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Post by eor on Jan 28, 2024 0:16:53 GMT
I am disappointed, though not surprised, that no-one has mentioned "The Brittas Empire" - perhaps a dry run for the admittedly much better US "Parks and Recreation". I may have been the only person who liked it! It starred the guy who played the hologram in "Red Dwarf" - which really should be on the list. Nope! Tho I wouldn't put it in a Best Of list cos whilst the first series was an absolute gem of workplace satire, I think it did then go very quickly into "with Hilarious Consequences!!!" territory.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2024 0:27:25 GMT
Surprisingly little love for Fawlty Towers in the favourite sitcom poll. A couple of the episodes might not have aged well, but it's surely the Gold Standard in terms of sitcom writing. Lots of exquisitely clever humour in evidence. If we're allowed American sitcoms, then I'll go for Frasier. Beautifully written and great characterisation. With great juxtaposition between the characters - Frasier/Niles v. Martin. A winning formula, carried on in another of my favourites, The Big Bang Theory (Leonard/Sheldon v. Penny). If I'm restricted to home grown stuff, though, I nominate Still Game, which I was introduced to by Scottish friends. For anyone unfamiliar, it's like Last of the Summer Wine, only savagely, (and occasionally crudely), funny. The whole series is on the BBC iPlayer. In fact, my UKPR2 moniker is in part a tribute to one of the characters. Laugh Out Loud moments in every episode. can I nominate M.A.S.H in that case
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Post by bardin1 on Jan 28, 2024 0:31:30 GMT
Surprisingly little love for Fawlty Towers in the favourite sitcom poll. A couple of the episodes might not have aged well, but it's surely the Gold Standard in terms of sitcom writing. Lots of exquisitely clever humour in evidence. If we're allowed American sitcoms, then I'll go for Frasier. Beautifully written and great characterisation. With great juxtaposition between the characters - Frasier/Niles v. Martin. A winning formula, carried on in another of my favourites, The Big Bang Theory (Leonard/Sheldon v. Penny). If I'm restricted to home grown stuff, though, I nominate Still Game, which I was introduced to by Scottish friends. For anyone unfamiliar, it's like Last of the Summer Wine, only savagely, (and occasionally crudely), funny. The whole series is on the BBC iPlayer. In fact, my UKPR2 moniker is in part a tribute to one of the characters. Laugh Out Loud moments in every episode. Can't believe I forgot Still Game - like The Likely Lads and Only Fools and to some extent Porridge it catches 'ordinary' folks lives and shows the humour, pathos and comradeship that is there but not always understood.
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Post by johntel on Jan 28, 2024 0:34:34 GMT
grahamMy father was a big Harry Worth fan and I became one too when I was old enough to appreciate the humour. The hapless bungler with a kind heart, good intent and an endearing character. All the ingredients of a classic comic character. It t always struck me that my father had a lot in common with Harry and it may well have been why he found him so funny, and why I did too. My Dad used to love doing the thing with his reflection so it looked like both legs were off the ground. Fond memories.
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Post by johntel on Jan 28, 2024 0:40:11 GMT
Surprisingly little love for Fawlty Towers in the favourite sitcom poll. A couple of the episodes might not have aged well, but it's surely the Gold Standard in terms of sitcom writing. Lots of exquisitely clever humour in evidence. If we're allowed American sitcoms, then I'll go for Frasier. Beautifully written and great characterisation. With great juxtaposition between the characters - Frasier/Niles v. Martin. A winning formula, carried on in another of my favourites, The Big Bang Theory (Leonard/Sheldon v. Penny). If I'm restricted to home grown stuff, though, I nominate Still Game, which I was introduced to by Scottish friends. For anyone unfamiliar, it's like Last of the Summer Wine, only savagely, (and occasionally crudely), funny. The whole series is on the BBC iPlayer. In fact, my UKPR2 moniker is in part a tribute to one of the characters. Laugh Out Loud moments in every episode. can I nominate M.A.S.H in that case N*O
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Post by guymonde on Jan 28, 2024 0:44:32 GMT
graham My father was a big Harry Worth fan and I became one too when I was old enough to appreciate the humour. The hapless bungler with a kind heart, good intent and an endearing character. All the ingredients of a classic comic character. It t always struck me that my father had a lot in common with Harry and it may well have been why he found him so funny, and why I did too. I liked it when he stood in a shop doorway entrance and put out an arm and a leg and the shop window reflection looked like he was raising both arms and legs in the air at the same time. Very amusing, although I was only about 10 at the time. I like to think I have become a little more discerning in my comedy appreciation since. very disappointing that nobody mentioned The Clitheroe Kid
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Post by guymonde on Jan 28, 2024 0:53:06 GMT
Talking of rubbish, did anyone catch Laura Kuensberg abysmal pollish drivel on the BBC news? If you missed it, there will apparently be an extended version and an interview with Kemi Badenoch to boot tomorrow. So heartening to see BBC getting back to its history of truly neutral and erudite analysis of current affairs
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Post by isa on Jan 28, 2024 1:17:06 GMT
I liked it when he stood in a shop doorway entrance and put out an arm and a leg and the shop window reflection looked like he was raising both arms and legs in the air at the same time. Very amusing, although I was only about 10 at the time. I like to think I have become a little more discerning in my comedy appreciation since. very disappointing that nobody mentioned The Clitheroe KidBlimey, that takes me back! I loved The Clitheroe Kid as a nipper, although even then, it seemed strange that someone in their 40s could still play a schoolboy.
