Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum

General Topics => All things that have nothing to do with Turkey => Topic started by: badger on January 02, 2014, 20:16:59 PM

Title: Sit coms
Post by: badger on January 02, 2014, 20:16:59 PM
Just a mention that two new series / Birds of a feather and Benidorm are on tonight.Do either of these shows appeal to members sense of humour? Possibly another poll Keith    ;)
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Scunner on January 02, 2014, 20:23:09 PM
There you go Badge :D

I don't particularly like either but can watch Benidorm without too much pain  :)
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Jacqui Harvey on January 02, 2014, 20:36:46 PM
I thought Benidorm was funny for the first couple of series, but now it's done to death and not funny. It seems once a series is funny, the T.V. companies drain the life out of it until it's dead.  Same with Birds of a Feather, why on earth bring that back??  Possibly because no one has any new ideas and all the recent series i.e. Citizen Khan are dire.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Scunner on January 02, 2014, 20:49:18 PM
I hate it I hate it

Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Sleuth on January 02, 2014, 21:26:08 PM
My wife is recording `Birds of a feather`so the jury is out..... but as for `Benidorm` sorry,  watched it once and that was the last time.. not my type of humour... in my opinion there aren`t any good current `situation` comedies  around . According to the papers.. I cant believe they are considering a new series of David Jason in `still open all hours`  it was as funny as watching paint dry... Also there are no good script writers  about any more... all of the good ones are  either retired or dead unfortunately . 
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Rimms on January 02, 2014, 21:54:04 PM
While there has been nothing on TV over Xmas, we watched series 1&2 of "I'm Alan Partridge" it was so funny. Available on "Film On" for anyone who took up the offer shared on here recently.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: mercury on January 02, 2014, 22:21:17 PM
Sorry G. Don't think Alan Partrige is funny either but my son does.. We watched a documentary about Stanley Baxter.. He was great but doubt if his humour would suit today's audience..
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Scunner on January 02, 2014, 22:26:41 PM
Lots of disappointment on FB regarding Benidorm - like I said I don't watch it (never have really) but opinion seems to be that the standard has fallen through the floor.

I'm Alan Partridge falls into a particular category for me - a bit like Yes Minister - I don't find it particularly funny but it is incredibly clever and well thought through.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: usedbustickets on January 03, 2014, 00:00:08 AM
Like Jacqui I think these two have been done to death.  Funny first series or two, then it is a rapid downward trajectory.

Best Sit Com in the last couple of years has been Phoneshop (British) and Big Bang Theory (US), both on channel 4 OD if you want to catch up on them. In the case of Phoneshop if you blush easily or are easily offended then may be you should stick to Birds of a Feather
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Scunner on January 03, 2014, 00:10:26 AM
Our great sitcom discovery in recent times was when CBF member kanga told me to give 'Still Game' a try. In case you haven't heard of it (I hadn't), it's a BBC Scotland comedy which is about two pensioners in Glasgow and their circle of friends. It is so good that they showed 2 episodes on BBC1 up here and after the second one I ordered the box set.

Hard to explain or show what the secret is, you have to watch an episode or two. But here's a sampler...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-FjcMDy7-s
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: usedbustickets on January 03, 2014, 00:41:21 AM
Yes very funny, saw it when it was shown here, south of the border, on BBC 2 some years back.  Talking of comedy from north of the border, Rab C Nesbit was on tonight, still one of the greatest comedy programmes, that delivers the best of comedy and political comment you'll ever hear.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Menthol on January 03, 2014, 02:00:02 AM
I'm not sure we are doing enough to encourage new writing talent. We can't be judging by the dearth of decent comedy.

I would love to know what dirt Miranda has on the powers that be at the Beeb. It's the only reason for her being re-commissioned surely? Oh sorry, she's posh too.

I watched my first ever Benidorm last week - the Christmas one with Sue Pollard. It was tolerable. Some of the acting was decidedly below par but some of it pretty good too. It didn't make me want to watch other episodes though.

Birds of a Feather - cannot abide it. Linda Robson is an awful actress. Pauline Quirke isn't too bad, but the characters are awful and story lines are non existent.

I do like Alan Partridge but I have to be 'in the mood' for him. This is probably because his character is so cringe-worthy, he can genuinely make me feel uncomfortable, a bit like Borat does.

Rab C Nesbitt is just classic stuff but topical too. Great vehicle for social commentary.

Watched 'Two Doors Down' which may have been a seasonal one off or a pilot, not sure. A waste of some decent acting talent whichever it was.

