Or am I the only person who thought a plot involving the PM shagging a pig to release a kidnapped royal smacks of shock tactic get an audience at any cost commissioning?
How desperate for good drama is Channel 4?
Quote: steve by any other name @ December 5 2011, 11:01 AM GMTOr am I the only person who thought a plot involving the PM shagging a pig to release a kidnapped royal smacks of shock tactic get an audience at any cost commissioning?
I haven't seen it yet but Charlie Brooker has good form as a writer, so I'll be checking it out on those grounds rather for any perceieved shock appeal.
I kinda thought the same, but as ever Brooker was cleverer than that.
It was a very clever satire on just how powerless our politicians are and how with the new Twitterocracy no one's really in charge anymore.
Perhaps the act was a little crass and the identity of the villains a little twee (not to mention the police raid a distraction). But over all powerful stuff and well deserving of the accolade Swiftian.
Quote: sootyj @ December 5 2011, 11:10 AM GMTI kinda thought the same, but as ever Brooker was cleverer than that.
It was a very clever satire on just how powerless our politicians are and how with the new Twitterocracy no one's really in charge anymore.Perhaps the act was a little crass and the identity of the villains a little twee (not to mention the police raid a distraction). But over all powerful stuff and well deserving of the accolade Swiftian.
Interesting points there SootyJ. I think for me the crassness of it far outweighed the cleverness. And, despite it's obviously unbelievable nature, I found it hard to believe. I needed more information on how the kidnap was carried out, just something to make me think it was plausable. And more of a reason for it.
Obviously it was entertaining and I'll be tuning in next week. Although I'll have to watch it somewhere other than in the sitting room as my wife said she won't watch it if it's written by the same person.
Just tell her it's co-written by Konnie Huq off Blue Peter.
Quote: sootyj @ December 5 2011, 11:10 AM GMTI kinda thought the same, but as ever Brooker was cleverer than that.
It was a very clever satire on just how powerless our politicians are and how with the new Twitterocracy no one's really in charge anymore.Perhaps the act was a little crass and the identity of the villains a little twee (not to mention the police raid a distraction). But over all powerful stuff and well deserving of the accolade Swiftian.
Quite so Sooty. I got the impression CB would like to see that happen to Cameron, on some level at least. I quite liked the sting in the tail, her being released half an hour earlier, so he did it for nothing, but Britain's voyeuristic nature meant nobody realised until it was to late. And it was funny in a way that te villain killed him self so CB wuldn't have to explain te unexplainable.
Also, I think it was commissioned depite the pig thing, rather than because of it. And it's funny that Steve's wife won't watch any more.
Quote: steve by any other name @ December 5 2011, 11:01 AM GMTOr am I the only person who thought a plot involving the PM shagging a pig to release a kidnapped royal smacks of shock tactic get an audience at any cost commissioning?
No, I don't think it was a shock tactic to get an audience at any cost. Also, most of the people watching would have no idea of that plot point before watching.
The pig demand I can buy as dark satire but there was no real plausible dilemma as anyone in public life and even the dumbest voter understands why governments don't negotiate with kidnappers.
Leaving that aside it was a deliciously grim take of our disdainful voyeurism and fickleness. Perhaps the kidnappers suicide was out of utter despair of a world that would even consider meeting his demands.
Rory Kinnear deserves full praise for pulling off this scenario.
I'm also glad that Channel 4 have commissioned this kind of Twilight Zone left field single drama format and I'll definitely be watching again.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ December 5 2011, 12:39 PM GMTNo, I don't think it was a shock tactic to get an audience at any cost. Also, most of the people watching would have no idea of that plot point before watching.
C'mon they promoted it like mad.
Quote: sootyj @ December 5 2011, 1:44 PM GMTC'mon they promoted it like mad.
Yes they promoted the show like mad, perhaps I missed the ad where it stated 'man f**ks pig for royalty' though?? 
Quote: Matthew Stott @ December 5 2011, 1:51 PM GMTYes they promoted the show like mad, perhaps I missed the ad where it stated 'man f**ks pig for royalty' though??
To be fair, I haven't seen it and it's the only thing I know about the episode.
Still, of course they're going to use the pig f**king plot device in describing the show; it would be a bit peculiar if they didn't. "PM forced to do something sexy on YouTube" doesn't have nearly the same ring to it.
The fact is, if you're making comedy, at some point a pig is going to get f**ked.
Quote: David Bussell @ December 5 2011, 1:56 PM GMTTo be fair, I haven't seen it and it's the only thing I know about the episode.
Still, of course they're going to use the pig f**king plot device in describing the show; it would be a bit peculiar if they didn't. "PM forced to do something sexy on YouTube" doesn't have nearly the same ring to it.
It's just the nature of comedy; brass tacks, at some point a pig is going to get f**ked.
I only know of it because someone mentioned it when reviewing it before it went out. They didn't hit the point too hard in the promo, is my point, which, following the original posters point, they would have been doing. If you see what I mean. It was more leaked by others; Brooker himself was trying to keep it secret.
Ironically they discuss how to phrase it within the show.
Was there one guy interviewed who reckoned having sex with a pig is a good thing?
Quote: Vader @ December 5 2011, 2:02 PM GMTWas there one guy interviewed who reckoned having sex with a pig is a good thing?
It might well be. Animals don't give consent anyway, even in the wild. They're basically a pack of rapists/victims.