I recall this being pretty hilarious whilst watching in the late eighties, however I rented it last week and wasn't particularly impressed. Despite having an all-star cast and an innovative format (for the time) it seemed too dated to amuse. Why is it that certain retro comedies such as Porridge and Fawlty Towers are still funny and this isn't? Discuss.

Because this was spoofing a very particular part of the media culture of the time, and relies on familiar knowledge of and understanding of the ridiculousness of said media environment to draw much of its humour.

Porridge and Fawlty Towers are character and situational pieces in their own right, not based on anything else.

The Office is halfway between, and will - in another 20 years or so - be judged to have suffered accordingly.

Yep, you're right. I must be a right Thickie because I only just worked out the (S)KYTV reference. It's what Frank Skinner calls an 'idiotic eureka moment'.

Don't forget Radio Active.