Is Ruth Jones nominated for anything?

She deserves something for her versatility.
 

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Playwrite extraordinaire.

http://www.eols.org.uk/
 

Quote: David Chapman @ November 7, 2007, 9:19 PM

Is Ruth Jones nominated for anything?

She deserves something for her versatility.

View original

Best Newcomer and Best Actress.
 

I thought it seemed like more of a comedy-drama. The over-arching story and direction seemed to indicate that. I really liked it. Nothing like the lamentable 2 Pints; just because it's about a bunch of working class people, and includes crude material, doesn't make it the same. I thought some of it was a bit dodgy (like when Gavin proposes at gun-point), but forgiveable as it was warm and genuinely funny.

I don't think the script writing was 'lazy', I think it was purposefully toned down - focussing less on "you set 'em up, I'll knock 'em down" jokes and more on warm, gentle laughter. In this sense it seems to borrow from The Royle Family and to a lesser extent The Office. The bit where Rob Brydon explains how the internet works is very funny. It is absolute nonsense to say sitcoms like The Office are not great because "they had no jokes". There is so much more to it than that! It's like reader-response criticism: the viewer is judged intelligent enough to interpret and find various situations funny without a crafted punchline delivering a specific payload. They're different sub-genres I suppose, and I imagine would appeal to different personality types (e.g. presumably those further along the autistic spectrum would prefer fixed, classic in-your-face "gags").

As for the annoyance that only those inside the Beeb seem to be able to get things commisioned - this annoyance is understandable, but the situation is natural. It annoys me when the finished piece is so awful and badly crafted that a chimp could write better, but in this case I think the comedy was very, very successful. And I'm not the mythical "man on the street" who just laughs at knob gags - if such an audience exists. It was rude in places but most of the time it was "true" with it. And funny.
 

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Things fall apart.

www.newstroupe.co.uk
 

A very thorough review James.

But I still think it's a sitcom*. And there are the rude jokes but the real feel of the piece.

* to my mind the difference between a sitcom & comedy drama is 30 minutes. There is more time to develop a story in an hour plus long programme.
 

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Playwrite extraordinaire.

http://www.eols.org.uk/
 

Quote: David Chapman @ November 25, 2007, 7:15 PM

A very thorough review James.

But I still think it's a sitcom*. And there are the rude jokes but the real feel of the piece.

* to my mind the difference between a sitcom & comedy drama is 30 minutes. There is more time to develop a story in an hour plus long programme.

View original

Its definitely a sitcom. The attempts at jokes are always there even if they sometimes fall under the radar. Most scenes contain some sort of joke while a comedy drama has a lot more pure drama in them.

The nearest 30 mins comedy drama is Viv Vyle.
 

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Some people may call me a genius but I haven't met any yet.
http://containsnuts.wordpress.com/
 

Okay, so there's a bunch of people that can post in a closed thread. Cheeky buggers. That was my thread!
So it's several months late and you've already had the discussion... is that any reason to cut me off in my prime? I'd started my own thread and everything! I was very proud. And it was ripped away from me.

I'm sure I'll get over it eventually...
 

It's nothing personal, honest!

In answer to your thread...

No, I don't think it's a sitcom really either. But I'm not quite sure if it fits the 'drama' bill though, or indeed what else to call it? I dunno. I originally moved this into Other British Comedy, but some cheeky bastard (Mark I think) moved it back in here. Consensus people! Sitcom or not? (Irrespective of whether you thought it was funny.)

I actually only ever watched the first two episodes, so was glad to see it on again. Quite enjoyed it, but still, not a proper sitcom IMO. Looking forward to series two.
 

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Aaron
BSG Forums & DVDs Editor
Half man, half Internet, half TV. In love with zooo.
/(bb|[^b]{2})/
(Loyal follower of The Magical Aura of Laura.)

 

Awwww, you replied. I love you for that.
All better now!
 

It was good though to my mind. Not brilliant but good.
 

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Playwrite extraordinaire.

http://www.eols.org.uk/
 

Quote: Aaron @ March 4, 2008, 10:58 PM

No, I don't think it's a sitcom really either. But I'm not quite sure if it fits the 'drama' bill though, or indeed what else to call it? I dunno. I originally moved this into Other British Comedy, but some cheeky bastard (Mark I think) moved it back in here. Consensus people! Sitcom or not? (Irrespective of whether you thought it was funny.)

View original

Yes it was me that moved this thread back to its rightful place. It's a sitcom

Heavy on the drama admittedly, but in my opinion still contains all the attributes necessary to be a situation comedy. Plus, the creators call it a 'sitcom' which is always helpful when trying to classify a show.



 

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Mark
BSG Editor
 

I can't really see how it can't be a sitcom. They wrote it as a sitcom, it was commissioned as a sitcom, it was promoted as a sitcom, its half an hour long, its got lots of (I agree, subtle) humour throughout. Either people are missing the jokes or don't find them funny, but that still doesn't mean its not a sitcom.

It's also won loads of comedy awards, so its a half-hour narrative comedy about reoccurring characters. That is as good a definition of a sitcom as you can get.

I'm looking forward to seeing it and Pulling soon.
 

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Some people may call me a genius but I haven't met any yet.
http://containsnuts.wordpress.com/
 

Watching the whole of series one back-to-back on the Beeb the other night, the show impressed me even more. The writing is strong and there are some very funny moments. It's warm-hearted and unpretentious and doesn't pretend to be anything otherwise. The stand-out comedy character for me is Rob Brydon's Uncle Bryn. I'm looking forward to the second series.
 

Watched it all back to back too, it was better that way! roll on series 2.

I have never really gelled with Brydon, but I think his performance in this is swaying me.


 

Definitively sitcom.

Dan
 

Quote: ContainsNuts @ March 5, 2008, 9:08 AM

I can't really see how it can't be a sitcom. They wrote it as a sitcom, it was commissioned as a sitcom, it was promoted as a sitcom, ... its got lots of (I agree, subtle) humour throughout.

View original

Jam and Jerusalem.

Quote: Mark @ March 5, 2008, 8:57 AM

Yes it was me that moved this thread back to its rightful place. It's a sitcom

Heavy on the drama admittedly, but in my opinion still contains all the attributes necessary to be a situation comedy. Plus, the creators call it a 'sitcom' which is always helpful when trying to classify a show.

View original

We all make mistakes, don't worry.
 

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Aaron
BSG Forums & DVDs Editor
Half man, half Internet, half TV. In love with zooo.
/(bb|[^b]{2})/
(Loyal follower of The Magical Aura of Laura.)