So James, just to clarify, are you (primarily) criticising the Extras special itself here, or G&M's apparent do-as-we-say-not-as-we-do approach?
Extras Christmas Special Page 12
Quote: David H @ December 30, 2007, 10:10 AMAlso, with regards to the catchphrases Gervais so despises. I'm not a big fan of them myself, but which ones do you call catchphrases? Because Cheers is a show liked by Gervais and you could argue "Norm!" is a catchphrase as it's said nearly every episode. (By the way, what is George Wendt doing in Green Green Grass with a pint?
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Is "I don't believe it!" a catchphrase or just something Victor says often. (A friend of mine says "Like you say" to start most sentences. Is that a catchphrase?) Rachel in Friends says "Oh my God!" an awful lot. Are we saying that's a catchphrase too. Or just ones that are printed on T-shirts.
I think that those are different example because they are shows that aren't based on the catchphrase - they have many more dimensions. Little Britain, Catherine Tate et al. are shows that simply rely on the strength of the catchphrase.
why is repetition of a line of dialogue any worse than repetition of a situation or scene? there was loads of repetition in that extras christmas special.
i'd rather watch little britain. at least it can be funny.
Quote: David H @ December 30, 2007, 10:10 AMI agree. I mentioned recently to someone that I'm looking at old shows and I can see they're trying to get the door into shot for when someone walks through it. But it's so blatant. If they'd have the shot ready and nothing happened for a while and then somebody walked through it, fine. But they're changing angles so a few seconds later they've got whoever walking through. Bad directing IMO.
But does the average viewer notice it? Almost certainly not.
Quote: johnny roulette @ December 30, 2007, 10:25 AMwhy is repetition of a line of dialogue any worse than repetition of a situation or scene? there was loads of repetition in that extras christmas special.
There's nothing intrinsically wrong with either.
Quote: johnny roulette @ December 30, 2007, 10:25 AMwhy is repetition of a line of dialogue any worse than repetition of a situation or scene? there was loads of repetition in that extras christmas special.
i'd rather watch little britain. at least it can be funny.
It takes all sorts!
Quote: johnny roulette @ December 30, 2007, 10:25 AMi'd rather watch little britain. at least it can be funny.
Little Britain is hilarious....the first time you see it. But when they milk it for every penny: multiple series, going abroad with it, dolls, pencil cases, every form of merchandise possible - it becomes a little mundane.
LB was in direct competition with The Office for awards and everything; The Office finished after 2 series and a special, and I don't recall ever seeing any Brent pencil cases?
I think its tedious to be going into such detail about the episode especially as you are using these minor points to judge Gervais & Merchant's whole writing credentials. Funnily enough a lot of the people having a pop don't like RG or Extras so it feels like they are looking for reasons.
Which ever way you look at it G&M have already proved to be writing greats as the Office was such a phenomenal worldwide hit. People that say it was just copying Spinal Tap have clearly never written before. Spinal Tap was how many years ago? Do you really think no one tried to copy it before? The only thing duplicated is the mockumentary style, not the premise, characters, story, format. Do you really think its that easy?
Quote: ContainsNuts @ December 30, 2007, 10:44 AMWhich ever way you look at it G&M have already proved to be writing greats as the Office was such a phenomenal worldwide hit. People that say it was just copying Spinal Tap have clearly never written before. Spinal Tap was how many years ago? Do you really think no one tried to copy it before? The only thing duplicated is the mockumentary style, not the premise, characters, story, format. Do you really think its that easy?
No no! I mentioned Spinal Tap, thats not what I meant! I was using that as an example of how nothing is ever 'original' or 'new', if you go back to an ideas origins, theres always something thats been done before....that was me backing up that silly little argument James Williams tried to start by ridiculously claiming the 'tissues' gag didn't belong because "its old". I'm fully behind Extras and everything Gervais and, particularly Merchant, who's radio show is brilliant, have ever done.
Quote: charisma @ December 30, 2007, 10:51 AMI'm fully behind Extras and everything Gervais and, particularly Merchant, who's radio show is brilliant, have ever done.
Will you be my new best friend?
Quote: charisma @ December 30, 2007, 10:51 AMNo no! I mentioned Spinal Tap, thats not what I meant! I was using that as an example of how nothing is ever 'original' or 'new', if you go back to an ideas origins, theres always something thats been done before....that was me backing up that silly little argument James Williams tried to start by ridiculously claiming the 'tissues' gag didn't belong because "its old". I'm fully behind Extras and everything Gervais and, particularly Merchant, who's radio show is brilliant, have ever done.
That wasn't targeted at you at all. There have been many threads about Gervais and a few people have brought this point up and I've always meant to comment on it.
Some of the moments and episodes in extras easily matches that of the office. Both are excellent.
And repetition is a standard comedy technique.
Quote: jacparov @ December 30, 2007, 11:34 AMAnd repetition is a standard comedy technique.
And it's a technique that's more standard to some comedians' careers than others.
Quote: SlagA @ December 30, 2007, 11:53 AMAnd it's a technique that's more standard to some comedians' careers than others.
lol, sadly true slag. Unfortunately I can't come up with anything to repeat!
Guys, lets not be repeatist.