Admin - Pilot Page 8

'Nuts wasn't saying we should like it just cos he's a member: he was suggesting we say we didn't like it in a more polite fashion, as some of the earlier opinions seemed a bit curt, that's all. And I think he makes a fair (and IMO good) point.

Just watched Admin now and genuinely enjoyed it. Admittedly it's not the best comedy ever or anything like that, but it was likeable enough. I liked the characters (maybe a couple of them do indeed ham it up a bit and didn't really see the point of the 'Head of Admin' woman) and would certainly watch a series involving them.

I read everything anybody said above and have to admit I wasn't looking forward to it as much as before I started reading but was pleasantly surprised after watching it. It engaged me and made me laugh. 'Mike' was well acted and did indeed appear a 'man on the edge'. There was a lot to get in and, personally, thought that the Asif strand (with his Dad and his Dad's mate) should probably have been a storyline in its own right in a different episode. But hey ho.

So, I think, a series would be welcome and should be given time to develop. And well done David.

Incidentally, I noticed it was 'Written AND Created By David Isaacs', which I believe harks back to a previous discussion somewhere around here.

EDIT: After a bit more thought, just put yourself in his position (admittedly a very lucky one). He's been trying to get stuff produced for seven years, probably written other stuff and may even have been surprised they picked up on this one (I know I was surprised at which sketches have been commissioned given the choices). Add to that that the script that got a thumbs-up, has since been rewritten and rewritten on the advice of (numerous) producer(s), it may very well not be anything like the original script. (I'd certainly be surprised if he started with that many characters in a half-hour show!). And with all due respect to David, I don't think he has the clout to say 'We're not doing it like that!' when something suggested and probably gone along with the flow. He'll have more control with the later stuff and it will no doubt improve as he learns his craft. Good luck to him, is what I say.

Dan

Quote: ContainsNuts @ May 13 2008, 7:53 PM BST

Yeah well I'm glad I don't know you in real life if you go around telling people they are shit. Saying something is plain shit is just disrespectful, its beyond what you need to say to a person who is part of this crowd. What's wrong with 'not funny'. I thought a writer would appreciate a little kindness from others, I was wrong about some people here. In fact I was wrong about here - full stop.

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Oh calm down, for gods sake. I dont go round telling people theyre shit, and I havent said that Admin is shit, that was just a sweeping sentance to get across the fact that people can say whatever the hell they like!! What is so weird about that?? Not everyone on here is a writer, and even if they are they dont have to be kind if they dont want to. I would never post 'It was shit' if I knew the writer was a member, Im not a c**t, but Im saying that anyone else has the right to if they want to.

Quote: swerytd @ May 13 2008, 7:57 PM BST

'Nuts wasn't saying we should like it just cos he's a member: he was suggesting we say we didn't like it in a more polite fashion, as some of the earlier opinions seemed a bit curt, that's all. And I think he makes a fair (and IMO good) point.

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And I agree, but thats not to say I think everyone else has to do that, its up to whoever posts to make up their own minds about how they post.

Quote: Matthew Stott @ May 13 2008, 8:02 PM BST

And I agree, but thats not to say I think everyone else has to do that, its up to whoever posts to make up their own minds about how they post.

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Well I don't get your point. No one was questioning anyone's rights to post what they want. We were just saying there should be a bit of respect for a fellow member just like we show each other here (sometimes).

Quote: Matthew Stott @ May 13 2008, 8:02 PM BST

And I agree, but thats not to say I think everyone else has to do that, its up to whoever posts to make up their own minds about how they post.

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Well, to some extent I agree. ie. it's up to the poster but I personally think posts should be put politely regardless of whether we're talking about a writer we know or don't know. Or whatever we're talking about, in fact. Unless it's the 'Abuse Other Posters' thread

Dan

Quote: ContainsNuts @ May 13 2008, 8:05 PM BST

Well I don't get your point. No one was questioning anyone's rights to post what they want. We were just sticking up for a fellow member.

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My point is that , well, people can say what they like; its not a difficult one. I didnt understand why there was such a kerfuffle over the fact that there had been some damning reviews and said so; then you and whoever the other one was jumped on my back about it! People have the right to be nasty about a TV programme! And stick up for the writer all you like, and well done on him getting his show onto TV, and I look forward to watching it on the Iplayer thingy, but if people want to slag it off then they can. I dont know why Im having to defend myself here!! I havent even watched it!

Quote: swerytd @ May 13 2008, 8:08 PM BST

Well, to some extent I agree. ie. it's up to the poster but I personally think posts should be put politely regardless of whether we're talking about a writer we know or don't know. Or whatever we're talking about, in fact. Unless it's the 'Abuse Other Posters' thread

Dan

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Agreed, and I dont think Ive ever been overly rude, but if others want to, well, up to them. Itd be nice if they didnt, but if they want to, go right ahead.

Having the right to post what you want doesn't make it right to do so in all situations. Thats what we are saying. I got your point about anyone can post what they want - its rather obvious, so the fact you are saying it suggests you support the just say what you want attitude which I think is quite harmful.

