James Williams
Tuesday 20th November 2007 4:52am [Edited]
Malvern
1,366 posts
Quote: Marilyn Richardson @ August 23, 2007, 3:58 AM
Seems to me that the only one not totally biased against Grownups and Two Pints,is Aaron! You seem like a nice guy, a gentle soul, no viciousness in your postings. Must be why you are the BSG Editor and BOSS. Even Mark (BSG Editor), says he hates Two Pints "...sooo much", implying he's watched it '...sooo much'! People should go onto the Two Pints Forums, and read the postings of the army of fans! That's why there have been six series of this sit-com, with a seventh being recorded this Autumn! Could hardly believe the nasty out-pourings of James! Where did all that come from? All over the harmless Grownups, in which we never actually see anything shocking, or hear any F words. He's entitled to his opinion, of course, but he did go on a bit, and then he had to end on a sexist note by commenting on Sheridan's breasts! Just switch off James, and leave lots of us to enjoy this second series. BBC3 asked the writer, Susan Nickson, to make Series 2 more risque, and she certainly has, but I don't consider it offensive, compared to other late-night offerings. Sheridan Smith is a brilliant, versatile actress who never stops working. She has been recording Grownups and the second series of Love Soup, during the Summer, as well as appearing in London's West End, doing eight shows a week as the leading lady in the musical 'Little Shop of Horrors'. This finishes September 8th, then it's Two Pints again. Please give her some credit, and the respect she deserves.
Yikes. Still, I think I will respond as best I can, being as I was particulary singled out.
(You know, I'm not sure Grownups IS harmless. It could be the epitome of dumbed-down television. And give me swearing, if it's funny. I'm no prude.)
The comments are very protective - almost like the poster's ego is invested in the show in some way.
Quote: Marilyn Richardson @ August 23, 2007, 3:58 AM
Just switch off James, and leave lots of us to enjoy this second series.
I did switch off, but I feel I'm entitled to give the show an initial chance and air my unbelief at what I, and the vast majority of critics, see as its poor quality. I don't feel I need to 'leave people alone', if that is the inference, as I don't consider myself to be impairing others' (other's?!) enjoyment. The fact that I "went on a bit" is a lame criticism. Besides, I pay my licence fee. That makes it worse!
Whilst comedy, as an art form, is a subjective medium, some extremes strike a particular chord. Singing can be considered art. But tone-deaf is tone-deaf. Digression: I directed a musical at university and had a discussion (we were too civilised for an argument, in the heated sense of the word, of course!) about one of the songs sung by one of the singers. On the night of the performance, I was unhappy with the song. My friend loved it, and couldn't see what I was talking about. We played back the DVD of the performance and most of the notes were very, very flat. This was an indisputable fact. My point? Some people are just less discerning than others. I sound arrogant there, I suppose, but we all have our "weak spots" or "indulgences". Maybe art itself is a blending of the imperfect and the perfect to appeal to select audiences. Anyway, I'm spiralling into pretentious crap here.
What I'm saying is, I'm sure a few people did like Grownups. But I don't feel I'm in a position where I have to defend my view. Frankly, Grownups is the musical equivalent of first-round X Factor. There's no art to the programme (or at least the 2-3 episodes I saw). And to use the Louise character again out of Two Pints - she's not Falstaff, for crying out loud! What sheer creative bankruptcy.
Re: Sheridan Smith, again I think the "sexist" barb is a misfired one, intended more to discredit me and add some only tangentially relevant, and still highly contestable, ballast to what is essentially a weak defence of a poor quality programme. My comment was ironic (but nonetheless grounded in fact). And in fact, if anyone cares to "check out" the fansite of this presumably very talented actress (maybe she is - she's good enough, I've no criticism of her - but she's not had brilliant vehicles, from what I've seen), http://www.lightningspider.co.uk/serv01/sheridansmith82/ (top result in Google search for Sheridan smith fansite) one will see exactly what her "fans" perceive her talents to be. Note the links to the left. All relevant to her and her talents? Maybe this is sad, or sexist. In this context, I think it is. Maybe 50% of the population enjoy looking at breasts. This isn't sexist, this is a fact. And bearing this in mind, if we're going to throw such accusations around (which is not advisable) it is the producers/directors/writers of such shows that are fault for blatantly presenting Sheridan as such an object at times - and for giving her such crap vehicles where all bored viewers can do is drool. We're all aware that they're doing this - and I don't think this observation can be considered sexist in itself.
The opinion the majority of posters represent is not "bias", it's "opinion". Which we are all entitled to.
Suggesting that the one poster who has anything positive to say about the show is the "only one not totally biased" is, clearly, biased. Recommending people look at the Two Pints forums to see the praise there is irrelevant on a number of levels.
Anyway, whilst my views may have seemed rather forcefully put, I think Grownups was proportionately bad, and my views were considered and supported. I would like to hear some considered analysis of what exactly was supposed to be funny about the show. "We murder to dissect" and all that, but if anyone liked it it could presumably be done.
I hope that wasn't too long-winded and pompous.
(as it happens though I'm actually the boss boss - sounds like I'm in the wrong job!)
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