Lab Rats
On Tuesday 24th June 2008 GMT at 2:45 PM GMT, Mark said:
The BBC have released some preview videos of Chris Addison's new studio sitcom, which starts in about a fortnight's time. What do you think?
http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/lab_rats/videos/
On Tuesday 24th June 2008 GMT at 2:56 PM GMT, Writer2K said:
Any idea what time of night this is likely to be broadcast? Found the three clips quite funny but if the BBC intends a post watershed timeslot I think the audience will be expecting something much edgier. Mustn't condemn before the damned thing been broadcast though. I've like most of the stuff Chris Addison has been involved with (TV and radio).
On Tuesday 24th June 2008 GMT at 3:28 PM GMT, chipolata said:
This is probably the sitcom I'm looking forward to most this year, on account of The Ape That Got Lucky (which was brilliant) and Armando Ianucci being involved. Hope I won't be disappointed.
On Tuesday 24th June 2008 GMT at 3:32 PM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: Writer2K @ June 24 2008, 11:56 AM BSTAny idea what time of night this is likely to be broadcast? Found the three clips quite funny but if the BBC intends a post watershed timeslot I think the audience will be expecting something much edgier.
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I know what you mean... thankfully it goes out at the fairly early time of 9:30pm (for six weeks, starting on Thursday 10th July).
On Tuesday 24th June 2008 GMT at 3:34 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Is it going to be part of a new Thursdays are funny line-up? And if so, what are the other shows going out with it?
On Tuesday 24th June 2008 GMT at 3:39 PM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
Ooh, it looks good. The whole lightbulb and chair conversation was great. As was the dumb girl and lemon caculator.
On Tuesday 24th June 2008 GMT at 3:44 PM GMT, Writer2K said:
Quote: chipolata @ June 24 2008, 12:28 PM BSTand Armando Ianucci being involved. Hope I won't be disappointed.
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Missed the fact that Armando Ianucci was involved. I'm now expecting great things.
On Tuesday 24th June 2008 GMT at 4:14 PM GMT, Aaron said:
The trouble is that they've postponed showing this for so long, will it just look like a British rip-off of The Big Bang Theory? They may not be identical in plot, but it was recorded back in like October, I think, so why the wait?
On Tuesday 24th June 2008 GMT at 6:53 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
Quote: Aaron @ June 24 2008, 1:14 PM BSTThe trouble is that they've postponed showing this for so long, will it just look like a British rip-off of The Big Bang Theory? They may not be identical in plot, but it was recorded back in like October, I think, so why the wait?
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Also, is it still going to called 'Lab Rats'? Hasn't Richard Hammond nabbed that for his childrens' BBC science programme that's been commissioned? Or is Hammond's company going to be the one to have to back down?
On Tuesday 24th June 2008 GMT at 9:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
I like the clips. And Addison's great. I'm so glad it's finally on!!
On Tuesday 24th June 2008 GMT at 9:05 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Looks like it could be good; none of the clips knocked me out, but I liked them.
On Tuesday 24th June 2008 GMT at 9:06 PM GMT, zooo said:
I liked the bulb in the box.
On Tuesday 24th June 2008 GMT at 9:10 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Quote: zooo @ June 24 2008, 6:06 PM BSTI liked the bulb in the box.
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Yeah, that was good; the stupid woman with the calculator was a bit annoying, even in short clip form; so itll be interesting to see what shes like in a full episode. Having said that, the lemon powerd calculator was a funny payoff.
On Tuesday 24th June 2008 GMT at 9:11 PM GMT, zooo said:
The no water in the watering can actually made me laugh too.
On Tuesday 24th June 2008 GMT at 9:12 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Quote: zooo @ June 24 2008, 6:11 PM BSTThe no water in the watering can actually made me laugh too.
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Oh yeah, that was funny. Im actually laughing more at remembering bits now than when I watched; could be a good sign?
On Tuesday 24th June 2008 GMT at 9:15 PM GMT, zooo said:
It has all the signs of a grower!
On Tuesday 24th June 2008 GMT at 10:51 PM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
"How have you not gone through without a piano falling on your head."
"I haven't."
That made me lol.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:24 AM GMT, Seefacts said:
Oh, dear.
That wasn't very good, I'm afraid. I like Adison but this is disappointing.
Not enough jokes for an audience sitcom.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:26 AM GMT, zooo said:
?
I reeally think one should watch a whole episode before saying that. All you've seen is one minute long clips. Not enough to make that judgement.
(Come back and make it again later.) 
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:29 AM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: zooo @ June 24 2008, 10:26 PM BST?
I reeally think one should watch a whole episode before saying that. All you've seen is one minute long clips. Not enough to make that judgement.
(Come back and make it again later.)
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I know, I know.
But a trailer is cut to make you want to watch the show! I can tell if a show is going to be half decent from just a few minutes.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:31 AM GMT, zooo said:
Fair enough, you can possibly tell if it's for you or not.
But just not whether it has enough jokes.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:34 AM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: zooo @ June 24 2008, 10:31 PM BST
Fair enough, you can possibly tell if it's for you or not.
But just not whether it has enough jokes.
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But a sitcom will have a consistent amount of laughs - an audience one HAS to.
I'll watch the first one, I watch the first of most comedy shows but I can see me not sticking about for the other 5.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:37 AM GMT, zooo said:
Aaaaall I is saying is until we've seen how many jokes there are, neither of us can say whether they have tons or none. Just a factual point!
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:40 AM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: zooo @ June 24 2008, 10:37 PM BSTAaaaall I is saying is until we've seen how many jokes there are, neither of us can say whether they have tons or none. Just a factual point!
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ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLRIIIIIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll watch, but for me those clips don't bode well.
Conversely The Inbetweeners looked good from the clips that went out. And it was.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:41 AM GMT, zooo said:
Sorry. I'm in a bit of an annoying mood. I'll stop now.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:42 AM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Quote: Seefacts @ June 24 2008, 10:40 PM BST
Conversely The Inbetweeners looked good from the clips that went out. And it was.
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I dont think The Inbetweeners did look all that great from the ads, but it turned out well. Youve got to give this a chance before slating it,it had some funny bits, but theres no way of knowing until youve seen a full episode.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:43 AM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: zooo @ June 24 2008, 10:41 PM BST
Sorry. I'm in a bit of an annoying mood. I'll stop now.
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Yeah, thank god, you irritating mare!
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:43 AM GMT, zooo said:
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:43 AM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Quote: Seefacts @ June 24 2008, 10:29 PM BST
I can tell if a show is going to be half decent from just a few minutes.
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Youre like someone out of Heroes or something . .
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:45 AM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: Matthew Stott @ June 24 2008, 10:42 PM BSTI dont think The Inbetweeners did look all that great from the ads, but it turned out well. Youve got to give this a chance before slating it,it had some funny bits, but theres no way of knowing until youve seen a full episode.
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Yeah, of course. I'll be watching, so I'll meet you all back here on the 10th to discuss!
Quote: Matthew Stott @ June 24 2008, 10:43 PM BSTYoure like someone out of Heroes or something . .
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I'm glad someone has finally pointed that out . . .
Trailers are a showcase, that's my point there. Also, as I'm a big comedy geek, I like to think I (and probably most fans on here) can spot a duff comedy a bit quicker than your average TV viewer!
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:52 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Seefacts @ June 24 2008, 10:29 PM BSTI can tell if a show is going to be half decent from just a few minutes.
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Didn't you decide that The Inbetweeners was shit?
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:52 AM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: Aaron @ June 24 2008, 10:52 PM BSTDidn't you decide that The Inbetweeners was shit?
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No.
No, I didn't.
I thought it was BEFORE I saw the clips.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:53 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Seefacts @ June 24 2008, 10:40 PM BSTConversely The Inbetweeners looked good from the clips that went out. And it was.
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Maybe not. Who was it then? *strokes chin*
Anyway, you have facial hair, so your opinion is of negligible worth.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:53 AM GMT, zooo said:
Quote: Seefacts @ June 24 2008, 10:52 PM BSTNo.
No, I didn't.
I thought it was BEFORE I saw the clips.
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On what basis, the title?
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:54 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Matthew Stott @ June 24 2008, 10:42 PM BSTI dont think The Inbetweeners did look all that great from the ads, but it turned out well.
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Aha, of course.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:56 AM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: zooo @ June 24 2008, 10:53 PM BSTOn what basis, the title?
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No, the fact it was on e4, it's about young people (f**k you Skins!) and it's 2008 and new sitcoms are witless, on the whole.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:57 AM GMT, zooo said:
Well then I hope you've learned your lesson.
(But I don't think you have.)
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 2:01 AM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: zooo @ June 24 2008, 10:57 PM BSTWell then I hope you've learned your lesson.
(But I don't think you have.)
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It's hard not to pre-judge in life. But I was very glad to be proven wrong, because it meant I got to enjoy 6 really funny episodes of sitcom!
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 9:36 AM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Quote: Aaron @ June 24 2008, 10:54 PM BSTAha, of course.
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??? Whats that about? I didnt decide Inbetweeners was shit before, during or after its run.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:53 PM GMT, Pete said:
Quote: Seefacts @ June 24 2008, 10:24 PM BSTOh, dear.
That wasn't very good, I'm afraid. I like Adison but this is disappointing.
Not enough jokes for an audience sitcom.
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Glad someone else thought that....when a character has to say "i cant believe we're having this conversation" as a way of justify talking complete bollocks it hints to me it doesn't know how surreal it wants to be.....as my pet hate is UK sitcoms that think if your in front of an audience you need to leave reality behind, that don't bode well.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 1:57 PM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: Pete @ June 25 2008, 10:53 AM BSTas my pet hate is UK sitcoms that think if your in front of an audience you need to leave reality behind, that don't bode well.
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Oh dear, you better hope mine doesn't get commissioned . . .
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 2:00 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: Seefacts @ June 25 2008, 10:57 AM BSTOh dear, you better hope mine doesn't get commissioned . . .
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We're all hoping that.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 2:09 PM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: chipolata @ June 25 2008, 11:00 AM BSTWe're all hoping that.
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On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 2:44 PM GMT, Aaron said:
LOL. Good call, chip.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 2:47 PM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: Aaron @ June 25 2008, 11:44 AM BSTLOL. Good call, chip.
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Oh, thanks.
And you won't be saying that if I get you lots of exclusive stuff for the site!
Okay, it has to actually get made first . . .
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 3:03 PM GMT, Aaron said:
The wit amused me. I have not a clue about your sitcom - not even any clips - so won't judge!
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 3:06 PM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: Aaron @ June 25 2008, 12:03 PM BSTThe wit amused me. I have not a clue about your sitcom - not even any clips
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Christ, you're easily pleased! If you ever watched Only Fools and Horses you'd have a coronary.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 3:10 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Easily pleased? Well, only on the comedy front.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 3:13 PM GMT, Pete said:
Quote: Seefacts @ June 25 2008, 12:06 PM BSTChrist, you're easily pleased! If you ever watched Only Fools and Horses you'd have a coronary.
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He'd have a mild stroke watching Newsnight.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 3:16 PM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: Aaron @ June 25 2008, 12:10 PM BSTEasily pleased? Well, only on the comedy front.
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Well, I wasn't suggesting you were easily pleased in other areas. I'm not going to come round and do a little sexy dance and give you a back rub or anything.
Quote: Pete @ June 25 2008, 12:13 PM BSTHe'd have a mild stroke watching Newsnight.
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Paxman IS funny though.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 3:17 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Pete @ June 25 2008, 12:13 PM BSTHe'd have a mild stroke watching Newsnight.
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With anger.
Quote: Seefacts @ June 25 2008, 12:16 PM BSTWell, I wasn't suggesting you were easily pleased in other areas. I'm not going to come round and do a little sexy dance and give you a back rub or anything.
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Awww.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 3:28 PM GMT, Pete said:
Quote: Seefacts @ June 25 2008, 12:16 PM BST
Paxman IS funny though.
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Compared to lemon calculators he's bill hicks and eddie murphy combined.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 3:34 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Just to recap, are all the people dismissing this show doing so on the basis of a few clips? Or have they seen it?
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 3:36 PM GMT, jdubya said:
really, really looking forward to this.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 3:38 PM GMT, zooo said:
No one has seen it yet.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 3:39 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: chipolata @ June 25 2008, 12:34 PM BSTJust to recap, are all the people dismissing this show doing so on the basis of a few clips? Or have they seen it?
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Just a few clips.
On Wednesday 25th June 2008 GMT at 3:51 PM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: chipolata @ June 25 2008, 12:34 PM BSTJust to recap, are all the people dismissing this show doing so on the basis of a few clips? Or have they seen it?
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A trailer is designed to showcase a show and make people watch it.
It's representative of the show and anyone is allowed to make a positive or negative judgement based on the two minutes or so of material in those trailers. That's why we have trailers.
How is me saying 'It wasn't funny, I don't think it'll be any good' any less allowed than 'It made me laugh, I think it'll be good'. It's not. Both are valid opinions.
I've watched the clips and made a judgement based around those: That it won't be any good.
I'll still watch it, of course, and I hope I'm surprised. But I don't think I will.
On Thursday 26th June 2008 GMT at 4:45 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Nowadays I don't pay attention to trailers. I remember avoiding watching Pulling simply because the trailer made it look awful. Yet when I watched it eighteen months later I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. I also remember The IT Crowd trailer lowering my expectations on that show considerably. The Office and Flight of The Conchords also had pretty bad trailers... Trailers: worthless. Especially for brand new shows.
On Thursday 26th June 2008 GMT at 7:19 PM GMT, swerytd said:
Quote: chipolata @ June 26 2008, 1:45 PM BSTTrailers: worthless. Especially for brand new shows.
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Except that, cos I don't watch any ads, I may miss the programme entirely. So, almost worthless.
Dan
On Thursday 26th June 2008 GMT at 7:21 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: swerytd @ June 26 2008, 4:19 PM BSTExcept that, cos I don't watch any ads, I may miss the programme entirely. So, almost worthless.
Dan
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Surely this marvelously informative website informs you of all upcoming comedies?
On Saturday 28th June 2008 GMT at 8:24 PM GMT, swerytd said:
Yes, of course. But it doesn't mention the shit ones I want to watch...
Dan
On Saturday 28th June 2008 GMT at 11:11 PM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: chipolata @ June 26 2008, 1:45 PM BSTNowadays I don't pay attention to trailers. I remember avoiding watching Pulling simply because the trailer made it look awful. Yet when I watched it eighteen months later I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. I also remember The IT Crowd trailer lowering my expectations on that show considerably. The Office and Flight of The Conchords also had pretty bad trailers... Trailers: worthless. Especially for brand new shows.
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The IT Crowd trailer won me over with 'A plan? Let me put on some slightly larger glasses'.
On Saturday 28th June 2008 GMT at 11:12 PM GMT, zooo said:
That would do it!
On Wednesday 9th July 2008 GMT at 2:48 PM GMT, David H said:
I'll give this a look tomorrow but from what I know it doesn't look as though it'll be something for me. A bit concerned too that all the scientists are supposedly idiots. Isn't that a bit too lazy to write?
On Wednesday 9th July 2008 GMT at 3:12 PM GMT, Griff said:
I like programmes where everyone is an idiot.
On Wednesday 9th July 2008 GMT at 3:17 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: David H @ July 9 2008, 11:48 AM BSTI'll give this a look tomorrow but from what I know it doesn't look as though it'll be something for me. A bit concerned too that all the scientists are supposedly idiots. Isn't that a bit too lazy to write?
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You can hqave different types of idiot. For example, Aaron is a different type of idiot than Jake How. No offence.
On Wednesday 9th July 2008 GMT at 4:04 PM GMT, Sebastian Orange-News said:
Quote: Griff @ July 9 2008, 12:12 PM BSTI like programmes where everyone is an idiot.
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I like forums where everyone is an idiot, hence i go on this one.
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha aha ha ha ha ha ha ha h ah ah ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha aha ha ha ha ha ha ha h ah ah ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
only jesting team, hope i havney hurt anybodies feelings
On Wednesday 9th July 2008 GMT at 5:06 PM GMT, zooo said:
Hee.
Yay, Labrats, finally on.
I am again, moist with excitement.
On Wednesday 9th July 2008 GMT at 9:05 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
Looking forward to this. I try not to watch trailers for new sitcoms because what are they really meant to be telling you other than "here's the premise"? Can't judge'em fairly on that. Really hoping for a good laugh considering those involved.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 12:40 AM GMT, Ben said:
I just turned this off after 5 minutes.
The jokes seemed pretty lame and predictable. The acting was mediocre as well. Most importantly, it didn't make me laugh. I can't think of one sitcom I've been loyal to that hasn't made me laugh in the first 5 minutes.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 12:45 AM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: Winterlight @ July 10 2008, 9:40 PM BSTI just turned this off after 5 minutes.
The jokes seemed pretty lame and predictable. The acting was mediocre as well. Most importantly, it didn't make me laugh. I can't think of one sitcom I've been loyal to that hasn't made me laugh in the first 5 minutes.
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I got bored too.
Terrible.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 12:48 AM GMT, Ben said:
Lets sock it to 'em!
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:07 AM GMT, Aaron said:
There were a few good lines, but literally only a few - certainly no more than half a dozen - throughout the whole half hour, and a couple of good moments too (visually, that is).
As I'm sure you all know, I'll sit through anything.
But that was BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD.
I don't feel the kind of hatred towards it that I do with The Wall, for example, but it was really really poor. I like these so-called "middle of the road" sitcoms, but it was like they'd neutered it of jokes. I don't know how they got away with it. Can't see a second series.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:08 AM GMT, Seefacts said:
And no surprise that the trailer represented the show TOTALLY.
Bland, unfunny, irritating.
It was like a shit copy of the IT Crowd.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:12 AM GMT, Gluben said:
As with most cases, you have to give it a chance. Well, you don't really, but I will be. I've seen Chris Addison doing stand-up and he was brilliant, so I'm hoping it'll improve a bit. You can't expect perfection from the first scene. It shows promise, especially the end with the giant snail.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:14 AM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: Gluben @ July 10 2008, 10:12 PM BSTAs with most cases, you have to give it a chance. Well, you don't really, but I will be. I've seen Chris Addison doing stand-up and he was brilliant, so I'm hoping it'll improve a bit. You can't expect perfection from the first scene. It shows promise, especially the end with the giant snail.
