I think the fact that he hates everything with no justification of how things could be better is what spoils this for me. It's still worthy of a viewing, but I certainly don't get upset if I miss it.
How TV Ruined Your Life Page 12
Does he hate everything, though? I get the impression that for all his bitching and moaning he loves telly and would be lost without it. As would we all.
Good to see the legend that is Roger Sloman on the show shouting at five year olds. He is up there with Colin Jeavons and Ken Campbell as one of those eternally under-rated supporting actors who make everything a little better by their presence.
Quote: chipolata @ February 12 2011, 10:16 PM GMTDoes he hate everything, though? I get the impression that for all his bitching and moaning he loves telly
Yep.
Quote: chipolata @ February 12 2011, 10:16 PM GMTDoes he hate everything, though? I get the impression that for all his bitching and moaning he loves telly and would be lost without it. As would we all.
You are excactly right here, I remember old, old, screenwipe when Charlie used to recomend shows that people should watch every week. He is also obsessed with Doctor Who.
Quote: Ben @ February 12 2011, 8:41 PM GMTI think the fact that he hates everything with no justification of how things could be better is what spoils this for me. It's still worthy of a viewing, but I certainly don't get upset if I miss it.
I think he does love telly, but sometimes I'm confused by his torrents of hatred, which for me fail to have the comic effect I presume he intends. Anyway, of balance he's a great talent, both on screen and off; his pieces in The Guardian used to be its highlights imo.
I watched this show once; it rattles along at a quickfire pace, with some good sight-gags along the way. The overall concept is a bit cynical and negative for my taste, this sort of thing has been well covered by 'Grumpy old Men', etc. I love the squalid, spacial set with flickering, outdated tellies, and old TV logos framed on the walls, though.
For me, Brooker's the funniest man on TV at the moment. His sitcom Nathan Barley was/is criminally underrated.
Quote: catskillz @ February 13 2011, 7:27 PM GMTHis sitcom Nathan Barley was/is criminally underrated.
Was/is it? Although I really like Nathan Barley, it was never really more than a series of extended satirical sketches, if truth be told. It focused on a very specific, media-centric world, which was always going to limit its audience appeal. It was beautifully made and I loved the detail that Brooker & Morris put into it, but I wouldn't consider it "criminally underrated".
Quote: Agnes Guano @ February 12 2011, 11:39 PM GMTGood to see the legend that is Roger Sloman on the show shouting at five year olds. He is up there with Colin Jeavons and Ken Campbell as one of those eternally under-rated supporting actors who make everything a little better by their presence.
I agree and it was very funny performance.
Previous posters are right about some of the material being cannibalised from Screen and Newswipe, but few people watch BBC Four and this series brings Brooker's acerbic views to a wider audience.
Quote: Tim Walker @ February 14 2011, 10:19 AM GMTWas/is it?
It certainly was when broadcast, people hated on it something fierce. Many seem to have changed their minds over time though, so I'd say it's more appreciated now than at the time.
It was nothing special then and it's nothing special now.