Quote: chipolata @ May 6 2008, 10:26 AM BSTIt was okay, but mainly because Julia Davis is hot in a horsey kind of way.
Which sitcoms would you bring back? Page 5
Quote: monkeybeard @ May 6 2008, 9:23 AM BSTEver Decreasing Circles is one of the best sitcoms ever made but it ended so perfectly that I wouldn't want another series of it. It wouldn't work if they weren't living in the close anymore.
I don't know why I chose this actually. I've only seen the frist two series and don't know how it all ends. I just enjoy it, think the Martin Bryce character is superb. Must watch the rest now.
Quote: manchester's trendy chorlton @ May 6 2008, 10:27 AM BSTFawlty towers ... has become comedy of comfort due to years and years of repeats and media goodwill. Not to mention slavish fanboy devotion.
Quote: manchester's trendy chorlton @ May 6 2008, 10:27 AM BSTThe Office, The Mighty Boosh...
Quote: shaggy292 @ May 6 2008, 10:29 AM BSTI don't know why I chose this actually. I've only seen the frist two series and don't know how it all ends. I just enjoy it, think the Martin Bryce character is superb. Must watch the rest now.
You'll enjoy watching the rest of the series. The quality of writing and performance lasts throughout. A brilliant sitcom.
You're right, the character Martin Bryce is one of the all time sitcom greats and the best Richard Briers has ever been 
I still can't think of a second choice. It's a difficult question, as most of the sitcoms I love I wouldn't wish to spoil by having more episodes.
Of very recent times I hope there is a second series of Empty. I really enjoyed watching the first series. Pleasantly surprised.
Quote: manchester's trendy chorlton @ May 6 2008, 10:27 AM BSTThe Larry Sanders Show, The Office, The Thick of It, The Mighty Boosh, Nighty Night...um, pretty much all of the best output over the last several years.
I find all of those very comforting!
But perhaps because I've watched them so much, and like the world they create.
I'm trying to think of a sitcom I like that makes me feel uncomfortable...
Oh dear, you have misunderstood the point.
Re-read my original point: what is comforting for the viewer is that they know exactly when the joke is coming, exactly what the joke will be. This is due to repeat viewing over a period of years. Once this stage has been reached, it becomes difficult for the viewer to take an impartial view of whether the comedy is working. and thus, you get a comedy like FT, which everyone assumes is flawless - but only because people refuse to critique it.
I understand you perfectly, you're not that complex.
Quote: zooo @ May 6 2008, 10:54 AM BSTI understand you perfectly, you're not that complex.
Quote: manchester's trendy chorlton @ May 6 2008, 10:27 AM BSTThe Larry Sanders Show, The Office, The Thick of It, The Mighty Boosh, Nighty Night...um, pretty much all of the best output over the last several years.
But either way, the point about Fawlty towers is that it has become comedy of comfort due to years and years of repeats and media goodwill. Not to mention slavish fanboy devotion.
In their own way, all those shows are just as comfortable and safe as Man About The House and Fresh Fields.
Quote: manchester's trendy chorlton @ May 6 2008, 10:51 AM BSTOh dear, you have misunderstood the point.
Re-read my original point: what is comforting for the viewer is that they know exactly when the joke is coming, exactly what the joke will be. This is due to repeat viewing over a period of years. Once this stage has been reached, it becomes difficult for the viewer to take an impartial view of whether the comedy is working. and thus, you get a comedy like FT, which everyone assumes is flawless - but only because people refuse to critique it.
I'd be happy to critique it, if I saw anything TO critique. I loved it the first time I saw it. A perfect mixture of numerous types of comedy, notably lots of farce, with sharp writing throughout.
Oh, and I rarely watch it, just so it's that bit fresher when I do. It's one of my favourite sitcoms, but I don't remember what jokes is coming, and when.
To get back back to the original question I'd love to see another series of How Do You Want Me (assuming you could perfect reanimation since one of the cast is dead). And Joking Apart, which I much prefferred to Coupling.
Correction: Trendy is complex. He is an enigma wrapped inside a riddle, underneath a vibrant layer of charisma.
And Fawlty Towers is outdated crap! Old stuff is rubbish!
What's wrapped around the charisma? Must be some sort of impenetrable bullet proof casing. 
Quote: manchester's trendy chorlton @ May 6 2008, 11:17 AM BSTAnd Fawlty Towers is outdated crap! Old stuff is rubbish!
No, old shows are far better than new shows. Give me Are You Being Served? over The Office any day of the week. Spaced, vastly outweighed by Terry and June.
Anyway, it is interesting that your coherent - if not totally bollocks - argument descends to such outlandish statements once other people provide evidence to the contrary of the exact points you make.
No doubting you're northern...
I like MTC because he is undoubtedly THE most patronising BSG member there has ever been. I salute him.