British comedy - thoughts etc... - Page 3

Foxbark · December 22nd, 2009, 09:08 AM

Speaking of Leonard Rossiter, I don't konw if 'Rising Damp' was ever exported but Leonard Rossiter's portrayal of 'Rigsby' - the devious, shrewd and unpleasant slum landlord together with the excellent supporting roles of Richard Beckinsale, Don Warrington and Frances De la Tour has to rank as one of the high points of British TV comedy.
Also notable was the BBC classic 'The Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin' - a very odd but hilarious series that charted the descent into insanity of a middle-aged, middle-class 'respectable' office-bod from Surbiton, in the form of a 'rake's progress'.If you've never seen it it is a most excellent series.

**tabler** · December 22nd, 2009, 09:17 AM

'Reggie Perrin' was (for me) one of the most brilliantly written, well acted and before its time TV shows we have ever produced in the UK.

I could not bring myself to watch the remake with Martin Clunes,.."I didnt get where I am today by watching namby pamby remakes"!

**Clouddancer** · December 22nd, 2009, 09:24 AM

For sheer all round talent Victoria Wood has to be up there on the all time list of genuinely funny writing.

Foxbark · December 22nd, 2009, 03:01 PM

Not generally well received by the critics was Frankie Howard's excellent 'Up Pompeii' series and the film spin-offs 'Up Pompeii' (the movie), 'Up the Front' and 'Up the Chastity Belt' - I have no idea if the series was ever exported.
Also worth noting was the bawdy, regency style Tom Joneseque romp 'Lock Up Your Daughters' featuring Arthur Mullard as the town crier.

firekind · December 22nd, 2009, 03:57 PM

dark place is a brilliant but short lived channel 4 show. alot of people will not get it but hey most people piss themselves over crap like simpsons and friends. matt berry is hilarious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNfQ0ORwSDM

**Staffsyeoman** · December 22nd, 2009, 04:03 PM

Although it has been repeated to the death, I still like "The Good Life" as that was one heck of an assemblage of talent. And remembering the episode where the Leadbetter's Christmas was cancelled because it all came in van.. seein the UK news today where the home delivery services are saying they can't get to people due to snow made me think back..

Dad's Army will always be welcome, though I wish they'd vary the episodes they repeat a little more - it's so brilliantly timeless.

The sitcom was dying out - especially on ITV - then the laughter free zone that is 'My Family' turned up... One Christmas special - where they were all trapped on the tube - we were all gathered round, well fed and watered, and none of us even smirked at it.

December 22nd, 2009, 04:10 PM

Citizen Smith, still watchable

**Oswald** · December 22nd, 2009, 06:12 PM

A mention must be given to Steve Coogan. A vast array of humourous characters; notably Alan 'Ah-ha' Partridge, also Paul (students!, a shower of sh*te) Calf and Pauline Calf, Tommy Saxondale and the highly underrated Tony Ferrino.

**tamsmith** · December 22nd, 2009, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvasilj

Never really been a huge fan of British TV,
But these are ones I loved

Mind your language

Love thy Neighbour

On The Buses

and of course

The Benny Hill Show

Other than those, never really enjoyed many, don't know why apart from just not my cup of tea.

I agree with your choice. All the ones that would never be made now in PC Britain.

Foxbark · December 22nd, 2009, 08:32 PM

Has the 'On The Buses' movie ever been broadcast in the USA or Canada?
-I would just love to gauge Americans' response to this quintessential slice of British comedy - it's so radically different from anything America would ever produce.
Years ago I remember one American resident living in London appearing on a 'vox-pop' TV show to denounce the 'On the Buses' movie in the strongest possible terms.You see, he happened to see it on TV a few days before "This is the most unbelievably SICK film I've seen in my life", he ranted, "It was sexist, it was horrible, it was disgusting, it was evil etc etc.....".
Actually I've always thought of the film as one of the most hilarious things I've ever seen on TV.It was the one with the butch women drivers ('Blakey's babes') and Stan's and Jack's attempts to get rid of them with spiders in the cabs etc.

