Massive
On Sunday 7th September 2008 GMT at 10:04 PM GMT, Chickenoriental said:
Has anyone else seen the trailer to Massive? It's a new BBC Three comedy staring Ralf Little (Two Pints & The Royle Family) and Carl Rice as Danny and Shay, two guys who ditch their dead-end jobs to chase their dream - running a record label in Manchester.
Looks interesting, may give it a try. Johnny Vegas even plays a part.
On Sunday 7th September 2008 GMT at 10:41 PM GMT, The Rook said:
I think I saw the trailer for that. Does it have Jonny Vegas with a tashe up a ladder trying to steal next door's dish?
On Sunday 7th September 2008 GMT at 10:54 PM GMT, Chickenoriental said:
That's the one!
On Sunday 7th September 2008 GMT at 10:57 PM GMT, The Rook said:
I'll give it a go but I'm not keen on Vagas.
On Sunday 7th September 2008 GMT at 11:33 PM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
The original pilot with Sam Riley (yes, him out of the Control movie about Joy Division) was absolutely poor and this looks like it will be to, even though it has Carl Rice in it.
On Monday 8th September 2008 GMT at 12:31 AM GMT, Mark said:
If anyone wants to find out more about the show, see the website for character, episode guides etc...
http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/massive/
On Monday 8th September 2008 GMT at 10:35 PM GMT, No-One said:
It looks ok with the exception of Vegas.... why do people keep putting him on the tele?!
On Friday 12th September 2008 GMT at 5:14 PM GMT, Mark said:
So, this starts with a double-bill this Sunday. If you don't want to wait that long you can see the first episode online now... http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/
I just watched it, its not bad. Don't expect belly laughs though - it is fairly subtle in a Ideal / The Smoking Room kind of way.
More info about the show:
http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/massive/
http://www.myspace.com/hearkittykittymassive <-- Listen to the re-mix
http://www.bbc.co.uk/massive/ <-- Johnny Vegas' music history video on here is brilliant
On Friday 12th September 2008 GMT at 5:19 PM GMT, Finck said:
Quote: Mark @ September 12 2008, 2:14 PM BST
http://www.bbc.co.uk/massive/ <-- Johnny Vegas' music history video on here is brilliant
"Not available in your area."
Bastards.
On Friday 12th September 2008 GMT at 7:03 PM GMT, random said:
Struggling with this.
Dunno, guess I wanted so much more.
Sometimes when watching a new sitcom I can't help but home in on the first 10 mins, as if the first 10 pages on the script and just try and imagine just what it is that worked well enough for someone to read on... struggled... other than the idea itself!
Could prove to be something.
Maybe a slow grower for me :doubt:
... painful at times.
On Sunday 14th September 2008 GMT at 4:53 PM GMT, Johnny Green said:
I see that most people are disappointed with this show but I'm still looking forward to sitting down to watch the double bill tonight. I think that Ralph Little is a good actor despite Two Pints.
I remember reading about Massive in the 'In production' section of this website, but didn't think it would appear so soon after Trexx and Flipside which was also about music management.
On Sunday 14th September 2008 GMT at 4:58 PM GMT, Nil Putters said:
Quote: Mark @ September 12 2008, 2:14 PM BST
I just watched it, its not bad. Don't expect belly laughs though - it is fairly subtle in a Ideal / The Smoking Room kind of way.
I love those two, so I'll be checking it out later.
On Sunday 14th September 2008 GMT at 6:16 PM GMT, Eat My Shirts said:
I find Ralph Little really really really really really really f**king annoying.
And what is it with BBC's latest obsession with setting sitcoms in Manchester/The North?
On Sunday 14th September 2008 GMT at 6:29 PM GMT, Johnny Green said:
Quote: Eat_My_Shirts @ September 14 2008, 3:16 PM BST
what is it with BBC's latest obsession with setting sitcoms in Manchester/The North?
Well it was made by BBC Comedy North. It makes a change from all sitcoms being set in London
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 1:09 AM GMT, Renegade Carpark said:
Just finished watching the first two episodes on BBC3 this evening and it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
The gags were a little weak, but I think the performances saved the show. Whatever your opinion of the actors, there was a chemsitry between them and a lot of the characters had some charm.
This is obviously a Shameless-Light for the alchopop generation, so I won't be too judgemental. I certainly found it more engaging then Lab Rats but nowhere near as good as BBC3's flagship sitcom The Mighty Boosh.
It's a very strong ensemble cast, so hopefully the writers will have somewhere interesting to take them in the future.
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 1:19 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Yes, I rather enjoyed it. Not particularly big on laughs, but kept me amused and entertained enough.
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 1:29 AM GMT, DaButt said:
I'm keeping an eye on the usual downloading venues and hoping I'll get a chance to see it. Shouldn't take too long, I hope.
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 1:31 AM GMT, zooo said:
I liked the alpaca boy storyline better than the rest.
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 1:46 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Apart from the music, he was really quite like me. Even down to the date.
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 1:48 AM GMT, zooo said:
Aw.
And he had bigger hair.
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 1:49 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Actually, probably especially down to the date.
Quote: zooo @ September 14 2008, 10:48 PM BSTAw.
And he had bigger hair.
Well ok, apart from the appearance and the music!
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 2:24 AM GMT, Nil Putters said:
Twenty minutes into the first episode and I'm really enjoying it. The I.T. Rap, the kid bullfighting the girl he liked, and the (I take it) Darius-like bloke were lol moments for me.
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 2:51 AM GMT, NickTheDon said:
Meh, I'm not a fan of this to be honest. I have only seen the first 20 minutes of the first episode and I will finish watching the rest tomorrow, but I was hoping for it to be a bit more realistic. I was hoping they'd be more geeky on the music side of it, like sort of High Fidelity style. It had its moments when it made me smile, but I'm not convinced as of yet.
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 3:02 AM GMT, DaButt said:
Just found both episodes on Usenet. Gonna give 'em a watch either tonight or tomorrow at the office.
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 4:36 AM GMT, catskillz said:
Poor. I can't believe people are still coming up with Ali-G esque characters, 10 years after the original first appeared on T.V. That little rat-faced bloke just annoys me. Oh, and the sooner f**king cardigans go out of fashion, the better.
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 4:55 AM GMT, Eat My Shirts said:
Pretty damn dire.
And how many Mancunian characters do I have to keep seeing on TV with the same bowl-ish haircut and the grotty beige beard. BBC seems to be obsessed with them. One just got killed off on Eastenders though, so that's OK.
Quote: catskillz @ September 15 2008, 1:36 AM BSTPoor. I can't believe people are still coming up with Ali-G esque characters, 10 years after the original first appeared on T.V. That little rat-faced bloke just annoys me. Oh, and the sooner f**king cardigans go out of fashion, the better.
The funny thing is, that rat faced bloke is a personal friend of Sasha-Baron Cohen.
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 5:17 AM GMT, catskillz said:
Mancunians seem to be stuck in the mid-90s. The ironic thing is, that "bowl-ish" haircut they seem to have claimed as their own, was first popularised by their arch enemies, Scousers, or, to be more exact, the Beatles.
As for Johnny Vegas, I'm sure he's only about 9 years older than the bloke who's playing his son.
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 1:08 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Nothing much to write home about. And this must be about the fourth or fifth sitcom/drama BBC3 has done about a record label. Is the plan to keep making them until they get it right?
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 1:28 PM GMT, EllieJP said:
Watched the first episode last night and really didn't think much of it. But apparently the second one was much stronger on the gags... did anyone else find this?
It might be a grower... I'll give it a second go.
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 1:46 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: EllieJP @ September 15 2008, 10:28 AM BSTWatched the first episode last night and really didn't think much of it. But apparently the second one was much stronger on the gags... did anyone else find this?
No.
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 2:40 PM GMT, EllieJP said:
Well there you go then. 
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 2:51 PM GMT, Johnny Green said:
I don't think this really is a sitcom as such and that's probably why some people are disappointed with it. (Having said that most people who don't like it on here just seem to have a problem with it being set in Manchester.) I would say it's just 30 minutes of entertainment. I don't see why things have to be pigeon holed into certain categories. I found last nights 2 episodes very entertaining and funny though the joke rate wasn't as high as a lot of sitcoms. I thought the band who all wore the Jeremy Paxman masks was genius. I also think this show has the best soundtrack of any comedy show I have ever seen. Any show that plays 'Belle & Sebastian' and 'Noah & The Whale' already has me sold
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 3:15 PM GMT, EllieJP said:
I have nothing against it being set in Manchester. Didn't even come into it. I wanted to like it, and I tried... I like to laugh, and the laughs out loud didn't come. There was some class acting...and yes Johnny, The Lamps were funny, but over all, not something I am going to love. However, I will try again as I'm not into judging a series on it's first episode.
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 3:33 PM GMT, Nil Putters said:
Quote: catskillz @ September 15 2008, 1:36 AM BSTPoor. I can't believe people are still coming up with Ali-G esque characters
I thought the character was supposed to be more of a Tim Westwood character myself.
I enjoyed both episodes myself and thought it was pretty funny in places. I lol many a time.
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 5:06 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: EllieJP @ September 15 2008, 10:28 AM BSTWatched the first episode last night and really didn't think much of it. But apparently the second one was much stronger on the gags... did anyone else find this?
Not sure about 'much', but yes, it was an improvement.
On Monday 15th September 2008 GMT at 11:57 PM GMT, clipper said:
I thought it was great. The characters were extremely likeable-Here Kitty Kitty were class. Also pissed myself at Swing hopping round shouting 'my balls, my balls....'
On Tuesday 16th September 2008 GMT at 4:55 AM GMT, Eat My Shirts said:
Quote: clipper @ September 15 2008, 8:57 PM BSTI thought it was great. The characters were extremely likeable-Here Kitty Kitty were class. Also pissed myself at Swing hopping round shouting 'my balls, my balls....'
Why would someone sign up to the forum, post this as their one and only post, and then bugger off.
Interesting.
On Tuesday 16th September 2008 GMT at 1:02 PM GMT, EllieJP said:
He might not have buggered off.
On Tuesday 16th September 2008 GMT at 1:47 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Eat_My_Shirts @ September 16 2008, 1:55 AM BSTWhy would someone sign up to the forum, post this as their one and only post, and then bugger off.
Christ alive. It was only posted a few hours before you bitched about it. Give the guy a break.
On Tuesday 16th September 2008 GMT at 4:52 PM GMT, clipper said:
Yes crikey-didn't realise I had to sit and watch the screen after I had posted a comment and wait to see what amazing reaction it might provoke!
Maybe you have nothing else to do in your life but I'm a very busy person!
On Tuesday 16th September 2008 GMT at 7:30 PM GMT, Ian G said:
I've just watched the first two episodes of this show. It's not too bad, though I think they could have come up with a better part for Paul Kaye. As someone else pointed out, the Ali G thing is so old hat now. Also the Liam Gallagher type character is too much of a Manc cliché. The Lamps, Here Kitty Kitty and Swing's attempts to date the girl from the coffee shop were funny though.
On Tuesday 16th September 2008 GMT at 7:48 PM GMT, Chickenoriental said:
I've just watched the first episode after missing it not once, but twice! in a nice little nutshell, I think it's quite good! Don't see it being a huge hit but it is very watchable! a few chuckles here and there. quite well written and although some of the characters are a tad cliché they are quite well acted.
I will, for now, continue to watch. Episode 2 later tonight!
On Wednesday 17th September 2008 GMT at 6:11 AM GMT, paul f said:
I'm a big Paul Kaye fan so I was pleasantly surprised to see him in it. The thing that stops me from enjoying this show has got to be Ralf Little. He is devoid of any acting ability whatsoever.
On Wednesday 17th September 2008 GMT at 12:23 PM GMT, swerytd said:
Watched this last night and did enjoy it a lot. As said, not that big on laughs (but it's played quite seriously in some places, to be fair) and the first episode was basically the original pilot (Sound) reshot, so not that surprising. Episode 2 was nice though -- I quite liked it.
Carl Rice (comedy genius in waiting, as I've said numerous times before) held the whole thing together though. Now he's showing us that he can do Freeman/Horne-levels of 'face-acting' and making us laugh without saying anything at all. The scenes with him and Johnny Vegas and the chemistry between them was one of the high-points of the episodes, in my opinion.
Dan
On Wednesday 17th September 2008 GMT at 12:47 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: clipper @ September 16 2008, 1:52 PM BST
Maybe you have nothing else to do in your life but I'm a very busy person!
Nobody likes a show off.
On Wednesday 17th September 2008 GMT at 4:12 PM GMT, zooo said:
Quote: swerytd @ September 17 2008, 9:23 AM BST
Carl Rice (comedy genius in waiting, as I've said numerous times before) held the whole thing together though. Now he's showing us that he can do Freeman/Horne-levels of 'face-acting' and making us laugh without saying anything at all. The scenes with him and Johnny Vegas and the chemistry between them was one of the high-points of the episodes, in my opinion.
Dan
Was he cardigan boy?
He was good.
On Wednesday 17th September 2008 GMT at 4:27 PM GMT, swerytd said:
He was indeed cardigan boy. The actual super hero...
Dan
On Sunday 21st September 2008 GMT at 5:02 AM GMT, catskillz said:
QuoteThat little rat-faced bloke just annoys me.
By the way, I wasn't talking about Paul Kaye, when I typed that. I was talking about the one who plays Johnny Vegas's son.
On Monday 22nd September 2008 GMT at 4:07 PM GMT, john lucas 101 said:
Just caught up with episodes 1 and 2 of this. Although it is has a certain rogueish charm, it seems to me that there is a fundamental flaw with the premise. I mean, these two guys, we're told, have wanted to do this (ie. setting up a record label) for years, have a creditable taste in indie music, and are finally able to do it because of a 5000 pounds bequest.
Given this, is it, I wonder, entirely believable, that in order to sign an act to their label, they go no further than the local talent pool, deciding between a left of centre indie band and a sub x-factor girl band? They really wouldn't take in a broader sweep of demos?
This, for me, is a failure that underpins the programme. Added to which, merely adding a soundtrack of contempary indie doesn't make it 'cool'. I'd rather comedy be funny than cool. This is supposed be a sitcom after all, not the f**king Wire!
On Monday 22nd September 2008 GMT at 8:21 PM GMT, Mark said:
That's a very good point John - now I think about it you're quite right, they'd never sign HereKittyKitty. Damn you, you've spoilt it for me now too. ha ha (it's ok, I don't mind)
I'm still watching though - it's one of the more enjoyable sitcoms BBC Three have put out this year.
On Tuesday 23rd September 2008 GMT at 12:01 AM GMT, ContainsNuts said:
Well, I won't be watching any more. It seems to be more of a drama than a sitcom, everyone is so serious. Switch is the only likeable character that seems to smile in it. There aren't many laughs and it just doesn't engage me.
Also, the unrealistic factor mentioned in the last few posts is a huge hole in it.
On Tuesday 23rd September 2008 GMT at 12:09 AM GMT, Aaron said:
I cracked up with laughter at some of the interviews 'Hear Kitty Kitty' did in episode 3. Very funny, and great reactions from the others.
On Tuesday 23rd September 2008 GMT at 12:25 AM GMT, Chickenoriental said:
Well innocently looking on the 'Massive' Page, It has been slightly ruined.. Who Writes the stuff! Talk about giving it away!
On Tuesday 23rd September 2008 GMT at 12:29 AM GMT, Aaron said:
They're the official synopses (is that the correct collective term?) as issued by the broadcaster.
On Tuesday 23rd September 2008 GMT at 12:31 AM GMT, Chickenoriental said:
Then I apologise and BBC 3 are a tad dense
On Tuesday 23rd September 2008 GMT at 3:18 AM GMT, catskillz said:
I think the Swing character is a complete mess. First they had him acting all nerdy, rapping about computers, then they showed him in his bedroom rapping about bitches and guns.
On Tuesday 23rd September 2008 GMT at 4:41 AM GMT, Bohannon said:
I'm afraid to say I really dislike this. The Swing character's dull storyline seems totally disconnected to that of the record label bosses' - why is he in this? I'm not keen on the record label guys' performances - they seem to be trying a bit too hard and it's coming off as desperate. I don't find what gags there are all that funny - the best line from this week's episode I reckon was the "thumb it in slack" bit and the two girls in the band are the best thing in the show. Not for me, this one.
On Tuesday 23rd September 2008 GMT at 2:46 PM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: Chickenoriental @ September 22 2008, 9:25 PM BSTWell innocently looking on the 'Massive' Page, It has been slightly ruined.. Who Writes the stuff! Talk about giving it away!
Sorry about that. If you're going to look ahead at future episode synopsis I think you've got to be prepared that there might be spoilers.
A lot of people do like knowing what's coming up - so we're going to continue to put up future episode synopsis in our guides. Probably best to avoid them if you like things to be a surprise.
p.s. I've edited your original post so you don't spread the spoiler
Quote: catskillz @ September 23 2008, 12:18 AM BSTI think the Swing character is a complete mess. First they had him acting all nerdy, rapping about computers, then they showed him in his bedroom rapping about bitches and guns.
I think the point is he's only confident when by himself with the mic... but, yeah, I know what you mean. Excluding the rapping I think he's a very endearing character.
On Monday 13th October 2008 GMT at 6:39 PM GMT, Chickenoriental said:
Well I have just watched the final episode. I like the series! There is some funny scenes the characters all seem to work well with each other and I can guarantee a good laugh with each episode. I generally enjoyed it and I do hope it comes back for a second series.. I may even go as far as to buy the DVD should they release it
On Thursday 16th October 2008 GMT at 1:32 PM GMT, swerytd said:
I just watched the last episode yesterday. Got to say that it seems to have finally found it's feet as a proper sitcom in setup. Loved episode 5 with the splitting up/arguing and, though not particularly funny, got you believing in the characters (as we arguably should have done a lot earlier in the series).
There's good mileage in them going all around the country (and I know Hebden Bridge, so doubly funny in that respect!) looking for and signing bands.
Two laugh-out-loud moments last night. Can't remember what they were exactly but the fact that I remember that makes it memorable for me.
(And Carl Rice is a comedy genius, whatever anybody else says...)
Dan
On Sunday 19th October 2008 GMT at 10:32 PM GMT, Mike88 said:
Hopefully the BBC will give this a second series