The Cup
On Wednesday 20th August 2008 GMT at 5:49 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Anybody seen this yet? It's had some absolutely terrible previews, even worse than Lab Rats. Suprising considering the writers. Wouldn't it be ironic if the worst comedy on Thursday night had nothing at all to do with Seefacts?
On Wednesday 20th August 2008 GMT at 5:50 PM GMT, ContainsNuts said:
Please, I don't think I can take another rubbish comedy.
On Wednesday 20th August 2008 GMT at 5:54 PM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
It does look shit from the previews, but it's by a couple of the people from 'Absolutely', so I'll certainly give it a go.
On Wednesday 20th August 2008 GMT at 6:02 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Even Boyd Hilton didn't rate it on Front Row, and he usually likes any old pap.
On Wednesday 20th August 2008 GMT at 6:43 PM GMT, Graham Bandage said:
I've written a pilot for a Sunday league football team sitcom. I can't decide whether it's better for me if this is a miserable failure, or if it's a hilarious, though heartstring-tugging, laughfest.
I suspect it will make no difference, if I'm honest.
On Wednesday 20th August 2008 GMT at 7:37 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: Graham Bandage @ August 20 2008, 3:43 PM BSTI've written a pilot for a Sunday league football team sitcom. I can't decide whether it's better for me if this is a miserable failure, or if it's a hilarious, though heartstring-tugging, laughfest.
I suspect it will make no difference, if I'm honest.
I had a similar predicament before Lab Rats. A sitcom about scientists. I'm still not sure whether Lab Rats has killed that genre, or paved the way for somebody to come up with a proper comedy on the subject.
On Wednesday 20th August 2008 GMT at 8:46 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Graham, chip, does it matter? In submitting a pilot or script sample, you should think of it more as an example and indicator of your work than locking you into that particular setting. If you have any talent, then that will show through and you'll be given a chance somewhere, regardless of your chosen sample's setting having been monopolised or killed.
No?
On Wednesday 20th August 2008 GMT at 8:54 PM GMT, Mark said:
It's a good point Aaron. Your actual premise might be dead (as sadly commissioners are indeed alergic to greenlighting similar sitcoms - even John Sullivan and the like have fallen foul of this situation), however if your script is good, it's good.
Plus, your characters should be robust and well-rounded enough to be able to be transported into a different location anyway.
Anyway, The Cup... the whole mockumentary thing is very hard to pull off so it's brave of them to try. If it does turn out a bit rubbish though, I won't be that surprised.
On Wednesday 20th August 2008 GMT at 10:49 PM GMT, Chappers said:
This is something I should've done first having run a kids team for year (No - that isdn't the reason!).
If it's an Absolutlely thing then it should be worthwhile.
We've had Playing the Field about women's football, Playing for Real about Subbuteo and now this.
Quote: Graham Bandage @ August 20 2008, 3:43 PM BSTI've written a pilot for a Sunday league football team sitcom. I can't decide whether it's better for me if this is a miserable failure, or if it's a hilarious, though heartstring-tugging, laughfest.
I suspect it will make no difference, if I'm honest.
I have one in mind for this though. Shall we pool our resources?
On Wednesday 20th August 2008 GMT at 11:30 PM GMT, Graham Bandage said:
Quote: David Chapman @ August 20 2008, 7:49 PM BSTThis is something I should've done first having run a kids team for year (No - that isdn't the reason!).
If it's an Absolutlely thing then it should be worthwhile.
We've had Playing the Field about women's football, Playing for Real about Subbuteo and now this.
I have one in mind for this though. Shall we pool our resources?
PM'ed, Chappers.
On Thursday 21st August 2008 GMT at 2:17 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Bizarrely, Teletext have given this a really positive preview, saying it's "very funny." So maybe it's not as crap as I fear. Also, is that women in the picture on your intro screen the sexy slapper from Pulling?
On Thursday 21st August 2008 GMT at 4:02 PM GMT, dingo said:
Shouldn't there be an "I hate it when Brits ripoff Canadian shows" thread about this?
On Thursday 21st August 2008 GMT at 4:12 PM GMT, Graham Bandage said:
To be fair, it is an official adaptation.