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I like his stand up too.
And you can't expect perfection? Sorry? Is this not on the telly? Will this not have gone through development and rehearsals and re-writes?
First episode of Black Books - hilarious. Ditto IT Crowd, Father Ted, Inbetweeners.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:16 AM GMT, Gluben said:
No, I like to set my standards a bit lower than most, otherwise I set myself up for disappointment, reality and a possibly dreary future life. I remain optimistic.
Wouldn't say the first episode of Black Books or Father Ted was "hilarious". Good certainly, but not amazing. Haven't seen The Inbetweeners, so can't comment on that.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:20 AM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
I thought it was all right, not the greatest thing i've seen but certainly not one of the worst. Some good lines, and I still laughed at the bulb and the chair scene, also the giant snail was a good. But that's it really. I like Chris Addison as a performer.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:23 AM GMT, Pete said:
The giant snail was superb. They must have watched del boy at bar, basil and the tree branch and Brent's dance for inspiration.
Back to earth - is it not on at an odd time? Don't bbc2 post 9pm viewers want a bit more subtly? This felt like Saturday afternoon stuff...kids might laugh at big lemons?
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:30 AM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: Pete @ July 10 2008, 10:23 PM BSTThe giant snail was superb. They must have watched del boy at bar, basil and the tree branch and Brent's dance for inspiration.
Back to earth - is it not on at an odd time? Don't bbc2 post 9pm viewers want a bit more subtly? This felt like Saturday afternoon stuff...kids might laugh at big lemons?
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You can do trad without using funny foreign accents and jokes from 1978 though, can't you?
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:32 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Those weren't jokes from 1978. They just weren't jokes.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:33 AM GMT, Gluben said:
Quote: Seefacts @ July 10 2008, 10:30 PM BSTYou can do trad without using funny foreign accents and jokes from 1978 though, can't you?
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Those help to make it funnier. I love funny foreign accents (I like imitating them all the time), and old jokes are made funnier when characters know how old they are - the Russian scientist's surname for one. I soon got over the foreign accents anyway.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:40 AM GMT, Aaron said:
I didn't get the surname bits.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:41 AM GMT, Gluben said:
Quote: Aaron @ July 10 2008, 10:40 PM BSTI didn't get the surname bits.
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You missed Billy Ray Cyrus? And Babooshka? Let me guess, you missed the "non-jokes" deliberately...
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:43 AM GMT, Nick said:
Pretty feeble all in all and I only just managed to sit through the entire half hour. I like one of the actresses (the girl who was in 1 ep of Phoenix Nights) but apart from that there was little to commend it.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:46 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Gluben @ July 10 2008, 10:41 PM BSTYou missed Billy Ray Cyrus? And Babooshka?
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The Babooshka thing, yeah. But the others I didn't get.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 2:19 AM GMT, Lee Henman said:
Hmm.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 2:29 AM GMT, Timbo said:
The jokes came thick and past, but the quality control was not there, though the annoying indiscriminate laughter made it difficult work out what was actually funny and what was not. Was I the only one who thought this suffered from being filmed in front of an audience? I also felt some of the younger cast members, particularly Chris Addison had their timing thrown off by the audience, rather than them bouncing off them.
There were also problems of tone. The performances ranged from the almost naturalistic to the painfully over the top.
On the whole the broader the comedy got the funnier it was, but they kept falling back into banter to keep the gag count up. Pausing for breath and going for the big laughs might have worked better.
It will probably run a lot smoother when we know the characters. For instance the Professor blowing the budget on erecting an equestrian statue of himself might have been funny if we had known who he was. When people say that shows were funny from the first episode this can involve an element of hindsight if the first show is being revisited in the context of what followed.
There was certainly potential. I don't think the current series is going to catch fire, there are too many issues to sort out. But If the BBC give it another season, and maybe lose the studio audience, it could work. Possibly.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 4:17 AM GMT, Godot Taxis said:
I'm afraid this was undeniably an attempt to cash in on the success of the IT crowd as I think Seefacts said.
I'll watch the second episode if they have some chugging beagles or they cut the speech centre out of a monkey's brain.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 11:11 AM GMT, Ian Wolf said:
I thought it was certainly an interesting programme with some good ideas and great effects, although it was not as funny as I hoped it would be. I'll watch the next episode mind.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 12:13 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Terrible. Even worse than that hiphop sitcom Dreck and Flippoff.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 12:35 PM GMT, David H said:
Never thought it was for me, being aimed at an I.T Crowd type audience, and it wasn't.
I thought the performances were good, although wasn't sure about the younger guy with the beard. He's a writer anyway, isn't he? The material didn't make me laugh, though I did smile at the Curtis Stigers/Billy Rae Cyrus thing.
The thing is with this kind of comedy is that everything is on the surface. You get the surface, all these jokes, and that's it. There's nothing beneath the characters. I'd rather see a character and know more about him/her than a load of jokes they come out with. What makes them tick?
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 12:54 PM GMT, Lazzard said:
Let's face it, it was grisly beyond compare.
It was a cut and paste of several shows with characters straight from "So you want to write a Sitcom?" Vol.III.
The 'mad' boss, the ditzy girl,the under-dog side-kick,the Angus Deaton-esque wry voice of reason.
Not one of which had a single endearing quality.
[Name me a succesful comedy without a single empathetic/sympathetic character]
Usually comedy is a matter of taste.
Not this time.
If you thought this was funny, you must seek medical attention at once.
And for God's sake, don't write anything like this.
Seriously, though, we have to do better.
And I do mean 'we'.
Because the only upside to this sort of shite is that all over the country lap-tops are being fired up and the words "We open on..." are being typed.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 12:56 PM GMT, Marc P said:
"We open on..."
What... Weekends???????
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:04 PM GMT, Writer2K said:
Think they should have cleaned this up a bit and put it out at half-five on a Sunday afternoon. Turn it into a very silly, family oriented sitcom, kids would love it. Transmitting it at 9.30 is a huge mistake.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:13 PM GMT, Lazzard said:
Sorry, MarcP, it's a throw-back to a former life in adland.
"We open on a tropical beach.." being the preferred opening for a TV commercial. Later to be revised to " We open on a rain-soaked back-lot at Shepperton"
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:19 PM GMT, Pete said:
Quote: Lazzard @ July 11 2008, 9:54 AM BSTName me a succesful comedy without a single empathetic/sympathetic character
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That's what I thought strange...all the comedy I like either has characters you can empathise with or charterers that are just likable/you would like to meet.
Unless you're an ugly retarded scientist....what's the appeal?
I'm surprised they didn't make the short girl a pretty blonde...at least it would have had some degree of appealing feature to it! (adding gags would have been better though!)
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:23 PM GMT, Lazzard said:
If she'd been pretty and blonde then she would have been a TOTAL rip-off of 'Bubbles' from Ab-Fab, rather than the mere partial rip-off she is now.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:26 PM GMT, Pete said:
Quote: Lazzard @ July 11 2008, 10:23 AM BSTIf she'd been pretty and blonde then she would have been a TOTAL rip-off of 'Bubbles' from Ab-Fab.
View original
We have very differing ideas of pretty!
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:30 PM GMT, Timbo said:
Quote: Pete @ July 11 2008, 10:19 AM BSTThat's what i thought strange...all the comedy i like either has characters you can empathize with or charterers that are just likable/you would like to meet.
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I am not sure this is true. Most of the great sitcom characters have been distinctly unendearing, when you empathise with them it is more case of recognising your own failings and cringing.
In any case you have only just met these characters, we have not had a chance to get to know them and get under the skin. (In itself a problem with the first episode, which deliberately set up a frantic pace.)
As for not identifying with lab technicians, why less so than priests, or IT nerds, or second hand booksellers?
I don't think Lab Rats is good, far from it. But I think rather than dismissing it, it is more interesting to work out why people thought it would be good and then work out what went wrong.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:49 PM GMT, Marc P said:
I really enjoyed it.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 1:57 PM GMT, Pete said:
Quote: Timbo @ July 11 2008, 10:30 AM BSTI am not sure this is true.
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All the shows i like either have likeable/want to be like characters (most of the American stuff goes this route...Friends is prob the most obvious example of putting 6 attractive people in the best city in the world - what's not to like!) or has characters i can empathise with or with the general situation (The office took that to extremes but the idea was clear)
Even something like Fawlty Towers had the maid as some sanity amidst the mayhem (and was attractive - by 70's standards - to boot)
For me, if you don't empathize or like the characters how can you ever go deeper? The writers have shoehorned themselves into the shallows. Only Fools had its funerals, Friends had its weddings/break ups, etc - how can you ever tap into these elements of drama if no one gives a shit about your characters.
Gavin and Stacey has been very clever in this respect - by making most of the chacters likeable they have "won the nations heart"....and has been massively over rated, about which i doubt they care as they're too busy flooging it to the Yanks and collect the DVD revenues.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 2:13 PM GMT, Timbo said:
A difference of opinion then, as much as I enjoy Friends, I find it impossible to care about the characters, the whole show is much too knowing for that, and the attractiveness of the cast is actually a barrier. And I know I cared even less about them after the first episode.
I do not think the characters in Lab Rats are inherently less appealing or less original than in other sitcoms. Or that the script was lacking in humour.
For me the issues are around pacing and performance, which I suspect are as a result of coming to grips with the studio format. I thought Selina Cadell, as the most experienced member of the cast, nailed her lines much better than anyone else.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 3:16 PM GMT, chipolata said:
I love Dan Tetsell, but was disappointed with him in this.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 3:40 PM GMT, Graham Bandage said:
Addison is splendid in The Thick Of It, but seemed unable to pitch his performance correctly. It was the same for Lee Mack in the first series of Not Going Out. He'd improved massively by the second series, but there wouldn't have been a second series if the laugh ratio of the scripts had not been so high.
By halfway through Lab Rats, I started to wonder if it was some sort of meta-sitcom, like Echo Beach or When The Whistle Blows.
I can't imagine this would have been made if, to pick a name out of the air, davidmoreton's name had been attached to it, instead of Addison's.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 4:22 PM GMT, Pete said:
Pleasing that most of the reviews today range between shit and (at best) struggled and where joe blogs gets to leave feedback it seems pretty much hated....so, a) be interesting to see how it developes and b) glad to see we arent alone in disliking it simply because it gets made and ours dont!
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 4:29 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Pete @ July 11 2008, 1:22 PM BSTglad to see we arent alone in disliking it simply because it gets made and ours dont!
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This is what I really hate about this site. There aren't enough fans and audience members.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 4:34 PM GMT, Pete said:
Aren't we all?
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 4:37 PM GMT, Aaron said:
As most people here are writers or aspiring writers, no.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 4:37 PM GMT, zooo said:
How was Addison's character not likeable and sympathetic?
It wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible, and it might improve. There were some good lines (mostly deliverd by Addison). Enough to kep me watching anyway.
It did have a very strange feel to it though.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 4:46 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: zooo @ July 11 2008, 1:37 PM BSTHow was Addison's character not likeable and sympathetic?
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He wasn't likeable. But there wasn't anything really to hate either. I found myself thinking he was a bit of a dick I guess, but as someone else said there was no development or information about the characters or anything like that. If the lab exploded and they were all killed, I wouldn't care at all. A bit dull and unfeeling really.
Quote: zooo @ July 11 2008, 1:37 PM BSTIt did have a very strange feel to it though.
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Totally agree! It had both that kind of warm, safe feeling of a studio-based family sitcom, and the kind of, I dunno how to explain it, kind of edgeyness (?) that one tends to get with closed set shows. That the kind of thing you mean?
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 4:46 PM GMT, Marc P said:
Quote: Aaron @ July 11 2008, 1:29 PM BSTThis is what I really hate about this site. There aren't enough fans and audience members.
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I really liked it. Completely mad nonesense. Made me chuckle aloud a number of times. Some not so great lines here and there, and the main man isn't probably the best actor in the world, but I had the series link on my Sky plus button pushed and it's staying there.
I am a fan and an audience first and a writer probably eighth.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 4:46 PM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
Hello, must say I'm staggered by the amount of venom a mere sitcom has engendered. Although it was far from perfect (the administrator not remembering Brian's name being the worst offender), (and the Russian), I found it very entertaining. Good performances, some actual old fashioned plotting and some very funny bits. And I don't consider myself to have low standards; my favourite sitcoms so far this decade have been Nathan Barley, 15 Storeys and IT Crowd (with honorable mentions to Peep show and Saxondale). I wonder if at least some of your judgements have been clouded by the fact that most of you appear to be in various stages of writing careers and suffering from the affliction of thinking that Lab Rats is shit, your work is better, and so, therefore, your work should, by definition, by produced in place of it. Is there any truth in that notion or am I talking out of my poo-poo. Anyway, point being, that as a non-writing sitcom fan, I enjoyed it, look forward to more and thank goodness somebody's having a go at a studio based sitcom. There are only so many poor quality Office/Royle family clones I can manage.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 4:51 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: john lucas 101 @ July 11 2008, 1:46 PM BSTI wonder if at least some of your judgements have been clouded by the fact that most of you appear to be in various stages of writing careers and suffering from the affliction of thinking that Lab Rats is shit, your work is better, and so, therefore, your work should, by definition, by produced in place of it.
View original
That's exactly the problem. There's only so much worth that anything said on this site has, because of it.
Not that I'm saying that they'd think Lab Rats is good if they weren't writers, but just a general point.
Quote: john lucas 101 @ July 11 2008, 1:46 PM BSTAnyway, point being, that as a non-writing sitcom fan
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Welcome - please do stay as a regularly posting member!
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 4:54 PM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
Cheers Aaron, will drop in every now and then.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 4:55 PM GMT, Ben said:
John Lucas, I don't think the writers on here get upset because they consider their work to be better.
Personally, I compare TV sitcoms to previous TV sitcoms quality. And Lab Rats fell well short of the mark.
I also hate this notion that aspiring writers opinions shouldn't be counted.
It's like saying a trainee doctor shouldn't have an opinion on how to do an operation, but a member of the public should.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 5:00 PM GMT, Marc P said:
It had a kind of Goodies feel to me.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 5:01 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Goodies? Howso?
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 5:08 PM GMT, Marc P said:
I don;t know really Aaron, I spose the science aspect, but also the daftness of it. I think the daftness is the point that people missed. If you don't find that kind of humour funny - watching thirty minutes of it won't help.
I thought the little woman with the giant Lemon was great, and you almost see her corpsing at one point.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 5:11 PM GMT, Pete said:
Quote: john lucas 101 @ July 11 2008, 1:46 PM BST
There are only so many poor quality Office/Royle family clones I can manage.
View original
Whats an example of an office clone?
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 5:12 PM GMT, Nil Putters said:
I thought is was pretty lame, and I've no agenda. I just love comedy. The girl was about the only thing I found vaguely funny. And the 'Russians' accent was terrible, is the actor American by any chance. He sounded like a New Yorker half the time.
Hopefully it'll get better, I'll watch a couple more (maybe).
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 5:12 PM GMT, Marc P said:
Whats an example of an office clone?
Xerox
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 5:12 PM GMT, Pete said:
Quote: Marc P @ July 11 2008, 2:08 PM BST
I thought the little woman with the giant Lemon was great, and you almost see her corpsing at one point.
View original
I think i spotted the lemon looking embarrassed that he was involved.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 5:15 PM GMT, Nil Putters said:
When they were all leaving at the end, was the older woman dressed in flat cap and mac, with a paper bag a nod to Eric Morecombe somehow? You know, when Ernie sings and he wanders on.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 5:48 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Pete @ July 11 2008, 2:11 PM BSTWhats an example of an office clone?
View original
Extras.
Quote: Marc P @ July 11 2008, 2:08 PM BSTI don;t know really Aaron, I spose the science aspect, but also the daftness of it. I think the daftness is the point that people missed. If you don't find that kind of humour funny - watching thirty minutes of it won't help.
View original
I love daft humour. The cruder and stupider the better. But this was just odd. It wasn't that it was silly, or that it was in a science lab, I just didn't find it funny.
I don't really understand the comparisons to The IT Crowd though. Apart from them both being in front of audiences, and subject being science/tech, what's the similarity?
Quote: Nil Putters @ July 11 2008, 2:12 PM BSTAnd the 'Russians' accent was terrible
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Agreed!
Quote: Nil Putters @ July 11 2008, 2:15 PM BSTWhen they were all leaving at the end, was the older woman dressed in flat cap and mac, with a paper bag a nod to Eric Morecombe somehow? You know, when Ernie sings and he wanders on.
View original
Morecambe*
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 5:50 PM GMT, Timbo said:
Quote: Aaron @ July 11 2008, 1:51 PM BST
Not that I'm saying that they'd think Lab Rats is good if they weren't writers, but just a general point.
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Because I have been thinking about sitcoms lately, I did, unusually for me, watch Lab Rats with my writer's hat firmly on. I think it probably killed any chance of my actually enjoying it, but at the same time it also seems to have enabled me to take a more balanced view than most. What I do find surprising is would-be fellow professionals being so dismissive of someone else's efforts.
I think I shall have to watch it again with my writer's hat left off - if that is still possible.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 5:53 PM GMT, Marc P said:
Quote: Timbo @ July 11 2008, 2:50 PM BSTBecause I have been thinking about sitcoms lately, I did, unusually for me, watch Lab Rats with my writer's hat firmly on. I think it probably killed any chance of my actually enjoying it, but at the same time it also seems to have enabled me to take a more balanced view than most. What I do find surprising is would-be fellow professionals being so dismissive of someone else's efforts.
I think I shall have to watch it again with my writer's hat left off - if that is still possible.
View original
Watch it again and count the gag quota - there were loads. Whether people find them funny is a different matter, it was gatling with gags.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 6:00 PM GMT, Timbo said:
Quote: Aaron @ July 11 2008, 2:48 PM BST
I don't really understand the comparisons to The IT Crowd though. Apart from them both being in front of audiences, and subject being science/tech, what's the similarity?
