Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Laugh? I can't


So Gavin and Stacey won a BAFTA or two. I've never seen it. When everyone starts banging on about how funny a comedy is, I immediately go off the idea.

I have a bit of a problem with comedy. I worry that it's going to let me down, so I don't watch it. On the rare occasions I do watch a new comedy from the start, I don't always stick with it. A lot of comedy is aimed squarely at students/the after pub crowd, and that's not me at all.

Some things can surprise you though: The Office, Not Going Out, The Mighty Boosh to name but three. I caught these and stuck with them, as I actually liked them. This works better for me. Then, if you like it, you can go back and watch it through boxed sets or repeats. Sometimes things are better than you'd hope.

I've never seen an episode of Peep Show, Father Ted, My Family, Pulling or Coupling though.

I don't have the same problem with American comedy. Like with their dramas, we only see the best here - no Yes Dear or According To Jim to cloud our judgment. Chances are, it's going to funny. Predictably, Seinfeld is my favourite comedy of all time. Followed by Ellen.

Perhaps because in recent years there has been some truly dire British comedies (The Thin Blue Line, High Stakes, Honey For Tea, etc x 1000), expectations became low and the knives were out for anything new. Thankfully there seems to have been a bit of a renaissance and comedy is back.

So Gavin and Stacey is a big hit and perhaps if I watched it I'd like it. But I can't bring myself to do this. But perhaps that's it for the show now, as James Corden (suddenly a sex symbol, but seems a bit of an arse) and Ruth Jones have hinted there will be no more. Leave them wanting is all everyone seems to do now with a hit comedy. Are thy terrified of the backlash or worried about running out of steam, or do they want to do a Fawlty Towers and pass into legend.

I don't know. If it comes around again in repeat form, which is highly likely I might give it a go. I just hope it lives up to the hype.

10 comments:

Mondo said...

FC - I'm exactly the same I always think it'll never match the hype so I give it swerve, then find out two series or so(I'm refusing to say 'seasons')later what I'm finally missing.

Sienfield is my record for this (his face always put me off), but I'm working way through series 4 at the moment so about 15 years behind on that one.

Bright Ambassador said...

Gavin and Stacey is amusing, but not much more that that. It's safe.
I much prefer Pulling, (on straight after G&S) which is deliciously filthy.
As for American comedies, I've not watched any seriously since Cheers finished. Curb... just isn't funny, Friends is dire, Seinfeld I've never seen because I can't stand wise-cracking put-you-down-at-all-costs Americans, The Simpsons is a fucking cartoon.
Give me Peep Show, The IT Crowd, The Mighty Boosh, Armstrong and Miller or, yes, really, Benidorm any day of the week.

beth said...

I'm a bit like that with comedy. Partly through not wanting to be disappointed but mostly due to not wanting to be like Margo on the Good Life wailing 'but why is it funny?'

I do really, really like 'My Name Is Earl' though.

Jon Peake said...

I must agree, Benidorm is quite good, what I've seen of it.

The Good LIfe - now there's a classic comedy. If only it wasn't shown to death.

Why don't they put Reggie Perrin on more?

Clair said...

I like Benidorm, too, and I wish I'd cottoned on to the Boosh earlier, as they REALLY make me laugh. Excited that Peep Show is back on Friday, too, as that is delicious.

Kolley Kibber said...

I'm another late-adopter, comedy wise. I only watched Peep Show for the first time six months ago, and then I ploughed through every single episode within about three weeks. I'll get round to Gavin and Stacey in a couple of years. Perhaps.

It has its advantages. I never realised there had been a third series of Arrested Development until about two weeks ago, which for me was a fantastic boon, having just run out of episodes.

Matthew Rudd said...

Benidorm makes me laugh.

The Brothers MacGregor was ace...

Suzy Norman said...

I'm very jealous, you've never seen Father Ted. My goodness, you have so much to look forward to. You've got work to do F-C - get ye to a TV set promptly.

Stephen said...

I agree with your comments about comedy programmes failing the viewer. I thought Gavin & Stacey was brilliant, it is quirky and very up to date, it is not a dated situation comedy. The dialogue is very good and there are no dull scenes.

Like your other readers, I think Benidorm is also very good and the one to watch now that Gavin & Stacey has ended.

Matthew Rudd said...

I was absolutely delighted when Harry Hill won two BAFTAs, mind.

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