Coogan hasn't the confidence to go to America, they will not understand the irony and pathos, let alone northern humour.
A show only cynical northerners can fully appreciate.
The Trip - Series 1 Page 31
This series passed me by until I caught the last 5 minutes of an episode while waiting for Match of the Day 2 a few days ago. I was hooked and downloaded 'em all right away...probably helped that one of the first bits I saw was the Michael Caine impersonation. I seldom laugh out loud at even those comedies I like, but that routine just got me going. I was worried they'd rely on the imitations too much, but there was enough other stuff going on (including the wonderfully shot countryside and wonderfully shot food) to keep me riveted.
I'm amused by the idea that N American TV might buy it based on food porn and Northern landscapes alone - public television viewers of a certain age would wonder who the hell the two bickering middle aged men were - "they spoiled a lovely show".
Coogan's time to break N America has passed* and this programme acknowledged that fact of life rather nicely. Must burn his ass that Ricky Gervais (brilliant though The Office was) is treated like 'Murrican royalty for his movies and stand-up, both of which I find frankly mediocre.
*-Despite the best efforts of Ben Stiller
'The Trip' is among the most enjoyable TV shows I've ever seen and certainly the most enjoyable in recent years.
Quote: Phil Cottrell @ December 8 2010, 2:54 AM GMTCoogan's time to break N America has passed*
*-Despite the best efforts of Ben Stiller
Though he and Stiller are set to star in a new HBO comedy series, so there's still chances for Coogan.
I also think, as suggested by another poster, that the idea that Coogan must be green with envy at Gervais is way off base. Gervais has done little of note since Extras - in fact Coogan has done more good films than RG. As suggested by The Trip, if he envies anyone it's Michael Sheen.
Quote: dellas @ December 8 2010, 2:27 AM GMTCoogan hasn't the confidence to go to America, they will not understand the irony and bathos, let alone northern humour. A show only cynical northerners can fully appreciate.
With all due respect - codswallop! Anyone can appreciate it.
Quote: chipolata @ December 8 2010, 9:27 AM GMTI also think, as suggested by another poster, that Coogan must be green with envy at Gervais is way off base. Gervais has done little of note since Extras - in fact Coogan has done more good films than RG. As suggested by The Trip, if he envies anyone it's Michael Sheen.
With all due respect - codswallop! Anyone can appreciate it.
Ok some intelligent Brits. In the US they had to have 'subtitles' for The Office.
That's my point.
Quote: dellas @ December 8 2010, 5:13 PM GMT
That's my point.
Well sharpen it then. 
Just watched the last 3 one after the other.
I know it's posing and showing off and sometimes the outdoing each other went on a bit long but it was still very funny.
By the way - what was Coogan's dad in? Was it the Gentle Touch?
I thoroughly enjoyed The Trip. Thought it was funny and tragic. Perfect if you ask me. Before I watched the show I was a massive fan of Coogan, and a reluctant admirer of Brydon, but having watched this I now have equal respect for both. Top stuff!
Quote: chipolata @ December 8 2010, 9:27 AM GMTWith all due respect - codswallop! Anyone can appreciate it.
Here here! It's just a matter of finding the right audience/time slot/channel. I loved this series - very much a great "change of pace" for me, and so beautifully shot. It could perform very well over here.
I have to admit, this is the first I've seen Brydon do the "man in a box" voice, and it was absolutely hilarious! It's one of those things that you keep rewinding (again, for the first time - I'm sure it gets tedious after awhile) to see again. Kind of like seeing David Blaine do his Balducci leviation the first time. It sort of blows your mind just a little bit, and then you start right in trying to duplicate it! haha
The scenery was great too - an ideal advert for the British Tourist Board.
I too was never a great Brydon fan either but my estimation of him has gone up tremendously.
Loved Coogan slipping off the stepping stones into the water.
Just caught the final episode. A few laughs, surprisingly. A better episode all-round, in fact, obsessing over food and those replicated, tedious impression less than the previous 5.
Quote: Aaron @ December 12 2010, 1:24 AM GMTJust caught the final episode. A few laughs, surprisingly. A better episode all-round, in fact, obsessing over food and those replicated, tedious impression less than the previous 5.
That was surely the point of the final episode, that the protagonists moved beyond surface and superficiality (the competitive presentation of the restaurant food & the competitive presentation of themselves via duelling with funny voices and impressions) to something more profound and meaningful - i.e. their friendship and simply enjoying the moment.
Quote: Chappers @ December 9 2010, 2:22 AM GMTBy the way - what was Coogan's dad in?
Coogan's mum, obviously
I've just had a catch up session with these and without a doubt this show stands head and shoulders above all comedy shows I have seen in recent years.
Fabulous pacing and done with such a deft touch; none of this "Quick, we gotta get a gag out, we gotta get a gag out before the punters get bored and switch over" nonsense that so many programme makers, and I assume focus groups, seem to want to subscribe to. We're not all as thick as shit and some of us can do subtle. We don't need it rammed down our throats all the bleedin time.
What splendid performances from both the leads matched by a great supporting cast and scenery to die for.
Sublime.
Dear BBC, I would gladly pay four times my licence fee if only you made shows like this all the time.
Elated of Tonbridge Wells
Edit:
And of course the bait looked fan-effing-tastic