British Comedy Guide

Queen Of Oz

I watched the first episode of the new Catherine Tate show Queen of Oz and... yikes. When I say it was a laugh free zone, I mean I didn't even raise a smile. A vile central character who I have absolutely no desire to spend another second with. If this was meant to hook us in to watch five more episodes, it really didn't work.

If this script was submitted to the BBC by a new writer, I honestly don't think they'd have read past the first scene.

Even if I'd had any intention of watching it (which I hadn't), the trailer would have soon pointed out the error of my ways.

Quote: Billy Bunter @ 17th June 2023, 11:29 AM

Even if I'd had any intention of watching it (which I hadn't), the trailer would have soon pointed out the error of my ways.

Exactly. I'm sure she's quite naturally funny but I've nothing that I find amusing in any of her specific shows.

I've worked with her and she's naturally really funny, razor sharp and exceedingly kind. I think the problem with her recent foray into sitcom is she's inventing the characters from scratch. Her sketch seems observed from people she's encountered and she's exaggerated them so they're more real. Her sit com feels like she's thinking of the jokes and sticking them to the characters. It's a real shame.

I just thought it was OK

5 out of 10

The opening bit where she pukes over the girl was very Little Britain

Quote: Chappers @ 17th June 2023, 11:42 AM

Exactly. I'm sure she's quite naturally funny but I've nothing that I find amusing in any of her specific shows.

I still like her sketch shows. I struggle with her sit coms (even though I was in one 😂)

Which?? 🙂

Quote: lofthouse @ 17th June 2023, 2:00 PM

Which?? 🙂

She's only done two and it's not this one 😉

🤔

Quote: Hildegard @ 17th June 2023, 2:43 PM

She's only done two and it's not this one 😉

As far as sitcoms go she's been in Surgical Spirit, Men Behaving Badly, Wild West, The American Office, the Nan specials and Hard Cell so a few to choose from.

Quote: Sitcomfan64 @ 17th June 2023, 4:52 PM

As far as sitcoms go she's been in Surgical Spirit, Men Behaving Badly, Wild West, The American Office, the Nan specials and Hard Cell so a few to choose from.

I'm talking about ones she's written.

I liked it a lot 😊

Maybe I'll give it a go.

Well I did watch it and found it quite amusing. I'll give it another go.

As one of the TV reviewers pointed out was the trailer intended to put viewers off? Very strange choice.

No actual laughs here, but I did kinda like it in a way, I suppose? A couple of the retorts/sly remarks from the other characters did get a proper smirk from me.

I'll give it another few episodes to click with me more, I get the feeling she's meant to be a proper unlikeable arsehole to begin with, more of an arsehole than your typical sitcom monster main character, and that you're meant to relate to the supporting cast more, ha.

A bit like Hildegard said earlier in this thread, I feel her sketch work is far better, as it takes people she has likely met/known and exaggerate parts of them, she's better at observational/parody in her writing and performance.

Quote: Chappers @ 20th June 2023, 9:48 AM

Well I did watch it and found it quite amusing. I'll give it another go.

As one of the TV reviewers pointed out was the trailer intended to put viewers off? Very strange choice.

Yeah, the trailer makes it look worse!

Share this page