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Thread: British and American Television Comedy

  1. #31
    BrownWings: AirViceMarshall Senior Member Furunculus's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Brit comedies:
    Blackadder is awesome.

    Yank comedies:
    quite fond of Scrubs.

    Gavin and Stacey had some funny characters (ness and bryn), but the domesticity of it was depressing.
    Furunculus Maneuver: Adopt a highly logical position on a controversial subject where you cannot disagree with the merits of the proposal, only disagree with an opinion based on fundamental values. - Beskar

  2. #32
    Mr Self Important Senior Member Beskar's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Quote Originally Posted by Furunculus View Post
    Gavin and Stacey had some funny characters (ness and bryn), but the domesticity of it was depressing.
    It was depressing. To imagine people are even like that. I guess the show would be boring if they were simply normal.
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  3. #33
    Little Mons†er Senior Member Secura's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Quote Originally Posted by Beskar View Post
    It was depressing. To imagine people are even like that. I guess the show would be boring if they were simply normal.

    "You've got to hold and give
    But do it at the right time
    You can be slow or fast
    But you must get to the line!"

    The thing is, that show is like Little Britain in a way; you know that it's stereotyping and taking the mickey out of us, but we watch it anyway because it's good, compulsive viewing.
    "Blacker than a moonless night. Hotter and more bitter than Hell itself… that is coffee."

  4. #34
    Mr Self Important Senior Member Beskar's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Quote Originally Posted by Secura View Post
    The thing is, that show is like Little Britain in a way; you know that it's stereotyping and taking the mickey out of us, but we watch it anyway because it's good, compulsive viewing.
    Actually, Little Britain is pretty true. Such as Andy (the character in the wheelchair), if you worked with people with learning disabilities, it is unfortunately very close to the real thing, except they are legitimately disabled.
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  5. #35
    Ultimate Member tibilicus's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    True fact, any comedy shown on BBC 3 isn't funny. two pints of lager and a packet of crisps needs to be burned and eradicated from the BBC archives.

    Only real comedy I like these days is peep show. I watch quite a few American comedy's like two and a half men but not to many actually make me laugh out loud. A lot of them have a trend of deteriorating rapidly as they go on as well. Scrubs started going down hill after season 6, season 8 was shocking and I prefer to blank the current season from my memory.


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  6. #36
    Mr Self Important Senior Member Beskar's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Quote Originally Posted by tibilicus View Post
    True fact, any comedy shown on BBC 3 isn't funny. two pints of lager and a packet of crisps needs to be burned and eradicated from the BBC archives.

    Only real comedy I like these days is peep show. I watch quite a few American comedy's like two and a half men but not to many actually make me laugh out loud. A lot of them have a trend of deteriorating rapidly as they go on as well. Scrubs started going down hill after season 6, season 8 was shocking and I prefer to blank the current season from my memory.
    So Doctor Who isn't good? That is pretty much a BBC3 comedy.
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  7. #37
    Little Mons†er Senior Member Secura's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Quote Originally Posted by Beskar View Post
    Actually, Little Britain is pretty true. Such as Andy (the character in the wheelchair), if you worked with people with learning disabilities, it is unfortunately very close to the real thing, except they are legitimately disabled.
    So they're all balding, pot-bellied men with bad hygiene and mono-syllabic responses?
    "Blacker than a moonless night. Hotter and more bitter than Hell itself… that is coffee."

  8. #38
    Little Mons†er Senior Member Secura's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Beskar View Post
    So Doctor Who isn't good? That is pretty much a BBC3 comedy.
    Doctor Who is a BBC1 show that is repeated on BBC Three. :P
    "Blacker than a moonless night. Hotter and more bitter than Hell itself… that is coffee."

  9. #39
    Tuba Son Member Subotan's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    I like BBC4.

    I think I'm the only person in Britain who watches it.

  10. #40
    Peerless Senior Member johnhughthom's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Was it BBC 4 had "The History of Christianity" a few months ago? I think I've watched a few things on it.

  11. #41
    Gangrenous Member Justiciar's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Quote Originally Posted by Secura View Post
    So they're all balding, pot-bellied men with bad hygiene and mono-syllabic responses?
    Thanks to the wonders of genes, a terrible diet, a dodgy lifestyle and a state-school education, I resemble that remark. But I think he means they're unintentionally manipulative, selfish, and have a tendacy to play up their disability for petty benefit. I've met a few such people, though they're hardly indictive of the whole.

    Quote Originally Posted by Subotan View Post
    I like BBC4.

