Yes, a lot of them are good at performing very understatedly in fairly pallid, jokeless comedies of social embarrassment and manners. Not many could handle being put in a role demanding more exaggerated characters who actually have to deliver real comic lines and physical performances. Where is the next Rowan Atkinson, Coogan, Mayall, Leonard Rossitter or Barker, who can comediacally act brilliantly, creating proper comic performances of real subtlety?... Er, yes, not actually seen any of 'Freezing' yet, but it does sound like it's going to be funny in the way 'Never Better' was funny.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Writer2K said:
Quote: Writer2K @ February 19, 2008, 4:47 PMSo if you all listen carefully at approx 10.30pm tomorrow (Wed) night you might just hear a script being torn in half
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Quote: Paul W @ February 19, 2008, 6:58 PM
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Well I watched it; and some of the themes were very similar.
Age group....the same
Disillusioned writer...the same
Main characters acting out scenes from a play...the same
I certainly don't have to rip my script up but I'll need to buy a new red pen!
In spite of the extra work it's caused me I thought it was great! Obviously aimed at 35+ age group (if not older). It'll be interesting to see how it develops in pts 2 & 3.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Godot Taxis said:
Writer2k, do still tear your script up. The world does not need another TV show about about a writer. There should actually be a law on the statute books to stop writers producing scripts where the central character is a writer. Have you thought about how difficult it is to relate to for so much of your audience and how uninteresting. And it's a failure of imagination.
Shakespeare didn't write many plays about a bald bloke who worked in a theatre, did he?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Writer2K said:
I didn't say it was a central character.
But of course you’re correct I’ll tear it up right away!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
The only writer who should be allowed to write about writers and their writing is Charlie Kaufmann.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David Chapman said:
Quote: Tim Walker @ February 21, 2008, 6:34 PMThe only writer who should be allowed to write about writers and their writing is Charlie Kaufmann.
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Never heard of her.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Writer2K said:
Quote: Tim Walker @ February 21, 2008, 6:34 PMThe only writer who should be allowed to write about writers and their writing is Charlie Kaufmann.
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Thought 'Being John Malkovich' was great; but 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' was a bit syrupy for my taste.
Never read any of his screenplays though.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Charley said:
I really like the Agent in this. The rest is ok ish.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mannikin Bird said:
I'm really enjoying 'Freezing' tonight.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Yes. Bloody brilliant. Had me laughing all the way through. Hugh Bonneville is great, and I can't praise Tom Hollander enough. Brilliant character, brilliant portrayal, overall really rather brilliant. More please, BBC! 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David Chapman said:
I only caught snatches (!). There are some really annoying people in it.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: David Chapman @ February 21, 2008, 10:51 PMThere are some really annoying people in it.
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Which scenes were you in then?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David Chapman said:
Quote: Aaron @ February 21, 2008, 10:52 PMWhich scenes were you in then?
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On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: Tim Walker @ February 21, 2008, 6:34 PMThe only writer who should be allowed to write about writers and their writing is Charlie Kaufmann.
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And Martin Amis, Kingsley Amis, Vladmir Nabakov, John Updike and the bloke who wrote Colin's Sandwich.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
Tim McInnerny is awesome! What a great performance.
Overall a really strong episode in my opinion - definitely a positive step up from the pilot. Am really looking forward to tonight's... it's just a shame that it's such a short series... why didn't the BBC give it six episodes?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Probably because it cost so much with all of those film stars in.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: Aaron @ February 21, 2008, 10:34 PMI can't praise Tom Hollander enough. Brilliant character, brilliant portrayal, overall really rather brilliant.
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I still can't fathom why I like the character of Leon so much. By all accounts he should be repellent (rude, selfish, loud, annoying, arrogant etc) yet for some reason I found myself really liking him.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
It's the vulnerability and inner child. He puts up the bastardness as a front to hide his insecurities and imperfections.
*nods*
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Charley said:
Did not know Tom Hollander was the Agent til just now.(Not put name to face)
All I can say is, his portrayal of the Agent, is one of the best characters on TV at the moment. As soon as I see him I just want to laugh. I sit there waiting gleefuly, for his filthy & arrogant remarks.
Blinder.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David Chapman said:
This was obviously not about Charley
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Charley said:
Quote: David Chapman @ February 22, 2008, 9:47 PMThis was obviously not about Charley
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You calling me cold?
Arse hooooooooooole!
I am warm & wet I am.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, swerytd said:
Just watched all three in a row. Absolutely superb -- commission this properly and again, BBC!
Tom Hollander's 'Leon' is one of the best characters in recent years -- awesome!
Dan
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Godot Taxis said:
Episode 'two' was much better than the pilot episode episode, Dan. The writing's still not that strong. The use of the 'piss on you if you were on fire...' line worried me - why not think of something else - it's not hard to write invective.
Anyway, see my earlier post to see why this is good - it's not really the writing.
Regarding commissioning, I think the reason there were only three was down to the writer, not the BBC. He just couldn't do any more. The new scripts had 'workshopped' written all over them. Someone other than the writer has clearly said; "leon's a shit, matt and elisabeth are lovely, wouldn't it be funny if he was forced to live with them.'
