Quote: Oldrocker @ September 19 2009, 12:34 AM BSTTwats.
Quote: Tim Walker @ September 19 2009, 12:46 AM BSTFair enough.
Hancock or Steptoe? Page 2
Quote: Steve Sunshine @ September 18 2009, 11:59 PM BSTWas the Harold Steptoe character originally written with Tony Hancock in mind?
No - it came out Comedy Playhouse, the series of half hour plays written by Galton & Simpson when the Beeb asked them what they wanted to do after they were ditched by Hancock. (Writers had respect back in those days.) G&S were tired of working with comedians and wanted to work with real actors - Harry H. Corbett, who being tipped as a sort of English Brando, was always their first choice.
I prefer Hancock, it is more joyous.
Hancock was groundbreaking but Steptoe and Son was the first sitcom, from what I know, to have any depth to it. Hancock was funnier but Steptoe and Son was able to be poignant as well as funny as a piece of writing it was far seperior.
This has sort of been mentioned but in a way the character of Harold was more or less the Hancock character, if he'd come from a poorer background.
Quote: Steve Sunshine @ September 18 2009, 11:59 PM BSTWas the Harold Steptoe character originally written with Tony Hancock in mind?
Nope. Galton & Simpson were given the Comedy Playhouse pretty much off the back of Tony's split from them.
Quote: Timbo @ September 19 2009, 8:32 AM BSTG&S were tired of working with comedians and wanted to work with real actors
It wasn't so much tiring of comedians as playing around with different ideas, and of not wanting the baggage of the comedian's individual reputations and comic personas, as I understand it.
Good question, poster, but a tough one to answer, that. After a fair bit of thought, I'd have to go along though with the majority of others here, that (for me as well) S&S has the sitcom narrative thing bagged up. I see it as a really good progression in the writers' craft from flat one hander Hancock, a monologue, basically, with little interjections from other characters, inc. his foil, James, to a really competent narrative based sitcom. They were good those two weren't they, G&S, they really gave a depth to their characters, rarely since seen. Both are masterpieces, for pure writing quality, it has to be Hancock, but for all round sitcomedy depth and giving the viewer something to follow and share in then I'd say Steptoe takes it quite easily. I think it's actually a major player in the shaping of British sitcoms, I think there's more form you could learn from S&S than most other Britcoms, IMO. I always loved the way they would end in a big payoff, usually with Harold chasing Albert around the room. Ahh, trad sitcom heaven. <3
Steptoe for me as it was like my childhood except with more rubbish round the house. At least that's what I tell my nephews.
Steptoe
Hancock's Half-Hour because of the sheer gullibility (sp.?) of his character and the way he bounced off Sid James. Surreal in parts but wonderfully uplifting as opposed to the kitchen-sink drama style of Steptoe.
Quote: John M @ September 18 2009, 5:51 PM BSTTwo popular series, both written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, but for me it's Steptoe that is the best of the two.
Anyone have a different opinion?
Sorry Tim, here I go again ! 
Y'see, the problem with these 'Which/Who was best' posts is that it's entirely subjective.
The fault is in the original post (sorry to single this one out, but as management speak would have it, we are where we are) and it's the word 'best'.
To me it should be 'which do you prefer' in that way chums can give an opinion based on what they feel about programmes.
On current form Usain Bolt is the 'best'. I may prefer some other (can't think of one, don't like sport either!).
>_<
Both sitcoms are of a top class, not only in quality, but in the impact both had to the genre of sitcom. Hancock was the first real sitcom and Steptoe was the first sitcom that brought pathos into sitcom. I'd say I prefer Steptoe & Son, but both great shows and both the best things on the wonderful CVs of Messrs Galton & Simpson.
Steptoe.
I do prefer steptoe but I am sliglty confused as to how it wasn't anywhere near as funny as Hancock. I have just seen an amazing bit from Hancock where he writes on his pools coupon that he doesn't want his name and address published when he wins.
I've only ever seen Steptoe and I really liked it. I should take the time to see Hancock.
P.S. I also really liked 'Sanford and Son' even though it wasn't written by Galton and Simpson. 