Patrick McGoohan - don't get me wrong - he was brilliant and a man ahead of (or just before) his time. I love Prisoner (poss my fave TV series of all time) but he was so wooden the crew had a bucket of water standing by in case a careless fag set him off.
Come on Badge. Paul Nicholas was of the "whispering" school like half of Eastenders - Phil Mitchell and those other kids. It's not acting and it's not "real" either.
Also SlagA I can't believe I forgot Mike from the Young Ones. Well I suppose I could really. He really is atrocious in everything he's done including AbFab. Does he own the production company or something?
Mike from the Young Ones! Apparently he was drafted in at the last minute 'cause original actor Peter Richardson had a tiff with Rick Mayall. Don't get me wrong, it's fine to have a straight man, but Chris Ryan doesn't know what to do with himself.
Quote: Aaron @ April 20, 2007, 4:36 PMNo, no, I maintain that he completely overacted it in the wrong places. Wouldn't have mattered quite so much if it was actually funny.
I think you're missing the point Aaron - the character of David Brent was aware of the documentary crew's camera and tried to show off to it - thus it was Brent who was over-acting. It was deliberate.
As for whether The Office is funny or not - well that's a value judgement. I think it somewhat depends on whether the viewer is in the unfortunate position of being able to relate to the situations. I've worked in two offices where there's been a David Brent as a boss so very much laughed at the series (although not the Christmas specials). Meanwhile The Office USA is getting better and better.
Quote: Mark @ April 21, 2007, 11:23 AMI think you're missing the point Aaron - the character of David Brent was aware of the documentary crew's camera and tried to show off to it - thus it was Brent who was over-acting. It was deliberate.
Oh no, I understand that. To me though, he just completely plays it up in the wrong places.
Tessa Peake Jones in Only Fools.
I thought Tessa Peake Jones was actually really good in things like Dates and Jolly Boys Outing. I didn't like her so much in the last 3 episodes but that was probably more down to the writing.
I thought Tessa Peake-Jones was generally ok, but Gwyneth Strong as Cassandra was pretty ropey. But then, sometimes you have to separate out the acting from the character, and if the character ain't great then you prbably have to have enormous acting boots to hold your end up.
Mark Addy as Boyle in Thin Blue Line.
And Gweneth Strong was just RUBBISH in Only Fools. Tessa Peak-Jone can do comedy -rare, it has to be said, for a woman. But Cassandra was lowsy.
Oh yes, all women are shit at comedy. Oh well, at least we can spell.
I've only thought a few women are funny in comedy: Emma Wray as Brenda in Watching was fantastic, Claude in Less Than Perfect is amazing at comedy, I think. And Victoria Wood, of course, and all of the cast of dinnerladies. Raquel, like I said, in Only Fools and others.
And I can spell. I'm writing my second novel.
I thought Mark Addey was excellent as Boyle in The Thin Blue Line.
Robert De Niro in Extras 
Quote: Jack Massey @ April 23, 2007, 5:31 PMI thought Mark Addey was excellent as Boyle in The Thin Blue Line.
I thought he was too wooden. I prefered Kray. Pity he left. Remember when he would be on the phone speaking radio jargon, "Tango, tango, diet Lilt and a Fanta." Or when Grim would say a joke and he would say sarcastically, "Stupendous, sir. Don't tell me anymore. Someone's gotta sit in this seat next shift!"
I wonder why he wasn't in series two.
Quote: Dave @ April 23, 2007, 5:04 PMAnd I can spell. I'm writing my second novel.
I think she's referring to your spelling of "lousy". With a 'w'.
Quote: Dave @ April 23, 2007, 8:42 PMI wonder why he wasn't in series two.
Jessie asked that last week... It's probably on IMDb or Wikipedia or something. But I'm too lazy to look.
...Apparently he's Keith Allen's brother. I.E. LILLY ALLEN'S UNCLE. 