    I think I'm the only person in Britain who watches it.
    I watch it from time to time. Despite m'self being a commited philistine, the Andrew Graham-Dixon art documentaries were grand.
    Last edited by Justiciar; 03-06-2010 at 01:23.
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  12. #42
    Ultimate Member tibilicus's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Quote Originally Posted by Subotan View Post
    I like BBC4.

    I think I'm the only person in Britain who watches it.
    Sometimes I forget it even exists as a channel.

    Occasionally it has some good stuff but it's usually BBC 2 repeats. BBC2 though has to be the champion of British television. It actually justifies the need to buy a tv licence. Settling down for an evening of intellectual programming is always nice, especially if David Attenbourgh is doing one of his nature documentaries.

    Quote Originally Posted by johnhughthom View Post
    Was it BBC 4 had "The History of Christianity" a few months ago? I think I've watched a few things on it.
    I know it was on BBC2 a couple of weeks back, I watched a bit of it.
    Last edited by tibilicus; 03-06-2010 at 01:47.


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  13. #43
    Member Centurion1's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    So they're all balding, pot-bellied men with bad hygiene and mono-syllabic responses?
    Depends on the disability of course. People who are dyslexic come in all shapes and sizes and that is a learning disability. Very broad term that.

  14. #44
    Little Mons†er Senior Member Secura's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Quote Originally Posted by Centurion1 View Post
    Depends on the disability of course. People who are dyslexic come in all shapes and sizes and that is a learning disability. Very broad term that.
    Well, I assumed that Beskar was referring to Andy's physical disability, really.

    Dyslexia, dyspraxia and other such learning difficulties aren't really a laughing matter, just the same as race or gender. :3
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  15. #45
    Mr Self Important Senior Member Beskar's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Quote Originally Posted by Secura View Post
    So they're all balding, pot-bellied men with bad hygiene and mono-syllabic responses?
    No, but the behaviour is quite similar, such as suddenly changing their mind, etc.
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  16. #46
    Member Centurion1's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Well, I assumed that Beskar was referring to Andy's physical disability, really.

    Dyslexia, dyspraxia and other such learning difficulties aren't really a laughing matter, just the same as race or gender. :3
    I don't even know what show you are speaking about. i wan't laughing two of my cousins are dyslexic, i don't really giggle about it after seeing the trouble they have with reading

  17. #47
    Little Mons†er Senior Member Secura's Avatar
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    No, no, you misunderstand, Cent! :3

    I was speaking about Andy from Little Britain.

    I'm saying that I don't find it a laughing matter. Some of my closest friends are dyslexic... I'm saying that I don't think any comedy shows should take the mickey out of disabilities just as they shouldn't make racial or sexist remarks either.
    "Blacker than a moonless night. Hotter and more bitter than Hell itself… that is coffee."

  18. #48
    Member Centurion1's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    they shouldn't make racial or sexist remarks either.
    oh ok i understand now after seeing that clip, thats really not that funny im sorry to say. yeah but good luck trying to get sexism out of comedy.

  19. #49
    TexMec Senior Member Louis VI the Fat's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Quote Originally Posted by Secura View Post
    Dyslexia, dyspraxia and other such learning difficulties aren't really a laughing matter
    Hear, hear!

    Me, I'd never joke over lysdeixa.
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  20. #50
    urk! Member bobbin's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Quote Originally Posted by Subotan View Post
    I like BBC4.

    I think I'm the only person in Britain who watches it.
    Let me dispel your doubts.

    It's about the only channel that I watch and is by far the best in Britain.
    Last edited by bobbin; 03-06-2010 at 03:08.


  21. #51
    BrownWings: AirViceMarshall Senior Member Furunculus's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Quote Originally Posted by johnhughthom View Post
    Was it BBC 4 had "The History of Christianity" a few months ago? I think I've watched a few things on it.
    now that was an interesting show, watched all of them on iplayer.
    Furunculus Maneuver: Adopt a highly logical position on a controversial subject where you cannot disagree with the merits of the proposal, only disagree with an opinion based on fundamental values. - Beskar

  22. #52
    Tuba Son Member Subotan's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Quote Originally Posted by Justiciar View Post
    I watch it from time to time. Despite m'self being a commited philistine, the Andrew Graham-Dixon art documentaries were grand.
    I hate art, and I absolutely loved his Russian Art series. I was just transfixed all the way through, and Repin's stuff had me in awe.
    Quote Originally Posted by bobbin View Post
    It's about the only channel that I watch and is by far the best in Britain.
    I thought I was the only one...

  23. #53

    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Beskar

    You need to lighten up or take it to the backroom, people in general aren't out to offend.

    Back on the subject has anyone mentioned QI or Mock the Week, although Mock the Week isn't what it used to be since Frankie Boyle left, such an angry man but as a fellow Weegie I know where he's coming from, very funny.

