[TV] UK Comedy Cup - Group H

[MJsGhost]

It's a little bit (but only a little bit) like Outnumbered inasmuch as it relies a bit on the conflict between the generations, and the kids' parents are stuck in the middle having to look after the generations below and above. It's not bad at all, albeit a bit patchy.

And as a complete O/T aside - why do you think Sky is 'evil'?

Thanks. I like Martin Freeman in most things, but had never heard of this show before it was mentioned for this WC.

It's not a hill I'd choose to die on, but my distaste for Sky is a hangover from its Murdoch ownership in the main (and IMO, that's a man with a lot to answer for). I also don't like all the stuff that has disappeared from free-to-air TV thanks to it all being Sky-jacked and put behind an expensive paywall. I get the arguments about the transformation due to the money pumped into sports thanks to their relationship with Sky (and others), but I am perhaps old-fashioned in my negative view of the rampant commercialisation and obscene wages. Football just feels less real.

Murdoch will definitely receive one of my proverbial lightning bolts, if I am ever lucky enough to have them bestowed upon me (though old age will get him pretty soon anyway, so he can probably sleep easy if he's reading this )

 

[A1X]

Two teams qualify Jeremy? Two? That's insane.

 

[Whitechapel]

It's like watching a 30second clip of the Simpsons from when it was good and realising there's about 5 separate really good gags in a single scene.

Great shout.

that's blown my mind

It’s also the episode where Super Hans menacingly tips over a packet of crunchy nut. An absolute all-timer episode when those 3 jokes feel like they’re from different universes, let alone different shows.

 

[clapham_gull]

Difficult with Peep Show there and the fact I've never liked anything Ricky Gervais did since.

However it terms of British comedy, it is in a small select class of classic situation comedy.

It also gracefully left the screen after two series.

 

[Mellotron]

This group was over when it started.

 

[Mellotron]

Last call to get your votes in, Group Stage ending shortly.

 

[Giraffe]

Going to take a lot to beat the Office. That said I actually prefer the US Office. After reluctantly agreeing to watch it (was worried I'd hate it) it is quite incredible. Taking the whole concept to a brilliant new level. If, like me, you were reluctant, I challenge you to watch the whole of the first series and then you're hooked into 7 (?) brilliant series to watch. Just fab stuff.

 

[Mellotron]

Going to take a lot to beat the Office. That said I actually prefer the US Office. After reluctantly agreeing to watch it (was worried I'd hate it) it is quite incredible. Taking the whole concept to a brilliant new level. If, like me, you were reluctant, I challenge you to watch the whole of the first series and then you're hooked into 7 (?) brilliant series to watch. Just fab stuff.

I agree and disagree.

The US Office is very, very good - better once it stops trying to be the UK Office and does it's own thing. Steve Carell is absolute perfection as the American equivalent of David Brent - elevating role (as he is a far better actor) with genuine heart and warmth, alongside plenty of pure comedy.

It's also great in that the much larger number of episodes means the other characters become much more fleshed out.

HOWEVER

I personally think it goes downhill BADLY after Carell leaves. None of the other bosses really hit the mark for me, and the quality of dialogue writing really dips towards the end - the most egregious error is they basically make Ed Helms' Andy character into a Michael clone after Carell leaves, down to the point of specific lines that are clearly meant to be Michael Scott lines.

IMO. Of course.

 

[Mellotron]

Going to take a lot to beat the Office. That said I actually prefer the US Office. After reluctantly agreeing to watch it (was worried I'd hate it) it is quite incredible. Taking the whole concept to a brilliant new level. If, like me, you were reluctant, I challenge you to watch the whole of the first series and then you're hooked into 7 (?) brilliant series to watch. Just fab stuff.

There have been called for a US Comedy Cup, which I might do after this one is wrapped up.

Seinfeld, Frasier, Cheers, Friends, The Simpsons, South Park, Arrested Development, Family Guy, Curb Your Enthusiasm - it could be tasty, ad maybe a little less predictable than the UK competition.

Perhaps a 16 team shorter tourney for that one?

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

There have been called for a US Comedy Cup, which I might do after this one is wrapped up.

Seinfeld, Frasier, Cheers, Friends, The Simpsons, South Park, Arrested Development, Family Guy, Curb Your Enthusiasm - it could be tasty, ad maybe a little less predictable than the UK competition.

Perhaps a 16 team shorter tourney for that one?

Need to add Superstore to that list

 

[vegster]

Unable to vote on this, could not stand Office/Peep and have never seen the other two.... Jimmy Perry and David Croft together could fill a whole group with better comedies.