Quite watchable. Knew it wouldn't be that bad if John Thomson was in the cast, and Tony Robinson wasn't that bad either IMO. Another former The Office actor, Ralph 'Finchy' Inneson guests next week. Don't think I will get the DVD though.
Edited by Aaron.
Quote: Chappers @ December 2 2009, 8:32 PM GMTIt wasn't terrible.
Sorry Chappers I'm just thinking about all the writers on here who have submitted their sitcoms to BBC Writersroom only to be ignored and then having this pile of drivel thrown down their throats. I shall declare my interest at this point 
. It's shit by the way.
Well, it started badly, tailed off towards the middle, and the less said about the end the better. But apart from that, excellent!
To me, it definitely felt like the kind of cack that you'd usually find in the ITV comedy department.
Anyway, time for another "hit or miss" Buzzcocks....
Well it's definitiely rekindled my love for creative writing again.
Seeing as the show turned out to be quite different to my own, I guess it doesn't matter if I post my own version any more.
Am interested in the criticism anyway.
Will stick it in a new thread if you don't mind Aaron?
If there was ever a world-record for packing jokes into a 30-minute sitcom script, I reckon Daniel Peak has just beaten it by a mile with this episode of Big Top.
Top marks for that but as a sitcom it's pretty dire stuff.
It's entertaining enough in its own sweet undemanding way, of course, but there's absolutely no character. It's typical afternoon telly pap for grannies and young kiddies.
The only problem is it's on at 7.30pm in the evening.
Jeff, your show was rubbish - At least it was if that's what they ripped off.
And to answer your earlier question my agency is Independent.
Quote: YesNo @ December 2 2009, 10:52 PM GMTJeff, your show was rubbish - At least it was if that's what they ripped off.
And to answer your earlier question my agency is Independent.
lol.... The idea was similar, but the content was certainly different.
I decided to post my version, as I'm hoping for a bit of constructive criticism, as I've decided I'm gonna start writing again over the Christmas break.
It's been a few years, but I forgot just how much I enjoyed it
Love it or hate it (or honestly don't give a toss), I Posted it here:
Well Jeff it looks and sounds like a rip-off. Also I smiled and actually laughed out loud at yours at one point. I think it was the 'art. It's a damn sight better than the current pile of poo being served up on BBC 1.
Quote: roscoff @ December 2 2009, 11:34 PM GMTWell Jeff it looks and sounds like a rip-off. Also I smiled and actually laughed out loud at yours at one point. I think it was the 'art. It's a damn sight better than the current pile of poo being served up on BBC 1.
Thanks Roscoff that's very kind of you.
Yeah I'm still awaiting a response from a legal firm to see whether or not I have a case.
Dan Peak has already been quoted as saying he came up with the idea for the show 2 years ago....whereas I have concrete evidence to prove my script predates this (I wrote mine in 2004) and former Celador staff telling me they would "swear in a court of law" that they read this script 5 years ago.
I'm not holding my breath....knowing my luck I'll just be told to bugger off.....but I guess it's at least worth a try
Just watched this.
*rubs eyes*
Nope, it's no use... Unbelievable. I mean... what?
All I can say at this point was that the cast were great. They managed to hide their embarrassment brilliantly. Oh, and someone mentioned Amanda Holden's legs? Yes, they were strangely hypnotic. Was the script written during an evening down the pub? Was there a plot? Who knows? Who even cares? It's a mad, bad, crazy world!
EDIT: After a good night's sleep my brain can now process a bit better. I don't know if this was just an amazingly poor pilot that they didn't bother to bin when the series was commissioned (I fear not), but this was actually quite jaw-droppingly bad. Frankly astounding that this programme was allowed to be shown on the BBC's flagship channel, in a prime time slot. It was that awful. Unless there has been some new form of irony invented that I'm not yet wise to, there are no excuses for having broadcast this half hour of television. I'm not trying to exaggerate for effect, it really was that bad.
Next week's episode will be much better, of course. It defies the laws of nature that two half hours of comedy this poor could exist in the same universe. (OK, maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration.) I am just genuinely shaken that this episode made it to screen. 
I haven't watched this yet but Amanda Holden is lovely so very much looking forward to it.
I didnt think it was that bad myself. I would rather watch Big Top than for example, Absolutely Fabulous.
Quote: Marc P @ December 3 2009, 9:23 AM GMTI haven't watched this yet but Amanda Holden is lovely so very much looking forward to it.
Well, you certainly will not get short-changed on the amount of screen time she gets (all of it) and I shall reserve some small measure of praise for the costume department. 
She's not the best comedy actress though - and certainly not funny enough to carry this. The rest of the cast - with their comedy pedigrees - must be gutted to play second fiddle to old botox chops.
