Quote: Aaron @ May 7 2011, 7:58 PM BSTWell, you say you understand some of the criticism of it, but then how exactly do they "do so well" with the material?
Because they are very good at impressions and this is what their fans love to see. It IS a huge indulgence, if you can bare that fact then just try to enjoy their ultra competitive head to head of impersonations, even if there is little more to it than this. It's a flimsy excuse for a 'sitcom' but I feel they've done very well with it. So do tens of thousands of others, it seems.
And I feel you've ignored the writing somewhat, Aaron, if I may. It is very good, it's sharp and sends up both those they are impersonating and themselves.
The material may be repetitive, indulgent, yes, but it is also very good quality and judging from the general response, it's hit the mark with a lot of people. It has faults but then most sitcoms do.
Quote: Aaron @ May 7 2011, 7:58 PM BSTAnd yes, as chipolata points out, your statement is factually inaccurate.
One part of it yes, due to the fact I didn't have my anorak on while writing it and couldn't be bothered to research it. Lead Balloon was on BBC Two by the time I grimmaced at it and I just assumed, wrongly, that this is where it started.