Did anyone see this 2006 BBC Two show starring Marc Wootton? I ask because I thought Wootton was funny in Cyderdelic and My New Best Friend, and bits of High Spirits with Shirley Ghostman, though I just read that his sketch show Marc Wootton Exposed did not go over well. Anyway I was just curious about how this one stacks up against everything else Wootton's done. And does anyone know if there are plans to release Thin Ice on DVD?
Bad.
Never saw it. Marc Wooton's an extremely talented guy in my opinion, but he's never quite found his niche. (Unless his niche is pranking gullible people a la My Best Friend etc, which would be a waste of talent IMO) His sketch show had lovely touches - the old lady was wonderful - but I found the writing was lacking, which was surprising as I believe Jeremy Dyson script edited. It just wasn't very funny, sadly.
I was never a huge fan of Shirley Ghostman either - and who can forget Ghostman's toe-curlingly embarrassing stint on Jonathan Ross?
As I say though I think he's a very talented guy and hopefully will find a vehicle that exploits that talent.
Anyone know how old he is? It's just that he's been around so long, I bet he's older than he looks. By the way, didn't Adam and Joe totally rip off Cyderdelic, on their show, a few years back?
The best thing I saw him as was the first episode of Nighty Night where he was the orange, fey dating agency guy. That was one of my favourite scenes. But again, it was just the right scene. Much longer and it wouldn't have worked; and there was no room for the character to come back. He came back in Series 2 as Linda's boyfriend Dennis but it wasn't nearly as good. The whole series, his character, his reason for being in it.
Shirley Ghostman was.... odd. The shows were very peculiar in the way they involved the public too. The actual character ought to be in a whole spoof world like Alan Partridge. That could work, or at least work a bit better.
Is he destined to always be in bit-parts?
Mark Wooton is a waste of space in my opinion, he hasn't been good in anything he's been in and comes across really dislikable in everything he's been in.
And of course, as Lee mentioned, we can't forget that time when he completely died on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, talk about awkward.
Quote: Martin H @ April 10 2009, 5:41 PM BSTMark Wooton is a waste of space in my opinion, he hasn't been good in anything he's been in and comes across really dislikable in everything he's been in.
Can't agree there. He's been good in everything I've seen him in - it's the material that hasn't really done him justice. I think his time is still yet to come.
Quote: Martin H @ April 10 2009, 5:41 PM BSTMark Wooton is a waste of space in my opinion, he hasn't been good in anything he's been in and comes across really dislikable in everything he's been in.
Bit harsh. I agree with Lee, though, he's just never found his niche. And sometimes his characters are just TOO unlikeable. Shirley Ghostmen would have worked better with a bit of warmth and vulnerability in the mix. After all, on paper Alan Partridge is unlikeable, and yet you can't help but like him. Ditto for David Brent.
I really enjoyed Shirley Ghostman.
I've yet to track down his Jonathan Ross appearance. Anyone able to help?
Quote: chipolata @ April 11 2009, 1:44 PM BSTBit harsh. I agree with Lee, though, he's just never found his niche. And sometimes his characters are just TOO unlikeable. Shirley Ghostmen would have worked better with a bit of warmth and vulnerability in the mix. After all, on paper Alan Partridge is unlikeable, and yet you can't help but like him. Ditto for David Brent.
Agreed. The fact that the main goal of each of Wootton's characters in "My New Best Friend" (the quality of which varied significantly) was to annoy probably didn't help with public perceptions of him as a comedic actor.
Also I think they should do another series of Cyderdelic considering the current economic climate and subsequent protests. I think they could do a lot more with that premise and those characters.
I read he's got a sketch show coming up on American cable channel Showtime, which is the home of Weeds and other things.
