Quote: GGdown @ February 17 2012, 6:22 PM GMTI guess the problem is in the fact that C4 have a target audience (and a studio audience) that they believe has a certain political viewpoint, along with no license-fee-based requirement for neutrality. I agree with you, but I can see why C4 might not.
The problem for C4 is do they make it for lefties and get that audience or make it more central and try and get more right wingers but risk alienating some left leaning viewers.
Quote: dennispennis123 @ February 18 2012, 1:34 AM GMTThe problem for C4 is do they make it for lefties and get that audience or make it more central and try and get more right wingers but risk alienating some left leaning viewers.
I doubt those conversations are being had at all. Are you stuck in the eighties, by the way? They are probably discussing how they can make it as funny as possible and maximise the results from the considerable talent on stage.
Quote: Badge @ February 18 2012, 1:45 AM GMTI doubt those conversations are being had at all. Are you stuck in the eighties, by the way? They are probably discussing how they can make it as funny as possible and maximise the results from the considerable talent on stage.
There is a target audience for the show. If the show suddenly started championing bankers instead of bashing them, I'm sure that wouldn't go down well with the audience.
And what makes you think I'm stuck in the eighties?
Quote: dennispennis123 @ February 19 2012, 4:05 PM GMTThere is a target audience for the show. If the show suddenly started championing bankers instead of bashing them, I'm sure that wouldn't go down well with the audience.
And what makes you think I'm stuck in the eighties?
I'd have to agree with Badge actually, I'd be very surprised if it's a conscious decision at this stage. The majority of comedians will have relatively liberal views and I expect C4 had that in mind while picking the cast.
However at this stage, it's probably got more to do with simply their/the writing team's actual views. Brooker, Mitchell and Laverne have all stated that they voted Lib Dem at the last election, plus the same is true for the people they know they're making jokes towards.
This show is seriously missing Mitchell's regular rants. I'm not overly impressed with the cosy round table discussions. Yes, they're all very nicey-nicey with a comforting 'aren't they all great showbiz mates' vibe, but it's just not bringing the funny.
Carr's material is beginning to emerge as the weakest of the group. Aside from the Whitney Houston bath joke, it was all pretty much a tedious waste of time and his targets were far too obvious. The Murdoch as a lizard monster could have been brilliant, but once again, it lacked satrical bite.
And whilst I'm glad they've given Lauren something to do with her explaining things bit - like the Cultural Olympiad - I'd rather have another Brooker or Mitchell anger fest.
Similarly, the Question Time round table discussion is just descending into a farce - and not the funny kind. They never have enough time to fully discuss the topic, the audience claps the most 'right on' commentator and it usually descends into a shouting match / crowd pandering competition.
It's a shame that such an exciting concept with some very talented people involved has become about as controversial as watching Dad's Army in your slippers whilst sipping a nice cup of tea.
I forgot this was on for the second week running.
Did it used to be Thursday?
It did, yes.
I glance at this briefly and give up.
Is this really the inheritor to Bremner, Bird and Fortune.
And there are plenty of proper funny satirical comediennes and women writers out there.
They should recruit Cassetteboy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2Jp4wdIzU8
I hate it when naturally funny people actively try to make jokes.
I think I reversed-engineered the guests' appearance fee from the comments made by the 12-year-old on the Mitchell panel.
£500
I don't know why they've cut all the good bits out of the first series and left in the crap. Lauren Laverne is not funny enough herself, and whoever writes her bits isn't funny enough to compensate. Jimmy Carr just looks like a real lightweight compared to Mitchell and Brooker, he makes the obvious jokes that everyone watching has already done on their own. Mitchell's interviews were really good - they might not have been that funny, but I'd rather listen to a good interview than watch Jimmy Carr in a painfully bad sketch, or even have the interview instead of the 3 underqualified idiots shouting at each other. Mitchell's rants were a highlight of the first series, too - I really can't imagine why those have gone. Doubt it'll be back for a third series, maybe Mitchell and Brooker can do something together, that would be pleasing.
Quote: Kevin Murphy @ February 23 2012, 8:26 PM GMTI think I reversed-engineered the guests' appearance fee from the comments made by the 12-year-old on the Mitchell panel.
£500
Can we have a whip-round and pay Julia Hartley-Brewer to turn down her next offer? I'm fed up with seeing her stupid face trying to be interesting.
I actually really enjoy the round the table discussions. It felt more disjointed last series when they were constantly cutting between their individual bits. I think this was the best episode of this series. It just felt a bit more relaxed and less awkward, but maybe that's just me.
Quote: Harridan @ February 23 2012, 8:59 PM GMTmaybe Mitchell and Brooker can do something together, that would be pleasing.
Ooh, that I would like to see!
Quote: Harridan @ February 23 2012, 8:59 PM GMTMitchell's interviews were really good - they might not have been that funny, but I'd rather listen to a good interview than watch Jimmy Carr in a painfully bad sketch
Oh God, they weren't. They were absolutely abysmal. Mitchell admitted almost as much himself. There's many things he does well, but cross-examining political figures definitely ain't one of them. They walked over him like a slightly uneven pavement.
Quote: Lindyloop @ February 23 2012, 9:30 PM GMTIt felt more disjointed last series when they were constantly cutting between their individual bits.
I agree that the presentation is a lot slicker and professional and the live time management is outstanding. I just wish it was both satirical and funny along with being competently produced.
This Wednesday night slot is doing them no favours and I usually end up catching it on Channel 4+1 or 4OD. Though it's possibly why the audience is less raucous this time round, they haven't been down the pub beforehand because they have to work the next day.
