British comedy is no longer funny Page 12

Quote: Renegade Carpark @ January 27 2012, 5:45 PM GMT

I think it's read that a comedy that makes you laugh is a good comedy.

But look at the anarchic, rebellious and darkly funny Comic Strip Presents... made in the early days compared with the last one about Tony Blair and I think you'll get an inkling as to what I'm referring too.

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Sure, you can be funny and subversive but I don't think you should be awarded extra points just for sticking it to the man. Arrested Development and Seinfeld are two of my favourite sitcoms, neither which are particularly rebellious, just very well written.

Quote: David Bussell @ January 27 2012, 5:49 PM GMT

. Arrested Development and Seinfeld are two of my favourite sitcoms, neither which are particularly rebellious, just very well written.

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Yes, I remember the episode of Dad's Army where they had a no wanking contest and the prison rape jokes in The Good Life.

Quote: Renegade Carpark @ January 27 2012, 5:57 PM GMT

Yes, I remember the episode of Dad's Army where they had a no wanking contest and the prison rape jokes in The Good Life.

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Except those kind of jokes are pretty commonplace in the here and now. Friends had wank and rape jokes too, and not many would call that show anarchic.

Quote: David Bussell @ January 27 2012, 6:09 PM GMT

Friends had wank and rape jokes too, and not many would call that show anarchic.

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And shark porn. Shame it's not a current British comedy show.

Quote: Renegade Carpark @ January 27 2012, 6:14 PM GMT

Shame it's not a current British comedy show.

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That wasn't really my argument. My argument was that anarchic comedy isn't better than plain funny comedy just because it thumbs its nose at authority. In terms of the title of this thread I'm largely in agreement with you.

Quote: Renegade Carpark @ January 27 2012, 5:45 PM GMT

But look at the anarchic, rebellious and darkly funny Comic Strip Presents... made in the early days compared with the last one about Tony Blair and I think you'll get an inkling as to what I'm referring too.

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The "Hunt For Tony Blair" was not of itself less subversive than earlier efforts, in fact it was almost a homage to the earlier canon, which of course made it less subversive this time round. I do not think it says anything about the current state of British TV comedy, it is just evidence that Peter Richardson is a burnt out force.

Quote: Timbo @ January 27 2012, 6:58 PM GMT

The "Hunt For Tony Blair" was not of itself less subversive than earlier efforts,

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It was however infinitely less funny than earlier efforts.

You want great edgy comedy that's been made recently?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delocated

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Check_It_Out_with_Dr._Steve_Brule

Both on Adult Swim. I know, it's hard to believe that the "Channel where Noel Fielding steals all his ideas from" is actually capable of making great comedy. But it has.

Quote: Jinky @ January 28 2012, 1:01 AM GMT

I know, it's hard to believe that the "Channel where Noel Fielding steals all his stuff from"

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?

Quote: Jinky @ January 28 2012, 1:01 AM GMT

Both on Adult Swim. I know, it's hard to believe that the "Channel where Noel Fielding steals all his stuff from" is actually capable of making great comedy. But it has.

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I'm a big Adult Swim fan (check out the author of the original Adult Swim thread!) and I don't see any evidence of Noel Fielding borrowing material from that station. One of his shows, The Mighty Boosh, has appeared on it however.

'Inspired by' if it makes everyone happier.

The Mighty Boosh was just The Goon Show for stoners, if we are all being honest in the small hours of the morning....

Was 'Wonder Showzen' on Adult Swim?

Noel's latest offering is like an adult version of that, if 'adult' means 'no jokes at all'.

Quote: Jinky @ January 28 2012, 1:09 AM GMT

'Inspired by' if it makes everyone happier.

The Mighty Boosh was just The Goon Show for stoners, if we are all being honest in the small hours of the morning....

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So you might say Adult Swim stole from The Goon Show...

Quote: David Bussell @ January 28 2012, 1:11 AM GMT

So you might say Adult Swim stole from The Goon Show...

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Well, The Goon Show could be comedy's Ground Zero, I suppose.

If this forum supported Venn Diagrams I could make my point clear....

Quote: Jinky @ January 28 2012, 1:12 AM GMT

Well, The Goon Show could be comedy's Ground Zero, I suppose.

If this forum supported Venn Diagrams I could make my point clear....

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It does, you just need to upload your picture to a site like Photobucket and link to the image. Don't worry, I'll wait.

Hmmm.....uploading.....this might take some time.

Have you watched Delocated and Check It Out!, David?

If so, would you agree that they are a cut above most recent British comedy?