And hopefully gets sunk by a bloody great iceberg.
Lost faith in new British Comedy? Page 5
I think that happened back in 1990.
Well I don't know how new these are but Clatterford, Hyperdrive and Feel The Force are pretty funny. I've only seen the first season of each. I hope they all come back with 2nds.
I think the problem isn't that we're not getting some very good comedy, but that we're at the same time feel an awful lot of dross is being thrown our way.
So the world always was, both here and in the US. If you actually list all the sitcoms and comedy shows in each decade of the 70's, 80's and 90's, only a small percentage of shows stand out.
The worst thing with the digital, multi-channel age (plus the squeezing of the BBC, the natural UK home of great comedy, in my humble opinion), is that we have to hunt around for comedy at all times of day and night, and are naturally disappointed when our efforts to be loyal to comedy are not rewarded.
I personally would love to get one of my sitcoms on BBC 1 prime-time, without feeling I would have to write something that was completely cosy. However, the BBC seems to have decided that BBC 1 is not really for new comedy at all pre-watershed.
There will always be people doing quality work and good comedy shows will get broadcast. It's just a worrying question of where and to how many people?
Keep smiling.
Quote: oroboross @ October 30, 2007, 10:07 PMWell I don't know how new these are but Chatterford, Hyperdrive and Feel The Force are pretty funny. I've only seen the first season of each. I hope they all come back with 2nds.
Jam & Jerusalem, aka Clatterford, or whatever they call it over there, I don't think has been recommissioned (thank Christ). Was broadcast Nov-Dec 2006, if I remember rightly?
Hyperdrive, that's had a second series a few months ago, and I think been told it's not getting a third (thank Christ).
Feel The Force I found to be quite odd. Not funny, but not NOT funny either. Anyway, again, that's only had the one series, and I doubt will get more. Can't remember if it was Jan-Feb 2005 or 2006. I think 2006. Hmm.
I'm no great fan of 'Hyperdrive', but fair play to the writers. These were the two who were the principal co-writers with Armando Iannucci on (much under-rated) 'The Armando Iannucci Shows'.
I enjoyed Feel the Force but maybe mainly because of Michelle Gomez.
Programme: Feel The Force
Broadcast: 2006 (BBC Two)
Episodes: 6 (1 series)
Starring: Michelle Gomez, Rosie Cavaliero, Leigh Zimmerman
Written by: Georgia Pritchett
Produced by: Catherine Bailey
It's hard to tell how new things are over here. Hyperdrive isn't one of my favs, it's just new sci/fi sitcom. The computer girl is funny. I can't remember her name.
Quote: Aaron @ October 30, 2007, 11:34 PMJam & Jerusalem, aka Clatterford, or whatever they call it over there, I don't think has been recommissioned (thank Christ).
Um... sorry to break it to you, it has got a second season. Coming next year. Crazy BBC 
'Jam a& Jerusalem' recommissioned? What have Saunders & French/Lenny Henry got on the BBC? Or is part of presuading Dawn French that she's not going to die young?
Quote: David Chapman @ October 30, 2007, 11:54 PMI enjoyed Feel the Force but maybe mainly because of Michelle Gomez.
Programme: Feel The Force
Broadcast: 2006 (BBC Two)
Episodes: 6 (1 series)
Starring: Michelle Gomez, Rosie Cavaliero, Leigh Zimmerman
Written by: Georgia Pritchett
Produced by: Catherine Bailey
I heart her too.
Why was Jam and Jerusalem renamed?
Quote: Mark @ October 31, 2007, 12:20 AMUm... sorry to break it to you, it has got a second season. Coming next year. Crazy BBC
And if NGO (or IMO AYG) doesn't/don't get recommissioned, the wold will officially be turning inside out.
Quote: zooo @ October 31, 2007, 1:35 AMWhy was Jam and Jerusalem renamed?
American society (not necessarily Americans individually, mind) is stupid and even more reactionary than that over here, so with no Women's Guild type organisation - with a history and stereotypical primary activity of jam-making - not to mention no knowledge of the song Jerusalem, the blasphemous outcry from the religious types and general confusion of the rest of them lead to the name change. I believe.
Basically, it'd have confused and/or angered them. Personally, I thought that the title was the best thing about it. Nice and quirky.
Quote: Tim Walker @ October 31, 2007, 12:29 AM'Jam a& Jerusalem' recommissioned? What have Saunders & French/Lenny Henry got on the BBC?
Funny, somebody was saying the exact same thing to me yesterday.
Quote: Tim Walker @ October 31, 2007, 12:29 AM'Jam a& Jerusalem' recommissioned? What have Saunders & French/Lenny Henry got on the BBC? Or is part of presuading Dawn French that she's not going to die young?
Although I thought it was awful, it did do well in the ratings so I'm not surprised that it's been re-commissioned.
And it's currently filming at Pinewood. 