Quote: Yatta @ October 22 2008, 9:02 AM BSToh and the receding hair line joke...
What do you call a line of rabbits going backwards? A receding hair line... Genius, don't you think?
I heard that at primary school in the 70s.
Well old joke. Genius? No. Recycling playground jokes. Yes.
The writer needs to get laid badly.
At least then he's know what he's writing about.
Quote: swerytd @ October 24 2008, 9:54 AM BSTActually, I have to give kudos for this week's guest non-rude line:
'First rule of geography -- expect the unexpected!'
Yes, not rude. Not funny, but not rude. Nothing wrong with rude if clever. Not clever. Awful script, bad acting, not funny. Possibly one of the least well-written, egregious, "put your brains to bed" sitcoms ever written.
"Joke" lines shat-out like uncontrollable, uncomfortable ditch-water diarrrhoea (during an absence of toilet paper).
Hiya.
See, I loved Two Pints but started getting bored of all the repeats ('cos even the best shows can drag), but still loved Will Mellor...
And I'm a 26 year old female who actaully likes the stupidness of Coming Of Age for some reason; think it's 'cos that's how my humour works (and the fact I find stupid stuff funny)...
Think Chloe needs to loosen up a bit though, she's just a bit too uptight. Nothing wrong with waiting (God, how I wish I had), but she just seems so prudish yet lovely. Not keen on DK, he's a bit too idiotic. What does the K stand for by the way? Matt is ok I guess, just a bit goofy, and Jas seems like a tart with a heart. Ollie, well he's just Ollie really!
Edited by Aaron.
Analysing comedy is the preserve of the Media Studies Student and is accordingly a waste of time.
Something is either funny or it isn't. However, there is one given: Not everyone will get the joke. As the old adage goes: One man's meat is another man's poison.
Does comedy need to be clever to work? Personally, I don't think so.
If comedy is deemed to be puerile is it any less valid? Again, I don't think so.
The main criterion for comedy is that it provokes laughter – how that is achieved is by-and-large irrelevant.
Is comedy diluted or diminished by cliché? Possibly, but not always. However, it is always nice to be exposed to something new, but then again, isn't life one big cliché?
The one point to bear in mind is that certain styles of humour will not work for all, but will for some. My advice is to stick to what you find funny and you'll be laughing.
When all is said and done, who is going to be the self-appointed arbiter of what is funny or not?
Quote: Hilary Fish @ October 25 2008, 3:32 PM BSTDoes comedy need to be clever to work? Personally, I don't think so.
If comedy is deemed to be puerile is it any less valid? Again, I don't think so.
The main criterion for comedy is that it provokes laughter – how that is achieved is by-and- large irrelevant.
Is comedy diluted or diminished by cliché? Possibly, but not always. However, it is always nice to be exposed to something new, but then again, isn't life one big cliché?
Agreed.
Quote: Hilary Fish @ October 25 2008, 3:32 PM BSTWhen all is said and done, who is going to be the self-appointed arbiter of what is funny or not?
Matthew Stott, I suspect. 
Oh, and I largely agree with bev-p. Welcome to the site, both of you.
Quote: Aaron @ October 25 2008, 4:04 PM BSTMatthew Stott, I suspect.
?!? I don't think I'm any more agressive in my opinions than a great many people on here. In fact, I think I'm a great deal more reasonable-wrap your eyes around a Tim Walker show demolition-it's brutal stuff!
Quote: Aaron @ October 25 2008, 4:04 PM BSTOh, and I largely agree with bev-p. Welcome to the site, both of you.
So he/she/it is basically saying you shouldn't give an opinion on something if you don't like it? Some valid points in there, but that's obviously a bit wrong. Slag or praise away.
All opinions are welcome – more so when they are informed.
Having said that of course, it is all too easy to be dismissive and critical.
When offering up criticism, you need to ask whether you could do better.
Well I do hope so, then we can all enjoy more of a laugh.
The point of criticism is to be constructive. By all means state what you feel isn't working for you and why, but at the same time offer an alternative solution.
Making facile comments along the lines that it is puerile or full of knob jokes suggests that you don't find any humour in puerility or knob jokes, which rules out a fair degree of comedy these days.
With regards to Coming of Age, I will readily admit to finding it amusing, but then again I am often drawn to the grotesque and the outrageous.