  24. #54
    Little Mons†er Senior Member Secura's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ja'chyra View Post
    Back on the subject has anyone mentioned QI or Mock the Week, although Mock the Week isn't what it used to be since Frankie Boyle left, such an angry man but as a fellow Weegie I know where he's coming from, very funny.
    I mentioned MTW in my first post I think, it's sheer genius. Frankie Boyle is a fantastic comedian (if a little... vulgar at times), but he doesn't make the show; the likes of Andy Parsons and Russell Howard are as integral to the show and as funny, in their own way.

    I love QI, although I kinda wish Alan Davies wasn't a core feature of it. With a smaller panel of just four people... I'd like to see him rotated off, if only because I find him irksome and boring.
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  25. #55
    Member Member Hax's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    QI (Stephen Fry!) and Mock the Week (Dara Ó Briain) are absolutely incredible.

    I love QI's ability to make you laugh and go "oh, seriously?" simultaneously, and Dara Ó Briain is one of my favourite comedians; combine that with politics and you get Mock the Week.

    I never really liked Frankie Boyle that much. His humor was okay, but too crude for me.
    This space intentionally left blank.

  26. #56
    Little Mons†er Senior Member Secura's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hax View Post
    I love QI's ability to make you laugh and go "oh, seriously?" simultaneously
    One of my favourites was an occasion where Stephen Fry presented a long chemical formula:

    C6H12O6(S) + 6O2(g) -> 6CO2(g) + 6H2O(g)

    He simply gave the clue that it was related to food and would be worth two hundred points if someone could describe it correctly.

    There was a female 'contestant' (Helen Atkinson-Wood, her sole appearance) who correctly ascertained that the formula was known as an explosion in a custard factory, and represented the oxidation of glucose; I was completely astounded, as were Stephen and the rest of those playing. Apparantly it's a standard thing to learn in Home Ecomomics! o_O

    I never really liked Frankie Boyle that much. His humor was okay, but too crude for me.
    Exactly; you can be funny without every other word being an f-bomb, which Frankie does in every single round without fail. Russell Howard's my favourite on the show, but I know a few people who loathe him. :<
    Last edited by Secura; 03-06-2010 at 22:54.
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  27. #57
    Headless Senior Member Pannonian's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Quote Originally Posted by tibilicus View Post
    Sometimes I forget it even exists as a channel.

    Occasionally it has some good stuff but it's usually BBC 2 repeats. BBC2 though has to be the champion of British television. It actually justifies the need to buy a tv licence. Settling down for an evening of intellectual programming is always nice, especially if David Attenbourgh is doing one of his nature documentaries.
    It's hard to say where he's of most value. As the BBC2 controller, he virtually made it the innovative, intelligent, yet populist channel that it is at its best. However, if he hadn't got tired of that and moved on, we'd never have got the wildlife documentaries that he's likely to be remembered for.

    Quote Originally Posted by Secura View Post
    One of my favourites was an occasion where Stephen Fry presented a long chemical formula:

    C6H12O6(S) + 6O2(g) -> 6CO2(g) + 6H2O(g)

    He simply gave the clue that it was related to food and would be worth two hundred points if someone could describe it correctly.

    There was a female 'contestant' (Helen Atkinson-Wood, her sole appearance) who correctly ascertained that the formula was known as an explosion in a custard factory, and represented the oxidation of glucose; I was completely astounded, as were Stephen and the rest of those playing. Apparantly it's a standard thing to learn in Home Ecomomics! o_O
    It shows that Mrs Miggins knows all about anything pie-related.
    Last edited by Pannonian; 03-06-2010 at 23:10.

  28. #58
    Member Member Hax's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Ach, let us not forget the horrible "Acropolis, where the Parthenon is"-incident.
    This space intentionally left blank.

  29. #59
    Tuba Son Member Subotan's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Quote Originally Posted by Secura View Post
    I mentioned MTW in my first post I think, it's sheer genius. Frankie Boyle is a fantastic comedian (if a little... vulgar at times), but he doesn't make the show; the likes of Andy Parsons and Russell Howard are as integral to the show and as funny, in their own way.
    Frankie Boyle is pretty lightweight compared to the likes of Jerry Sadowitz.

  30. #60
    Mercury Member Thermal's Avatar
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    Default Re: British and American Television Comedy

    Quote Originally Posted by Subotan View Post
    Frankie Boyle is pretty lightweight compared to the likes of Jerry Sadowitz.
    Did you see frankie boyles live show (on dvd lol) by todays standards, hes as heavyweight as allowed (some of his remarks got more gasps, even boos, than laughs )

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