I regularly spend time with people aged between 16 and 25 and get an idea of what they like (which is usually the same as myself) and what they're like. I don't think they'd like this show and I know the young people represented in the show certainly didn't reflect them in any way.
I've just watched it on iPlayer as I quite enjoyed the pilot. Liked this episode less and won't be going out of my way to watch any more. I did quite like Off The Hook which I stumbled across last week. Maybe that's because my eldest starts university next month so I've been immersed in it lately. I'm 43 so not its target demographiic.
Quote: sitcom critic @ September 16 2009, 6:31 AM BSTDo you mind me asking how old everyone is here? If you're not the target audience you're bound to hate it but some of you go to some extreme lengths to say how crap something is, are you that bored?
Whilst you are in straw clutching mode, do you want to accuse us of being anti-Semetic as well because the show is written by David Issacs?
What surprised me about the show was that it wasn't filmed in front of a studio audience. It would have worked much better.
Quote: Chris Forshaw @ September 16 2009, 1:59 AM BSTThey seem to be really pushing this one. I think it's been repeated on BBC Three every night since it was on!
They've got to get ratings somehow, haven't they?
Quote: sitcom critic @ September 16 2009, 6:31 AM BSTDo you mind me asking how old everyone is here? If you're not the target audience you're bound to hate it but some of you go to some extreme lengths to say how crap something is, are you that bored?
22. And it's still a load of stale shite.
I'm 24 and I don't mind it too much.
Quote: Aaron @ September 16 2009, 2:06 PM BSTThey've got to get ratings somehow, haven't they?
True but I can't remember any other new sitcom being repeated to the extent of this one.
And I'm 19 and didn't like it either. Plus I have friends of the same age who aren't into comedy in a big way and they didn't rate it either. And they LIKED Horne and Corden.
You're not wrong Chris, it's on again tonight. I think it must be some sort of government conspiracy to retard 16-24 year olds so they don't realise how unemployable they are at the moment.
Perhaps it requires repeated viewing for its target audience to fully comprehend the complicated plot?
I agree this isn't a great show, however, I do think there is a strong possibility that the writer was forced to write a show like this. It appears that all of the new sitcoms have to be aimed at a target audience and also has to be realistic with fairly basic recycled gags. If this is the sort of thing that gets commissioned then you can't blame him for writing it like this.
Sorry, but the idea that he was forced to write an unfunny show has genuinely tickled me. Many's the time I've had producers say to me, "Yes, but could you make the script less original and more formulaic please? And if possible take out anything that may make someone laugh?". It's a nice idea to think that the evil producers and commissioners force a writer to conform to their totalitarian vision - on pain of cancellation, but I have yet to hear of a substantiated case of this.
Quote: Ronnie Anderson @ September 16 2009, 11:54 PM BSTI agree this isn't a great show, however, I do think there is a strong possibility that the writer was forced to write a show like this. It appears that all of the new sitcoms have to be aimed at a target audience and also has to be realistic with fairly basic recycled gags. If this is the sort of thing that gets commissioned then you can't blame him for writing it like this.
Doy!
I could understand your point if he was writing Mr. Men books but I can't imagine a scenario where the producers would turn around and say 'This script of yours, it's really too clever and funny and the characters are too charming and likeable, could you make it more shit please?'
Perhaps I'm mis-judging modern 16-24 year olds, maybe they are retards. 
Quote: Renegade Carpark @ September 17 2009, 12:02 AM BST
I could understand your point if he was writing Mr. Men books but I can't imagine a scenario where the producers would turn around and say 'This script of yours, it's really too clever and funny and the characters are too charming and likeable, could you make it more shit please?'
I think in a way this did happen. Clearly they didn't wish for it to be shit. however there has to be a reason why this got commisioned when there are many clever writers out there who could have written a script better than this. Not just in this, but in loads of sitcoms, there seems to be a trend for really obvious jokes and a total lack of subtelty and I am sure part of the reason for this is the producers not wanting to risk making a comedy that some people won't get.
Quote: Aaron @ September 16 2009, 2:06 PM BST22. And it's still a load of stale shite.
Aaron you said you preferred Coming Of Age? You certainly have an eye for comedy. 
Ronnie is probably very close to the mark. No-one will have set out to make a crappy show, but there will have been numerous people making decisions and influencing the show. Most of these people will have limited comedic ability but a lot of power. So, if the producer thinks the Asian kid should be more gormless, he will become more gormless. The writer can argue his case, but in the end it won't matter. The BBC isn't really interested in the writer as much as creating a show that fits. There might be loads of brilliant gags that are deemed too clever, too edgy; too surreal etc etc and they will be ripped out and replaced by things that fit. If it all holds together as BBC Three type show that is far more important than actually taking any risks or being funny. The end result is something that is a pale shadow of the original concept. The funny bit is that all those involved will be totally stunned that it hasn't worked. They've spent months chipping in and adding their own nuggets of gold and genuinely believe they've improved a script when in fact they've destroyed it. This does happen across the board to some extent, but the BBC is the worst culprit. It's comedy by committee and until someone has the balls to stops it (and it won't be a writer because they have no power), there will be plenty more sitcoms like Lunch Monkeys.
without any comedic ability but a lot of power.
I don't know where the extra bit at the bottom came from. I must have been over excited.
