Joking Apart
On Tuesday 3rd April 2007 GMT at 8:32 PM GMT, Lewis Roberts said:
Who remembers this sit-com, it had That guy who's surname is bathhurst or something, i think it ran in the early 1990's but i'm not sure, what are your veiws?
On Tuesday 3rd April 2007 GMT at 9:01 PM GMT, Britcom Barry said:
That would be Robert Bathurst, I only have the vaguest recollection of it, can't say I'm a fan of any of Steven Moffats work.
Apparently he also wrote The Office. (no not that one but the one that was on ITV in 1996)
On Tuesday 3rd April 2007 GMT at 11:03 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I started watching the first episode a while back (probably a year and a half, at least), but it just didn't 'grab' me. Perhaps that's because it was pretty low-quality though.
On Wednesday 4th April 2007 GMT at 1:58 PM GMT, swerytd said:
I thought Joking Apart was the best-written sitcom ever to grace our screens. It's absolutely phenomenal and what we (us writers especially) should aspire to.
Last episode of the first series is the best farce ever written. Absolutely superb.
Some bloke liked it so much he produced the DVD himself, learning everything that needs to go into it (acquiring rights, editing, producing, even subtitling in other languages!) Read about it here:
http://www.jokingapart.co.uk
Unfortunately no news on the second series as yet, so my stuffy old VHS copy needs to be spun a few more times yet.
Dan
On Wednesday 4th April 2007 GMT at 2:09 PM GMT, Lewis Roberts said:
i did thihnk it was very well written, the acting wasn't always brilliant but it was well written, most of the time well acted and it's characheters were very well set up, thanks for that link Dan.
On Wednesday 4th April 2007 GMT at 2:17 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Steven Mofat can be a deeply annoying writer (see entire series of Coupling for further details) but he can also be brilliant. Joking Apart was excellent, and his Doctor Who shows are easily the best.
On Wednesday 4th April 2007 GMT at 6:02 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Not sure I agree about Coupling, but certainly Doctor Who. I think Mark did an interview with that DVD guy too. Possibly. I know we 'pushed' it quite a bit in the newsletter a while back.
On Wednesday 4th April 2007 GMT at 6:29 PM GMT, Rick Skelton said:
I've seen the first 4 episodes recently. I think it's a very good show. The 3rd episode was pretty slow, but the others have been really funny. I like the set-up and the characters.
For me, the only issue is the casting of Robert Bathurst. I think he's drab. He's made for pompous, secondary role and isn't a leading comedy actor. If the show didn't take of, he's probably the reason why. He's funny, but I think it could be funnier if it had a warmer actor who was a bit less wooden.
On Wednesday 4th April 2007 GMT at 6:33 PM GMT, Mark said:
Joking Apart was very well received at the time. I don't think its for everyone but does deserve another airing on TV. It's one of those series you wonder why the BBC dont repeat.
Craig, the guy who released it on DVD has done an amazing job - its actually more proffesionaly done than some DVDs from the more well known labels! Then again it was put togther by a genuine fan of the show (rather than a bored production team) who was also a technical wizard so I guess you would expect it to be a bit better.
swerytd - I think the second series DVD will be released when a certain sales target has been hit. Craig is probably having a rest first though - I know he spent almost a year of his life sorting out the first series! (I spoke to him on the phone and won't quote how many hundreds of hours he spent touching up the master tapes!)
p.s. there's an article on the story behind the release here: http://www.offthetelly.co.uk/comedy/jokingapart.htm
p.p.s. DVD can be bought here:
http://www.replaydvd.co.uk
On Wednesday 4th April 2007 GMT at 7:24 PM GMT, Craig Robins said:
Thanks, Mark, for your kind words!
Some info which people might find useful: the series won a prize at Montreux and was very well received by the majority of those who saw it. Unfortunately, it was appalling scheduled and was always up against ITV's prime time ratings winners (Minder, Peak Practice, Kavanagh QC) so never got the audience share it deserved. If it had gone out at 8.30pm on BBC1 on Friday night as was proposed, it would probably now be regarded as a classic. I still get emails from people saying it's their all-time favourite comedy.
