It was better than most new sitcoms, but not a patch on the original.
Trying old shows - Nice suprises OR otherwise Page 2
Was Clunes actually playing the Garnett character or a new one. Who was the silly moo, I must admit I can't even imagine this, but sounds interesting.
Ah crossed purposes - I thought you were talking about Perrin!
Oh right, I saw that one, quite liked it, but am a diehard Leonard Rossiter fan. You know I quite like the idea of a Garnett remake, but who could write it like Speight or act like that cast. I doubt we'll ever know, although Archie Bunker was certainly a success in the States.
Nice Surprises:
Grace and Favour -- Had seen Are You Being Served? but not this. Better than I expected and, to me, more entertaining than the original.
Early Doors: Not very old but never seen here in Canada as far as I know. Brilliant in every way.
The Good Life: Saw it mentioned -- probably on this site -- and bought it. Loved it.
On the Up: It was Larbey so I bought it -- and loved it. (Do you see a trend here?)
and many more. Many more nice surprises than disappointments. Even so...
Disappointing:
Black Books -- Some shows just seem to me like a lot of self-indulgent flailing about -- can I say wanking? -- on the part of the writer/director/actor(s). This is one of those.
How Do You Want Me? Ditto
Hot Metal -- yikes.
The Book Group. Just boring.
Two's Company. Saw it on a remaindered rack, bought it, regretted the $2.
Quote: Aaron @ September 17 2012, 10:34 AM BSTIt isn't?
No, I don't think it quite is in comparison with some other massive shows. Maybe due to the number of terrible Frank Spencer impressions people had to sit through years ago.
Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em (should be regarded as a classic)
Frank Spencer was a care in the community case. Why was the rather sexy Betty with him? Was Frank hiding something under his mac.
Quote: Pingl @ September 17 2012, 10:37 PM BSTWhy was the rather sexy Betty with him?
Usual case of casting women on looks?
Quote: Rose2010 @ September 17 2012, 6:54 PM BSTHot Metal -- yikes.
That's a fantastic satire. Perhaps it requires a specific knowledge of British media culture in the mid-to-late 1980s though. What'd you dislike about it?
Quote: Rose2010 @ September 17 2012, 6:54 PM BSTTwo's Company. Saw it on a remaindered rack, bought it, regretted the $2.
Heathen. 
I think I have a fairly low threshold for silly satire. (Don't ban me, please.)
I loved the first season of Absolute Power but Hot Metal seemed over-the-top to me. I've worked in newsrooms and PR agencies and while Hot Metal is just outlandish, Absolute Power made me squirm while I laughed. Which is, I think, what it's supposed to do.
Two's Company.... just not a big fan of the two actors, I suspect. It delivered what might have been perfectly acceptable desert fork humour with a shovel. Performances were out of scale with the material. Played small and tight, it might have been great.
Ah well, fair enough. Elaine Stritch's deadpan no-nonsense attitude is just wonderful to me, but we can't all enjoy everything.
Quote: Rose2010 @ September 18 2012, 1:15 AM BSTI think I have a fairly low threshold for silly satire. (Don't ban me, please.)
I loved the first season of Absolute Power but Hot Metal seemed over-the-top to me. I've worked in newsrooms and PR agencies and while Hot Metal is just outlandish, Absolute Power made me squirm while I laughed. Which is, I think, what it's supposed to do.
Two's Company.... just not a big fan of the two actors, I suspect. It delivered what might have been perfectly acceptable desert fork humour with a shovel. Performances were out of scale with the material. Played small and tight, it might have been great.
I remember seeing Hot Metal on TV way back close to when it was made. I remember thinking it was very funny. I've only watched a bit of it again since (a few episodes on old low quality VHS recordings - before it was released on DVD). I didn't really take to it. The Richard Wilson episodes seemed funnier than the Palmer ones (but I might be wrong there). I'd like to give it another go some time. I'm a Renwick and Wilson fan.
Yes, I remember seeing the odd episode of Two's Company years ago. I watched some the first series on DVD and while some of it was quite good, some of it seemed a bit ridiculous. However, might give that another go some time too.
I didn't get where I'm today by praising nearly forgotten shows, but I'm just finishing "The Legacy Of Reginald Perrin", ok it's not that old...still I'm surprised because I expected a disaster. It's not a revelation either but very likeable. No Rossiter...but definitely a Geoffrey Palmer showcase.
Verdict: Not a complete cock up on the sitcom front!
Quote: Gordon Bennett @ September 18 2012, 8:22 AM BSTI didn't get where I'm today by praising nearly forgotten shows, but I'm just finishing "The Legacy Of Reginald Perrin", ok it's not that old...still I'm surprised because I expected a disaster. It's not a revelation either but very likeable. No Rossiter...but definitely a Geoffrey Palmer showcase.
Verdict: Not a complete cock up on the sitcom front!
Geoffrey Palmer does indeed shine in The Legacy of Reginald Perrin and John Horsley and John Barron are pretty good too. Just a shame that the actresses playing Reggie's wife and daughter were so poor and that the show relied too much on catchphrases.