Quote: Griff @ October 7 2008, 7:09 PM BSTHonestly, I don't know where he gets the idea there's a meanness of spirit on these boards.
I think we've upset someone Page 2
And let's have BBC 5 the Eastenders only channel.
Let's make them perform 24/7 fuelled on amphetamines and cocaine.
Oh and yet another cookery show, where Ainsley Harriott shoves Little Chef up his bum.
Quote: Griff @ October 7 2008, 7:09 PM BSTHonestly, I don't know where he gets the idea there's a meanness of spirit on these boards.
Quote: sootyj @ October 7 2008, 7:11 PM BSTOh and yet another cookery show, where Ainsley Harriott shoves Little Chef up his bum.
Hey, don't mess with the Chef! 
Quote: sootyj @ October 7 2008, 7:06 PM BSTHaving read that what a vile self important load of tripe. So if something's popular it's good? If you feed the lowest common denominator cheapen yourself, and don't aim to create something of value then huzzah.
It's one of those things where it is difficult not to appear snobbish.
Sooty's right about the cheapening of the BBC's image. I mean, they're one of the most famous names in television. But hasn't everything become cheapened in this day and age? I don't think people care any more. They just want a quick fix of familiarity and that's it.
And if we're clever we should be able to combine that quick fix with some decently written comedy.
And stop moaning.
Well of course. It's possible to do something very popular and very funny, but that particular combination has been rather elusive recently.
Although saying that, a lot of people think My Family is funny. And that's officially popular.
I have series 3 of The IT Crowd to look forward to, so I'm happy either way.
"Very popular and very funny" just means "Very popular and I like it too" though doesn't it.
Quote: zooo @ October 7 2008, 7:30 PM BSTAnd if we're clever we should be able to combine that quick fix with some decently written comedy.
And stop moaning.
Prezunctly. 
Quote: Winterlight @ October 7 2008, 7:33 PM BSTAlthough saying that, a lot of people think My Family is funny. And that's officially popular.
*raises hand*
Quote: Griff @ October 7 2008, 7:37 PM BST"Very popular and very funny" just means "Very popular and I like it too" though doesn't it.
Another prezunctly.
I wonder which pasting it was that finally drove Micheal to despair of us.
There are 280,500-odd posts to choose from.
I'm sure there's been a few specific posts aimed at MJ when he's popped up in threads.
I do wonder why people expect him to say "You're right, Two Pints is a heap of shit, but it pays the bills".
Because they're set in their ways?
Maybe the beautiful homoeroticism of your feud with Seefacts could melt his heart?
For some bizarre reason, comedy brings out the worst in some people. Maybe it's because - at some level - comedy IS at it's very heart a nasty thing. Basically it's laughing at other people's misfortunes isn't it? I mean I know that's oversimplifying it but the oldest joke in the world is someone slipping on a banana skin. The first comedy movies were people falling off high buildings, getting slapped, punched, ran over, squashed by pianos etc. So maybe that's what brings the mean-spirited part out in us.
What I don't agree with though, is attacking specific writers / creators of shows with such venom as has been demonstrated on Chortle (and to a slightly lesser extent, BSG). They say you have to have a thick skin to be a comedy writer but nobody's impervious to the kind of poison barbs I've read - and usually they're untrue or at the very least, unfair.
But, as I say, comedy can bring out the worst in people and perhaps that'll never change. Maybe it's just part of the deal.
To be fair isn't MJ just complaining about the posts that slag off new shows without giving any reasons why they don't like it? (and there aren't really that many on here like that, I'm sure). Surely he isn't saying that our views just aren't valid and we should say something nice or not at all? Or have I misunderstood his blog?