I thought the first half of the episode was very weak but then it improved during the second half. Still, I think this series has (so far) been inferior to the previous three. Maybe it's best that the next series is being written by other people.
The IT Crowd 4.0 Page 17
And maybe people with an IT background might help, although I agree the IT thing has very little to do with it. Just not my cup of tea this show. Linehan has taken a downward spiral since Father Ted. Black Books I did like but it showed the area he was moving into more, the trendy 20something setting he went with in Hippies and now this. The next sitcom Linehan creates, I think I'll just avoid altogether, it obviously won't be aimed at me anyway.
Quote: Alfred J Kipper @ July 10 2010, 10:55 AM BSTthe trendy 20something setting he went with in Hippies and now this.
He didn't write Hippies.
Quote: Alfred J Kipper @ July 10 2010, 10:55 AM BSTLinehan has taken a downward spiral since Father Ted.
Big Train was outstanding, I thought.
Quote: Alfred J Kipper @ July 10 2010, 10:55 AM BSTBlack Books I did like but it showed the area he was moving into more, the trendy 20something setting
Trendy? Black Books? (Also, he only co-wrote the first series)
Oh I thought he did, my mistake, I never saw it myself, not my cup of herbal tea, as you can imagine.
Big Train I didn't see but I meant his sitcoms really.
And yes I'd say Black Books was very trendy - had Bill Bailey and Dylan Moran in it, loud shirts, printed teeshirts, loads of long hair, had a trendy location, I kept thinking Sean Hughes would come shambling in to read a book, it was that trendy.
Quote: Alfred J Kipper @ July 10 2010, 10:55 AM BSTLinehan has taken a downward spiral since Father Ted. Black Books I did like but it showed the area he was moving into more, the trendy 20something setting he went with in Hippies and now this.
Stott's right, Linehan only co-wrote the first series of Black Books.
I'm also not quite sure I buy this notion that The IT Crowd is in anyway trendy. Or tries to be. It's a big silly comedy that's actually quite old fashioned. Something like Peep Show is infinitely trendier.
As for Linehan being on a downward spiral? Possibly. I'd like to see him going back to working with a writing partner. I think this series of Black Books would have benefitted from Linehan working with another writer.
I still don't get this fabled BCG newsletter!
Anyway, the bit that made me laugh was when Roy said 'Just say it's great -- that's all artists want to hear', not because it was particularly funny itself, but mostly cos didn't somebody say that about Linehan somewhere around here? Maybe he's having a pop 
I do like this series. Obviously it's a live-action cartoon but it is funny (very funny in places) and enjoyable if a little silly.
The underground 'Countdown' club last week was one of those moments of genius, mind so kudos for that. It would have worked as a long sketch in a sketch show, mind. Seems this show might be more of a recurring character sketch show rather than out-and-out sitcom. I say that because, as was mentioned earlier, they seem to be out on their own threads each week and not doing much together.
Dan
Quote: chipolata @ July 10 2010, 11:14 AM BSTStott's right, Linehan only co-wrote the first series of Black Books.
But he co-wrote most of 'his' stuff, the whole of Father Ted was co-written but who hears about the other bloke? Who does Black Books 'belong' to then, is that Moran? I think I remember it being talked about as Moran's show now at the time, but that was 10 yers ago, doesn't seem posible!
Quote: Alfred J Kipper @ July 10 2010, 11:13 AM BSTOh I thought he did, my mistake, I never saw it myself, not my cup of herbal tea, as you can imagine.
Big Train I didn't see but I meant his sitcoms really.
And yes I'd say Black Books was very trendy - had Bill Bailey and Dylan Moran in it, loud shirts, printed teeshirts, loads of long hair, had a trendy location, I kept thinking Sean Hughes would come shambling in to read a book, it was that trendy.
If you mean Bill Bailey's long hair, I don't think anyone on this earth would describe Bill or his look as trendy.
Cool then, shabby chic, North London grungey, (I know he's from Bristol). He's part of that club of scruffy yet cool stand ups who have zero individuality because they all look and dress like each other and do very similiar material in a similar style. It's why I like Frankie Boyle.
Did Kevin Cecil write this episode, because I swear I saw his name?
Quote: hotzappa11 @ July 10 2010, 2:41 PM BSTDid Kevin Cecil write this episode, because I swear I saw his name?
He played the keyboard player.
I think Bill just looks eccentric and homeless.
Not a very good episode, but I found it funny Douglas got his robotic hand!
Quote: Alfred J Kipper @ July 10 2010, 11:13 AM BSTAnd yes I'd say Black Books was very trendy -
Well, we'll have to disagree, I don't see anthing trendy about it really.
I've got the first three series on DVD, and I enjoyed those series. For me though this series so far is a bit too daft, and not very believable.