She's certainly had her great moments. Ab Fab when it came out was a breath of fresh air. Early French and Saunders were great. And a lot of her Comic Strip stuff fun.
But as an impartial viewer, it's hard to think of anything she's done in the last ten to fifteen years that has any great merit. And that's not something she needs be ashamed of. A lot of artists have their periods of greatness and then slide back towards mediocrity.
I do think she's one of the more important and talented comedians of the last 50 years.
But not everything she's done has been perfect, or to my tastes.
I reeeeeeally love a lot of her work, though.
I wonder why some people have such a problem with Jennifer Suanders fans expressing their admiration of her work. Is her style of comedy wrong? It seems that some people have a rule about what comedy ought to be like and those with a different sense of humour are incorrect.
I think that in the last few years she has moved away from writing what could traditionally be classed as comedy towards more dramatic material with an ironic, wry comic overtone - but the writing is still good.
I'm happy to say I like her progressive style of humour - comedy can't be the same forever, surely.
Quote: ToddB @ February 18 2011, 3:33 PM GMTI wonder why some people have such a problem with Jennifer Suanders fans expressing their admiration of her work. Is her style of comedy wrong? It seems that some people have a rule about what comedy ought to be like and those with a different sense of humour are incorrect.
I'm happy to say I like her progressive style of humour - comedy can't be the same forever, surely.
I have no problem with people liking her, but I think even she would admit that creatively her greatest days are behind her.
I agree that "Absolutely Fabulous" is her career best, but I think that she is moving in a different direction that has produced very interesting work and will continue to do so.
I look forward to the anticipated return of "Absolutely Fabulous" - whenever the show returns it gives a running commentary on the nature of media, entertainment, celebrity, fashion and consumerism at the time, always managing to be relevant because of its universal themes. The characters also grow a bit each time.
Quote: ToddB @ February 18 2011, 3:33 PM GMTI wonder why some people have such a problem with Jennifer Suanders fans expressing their admiration of her work. Is her style of comedy wrong? It seems that some people have a rule about what comedy ought to be like and those with a different sense of humour are incorrect.
I think that in the last few years she has moved away from writing what could traditionally be classed as comedy towards more dramatic material with an ironic, wry comic overtone - but the writing is still good.I'm happy to say I like her progressive style of humour - comedy can't be the same forever, surely.
The trouble is her fans try so hard to justify her. Why can't they just accept that some people don't like her stuff rather than take it all personally?
I accept that she's not for everyone - I just like analysing her work and discussing why fans like her. I would be interested in a conversation with someone who was not keen on her who discussed and analysed how and why some people don't like her work, The difference between comedies and why they appeal to different groups would make for an interesting discussion, but I don't see why people just turn up on boards about her and her shows just to tell her fans that she's not funny and her shows are bad just because they don't like them.
I don't like "Dad's Army", "Steptoe and Son" and their ilk, but I certainly wouldn't just go to their threads just to tell their fans that they aren't funny and are bad shows, and certainly not without some analysis as to why.
Please, I don't take this personally, I just like a good debate with fellow comedy fans and writers.