It could almost fill the void that Last of the Summer Wine will be leaving.
The Great Outdoors Page 5
Thought tonight's was good. But where is it going?
As Griff says 6 episodes?
Maybe best to leave it there.
I'll catch it on iPlayer. I could easily watch more if they made them.
Wasted opportunity, all-round. There were moments of inspiration - not quite greatness, but certainly funny - but so much felt unnecessarily slow and tedious. Even within the confines inherent to the setting and subject matter, it could have been much funnier.
Ultimately, it did manage to keep me watching for all 90 minutes, but I didn't come away feeling satisfied or in any way amused. Just did nothing for me.
So is that it then? Someone said there were only 3 episodes.
Yes.
I've written a letter to Radio Times praising the series:
In an era when quality comedy is difficult to come by, I was delighted to find The Great Outdoors. A heart-warming, laugh-out-loud comedy about a rambler's society, it is packed full of memorable, distinctive characters - particularly Bob Stevens, the group's leader, a tragic-comedy figure and a human pressure cooker, dissatisfied with where he's got in life and can only find his solace with the walking club. Played by the splendid Mark Heap, channelling by turns Leonard Rossiter with his mumbled disparagement and a more humane and hopeful Basil Fawlty, Heap's portrayal of a king desperately clinging to his castle in the face of the interfering interloper and over-organised Christine is expertly restrained. Sorrowful, exasperated, oppressed, yet tenacious, hopeful and a defender of common values, Bob has a dimensionality few sitcom characters possess.
Fortunately, he is complemented and not underserved by a keenly delineated ensemble of characters and a script which gives every actor plenty of time to shine. Not as overbearingly wistful as Last of the Summer Wine - spiked as it is with 21st Century cynicism - The Great Outdoors makes for a very involving watch and an excellent showcase for the English countryside. What a shame it was only a three-part series. Hopefully, the BBC will give it a longer run if it returns to our screens - and I really hope it does.
Nice one.
Anyone know which part of the coast that was? It looked nice.
It's the Jurassic Coastline down in West Dorset, there was a bit of East Devon in there too!
Sorry, any place names? Thanks.
Quote: Dave @ August 12 2010, 6:59 PM BSTI've written a letter to Radio Times praising the series:
In an era when quality comedy is difficult to come by, I was delighted to find The Great Outdoors. A heart-warming, laugh-out-loud comedy about a rambler's society, it is packed full of memorable, distinctive characters - particularly Bob Stevens, the group's leader, a tragic-comedy figure and a human pressure cooker, dissatisfied with where he's got in life and can only find his solace with the walking club. Played by the splendid Mark Heap, channelling by turns Leonard Rossiter with his mumbled disparagement and a more humane and hopeful Basil Fawlty, Heap's portrayal of a king desperately clinging to his castle in the face of the interfering interloper and over-organised Christine is expertly restrained. Sorrowful, exasperated, oppressed, yet tenacious, hopeful and a defender of common values, Bob has a dimensionality few sitcom characters possess.
Fortunately, he is complemented and not underserved by a keenly delineated ensemble of characters and a script which gives every actor plenty of time to shine. Not as overbearingly wistful as Last of the Summer Wine - spiked as it is with 21st Century cynicism - The Great Outdoors makes for a very involving watch and an excellent showcase for the English countryside. What a shame it was only a three-part series. Hopefully, the BBC will give it a longer run if it returns to our screens - and I really hope it does.
Are you hoping they'll give you a job?
Must say, I think the 3 episode series is quite a good idea. Especially for shows that don't quite work and need work.
Quote: Nil Putters @ August 13 2010, 2:59 PM BSTSorry, any place names? Thanks.
Seaton, Seatown, Burton Bradstock, Golden Cap, Lyme Regis. Those were a few of places I recognised. It was all along that stretch though.
I think Ruth Jones must have earnt her money that week. It was pretty hot to be running up hills in a coat with a rucksack!
Quote: Tom G @ August 14 2010, 10:08 AM BSTGolden Cap, Lyme Regis.
Thanks, I thought I recognised it but couldn't think of the names. 