Is semi-improvised a good thing?

Related to the Outnumbered sitcom which is semi-improvised. I personally see writing the dialogue as part of the writing craft and the Office and Royal Family as a perfect example of writing real dialogue and Alan Partridge to some degree too.

I can see why Spinal Tap did it so well as it was supposed to be a documentary, but surely in a sitcom it is better to speak weeks thinking up of funny lines rather than letting someone come up with them on the spot.

I think the BBC have been quite clever in the fact that they really have pointed out that its semi-improv: the newsletter, tv listings and before the show started all mention it. I think it lowers the expectation a little so that when a joke is made you think its better than it maybe.

Anyway, just my thoughts, I'm open to others.

The Partridge DVD has some improvised stuff on it. From S1 - the seatbelt/airbag discussion with Lynn.

And it's written with Coogan as Partridge improvising in a room with Baynham and Iannucci - so that it's improvised, in a way I guess.

Of course Curb is improvised, or semi anyway, and seeing Larry make Richard Lewis laugh is gives it a real edge and makes it funnier.

It takes a skilled performer to improv though, doesn't it.

Whether it's scrtipt or improv or semi-improv, is it funny? That's all that counts I think.

I'm with The Rage on this one

Quote: Frankie Rage @ August 31, 2007, 1:51 PM

Whether it's scrtipt or improv or semi-improv, is it funny? That's all that counts I think.

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I agree, and that's why I don't like Outnumbered.

It really depends. In a lot of cases, in the sitcom, TV and film industry, the "star" would sometimes insist of changing the lines and/or improvising, because they are the actor so they know what should be said. As arrogant as that sounds, sometimes it is believed a comedian who performs is more talented than a comedian who only writes. Then you have sitcoms based around the "star", such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, where the writer isn't really qualified to write the "star"'s lines, so improv is necessary. Also, from the view of the production company, why spend more money on your writers when your actors can improvise some perfectly watchable scenes? Semi-improvised though is half way inbetween, you still have the writing craft, but you get the benefit of some improv, which gives the show a much more real feel.