View original
I did think the exaggerated style of humour was similar, the problem was that the daftness was diluted with too much lame banter, as if the writers were trying to stick to a so-many-jokes-per-minute quotient. This affected the audience reaction, a continuous ripple of polite laughter rather than any genuine reaction the performers could work with. The biggest problem though was the performances, most of which were pitched wrong for the material. Addison was particularly poor, and since he was on screen almost continuously that pretty much sank it. Try imaging Chris Dowd or Dermot Morgan in the role to get an idea of how it could have worked.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 6:02 PM GMT, Pete said:
I watched it on a cross trainer in the gym...i wasn't sat there with a note pad! And Marc P is right - it was FULL of gags, the problem is when they were that crap the audience laugh was just cringing....i was left thinking "what the hell are they laughing at"
In a few hours i'll be in the audience for Clone and i'm dying to see how they get us to laugh at every gag (cash would do it!)
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 6:06 PM GMT, Timbo said:
Quote: Marc P @ July 11 2008, 2:53 PM BSTWatch it again and count the gag quota - there were loads. Whether people find them funny is a different matter, it was gatling with gags.
View original
No I saw that, but to be honest I wondered if that was part of the problem. I shall have to watch an episode of the IT Crowd and compare the pacing.
Quote: Pete @ July 11 2008, 3:02 PM BSTthe problem is when they were that crap the audience laugh was just cringing....i was left thinking "what the hell are they laughing at"
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Yes, I agree. Rather than encouraging me to laugh, the audience were just putting my back up.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 6:16 PM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
Quote: Pete @ July 11 2008, 2:11 PM BSTWhats an example of an office clone?
View original
Perhaps 'clone' was the wrong choice of word. I'm talking more about the general shift of tone that is produced in sitcom, from studio-audience based to those filmed without. Although there are a great many, recent examples of the latter, (some of which I named in my original message), there are other shows such as Never Better, Freezing and Lead Balloon, which, although entertaining, tend, rather lazily, to make use of the kind of subtlety prevalant in The Office, without, on the whole, being that funny. There's a lack of effort sometimes with these programme that studio-audience based ones can't (or at least, shouldn't, but very often do) get away with.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 6:20 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Noooo, Freezing was acetastic!
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 6:22 PM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
Quote: Aaron @ July 11 2008, 3:20 PM BSTNoooo, Freezing was acetastic!
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Perhaps next time they'll make more than three bloody episodes!
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 6:26 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Well that I won't argue with. Leon particualrly is an absolutely brilliant character.
Anyway, we're going off-topic in one of the only two forums where it's now discouraged. Erm. Lab Rats. As with any show, I'll be watching next week. I hope it gets better.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 6:33 PM GMT, The Cool Mikado said:
http://whythatsdelightful.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/how-to-be-a-tv-reviewer/
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 6:36 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Thanks TCM. I'll no doubt forget to look again, but it does look like it could be an interesting series.
On which point, I see that Chris Addison himself wrote Lab Rats. Yikes.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 6:56 PM GMT, Godot Taxis said:
Quote: Aaron @ July 11 2008, 3:26 PM BSTWell that I won't argue with. Leon particualrly is an absolutely brilliant character.
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I think most of that can be laid at the feet of Tom Hollander and Simon Curtis who is primarily a theatre director.
Freezing is an interesting project in that it has absolutely the very best talent available in it. Hugh Bonneville and Tom Hollander are both naturally funny men as well as being in the front rank of British screen actors. Curtis as well (not richard curtis - ha ha) is simply one of the most literate and experienced directors around.
No comedy show I can think of in recent memory has had this level of talent chucked at it - not to take away from the scripts - which are also excellent. But that is why it is so good. Consider the performance of Tim McInerny as Bamber, the foodie History writer. A comedy actor as opposed to a theatre actor would have done half as good a job with that role.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 6:56 PM GMT, Pete said:
Quote: The Cool Mikado @ July 11 2008, 3:33 PM BSThttp://whythatsdelightful.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/how-to-be-a-tv-reviewer/
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disagree with him....if Lab Rats becomes something good then i'll praise it at the time. Right now i gave up 30 mins of my day for something that was bad, as such we should be allowed to put the boot in all we want. (although i assume he is directing his comments more at pro critics who could cause the show to never see a second series and hope of improvement)
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 6:58 PM GMT, Ian Wolf said:
Quote: Aaron @ July 11 2008, 3:36 PM BSTThanks TCM. I'll no doubt forget to look again, but it does look like it could be an interesting series.
On which point, I see that Chris Addison himself wrote Lab Rats. Yikes.
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Actually, he co-wrote it with Carl Cooper, who also co-wrote "The Ape That Got Lucky" with Addison, a series which won Gold Sony Award for comedy, which in a way makes the lack of quality in "Lab Rats" even more shocking.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 7:06 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Pete @ July 11 2008, 3:56 PM BSTdisagree with him....if Lab Rats becomes something good then i'll praise it at the time. Right now i gave up 30 mins of my day for something that was bad, as such we should be allowed to put the boot in all we want. (although i assume he is directing his comments more at pro critics who could cause the show to never see a second series and hope of improvement)
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Yes, I would assume he's commenting more on the "professional" commentators, and those who've instantly dismissed the whole series. I think that most people, certainly here, have quite rightly only commented on it as an individual episode.
Quote: Ian Wolf @ July 11 2008, 3:58 PM BSTActually, he co-wrote it with Carl Cooper
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Yes, but Cooper wasn't in the show as far as I'm aware. Point was that as he wrote it, Addison would presumably have been playing it as intended, or close to.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 7:11 PM GMT, Ian Wolf said:
I've spotted the ratings for the episode on The Guardian website. The episode got 1.7 million viewers and an 8% share.
In comparison, Mock the Week got 2.6 million viewers and a 12% share, and Still Game got 1.3 million and an 8% share (the same as Lab Rats).
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 8:43 PM GMT, Timbo said:
I just watched this again (without my writing hat on). Much more fun on a second viewing. Now the characters are established, I think the rest of the series is going to be fun.
A grower, then - but Addison and the other lad need to sharpen up their performances.
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 8:46 PM GMT, Marc P said:
There ya go!
On Friday 11th July 2008 GMT at 9:32 PM GMT, swerytd said:
Yeah, he is great in The Thick of It but seemed stilted in this, as did Dan Tetsell. It was a shame.
I'll keep watching as it was alright and am sure it'll get better. Wasn't as good as I expected it to be. Jo Enright was good though; liked her ridiculous character -- one of those 'Phoebe's, whose universe makes sense to herself and no-one else.
Dan
On Saturday 12th July 2008 GMT at 3:06 AM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: swerytd @ July 11 2008, 6:32 PM BSTYeah, he is great in The Thick of It but seemed stilted in this, as did Dan Tetsell. It was a shame.
View original
Absolutely agree with with this, and what other's have said.
In their defence, that was the first time some of them had performed in a studio sitcom. Let's hope they managed to settle into their roles and found a more natual rhythm by the second recording.
It's certainly too early to judge the show as a whole yet (although I think it safe to say that the CGI snail was a bad idea). I'm giving it at least another episode before deciding if it has merit (Geoff McGivern's scientist character has potential?).
On Saturday 12th July 2008 GMT at 2:27 PM GMT, Mark said:
Here's some interesting thoughts from Graham Linehan, directed at reviewers:
Quote:When reviewing a new sitcom, always remember to slag off the very first episode as brutally as you possibly can. Don't worry that this introductory episode will probably be the least representative of the series, and forget about any notions of giving the show 'time to develop'. Just watch the opening half hour of a six-week run, make your mind up there and then, dash off your sixty words about something that took someone a year to develop, and get some well-earned sleep!
(Fun fact: Twice in my career, I've had the experience of journalists actually apologising for their early bad reviews and retracting them-it happened with Father Ted and The IT Crowd. I'm not saying that will necessarily happen with Lab Rats, but even the possibility should make anyone with a conscience pause before they lace up their hobnail boots.)
On Saturday 12th July 2008 GMT at 2:30 PM GMT, Joey Moose said:
The trailer didn't make me want to watch it, so I didn't!
Am glad to see that I didn't miss anything. Roll on IT Crowd Series 3
On Saturday 12th July 2008 GMT at 3:13 PM GMT, wonderboy85 said:
Wow, harsh response from many! As 'writers', maybe it would be prudent to stop bitching and give this one a chance?!
I haven't read the entire thread, however it seems that nobody here ever considers the fact that this is an entirely new sitcom before casting final judgment. New concept, unusual tone (wavering between sillysurreal and traditional) and yet it's been given a big fat thumbs down by so many members. Surely you should be looking at the potential (which I think it has in spades) for this to be really really good?
Word.
On Saturday 12th July 2008 GMT at 3:31 PM GMT, Timbo said:
Quote: wonderboy85 @ July 12 2008, 12:13 PM BST
I haven't read the entire thread,
View original
Evidently.
On Saturday 12th July 2008 GMT at 4:46 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: wonderboy85 @ July 12 2008, 12:13 PM BSTWow, harsh response from many! As 'writers', maybe it would be prudent to stop bitching and give this one a chance?!
I haven't read the entire thread, however it seems that nobody here ever considers the fact that this is an entirely new sitcom before casting final judgment.
View original
I think it's only a minority of members who've made their final judgement. Most people are relatively open-minded, and will watch at least one or two more before casting their view. The comments so far have, for the most part, only been in relation to the one episode. Or at least that's how I read them!
FWIW, I reckon the episode itself was really pretty poor, but the concept isn't too bad, and I can see what they were trying to do. Like any other show, I'll stick with it to the bitter end. Hopefully it will improve!
On Saturday 12th July 2008 GMT at 4:48 PM GMT, zooo said:
His big leg disturbed me.
On Saturday 12th July 2008 GMT at 7:43 PM GMT, zooo said:
Quite right too.
On Saturday 12th July 2008 GMT at 7:57 PM GMT, Aaron said:
The Guardian is rarely correct.
On Saturday 12th July 2008 GMT at 11:09 PM GMT, Chappers said:
I've not watched it yet. Hopefully it's on replay/catchup and I'll give it a go.
Visit, Gavin & Stacey and Benidorm all got slagged off to start with but now have their fair share of supporters.
On Saturday 12th July 2008 GMT at 11:14 PM GMT, zooo said:
It's just a bit of fun. It's not supposed to be The Thick of It, or some crazy new concept in the world of comedy.
I thought it was fine.
On Saturday 12th July 2008 GMT at 11:54 PM GMT, Ben said:
Quote: zooo @ July 12 2008, 8:14 PM BSTIt's just a bit of fun. It's not supposed to be The Thick of It
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Correct.
It is, however, supposed to be funny.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 12:12 AM GMT, zooo said:
Haha!
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 12:13 AM GMT, Timbo said:
Quote: Winterlight @ July 12 2008, 8:54 PM BSTCorrect.
It is, however, supposed to be funny.
View original
It improved a lot after the first five minutes...
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 12:35 AM GMT, James Harris said:
I just watched this, expecting to not like it, and it was.. ok. It made me laugh out loud a couple of times, which is more than most recent sitcoms have managed. I think the performances are a little uneven, and the lead needs to embiggen his acting a little, but I'd definitely watch another one.
Terrible ending though. "Fu..." just seems so hackneyed now. It might work as a scene ending but as a climactic punchline it's pretty amateurish.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 1:55 AM GMT, Chappers said:
There were somew funny bits and also some a bit strained. But I suppose after a while it will just seem normal.
The feel of it reminded me a bit of some of those kids programmes of the 80s. A couple of the actors also seemed a bit amateur though.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 1:56 AM GMT, Seefacts said:
It looked VERY studio sitcom though.
Almost cheap.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 2:04 AM GMT, Marc P said:
Quote: Seefacts @ July 12 2008, 10:56 PM BSTIt looked VERY studio sitcom though.
Almost cheap.
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I think that was the point. It was very aware of the points that detractors have made and that was part of the idea of it. There was a giant lemon in the show but I don't think the show itself was.
Either way I want to go to the wrap party and order a Gin and Tonic!
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 2:05 AM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: Marc P @ July 12 2008, 11:04 PM BSTI think that was the point. It was very aware of the points that detractors have made and that was part of the idea of it. There was a giant lemon in the show but I don't think the show itself was.
Either way I want to go to the wrap party and order a Gin and Tonic!
View original
Or have a big pancake.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 2:06 AM GMT, Marc P said:
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 2:12 AM GMT, Flaner said:
Quote: john lucas 101 @ July 11 2008, 1:46 PM BSTI wonder if at least some of your judgements have been clouded by the fact that most of you appear to be in various stages of writing careers and suffering from the affliction of thinking that Lab Rats is shit, your work is better, and so, therefore, your work should, by definition, by produced in place of it.
View original
I partially agree. I think - BECAUSE we're aspiring writers - we tend to analyse each joke to death and thus find it harder to get lost in the whole 'fun' of it all. But, also, we do recognise when a sitcom is genuinely funny - 'The In-betweeners', for example.
Traditional studio-based sitcoms such as 'Father Ted' were funny; Lab Rats (so far) is not.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 2:20 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Flaner @ July 12 2008, 11:12 PM BSTBut, also, we do recognise when a sitcom is genuinely funny - 'The In-betweeners', for example.
View original
Surely, 'funny' is something which cannot be quantified, and so what is genuinely funny is down to the individual viewer?
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 2:22 AM GMT, zooo said:
Exactly.
If no one thought it was funny, the joke wouldn't go in the show.
Even if it's only the writer!
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 2:51 AM GMT, James Harris said:
Nah, funny can definitely be quantified. I've got a half litre bottle of it somewhere.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 3:00 AM GMT, Chappers said:
Quote: James Harris @ July 12 2008, 11:51 PM BSTNah, funny can definitely be quantified. I've got a half litre bottle of it somewhere.
View original
Just make you water it down though.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 3:21 AM GMT, James Harris said:
Hehe, always. I had half a litre of funny in 1998, I have half a litre of funny today. I think that says a lot.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 4:24 AM GMT, Flaner said:
Quote: James Harris @ July 13 2008, 12:21 AM BSTHehe, always. I had half a litre of funny in 1998, I have half a litre of funny today. I think that says a lot.
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I've gone without funny for 324 days now. I've watched the 'Gimme Gimme Gimme' box-set on constant repeat.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 5:02 AM GMT, Lee Henman said:
I watched this on transmission night and thought it was utterly dire. Then I watched it again tonight to see if it was as dire as I thought and strangely it wasn't. Which proves that you should always give stuff a second chance, right?
You can't judge everything by the first episode but it looks as if some of the performances are a bit off, which is lending the show a strained atmosphere. I'm sure that'll probably improve though. One thing I was impressed with was the joke count. So refreshing to have nice, rapid-fire gags coming at you thick and fast. It means that if one's shit, it doesn't matter because here comes another one straight after. I like that style of writing.
So not my favourite thing I've seen this year but certainly not the worst - although the giant snail ending made me cringe - that belonged on CBBC. I'll definitely be tuning in for the rest of the series though, to see how it develops.
Let's give it a chance!
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 7:18 PM GMT, Kev F said:
The clever marketing technique of making sure every newspaper and magazine preview gave this a shocking write-up meant that, on the night, I was so prepared for a car crash that I ended up enjoying it.
It was sophomoric, like the worst of the gag-and-surrealism heavy scripts we used to get in The Sitcom Trials, with the sort of nonsense tangents you can indulge in in improv or stand-up but which just look risible in sitcom (Professor Billy Ray Cyrus? That chair with restraining clamps? The snail?). But then, having just watched and enjoyed an episode of The Goodies on cable the previous night - and it was an ITV episode even - I was ready to lower my standards.
It shows that being a great stand up does not make you a great sitcom writer. Hands up who remembers Eddie Izzard's Cows?
RETURN OF THE SCOTTISH FALSETTO SOCK PUPPET THEATRE
8.45pm at the Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh 30 July - 24 August
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 7:30 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Kev F @ July 13 2008, 4:18 PM BSTHands up who remembers Eddie Izzard's Cows?
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How dare you remind me of that!!!
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 9:16 PM GMT, Lee Henman said:
Quote: Kev F @ July 13 2008, 4:18 PM BST
It shows that being a great stand up does not make you a great sitcom writer. Hands up who remembers Eddie Izzard's Cows?
RETURN OF THE SCOTTISH FALSETTO SOCK PUPPET THEATRE
8.45pm at the Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh 30 July - 24 August
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I have heard tell of this monstrous creation but never seen it. What was it about?
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 9:18 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
I thought this was Ok; there were a lot of ropey jokes, and some of the performances/characters were poor, but I still quite liked it.It seems to me that it could be the sort of show that needs a couple of episodes to bed in, then it might improve. The bloke with the beard was rubbish though; and the one obsessed with chocolate too. I'll be watching again next week.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 9:52 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Perry Nium @ July 13 2008, 6:16 PM BSTI have heard tell of this monstrous creation but never seen it. What was it about?
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Cows? PM me your address. It put Two Pints on par with Fawlty Towers.
No, seriously. It really did.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 10:01 PM GMT, Chappers said:
The Dutch woman was the only one I'd recognised as being an actor.
The lead bloke wasn't bad but the others must have been the writers mates.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 10:03 PM GMT, zooo said:
Hadn't you seen the main bloke before?
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 10:19 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: David Chapman @ July 13 2008, 7:01 PM BSTThe Dutch woman was the only one I'd recognised as being an actor.
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She was the 'alien' marriage therapist in My Hero.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 11:22 PM GMT, Nil Putters said:
I recognised the older scientist from a few things. Dunno what though *shrugs*
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 11:24 PM GMT, zooo said:
Yes, I thought they were all at least vaguely familiar.
Except the stupid American (was he American?) whose character I could have done without altogether!
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 11:28 PM GMT, Nil Putters said:
Quote: zooo @ July 13 2008, 8:24 PM BST
Except the stupid American (was he American?) whose character I could have done without altogether!
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He did seem to drift into American quite a bit. Aren't there any decent British talent that could've played a Russian. Even Aarons Russian accent isn't that bad.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 11:31 PM GMT, zooo said:
Oh woops. Yes, he was supposed to be Russian.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 11:34 PM GMT, Timbo said:
Quote: Nil Putters @ July 13 2008, 8:22 PM BSTI recognised the older scientist from a few things. Dunno what though *shrugs*
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Geoffrey McGivern, the original voice of Ford Prefect, among much else.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 11:35 PM GMT, zooo said:
Ooooh.
Shame it's not the bloke who was the original face.
Love him.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 11:38 PM GMT, Nil Putters said:
Cheers Timbo. He's done a far bit old Geoffery.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0569416/
Probably recognize him from Blackadder the third. (Ivor Biggun hehe) and Wolfbane in Chelmsford 123
Edit; Scrub that, he's been in so much stuff I've seen. Always the bridesmaid and all that.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 11:39 PM GMT, zooo said:
He was even in Press Gang!
What a dude.
On Sunday 13th July 2008 GMT at 11:47 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I recognised Addison, and her out of My Hero. The lemon-making girl looked familiar, but no one else. And I'm really good with faces!
On Monday 14th July 2008 GMT at 12:56 AM GMT, Chappers said:
And Billy Ray Cirus - I know him and his achy breaky heart.
On Monday 14th July 2008 GMT at 1:48 AM GMT, swerytd said:
Quote: Aaron @ July 13 2008, 8:47 PM BSTThe lemon-making girl looked familiar.
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Jo Enright, she's a stand-up (and very, very shy off stage!). She was the benefit woman investigating Brian Potter in Phoenix Nights, amongst other things.
Dan
On Monday 14th July 2008 GMT at 1:57 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Looking at her Wikipedia entry, Lab Rats S01E01 is the only thing I've ever seen her in.
On further inspection, I think she reminded me of Liz Carling - the second Phoebe in Goodnight Sweetheart.
On Monday 14th July 2008 GMT at 2:23 AM GMT, The Cool Mikado said:
Quote: swerytd @ July 13 2008, 10:48 PM BSTJo Enright, she's a stand-up (and very, very shy off stage!). She was the benefit woman investigating Brian Potter in Phoenix Nights, amongst other things.
Dan
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And one of the tax inspectors, inspecting Alan "I've just released a small but potent gust" Partridge
On Monday 14th July 2008 GMT at 3:22 AM GMT, Chappers said:
I know the name Jo Enright but it seems to have been around for ages.
On Monday 14th July 2008 GMT at 12:45 PM GMT, swerytd said:
It has. I saw her stand-up at uni about 10 years ago.
Dan
On Monday 14th July 2008 GMT at 3:20 PM GMT, chipolata said:
I'm in two minds whether to give this show another go or not. Can anyone think of any other sitcoms that have had a pretty dire first episode but have come good as the series progressed? I'm especially cynical as they often shuffle the order of episodes to put one of the strongest episodes first.
On Monday 14th July 2008 GMT at 3:25 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Give it a go. There are plenty of shows, dire or not, which have taken more than one viewing to bed in.
On Tuesday 15th July 2008 GMT at 9:42 PM GMT, shaggy292 said:
Quote: zooo @ July 13 2008, 8:31 PM BSTOh woops. Yes, he was supposed to be Russian.
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I could be wrong (very wrong), but he looked and sounded like Fran's Russian piano teacher in Black Books....?
On Tuesday 15th July 2008 GMT at 9:43 PM GMT, zooo said:
Hmm, the voices were similar now you mention it.
(well, from memory)
On Wednesday 16th July 2008 GMT at 4:32 AM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: shaggy292 @ July 15 2008, 6:42 PM BSTI could be wrong (very wrong), but he looked and sounded like Fran's Russian piano teacher in Black Books....?
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Just for the record they're not the same actor. Sevan Stephan was the scientist in Lab Rats (perhaps better known for his role as Mr. Tangle in Bleak House), whilst David McKail was the piano teacher in Black Books (Dr. McKenzie in A Touch of Frost)
On Wednesday 16th July 2008 GMT at 2:35 PM GMT, shaggy292 said:
Fair enough
On Thursday 17th July 2008 GMT at 9:36 PM GMT, ContainsNuts said:
Quote: Nil Putters @ July 13 2008, 8:28 PM BSTHe did seem to drift into American quite a bit. Aren't there any decent British talent that could've played a Russian. Even Aarons Russian accent isn't that bad.
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Or, God forbid, one of the many Russian actors in the UK. I enjoyed it overall, some very funny jokes and some that weren't so good. First episodes are always tough. The jokes about tits on a lizard and the woman singing the wrong words to the songs was good. The ending was a little bit weird. I could see a bit of IT Crowd about it.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 1:06 AM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
I actually enjoyed the second episode more than the first, some nic elines and just plain silliness. Oh, and was that Robin Ince as the mad guy? he was quite funny, but over the top annoying.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 1:27 AM GMT, zooo said:
Yes!
Robin was scary.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 1:30 AM GMT, David H said:
My God!
It's a good job Robin Ince doesn't do his 'Serious About Comedy' show. This is so feeble and he played a big part in making in that way. Couldn't they have written some/any decent dialogue for his annoying character. It was as if they wrote the first thing that came into their heads.
The older woman, I think, is a good actress, but the rest of the characters just kind of merge into one, particularly the three younger ones. Aren't they supposed to have their own voice etc? They just seem to be running around doing similar things. And the dialogue's really poor and just kind of goes on to pad it up to half an hour.
Is Minty supposed to be a character too 
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 1:32 AM GMT, zooo said:
Weirdly, the ending on a half swear word works better if they do it every week.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 1:40 AM GMT, Ben said:
Robin Ince was godawful. A man wearing a silly jumper acting crazeeeee. Jesus.
And what about this piece of dialogue:
Man: I'll need some independent corroboration.
Woman: Don't come running to me with your medical problems!
Oh my god! What the hell is this hacky nonsense? Have we reverted back to the 70s?
I can only pray that the writers of this nonsense watched Still Game afterwards. A sitcom which manages to run through the whole gamut of human emotions effortlessly.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 2:00 AM GMT, Seefacts said:
Everywhere I'm looking this show is getting torn to bits.
Brutal stuff.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 2:03 AM GMT, zooo said:
I still think it's watchable.
(Okay, not the most effusive praise, but still!)
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 3:11 AM GMT, Graham Bandage said:
The Shit Crowd.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 3:12 AM GMT, Chappers said:
There were about 3 times I actually found myself laughing - but that's not good enough for a 30 minute sitcom. I turned over and watched some Time Gentlemen Please and made up for the almost barren previous 30 minutes.
Incidentally is the Dutch woman Simon Cadell's sister? I noticed her name in the credis although forgot what her Christian name is.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 5:00 AM GMT, Badge said:
Quote: David Chapman @ July 18 2008, 12:12 AM BSTIncidentally is the Dutch woman Simon Cadell's sister?
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Yes
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 6:16 AM GMT, Aaron said:
I've just sat and re-watched last week's episode, and then this. I really don't know what to make of the show anymore. It is, as some people have mentioned, packed with gags. Some of them very good, some of them getting a chuckle (not Paul or Barry), and some really rather poor.
But it just doesn't gel.
I don't know what it is about the show. The premise is pretty good. Normally I'd really like something in a confined setting such as it is. There are good gags. But it just doesn't feel quite right. The only cast member who feels correct at the moment is Jo Enright (Cara), so perhaps that's it?
Brian and the Professor just don't look quite right. No offence intended if Tetsell or McGivern happen to read this, but their appearance doesn't work for me. In short, they look weird. And no, I don't really know what I mean either.
The Dean... God, where to start? The whole Dutch thing is painful. It all feels totally wrong. As good as Selina Cadell is, is there not a Dutch actress who could have played the part? Perhaps it's about the name/face. I dunno.
And Alex, well, up and down. Addison has some great moments, really gets the character across well. But for me, he doesn't look right. I feel like his visual appearance would better suit a kind of 'underling' character; a bit closer to Cara. At the moment he's pretty much in charge, and although it's clear that he's been thrown into the role and shouldn't rightly be there, it doesn't look right.
Bah, I dunno. Great jokes and I really want to like the show, but as yet I just can't. Hopefully it'll grow on me.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 12:27 PM GMT, Ian Wolf said:
I thought that this episode was better than last week's...although I had had a couple of pints.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 12:48 PM GMT, Lee Henman said:
Quote: Aaron @ July 18 2008, 3:16 AM BSTI've just sat and re-watched last week's episode, and then this. I really don't know what to make of the show anymore. It is, as some people have mentioned, packed with gags. Some of them very good, some of them getting a chuckle (not Paul or Barry), and some really rather poor.
But it just doesn't gel.
I don't know what it is about the show. The premise is pretty good. Normally I'd really like something in a confined setting such as it is. There are good gags. But it just doesn't feel quite right. The only cast member who feels correct at the moment is Jo Enright (Cara), so perhaps that's it?
Brian and the Professor just don't look quite right. No offence intended if Tetsell or McGivern happen to read this, but their appearance doesn't work for me. In short, they look weird. And no, I don't really know what I mean either.
The Dean... God, where to start? The whole Dutch thing is painful. It all feels totally wrong. As good as Selina Cadell is, is there not a Dutch actress who could have played the part? Perhaps it's about the name/face. I dunno.
And Alex, well, up and down. Addison has some great moments, really gets the character across well. But for me, he doesn't look right. I feel like his visual appearance would better suit a kind of 'underling' character; a bit closer to Cara. At the moment he's pretty much in charge, and although it's clear that he's been thrown into the role and shouldn't rightly be there, it doesn't look right.
Bah, I dunno. Great jokes and I really want to like the show, but as yet I just can't. Hopefully it'll grow on me.
View original
I'm like you on this one, a bit perplexed. I really do think there's a decent comedy in there trying to get out but its just not quite there.
To me it feels like it hasn't been "glued together" properly. It's frustrating because I'm watching it, willing it to improve (because I think the BBC is right in commissioning audience comedies) but it doesn't.
I think there's a mixed bag of problems, but most importantly it's the script. It feels like someone's gone at it like an excited puppy with bags of enthusiasm, and glossed over really important things like feasability and story. For instance, the giant snail gag. I imagine when they wrote it they were in hysterics;
"And then, right, he plunges the growth serum into his leg and his leg gets all huge, and then he can't move and the giant snail is about to slime him, and then in the lab the fan connected to the giant lemon blows Jo against the wall, and then...." etc etc. And it all sounds really fun but in reality, really big sight gags have to be done very carefully indeed or they'll just look rubbish.
I asked my wife to watch it and give an opinion because she can watch things without the burden of a writer's eye and sum stuff up succinctly. And she did. She said "I thought the BBC were cutting back on children's tv?" Which kind of says it all doesn't it?
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 12:57 PM GMT, Sofa Matt said:
Perry, as a writer of some experience, is it your view that this is the result of a script that hasn't been worked on enough/polished or is it more likely to be the work of the production crew and largely not the writer's fault?
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 1:11 PM GMT, Lee Henman said:
Sofa, as a writer with no experience at all when it comes to having sitcoms broadcast I can only humbly offer an educated guess that this is just one of those projects where everything hasn't quite come together as the makers envisaged. It only takes one or two things to completely f**k up a sitcom, and in this case I think it's a problematic script and poor casting.
But what do I know? The Telehraph loves it! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/07/11/nosplit/bvtv11critic.xml
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 1:13 PM GMT, Lazzard said:
Mainly because I was made to feel guilty by the 'writers shouldn't be horrid to writers' vibe that came off last weeks posts, I watched again.
Worse. Worse. Worse.
And how silly to end on a 'whoops we nearly swore!' moment when in the previous programe [Mock the week] they were effing and blinding all over the shop.
And the twat in the fluffy pink jumper? Get thee to CBeebies!
Can I now please have my Tuesday evenings back?
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 1:17 PM GMT, Marc P said:
Consider your Tuesday evenings your own. Thursday mind, I want you to watch again and come back with a more professional analysis.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 1:20 PM GMT, Lazzard said:
It was so old-fashioned I thought it was the day before yesterday.
Glad to see you're paying attention at the back.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 1:27 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Or indeed the day before the day before yesterday.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 1:30 PM GMT, Marc P said:
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 1:36 PM GMT, Lazzard said:
You know that point where 'picky' becomes, well, a bit mental..?
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 1:38 PM GMT, Marc P said:
I thought you thought that writers were allowed to be horrible to writers??
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 1:43 PM GMT, Lazzard said:
Fair do's.
Anyway, I can't stand around here all day chit-chatting, I've got sparkling dialogue to write.
[nb For the picky/mental among you, I'm actually sitting, not standing]
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 1:43 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Perry Nium @ July 18 2008, 10:11 AM BSTBut what do I know? The Telehraph loves it! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/07/11/nosplit/bvtv11critic.xml
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Interesting that, I can't be bothered to count, but only about two of the comments on that article are positive.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 1:45 PM GMT, chipolata said:
This weeks was an improvement on the first, and I enjoyed Mr Goodman. Hell, I even laughed out loud when he went to re-adjust the skewiff pictures... However, there's still something about it that doesn't work. The main problem is Chris Addison himself, who's like a blank void at the heart of the show. He just can't carry it. Maybe a young Rowan Atkinson or Simon Pegg could have done something with his role, but not Addison. They'd be better off with a crash test dummy doing his lines.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 1:54 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Perry Nium @ July 18 2008, 9:48 AM BSTI'm like you on this one, a bit perplexed. I really do think there's a decent comedy in there trying to get out but its just not quite there.
To me it feels like it hasn't been "glued together" properly. It's frustrating because I'm watching it, willing it to improve (because I think the BBC is right in commissioning audience comedies) but it doesn't.
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Yeah, definitely. It's like, every (well, most) individual constituent part of the show works; good setting, some great gags, characters who are at least 'not bad'. But it just doesn't work when all put together. At times it feels like every aspect of the show is being overshadowed by something, and that something in turn by something else and so on. I just don't understand it.
Why did someone not stop them and say "Wait, this just isn't working properly"? :/
Oh, and I still hate that 'Russian' guy from episode one. I can't find a single positive thing to say about the character or how he was used. AWFUL in every way.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 2:12 PM GMT, chipolata said:
I also wih this show wasn't so setbound. Just because it's filmed in front of a studio audience, doesn't mean you can't film some exterior stuff and pipe it into the studio. It might help to make the university backdrop more convincing, because at the moment it doesn't convince (in the way I believed Black books was a bookshop in London, and I believed that Father Ted et all all lived on Craggy Island).
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 2:15 PM GMT, Ian Wolf said:
Well, the next episode is about some sort of protest, so maybe there will be some exterior shots of people protesting outside the university.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 2:16 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: chipolata @ July 18 2008, 11:12 AM BSTI also wih this show wasn't so setbound. Just because it's filmed in front of a studio audience, doesn't mean you can't film some exterior stuff and pipe it into the studio. It might help to make the university backdrop more convincing, because at the moment it doesn't convince (in the way I believed Black books was a bookshop in London, and I believed that Father Ted et all all lived on Craggy Island).
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Oh I dunno, the setting feels alright for me. I'm not entirely convinced of their just bursting into the Dean's office every five minutes, but otherwise it's fairly believable.
Except when they replaced one doorway with another.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 2:17 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Have there been any other sitcoms set in universities? I know the Young Ones was about students, but I can't remember seeing the actual university they went to.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 2:18 PM GMT, Lee Henman said:
Quote: Aaron @ July 18 2008, 10:54 AM BST
Why did someone not stop them and say "Wait, this just isn't working properly"? :/
View original
I think it takes a very brave person indeed to stand up (after hundreds of thousands of pounds have already been spent) and say "Actually, can we start again?"
I think when these things get momentum it's hard to stop them, and you just have to stick with it till the train comes to a stop and hope the wheels haven't completely fallen off by the end.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 2:21 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: Perry Nium @ July 18 2008, 11:18 AM BSTI think it takes a very brave person indeed to stand up (after hundreds of thousands of pounds have already been spent) and say "Actually, can we start again?"
I think when these things get momentum it's hard to stop them, and you just have to stick with it till the train comes to a stop and hope the wheels haven't completely fallen off by the end.
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Which begs the question, is the way we commission and make sitcoms the right way?
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 2:22 PM GMT, Griff said:
Quote:Have there been any other sitcoms set in universities? I know the Young Ones was about students, but I can't remember seeing the actual university they went to.
A Very Peculiar Practice was set in a university, although that was a comedy drama.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 2:23 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: Griff @ July 18 2008, 11:22 AM BSTA Very Peculiar Practice was set in a university, although that was a comedy drama.
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I liked that. Andrew Davies, wasn't it?
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 2:26 PM GMT, Marc P said:
Porterhouse Blue - again comedy drama
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 2:29 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Come on everyone, let's play...
Spot The Door!
*crowd cheers*
The image that was posted here no longer exists on our server
Quote: chipolata @ July 18 2008, 11:17 AM BSTHave there been any other sitcoms set in universities? I know the Young Ones was about students, but I can't remember seeing the actual university they went to.
View original
Doctor In The House, and part of Doctor At Large.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 2:30 PM GMT, Ian Wolf said:
Quote: chipolata @ July 18 2008, 11:17 AM BSTHave there been any other sitcoms set in universities? I know the Young Ones was about students, but I can't remember seeing the actual university they went to.
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The American sitcom The Big Bang Theory is set at the real-life private, coeducational research university Caltech.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 2:31 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Well remembered!
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 2:31 PM GMT, Pete said:
Quote: Perry Nium @ July 18 2008, 11:18 AM BSTI think it takes a very brave person indeed to stand up (after hundreds of thousands of pounds have already been spent) and say "Actually, can we start again?"
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One of my gripes about Extras was that When the Whistle Blows was a satire of a show that doesn't exist any more...Gervais was attacking the crap he grew up on, not modern comedy - and then along comes this and makes Extras look like the work of Nostradamus!
Just waiting to see Addison on celebrity big brother crying because he did say "penguin"
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 2:32 PM GMT, Ian Wolf said:
Quote: Aaron @ July 18 2008, 11:31 AM BSTWell remembered!
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Well, I never watched it, but I knew it was set at a university.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 2:36 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Oh boo hiss. You smell then. Go find some to watch now!
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 2:39 PM GMT, Ian Wolf said:
Quote: Aaron @ July 18 2008, 11:36 AM BSTOh boo hiss. You smell then. Go find some to watch now!
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I will then.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 3:11 PM GMT, Stan Doubt said:
What's the overall opinion of Lab Rats? Is it any good?
Can't get it in Wales.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 4:00 PM GMT, steve by any other name said:
I liked the first episode enough to get me to watch last night and was hugely disappointed. The frozen guy was very irritating and why he and Minty were wearing similar clothes I couldn't fathom. I was expecting some sort of confusion between the two but there didn't seem to be any.
My wife went to bed halfway through and took the piss a bit that I was still watching. 'I hope yours is better than that' she said. Obviously I reassured her that I was, in fact, a comedy genius, before stealing myself into the kitchen to eat the cheese slices I had originally intended to top off the lasagne that I ultimately couldn't be arsed to make, thus ensuring that I woke half a dozen times during the night tormented by perfectly formed comedy creations.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 4:15 PM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: Perry Nium @ July 18 2008, 10:11 AM BSTSofa, as a writer with no experience at all when it comes to having sitcoms broadcast I can only humbly offer an educated guess that this is just one of those projects where everything hasn't quite come together as the makers envisaged. It only takes one or two things to completely f**k up a sitcom, and in this case I think it's a problematic script and poor casting.
But what do I know? The Telehraph loves it! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/07/11/nosplit/bvtv11critic.xml
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So who gets the blame there?
It seems to me the LAST person to get the blame would the writers! Even though I don't rate Addison as a 'big' performer, I'm sure he can it's not worked out properly.
Who's produced and directed this?
Oh dear. Adam Tandy knows his beans, but the show looks awful.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 4:32 PM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: Simon Stratton @ July 18 2008, 12:11 PM BSTWhat's the overall opinion of Lab Rats? Is it any good?
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As can be seen by the comments in this thread, the general viewer concensus is: 'No'. This is confirmed by the news it has lost viewers this week, whilst the two shows around it have not:
http://www.sitcom.co.uk/news/news.php?story=000484
The press are not being very kind either:
http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/lab_rats/press/
My personal thoughts are this show is trying hard, but it would actually have turned out better as a kid's sitcom. The OTT acting and general texture of the show certainly has a CBBC feel about it (how is drinking out a large cup funny?)
That said, I'm still watching as there is the odd gem - like the bit last night about the disabled toilet sign.
p.s. What the hell was Robin Ince thinking?!? As can be seen in our guide, Whose Line Is It Anyway? star Mike McShane pops up in a couple of weeks time - that should be interesting.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 4:54 PM GMT, Stan Doubt said:
Thanks Mark!
I guess you need a lot of luck to get a good sitcom produced - if any of the writer, the director or the actors are below par or don't understand each other's style of humour then it fails.
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 6:15 PM GMT, Pete said:
Just made my daughter go and watch josh and drake in the kids room so i could see last nights episode on sky +......she actually hung around to watch this but left after the "big mug" gag (to be fair, Josh and Drake is loads better!)
I got as far as the second time robin ince turned up....WHAT is he doing? Is he actually having a laugh at their expense? A TV version of the spoof sitcoms that turn up in the critique forum? If he is then well done but (and reading his blog i feel he may not be) if he's serious then i can only assume he is prepared to be ripped apart by Ricky Gervais next time they're down the pub! (isn't he supporting Science next year? Ricky might as well borrow the Extras silly wig for him to wear)
Grim - very grim.
Also saw a rather (with hindsight) amusing article with Addison in which he sounded VERY like a 2002 Ricky Gervais but in reverse...having a dig a dark/awkward comedy and saying we need to get back to the laughs...I bet the reporters lapped it up the same as they did when single cam stuff took off - any opportunity for a format scrap. But it looks rather foolish now!
On Friday 18th July 2008 GMT at 11:00 PM GMT, Moonstone said:
I watched 10/15 minutes and then switched it off.
Most bad sitcoms I've seen do manage to raise a smile now and then, which in my view is never enough. This one didn't even get that. It had me frowning and bemused. It was anti-comedy. How the f**k did this thing ever get produced and commissioned? The characters are crap, the jokes are crap - it's crap.
On Sunday 20th July 2008 GMT at 12:57 AM GMT, The Cool Mikado said:
In the fifteen seconds I watched half way through the second episode in order to form a half arsed opinion I was immediately struck by how much it reminded me of Rentaghost. Not for me, but I wish it luck.
On Sunday 20th July 2008 GMT at 1:04 AM GMT, Nil Putters said:
I watched it. Can't remember anything that made me lol. 'The loud guy' reminded me of Alexie Sayle in The Young Ones, only not as funny.
On Sunday 20th July 2008 GMT at 1:12 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Woah, woah! Now that is damning. Not as funny as Alexei Sayle? Daaaaaaaaamn.
On Sunday 20th July 2008 GMT at 1:39 AM GMT, Pete said:
Is that the same as "like a midget, only not as tall" ?
On Sunday 20th July 2008 GMT at 1:54 AM GMT, Chappers said:
For a crap programme there's been a lot of posting.
On Sunday 20th July 2008 GMT at 1:58 AM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Quote: David Chapman @ July 19 2008, 10:54 PM BSTFor a crap programme there's been a lot of posting.
View original
People on here enjoy ripping a show to shreds approximately 5,000 times more than they like celebrating something they like.
On Sunday 20th July 2008 GMT at 1:58 AM GMT, Nil Putters said:
Quote: Aaron @ July 19 2008, 10:12 PM BSTWoah, woah! Now that is damning. Not as funny as Alexei Sayle? Daaaaaaaaamn.
View original
Exactly.
On Sunday 20th July 2008 GMT at 2:01 AM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
I think I am going to carry on watching this, because it still sort of feels like something funny might appear. I did like the scene where he was answering the questions, and he kept ticking racist. Quite funny. And the bit where he would distract the bloke by nudging the pictures crooked. But yes, mostly it was just nothing, most of the characters add nothing to the show and the bloke in the freezer was just about the worst thing in any sitcom for quite some time. But like I say, something is going to make me keep watching.
On Sunday 20th July 2008 GMT at 2:14 AM GMT, zooo said:
Quote: Matthew Stott @ July 19 2008, 11:01 PM BSTI think I am going to carry on watching this, because it still sort of feels like something funny might appear. I did like the scene where he was answering the questions, and he kept ticking racist. Quite funny. And the bit where he would distract the bloke by nudging the pictures crooked.
View original
Yes! Those are the same bits I liked.
On Sunday 20th July 2008 GMT at 2:17 AM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Quote: zooo @ July 19 2008, 11:14 PM BSTYes! Those are the same bits I liked.
View original
Yes, there are a couple of good bits, beneath the mountains of 'what-the-crap?' bits. I still like to think something might come of this. I imagine it won't, but I'd like it to, it's nice to have good shows to look forward to, rather than bad ones to delight in running down! Just me?
On Sunday 20th July 2008 GMT at 2:27 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Pete @ July 19 2008, 10:39 PM BSTIs that the same as "like a midget, only not as tall" ?
View original
More or less, yeah.
On Sunday 20th July 2008 GMT at 1:44 PM GMT, Marc P said:
I watched the second episode and I reckon it does exactly what it says on the tin. It's not Fawlty Towers or Seinfeld, but then nothing is.... well apart from Seinfeld and Fawlty Towers.
It has an old fashioned feel about it - and I like it enough to carry on watching. At least it isn't lazy.
On Sunday 20th July 2008 GMT at 2:18 PM GMT, ContainsNuts said:
Quote: Marc P @ July 20 2008, 10:44 AM BSTI watched the second episode and I reckon it does exactly what it says on the tin. It's not Fawlty Towers or Seinfeld, but then nothing is.... well apart from Seinfeld and Fawlty Towers.
It has an old fashioned feel about it - and I like it enough to carry on watching. At least it isn't lazy.
View original
Agree, although do you think its just hit and miss or did they have some good jokes and got a bit lazy? Its just the difference between the good stuff and the bad is quite big.
On Sunday 20th July 2008 GMT at 2:33 PM GMT, Marc P said:
I think any show that does silly runs the huge risk of it falling flat if the audience don't get it. People hated the big snail for example.. but I thought it was funny. Incredibly stupid, deliberately bad FX - but that was the idea, and I found it funny. Other people didn't. But calling it Bad is like someone who doesn't like indian food calling a curry bad. Bad is when something hasn't be thought through, crafted and worked. This show clearly has been that. The Hit and Miss factor is just personal preference I think. You can't really over intellectualise emotional response at a visceral level, and you don't get much more of an emotional response at a visceral level than comedy. Every so often you get a sitcom that comes along that hits all the right notes, casting, script, directing etc and it becomes a classic over time. Other times you get stuff that is perfectly fine just not brilliant. Which is okay by me actually - you don't want a roast beef dinner every day of the week after all - but you still have to eat.
Lab Rats is fish and chips to me. Great with a bottle of Corona and save the 16% Back Shed Shiraz for 'Parklife'.
On Sunday 20th July 2008 GMT at 2:46 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: ContainsNuts @ July 20 2008, 11:18 AM BSTAgree, although do you think its just hit and miss or did they have some good jokes and got a bit lazy?
View original
There are great jokes in there. Many are just very hard to pick up on unless you're looking for them specifically.
On Sunday 20th July 2008 GMT at 4:51 PM GMT, ContainsNuts said:
Quote: Aaron @ July 20 2008, 11:46 AM BSTThere are great jokes in there. Many are just very hard to pick up on unless you're looking for them specifically.
View original
Don't worry, I've not missed any of the jokes. I just rate them differently. I agree with Marc P that its just taste. By the way I'm one the positive people about this show. I'll be watching more as the good out-weighs the bad IMO.
On Sunday 20th July 2008 GMT at 4:54 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Everyone who's serious about comedy - be it fan or writer - should watch it all, IMO.
On Sunday 20th July 2008 GMT at 6:01 PM GMT, Pete said:
Quote: Marc P @ July 20 2008, 11:33 AM BSTBut calling it Bad is like someone who doesn't like indian food calling a curry bad.
View original
Not quite. I like curry but, from time to time, will have one that is bad.
I like comedy but, this was bad!
On Sunday 20th July 2008 GMT at 6:04 PM GMT, Marc P said:
Pete, put that spade down.
On Sunday 20th July 2008 GMT at 10:34 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Haven't read the thread but I understand from other comments this didn't go down very well. I only watched the first half of it on iplayer (because I had to go out) but I don't really have interest in catching the second half, very CBBC comedy.
On Monday 21st July 2008 GMT at 4:33 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: Aaron @ July 20 2008, 1:54 PM BSTEveryone who's serious about comedy - be it fan or writer - should watch it all, IMO.
View original
What is this, communist run Sitcom Land? Where you have to watch every single episode of every comedy, no matter how bad or indifferent? No, one episode is more than enough of any substandard show. Life's too short to waste on bad art.
On Monday 21st July 2008 GMT at 4:48 PM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
Perhaps one of the reasons this programme has been such a bone of contention and thus far generated 19 pages, is that there is absolute f**k all else on, sitcom or otherwise. Everything else has finished, innit. Office USA, and Scrubs with its odd/shit last episode. No wonder people are fixating on Lab Rats in such a disproportionate manner. What else is there on tv at the moment, in terms on new sitcom? Last of the Summer Wine? That's been on so long, it's getting to the point where Rik Mayall/Ade Edmonson et al are due for an appearance.
On Monday 21st July 2008 GMT at 4:50 PM GMT, Sofa Matt said:
I've watched both episodes in full, the 2nd was better than the 1st and I watched the 2nd, so I'm guessing I'll watch the 3rd.
Best 'gag' so far is the disabled toilet door sign gag in ep.2.
The writing seems so hit and miss I'm convinced that this probably doesn't bear any resemblance to the original work that the writer penned. More likely it's been pulled to bits and the writer just wants to see his work commisssioned and on the tele.
On Monday 21st July 2008 GMT at 4:53 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: Sofa_Matt @ July 21 2008, 1:50 PM BSTI've watched both episodes in full, the 2nd was better than the 1st and I watched the 2nd, so I'm guessing I'll watch the 3rd.
Best 'gag' so far is the disabled toilet door sign gag in ep.2.
The writing seems so hit and miss I'm convinced that this probably doesn't bear any resemblance to the original work that the writer penned. More likely it's been pulled to bits and the writer just wants to see his work commisssioned and on the tele.
View original
I would imagine that this is exactly what Chris Addison planned. It just hasn't worked. Which, incidentally, cheers me up no end. It proves that even these immensely talented and experienced people can still come up with stinkers, thus leaving the BBC on the hunt for yet more fresh talent.
On Monday 21st July 2008 GMT at 4:55 PM GMT, zooo said:
Armando Ianucci is the producer, right?
On Monday 21st July 2008 GMT at 4:55 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: zooo @ July 21 2008, 1:55 PM BSTArmando Ianucci is the producer, right?
View original
Yep. And he's a Balding Scottish-Italian God amongst mortals.
On Monday 21st July 2008 GMT at 4:57 PM GMT, zooo said:
I know, he is the King of all televisual treats.
How involved was he with it, or did he leave the details to someone else?
On Monday 21st July 2008 GMT at 4:59 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: zooo @ July 21 2008, 1:57 PM BSTI know, he is the King of all televisual treats.
How involved was he with it, or did he leave the details to someone else?
View original
Very involved, as I understand it. This is just one of those shows that didn't gel despite everybody's best intentions.
On Monday 21st July 2008 GMT at 5:03 PM GMT, zooo said:
Indeed.
I don't hate it anyway. S'alright, like.
On Monday 21st July 2008 GMT at 5:10 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: zooo @ July 21 2008, 2:03 PM BSTIndeed.
I don't hate it anyway. S'alright, like.
View original
I don't think many people do hate it. Even though it hasn't worked, there seems a lot of goodwill towards it. I can think of much more succesful comedies (Gavin and Stacy) which attract much more ire on these boards. Ridiculously, in my opinion.
On Monday 21st July 2008 GMT at 6:44 PM GMT, Afinkawan said:
Well I think it's OK so far. Perfectly acceptable turn-your-brain-off-and-watch fodder.
On Monday 21st July 2008 GMT at 10:05 PM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: zooo @ July 21 2008, 1:55 PM BSTArmando Ianucci is the producer, right?
View original
Exec producer, isn't he?
On Monday 21st July 2008 GMT at 10:09 PM GMT, zooo said:
I don't know.
Chris Addison is on the One Show right now wearing some rather sexy shoes.
Aw, he has cats called Eric and Ernie. I wuv him.
On Monday 21st July 2008 GMT at 11:14 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: zooo @ July 21 2008, 7:09 PM BSTAw, he has cats called Eric and Ernie. I wuv him.
View original
And he takes holidays in the UK. Yay.
Wait... Eric and Ernie! That didn't even register! YAY!
On Monday 21st July 2008 GMT at 11:33 PM GMT, zooo said:
He is our new leader.
On Tuesday 22nd July 2008 GMT at 11:07 PM GMT, swerytd said:
Hmm, I'll keep watching but I'm finding it very difficult to like. It's a bit all over the place and am thinking the same as a few others (mostly Aaron and Perry), that Jo Enright is the only one that seems right and it's most like a kids' sitcom. Interestingly, the Virgin OnDemand box didn't ask for a pin code to watch it, so I can only assume it's aimed at that 'whole family' demographic that don't watch BBC2 at 9:30pm on a Thursday night...
Dan
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 1:06 AM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
I thought it was much improved tonight; whether it proves a one off or not waits to be seen, but it did seem to gell better and the joke hit rate was higher. The black face bit at the end was ace too.
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 1:08 AM GMT, Alan Cornforth said:
It's still utter rubbish though
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 1:10 AM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Quote: Alan C @ July 24 2008, 10:08 PM BSTIt's still utter rubbish though
View original
If you like, but I did enjoy it tonight, much more so than the first two. I just thought the characters seemed to come across better, I had more of a handle on who they were supposed to be, and, like I mentioned, there were more jokes that were actually funny.
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 1:34 AM GMT, zooo said:
I thought it was much better tonight too!
I liked the negotiation talks.
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 1:45 AM GMT, Stan Doubt said:
Hmmm. It's interesting that everyone's still watching this. Is it just because it's on the beeb?
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 1:59 AM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
Quote: Matthew Stott @ July 24 2008, 10:06 PM BSTI thought it was much improved tonight; whether it proves a one off or not waits to be seen, but it did seem to gell better and the joke hit rate was higher. The black face bit at the end was ace too.
View original
I thought that to. I think the secutary is quite funny to. I also liked the scene with the other two scientists dressed up as the Tin Man and the Scarecrow. Oh, and the bit about the Ostridge (sp?).
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 2:56 AM GMT, Frankie Rage said:
I saw 5 minutes amd switched channels - normally I'd watch longer but I just couldn't be arsed - I'm fed up of seeing inferior programs touted as top telly. You poor sods you younger BSG'ers - the best TV was when you were still sperm! :-)
Frankie xxx
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 3:01 AM GMT, zooo said:
Aye. This were all fields.
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 3:07 AM GMT, Aaron said:
I have not seen this week's episode on account of that John Barrowman programme where he found out about being a gayer, but have recorded it and shall watch tomorrow!
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 3:09 AM GMT, zooo said:
Ah, I taped John being gay.
My mummy watched it and said I'm going to bloody love it.
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 3:19 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Yes, you will x a million.
Watch now!
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 3:21 AM GMT, zooo said:
I caaaan't!
Tomorrow.
Did he have to guess whether a bunch of people were gay or straight? I thought I saw a clip of that.
Such a fun game!
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 3:36 AM GMT, Chappers said:
Quote: zooo @ July 25 2008, 12:09 AM BSTAh, I taped John being gay.
My mummy watched it and said I'm going to bloody love it.
View original
Your mum must have had to put up with quite a bit.
Or is she really your dad? That may explain a lot.
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 3:40 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: zooo @ July 25 2008, 12:21 AM BSTI caaaan't!
Tomorrow.
Did he have to guess whether a bunch of people were gay or straight? I thought I saw a clip of that.
Such a fun game!
View original
Yes, yes he did. And more!
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 5:18 AM GMT, Frankie Rage said:
Quote: zooo @ July 25 2008, 12:01 AM BSTAye. This were all fields.
View original
Maybe. But not "Fresh Fields"...
Quote: zooo @ July 25 2008, 12:09 AM BSTAh, I taped John being gay.
My mummy watched it and said I'm going to bloody love it.
View original
You will love it, you're so predictable when it comes to matters Gay.
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 10:45 AM GMT, Ian Wolf said:
I felt that while there was a slight improvement, it wasn't give enough for me. I don't think I'll watch the rest of the series.
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 12:35 PM GMT, chipolata said:
I agree about it being an improvement, and I enjoyed the negotiation interplay, but I still gave up after twenty minutes. I doubt I'll watch again.
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 1:14 PM GMT, David H said:
Normally watch three episodes of a new comedy but as its been so bad I only caught the last ten minutes last night to see if there had been any improvement. Not at all. It's all over the place. Some of the dialogue goes on way too long, like when the professor was singing a song about Alex
Also, why do they have to include 'Joan Armatrading' in it when she's not actually in it? It reminded me of a huge bugbear of mine in sitcoms when writers see fit to insult 'celebrities'. They did it in Vicar of Dibley once when David told Hugo he was 'the saddest person on the planet.......and that includes Rolf Harris.' Why do you need to specifically name somebody? Rolf Harris could be enjoying the show and then he hears that. What is the point? It adds nothing, it's not funny. Grow up!
What makes this show worse, for me, is that I read an interview with Chris Addison and he's slating lots of other comedy, then producing this! Wouldn't it be wise for people to keep their mouth shut and see what the audience thinks? The paper was quoting 'great' lines from the episode. Where? Where are they?
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 1:38 PM GMT, ContainsNuts said:
Quote: Simon Stratton @ July 24 2008, 10:45 PM BSTHmmm. It's interesting that everyone's still watching this. Is it just because it's on the beeb?
View original
Comedy-wise there isn't a lot on. I'm staying with it as there are some original and very funny jokes amongst some things that don't work as well.
The plots haven't really got me engaged but that's the problem with the setting maybe. The IT Crowd now hardly ever revolves around being IT Support and I think that frees up the storyline potential. My favourite characters are the Dean, Chris Addison and Brian.
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 3:09 PM GMT, Sean Prower said:
The fact that each episode has ended with Alex saying 'Oh for fu...' then cutting seems to be their running gag throughout the series or is it because they can't think of any punchlines. A little visit to the ol' punchline department may be in order.
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 3:29 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: Sean Prower @ July 25 2008, 12:09 PM BSTThe fact that each episode has ended with Alex saying 'Oh for fu...' then cutting seems to be their running gag throughout the series or is it because they can't think of any punchlines. A little visit to the ol' punchline department may be in order.
View original
I hadn't noticed that. If they do, that's quite nice. Like every episode (bar one) of Yes Minister ending with the phrase, "Yes minister."
On Friday 25th July 2008 GMT at 3:41 PM GMT, zooo said:
Quote: David H @ July 25 2008, 10:14 AM BSTThey did it in Vicar of Dibley once when David told Hugo he was 'the saddest person on the planet.......and that includes Rolf Harris.' Why do you need to specifically name somebody? Rolf Harris could be enjoying the show and then he hears that.
View original
Awww!
That's so sad.
Quote: David Chapman @ July 25 2008, 12:36 AM BSTYour mum must have had to put up with quite a bit.
Or is she really your dad? That may explain a lot.
View original
I don't really get it, but it's still quite funny.
On Sunday 27th July 2008 GMT at 2:34 PM GMT, swerytd said:
This episode was much better, I thought.
Maybe I'm just getting absurd enough to get it now. Thought it was much better than the first two; seemed tighter and more together, lots of jokes and some of them were very funny. Better.
Dan
On Tuesday 29th July 2008 GMT at 2:10 PM GMT, Afinkawan said:
I was speaking to a proper established sitcom writer last night and apparently Lab Rats is rubbish because "It hasn't got any actual characters, just a bunch of people who say funny things."
So there you go.
On Tuesday 29th July 2008 GMT at 2:19 PM GMT, zooo said:
Ooh, interesting...
Not sure whether I agree or not, but it is interesting.
On Tuesday 29th July 2008 GMT at 3:30 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: Afinkawan @ July 29 2008, 11:10 AM BSTI was speaking to a proper established sitcom writer last night and apparently Lab Rats is rubbish because "It hasn't got any actual characters, just a bunch of people who say funny things."
So there you go.
View original
Give us a clue to the writer? Recent, or old school?
On Tuesday 29th July 2008 GMT at 5:29 PM GMT, monkeybeard said:
I stuck with this while all my friends around me stopped watching, but I think that I have to give up on it now.
I have laughed a few times over the first three episodes, but so much more annoys me about the show so I really have to stop watching.
The main culprit is Chris Addison. Why did he write himself into probably the dullest character in sitcom history?
Shame, it had promise....
On Tuesday 29th July 2008 GMT at 7:06 PM GMT, Afinkawan said:
Quote: chipolata @ July 29 2008, 12:30 PM BSTGive us a clue to the writer? Recent, or old school?
View original
I have no intention of dropping names.
They're responsible for at least three pretty successful Radio 4 sitcoms, one of which finished it's most recent run earlier this year and has been commissioned for another series. So - recent.
On Tuesday 29th July 2008 GMT at 7:38 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
I've somehow managed to miss every episode of this so far and don't have access to the BBC iPlayer at the moment. So wouldn't be fair to comment. The clips I have seen of it do seem to concur with many posts that this could of potentially been a really good kids' sitcom.
In TV land, the team behind it must have been wary of the fact that the Beeb put it out at this time of year, i.e. when everyone in TV land scampers off abroad and hopes no-one is watching the turkeys they commissioned. "Oh, put Bonekickers out in late July/early August, maybe nobody will notice."
I met with a producer the other week who didn't have a good word to say for it... and her sister-in-law's in it!
On Tuesday 29th July 2008 GMT at 7:52 PM GMT, ContainsNuts said:
Quote: Afinkawan @ July 29 2008, 11:10 AM BSTI was speaking to a proper established sitcom writer last night and apparently Lab Rats is rubbish because "It hasn't got any actual characters, just a bunch of people who say funny things."
So there you go.
View original
I wouldn't agree with that. I think its quite clear that the Chris Addison character is who we're supposed to empathise with and he's surrounded by a semi-psycho geek, a dappy assistant, a playfully-strict dutch dean and a egotistic prof. I think some of the plots and jokes miss the mark.
On Tuesday 29th July 2008 GMT at 11:44 PM GMT, Chappers said:
Quote: Afinkawan @ July 29 2008, 11:10 AM BSTI was speaking to a proper established sitcom writer last night and apparently Lab Rats is rubbish because "It hasn't got any actual characters, just a bunch of people who say funny things."
So there you go.
View original
That does seem a strange thing to say as surely that's the idea of comedy.
I forgot about the third episode and haven't gone out of my way to watch it.
Actually isn't that really what "Not going out" is?
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 12:12 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: Tim Walker @ July 29 2008, 4:38 PM BST
In TV land, the team behind it must have been wary of the fact that the Beeb put it out at this time of year, i.e. when everyone in TV land scampers off abroad and hopes no-one is watching the turkeys they commissioned. "Oh, put Bonekickers out in late July/early August, maybe nobody will notice."
View original
Not sure I agree with this. The Office was broadcast this time of year, and when it came time to launch Extras he deliberately chose to put it out at the same time of year. I think this is a good launch time because you can put stuff out more quietly, and there isn't the intense pressure to perform.
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 12:37 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
Quote: chipolata @ July 30 2008, 9:12 AM BSTNot sure I agree with this. The Office was broadcast this time of year, and when it came time to launch Extras he deliberately chose to put it out at the same time of year. I think this is a good launch time because you can put stuff out more quietly, and there isn't the intense pressure to perform.
View original
Fair point, but The Office was put out because at this time of year precisely because none of the execs had any faith in it. And it did pretty much pass under the radar initially. I think it's rather the exception that fits the rule. With Extras, Gervais&Merchant could have put it out anytime of year they wanted and it was going to attract interest. But I stand by my comment on Bonekickers!
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 12:39 PM GMT, chipolata said:
What are the viewing figures like on Bonekickers? It is dreck, but my mom watches it.
And back on the subject of Lab Rats. This was the BBC's attempt to do a big daft slightly surreal comedy along the lines of Father Ted or The IT Crowd. As far as I can see, they haven't got a very good track record with these type of shows. Can anybody think of succesful beeb shows along these lines?
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 1:20 PM GMT, Afinkawan said:
Rentaghost?
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 1:22 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Rentaghost's a classic. The only other one I can think of is Hippies, and the beeb ditched that after one series, yet compared to Lab Rats it was Citizen Kane.
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 1:25 PM GMT, Griff said:
Quote:the BBC's attempt to do a big daft slightly surreal comedy
Blackadder was pretty good.
As was Rentaghost.
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 1:27 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: Griff @ July 30 2008, 10:25 AM BSTBlackadder was pretty good.
As was Rentaghost.
View original
Blackadder was great, but not sure it was surreal or daft.
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 1:37 PM GMT, Griff said:
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 1:40 PM GMT, swerytd said:
Wasn't Rentaghost a comedy-drama for the first series or something? And then went surreal after that? I vaguely recall hearing that somewhere, but only remember the silly CBBC version...
Dan
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 1:41 PM GMT, Ian Wolf said:
Quote: chipolata @ July 30 2008, 9:39 AM BSTWhat are the viewing figures like on Bonekickers? It is dreck, but my mom watches it.
View original
I'm not sure on the viewing figures, but what I do know is that Bonekickers was the subject of attack by Jon Holmes on last Friday's episode of The Now Show. They commented on some of the odd lines such as "Don't step in the trench! The area may be contaminated by the dust from your shoes."
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 1:45 PM GMT, Griff said:
Absolutely every TV critic has laid into Bonekickers. Nancy Banks Smith (the greatest TV critic ever) was kinder than most but still unconvinced:
Bonekickers (BBC1) is, it has been noticed, only a syllable short of bonkers. Hugh Bonneville, a decent actor tragically seduced by the temptation of a Harrison Ford hat, plays Professor "Dolly" Parton. Based, he says, on the archaeological adviser for the series, who "literally froths at the mouth". Frankly, I'd hesitate to share a table in an all-night cafe with any one of them.
This episode, The Eternal Fire, was about the forbidden love of Boudicca and a susceptible Roman called Marcus Quintanus. Their affair was conducted, apparently, in the catacombs under the Roman baths at Bath, where the feretting archaeologists discover Boudicca herself. Crystallised, of course. There is some elementary Latin ("Regina mea!") and contemporary Italian ("So! You call me because the fire in your loins is lit once more!") and, as the catacomb fills with gas, a lot of coughing as if we were in for another adaptation of the Brontės. To be fair, the whole thing obviously cost about as much as Harrison Ford's hat.
Personally, I think it would be much improved by the addition of a lovable, if cowardly, great dane.
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 2:23 PM GMT, Ian Wolf said:
This is a comment given to one review of the show, which I mention just because it mentions a sitcom in it.
Its always difficult watching a drama about which you know something - but having had careers in both archaeology & the NHS, this made Green Wing (let alone Casualty & Holby City) look like in-depth documentaries. It could have been so good, but I ended up looking for the continuity errors in the number of crosses burning in each shot. Disappointing, especially as Life on Mars was so great.
BBC story
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 4:14 PM GMT, Mark said:
For the record, Bonekickers got 4.2m last night. This is more than most BBC2 comedies get (Mock the Week got 2.6m last week), but is poor ratings by BBC1 standards.
I don't have a record of last week's Lab Rats ratings, but the week before got a rather low 1.3 million.
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 4:26 PM GMT, Moonstone said:
How the hell do they know these viewing figures?
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 4:29 PM GMT, Griff said:
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 4:30 PM GMT, Moonstone said:
Wow, that's one powerful piece of machinery, and it looks it too!
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 4:33 PM GMT, Marc P said:
Peter O Toole can't be getting much work these days.
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 4:35 PM GMT, Leevil said:
BALD MAN: Yes, yes they have a television.
OLD MAN: What they watching?
BALD MAN: Err.. Corrie I think?
OLD MAN: Turn it off, I'm taping it!!
DRIVER: How, it's 1953, where did you get a recorder?
OLD MAN: I have Sky+.
BALD MAN: What's that?
OLD MAN: I get the wife to watch it and then dictate it back to me.
DRIVER: Why do you call her Sky+?
OLD MAN: Because she's big and blue, plus she's full of air.
BALD MAN: Have you been drinking again?
OLD MAN: Yes.
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 4:52 PM GMT, Graham Bandage said:
I thought you'd stopped writing. Class. You should not write more often.
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 4:59 PM GMT, Leevil said:
I've stopped the intention to write, I haven't stopped writing completely. Thanks though.
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 5:43 PM GMT, Graham Bandage said:
So, what, you accidentally write stuff?
That might be what happened to Addison. He ate a bit of cheese before he went to bed, and in the morning he'd written an entire crap sitcom.
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 5:47 PM GMT, Griff said:
* goes shopping for cheese *
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 6:43 PM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: Leevil @ July 30 2008, 1:35 PM BST
BALD MAN: Yes, yes they have a television.
OLD MAN: What they watching?
BALD MAN: Err.. Corrie I think?
OLD MAN: Turn it off, I'm taping it!!
DRIVER: How, it's 1953, where did you get a recorder?
OLD MAN: I have Sky+.
BALD MAN: What's that?
OLD MAN: I get the wife to watch it and then dictate it back to me.
DRIVER: Why do you call her Sky+?
OLD MAN: Because she's big and blue, plus she's full of air.
BALD MAN: Have you been drinking again?
OLD MAN: Yes.
View original
It's like the old TV detector van public info film.
"They're got a television at number 53 . . . They're watching Columbo."
On Wednesday 30th July 2008 GMT at 8:55 PM GMT, zooo said:
@ Leevil.
On Friday 1st August 2008 GMT at 12:39 AM GMT, Nil Putters said:
Bloody 'ell. Mike McShane's lost a shit load of weight!
On Friday 1st August 2008 GMT at 12:46 AM GMT, zooo said:
Indeed.
When I saw him in a thing recently, he came on stage and half the audience gasped and whispered as one 'ooh, he's lost weight'.
On Friday 1st August 2008 GMT at 1:11 AM GMT, Nil Putters said:
Quote: zooo @ July 31 2008, 9:46 PM BSTIndeed.
When I saw him in a thing recently, he came on stage and half the audience gasped and whispered as one 'ooh, he's lost weight'.
View original
Well done to the big fella (he's still tall isn't he?
). Thought the episode was rubbish though.
On Friday 1st August 2008 GMT at 4:07 AM GMT, Badge said:
Quote: ContainsNuts @ July 29 2008, 4:52 PM BSTI wouldn't agree with that. I think its quite clear that the Chris Addison character is who we're supposed to empathise with and he's surrounded by a semi-psycho geek, a dappy assistant, a playfully-strict dutch dean and a egotistic prof. I think some of the plots and jokes miss the mark.
View original
Hmmm, I also think it's fairly clear that we're *supposed* to empathise with Addison's character. Whether we do or not is a completely different matter. I'm with the naysayers on this one. There are plenty of cartoonish alt-reality sitcoms that have worked - and some that are praised beyond my understanding, like The IT Crowd - but I think the anonymous "established sitcom writer" mentioned earlier in the thread was right. Although I'm not an IT Crowd fan, I recognise it has decent enough characters. I don't think Lab Rats has, and that is its fundamental failing, despite some funny gags and ideas.
On Friday 1st August 2008 GMT at 5:48 AM GMT, Frankie Rage said:
Alas, I cannot comment as I have not seen the show. Of course, I recognise that my inability to praise/savage the show without having seen it precludes me from ever being a part of the so called 'professional' television community, but there you have it. I'll just stay 'on the bins' and tip my hat to my betters as they flounce by.
On Monday 4th August 2008 GMT at 1:45 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Griff @ July 30 2008, 10:45 AM BSTAbsolutely every TV critic has laid into Bonekickers. Nancy Banks Smith (the greatest TV critic ever) was kinder than most but still unconvinced:
Bonekickers (BBC1) is, it has been noticed, only a syllable short of bonkers. Hugh Bonneville, a decent actor tragically seduced by the temptation of a Harrison Ford hat, plays Professor "Dolly" Parton. Based, he says, on the archaeological adviser for the series, who "literally froths at the mouth". Frankly, I'd hesitate to share a table in an all-night cafe with any one of them.
This episode, The Eternal Fire, was about the forbidden love of Boudicca and a susceptible Roman called Marcus Quintanus. Their affair was conducted, apparently, in the catacombs under the Roman baths at Bath, where the feretting archaeologists discover Boudicca herself. Crystallised, of course. There is some elementary Latin ("Regina mea!") and contemporary Italian ("So! You call me because the fire in your loins is lit once more!") and, as the catacomb fills with gas, a lot of coughing as if we were in for another adaptation of the Brontės. To be fair, the whole thing obviously cost about as much as Harrison Ford's hat.
View original
LOL. That's quite brilliant.
Of course, as every critic has ripped it to shreds, the public will adore it.
Quote: Griff @ July 30 2008, 2:47 PM BST* goes shopping for cheese *
View original
Quote: Graham Bandage @ July 30 2008, 2:43 PM BSTSo, what, you accidentally write stuff?
View original
I think he means that he doesn't sit around all day trying to write. It's not his primary interest anymore. But if something does come to him, he'll write it down.
Anyway, I found myself totally tuning out of this week's episode (mentally), so will have to watch again.
Anyway, I found myself totally tuning out of this week's episode (mentally), so will have to watch again.
On Monday 4th August 2008 GMT at 2:01 PM GMT, Stan Doubt said:
Is Lab Rats still rubbish?
On Monday 4th August 2008 GMT at 3:04 PM GMT, Griff said:
Quote:LOL. That's quite brilliant.
Isn't she great. Best writer in the Guardian.
On Friday 8th August 2008 GMT at 1:50 AM GMT, Johnny Green said:
I'm not a huge fan of this show but yet still watch it every week (probably because I have nothing better to do). Thought the episode with the protesters was quite good and there are some funny gags every now and then. What's happened to Minty though? She seemed to be a regular character but don't think she has been in the last two episodes. Also thought the change of location in this weeks episode was a bit of a poor decision.
On Friday 8th August 2008 GMT at 1:52 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Tonight's was seven shades of awful.
On Friday 8th August 2008 GMT at 2:12 AM GMT, Frankie Rage said:
I watched 10 minutes. I sort of liked the running gag about the book. But only sort of.
