I just had to look up "ecumenical".
Thick c**t that I am.
Graham Linehan interview... Page 2
Not Linehan's biggest fan as a writer. He's done well with his comedy but I think he knows his limitations.
I do think he's spot on in his interviews about finding a way to be funny without resorting to bad language, but he does tend to beat the same drum every year with it.
I like Linehan a lot, and he makes some good points, especially about the essential crapness of BBC3, but I always get the impression that he thinks if you don't make comedy shows exactly like him then you're not doing it right.
Plus, we live in a highly charmless society, in which the barbarians are everywhere, so isn't it apt that the comedy made for it is pretty crass?
Pulling is the best new comedy I've seen in a long while. I think it's good he avoids easy rude humour, but he doesn't need to slag off shows that embrace it. Anything can be good as long as it's done well.
Quote: Perry Nium @ July 10 2008, 1:42 AM BSTI just had to look up "ecumenical".
Thick c**t that I am.
Well you're one up on me then mate. I looked it up and still don't really understand it!
Linehan update:
"I don’t want to have it said I’m complaining about shows that I actually love, so I want to be clear: ‘Pulling’ is great, ‘Gavin and Stacy’ is great, and (on Channel 4) ‘Peep Show’ is great. The latter, especially, is one of the shows that other writers have to watch in order to raise their game. I don’t have it in for shows that tackle ‘adult’ themes. I have it in for shows that tackle adult themes when the writers actually have little or nothing to say about them (or when what they do have to say is a disgusting lie).
I do, however, have a problem with BBC3. I’ve had a problem with BBC3 ever since I was in their office and saw a poster that described the ideal BBC3 viewer. I can’t remember the full shameful list of demographic-chasing bullet points, but the one that stood out for me was “She smokes Marlboro Lights” (seriously).
Since then, most of the material that I call funography has originated from BBC3. Programs like ‘My Penis and Everyone Else’s’ (pictured) and titles like ‘Pram Face Mansion’ made me suspect that it was actually morons who were being courted, not young girls with a cough, and while there are a lot of comedy shows that use the freedom the channel provides to good effect, there are as many if not more that have entirely the wrong tone because the creative teams behind them are being encouraged to appeal to that demographic.
A few of my favourite shows have been, or are in the process of being, ruined by this way of thinking. And it’s not an ethos that is unique to BBC3…the relentless push for outrage and cheap, nasty, easy laughs seems to be endemic. I swear, if I hear the words “This program contains strong language from the start” one more time…"
Quote: ian_w @ July 10 2008, 7:12 PM BSTWell you're one up on me then mate. I looked it up and still don't really understand it!
Yes, which was exactly the reason for Fr Jack being primed in the episode 'Tentacles of Doom' to repeat it - it means anything to anyone in the Christian church.
Quote: David H @ July 10 2008, 10:57 AM BSTNot Linehan's biggest fan as a writer. He's done well with his comedy but I think he knows his limitations.
I do think he's spot on in his interviews about finding a way to be funny without resorting to bad language, but he does tend to beat the same drum every year with it.
Looks like he agrees with you.
http://whythatsdelightful.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/i-manage-to-bore-myself/
I think Graham Lineham's comments simply illustrate just how much he really loves comedy; that he cares when lowest common denominator "humour" becomes such a prevailing force.
Quote: Perry Nium @ July 10 2008, 7:52 PM BSTLinehan update:
"I don't want to have it said I'm complaining about shows that I actually love, so I want to be clear: ‘Pulling' is great, ‘Gavin and Stacy' is great, and (on Channel 4) ‘Peep Show' is great. The latter, especially, is one of the shows that other writers have to watch in order to raise their game. I don't have it in for shows that tackle ‘adult' themes. I have it in for shows that tackle adult themes when the writers actually have little or nothing to say about them (or when what they do have to say is a disgusting lie).
I do, however, have a problem with BBC3. I've had a problem with BBC3 ever since I was in their office and saw a poster that described the ideal BBC3 viewer. I can't remember the full shameful list of demographic-chasing bullet points, but the one that stood out for me was "She smokes Marlboro Lights" (seriously).
Since then, most of the material that I call funography has originated from BBC3. Programs like ‘My Penis and Everyone Else's' (pictured) and titles like ‘Pram Face Mansion' made me suspect that it was actually morons who were being courted, not young girls with a cough, and while there are a lot of comedy shows that use the freedom the channel provides to good effect, there are as many if not more that have entirely the wrong tone because the creative teams behind them are being encouraged to appeal to that demographic.
A few of my favourite shows have been, or are in the process of being, ruined by this way of thinking. And it's not an ethos that is unique to BBC3…the relentless push for outrage and cheap, nasty, easy laughs seems to be endemic. I swear, if I hear the words "This program contains strong language from the start" one more time…"
Is there any way we could find out what the other "demographic-chasing bullet points" on the poster in the office were? I'd love to hear them.
You know what, I've just started to realise something... we're all too middle class on this message board. Well, I am anyway. Graham Linehan is too. Yes, BBC3 is a bit of a shit channel (Pulling excluded which is just too brilliant), but that's only because the shows on BBC Three aren't aimed at us. 'Terrible' shows like The Wall actually are no doubt quite popular with the demographics they're aimed at.
It's a bit like Radio 3 - I've got no intention of ever listening to it, but it has to exist because the BBC need to ensure they're providing something for everyone (as stipulated by the licence fee). So whilst we might not enjoy the comedy on BBC3, its important it does exist as people out there (my inner snob adds: 'in council estates') are no doubt laughing at these comedies?!? (how else do you explain so many series of Tittybangbang?)
So what I'm getting at is, we can't complain about BBC Three as it is actually starting to do its job now by excluding us middle class moaners!
Still, un-characteristic rant over, it doesn't half air some shit some days doesn't it! ha ha.
Unlike you Mark! "We" on this messageboard aren't anything. We're everything. There is no "we" that collectively describes us. Different tastes, politics, attitudes, etc.
(I know, I think I must have drunk someting - probably been drugged by the BBC publicity department)
We'll, actually there is a "we" that collectively describes us - we're all die-hard comedy fans who appreciate good comedy (which is the opposite of BBC Three viewers, *snigger* *snigger*, I'm so witty). In all seriousness though, I joke, but I think my point still stands.
It's like Radio 1 - I think its a bit shit now and I'm finding myself tuning into Radio 2 more. But of course Radio 1 isn't shit - I've just (depressingly) moved out of the age range it is aimed at so its (quite rightly) no longer aiming to appeal to me.
But people can only like the Wall if they don't know any better.
And Dave Chapman was never in anyone's age range. 