Episode one is a bit different in style to all the others. It was originally a pilot and it was only after the series was commissioned that Steven Moffat decided to turn the rest of the series into full-on farce in the style of Fawlty Towers, only blacker (it was inspired by Moffat's own divorce, after all!) So don't give up half way through episode one, Aaron, and you'll be suitably rewarded.
Finally, I'm hoping that series two will be available sometime this year.
On Wednesday 4th April 2007 GMT at 9:20 PM GMT, swerytd said:
Woohoo! Excellent news! Thanks Craig -- I thought the first series had taken its toll 
Dan
On Wednesday 29th April 2009 GMT at 1:21 AM GMT, Tom G said:
Just started watching the first series, there are some good lines but thin Tim Vine would have been excellent in the lead role.
I can already see the similarities with Coupling (the funeral scene). Look forward to episode 6!
On Wednesday 29th April 2009 GMT at 1:24 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Except Coupling was far, far funnier.
On Wednesday 29th April 2009 GMT at 1:27 AM GMT, Tom G said:
Oh I'm a huge Coupling fan, probably in my top 5 sitcoms but I have high hopes for this!
On Wednesday 29th April 2009 GMT at 1:31 AM GMT, Steve Sunshine said:
I used to really enjoy this show, and I wish they'd repeat it.
And I met Tracie Bennett at our work's Christmas party a few years ago.
I sang Elvis in a kind of Pop Idol competition and she was friends with the band.
What a lovely lady she was, really encouraging.
On Wednesday 29th April 2009 GMT at 6:47 AM GMT, thefridaylink said:
Have just been reminded to buy this - Episode 1 ... where he just breaks down crying over the credits was fantastic, as was "lawfully wedded straight-man". Really enjoyed sadness/farce balance.
I've seen the whole first series - rented the DVD but keep forgetting to buy them both on DVD. Enjoyable commentaries tinged with regret as well.
On Wednesday 29th April 2009 GMT at 12:13 PM GMT, swerytd said:
Buy both together, save £4:
http://www.replaydvd.co.uk/
Dan
On Wednesday 16th December 2009 GMT at 4:42 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Just watched the first few episodes of this; pretty darn brilliant so far. If obviously a bit horribly nineties at times. Good lord, the clothes and sets!
On Wednesday 16th December 2009 GMT at 4:57 PM GMT, swerytd said:
My view exactly! Awesome!
Dan
On Thursday 17th December 2009 GMT at 12:18 AM GMT, earman2009 said:
The size of the mobile phones! This show is brilliant. I was it in awe of Stephen Moffet's writing ability. The way he structures an episode is fantastic. I do prefer Coupling though.
On Thursday 17th December 2009 GMT at 5:19 AM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
You can see much of the Coupling style coming through in an embryonic state in this show.
On Friday 18th December 2009 GMT at 12:45 AM GMT, earman2009 said:
He created the style for Joking apart and then perfected it in Coupling.
On Friday 18th December 2009 GMT at 4:02 AM GMT, peter gazzard said:
i've never seen it but if it is as good as Coupling it must be good
On Friday 18th December 2009 GMT at 2:18 PM GMT, swerytd said:
It's better, in my opinion.
Dan
On Saturday 19th December 2009 GMT at 2:28 AM GMT, Steve Sunshine said:
I think I'll have to get the DVD.
Why do they always repeat the same things over & over.
This could easily be shown & appreciated again.
On Tuesday 22nd December 2009 GMT at 6:27 PM GMT, David Bussell said:
Quote: swerytd @ December 18 2009, 9:18 AM GMTIt's better, in my opinion.
Dan
No one cares what you think.
On Tuesday 22nd December 2009 GMT at 6:37 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: David Bussell @ December 22 2009, 1:27 PM GMTNo one cares what you think.
I do. But only on certain days.
On Tuesday 22nd December 2009 GMT at 6:41 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Quote: chipolata @ December 22 2009, 1:37 PM GMTI do.
I thought I did, turned out I was thinking about Jake How.
On Tuesday 22nd December 2009 GMT at 6:43 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: Matthew Stott @ December 22 2009, 1:41 PM GMTI thought I did, turned out I was thinking about Jake How.
I miss that crazy borderline autistic bastard.