Yes, I want it to be better. I want it to be as good a sketch show as Peep Show is a sitcom, but it never is.
That Mitchell And Webb Look - Series 4 Page 3
Quote: Steve Sunshine @ July 2 2010, 10:57 PM BSTSketch shows are generally hit & miss aren't they?
You could do a compilation of the Misses from Big Train & The Fast Show and anyone seeing it would wonder what all the fuss had been about.
But Big Train had enough to keep me wanting to come back every week. I've sat through TM&WL and not been in a rush to watch again. Although like I said to you, I'm quite enjoying the radio series.
Quote: chipolata @ July 2 2010, 10:59 PM BSTYes, I want it to be better. I want it to be as good a sketch show as Peep Show is a sitcom, but it never is.
This.
I think I'm probably a bit Stottish with this show.
It's bang on my sense of humour, so I'm probably a bit blinded by it's faults.
I just like Sketch shows in general.
Unfortuately many of them are excruciatingly poor.
That's why I even like Armstrong & Miller, because it's definitely in comparison to other offerings....quite good.
Don't tell Jim Field, but I think Armstink and Millie's great.
We have so few sketch shows that I look forward to anything that comes along.
Quote: AndreaLynne @ July 2 2010, 11:27 PM BSTWe have so few sketch shows that I look forward to anything that comes along.
It seems a curiously British type of show. I can't think of too many American ones other than Saturday Live.
And Saturday Night Live is admittedly pretty awful. It has moments of goodness, but usually that hinges on the guest hosts.
I look forward to seeing new episodes, mainly so my kids can fine tune their Digby and Ginger impressions.
I've been watching TM&WL on seesaw.tv lately and they just don't really do it for me. A lot of the sketches seem to go on and on, drumming home the same joke, the cricket rules sketch ( http://ishare.rediff.com/video/Entertainment/Mitchell-and-Webb-Cricket/328066 ) in particular sticks in my mind for this reason. My favourite sketch of theirs is probably the 'wild-armed historian' ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Hpd5M8Vfdg ) but then they dragged that on far too long in the episode. I think they are very good comedy actors, with Webb being more versatile, but their best work will probably, ultimately, be Peep Show.
All the above guff aside I'm still looking forward to seeing what new stuff they've got in series 4.
But if you showed someone Fawlty Towers for the first time
And then said here's a sketch show that John Cleese was in and showed them an episode of Python they'd probably say
"It's a bit hit & miss definitely not as good as Fawlty Towers"
Here's just a few genius sketch gems for anyone doubting this show...
Lager Beer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwXjm64a3QE
The Green Clarinet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7aaw4g2tJo
Evil Genius: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgX6JFoV0TM
Rude Waiter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVEHqwLVvpI
Carry On Hospital: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wO9SumrTs4
Agent Suave: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu5kX2hwDgk
The Bananna Sketch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imZyvDN99lA
Christmas with a Junkie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwLKKZiy68Q
People Buying A House: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdBFwIl2GAw
Football: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN1WN0YMWZU
The Nazis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEle_DLDg9Y
Homeopathic A&E: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMGIbOGu8q0
Quote: Steve Sunshine @ July 2 2010, 11:22 PM BSTI think I'm probably a bit Stottish with this show.
Hm, I don't like the sound of that. It seems to have become something of a BCG myth that I'm blind to the faults of a certain show, or that I'm some kind of fool with no critical facilities.
My oldest loves Agent Suave!
Excellent selection, Mark!
I love the cheese robot thingy one too. So funny but so sad. 
Quote: Leevil @ July 2 2010, 11:07 PM BSTBut Big Train had enough to keep me wanting to come back every week.
Big Train is one of the all time great sketch shows, it has so many amazing sketches.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ July 3 2010, 12:27 AM BSTHm, I don't like the sound of that. It seems to have become something of a BCG myth that I'm blind to the faults of a certain show, or that I'm some kind of fool with no critical facilities.
Apologies for that Matthew, it was meant in an affectionate way..
I meant that I loved it so much I'll stick up for it to the bitter end.
But If it really was rubbish I'd admit it, as you'd do with Who.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ July 3 2010, 12:34 AM BSTBig Train is one of the all time great sketch shows, it has so many amazing sketches.
I've only watched one episode of series 2 so far.
And there were definitely a few sketches that weren't that great.
I think the best of Big Train is excellent.
But like the Fast show I think there is a fair bit of it that isn't very good.