[Humour] Comedy's that have aged well and those that haven't

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

The only one I ever watch - Brett was THE Sherlock Holmes for me!

Absolutely. I used him as my user pic till recently. And the first Watson was far superior to the second.

In the first series Brett was at his majestic peak. When Hardwick was Watson, he had big bags under his eyes and some of the mad spark had gone.

Reminds me of Mourinho's first vs second times as Chelsea manager.

Brett suffered from mental health issues and this was transparently obviously reflected by his physical decline. RIP.

 

[Weststander]

Open all hours was old when it was first aired . . . . How can have possibly aged either way? Ronnie Barker was a timeless comedy genius.

I liked Open All Hours, something cute about it, DJ and RB brilliant.

 

[keaton]

I think nostalgia can cover a multitude of shortcomings, though.

Different genre, I love Inspector Morse because it was on when I was visiting Oxford for work, and I love a crime thrilla, and the characters are great, and it takes me back to an exciting time in my life..... but...

Morse's chauvenism did grate when I watched the series all the way through again, the last time (my dear). Perhaps I'll never bother with it again. Sad, but so it goes.

I've never thought of Morse as chauvinistic more that he has a distrust caused by his past.

And to go back to the Good Life one last time and as it's getting to that time of year, the Good Life Christmas special is up there with the Father Ted as the best Christmas special of all time

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Have you ever watched the Jeremy Brett Sherlock’s again?

All through, on DVD. Absolute joy.

 

[studio150]

Aged badly (disregarding obvious shite such as Mind Your Language):
Monty Python;

Just Mrs Scum on the quiz show trying to win a blow on the head, or fan favourites such as The Spanish Inquisition ?

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Just Mrs Scum on the quiz show trying to win a blow on the head, or fan favourites such as The Spanish Inquisition ?

Good point regarding the Spanish Inquisition.

I wasn't expecting that.

 

[Weststander]

The Day Today

Is nectar.

Drop The Dead Donkey was as well. I wonder if it remains funny now?

 

[jcdenton08]

All I said was Morse's chauvinism grates (my dear). Grumpy, I embrace.

Some years back I watched the whole lot via box set (much easier than when it’s on telly, which with adverts becomes a marathon affair) and what struck me was 1. Scenery porn - it’s a beautifully shot programme
2. Well acted - miles ahead of shows like Midsomer Murders
3. Morse is a prick. But I think it’s pretty clear he’s meant to be a prick, and really it’s Robbie Lewis we are behind. It’s like a Sherlock/Watson situation with Watson being the affable Everyman and Sherlock being an arrogant twat. He’s basically a prick from start to finish.

I think the difference in what I’m saying is in something like Up the Elephant and Round the Castle is Jim Davidson’s character is a happy cheeky chappy who happens to be incredibly racist, sexist, ableist - every ist going! And he’s the hero, we’re meant to agree with him and root for him.

Whereas with say Morse, or Basil Fawlty, or David Brent, we are observing how this eccentric, larger than life person acts when put into real situations.

I like Joan Hickson’s Marple too, and that is just about the least diverse show in the history of television…

 

[Stato]

Was never a huge fan of 'The Good Life' but have to watch the Christmas special every year just for Margot saying 'Christmas has not been delivered to this house.' Will sit through any episode of Porridge any time I catch the beginning of one. The Young Ones can never age for me. It is written on my heart. Fawlty Towers has aged much better than John Cleese has. Love Pete and Dud, but Derek and Clive got old quickly especially when the cruelty bubbled to the surface. I just wanted them to love each other.

 

[studio150]

I think nostalgia can cover a multitude of shortcomings, though.

Different genre, I love Inspector Morse because it was on when I was visiting Oxford for work, and I love a crime thrilla, and the characters are great, and it takes me back to an exciting time in my life..... but...

Morse's chauvenism did grate when I watched the series all the way through again, the last time (my dear). Perhaps I'll never bother with it again. Sad, but so it goes.

Vera - Yes Love

I assume is not on your watch list.


All down to personal choice, but how do you feel about the frequent warning ahead of films and shows from yesteryear, which state that the programme includes views and language of the period, which viewers may find unacceptable.

Should they been shown, edited, or binned.