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Post by mercian on Jan 28, 2024 1:28:01 GMT
Oh well, if we're doing radio... The Glums The Navy Lark The Goon Show (of course) Whatever the Hancock series was called Educating Archie (Ventriloquism on the radio!) Cabin Pressure Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy etc A lot of TV shows started on radio including Hancock and Hitch-Hikers
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Post by eor on Jan 28, 2024 1:34:34 GMT
George Galloway has announced he will stand in the Rochdale by election. Usually a sign that civility in public discourse is on the up
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Post by eor on Jan 28, 2024 1:57:54 GMT
Oh well, if we're doing radio... The Glums The Navy Lark The Goon Show (of course) Whatever the Hancock series was called Educating Archie (Ventriloquism on the radio!) Cabin Pressure Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy etc A lot of TV shows started on radio including Hancock and Hitch-Hikers Cabin Pressure was our go-to when driving anywhere on holiday. By rationing it to one or two per trip it lasted us years, and I was genuinely sad when they got to Zurich. For the uninitiated, a jobbing TV writer John Finnemore wrote a great radio sitcom and somehow got Benedict Cumberbatch, Roger Allam and Stephanie Cole to voice it with him. It's a work of art. (for a loop back to the TV chat, Stephanie Cole was also the Black Widow in Open All Hours, some 30 years earlier whilst she was still in her late thirties)
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wb61
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Post by wb61 on Jan 28, 2024 6:20:06 GMT
SitComs Does no one remember Shelly? Surprising role for Hywel Bennett. Sharp social comment for the early 1980's
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steve
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Post by steve on Jan 28, 2024 6:22:41 GMT
Profiles in hypocrisy. Former chairman of Dubai financed GB news Andrew Neil, getting a wasp up his arse about the Torygraph and the Spectator being bought by a politically moderate foreign investment group. youtu.be/D-V-oXXc0Ao?si=TOkLbWkTLJS-SgbG
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steve
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Post by steve on Jan 28, 2024 6:30:45 GMT
Lesser known and somewhat more recent but brilliantly accurate NHS based sitcom Getting On With a great writing, production and acting team including Jo Brand and Peter Capaldi. Brand used to be a nurse and it shows. youtu.be/blib3a9FLCE?si=ILvH2vhb0i29Di7n
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neilj
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Post by neilj on Jan 28, 2024 6:32:39 GMT
Early Doors was funny, sitcom based in a pub, very much working class humour In a similar vein Peter Kay's Phoenux Nights was good
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Dave
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... I'm dreaming dreams, I'm scheming schemes, I'm building castles high ..
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Post by Dave on Jan 28, 2024 6:49:43 GMT
SitComs Does no one remember Shelly? Surprising role for Hywel Bennett. Sharp social comment for the early 1980's I absolutely loved Shelley. After the 10 o’clock news on ITV if I recall correctly. Some great shows mentioned. Early Doors was great but I’m not sure anything in the last 20 years beats Still Game. Oh, and that wonderful ending to it. Has anyone mentioned Green Wing, Black Books or Spaced? If not, I’ve righted three wrongs. Come to think of it, has anyone mentioned The Royal Fanily? Someone must have surely?
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Post by alec on Jan 28, 2024 8:00:02 GMT
mercian - "All our negotiators had to do was say that we wouldn't impose any border controls between Northern and southern Ireland, and tell the EU that they could order Ireland to do it if they wanted to. Give someone else the problem." I thought by now you would have realised that it isn't that simple. For example, NZ & Australia said they wouldn't do a trade deal with a country that didn't keep it's word on the NI Protocol, the EU would wreak damage on our interests elsewhere. Simplism was the biggest flaw in the entire Brexit prognosis, and it seems clear from your response that it's not buried just yet.
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Post by alec on Jan 28, 2024 8:05:32 GMT
News from the Green Party that they are drafting their health policy to incorporate action on Covid transmission. There has been a good deal of lobbying by the Covid Cautious community, with Labour completely deaf (ex Lisa Nandy, top marks to her) but the Greens seem willing to act.
It's a start.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2024 8:12:43 GMT
Oh well, if we're doing radio... The Glums The Navy Lark The Goon Show (of course) Whatever the Hancock series was called Educating Archie (Ventriloquism on the radio!) Cabin Pressure Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy etc A lot of TV shows started on radio including Hancock and Hitch-Hikers You didnt mention Journey Into Space & Dick Barton -Special Agent. or Round The Horne. Julian and Sandy wouldn't be allowed nowadays .The hilarious use of Polari was wonderful.
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Post by steamdrivenandy on Jan 28, 2024 8:36:24 GMT
On the Up
Brush Strokes
Ever Decreasing Circles
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Danny
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Post by Danny on Jan 28, 2024 8:38:01 GMT
Effectively, the government would choose to limit active divergence from the EU. "
(My emphasis).
It's just a story in the Telegraph, regurgitated by the BBC, but I think it's telling how far this debate has come. Now, not diverging is not longer controversial, even among the bulk of Conservatives. Who cares? It's just one great big embarrassment, that the once great party of office could be so childishly idiotic to march into such an awful deal with our biggest trading partner, and no one, apart from the lunatics in the Frost camp ever want to revisit the mess they made. Just make it all go away, whatever it takes.
con have always been the more pro eu party. Cameron thought johnson would lead remain. Brexit had nothing to do with the benefits or otherwise of britsh membership of the EU and everything to do with collectively getting sufficient votes to win a parliamentary majority and individually personal advancement. It came against the background of 13 years out of power with individuals seeing their chance of playing at being ministers slipping away and the EU having been blamed for 40 years for any policy government wanted but knew to be unpopular. Which was always handy but overplayed this time. After the referendum was lost con tried everything they could to soften and delay it actually happening so as to maximise the time it bought them in government. So it wasnt any kind of mistake, con did the same as thatcher last time but whereas she gave away state assets to buy votes, this lot gave away EU membership. Its much the same idea, do WHATEVER it takes to buy time in office.
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Post by crossbat11 on Jan 28, 2024 8:38:33 GMT
Profiles in hypocrisy. Former chairman of Dubai financed GB news Andrew Neil, getting a wasp up his arse about the Torygraph and the Spectator being bought by a politically moderate foreign investment group. youtu.be/D-V-oXXc0Ao?si=TOkLbWkTLJS-SgbGAh yes, my long time bete noire, Andrew Neil. I did see this interview, not live on Newsnight, but, like you, via the work of the You Tube political blogger Maximillien. Robespierre. His overlaid commentary is rather good. I think he shares my view of Neil by the sound of it. It'd good to know you're not alone sometimes. As you say, it's a masterpiece of whining hypocrisy from Neil. The former editor of a newspaper owned by an Australian billionaire and the founder of a news channel financed by overseas interests complaining about the impending foreign ownership of two right wing UK publications. Not out of any principle, mind, but just because the new owners may make the Spectator and Telegraph less right wing. Does anyone take Andrew Neil remotely seriously any more? Maybe it's my mistake that I still do. It's probably retrospective disdain really because of the fact he once more or less single-handedly fronted just about every political programme on the BBC for years. What were the BBC thinking? Don't answer that question, by the way.
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pjw1961
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Post by pjw1961 on Jan 28, 2024 8:43:26 GMT
Talking of rubbish, did anyone catch Laura Kuensberg abysmal pollish drivel on the BBC news? If you missed it, there will apparently be an extended version and an interview with Kemi Badenoch to boot tomorrow. So heartening to see BBC getting back to its history of truly neutral and erudite analysis of current affairs I try not to catch Kuenssberg - its very unpleasant. Symptoms include severe irritation and an irrational desire to throw things at your TV.
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steve
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Post by steve on Jan 28, 2024 8:47:00 GMT
Very concerning news from the home of the Hatters only one loss in the last five games, this isn't what we signed up for.
The latest disappointment a 2:1 victory against Liverpool B in the FA cup we've managed only to bother once with the fifth round of the FA cup in the last decade , we don't expect this sort of inconvenience.
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steve
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Post by steve on Jan 28, 2024 8:51:37 GMT
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Post by expatr on Jan 28, 2024 8:52:17 GMT
Talking of rubbish, did anyone catch Laura Kuensberg abysmal pollish drivel on the BBC news? If you missed it, there will apparently be an extended version and an interview with Kemi Badenoch to boot tomorrow. So heartening to see BBC getting back to its history of truly neutral and erudite analysis of current affairs Yes - a disgraceful bit of poorly designed "research"
"Britain in a room" - entirely the red wall and sample over-representative of 2019 Tory/ROC voters
So told us very little about the election as a whole.
Fine if its about 2019 voters in the red wall - but this is one of about 5 separate sub stories in the 2024 election and in many ways both the most settled (spoilers the red wall will be red again) and least instructive and interesting.
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steve
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Post by steve on Jan 28, 2024 9:01:01 GMT
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Danny
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Post by Danny on Jan 28, 2024 9:12:14 GMT
I get weekly blogs from Ian Leslie and the following is a brief excerpt from his analysis of Trump’s continuing appeal to voters. It’s relevant to Europe as well. “ It’s worth discussing immigration specifically. In the US and UK, I often see it classified as a ‘culture war’ issue, along with the implication that it’s somehow undignified to take it seriously. That’s crazy. First, because culture does matter, at least for any nation that regards itself as more than a legal jurisdiction. Second, immigration has material impacts, some of them negative, and saying so shouldn’t be a partisan or ideological move. Third: most voters, wherever they are, regard control or oversight of who is coming in and out the country as one of the most important functions of government. An increase in global migration from poorer countries to richer ones is one of the central geopolitical facts of the age. Neither left or right can shut their eyes and wish it away. Even liberals who view mass immigration as desirable ought to be able to acknowledge its costs and the need for limits and controls. But they find it painfully hard to do so, at least to do so authentically. In the US, this blind spot has allowed the right to take the centre ground.” The key is to focus on the practical, managing side of it, and try to cut out the basic tribal appeals to othering. Keep emotion, especially uninformed emotion out of it. Personally I don't view mass migration as desirable not least because it highlights the depressingly low quality of life in the countries of origin, but nor do I see it as undesirable by definition. It is simply a fact of the modern world that we need to deal with intelligently and objectively. theres nothing inevitable in the modern world about migration. The main reason it happens is because the receiving countries encourage and facilitate it. Thats what happens in the uk. Here the Rwanda scheme is a massive red herring intended to divert attention from the fact the conservative government welcomes immigration and sees it as its best solution to poor uk economic performance. Just get in some cheap labour. Its the economic equivalent of when you cannot buy coal for the fire, you start burning the furniture. You have to stop and ask at what points in uk history has the immigration rate exceeded the local birth rate, as it does now? (Obvious ones being Viking and Norman takeovers, at which times there was anyway far more in the way of unused natural resources in the uk, simply more space per human)
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pjw1961
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Post by pjw1961 on Jan 28, 2024 9:13:08 GMT
"Ever Decreasing Circles" Or " the Tory clown show" Now appearing in "One Foot in the Grave".
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Post by hireton on Jan 28, 2024 9:18:52 GMT
alecRe NI and limiting further divergence from the EU, Badenoch was challenged on that by Villiers in the HoC. Having said that she could not comment on the reports about a NI deal, she went on to say: "What I will say is that we retain the ability to diverge, that is clear, and I do agree with her that if we are really to seize the benefits of Brexit we need to find that comparative advantage in our regulations with the EU, otherwise there would be no point." Reality slowly dawning.
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