My message is an extension of 'have respect for others on the forum' that's all. You come across as saying 'treat people how you like' which we are debating about.

Quote: Matthew Stott @ May 13 2008, 8:13 PM BST

Agreed, and I dont think Ive ever been overly rude, but if others want to, well, up to them. Itd be nice if they didnt, but if they want to, go right ahead.

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No, I didn't mean you Matt. Sorry if it came across like that. I meant everyone generally. And world peace and all that...

Dan

Ok, I've just finished watching it - First of all David congrats on getting the commission, we have had our tiffs but I still have a great respect for anyone who can get a commission and really put the time into their work.

But I found the sitcom very mediocre. I thought it was very so so. I would love to see this being developed into a full series, because frankly there is some great potential here and I think something funny can be made of this but things need to be tweaked and changed around.

The characters Darrel and Tanya were my "favourite" and least annoying the rest seemed to be unfunny chavs or "straight men".

I felt it was also a bit all over the shop in places and a lot of unnecessarily needing dialogue and scenes - for instance, the scene where they discussed Kenny being "good at filing", it seemed a pointless scene to me a “filler scene”.

But to sum up, I got a few giggles and I hope the characters are developed a bit (and possibly a few actors changed) and I feel this could make a good show.

And one more thing before I sign off, CN would you please stop taking this the wrong way, this is a community, and I have been caught on both sides of the fence with things like this, I’ve written some terrible stuff in my time, which has been slated but I don’t let it get me down and neither should you. It’s opinion, I think Aaron was a bit blunt, but he can be that blunt if he wants.

Quote: ContainsNuts @ May 13 2008, 8:18 PM BST

Having the right to post what you want doesn't make it right to do so in all situations. Thats what we are saying. I got your point about anyone can post what they want - its rather obvious, so the fact you are saying it suggests you support the just say what you want attitude which I think is quite harmful.

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Why is it harmful though? Im sure the writer doesnt care, at least not in this case-hes on TV! Have you stuck up for all the writers of shows who arent members whove been called every name under the sun on here?

Yes its an obvious point to say people can post what they like; obvious because its true. Im not a rude person, or generally blunt in my views, but I dont see anything wrong with others being. Anyway, I dont want to go any further with this, its pointless and distracting from what the threads supposed to be about. This is an internet forum, or message board (Or whatever you call it) Unless you put strict rules in place, people are going to be rude about TV programmes, so get a thick skin.

Who is getting who the wrong way? everyone is telling me that people can post what they like. I never said they couldn't! I suggested a small token of support for a fellow member. What a crime I'm committing.

Quote: Matthew Stott @ May 13 2008, 8:32 PM BST

Why is it harmful though? Im sure the writer doesnt care, at least not in this case-hes on TV! Have you stuck up for all the writers of shows who arent members whove been called every name under the sun on here?

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OK that's it for me. Its my own fault if I haven't got my point across but if you think that's what I'm doing then we've gone 20 steps backwards. No worries, I stop trying to make the same point.

Right. Let's change the track slightly. Which bits of which posts did you feel weren't as tactful as you'd have liked?

Quote: ContainsNuts @ May 13 2008, 8:35 PM BST

OK that's it for me. Its my own fault if I haven't got my point across but if you think that's what I'm doing then we've gone 20 steps backwards. No worries, I stop trying to make the same point.

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Got your point, just felt others had a right to behave as badly as they like. If saying 'I thought this was rubbish' is now classed as behaving badly that is. Anyway, looking forward to watching Admin.

And good luck with the show in general, whether or not I end up liking it, I hope it gets a series as its nice to see members making it!

Quote: Aaron @ May 13 2008, 8:38 PM BST

Right. Let's change the track slightly. Which bits of which posts did you feel weren't as tactful as you'd have liked?

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I'm happy to put in a new CD completely Aaron, I've lost enough time and people (it seems) in this.

Re The Pilot:

for me, the tone was a little uneven. It was as if the writer was caught in two minds - whether to go for something pretty sophisticated, or something fairly broad. the show suffered as a result in my opinion. How much this might have had to do with interference from above, I don't know.

There were too many characters, and as a result I think the show struggled to get across exactly what it might have been aiming for. The character of Asif was funny, but I don't think that the pilot episode was the right time to give him a story to himself. Ditto the pregnancy plot.

On the positive side, I think the character of Darryl (the suck-up admin guy?) was very well realised. Clearly, there were nods towards Gareth Keenan, Dwight Shrute, Hank Kingsely - but I don't think it came across as being too derivative. The actor really owned it as well, fair play to him.

I found the almost non-stop upbeat bland-indie soundtrack to be an unwelcome addition. Seriously, the writer should have put his foot down over that - it had producer-note written all over it.

Basically, I think that this is never going to change the face of sitcom, but deserves a series to see where it can go.

Just to add, and again an issue with bbc3 producers, i think they were aiming to hit too many demographics with this. Let it be itself, and the appropriate people will watch it.