I reckon we have a few aspiring comedic writers on here.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Jacqui Harvey on January 03, 2014, 07:30:27 AM
Love Still Game, we also have the boxed set, every episode was funny, there are few sit-coms where you can really laugh out loud, this is one of them.
Also have the Father Ted set, again so funny, as is Rab C.Nesbitt.   
Problem is, these are all old Sit-Coms and the new ones being made are just not funny.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: usedbustickets on January 03, 2014, 09:43:04 AM
I am sure that the great writing talent for TV is still out there, and there is some evidence of it it on Ch 4, and interestingly is still there on Radio.  However as Menthol points out the BBC is only interested in posh comedy these days, whether Miranda or the comedians it uses like McCintyre, Brand, Howard, Whitehall (who are all very poor) ... Blimey even the Irish they use, O'Brien and norton, are Irish posh!.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: tiggsy on January 03, 2014, 11:23:58 AM
Saw the Rab C Nesbit I think it was entitled Rabin Hoodie. Excellent great comedy with more than a hint of a message.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Scunner on January 03, 2014, 12:00:54 PM

Also have the Father Ted set, again so funny,


Yes same here - and even having the box set STILL watch it when it comes on E4 again :D

So many classic lines

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh5kZ4uIUC0
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Highlander on January 03, 2014, 12:37:46 PM
Still Game's success I think is down to well written characters we can all identify with, splendid acting by all concerned and realistic story lines about ordinary folk in an ordinary community. It also shows a social awareness of problems which the people of Craiglang have to deal with.

I don't remember too many earth shattering events happening in Craiglang. The worst that could probably happen is the Clansman running dry.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Karennina on January 03, 2014, 13:02:18 PM
What a total disappointment Benidorm was, had been looking forward to it for ages and it was rubbish, I had one laugh and that was it in fact I dozed off at one point it was that c""p...Maybe it is time for Derren Little the writer to come up with a new show altogether if he wants to write about Brits on holiday maybe he could call it "Calis" or "Hisaronu"  ;)
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Scunner on January 03, 2014, 13:36:58 PM
I'd try "Uzumlu" - but nobody would believe it!
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: echogirl1 on January 03, 2014, 14:27:06 PM
One comedy show that just makes me laugh is "Not Going Out"  some of the oneliners on there are brilliant, though it has lost its edge since a couple of the cast left.  Its more a showcase for Lee Mack's quips than anything else.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Highlander on January 03, 2014, 14:30:32 PM
I agree 100% echogirl1 - a very funny programme.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Colwyn on January 03, 2014, 14:39:28 PM
I think this thread is in danger of being closed down if Gormless Gove gets to hear about it. The Government’s ludicrous Education Secretary has written in the Daily Mail that left-wing academics are denigrating the patriotism, courage and honour of the British during the “just war” of 1914-1918 and perpetuating the myth of an army of lions led by a general staff of donkeys via the sitcom Blackadder.
 
In his subsequent move, expected next week, he will prove that Dad’s Army is a Troskyist attack on the Home Front during WW2 and ‘Allo, ‘Allo not only derides the French Resistance but also undermines the heroism of British agent parachuted into the Continent to aid opposition by posing as policemen.
 
As far as the sitcoms polled here are concerned Birds of a Feather is clearly a Maoist-inspired attack on the British prison system and Benidorm is an Anarchist plot to smear the legacy of the great Spanish leader, Franco.
 
In his review of the teaching of history in our schools Gove will ensure that all of these sitcoms will be rewritten so as not to pollute the minds of our young people. This is a most serious issue and not to be trivialized in petty polls.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Menthol on January 03, 2014, 14:49:25 PM
I thought us Brits just re-wrote history instead?
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Scunner on January 03, 2014, 14:53:40 PM
I was thinking about Karennina's post when we went out to walk the dog in gale force winds and horizontal rain just now. Almost without exception I think 'bringing back' old successful sitcoms is a mistake - easy to say when it is obvious so many have failed so miserably. But talk of Calis or Hisaronu (or indeed Uzumlu) as a subject might be different.