December 22nd, 2009, 09:17 AM	#22
tabler Comfortably Numb Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: St James Park Posts: 7,028 Thanks: 112,501 Thanked 146,054 Times in 8,009 Posts	'Reggie Perrin' was (for me) one of the most brilliantly written, well acted and before its time TV shows we have ever produced in the UK. I could not bring myself to watch the remake with Martin Clunes,.."I didnt get where I am today by watching namby pamby remakes"! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *Velcome to zee Forum. You must obey zee rules!*

December 22nd, 2009, 09:24 AM	#23
Clouddancer Vintage Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Spain - Costa Blanca Posts: 811 Thanks: 10,238 Thanked 11,623 Times in 809 Posts	Victoria Wood For sheer all round talent Victoria Wood has to be up there on the all time list of genuinely funny writing. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. [Follow your inclinations with due regard to the policeman round the corner.

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December 22nd, 2009, 09:08 AM	#21
Foxbark Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 275 Thanks: 372 Thanked 2,021 Times in 259 Posts	Speaking of Leonard Rossiter, I don't konw if 'Rising Damp' was ever exported but Leonard Rossiter's portrayal of 'Rigsby' - the devious, shrewd and unpleasant slum landlord together with the excellent supporting roles of Richard Beckinsale, Don Warrington and Frances De la Tour has to rank as one of the high points of British TV comedy. Also notable was the BBC classic 'The Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin' - a very odd but hilarious series that charted the descent into insanity of a middle-aged, middle-class 'respectable' office-bod from Surbiton, in the form of a 'rake's progress'.If you've never seen it it is a most excellent series.

December 22nd, 2009, 03:01 PM	#24
Foxbark Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 275 Thanks: 372 Thanked 2,021 Times in 259 Posts	Not generally well received by the critics was Frankie Howard's excellent 'Up Pompeii' series and the film spin-offs 'Up Pompeii' (the movie), 'Up the Front' and 'Up the Chastity Belt' - I have no idea if the series was ever exported. Also worth noting was the bawdy, regency style Tom Joneseque romp 'Lock Up Your Daughters' featuring Arthur Mullard as the town crier.

December 22nd, 2009, 03:57 PM	#25
firekind Blocked! Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 21 Thanks: 23 Thanked 79 Times in 13 Posts	dark place is a brilliant but short lived channel 4 show. alot of people will not get it but hey most people piss themselves over crap like simpsons and friends. matt berry is hilarious. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNfQ0ORwSDM

December 22nd, 2009, 04:03 PM	#26
Staffsyeoman Vintage Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,268 Thanks: 34,170 Thanked 26,750 Times in 2,159 Posts	Although it has been repeated to the death, I still like "The Good Life" as that was one heck of an assemblage of talent. And remembering the episode where the Leadbetter's Christmas was cancelled because it all came in van.. seein the UK news today where the home delivery services are saying they can't get to people due to snow made me think back.. Dad's Army will always be welcome, though I wish they'd vary the episodes they repeat a little more - it's so brilliantly timeless. The sitcom was dying out - especially on ITV - then the laughter free zone that is 'My Family' turned up... One Christmas special - where they were all trapped on the tube - we were all gathered round, well fed and watered, and none of us even smirked at it.

December 22nd, 2009, 04:10 PM	#27
Inglorious Guest Posts: n/a	Citizen Smith, still watchable

December 22nd, 2009, 06:12 PM	#28
Oswald Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 13,112 Thanks: 51,073 Thanked 282,461 Times in 13,802 Posts	A mention must be given to Steve Coogan. A vast array of humourous characters; notably Alan 'Ah-ha' Partridge, also Paul (students!, a shower of sh*te) Calf and Pauline Calf, Tommy Saxondale and the highly underrated Tony Ferrino.

December 22nd, 2009, 08:32 PM	#30
Foxbark Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 275 Thanks: 372 Thanked 2,021 Times in 259 Posts	Has the 'On The Buses' movie ever been broadcast in the USA or Canada? -I would just love to gauge Americans' response to this quintessential slice of British comedy - it's so radically different from anything America would ever produce. Years ago I remember one American resident living in London appearing on a 'vox-pop' TV show to denounce the 'On the Buses' movie in the strongest possible terms.You see, he happened to see it on TV a few days before "This is the most unbelievably SICK film I've seen in my life", he ranted, "It was sexist, it was horrible, it was disgusting, it was evil etc etc.....". Actually I've always thought of the film as one of the most hilarious things I've ever seen on TV.It was the one with the butch women drivers ('Blakey's babes') and Stan's and Jack's attempts to get rid of them with spiders in the cabs etc.