Honestly, if I had written what I saw tonight, I wouldn't even think it was worthy of anybodys time in 'Critique', never mind as an offering to a professional production company with a view to it going out on mainstream TV.
The writer and actors are obviously shagging the producer.. or there are 'family ties', or quite possibly, both.
Here is proof, if you needed it, that you don't have to be any good to get on telly.
On Friday 8th August 2008 GMT at 2:15 AM GMT, Marc P said:
Watching it right now and I reckon this was the pilot, in the sense of the first one written.
On Friday 8th August 2008 GMT at 2:16 AM GMT, zooo said:
Could I shag Chris Addison to get on the telly?
Please?
On Friday 8th August 2008 GMT at 2:18 AM GMT, Marc P said:
Would there be enough room?
On Friday 8th August 2008 GMT at 2:25 AM GMT, zooo said:
I've got quite a big telly!
On Friday 8th August 2008 GMT at 2:33 AM GMT, Marc P said:
Finished watching it. And I reckon it was the first ep written - which would throw up all kinds of questions on other threads but who cares here.
On another thread I have just added a stuffed owl in a glass box to my study which I think I approve of, what do you think Zooo, Aaron?
On Friday 8th August 2008 GMT at 2:34 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: zooo @ August 7 2008, 11:25 PM BSTI've got quite a big telly!
View original
LOL.
On Friday 8th August 2008 GMT at 2:34 AM GMT, zooo said:
Always in favour of taxidermical delights.
On Friday 8th August 2008 GMT at 2:36 AM GMT, Marc P said:
Kwikey what a quick response....
On Friday 8th August 2008 GMT at 2:38 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Marc P @ August 7 2008, 11:33 PM BSTOn another thread I have just added a stuffed owl in a glass box to my study which I think I approve of, what do you think Zooo, Aaron?
View original
Classy!
On Friday 8th August 2008 GMT at 2:45 AM GMT, Marc P said:
Quote: Aaron @ August 7 2008, 11:38 PM BSTClassy!
View original
It's a bit dusty but very Harry Potter so I'll try and get a pic tommorrow, my digital camera lens is stuck so I need to call in photographic help.
On Saturday 9th August 2008 GMT at 3:48 AM GMT, Anthony said:
Good grief this program smells to high heaven. People have been comparing it to the IT crowd (which is in itself not exactly a TV masterwork) but it at least has recognisable characters. One word that shrieks to mind is WHY!
[note the single exclamation mark, not the shock-tortured audience sign screaming "LAUGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!]
On Saturday 9th August 2008 GMT at 2:09 PM GMT, Frankie Rage said:
I think we should identify who the writer(s) and producer(s) of Lab Rats are and investigate their connections. Be interesting to see what else they've done.
It is dire, I couldn't believe it either.
On Saturday 9th August 2008 GMT at 2:11 PM GMT, Marc P said:
I liked the waggle dancing Bee episode.
On Saturday 9th August 2008 GMT at 2:24 PM GMT, Frankie Rage said:
I have made my 'hanging' judgement based on the 'evidence' of a 10 minute slot of this weeks episode, I must admit. But with no telly and only 30 mins viewing per week I can't spare a lot of time!
So I didn't see the waggle dancing bees!
On Saturday 9th August 2008 GMT at 2:32 PM GMT, Marc P said:
It reminded me of Waggledance beer which I drank once in Hampstead on a day of getting very very drunk indeed.
On Saturday 9th August 2008 GMT at 2:38 PM GMT, Frankie Rage said:
Yes, I've had a few Waggle Dance beers too, in West Molesey of all places..
On Saturday 9th August 2008 GMT at 2:49 PM GMT, Marc P said:
I think the one you watched was probably the pilot, and the weakest of them strangely, thus far anyway. I guess they thought they would slip it in along the line once it had built up an audience. But it is fair to say the show has been pretty much universally panned.
On Saturday 9th August 2008 GMT at 3:46 PM GMT, Chappers said:
Quote: Griff @ July 30 2008, 10:45 AM BSTAbsolutely every TV critic has laid into Bonekickers. Nancy Banks Smith (the greatest TV critic ever) was kinder than most but still unconvinced:
Bonekickers (BBC1) is, it has been noticed, only a syllable short of bonkers. Hugh Bonneville, a decent actor tragically seduced by the temptation of a Harrison Ford hat, plays Professor "Dolly" Parton. Based, he says, on the archaeological adviser for the series, who "literally froths at the mouth". Frankly, I'd hesitate to share a table in an all-night cafe with any one of them.
This episode, The Eternal Fire, was about the forbidden love of Boudicca and a susceptible Roman called Marcus Quintanus. Their affair was conducted, apparently, in the catacombs under the Roman baths at Bath, where the feretting archaeologists discover Boudicca herself. Crystallised, of course. There is some elementary Latin ("Regina mea!") and contemporary Italian ("So! You call me because the fire in your loins is lit once more!") and, as the catacomb fills with gas, a lot of coughing as if we were in for another adaptation of the Brontės. To be fair, the whole thing obviously cost about as much as Harrison Ford's hat.
Personally, I think it would be much improved by the addition of a lovable, if cowardly, great dane.
View original
As a fan of Julie Graham, Time Team and Boudicca I really should've watched this but I believed all the reviews and haven't watched any of it. Did anybody think it was worth watching?
On Monday 11th August 2008 GMT at 10:09 PM GMT, ContainsNuts said:
Quote: Aaron @ August 7 2008, 10:52 PM BSTTonight's was seven shades of awful.
View original
I really wanted this sitcom to be good, but this last episode was one of the most painful and contrived I've seen in a while. There was just nothing going on until the final 'big joke' which was already given away before it was performed.
On Monday 11th August 2008 GMT at 11:59 PM GMT, Frankie Rage said:
There is no excuse for a poor quality sitcom on mainstream TV. None.
What do they think they're playing at?
eh?
.
On Tuesday 12th August 2008 GMT at 2:10 AM GMT, Ben said:
We can only pray to Providence that the writers and performers are hanging their collective heads in shame.
On Tuesday 12th August 2008 GMT at 3:20 AM GMT, Frankie Rage said:
Maybe they can step aside and let some of us in?
Sorry, I'm being silly now!
I THOUGHT your sig said The Heroin is here! (my eyes..)
On Tuesday 12th August 2008 GMT at 4:07 AM GMT, Mark said:
I've run out of patience with this and actually given up watching now - which is something I hardly ever do (I'll struggle through most series for the good of the website!)
They should cut out the swearing and put it on CBBC - it might get an appreciative audience there. Whilst they're at it they could swap CBBC sketch show Sorry, I've Got No Head into the slot Lab Rats would be vacating as that's ace (I think it is discussed on another thread - Brigstocke in drag - quality!)
On Tuesday 12th August 2008 GMT at 12:54 PM GMT, chipolata said:
According to Michael Jacob on his blog it's retained its audience. Is this true, or is he talking out of his arse?
On Tuesday 12th August 2008 GMT at 1:50 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I can't comment on whether it's true as we don't have viewing figures past the second episode. But the first two were 1.7 million and 1.3 million respectively. So retaining the audience isn't going to be the biggest feat known to man, and certainly not that impressive.
On Tuesday 12th August 2008 GMT at 2:20 PM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: chipolata @ August 12 2008, 9:54 AM BSTAccording to Michael Jacob on his blog it's retained its audience. Is this true, or is he talking out of his arse?
View original
The last episode got 1.4m so he's right. You always have to look at things in context though... 1.3m of Mock The Week's audience switched off when Lab Rats came on - not a healthy sign. But 1.4m isn't a terrible figure for the Thursday night 9:30pm slot it has to be said - many other comedies have faired equally (badly) in that slot.
On Tuesday 12th August 2008 GMT at 5:22 PM GMT, Frankie Rage said:
Perhaps people don't have anything better to do. I know a few comedy addicts who'll watch just about anything.
Viewing demographic would be interesting. Just who is watching which channels and progs these days?
On Tuesday 12th August 2008 GMT at 5:26 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Frankie Rage @ August 12 2008, 2:22 PM BSTI know a few comedy addicts who'll watch just about anything.
View original
On Friday 15th August 2008 GMT at 11:43 PM GMT, ContainsNuts said:
Did anyone watch the last one? I didn't think it could get any worse, but it did.
On Friday 15th August 2008 GMT at 11:45 PM GMT, Aaron said:
It was a step up from E5. But Christ. *shakes head*
On Friday 15th August 2008 GMT at 11:49 PM GMT, ContainsNuts said:
Quote: Aaron @ August 15 2008, 8:45 PM BSTIt was a step up from E5. But Christ. *shakes head*
View original
True, I'm just surprised at rubbish and pointless plots.
On Saturday 16th August 2008 GMT at 2:33 AM GMT, Mark said:
Yes, thank goodness that's over. To be honest I think I'm going to stop taking bets now on which show is going to be named 'worst sitcom of 2008' in our annual poll.
I'm glad someone is attempting to bring back 'silly sitcoms', but it just amazes me that nobody stopped them during this production and said 'hang on, this really isn't good enough'. Armando Iannucci's quality control seems to have temporarily left him?!? When the studio audience only have someone hitting their head on a sign to laugh it should be clear there's something wrong.
On Saturday 16th August 2008 GMT at 3:30 AM GMT, Ben said:
I have to say I'm somewhat shocked that Armando Iannucci is in anyway involved with this show.
On Saturday 16th August 2008 GMT at 10:06 AM GMT, Marc P said:
Seriously though. It still has more heart and humanity and creativity in it than EastEnders doesn't it?
On Saturday 16th August 2008 GMT at 11:36 AM GMT, ContainsNuts said:
Quote: Marc P @ August 16 2008, 7:06 AM BSTSeriously though. It still has more heart and humanity and creativity in it than EastEnders doesn't it?
View original
I'm not sure that's the criteria.
On Sunday 17th August 2008 GMT at 3:25 PM GMT, monkeybeard said:
I am really quite astonished at how bad this sitcom was.
I had high hopes, based on the people involved and even the premise of a silly sitcom set in a science lab.
It failed so horribly it was just painful to watch at times. I don't quite know why I stuck with it, but I just wanted it to succeed so much. How did they think this would be funny? Did they really think the feeble jokes were of a good enough standard to pass muster?
However, I often find myself whistling the theme tune. I think that was by far the most successful part of the production.
woeful.
On Sunday 17th August 2008 GMT at 6:03 PM GMT, Paul W said:
I watched it for the first time this week and seriously couldn't sit through it - the storylines were pants, it was CBBC funny and the acting got on my nerves the most seriously... I could act better than half of them.
The only saving grace as the lanky lad, who seemed to have some level of talent beyond the rest.
On Monday 18th August 2008 GMT at 4:06 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: Marc P @ August 16 2008, 7:06 AM BSTSeriously though. It still has more heart and humanity and creativity in it than EastEnders doesn't it?
View original
Haven't you written for EastEnders?
On Monday 18th August 2008 GMT at 4:25 PM GMT, Timbo said:
I find the abuse thrown at this show a little depressing. It is an interesting project, that did not come off. I would sooner the BBC commissioned this than most of the dross they turn out.
The script had potential; the setting offers scope for a lot of silly humour, and the scripts were full of gags, many of them good. Perhaps less jokes and more quality control might have been more effective.
The characters did not quite come alive. Selina Cadell and Geoffrey McGivern are two of the most experienced comedy performers around, and did a good enough job of nailing their lines, but perhaps their characters were underwritten. The guest performances were mostly over the top, presumably deliberately so, which in retrospect was a mistake. Only Jo Enright's character really won me over.
The real problem for me was Chris Addison's central performance. It just wasn't big enough. In other silly sitcoms, such as Blackadder, Father Ted or the IT Crowd, the voice of sanity character is as broad as the rest. Chris's character was too lacking in personality and his performance was altogether too naturalistic
Anyhow it was an interesting failure, from obviously talented people, and hopefully the BBC will let the people involved take what they have learnt from it either to a second series or to another project
On Monday 18th August 2008 GMT at 4:33 PM GMT, Marc P said:
Quote: chipolata @ August 18 2008, 1:06 PM BSTHaven't you written for EastEnders?
View original
On Monday 18th August 2008 GMT at 4:35 PM GMT, zooo said:
Ooh, I just realised I had a dream that in an extra last episode, Addison's character realised he was in love with Jo Enright's, as she was in every line of his diary.
See, if I'd written it, it would have been bad.
On Monday 18th August 2008 GMT at 8:09 PM GMT, Gelgoog said:
I think the interesting aspect is how many of the jokes link togethor or are designed to mislead you. Look at the all nighter episode, with the recurring 'don't make this a circus' line, leading into the final punchline with the cast resembling an acrobat, lion tamer and strongman. It's like the writers are playing games with the audience, trying to see which of the 2 sides can outsmart the other.
On Thursday 21st August 2008 GMT at 1:51 PM GMT, swerytd said:
By the end of it, I wasn't really interested in the storylines but was watching for the odd joke here or there, which were quite funny in places.
I did like that circus ending though, but thought the last episode was pretty poor.
Still better than all soap, in my opinion.
Dan
On Thursday 21st August 2008 GMT at 7:19 PM GMT, Deferenz said:
I recorded the episode 'The Seven Nighter' and sat down to watch it last night. I can see this comedy from two sides. As a sitcom that I was watching on tv I thought it was dreadful. I couldn't get to grips with the characters. I found their acting pretty dull and their delivery of the lines poor.
However, as a dabling script writer I could see that the idea, the interaction and the jokes would look really good on paper. Some of the jokes were delivered really poorly in the sitcom but I thought how great they would seem if you sat down and read them off the page. Some good call backs and some nice observations were in there. It was just delivered so...bluhhh....
Such a pity that this project didn't quite work. I love the premise of Lab Rats and it was good to see a comedy that centres on something different to the norm we have been getting of late.
Def.
On Sunday 31st August 2008 GMT at 11:40 PM GMT, frostyboy said:
Lab Rats was a load of bollocking shite.
On Sunday 31st August 2008 GMT at 11:45 PM GMT, Paul W said:
Quote: Deferenz @ August 21 2008, 4:19 PM BSTI recorded the episode 'The Seven Nighter' and sat down to watch it last night. I can see this comedy from two sides. As a sitcom that I was watching on tv I thought it was dreadful. I couldn't get to grips with the characters. I found their acting pretty dull and their delivery of the lines poor.
However, as a dabling script writer I could see that the idea, the interaction and the jokes would look really good on paper. Some of the jokes were delivered really poorly in the sitcom but I thought how great they would seem if you sat down and read them off the page. Some good call backs and some nice observations were in there. It was just delivered so...bluhhh....
Such a pity that this project didn't quite work. I love the premise of Lab Rats and it was good to see a comedy that centres on something different to the norm we have been getting of late.
Def.
View original
Agreed, something could be done with this, getting better actors would be the first in my checklist!
On Sunday 31st August 2008 GMT at 11:48 PM GMT, zooo said:
But, but, not Chris Addison. He is a good actor.
On Sunday 31st August 2008 GMT at 11:51 PM GMT, frostyboy said:
Quote: zooo @ August 31 2008, 8:48 PM BSTBut, but, not Chris Addison. He is a good actor.
View original
In other words, you'd like to f**k Chris Addison?
On Sunday 31st August 2008 GMT at 11:52 PM GMT, zooo said:
Dammit you saw through me.
Yes I would quite like to. But he is a good actor too, coincidentally. See The Thick of It.
On Sunday 31st August 2008 GMT at 11:59 PM GMT, Nil Putters said:
Zooo you're free!!
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 12:07 AM GMT, zooo said:
Aw, thanks, but it's not me!
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 12:07 AM GMT, Aaron said:
He was alright in The Thick Of It, yes.
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 12:08 AM GMT, Nil Putters said:
Balls! Are we still playing?
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 12:11 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Nil, as I understand it, it's ONLY applicable inside the General Discussion forum.
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 12:12 AM GMT, Nil Putters said:
Quote: Aaron @ August 31 2008, 9:11 PM BSTNil, as I understand it, it's ONLY applicable inside the General Discussion forum.
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Uh, yeah, I knew that. Just testing your grasp of the rules.
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 12:13 AM GMT, Timbo said:
Quote: Aaron @ August 31 2008, 9:07 PM BSTHe was alright in The Thick Of It, yes.
View original
Different style of comedy though. The show needed Andy Millman playing Ray Stokes, and we got Ricky Gervais playing Andy Millman.
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 1:12 AM GMT, Marc P said:
Quote: frostyboy @ August 31 2008, 8:40 PM BSTLab Rats was a load of bollocking shite.
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I tell you what, it is like walking into some twenties London literary club here somedays. The witty deconstruction, the gay badinage. Ah me, how we all love comedy and support our fellow strivers. Unless they actually get a pilot and six episodes on tv. How very dare they, the talentless bastards!
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 1:15 AM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Quote: Marc P @ August 31 2008, 10:12 PM BSTI tell you what, it is like walking into some twenties London literary club here somedays. The witty deconstruction, the gay badinage. Ah me, how we all love comedy and support our fellow strivers. Unless they actually get a pilot and six episodes on tv. How very dare they, the talentless bastards!
View original
I was with you until your second point. How is it jealousy just to say somethings rubbish?!? The boy doesn't like the show, we can and should be able to say so without someone crying jealousy.
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 1:15 AM GMT, Aaron said:
And he's not a writer either.
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 1:16 AM GMT, zooo said:
You don't look as much like Simon Mayo on my laptop.
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 1:16 AM GMT, Marc P said:
Quote: Matthew Stott @ August 31 2008, 10:15 PM BSTI was with you until your second point. How is it jealousy just to say somethings rubbish?!? The boy doesn't like the show, we can and should be able to say so without someone crying jealousy.
View original
I don't recall using the word Jealousy Matthew?
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 1:18 AM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Quote: Marc P @ August 31 2008, 10:16 PM BSTI don't recall using the word Jealousy Matthew?
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Well, it was kind of obvious what you meant Marc, come on now. How else could you read that post?
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 1:22 AM GMT, Timbo said:
Quote: Marc P @ August 31 2008, 10:12 PM BSTI tell you what, it is like walking into some twenties London literary club here somedays.