However, I will concede that at times the editing does leave a little to be desired. Although, this isn't always the fault of the editor. It is the responsibility of the director to ensure that pick-ups work.
Could I do any better – Possibly - then again, possibly not – I'm too much of a lazy So and So to get off my backside and give it a try.
Lastly, it should be borne in mind, that writing a script and then getting into production is in itself a great achievement.
Hilary, you are very reasonable. I find this unreasonable. 
Quote: Hilary Fish @ October 25 2008, 4:59 PM BSTLastly, it should be borne in mind, that writing a script and then getting into production is in itself a great achievement.
Of course, but it doesn't mean the audience should just shrug and say 'Well, it was a bit pants, but well done for getting it on tv.'
Quote: Hilary Fish @ October 25 2008, 4:59 PM BSTWhen offering up criticism, you need to ask whether you could do better.
Well I do hope so, then we can all enjoy more of a laugh.
I don't agree there at all. You can be critical without having to stop yourself because you think you yourself couldn't do any better; your own abilities shouldn't have anything to do with what you think of a show!
Quote: Hilary Fish @ October 25 2008, 4:59 PM BSTThe point of criticism is to be constructive. By all means state what you feel isn't working for you and why, but at the same time offer an alternative solution.
There's no obligation on an internet forum to do that. Sure, it would be nice if most crit was a bit more thought through than 'I think its great/shit', but the people posting on here are under no obligation to do so. They are not offering one-to-one advice/crit to a shows writers or producers, just stating what their thoughts on a show are.
Quote: Hilary Fish @ October 25 2008, 3:32 PM BSTDoes comedy need to be clever to work? Personally, I don't think so.
If comedy is deemed to be puerile is it any less valid? Again, I don't think so.
The main criterion for comedy is that it provokes laughter – how that is achieved is by-and-large irrelevant.
These bits I'd agree with.
Hello Matthew, you sweetie,
Well a bit pants it may well be - but what are you going to do about it?
(1) Write a better sitcom.
(2) Apply for the job of Commisioning Editor and put on what you find amusing.
What's the offing that it's neither of the above.
Personally, I switch on BBC 7 if I need a bit of a chuckle.
Quote: Hilary Fish @ October 25 2008, 5:21 PM BSTHello Matthew, you sweetie,
Well a bit pants it may well be - but what are you going to do about it?
(1) Write a better sitcom.
(2) Apply for the job of Commisioning Editor and put on what you find amusing.
What's the offing that it's neither of the above.
Personally, I switch on BBC 7 if I need a bit of a chuckle.
I've not refered to this show in particular in my posts replying to you, just about crit in general on this site. If I do think a show is 'pants', then the only thing I'm going to do is stop watching it; the missing option three from your list. I hope you don't think I was being argumentative or agressive, as you calling me 'sweetie' seems to suggest, just offering a different point of view, which we're all allowed to do on here. I don't think comedies I don't find amusing should be taken off air, I just won't watch them and won't pretend I like them.
Hello Matthew,
I do apologise if my being over familiar caused you to feel uncomfortable, this was not my intention.
I should say that I stumbled upon this forum by mistake. "Mistake" being the operative word.
Good bye all.
Happy viewing and even more happy carping.
Hugs & Kisses,
Hilary xx
Quote: Hilary Fish @ October 25 2008, 5:31 PM BSTHello Matthew,
I do apologise if my being over familiar caused you to feel uncomfortable, this was not my intention.
I should say that I stumbled upon this forum by mistake. "Mistake" being the operative word.
Good bye all.
Happy viewing and even more happing carping.
Hugs & Kisses,
Hilary xx
So basically you met someone who wanted to offer a differing opinion in a more than reasonable manner, got narked and decided not to post anymore? Am I reading that right? I think you should accept that other people have different views to yourself and give this site a chance. If not, then it was short, slightly bizzare, but quite interesting little chat. Bye then.
Not everyone here is a writer, so the fact that they could or could not do better themselves isn't really their concern!
It's obvious that Hilary Fish had something to do with the making of the show. Or a relative of someone involved with it. Or maybe he/she is one of the cast members. Why else would someone get so worked up about this. People who sign up for this forum, and as their debut post start singing the praises of a show that most people are finding shit, just makes it way too obvious. There was one in the 'Massive' thread too. 
Well I must admit I thought that might be true too.
But we don't know either way. So no assuming!
