I suppose it serves a purposes of entertaining people who don't have a very developed sense of humour. 
Big Top Page 17
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ December 10 2009, 3:20 PM GMTI suppose it serves a purposes of entertaining people who don't have a very developed sense of humour.
Frankly, I imagine that there are remote tribes in South America, almost completely untouched by civilisation, who - if you showed them Big Top - would be shaking their heads whilst pointing out the tired, terrible old jokes and the structural/character flaws.
I have a feeling some of Micheal Jacob might have been reading this thread (see the last three paragraphs): http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/writersroom/2009/12/unintended_consequences_can_of.shtml
As is traditional with virtually every new BBC1 sitcom, Big Top has received a massive critical kicking, both in newspapers and on writers' forums. I can never quite understand the snobbishness of aspiring comedy writers, who tend to unite in loathing any show which is popular with audiences.
Firstly, I don't think there is anything snobbish about it whatsoever. These same writers (at least around here) aren't shy of heaping praise on the sitcoms they enjoy - whether they happen to be popular or not. I think Big Top has received such a slating (perhaps notably from writers, perhaps not) because the script for the first episode was beneath the standard most of us amateurs would dare to submit. And Micheal describes Big Top as a narrative comedy - must have missed that - at best it's a collection of bad lines in search of a character, the characters in turn in search of a plot.
Despite being a "snobbish" aspiring writer, I took the time out the other day to talk to one of the Little People - i.e. my barber - about comedy. He thought Big Top was the worst thing he'd seen on telly in a long time. There you go, the Ordinary Joe has spoken.
Oh, and I don't remember BBC One sitcoms The Old Guys, Outnumbered or Not Going Out receiving any massive critical kickings... I wonder why that is?
Quote: Mark @ December 10 2009, 5:55 PM GMTI have a feeling some of Micheal Jacob might have been reading this thread (see the last three paragraphs): http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/writersroom/2009/12/unintended_consequences_can_of.shtml
Oh why did you post this Mark? I read the last three paragraphs and it just said 'The bloke who wrote Big Top is my mate and I've known him for years. So the people on BCG are morons.'
What kind of critical script writing analysis is that?
Big Top was given a kicking because it was and still is poor. It didn't help that Mr. Jacobs gave props to My Family and Two Pints in his article of outright, self interested, old boy network themed mock disgust at us mere commoners and our 'so called' opinions.
I'm sorry Mr. Jacobs, but you are crackers. (There's a freebie for ya).
Quote: Tim Walker @ December 10 2009, 6:12 PM GMTFirstly, I don't think there is anything snobbish about it whatsoever. These same writers (at least around here) aren't shy of heaping praise on the sitcoms they enjoy - whether they happen to be popular or not. I think Big Top has received such a slating (perhaps notably from writers, perhaps not) because the script for the first episode was beneath the standard most of us amateurs would dare to submit. And Micheal describes Big Top as a narrative comedy - must have missed that - at best it's a collection of bad lines in search of a character, the characters in turn in search of a plot.
Despite being a "snobbish" aspiring writer, I took the time out the other day to talk to one of the Little People - i.e. my barber - about comedy. He thought Big Top was the worst thing he'd seen on telly in a long time. There you go, the Ordinary Joe has spoken.
Oh, and I don't remember BBC One sitcoms The Old Guys, Outnumbered or Not Going Out receiving any massive critical kickings... I wonder why that is?
If it makes him feel better, let him go on thinking that until it gets axed and the consolations are that wee bit harder to find.
Well, I'm not an aspiring writer, and if you'd allow me to offer my opinion, expressed in the common parlance of the common man:
It. Is. Shit.
It's 'piss' poor, not funny, has no atmosphere, and is a waste of some great acting talent.
I only struggled through one episode because I wanted to look at Amanda Holden.
A lot of new shows are bound to get a kicking from time to time, especially from people who take their Comedy seriously.
I don't think it's always necessarily snobbery, just a wish to see more quality comedy on TV.
It's all very subjective, not everyone likes Fawlty Towers and there are even a few people who didn't think Lab Rats was very good.
As long as the opportunities are there to try & make better stuff then we can all hope for the best.
Thankfully these days it's a lot easier to access things from the archives or on the net so tomorrows Comedy writers don't need to draw all their influence from what's currently on TV & Radio.