Shooting Stars Page 22

Quote: Tim Walker @ September 5 2009, 4:09 PM BST

We'd all like to get commissioned, Lee, but what's the point is the end product is mediocre? I lost out on a broadcast pilot this year due to reasons related the current economic climate. Doesn't mean I think I should necessarily go and write My Family 2.0.

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Yes but you're one writer, where it doesn't really matter if a commission goes tits up or not. Pett Productions is a business where commissions are really rather important. What sort of twat would go to the BBC in the middle of a recession with a successful, tried and tested format, then tell them they've "rejuvinated the genre". Risk-taking in comedy is not a good idea at the moment.

Quote: Lee Henman @ September 5 2009, 4:27 PM BST

Yes but you're one writer, where it doesn't really matter if a commission goes tits up or not.

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It does to me. And, to be fair, it did to the production company it was with.

Quote: Lee Henman @ September 5 2009, 4:27 PM BST

What sort of twat would go to the BBC in the middle of a recession with a successful, tried and tested format, then tell them they've "rejuvinated the genre".

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Doesn't sound like something I'd ever claim, Lee.

Quote: Lee Henman @ September 5 2009, 4:27 PM BST

Yes but you're one writer, where it doesn't really matter if a commission goes tits up or not. Pett Productions is a business where commissions are really rather important. What sort of twat would go to the BBC in the middle of a recession with a successful, tried and tested format, then tell them they've "rejuvinated the genre". Risk-taking in comedy is not a good idea at the moment.

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Yes Tim, stop being so silly with your 'future of comedy' stuff. No one is interested in your crap, especially as there are proper production companies out there churning out the same tired old shit to myopic channel commissioners who wouldn't know a good comedy if it came up and kicked their nuts (or fannys) off.

Why should anyone consider your work in any way, when the top bosses of Pett Productions need cocaine money? Stoopid Tim.

Quote: Lee Henman @ September 5 2009, 4:27 PM BST

Risk-taking in comedy is not a good idea at the moment.

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It's pretty much always a good idea. I like to think I have a brain and can understand the cold, harsh, cynical reality of TV commissioning, so I don't really need to be told these things, old chap.

Quote: Tim Walker @ September 5 2009, 4:30 PM BST

It does to me.

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Of course, it's a bummer, I know, I've been there. I was talking in a financial sense.

Quote: Tim Walker @ September 5 2009, 4:32 PM BST

It's pretty much always a good idea. I like to think I have a brain and can understand the cold, harsh, cynical reality of TV commissioning, so I don't really need to be told these things, old chap.

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Didn't mean to patronise.

Old bean.

Quote: Lee Henman @ September 5 2009, 4:34 PM BST

Didn't mean to patronise.

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No probs, it's just that that job's already taken.

Ahem.

Quote: Renegade Carpark @ September 5 2009, 3:16 PM BST

So either quit eulogising the pair as the second coming or admit that this is a lazy money making exercise.

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Quote: Lee Henman @ September 5 2009, 4:27 PM BST

Yes but you're one writer, where it doesn't really matter if a commission goes tits up or not. Pett Productions is a business where commissions are really rather important. What sort of twat would go to the BBC in the middle of a recession with a successful, tried and tested format, then tell them they've "rejuvinated the genre". Risk-taking in comedy is not a good idea at the moment.

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Case closed your honour.

Quote: Renegade Carpark @ September 6 2009, 2:15 AM BST

Ahem.

Case closed your honour.

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Or "prosecution rests".

Take the word "lazy" out and I'll agree. There's nothing remotely-lazy about putting together a show like Shooting Stars. "Money-making exercise"? Yes, of course. Making TV comedy is a business. If prod cos don't make money they can't make new shows.

Oops I'm stating the obvious again. Don't want to patronise anyone.

Quote: Lee Henman @ September 6 2009, 2:28 AM BST

There's nothing remotely-lazy about putting together a show like Shooting Stars.

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After doing the same show with the exact same format for 10+ years, I would imagine that they could all do it all in their sleep.

As for the production itself, it's shot in less then a day on a single studio set and only half scripted. Similarly, the pre-recorded sketches are filmed on a single location using single camera direction and again, I would imagine it takes less then a day to capture.

You can be patronising if you want Lee, but it doesn't change my original assertions.

(Despite it's hackneyed format and obvious laziness, I still enjoy it immensely )

Oh, here's a thing I forgot to say. About Iranu/Uvavu (I know, it's usually 'Eranu' with an 'E', but hey. It's stuck in my head with an 'I'.): I do wish they'd stop messing around with it. I don't think Vic's done it properly (sensibly?) yet for either episode. And they haven't used it in a question, either.

He's been hamming that old gag up from about the second original series onwards... no change there.

Eh. Very true. It still niggles, though. At least he didn't change the (sacred) words last time.

It's this sort of endless catch-phrase repetition that could have been addressed in re-vamping the show. Change things around a bit, introduce some new words/regular features. I think it's these kind of issues that a lot of the above gripes are directed towards. You don't have to dump the essential style and format of the show, but some spring-cleaning would have been welcome.

Eranu indeed. (this was tasken in about '95?)

For some reason, the last edition isn't available of Virgin's catch-up TV. Or is it just my service?