The Write Stuff's back. 
Current radio comedy Page 42
Quote: swerytd @ September 17 2010, 2:59 PM BSTIf you like Old Harry's Game, you'll probably like Revolting People and Trevor's World of Sport as they're all written by Andy Hamilton. Worth tracking them down too if you're looking for more.
Dan
Only got through two episodes of Revolting People before giving up, the accents were too annoying and it was funny enough to persist.
I've listening to all 3 series of Trevor's World Of Sport and although I enjoyed it but it wasn't really that funny.
I need more Bleak Expectations, now.
If you didn't like Trevor's World Of Sport, then you probably won't like Vent as they both star Neil Pearson. Not worth tracking them down if you're looking for less.
Dan
If you havent heard Another Case of Milton Jones, that's big, daft fun like Bleak Expectations.
I might see if I can get hold of it.
Quote: Nil Putters @ October 5 2010, 8:35 PM BSTI need more Bleak Expectations, now.
Not long to wait now. It's back for a new series next month. Wish it would hurry up!
Excellent. Ahuh huh huuuh
Just listening to Claire in the Community. A masterclass in radio sitcom writing.
Quote: chipolata @ October 7 2010, 6:39 PM BSTA masterclass in radio sitcom writing.
Is this a compliment or a criticism?
I hope a compliment. I love Claire in the Community.
It was a compliment. I think it's a tremendously good sitcom. It's not cutting edge or innovative, but it is well written and intelligent. It's also mainstream, something television has struggled with in recent years.
Yes never understood why Claire never got a TV transfer - I seem to recall it was originally developed for TV, and it was only after they had been messed around for years that they reworked it for radio.
I don't get Clare in the Community, it's never once made me laugh, the central character is horrible, her husband is a complete wimp and most of the jokes are completely obvious.
I must be missing something.
Quote: Tony Cowards @ October 10 2010, 11:59 AM BSTI don't get Clare in the Community, it's never once made me laugh, the central character is horrible, her husband is a complete wimp and most of the jokes are completely obvious.
I must be missing something.
A basic understanding of British sitcom? I think you also said in the Whites thread that you did not find the characters likeable. The central character in Britcoms is almost always a monster, and the foil is usually long-suffering.
As for the gags being obvious, they do reflect the set-up and punch structure of the original comic-strip, so once you are tuned into to the style you can to an extent see them coming, but they derive from character, and to my mind are funny.
Quote: Timbo @ October 10 2010, 12:34 PM BSTA basic understanding of British sitcom? I think you also said in the Whites thread that you did not find the characters likeable. The central character in Britcoms is almost always a monster, and the foil is usually long-suffering.
As for the gags being obvious, they do reflect the set-up and punch structure of the original comic-strip, so once you are tuned into to the style you can to an extent see them coming, but they derive from character, and to my mind are funny.
Yes, the central character is often a monster but they are generally sympathetic (we feel a bit sorry for Basil Fawlty despite him being a monster, Captain Mainwairing is a complete buffoon but he's a lovable Oliver Hardy type character, David Brent is actually quite nice when we get to know him and see through the irritating facade, etc ) but Claire just seems like a completely self-obsessed, egotistical horror of a person, there's nothing about her that makes me care and want her to succeed.
I'm not saying that all main characters have to be completely likable (Blackadder is often a complete bastard) but we have to be on their side most of the time and wanting to see them succeed whilst also laughing at their failure, where as with Claire I just think she's a pompous shit and I'm quite happy to hear her getting her comeuppance.
To me, too many of the characters in Claire in the Community are one-dimensional, for instance the stupid girl who always gets the wrong end of the stick, the drippy doormat of a husband, the mad boss etc, there's a fine line between archetypes and stereotypes.