On Thursday 21st August 2008 GMT at 4:20 PM GMT, dingo said:
Sorry, just so accustomed to the whole "the US steals from the UK" bit, though they are also adaptations. I just wanted to point out that the UK does in fact redo foreign shows for a Brit audience.
For some reason you guys are going to see a UK Dharma and Greg.
On Thursday 21st August 2008 GMT at 5:07 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Is the Canadian original any good?
On Thursday 21st August 2008 GMT at 5:59 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: dingo @ August 21 2008, 1:20 PM BSTSorry, just so accustomed to the whole "the US steals from the UK" bit
Wow. You must be the first person - from either side - who actually gives a shit.
As long as it's funny, who f**king cares where it comes from, seriously?
On Thursday 21st August 2008 GMT at 6:07 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: Aaron @ August 21 2008, 2:59 PM BSTWow. You must be the first person - from either side - who actually gives a shit.
As long as it's funny, who f**king cares where it comes from, seriously?
Sometimes you come across as really dislikeable.
On Thursday 21st August 2008 GMT at 6:12 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Why thank you. I do try. 
On Thursday 21st August 2008 GMT at 6:13 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: Aaron @ August 21 2008, 3:12 PM BSTWhy thank you. I do try.
No you don't, you're just a natural.
On Thursday 21st August 2008 GMT at 6:20 PM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
I've set aside a couple of hours tomorrow morning to read the traditional outpourings of bile on BSG that follow episode one of a new show! Always a good laugh to see you writer boys and girls fly off the absolute handle. For the sake of my own amusement I almost hope it is shit.
On Thursday 21st August 2008 GMT at 11:35 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: john lucas 101 @ August 21 2008, 3:20 PM BSTI've set aside a couple of hours tomorrow morning to read the traditional outpourings of bile on BSG that follow episode one of a new show! Always a good laugh to see you writer boys and girls fly off the absolute handle. For the sake of my own amusement I almost hope it is shit.
So, so true.
On Friday 22nd August 2008 GMT at 1:02 AM GMT, Ben said:
My view on the show is:
It was ok. Better than I thought it would be and it got a few laughs out of me.
On Friday 22nd August 2008 GMT at 1:05 AM GMT, Nil Putters said:
Agree. It has potential.
On Friday 22nd August 2008 GMT at 1:06 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Meh.
On Friday 22nd August 2008 GMT at 1:07 AM GMT, dingo said:
Quote: Aaron @ August 21 2008, 2:59 PM BSTWow. You must be the first person - from either side - who actually gives a shit.
As long as it's funny, who f**king cares where it comes from, seriously?
I don't really care. It was just a little stab at those who do.
On Friday 22nd August 2008 GMT at 1:11 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Alright then. Anyone who doesn't care, is fine by me. I do apologise for any confusion caused in the meantime.
On Friday 22nd August 2008 GMT at 1:12 AM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
First episodes are always difficult but I enjoyed it and think it has potential. I lol'ed quite a few times. This is probably the first thing I've liked Steve Edge in.
"There are ore vaginas in bolton."
On Friday 22nd August 2008 GMT at 1:55 AM GMT, Johnny Green said:
I thought it was quite good though I think I would have laughed more if I hadn't seen the trailer about 20 times which meant that some of the gags were already worn out. Still much much much better than Lab rats
On Friday 22nd August 2008 GMT at 2:04 AM GMT, Nick said:
A decent start all in all. I like several of the cast members and there were some good jokes and one or two nice character moments. Will certainly tune in next week to see how it continues.
On Friday 22nd August 2008 GMT at 2:12 AM GMT, Timbo said:
Quote: Johnny Green @ August 21 2008, 10:55 PM BSTStill much much much better than Lab rats
Interesting. There were more gags in five minutes of Lab Rats than in the whole first episode of The Cup. And the gags in Lab Rats were much more original, and on paper at least, a lot funnier. The humour in The Cup came almost entirely from the characterisation, which is where Lab Rats was so weak.
I did not dislike this, but it did not make me laugh out loud. As someone mentioned the best gags were in the trailers, where they benefited from the sharp editing.
To be honest though I think I have seen enough mockumentaries to last me a life time.
