It does sound a bit unlikely that sky could become the next hbo but I sort of hope that they do as this would be brilliant if they could bring back more stuff for comedy snobs rather than the masses. Maybe they could start by bringing pulling back.
I am pretty sure though that due to the credit crunch they will be earing towards getting veiwers rather than artistic credibility.
Quote: Tim Walker @ August 3 2009, 1:26 PM BSTAnd although (rightly) critically-praised, again the BBC hardly promoted it before the 1st or 2nd series. Why they always feel embarrassed about pushing their best shows is a mystery to me. Shows like this don't get the pre-watershed trailers they need and deserve.
Who is responsible for trailers and promotion? And how does it work? Because there's a shitload of programmes broadcast each week, and I'd imaginer they all want to be hyped to the hills. Why aren't comedy shows pushed as heavily? There must be a reason?
Quote: Sebastian Orange-News @ August 3 2009, 1:28 PM BSTI am pretty sure though that due to the credit crunch they will be earing towards getting veiwers rather than artistic credibility.
From a writer's point of view though, that kind of statement assumes that artistic credibility is incompatable with decent or good ratings. Why wouldn't any of us want our "baby" to be seen by as many people as possible? I'm not trying to write a show that only appeals to me, but neither am I trying to write one which I feel is generic or simply likely to sell. I think that is a bit of a condescending statement to both viewers (and, to be fair, a number of producers) who want to make popular, funny and credible shows. Whatever mistakes are made in comedy, no-one sets out to make a bad show. Comedies which fail are hammered because comedy means a lot to us as a society; it becomes almost as though we as a viewer have been personally let-down.
Quote: chipolata @ August 3 2009, 1:28 PM BSTWhy aren't comedy shows pushed as heavily? There must be a reason?
There seems to be a degree of self-fulfilling prophecy about it. The received wisdom is, "Comedy is incredibly hard to get right and it doesn't get the ratings of drama or reality shows. Therefore, why waste resources and make ourselves look silly by hype-ing it, when it is likely to fail?". 
I like to think Sky could become the next HBO. They've produced some good drama and have qutie a few things in the pipeline.
Quote: Kevin Murphy @ August 3 2009, 12:33 PM BSTYeah. Maybe time to bump the cut-off up to 45 eh?
I don't think I possess the strength 
Quote: Tim Walker @ August 3 2009, 1:26 PM BSTAnd although (rightly) critically-praised, again the BBC hardly promoted it before the 1st or 2nd series. Why they always feel embarrassed about pushing their best shows is a mystery to me. Shows like this don't get the pre-watershed trailers they need and deserve.
Perhaps the years have made the BBC more modest.
Quote: Tim Walker @ August 3 2009, 12:06 PM BSTIf networks really believed in comedy, to be honest, they could shove it down a mainstream audience's throat until they realised how good it was (and the show finds its feet) - as they did with OFAH. One other thing they could do is promote new comedies with the same enthusiasm that they do with new drama and reality programmes. Too often, however good a comedy is, they seem almost embarrassed about comedy as a genre and do the minimum to promote it in the weeks prior to airing.
In fairness they hyped Life of Riley, and despite an, at best, a luke warm reception, they are recommissioning it.
Quote: Timbo @ August 3 2009, 2:30 PM BSTIn fairness they hyped Life of Riley, and despite an, at best, a luke warm reception, they are recommissioning it.
Fair play. But do they actually do enough to address the problems with the first series when commissioning the second? Like firing the writing staff and the show runner for a start (in this case)? All too often, there doesn't seem to be the will to radically alter a weak show for its (and the viewers') benefit. In the US I imagine, if re-commissioned, this show would be on a huge probation before a second series was even broadcast. (And I know they would be funding a 13/14 show run, but still...) Do they have to make a series 2 non-broadcast pilot at the BBC, for example?
Quote: Tim Walker @ August 3 2009, 1:26 PM BSTAnd although (rightly) critically-praised, again the BBC hardly promoted it before the 1st or 2nd series. Why they always feel embarrassed about pushing their best shows is a mystery to me. Shows like this don't get the pre-watershed trailers they need and deserve.
You're right, for a pubic broadcaster with no advertising pressure it is hard to fathom what they are playing at sometimes.
A good example was the superb Steptoe and Hancock curse of comedy dramas which would surely strike a chord with even its most mainstream middle age and elderly middle England audience who remember them with great warmth.
Yet they were awkwardly scheduled on BBC Four as if they were some piece of experimental theatre.
Good point.
Quote: hotzappa11 @ August 3 2009, 2:20 PM BSTI like to think Sky could become the next HBO. They've produced some good drama and have qutie a few things in the pipeline.
I haven't got Sky. Which good dramas have they produced themselves?
Quote: john lucas 101 @ August 3 2009, 2:38 PM BSTI haven't got Sky. Which good dramas have they produced themselves?
That Martina Cole thing starring...some peeople. Haven't seen it, but it reviewed well. For a trashy throaway style show.
Quote: Tim Walker @ August 3 2009, 2:35 PM BSTFair play. But do they actually do enough to address the problems with the first series when commissioning the second? Like firing the writing staff and the show runner for a start (in this case)?
Well, yes if they were serious about it, the cast, the set designer, the lighting cameraman, the editor and the director would also need to be for the push. Maybe a new title as well?
My problem with Sky becoming the next HBO is that they haven't got a track record for producing much drama or comedy, good or otherwise.
Quote: Timbo @ August 3 2009, 2:41 PM BSTWell, yes if they were serious about it, the cast, the set designer, the lighting cameraman, the editor and the director would also need to be for the push. Maybe a new title as well?
The basic problem with the premise of this show is... well, it doesn't really have one, does it? I don't think a previously-divorced couple living their respective kids is a premise. It's a situation, yes, but has absolutely no effect on the characters or storylines as far as I can tell. Perhaps I'm missing somthing incredibly subtle?
