I mainly just remember that chicken they kept on the table and put money in.
Carla Lane On Radio 5 Live Page 3
The only character in Bread with a shred of comedy in him was the grandad who lived next door.
What about LUV?
I have to admit to feeling a tinge of pity for Carla. She was once responsible for writing some of the biggest, most succesful sitcoms in britain, and now she probably struggles to even get producers to read her work. It must be tough going from hero to zero. And suddenly finding yourself so out of step with an industry you were once the darling of.
In her defence in the interview she did say The Office was "exceptional" (I think). So she obviously watched and enjoyed that.
I always got the impression (and maybe I'm completely wrong) that she sort of cut herself off and got wrapped up in the animal sanctuary thing a while back. I think that once you isolate yourself from society like that it becomes very difficult to write. Especially about characters that people can relate to and care about.
Quote: Greg @ September 25 2008, 9:20 AM BSTThe only character in Bread with a shred of comedy in him was the grandad who lived next door.
I hated him. He was always whinging, like a little kid. The funniest character for me, was Adrian. I remember, whenever life was getting him down, and he was close to breaking point, he'd say something like "Hanging like a thread!"
Remember a few years ago Carla Lane wrote a sitcom pilot for Jim Davidson that never came off. There's an unlikely match for you.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ September 25 2008, 10:43 AM BSTI always got the impression (and maybe I'm completely wrong) that she sort of cut herself off and got wrapped up in the animal sanctuary thing a while back. I think that once you isolate yourself from society like that it becomes very difficult to write. Especially about characters that people can relate to and care about.
I think if she turned a far more critical light on herself and her life, she could still come up with some good work. But she'd need to really examine in lacerating detail the type of world she now inhabits, and the various well-meaning but sometimes foolish and myopic people who tootle about on the animal rights circuit.
Quote: John Kelly @ September 23 2008, 9:12 AM BSTThey say it's hard for women to succeed in comedy, and when you see the level of abuse ranged against women like Carla Lane, Catherine Tate, Susan Nickson, you can see why it's difficult. Does it ever strike the men who write these tirades that sometimes men and women write from different perspectives and maybe one of the reasons Lane was so popular was that she spoke to a different experience to all the men who then, and largely still do, dominate comedy.
I am not sure it is more difficult to succeed in comedy, indeed an implicit quota system may actually create more opportunities for them. But I do think that the criticism heaped on female writers and performers, particularly from men, tends to be more vitriolic.
As for Carla, I do not properly remember The Liver Birds, but I have soft spot for Butterflies, and the first season of Bread, before the catchphrases become tiresome, was funny. The Mistress and Solo were pap mind. (Though the latter did have a fantastic theme tune by Sandy Denny.)
Quote: Marc P @ September 25 2008, 9:24 AM BSTWhat about LUV?
Was that the thing with Michael Angelis? That was terrible.
What was the post-Bread thing she did with Sue Johnston as a bored housewifey-type. There might have been a factory involved? I remember hearing her say a line something like "life is like a feather duster" and had to turn off immediately. Then I had to take a shower and vomit until I felt purged and clean again.
Well, okay maybe I've exaggerated slightly...
Quote: catskillz @ September 25 2008, 11:01 AM BSTI hated him. He was always whinging, like a little kid. The funniest character for me, was Adrian. I remember, whenever life was getting him down, and he was close to breaking point, he'd say something like "Hanging like a thread!"
Actually, that should've been "Hanging by a thread!"
As far as I'm aware, the title of the show Carla Lane was mentioning on 5 Live - 'Screaming' - is the same title of a script she was complaining she couldn't get picked-up 2 years ago. Perhaps time to try a new idea?
Quote: Perry Nium @ September 23 2008, 10:27 AM BSTDoes anyone remember the Last Laugh BBc compo where you had to write the last ten minutes to a sitcom a "pro" had written? There were about ten scripts / writers to choose from I think.
Not many went for Carla Lane's as I remember...
I was one of the people who chose Carla's script. I love most things Carla has written as I love most comedy. She was one of the great writers of her time and she touched the hearts and lives of many, especially women like herself. You don't have to like her work and you don't have to like her, but I can tell you from first hand experience that she is a genuinely lovely lady with a kind heart. In my opinion, she is indeed out of touch with modern comedy and appears to still write in the same way as she did all those years ago, which just doesn't cut it anymore, and is the reason her work isn't being picked up.
Carla has dedicated her life to saving animals... her home was like Noah's Ark; full of injured and recovering animals and she admitted that she spent every penny she ever earned on the care of animals. That makes her a good person in my book. She's eccentric, yes! She told me a story about how she once let a goldfish live in her bath for weeks. It had damaged fins and every hour she would go and hold it upright in the water, until she taught it how to swim again.
She also had plenty of time for me after filming was over, and chatted freely and openly, offering good advice and suggesting I call her anytime should I ever want to ask her anything.
Whoever said they read/heard she'd sold her house, I can assure you she won't have made a 'packet' as you suggested. Read into that what you will.
Carla had huge, huge success with her comedy writing, and like her work or not, she deserves credit for that.
Quote: Rustle T Davis @ September 28 2008, 10:42 PM BSTCarla has dedicated her life to saving animals... her home was like Noah's Ark; full of injured and recovering animals and she admitted that she spent every penny she ever earned on the care of animals. That makes her a good person in my book. She's eccentric, yes! She told me a story about how she once let a goldfish live in her bath for weeks. It had damaged fins and every hour she would go and hold it upright in the water, until she taught it how to swim again.
Aw!