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Saw the first episode when it was originally on and thought it was Ok, Missed this short run apart from half of the last one, and I now wish Id tuned in for them all as I thought it was great; and that agent character is really good. Why three episodes though? On consecutive nights?? Whatever their reasons, that does seem a bit odd, like that 'Outnumbered', I think it was called, why show them all in such a short space of time? It has very little chance to permiate into the general publics minds and affections if its been and gone in less than a week!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I think they're trying out a new broadcast format/pattern. I'd certainly be interested in seeing it a bit more.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
The BBC say scheduling them back-to-back is a trial to see whether a show can 'gain and keep momentum'. I think this also is from a marketing point-of-view: when people are talking about it at work they can say "it's on tonight as well", rather than "see it next week" (by which time their recommendation might have been forgotten).
I'm not sure I'm convinced by it. Outnumbered was certainly a hit - with audiences growing over the week - but whether that was down to the scheduling or just because it was a good show I don't know.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Sylvia said:
It's finally happened. I've found something to replace Green Wing. I saw the original pilot on BBC4 and thought it had great promise. Then made the effort to watch the second and third episodes.
Perhaps I don't get out much, but it was laugh out loud stuff all the way through for me. Pity it was only 3 episodes.
And no, there won't be a convention..... Everyone's quite safe...
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David Chapman said:
I missed the first part so didn't worry about the other 2. Looks like I missed something good.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
iPlayer, David.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Charley said:
Quote: David Chapman @ February 21, 2008, 10:51 PMI only caught snatches
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You are disgusting!
Your like an older Tom Jones you are.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Scatterbrained Floozy said:
I saw the last fifteen or so minutes of it the other night, and now wish I'd bothered with it sooner!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, swerytd said:
As Aaron said, it's all on iplayer to stream and/or download for 7 days after broadcast.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Also on Virgin Media's On-demand for free if you have it (channel 119, red button, Catch-up TV, BBC, BBC One and pick the day).
I agree to some extent with 'Taxis about the 'workshopped' feel, but thought it proved that this could work well. Freezing is certainly better sitcom than many other recent attempts.
Re: the watching things in 'blocks', rather than weekly. Since I got Sky+ and now my pvr/iplayer, my viewing habits have changed to watching things three episodes/six episodes at a time, 'saving up' a series and watching it all at once or in a short space of time. I find it works better for me that way.
Dan
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David Chapman said:
Quote: swerytd @ February 23, 2008, 8:53 PMAs Aaron said, it's all on iplayer to stream and/or download for 7 days after broadcast.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Also on Virgin Media's On-demand for free if you have it (channel 119, red button, Catch-up TV, BBC, BBC One and pick the day).
I agree to some extent with 'Taxis about the 'workshopped' feel, but thought it proved that this could work well. Freezing is certainly better sitcom than many other recent attempts.
Re: the watching things in 'blocks', rather than weekly. Since I got Sky+ and now my pvr/iplayer, my viewing habits have changed to watching things three episodes/six episodes at a time, 'saving up' a series and watching it all at once or in a short space of time. I find it works better for me that way.
Dan
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Probably on my fucking Homechoice/Tiscali replay service if it was fucking working.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Starscream said:
Hi all.
I was wondering how Freezing would go down here (so to speak). I was impressed with the cast list and the production value. But I was hard-pushed to find it particularly funny. I found it more a comedy drama than a straight forward comedy.
I agree with Mr Taxi, the writing wasn't great. Still! That's good news for us budding writers surely. There's hope for us all yet.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
OO, I just realised that I've not watched episode three yet! *puts it on now*
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, johnny roulette said:
i could only manage a few minutes. it seemed to be another "comedy" with no laughs. something about some people in bed and one of them is talking about an ex, and then the ex rings up, and the other one looks a bit cross. or something. i waited for a joke which didn't come and then switched off.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
That's like giving up with your tunneling just a metre outside the bullion vaults.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Just finished watching, and was not disappointed in the slightest. Ab-so-fucking-lutely brilliant. Leon is an AMAZING character, brought to life so unutterably perfectly by Tom Hollander that he really makes the whole show. Had me laughing out loud all the way through, and that's rare. I really, REALLY want to see more. PLEEEEASEEEEEEEEEEE make some more, BBC!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Maybe I should actually watch it.
Are they all on iplayer?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
You haven't watched it yet?!
(Actually, I haven't watched series 3 of The Mighty Boosh yet, so am in no place to criticise or judge.)
And I would expect that they are, yes. Apparently it's out on DVD on March 31st too.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Sylvia said:
Ok, I thought the writing was fine, but it's the quality of the cast that really brings it to life, everyone's so wonderful, especially Tom Hollander as Leon. Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern were fab too.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Godot Taxis said:
Quote: Aaron @ February 24, 2008, 11:10 PMJust finished watching, and was not disappointed in the slightest. Ab-so-fucking-lutely brilliant. Leon is an AMAZING character, brought to life so unutterably perfectly by Tom Hollander that he really makes the whole show. Had me laughing out loud all the way through, and that's rare. I really, REALLY want to see more. PLEEEEASEEEEEEEEEEE make some more, BBC!
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I'll slip you a DVD of Hotel in Amsterdam if you're interested Aaron - 1.5 hours of Tom Hollander being petty and spiteful.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
But in an hilariously vulnerable way, with the elements of patheticness of Leon?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Godot Taxis said:
"God, I hate traveling... All those passports and tickets and being bossed about by air hostesses. I'd love to rape an air hostess."
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said: