samkydd

I don't suppose many people will agree with me but I find this series absolutely hilarious. The characters are excellent, capturing the awful state of the nation with ones like Vicki Pollard is just spot on, and both Matt Lucas and David Walliams are incredibly professional in their various character roles!

There are elements which could be described as in bad taste, but after all they're only acting out what most people really think if they'd care to admit it, hence the title.

"...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"

DB7

A bit hit n miss, some well observed others just poor Python/Fast Show. My own fave became the weird shopper, Mr Mann, who would demand a film starring Rick Moranis and Chevy Chase as undercover cops posing as rappers to foil a drug deal. He was a bit darker that the other characters and you could easily have imagined him as a stalker or unassuming serial killer with a bit more development.

Haven't seen the new series but hear its become predictable and resemble Dick Emery most of all.

Johnjackgilbert

'Little Britain' is fabulous - much of it is a lot darker than it appears at first. Just because it is popular it still an edge to it. It's not Chris Morris' 'Jam' which is perhaps the most disturbing 'comedy' I have ever seen - but it is very, very funny. Also loved 'League of Gentlemen'. All sketch shows are hit and miss but I guess that is their appeal, something for everyone? I found Catherine Tate more miss than hit though. Unfortunately I live with a cross between Vicky Pollard and 'Am I Bovverred?' too real for comfort...

Rob Compton

Sorry, but I think it's a foul programme that thinks it is massively funnier than it really is....

Good that we don't agree on everything isn't it?

rgds
Rob

ollie

The First series was good,new with some fresh ideas,it's definatly outstaying it's welcome now tho',i do still like the occasional skitt,but it seems to rely on the grotesque for laffs now.

cheers Ollie.

"Bullseye !!"

Jackdaw

Don't have any problem with bad taste or darkness, or for the most part the quality of the comedy,but I do get fed up with the repetition of the same joke,eg. the lady being sick,computer says no etc.
You can just sit there with a list and tick them off.
FAST SHOW was the same,comedy by catchphrase.

Cheers
Jacky

Marky B

Interesting point there,Jack. I remember Barry Took remarking the same about the radio comedies that entertained Britain during the war years (eg ITMA) and wasn't until that more developed comedy emerged. So if you reckon it is comedy by catchphrase,it looks like comedy has gone full circle.
As for Little Britain[i],personally I can't stand it.
Ta Ta
Marky B

I once shot an elephant in my pyjamas - how he got in my pyjamas,I'll never know

Harbottle

Each to his own, but I found the first series mildly amusing, only watched one episode of the second series and have and will only watch one of series three. Very repetitive and the revolting sketches with vomit and urine are not really my cup of tea, they really ran out of ideas after the first series. Give me good old Dick Emery any day [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/clapping.gif[/img]

samkydd

Talking about ITMA I was listening to a piece on the radio where Ted Ray is recounting a story from his troop show days in the war. I'd never considered Ted as much of a comedian as he was getting on a bit when I was growing up, and appeared more as a guest rather than an act, but this story he told had me choking on my tea.

There was an fat aging soprano singing for the troops , "Oooooh for the wings, for the wings of a dove...." and a sailor in the audience shouted out " Put a sock in it you old bag!". The old lady was very hurt and started sobbing "Oh, oh dear me, oh dear!" when a Royal Marine in the audience shouted "Turn it up, we want to hear it. Give the poor old cow a chance!" at which the old lady replied "Thank you so much, it's comforting to know that there's at least one gentleman in the audience!"

"...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"

Marky B

Hear Hear
Along with Michael Bentine,I think an appreciation is over due.
Ta Ta
Marky B

I once shot an elephant in my pyjamas - how he got in my pyjamas,I'll never know

samkydd

Catchphrase comedy has been around for yonks, and it is popular I suppose so that students can repeat them verbatum, ad nauseum in the pub, and irritating gits at work can do the same!

I remember Dick Emery's "You are awful, but I like you!" and several from Python, Benny Hill, even sitcoms like Steptoe and Son had "You dirty old man!", and "Silly moo" and "Scouse git" in Til Death Us Do Part. OFAH had "Lovely jubbly" etc The Fast Show and Harry Enfield, the list is endless. So I suppose that Little Britain is also catering for this national pastime of being able to repeat catchphrases amongst your mates and get a laugh!

"...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"

Steve Crook

Apparently it's very popular in the playgrounds. Even if the kids don't understand what it all means.

Steve

samkydd

I suppose if you ridicule people eventually the real ones won't want to become a parody of themselves and will stop behaving like Vicky Pollard or the scouse skiver in the wheelchair! But then again Harry Enfield tried it with Wayne and Waynetta and you only have to walk into your nearest McDonalds or go to a car boot sale to see that those types still exist in huge numbers!

"...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"

Jackdaw

My main problem with this and THE FAST SHOW, is the way they flog a dead horse.The set-up of Andy and Lou is an amusing one, and the earlier sketch in which Andy jumped into the swimming-pool,swam around,and was back in his chair before Lou had turned round,was very funny.
However,they pulled the same stunt on this week's show,this time with an aquarium rather than a pool.No matter what scenario they use with these two,and other sketches,it's still a one-joke set-up.
Compare,if you will,the Julian and Sandy sketches on ROUND THE HORNE,same characters every sketch,but different jokes every time,although based on a single premise.

Cheers
Jacky

DB7

Harry Enfield and Chums too. For me Ted and Ralph, Swiss Toni, Suits You, Unlucky Alf, Arthur Atkinson, Rowley Birkin etc had more longevity and were far better written. There were also those we could all recognise with like Competitive Dad and the Off-Roaders; they even spoofed themselves with Colin the catchphrase king.

Imho Little Britain doesn't posses the same depth of strong characters. I'll get my coat..