As someone who lived abroad for five years, I truly believe Eldorado could work, given another chance. People wanted it to fail from the start and eventually got their way. I never watched it, not even once, but I think expats abroad could be a rich topic to plunder.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Colwyn on January 03, 2014, 15:17:04 PM
What would be a good title for this? "Our Little Piece of Paradise" or "Have you Seen the Price of Efes!"?
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Scunner on January 03, 2014, 15:30:45 PM
"Colin Told Me He Think's You're a W4nker" was the working title I was going with.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Colwyn on January 03, 2014, 16:04:18 PM
Ah, a light frothy show but with deeper, darker, psychological undertones?
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: chris35 on January 03, 2014, 16:09:21 PM
Can't believe no ones mentioned probably the funniest sitcom of yesteryear "Early Doors" written by Craig Cash and Phil Mealey, who both starred in it. Set in  "The Grapes" pub. The two "Crime don't crack itself" coppers who used to call in via the back door and drink all the landlords best whiskey were the stars of the show for me, but all in all a fantastic comedy.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Scunner on January 03, 2014, 16:12:50 PM
Ah, a light frothy show but with deeper, darker, psychological undertones?

Yes, exactly that!
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: badger on January 03, 2014, 20:39:22 PM
I thought Benidorm was funny for the first couple of series, but now it's done to death and not funny. It seems once a series is funny, the T.V. companies drain the life out of it until it's dead.  Same with Birds of a Feather, why on earth bring that back??  Possibly because no one has any new ideas and all the recent series i.e. Citizen Khan are dire.

 Spot on post Jacqui - both of the said sit-coms well past their sell by dates  :(
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: stoop on January 04, 2014, 01:01:18 AM
Allo Allo.

Still on and still funny.

Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Menthol on January 04, 2014, 03:16:23 AM
Never heard of or seen 'Early Doors', might have to check it out.

'Allo, Allo' was always 'Non, Non' for me.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: echogirl1 on January 04, 2014, 09:49:21 AM
I didn't find "Hello, hello" in the remotest bit funny, and those stupid accents really got on my nerves.  I really enjoyed "To the Manor Born", "Waiting for God", and the wonderful "Steptoe and Son".  Programmes that were supposed to be funny, i.e Benny Hill just left me wincing in embarrassment.  However that's just an opinion, each to his own   ;)
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Scunner on January 04, 2014, 11:11:00 AM
A woman I worked with used to say "Good moaning" as she walked in, every morning without fail, over a 12 year period. No wonder I couldn't stand 'Allo 'allo. The only other remarkable thing about this woman was that she went to America for two weeks and didn't do a poo the whole time she was there.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: scorcher on January 04, 2014, 11:27:54 AM
Excess baggage charge on her return ?
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: usedbustickets on January 04, 2014, 11:47:40 AM
I agree Early Doors was fantastic, but it was made, and I checked this out, over ten years ago!!  I liked the character played by Mark Benton who would come in and talk about all the traffic hold ups on particular streets, and the miserable sod who would never involve himself in others rounds, but would stay on his own... great stuff.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: saoirse on January 04, 2014, 11:59:05 AM
Comedy and what we find funny is sooooo individual.

Mrs Browns Boys I find woeful

I also found a fav of some Cbfers - On the Buses- about as funny as haemorrhoids.

For me  classics like Dads Army, Rising Damp etc are timeless and side busting

Wonder what it is within each of us that determines what we find funny?
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: chris35 on January 04, 2014, 12:01:46 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ly_MsZxwM8

Check this out for an episode of Early Doors. There are a lot more episodes on here as well.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Menthol on January 04, 2014, 12:12:02 PM
Humour is of course very subjective and very like musical taste. I have so many friends who adore Dylan and The Smiths/Morrissey and I'd personally prefer to be in silence than listen to either.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Karennina on January 04, 2014, 13:55:19 PM
OMG Early Doors totally loved that in fact I have both series on dvd somewhere I need to look them out....To the regiment I wish I was there!!  ;)
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Scunner on January 04, 2014, 14:08:09 PM
I don't find the old ones like On the Buses hilarious, just gentle meander and a great record of life as it was - in a time where there isn't much documentary film about the era. Also a record of humour as it was. Still probably better on the whole than the programmes BBC & ITV are choosing to run with these days.

The ones that make me laugh are few - but Father Ted, The Inbetweeners, Still Game, and even having watched every episode numerous times, Only Fools and Horses and Fawlty Towers. 
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Harmless on January 04, 2014, 14:19:02 PM
Father Ted was brilliant.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Jacqui Harvey on January 04, 2014, 17:38:27 PM
Oh No, Heard yesterday they are bring back Only Fools and Horses. It shows that there are no good Sit-Coms being written if they have to re-hash this and no, they are not repeats but a new series.  Just where is their left to go with Only Fools.The brilliant writer died,  David Jason is an elderly man, Rodney is in his fifties and Uncle is dead.  I think it's a mistake to bring it back, just like the re-hash of Open All Hours, it will be a mistake. :(
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Colwyn on January 04, 2014, 17:45:38 PM
Don't worry, JH, it is not a series, it is not even a programme, it is just a sketch for Sport Relief.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: WordBird on January 04, 2014, 18:18:25 PM
I voted for Benidorm because I enjoyed the early series...but I wouldn't watch it now.