On Friday 22nd August 2008 GMT at 2:23 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Timbo @ August 21 2008, 11:12 PM BSTTo be honest though I think I have seen enough mockumentaries to last me a life time.
On Friday 22nd August 2008 GMT at 2:26 AM GMT, Ben said:
Quote: Timbo @ August 21 2008, 11:12 PM BST
To be honest though I think I have seen enough mockumentaries to last me a life time.
Have there been that many? Operation Good Guys, The Office and...?
The Cup wasn't as good as those two. I might tune in again, but who knows.
On Friday 22nd August 2008 GMT at 2:30 AM GMT, Aaron said:
People Like Us, I think was one?
And in all honesty, the two you suggested are two too many.
On Friday 22nd August 2008 GMT at 2:51 AM GMT, David H said:
Whenever I see new British comedy I feel I'm going back in time. I find the humour so laboured. America came up with shows that pushed on and made things quicker and snappier and then we come back to this.
The Simpsons will make a joke and push on, and if you've not caught it, tough. But shows like this, they telegraph supposed jokes like the camera lingering on the funeral director putting his card on the head coach. And 'he's very sensitive or whatever'. Cut to him being the exact opposite.
It's not good writing. It's really ordinary. Where's the wit and clever wordplay? It's not something that's going to make you sit up and take note. It's just something else to watch while channel hopping
On Friday 22nd August 2008 GMT at 3:33 AM GMT, Jack Massey said:
I liked it and think it has alot of potential. There is one big coincidence though that I'm surprised nobody has noticed. This football team is called Ashfield United. In 1973 in the 'Seven Of One' series (a series of pilots starring Ronnie Barker which bought us Porridge and Open all Hours) one of the episodes, called Spanners Eleven by Roy Clarke, was about a badly failing football team called Ashfield Athletic - so what is this Ashfield thing. Anyway, I've always said it was a shame the Barker pilot was never made into a series. Hopefully it will remain as enjoyable. I loved it when he kept bribing people with four packs of beers, to which he had taken one out.
On Friday 22nd August 2008 GMT at 6:35 AM GMT, Godot Taxis said:
I thought this was rather good, although it is boring.
On Friday 22nd August 2008 GMT at 10:53 AM GMT, Ian Wolf said:
I think I am with most people around here. It has the potential to be something good, and I would be willing to watch next week's episode. I'm guessing that this week's episode was meant to be an introduction to the characters, which appears to this show's strength. I did like the coach character. He seems to the archetype of every school sporting coach there is (i.e., terrifying).
On Friday 22nd August 2008 GMT at 12:47 PM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
Oh, my giddy aunt! I really would have expected a lot better from the Absolutely boys, regardless of source material.
This was was so unremittingly poor I'm surprised it wasn't on BBC3.
And this bearing in mind that I was one of the few people who actually enjoyed Lab Rats.
Just a mundane half hour of character introductions. That really was it. I don't buy the notion that a first episode can somehow be less competent than the rest of a series. Look at the first episodes of Steptoe or Frasier or Fawlty Towers.
The whole aspect of the role reversal of adults behaving as children was done more effectively in Ab Fab.
By contrast, the School of Comedy show that Seefacts worked on, actually had some funny stuff in it and tested in front of an audience. As I've written before, the worst examples of the one camera/filmed show have a tendency to be extremely indulgent, relying more on atmosphere than jokes.
The Cup might improve but I can't think how.
On Friday 22nd August 2008 GMT at 12:58 PM GMT, Deferenz said:
I happened to catch this by accident last night. I had seen the trailers and wasn't that impressed and had forgotten all about it until it came on the TV, so I just sat and watched it.
I thought it was really good. I got into the characters and I thought the jokes that came from them were pretty decent. I will definitely watch next week's episode.
Def.
On Friday 22nd August 2008 GMT at 2:04 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Neither fish nor foul, and no real laughs either. Poor. It won't get a second series.
On Friday 22nd August 2008 GMT at 3:18 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Watched the first few minutes and was bored. Why were there no laughs in the first few pages of the script? Maybe it picked up later. One thing that does annoy me, is that I had a mockmentary script at a production company, only to be told, after months of development, that they now thought mockumentary was too tired and channels wouldn't go for it. Three weeks later, we have a mockumentary on. No one knows anything, do they? Bum. Though someone else has it now. The mockumentary angle doesn't seem to bother them, in fact they haven't even mentioned it. I hate the word mockumentary. Mockumentary.
