Quote: zooo @ May 28, 2007, 8:01 PMAnd I'm always hearing people do the "Thanks ants, thants" from Look Around You. Ony they put their own words in that too.
I've spent many a happy hour doing that "Thants" thing with names of people myself and my wife know.
Catchphrases mostly suck. The worse thing is when they're repeatedly used over and over down the pub.
Joey's "How 'u doin?" was a good catchphrase though. It suited the character to have a chat-up line plus it was only ever used a few times, and each time cleverly... e.g. to find out if Rachel was drunk.
A great deal of comedy characters do have catchphrases of sorts. It's all a question of over-use and also reliance on it as the punchline.
I got bored silly with Little Britain and Catherine Tate because the majority of the sketches just lead up to exactly the same joke (even if it was a variation on a theme).
Catchphrases aren't bad in themselves. It's just the poor execution of some which can irritate.
Quote: Dave @ May 28, 2007, 9:37 PMIsn't "I am an Alien," from 3rd Rock from the Sun.
It was in a Fast Show sketch about some really "fun guy" in an office who everyone finds annoying - a bit like me!
Malcolm the Office clown, I think?
I do think Catch Phrases have something to add. They do sum up some people.
For instance Victor Meldrew's "I don't believe it" in itself doesn't mean much but just says so much more - ie. Why does it always happen to me? (is that a contradiction?)
But it's just everyday language which becomes synonymous with certain characters.
"Stupid boy Pike" for instance. It probably didn't occur that many times - correct me if I'm wrong - but was just so memorable because he was.
Get a good original character and I think the catch phrase will develop in time. When writing I don't think it's a good idea to actually try to make one up.
Depends on how it's used.
Catchphrases capture a specific piece, a mood. So youhave to build to them. Meldrew you knew at some point he would say that, but often he didn't. Corporal Jones. Mr Humphries. Manuel.
The thing is it has to fit, and if you over use it you sacrifice the three dimensional character you create.
The Fast Show was the ultimate catchphrase show, because the characters either reacted or climaxed (in the best sense) to their phrase.
The old adage of situation/character holds still, but especially so if you are working in character. Look around you, there are catchphrases all around. You just have to pick up on them.
And forget things like 'Am I Bovvered?'. Although amusing, it does wear thin after a while. Where as Fast Show used the catchphrases as part of teh scene.
I am huddled in a corner. Scared out of my skin. Thats some evil aviator Treenifer has there. I think I have weed my panties.
Do you want to snif?
Is that your catch phrase Charley?
YeY! Good one eh!
Do you think it will catch on?
I think it will run and run.
Quote: charley rance @ May 29, 2007, 1:16 AMI am huddled in a corner. Scared out of my skin. Thats some evil aviator Treenifer has there. I think I have weed my panties.
Do you want to snif?
Oh my goodness!
Quote: charley rance @ May 29, 2007, 1:16 AMI am huddled in a corner. Scared out of my skin. Thats some evil aviator Treenifer has there. I think I have weed my panties.
Do you want to snif?
SPG is scary. :K
Sorry guys. I veered away from the (drunk) section I think. I forgot all about my wet niknaks. Infact I think I still have them on.
Hold on.
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Oh dear. I am to embarrassed to say. 
Quote: zooo @ May 28, 2007, 8:01 PMI hear Numberwang quite often actually. Only people put their own words before the wang part.
And I'm always hearing people do the "Thanks ants, thants" from Look Around You. Ony they put their own words in that too.
Yeah, but that's just due to the people you hang around with. Mainly Cheryl. If we're honest. 
And catchphrases. Touchy subject. Again, for me, if something's funny then it's funny. If it's got a catchphrase in it, then I guess that makes that catchphrase funny, and good, even if only for that particular scene/sketch.