 

[carlzeiss]

Aged well - Benny Hill ( legend )


Aged not so well ,, Lenny Henry , Ben Elton

 

[Weststander]

Some years back I watched the whole lot via box set (much easier than when it’s on telly, which with adverts becomes a marathon affair) and what struck me was 1. Scenery porn - it’s a beautifully shot programme
2. Well acted - miles ahead of shows like Midsomer Murders
3. Morse is a prick. But I think it’s pretty clear he’s meant to be a prick, and really it’s Robbie Lewis we are behind. It’s like a Sherlock/Watson situation with Watson being the affable Everyman and Sherlock being an arrogant twat. He’s basically a prick from start to finish.

I think the difference in what I’m saying is in something like Up the Elephant and Round the Castle is Jim Davidson’s character is a happy cheeky chappy who happens to be incredibly racist, sexist, ableist - every ist going! And he’s the hero, we’re meant to agree with him and root for him.

Whereas with say Morse, or Basil Fawlty, or David Brent, we are observing how this eccentric, larger than life person acts when put into real situations.

I like Joan Hickson’s Marple too, and that is just about the least diverse show in the history of television…

Not forgetting the connection to NSC’s favourite actor …… Laurence Fox. Leaves a bitter taste in the mouth .

 

[Weststander]

Aged well:
French & Saunders sketches … amazing.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Some years back I watched the whole lot via box set (much easier than when it’s on telly, which with adverts becomes a marathon affair) and what struck me was 1. Scenery porn - it’s a beautifully shot programme
2. Well acted - miles ahead of shows like Midsomer Murders
3. Morse is a prick. But I think it’s pretty clear he’s meant to be a prick, and really it’s Robbie Lewis we are behind. It’s like a Sherlock/Watson situation with Watson being the affable Everyman and Sherlock being an arrogant twat. He’s basically a prick from start to finish.

I think the difference in what I’m saying is in something like Up the Elephant and Round the Castle is Jim Davidson’s character is a happy cheeky chappy who happens to be incredibly racist, sexist, ableist - every ist going! And he’s the hero, we’re meant to agree with him and root for him.

Whereas with say Morse, or Basil Fawlty, or David Brent, we are observing how this eccentric, larger than life person acts when put into real situations.

I like Joan Hickson’s Marple too, and that is just about the least diverse show in the history of television…

Love the Hickson

I'll be specific about Morse. The character made lots of patronizing comments to the female pathologist (Grayling) and it grated (for me). That said, overall the series is magnificent.

It is a pity they filmed it using cheap tape kit. It looks so tatty and blurry compared with modern stuff, and even old stuff like The Avengers that was filmed on 35 mm cinema kit (Cinemascope?). The irony there is that Emma Peel is pristine and the later filmed Purdy is blurry and shite.

 

[Jam The Man]

From the mid 90s I’d say The Fast Show has aged well, yet Harry Enfield and chums hasn’t.

Also - and I know I’m in the minority - I’ve never found any of Vic Reeves shows funny at all.

 

[studio150]

Is nectar.

Drop The Dead Donkey was as well. I wonder if it remains funny now?

I've just rewatched the entire series of Drop The Dead Donkey as it was on one of those obscure Sky channels late at night.
Obviously of its time and some of the situations you can see coming from 10 miles away, but still a fun watch.

 

[jcdenton08]

Love the Hickson

I'll be specific about Morse. The character made lots of patronizing comments to the female pathologist (Grayling) and it grated (for me). That said, overall the series is magnificent.

It is a pity they filmed it using cheap tape kit. It looks so tatty and blurry compated with modern stuff, and even old stuff like The Avengers that was filmed on 35 mm cinema kit (Cinemascope?). The irony there is that Emma Peel is pristine and the later filmed Purdy is blurry and shite.

Excellent points. They cleaned them up a bit for DVD release but the picture is a little washed out

 

[zefarelly]

The young ones

I still laugh properly.

For that I'm most grateful.

Growing up in that respect, is for pooh heads!

and even if you wish I did get a whack, it'd get a HA! missed both my legs!

 

[hart's shirt]

I'll try and choose 3 of each that I don't think others have mentioned to date.

Aged well

Phoenix Nights
I'm Alan Partridge
The Thick Of It

Aged badly

It Ain't Half Hot Mum
Bo' Selecta!
Last of the Summer Wine

Popular, but rubbish

Terry and June
Hi-de-Hi!
Sorry!

 

[Questions]

Dad’s Army - a lot of the lines are still very funny, obviously including the classic ‘don’t tell him Pike’.

Don’t tell him what ? I’m 18