On Monday 25th August 2008 GMT at 11:17 PM GMT, liamgazza said:
Quote: Jack Massey @ August 22 2008, 12:33 AM BSTI liked it and think it has alot of potential. There is one big coincidence though that I'm surprised nobody has noticed. This football team is called Ashfield United. In 1973 in the 'Seven Of One' series (a series of pilots starring Ronnie Barker which bought us Porridge and Open all Hours) one of the episodes, called Spanners Eleven by Roy Clarke, was about a badly failing football team called Ashfield Athletic - so what is this Ashfield thing. Anyway, I've always said it was a shame the Barker pilot was never made into a series. Hopefully it will remain as enjoyable. I loved it when he kept bribing people with four packs of beers, to which he had taken one out.
Yeah, I'd have thought more people would have noticed a vague similarity between this and a 35 year old pilot.
I quite liked it.
On Tuesday 26th August 2008 GMT at 5:01 PM GMT, Cherzo said:
Enjoyed the first episode, Steve Edge is very good as usual, looking forward to next episode
On Wednesday 27th August 2008 GMT at 9:49 PM GMT, ContainsNuts said:
I enjoyed this. Its well-written with good characters and given that it was the first episode (therefore a lot of explaining and introducing) it bodes well for the rest of the series.
I don't think it will be in The Office or People Like Us class but I'm glad to see this type of comedy back. After all, documentaries have become more prominent in recent years so mockumentries are only reflecting that.
There has been a lot of experimenting with new original comedy that has just been shit so I'm pleased to see a recent art-form return.
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 1:03 AM GMT, Stan Doubt said:
Enjoyed this also. Better than I was expecting.
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 1:04 AM GMT, Nil Putters said:
Me too, even the Cantona-esque P.E. poet. Laughed at them all looking at the individual slides.
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 1:07 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Dull, largely unfunny, but still something watchable about it.
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 1:42 AM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
The first few minutes are good, then it fizzles out half way through, it's only until the last 10 minutes the jokes start up again. Yet it's still watchable.
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 2:39 AM GMT, Tim Walker said:
Don't really see what the mockumentary element actually brings to this show. In The Office is was used to develop the characters and plot. Here, it just seems pretty redundant. It's not really bringing anything to benefit the show.
Also, if you are going to pretend it's filmed as a documentary, at least film it properly. For example, when the two guys get into the car conspiratorally, there's no adjustment to the sound level/quality, despite the fact the they're not seen to be wearing radio mics and the windows are closed, which would affect any boom be used by the crew. QED - there's a mic in the car, which a doc crew wouldn't do. (What a pathetic life I have pointing stuff like this out!)
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 2:56 AM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: Aaron @ August 28 2008, 10:07 PM BSTDull, largely unfunny, but still something watchable about it.
I certainly trust your view on comedy after this post Aaron.
Re: The Cup.
Here's a bold idea BBC - STOP EMPLOYING STEVE EDGE!!
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 3:04 AM GMT, Tim Walker said:
Quote: Seefacts @ August 28 2008, 11:56 PM BSTHere's a bold idea BBC - STOP EMPLOYING STEVE EDGE!!
Are you suggesting some kind of post-Phoenix Nights 'Curse Of Edge'?
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 4:09 AM GMT, mccloud said:
Quote
Here's a bold idea BBC - STOP EMPLOYING STEVE EDGE!!
Probably just a misunderstanding at the BBC. 'Our sitcoms need more edge!'
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 8:02 AM GMT, Nick said:
I enjoyed the first ep but thought this week's was poorer. Very few laughs and also a definite lack of subtlety.
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 10:50 AM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
Well, after I slagged this a bit last week, I thought I'd give it the benefit of the doubt and see if ep. 2 was any better. And it certainly was not. So terribly f**king mundane. Couldn't even manage the entire episode. Maybe there was a classic set piece at the end, that would have reversed my opinion, but I doubt it.
