I thought that Horne and Corden might make quite good comedy writers, but having to look at them, and watch their unfunny performances is painful. Also their writing is shite.
Horne & Corden Page 26
Definitely agree with the above comments - they need more experienced sketch writers on this show. The guys can act (Superman/Spiderman shows that), and have some good ideas (boarding school drunk Xander is a good sketch character)... however most of the sketches lack comic punch. The less said about the magicians at the end the better.
If nothing else, hopefully this show will put Corden's massive ego back into check.
Talking of sketch comedy, The Times has published a very interesting article today in which David Baddiel, Charlie Higson, Ben Miller, Lee Mack, Al Murray and Laura Solon talk about writing and performing sketches. It can be read online here.
Solon's right about that House of Idiot sketch. That's when French and Saunders were still brilliant. (Only works if you watched House of Elliot though, I'd imagine.)
Quote: Mark @ March 21 2009, 1:07 PM GMTDefinitely agree with the above comments - they need more experienced sketch writers on this show. The guys can act (Superman/Spiderman shows that), and have some good ideas (boarding school drunk Xander is a good sketch character)... however most of the sketches lack comic punch. The less said about the magicians at the end the better.
If nothing else, hopefully this show will put Corden's massive ego back into check.
Talking of sketch comedy, The Times has published a very interesting article today in which David Baddiel, Charlie Higson, Ben Miller, Lee Mack, Al Murray and Laura Solon talk about writing and performing sketches. It can be read online here.
Thanks for the link Mark - ace read!
The superman sketches could still work as is, without a strong punchline
If - if, the two comedy leads were well-loved, established, comedians. Frankie Howerd with his Ooh err's, Kenneth Williams with his nasal laugh, Tommy Cooper with his big stupid face, Eric n' Ern - any of those shoe-horned into the Horne and Corden Superman/Spiderman sketch back in their day, would elicit laughs simply by just appearing. Their facial twitches would be enough.
Horne and Corden just aren't big enough yet to get away without strong punchlines. There's nothing wrong with repetition sketches but they still need a strong punchline for newbies like Horne and Corden.
Good link, Mark. Ta!
Dan
The show does have some good moments but this is clearly self indulgence and I can't understand why they are so arrogant not to get another experienced writer in. It does feel a little like Corden is doing his mate a favour. Maybe I'm wrong.
Quote: Ronnie Anderson @ March 22 2009, 3:25 AM GMTso arrogant not to get another experienced writer in.
I don't understand; what's arrogant about wanting to write a lot of your own sketch show yourself? It's what I'd want to do.
Anybody still watching this? It has the odd moment of amusement, but is generally rather tedious. I was so bored watching it last night, I started watching ladies selling bras on channel 22 instead. (Not that I wouldn't do that anyway).
Thought it was quite an improvement this week. Especially the graveyard. Fab, that was.
Sam is.
'I did a bad thing during Horne and Corden. I'm sorry, and if it's any consolation I'm not pleased with myself. But I laughed […]I'm not proud. It didn't happen again in the rest of the show, hasn't happened in either of the previous shows, won't happen again, I promise. They're still a couple of plonkers."
Sam Wollaston, The Guardian
Which seems a tad harsh to me.
They're good, likeable performers, they just need some bloody decent writers. Innit.
Is the material all theirs? There's no other writers at all?
Didn't someone say The Dawson Brothers were involved with this?
Quote: chipolata @ March 25 2009, 2:55 PM GMTIs the material all theirs? There's no other writers at all?
There's a few, but Horne and Corden would probably have been better off doing a little bit themselves and getting a proper team in for the bulk. I reckon.
Corden's already on record having talked about the limited time for writing Gavin and Stacey, so I can't imagine much more time would be devoted to the sketch show. Doesn't look like it, anyway.
Quote: David Bussell @ March 25 2009, 2:59 PM GMTDidn't someone say The Dawson Brothers were involved with this?
I heard much the same.