Mega Thread The Random Thoughts Thread Part 3: Try Hard with a Kengeance

[Eddie Dingle]

Speaking of shit tv what about the show about the two fatties mike and ......? On 9 I think I only ever saw the ads and it made me want to launch an attack on the US and kill everyone ever involved in tv.

 

[NoddyHolder]

Old comedy. I still love really old Steptoe and Son, Porridge, Open all Hours. Not necessarily side splitting stuff anymore but there was a quality to the writing, the characters, the pathos, I think still stands up. The Royle Family is another that I haven't actually seen for years but would watch again in a second - great writing.

all working class pommy stuff. If the characters are good enough shows can be timeless even when the humour doesn't resonate so much

I'm a Seinfeld fan. Still reckon The Office is great - but nothing else from Ricky Gervais. Watched Life of Brian when it was on sbs a couple of weeks ago - still a masterpiece - the python tv stuff probably hasn't been funny since the 70s though.

 

[manureid]

Spike Milligans world war 2 books still some of the funniest things I have read.

 

[finbarr]

Spike Milligans world war 2 books still some of the funniest things I have read.

Spike Milligan's book of limericks ftw.

 

[chiwigi]

Speaking of kitchen sink stuff.
The first two series of This is England are on Stan now (as is the film), quality drama! Being British you don't have to watch 10 episodes with all that middle filler you get from America.

 

[ScooterBrother]

TIL I have a very different sense of humour to the people on BigFooty. Puerile British comedy is pretty much the worst.

But to be fair I do struggle a fair bit with scripted TV show comedies in general. There are very few that I find genuinely funny. The Office, Parks and Rec, The aforementioned Louie, The Simpsons are ones that have elicited a chuckle. I found Jon Stewart hilarious on The Daily Show too.

Good quality stand up is where its at ...

 

[chiwigi]

TIL I have a very different sense of humour to the people on BigFooty. Puerile British comedy is pretty much the worst.

But to be fair I do struggle a fair bit with scripted TV show comedies in general. There are very few that I find genuinely funny. The Office, Parks and Rec, The aforementioned Louie, The Simpsons are ones that have elicited a chuckle. I found Jon Stewart hilarious on The Daily Show too.

Good quality stand up is where its at ...

The quality British stuff mentioned is far from puerile (Mrs Brown Boys is NOT quality). I know plenty of Aussies who can't handle the awkwardness of the British humour though.

It's funny that the American shows you mention are those that reflect what is traditionally 'British' humour.

 

[Steve Dore]

I like that American comedy has a laugh track so I know when I'm supposed to laugh.

 

[ScooterBrother]

The quality British stuff mentioned is far from puerile (Mrs Brown Boys is NOT quality). I know plenty of Aussies who can't handle the awkwardness of the British humour though.

It's funny that the American shows you mention are those that reflect what is traditionally 'British' humour.

That's the thing, as I said before about Seinfeld, I really enjoy it and recognise the revolutionary nature of it, but it just doesn't tickle my fancy comically. But I love observational comedy, my favourite person in the world is Louis CK and he credits much of his work to Seinfeld.

Much in the same way there is no doubt the Poms made a lot of headway with that socially awkward comedy stuff ... but the Yanks just do it better for me.

 

[chiwigi]

That's the thing, as I said before about Seinfeld, I really enjoy it and recognise the revolutionary nature of it, but it just doesn't tickle my fancy comically. But I love observational comedy, my favourite person in the world is Louis CK and he credits much of his work to Seinfeld.

Much in the same way there is no doubt the Poms made a lot of headway with that socially awkward comedy stuff ... but the Yanks just do it better for me.

Fair enough, I don't think comedy needs to be laugh out loud personally. I much prefer the subtler stuff with the occasional guffaw. Arrested Development and Curb being good examples from America.

 

[Doctor Feel]

I still ****ing love Fawlty Towers.

 

[ScooterBrother]

Oh absolutely! One can find something whimsical or witty or clever - that's still great stuff. Doesn't have to be side splitting.

I really enjoy Bill Burr's podcasts, his stand up is great but his podcasts are much gentler and I rarely laugh - yet they're on repeat all day.

 

[Lagooner]

Fair enough, I don't think comedy needs to be laugh out loud personally. I much prefer the subtler stuff with the occasional guffaw. Arrested Development and Curb being good examples from America.

I agree. The supreme awkwardness (and selfishness) of Larry David often outshines the traditional "jokes" in the show.

 

[Steve Dore]

I still ******* love Fawlty Towers.

Que?

 

[NoddyHolder]

I still ******* love Fawlty Towers.

I still love how the sets wobble

 

[Grave Danger]

Have you read the book "Tragically I was an only twin"

Peter Cook was the funniest man to ever live.

Haven't read that, no. This one sounds interesting too...

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jun/03/one-leg-too-few-peter-cook-dudley-moore-review

I wonder if Cook resented Moore most for:

Being working class
Going to Oxford rather than Cambridge
Being musically gifted
Getting all the birds

 

[JimmyBeerCans]

Not Going Out is a pretty good recent brit sitcom, Trollied had promise but fizzled.

Open All Hours has had a reboot 'Still Open All Hours" with Granville (David Jason) taking over from Arkwright.. not bad they've tried to stick to formula.

 

[Doctor Feel]

I can't quite make it out, but is that a girl wearing a AC/DC hoodie in edgie's Broken Hill stomping ground? He's finished. The usurper has claimed the crown.

 

[Doctor Feel]

Dat bucket hat tho

 

[manureid]

That is edgie

 

[Doctor Feel]

That is edgie

I didn't consider that.

 

[Janey]

I still ******* love Fawlty Towers.

Me too. And I love Blackadder - Baldrick, Percy and George all brilliant.
Tbh there is not much American comedy that I find funny, most of it I find much too contrived and not very clever.

 

[NEGAN]

I wonder if the 36s can get it done in finals?

Best team all year, MVP Jerome Randle and best coach.

Such a close season this year anyone from 7th to 1st could of won it.

 

[finbarr]

Get Smart was brilliant. Loved that show.

 

[Grave Danger]

Me too. And I love Blackadder - Baldrick, Percy and George all brilliant.
Tbh there is not much American comedy that I find funny, most of it I find much too contrived and not very clever.

The Larry Sanders Show was brilliant. News Radio too.