It is sometimes worth sticking with a show, as with 'How not to live your life'.
However, I really can't see the appeal of The Cup. Bemused by the postings which suggest that it's unfunny but somehow watchable. Is there really such a dearth of good comedy around that we're quite happy to make do with mediocrity?
I can only assume that there is supposed to be some kind of feel-good appeal , because of the subject matter. Well, it didn't make me feel very bloody good!
Shall not be watching this again, I think.
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 10:55 AM GMT, Tim Walker said:
Quote: john lucas 101 @ August 29 2008, 7:50 AM BSTIs there really such a dearth of good comedy around that we're quite happy to make do with mediocrity?
Apparently
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 11:44 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: john lucas 101 @ August 29 2008, 7:50 AM BSTHowever, I really can't see the appeal of The Cup. Bemused by the postings which suggest that it's unfunny but somehow watchable. Is there really such a dearth of good comedy around that we're quite happy to make do with mediocrity?
I don't know either. I think it's car crash syndrome.
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 11:48 AM GMT, Tim Walker said:
It's certainly strange how it took 30 (seemingly very long) minutes to say, well, pretty much f**k-all, if I'm honest.
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 11:48 AM GMT, ContainsNuts said:
I enjoyed it. I think its well written and performed and although there aren't huge belly laughs its engaging and entertaining.
There are a few jokes that are telegraphed at the set-up but then there are moments like Steve Edge grabbing someone else's beer at the restaurant because he's trying to pretend his curry isn't that hot.
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 12:43 PM GMT, David H said:
Watched it again last night, and it's not improved. A poor man's The Office. It feels so much like a first draft. Nothing's crafted. It's all what you are likely to hear in ordinary conversation.
A step up from that one about the ice skating but that's about it.
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 1:35 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: David H @ August 29 2008, 9:43 AM BSTIt's all what you are likely to hear in ordinary conversation.
That's kind of the point of this style of comedy.
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 5:42 PM GMT, Johnny Green said:
This is certainly not a very memorable show, I can't even remember much about last nights episode, but I did enjoy watching it. Didn't think it was as good as episode 1 though. Unlike many people on here I actually like Steve Edge, I liked his performances in Phoenix Nights and Peep Show (even though he was playing an incredibly loathsome character) and I like him in this. Thought the ending to last nights episode was pretty weak though.
On Monday 1st September 2008 GMT at 1:13 PM GMT, dingo said:
Quote: chipolata @ August 21 2008, 2:07 PM BSTIs the Canadian original any good?
I wondered that too so I rented it. Pretty funny fare from the Canucks. The dad in "The Tournament" is absolutely hilarious as is the funeral director's wife (she's played as quite butch).
It's about youth ice hockey, of course, being Canadian.
On Saturday 6th September 2008 GMT at 4:44 AM GMT, frostyboy said:
Yesterday's episode of The Cup was felchingly brilliant.
On Friday 12th September 2008 GMT at 2:31 PM GMT, chipolata said:
This has recieved a bit of a critical pasting. Anybody know what the viewing figures are like?
On Friday 12th September 2008 GMT at 2:51 PM GMT, Eat My Shirts said:
This is so shit, I don't know what to do. I'm really quite upset.
On Friday 19th September 2008 GMT at 6:03 PM GMT, Ian G said:
I must admit that I quite enjoy this show, though it's nowhere near as funny as the trailer for it suggested it would be.
However, I think last night's show was a low point because of the homophobia shown by the two dads when they thought their kids had a gay coach.
I know that they (the dads) are the main butt of the jokes, but this made them appear just plain nasty as opposed to being sad and a bit pathetic.
On Friday 19th September 2008 GMT at 6:16 PM GMT, zooo said:
I only watched a whole epsiode cos the coach is sexy. But even that's not enough to make me watch another.
Is he putting on that accent, by the way...?
On Friday 19th September 2008 GMT at 7:50 PM GMT, ContainsNuts said:
I thought it was ok although, strangely, I got less interested in the series as it went on
On Saturday 20th September 2008 GMT at 5:07 PM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: zooo @ September 19 2008, 3:16 PM BSTIs he putting on that accent, by the way...?
The actor is actually French, so hard to tell.