View original
As dear Plum was saying to Fred Benson only the other day, Dotty's new Peter Wimsey novel is a load of bollocking shite.
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 1:24 AM GMT, zooo said:
Marc!
Put your photo avatar back!
Do we know if Lab Rats has a second series yet?
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 1:26 AM GMT, Marc P said:
Well if he is not a writer, fair play Aaron, but Matthew read it as it was written. New comedy seems to get slated more often than not on here. Tall poppy syndrome seems to be the English thing. It wasn't actually bollocking shite was it?
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 1:27 AM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Quote: zooo @ August 31 2008, 10:24 PM BST
Do we know if Lab Rats has a second series yet?
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I'd be surprised, but I don't think it did too terribly ratings wise compared to other things in the same slot.
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 1:28 AM GMT, Marc P said:
Quote: zooo @ August 31 2008, 10:24 PM BSTMarc!
Put your photo avatar back!
Do we know if Lab Rats has a second series yet?
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LOL. I will if you will.
I feel braver with my tin tin avatar, he has such a thrusting jaw.
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 1:29 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Marc P @ August 31 2008, 10:26 PM BSTIt wasn't actually bollocking shite was it?
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Not quite that bad, no. But you must understand that with frostyboy's eloquence and sophistication, it's about on par with my saying that it was a "dreadful attempt at comedy".
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 1:30 AM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Quote: Marc P @ August 31 2008, 10:26 PM BSTWell if he is not a writer, fair play Aaron, but Matthew read it as it was written. New comedy seems to get slated more often than not on here. Tall poppy syndrome seems to be the English thing. It wasn't actually bollocking shite was it?
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A lot of stuff does get slated,but part of that, I would say, is down to the fact that comedy causes more extreme reactions than, say, drama, as well as the fact that there is a lot of, if not terrible, then at best mediocre stuff around. Plus Lab Rats isn't very good. And do you mean I was right about the jealousy thing?
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 1:40 AM GMT, Marc P said:
Quote: Matthew Stott @ August 31 2008, 10:30 PM BSTA lot of stuff does get slated,but part of that, I would say, is down to the fact that comedy causes more extreme reactions than, say, drama, as well as the fact that there is a lot of, if not terrible, then at best mediocre stuff around. Plus Lab Rats isn't very good. And do you mean I was right about the jealousy thing?
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Matthew never explain, never complain and never ever admit you might be wrong.
As to the other points I don't know... at least with the comedy lab and pilots and Lab Rats, for instance, at least people are trying to do something different and I am not sure that is true about Drama. It might not work, but if you can see people have put some work into it then say it's just not for me. Bollocking shite should be reserved for stuff that no imagination, no work has gone into etc... it's a tough nut to crack in comedy but at least a few of these new shows/pilots have tried.
Quote: Aaron @ August 31 2008, 10:29 PM BSTNot quite that bad, no. But you must understand that with frostyboy's eloquence and sophistication, it's about on par with my saying that it was a "dreadful attempt at comedy".
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On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 1:41 AM GMT, zooo said:
I agree in general. But really, with the poster's comment in question he's just been pretty much spamming each thread tonight posting random comments designed to annoy, so there's no need to take it into consideration.
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 1:45 AM GMT, Marc P said:
Quote: zooo @ August 31 2008, 10:41 PM BSTI agree in general. But really, with the poster's comment in question he's just been pretty much spamming each thread tonight posting random comments designed to annoy, so there's no need to take it into consideration.
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Fair enough, I'll put the jaw away!
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 1:46 AM GMT, zooo said:
Yayyy!
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 3:18 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: Marc P @ August 31 2008, 10:40 PM BST
As to the other points I don't know... at least with the comedy lab and pilots and Lab Rats, for instance, at least people are trying to do something different and I am not sure that is true about Drama. It might not work, but if you can see people have put some work into it then say it's just not for me.
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Does it really matter what people say on forums, though? It's kind of meaningless. Look at some of the ridiculously over the top attacks there have been on Gavin and Stacy on this forum. Those attacks don't stop it from being a good show. And very successful show. Likewise, Two Pints Of Lager regularly gets a pasting here but that doesn't stop it's fanbase from liking it, or the BBC from recommissioning it.
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 5:05 PM GMT, Marc P said:
Quote: chipolata @ September 1 2008, 12:18 PM BSTDoes it really matter what people say on forums, though? It's kind of meaningless. Look at some of the ridiculously over the top attacks there have been on Gavin and Stacy on this forum. Those attacks don't stop it from being a good show. And very successful show. Likewise, Two Pints Of Lager regularly gets a pasting here but that doesn't stop it's fanbase from liking it, or the BBC from recommissioning it.
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All true. It was probably well past whiskey o'clock when I was posting.
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 5:21 PM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
Compared to 'The Cup' and 'The Wrong Door', Lab Rats was a work of utter genius!
I enjoyed Lab Rats, but was aware of its shortcomings: there was a lack of balance between the four main characters; the definition of each character wasn't clear enough, as opposed to it being poorly cast; for the type of show it was trying to be, the pacing was too slow and there needed to be more urgency with the characters, who were all far too laid back.
At least there was effort put into it, unlike the indulgent 'The Cup', which contains no jokes at all, apart from ones you can see coming before the bloody programme starts!
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 5:29 PM GMT, Andrew M Bedell said:
I loved Lab rats, I hate the cup...I know hate is a strong word, but I dont see anything in it that i can call a possitive point, and I do not like football!
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 5:37 PM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
Quote: Andrew M Bedell @ September 1 2008, 2:29 PM BSTI loved Lab rats, I hate the cup...I know hate is a strong word, but I dont see anything in it that i can call a possitive point, and I do not like football!
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I think the word 'hate' is entirely acceptable when applied to 'The Cup'. It is loathsome.
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 9:04 PM GMT, zooo said:
Quote: john lucas 101 @ September 1 2008, 2:21 PM BSTthe pacing was too slow and there needed to be more urgency with the characters, who were all far too laid back.
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That is a very good point. I didn't mind the pacing, I quite like slow moving sitcoms action wise, but the characters were definitely too laid back.
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 11:42 PM GMT, Marc P said:
Yeah but if David T laid back it wouldn't be your red pen you'd be reaching for.
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 11:48 PM GMT, zooo said:
...........
*imagines*
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 11:52 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Oi, wrong forum for that! *shakes fist*
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 11:54 PM GMT, zooo said:
Damn. I've been trying so hard as well.
On Tuesday 2nd September 2008 GMT at 3:50 AM GMT, Joey Moose said:
The guy who plays the main character in Lab Rats.....I dunno if it's just me, but he has "Doctor Who" written all over him. I want him to be the 11th Doctor when Tennant steps down next year or in 2010
- I thought Lab Rats was okay. My mother loved it, but then again what does she know about good comedy?
On Tuesday 2nd September 2008 GMT at 3:26 PM GMT, Aaron said:
No, definitely just you.
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 2:20 AM GMT, Talbot Dave said:
I liked the part in "A Diary" Series 1 Episode 6 where Brian walked into the warning sign.
Any news on a series 2?
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 6:26 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: Talbot Dave @ January 6 2009, 9:20 PM GMT
Any news on a series 2?
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I think Chris Addison asked some BBC bigwig at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival if he was going to get a second series of Lab Rats and their followed a long and awkward silence. I'm guessing it won't happen.
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 6:28 PM GMT, Griff said:
It was Lucy Lumsden that he asked, I remember reading about it. I don't know if it's being recommissioned.
Chris Addison is doing stand-up at a club my mate works at next Monday. I'll get her to ask him!
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 6:30 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: Griff @ January 7 2009, 1:28 PM GMT
Chris Addison is doing stand-up at a club my mate works at next Monday. I'll get her to ask him!
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Get her to incoroprate the question into a heckle.
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 6:31 PM GMT, Griff said:
OK everybody. Thinking caps on for the best Lab Rats heckle.
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 6:34 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Actually, the programme was so dreary and ultimately forgettable it's hard to think of a good insult. At this stage, I can barely remember any of the plots or characters, and I watched about three or four episodes.
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 6:36 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
"Hey, that older professor guy, with the beard, he was a really funny, well rounded character; you must have put a lot of work into him to bring him alive like that."
I'm no good at heckles.
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 6:38 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Lab Rats: Cruel and painful.
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 6:38 PM GMT, swerytd said:
Quote: Griff @ January 7 2009, 1:31 PM GMTOK everybody. Thinking caps on for the best Lab Rats heckle.
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(A more cynical version of my views of the programme could say)
And why should we put effort into a creative line, when none of the writers did?
Ba bum bum tsch, I'm here all week...
(Not) Dan
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 6:38 PM GMT, Griff said:
To be honest "Where's your second series then?" would work for me.
Although I like Chris Addison for his excellent work in The Thick Of It, so I don't know why I'm encouraging this.
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 6:40 PM GMT, swerytd said:
And his radio stuff is pretty good, I reckon. Though he is better at that "talking at you, voice-over style" rather than his acting in this, which seemed a bit stilted. Though, yes, he was excellent in The Thick Of It.
Again, I have no real point...
Dan
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 6:43 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: swerytd @ January 7 2009, 1:40 PM GMT
Again, I have no real point...
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Glad you can finally admit it.
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 7:04 PM GMT, Timbo said:
Never understood the venom that Lab Rats attracts. It did not come off, but the premise was solid and the talent of those involved and the hard work that had gone to scripts were plain to see. As an aspiring writer I found the show fascinating - there is much more to be learnt from the failure of a show like this, than one such as Clone which simply should never have been commissioned. I would love to see the show given a second series to see if they could fix it.
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 7:06 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Quote: Timbo @ January 7 2009, 2:04 PM GMTNever understood the venom that Lab Rats attracts. It did not come off, but the premise was solid and the talent of those involved and the hard work that had gone to scripts were plain to see. As an aspiring writer I found the show fascinating - there is much more to be learnt from the failure of a show like this, than one such as Clone which simply should never have been commissioned. I would love to see the show given a second series to see if they could fix it.
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I didn't mind it too much to be honest. It certainly wasn't great, but it kept me watching, and at times tittering. At least two of the characters could have been dropped though. Or made funny.
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 7:25 PM GMT, Timbo said:
I think there was an uneveness of tone, Addison's character was too sane and the performance too naturalsitic given the cartoon nature of the other characters and the silliness of the plots and some of the gags. Some of the gags were probably too silly to work on television anyway - it is a rather literal medium that does not cope well with flights of fancy. Agree that not all the characters worked - Selina Cadell is a good comic actress, but I thought she was miscast, and the lad playing Addison's sidekick could not seem to get a handle on the role.
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 7:35 PM GMT, Marc P said:
Quote: Griff @ January 7 2009, 1:31 PM GMTOK everybody. Thinking caps on for the best Lab Rats heckle.
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Oi Addison! Was the comedy in Lab Rats experimental?
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 7:43 PM GMT, swerytd said:
Quote: chipolata @ January 7 2009, 1:43 PM GMTGlad you can finally admit it.
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Damn you, and your witty retorts <shakes fist smiley, (a bit Alan Rickman)>
Dan
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 7:56 PM GMT, Griff said:
*applauds use of "retorts" in a Lab Rats discussion*
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 8:15 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Griff @ January 7 2009, 1:31 PM GMTOK everybody. Thinking caps on for the best Lab Rats heckle.
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Harsh, but fair (?):
"Has the BBC had a lobotomy, or have we seen the last of Lab Rats?
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 8:17 PM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
Might I ask why we've suddenly started on Lab Rats again? Has there been nothing worse to slag off since? I think you'll find there has.
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 8:20 PM GMT, Griff said:
Bullies always like to pick on past victims as well as finding new ones. I know I do.
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 8:21 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: john lucas 101 @ January 7 2009, 3:17 PM GMTHas there been nothing worse to slag off since? I think you'll find there has.
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But we're trying desperately to forget Peter Kay.
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 8:22 PM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
Quote: Griff @ January 7 2009, 3:20 PM GMTBullies always like to pick on past victims as well as finding new ones. I know I do.
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And I thought you were so sophisticated!
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 8:33 PM GMT, swerytd said:
Griff, Winner, Most Sophisticated Bully 2005-2007. Runner-Up 2008
Dan
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 8:37 PM GMT, chipolata said:
I think the reason Lab Rats attracted such ire was a case of expectations. Armando Ianucci (legend) was producing and Chris Addison (likeable up and coming comedian with some great radio work to his name) was writing and starring in it. Add to that it was touted as a move away from dour naturalism back towards "big, silly" comedy... Expectations were so high, that when it failed the only fun to be had was tearing it to shreds.
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 8:43 PM GMT, Griff said:
Quote: swerytd @ January 7 2009, 3:33 PM GMTGriff, Winner, Most Sophisticated Bully 2005-2007. Runner-Up 2008
Dan
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Who beat me? Chipolata? Seefacts? Pete?
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 8:44 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: Griff @ January 7 2009, 3:43 PM GMTWho beat me? Chipolata? Seefacts? Pete?
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Godot's Taxis. He actually makes his victims cry.
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 8:46 PM GMT, swerytd said:
And in a *really* clever way...
<admires>
Dan
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 9:47 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: swerytd @ January 7 2009, 3:46 PM GMTAnd in a *really* clever way...
<admires>
Dan
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Touch of Stockholm Syndrome there, Dan?
On Wednesday 7th January 2009 GMT at 9:59 PM GMT, swerytd said:
On Thursday 8th January 2009 GMT at 8:41 PM GMT, Talbot Dave said:
It's a really good sitcom. Best of 2008 in my opinion
On Tuesday 24th March 2009 GMT at 5:51 AM GMT, Gluben said:
Chris Addison confirmed on Twitter that it would not be returning for a second series. For most people, that's a blessing. For me, it's a shame, because I reckon if they had produced more episodes like "A Seven Nighter", then they would've got right on track. I highly recommend that episode, especially for the final visual gag pay-off.
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 5:35 PM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
Mention of We Are Klang being silly reminded me of this show.
And,I thought you'd all be pleased to hear that it's out on DVD now. Ha!
I liked it! My very first post on this site about a year ago was to defend it against the massive slating it received.
Ah, those were the days!
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 5:36 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: john lucas 101 @ July 29 2009, 2:35 PM BST
I liked it!
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You big f**k off c**t!!!
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 5:37 PM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
Quote: chipolata @ July 29 2009, 2:36 PM BSTYou big f**k off c**t!!!
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That's Lucas!
No, that doesn't work.
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 5:38 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
Quote: john lucas 101 @ July 29 2009, 2:35 PM BST
I liked it! My very first post on this site about a year ago was to defend it against the massive slating it received.
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Indeed, my first post on this site was defending Two Pints.... How times change.
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 5:38 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: john lucas 101 @ July 29 2009, 2:37 PM BST
No, that doesn't work.
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Rather like Lab Rats! Do you see what I did...oh f**k off!
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 5:39 PM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
Quote: Tim Walker @ July 29 2009, 2:38 PM BSTIndeed, my first post on this site was defending Two Pints.... How times change.
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Quote: chipolata @ July 29 2009, 2:38 PM BSTRather like Lab Rats! Do you see what I did...oh f**k off!
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A big 'f**k off' f**k off.
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 5:42 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: john lucas 101 @ July 29 2009, 2:39 PM BST
A big 'f**k off' f**k off.
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I like to think we're driving up f**k off standards of debate on this big f**k off site.
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 5:45 PM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
Quote: chipolata @ July 29 2009, 2:42 PM BSTI like to think we're driving up f**k off standards of debate on this big f**k off site.
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Or at least usage of the word f**k.
Ah, just think...series 2 of Lab Rats should have been on right about now. If anybody else apart from me had liked it it. You'd have all been going around adorned in Lab Rats merchandise and doing the catchphrases and everything. *sigh!*
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 5:55 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
By that reckoning, John, the 25th series of Up The Elephant And Round The Castle should be due out any moment.
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 5:58 PM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
Quote: Tim Walker @ July 29 2009, 2:55 PM BSTBy that reckoning, John, the 25th series of Up The Elephant And Round The Castle should be due out any moment.
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Cor, just think....
No, maybe not. More Aaron's bag of tea, I think.
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 6:02 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
Teenagers would be watching it "ironically" and Jim Davison would be resurrecting 'Chalkie' for his sell-out Edinburgh show.
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 6:06 PM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
Quote: Tim Walker @ July 29 2009, 3:02 PM BSTTeenagers would be watching it "ironically" and Jim Davison would be resurrecting 'Chalkie' for his sell-out Edinburgh show.
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Yes, and his other character, 'Too risky', who used to say things like 'Too risky'. From what I can remember. Classic.
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 6:15 PM GMT, Nil Putters said:
And his other character that would beat women up.
No, sorry, that was actually just him.
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 6:18 PM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
Quote: Nil Putters @ July 29 2009, 3:15 PM BSTAnd his other character that would beat women up.
No, sorry, that was actually just him.
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Ooh don't forget 'Nick Nick', the policeman. Who went 'Nick Nick'. Oh, blimey, yes.
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 6:26 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
To be fair, the time I saw Jim being arrested for drunk-driving outside the Bristol Hippodrome was genuinely hilarious. (The TV presenter Alison Holloway was also brilliantly dead-pan playing the part of his abused wife.)
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 6:34 PM GMT, Nil Putters said:
Awww poor Alison.
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 6:36 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
Indeed. She was a sauce too in her pre-Davison, early HTV days.
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 6:38 PM GMT, Nil Putters said:
Totally. Better than Richard Wyatt anyway.
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 6:40 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
And Richard was pretty damn f**kable, whatever your orientation...
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 6:44 PM GMT, Nil Putters said:
Where do stand on Bruce Hockin?
Don't say his neck.
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 6:48 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
For some reason, Richard always vaguely reminded me of a young Adam West from 'Batman'.
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 6:53 PM GMT, Nil Putters said:
And Bruce a podgy Robin?
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 6:54 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
Now that you come to mention it...
Anyway, back on topic (I feel the icy cold chill of a moderator's finger prodding me)... I agree that there will be no 2nd series of Lab Rats.
On Wednesday 29th July 2009 GMT at 6:58 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: john lucas 101 @ July 29 2009, 2:58 PM BSTCor, just think....
No, maybe not. More Aaron's bag of tea, I think.
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Yep.