British Comedy Guide

Sitcom advice/recommendation Page 3

Sounds like I ought to check out 8 Simple Rules. Never seen it.

I don't understand why so many people here like 8 Simple Rules. It seems to me to be just like every other bland paint-by-numbers American daytime soap.
What am I missing?

If you want good story and character I would suggest either Reggie Perrin or Steptoe and Son, which is very old and very British so you may not get it.

It is, however, brilliant.
For contempory try Grownups. (Ha! only kidding, it's shite.)
Peep Show.

Quote: Baumski @ August 2, 2007, 12:18 PM

I know I'm probably on my own here but I highly recommend 'Nightingales'. Total irreverence, surreal scripts and an absolute education in how to write superb comedy.

Your not on your own, I have the complete series on DVD and I have to say it is a very good series and brilliantly surreal. The gag "There's nobody here but us chickens" always makes me laugh no matter how many times I've seen it. My favourite one will have to be the one where the undercover police operation is taking place, I think it is called "Scrutiny on the Bounty" could be wrong though.

Anyway answering Justin's question, watch Dads Army it is just a timeless masterpiece.

Quote: zooo @ August 8, 2007, 6:38 PM

I don't understand why so many people here like 8 Simple Rules. It seems to me to be just like every other bland paint-by-numbers American daytime soap.
What am I missing?

I don't know about the "soap" part, but you're spot on: It's total ABC, Christian-controlled, morality-policed cack. Whiter than snow. It is most likely shown during prime-time hours in the States, say 8:Pm.

You're not missing anything but rubbish...and perhaps learning something about certain members...Pirate

Quote: zooo @ August 8, 2007, 6:38 PM

I don't understand why so many people here like 8 Simple Rules. It seems to me to be just like every other bland paint-by-numbers American daytime soap.
What am I missing?

I'm very surprised that people here like it too. They're all so elitest normally.

(Could be something to do with the two daughters, of course...)

Image

Note to self: Don't Google Image "8 Simple Rules" again. >_<

I allways thought the whole point of 8 simple rules was john ritter raving to stop his daughters dating. I dont see why its still on.

That was exactly the point. But it got high ratings, evidently, so kept getting recommissioned.

Quote: zooo @ August 8, 2007, 6:38 PM

I don't understand why so many people here like 8 Simple Rules. It seems to me to be just like every other bland paint-by-numbers American daytime soap.
What am I missing?

Its the Cucco woman that your missing.

To answer the original question if you like cerebral humour then Yes Minister and Yes Prime MInister are great. Like the British version of the West Wing.

Quote: zooo @ August 8, 2007, 6:38 PM

I don't understand why so many people here like 8 Simple Rules. It seems to me to be just like every other bland paint-by-numbers American daytime soap.
What am I missing?

First of all, it's not a daytime soap. This isn't The British Soap Guide.

I LOVE 8 Simple Rules - I think it's the funniest American sitcom after Frasier. And John Ritter was only in it for one season, the other two seasons were without him. They're showing the John Ritter episodes for this first time at the moment. They showed the last seasons repeatedly until a week ago, but they'll shown them all. I'm surprised people have commented on John Ritter. The CJ and James Garner episdoes are shown much more. I like these ones the best - with James Garner and CJ.

CJ, in particular, is the funniest character on TV!

It's the kind of comedy were every single character is hilarious.

For those who haven't seen it, it's well worth checking out. For me and my parents, it's a laugh a minute!

Sorry, I meant to write 'soapy sitcom', but for some reason didn't.

Quote: Dave @ August 9, 2007, 6:34 PM

They're showing the John Ritter episodes for this first time at the moment.

What channel are you watching on?

Quote: zooo @ August 9, 2007, 6:59 PM

Sorry, I meant to write 'soapy sitcom', but for some reason didn't.

'Cos you're a giiiiiiirrrrrlllllll! Ner ner na ner ner!

Quote: Aaron @ August 9, 2007, 8:09 PM

What channel are you watching on?

I watch it on ABC. Every day there is a double bill at 10:00am, then the first episode of the double bill at 1:00pm and at 5:00pm and 8:00pm they show the same double bill again. It's hard to miss! I watch the double bill about twice every day.

Even though they call it "ABC 1", there isn't an "ABC 2" as far as I know.

Intriguing. 'Cos I've only ever seen it on ABC1, and have seen all of the Ritter episodes a good few times each. By some bizarre coincidence, you must have only just begun watching the show after they last played one...? Odd.

I've watching it for about two months now.

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