I think Alan Partridge is hilarious, and I loved Blackadder II and Red Dwarf....Oh and The Fast Show.
These days I only tend to watch Mock The Week and Have I Got News For You - which I know could also be classed as quiz shows.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Scunner on January 04, 2014, 18:49:43 PM
Have I Got News For You (sitcom or not) provides me with more laughs per show than any 'comedy' today. Also I sit with a very amused grin when watching Pointless - certainly not a sitcom but a wonderful double act in Alexander and Richard - fabulous.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: echogirl1 on January 04, 2014, 18:58:26 PM
Agree about "Pointless" they are a great double act.  I see one of my favourite comedians, Dave Allen, has shows on BBC2 tonight, he was brilliant, even though he appeared totally p---ed in every show
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Highlander on January 04, 2014, 19:08:16 PM
I wholeheartedly agree with Pointless and HIGNFY.  :)

I do wonder sometimes how much is ad lib on it though.

Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Jacqui Harvey on January 04, 2014, 20:56:08 PM
We love HIGNFY and even the old ones which I always record to watch again.  Just watching Morecambe and Wise and laughing out loud. 
Had a conversation tonight, that there are no shows like this now, just reality programmes and soaps.  It's such a shame.  We think we were lucky and privileged to watch shows like  Morecambe and Wise, no swearing and lots of celebrities queuing to be on the shows. 
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: chris35 on January 04, 2014, 21:40:34 PM
We seem to be moving off topic here !!!
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Scunner on January 04, 2014, 21:50:53 PM
I am shocked, I don't think that has ever happened on here before :D
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: usedbustickets on January 05, 2014, 01:06:17 AM
Watched Catherine Tate's Nan earlier, broke all social and PC taboo possible, but I laughed all through it from beginning to end ....... More like this please
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Menthol on January 05, 2014, 02:05:38 AM
Catherine Tate does that character rather brilliantly - she's a very astute observer.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: kayakebab on January 05, 2014, 07:49:25 AM
A friend recommended Back chat with Jack Whitehall and his dad, not a sit com but refreshingly different and makes me laugh.
All episodes are on YouTube, was originally on BBC 3.

Dinner ladies will always be my favourite sit com. Enjoyed Men Behaving Badly and Inbetweeners too.

Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: mary62 on January 05, 2014, 13:39:04 PM
I wholeheartedly agree with Pointless and HIGNFY.   :)

I do wonder sometimes how much is ad lib on it though.


I knew a guy who went to a recording of HIGNFY when Angus Deyton was the host. He had his 'script' written and did not deviate from it.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: mary62 on January 05, 2014, 13:51:56 PM
My fave  HIGNFY was the one where William Shatner was the guest host....hilarious. Watch it every now and again when I need a chuckle.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Scunner on January 05, 2014, 14:12:02 PM
Yes that was fantastic - and I remember thinking after about 2 minutes that he was going to be a complete disaster! Another brilliant one was when Neil Morrisey and Martin Clunes made up one of the teams - and should you have a spare 29 minutes, I've found it for you :D

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xrduyz_hignfy-s11e04-claire-rayner-neil-morrissey-martin-clunes_fun
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: mary62 on January 05, 2014, 14:22:22 PM
Thank You Mr Scunner. Will look at it this evening.
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: Jacqui Harvey on January 05, 2014, 16:09:27 PM
Although not a Sit Com we do love "Would I lie to you"  The best episode ever was when Kevin Bridges (the young Glasgow comedian) was on and he told the story of Hiring a Horse, which he had actually bought, when on Holiday.  The panel had to guess if he was lying.   Have to say we were splitting our sides laughing and even when we watch it again we still laugh.
If you have not seen it, please have a look.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IkXxmMUIx8k&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DIkXxmMUIx8k
Title: Re: Sit coms
Post by: badger on January 05, 2014, 18:09:21 PM
Just watched Two doors down on BBC I player .Not sure if it's a one off but thought it quite funny.Have any of our Scottish members seen it ?Be careful if you invite your neighbours in Old years night next year Keith,Toky,Anne,H etc   :)