Quote: steve by any other name @ August 5 2010, 1:39 PM BSTI agree with Lee that, towards the end, the tone seemed to slip towards a baser level. The electrified cage didn't work for me. I think it was enough to have him humiliated by being in it
I didn't think it was slipping into a "baser level", more a slight deviation in tone. Don't get me wrong, it didn't spoil the show for me, it was just...surprising. 
Quote: Lee Henman @ August 5 2010, 1:57 PM BSTI didn't think it was slipping into a "baser level", more a slight deviation in tone. Don't get me wrong, it didn't spoil the show for me, it was just...surprising.
Why do you hate John's sitcom, Lee?
Neil Morrissey has very silvery hair these days. I'll watch this properly at some point, just glanced at the first few minutes. Silly point, yes, I know, shut up, but the 'Fffwwwhhhha!' sound that rang out every time a location title appeared on screen was annoying. That's rather a pathetic thing to highlight, isn't it? Anyway, I'll give it a good watch later, and well done to a BCG-er (Even if he's not really as he never posts anymore!!) for getting his script made!
Quote: David Bussell @ August 5 2010, 1:59 PM BSTWhy do you hate John's sitcom, Lee?
He probably read Lee's post and is now crying out of his eyes.
John is away, so is missing all the excitement.
It's useful to know what aspects people don't like,in terms of bringing the vision into focus.
Quote: Micheal Jacob @ August 5 2010, 2:29 PM BSTin terms of bringing the vision into focus.
Have they been sending you off on management courses again Micheal?
Gently amused, only recall laughing out loud twice, first was the reveal of the uncle photo and I can't recall the other
the two community support officers who genuinely appeared to be enjoying themselves raised a few smiles
Agree re: the tone change. The electrified cage did nothing for me, just seemed so unbelievable and over stretched, farcical almost, when compared to the rest of the show
Still enjoyed and would be keen to watch more if given the green light
It would be nice to know if the pilot fulfilled John Warburton vision? Does it look/sound/tick over how he expected it to
Quote: Lee Henman @ August 5 2010, 1:57 PM BSTI didn't think it was slipping into a "baser level", more a slight deviation in tone. Don't get me wrong, it didn't spoil the show for me, it was just...surprising.
Ah well, there you are then. Actually, on reflection, you're probably right Lee. There was a naked arse right at the start and another near naked one in the cage. The wee bag shocked me a bit but funny when he said it was just because it saved him having to go to the loo. I mean... you know what I mean...
Back to the show...
I was a bit confused between Blue and the other girl with the Liverpudlian accent as they looked and sounded quite similar.
Quote: steve by any other name @ August 5 2010, 2:50 PM BSTThe wee bag shocked me a bit but funny when he said it was just because it saved him having to go to the loo.
that was the other 'lol' moment 
It was a colostomy bag originally. Wee felt more tasteful, as it were.
There was a single naked arse in the script, which was the one we didn't show in the end, since the show seemed a bit arse heavy.
Micheal, did John have much of a say/input in how the end result would look/sound/feel?
It's just that when I look at the pilots of potential new sitcoms I often wonder how much influence the writer has once he/she has actually finished writing.
John met the producer, me and my fellow exec as soon as we knew we had a commission to talk about every aspect of the show. He was involved in discussions about style with the director, and attended casting sessions. He was naturally at the cast readthrough before we began filming, and was on set every day. He also attended the edit. So, as it should be, the writer was involved and contributing throughout.
In the nature of things, though, there are voices involved other than the writer's, and there are essential elements to do with cost and practicality which a writer has to take into account, so it can never be quite the pure vision.
I think John would say he learned a lot from the experience, which I'm sure will feed into future work.
Cheers Micheal, appreciated 
Really enjoyed that. Plenty of laughs throughout. I agree that the electric cage thing didn't gel so well with the tone of the rest of the episode, but not so much that it ruined it for me.
It gets my vote for a full series
'Arse-heavy' - lol! I'm picturing meetings with top BBC bigwigs discussing the arse-content of the show. 'Good news - we can keep an arse, but we need to change the poo to wee.'
I agree the previous commenters about the change in tone at the end. I think it could do well as a series, there were some really nice jokes. Have to say I preferred the subtler ones to the sillier over-the-top ones. Really liked the way Joe Tracini tried to put his hand on Neil Morrisey's and said 'We're really learning a lot about each other aren't we?' and Morrissey's disgust.
Oh Bussell, Bussell, Bussell.