tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post525576606671054725..comments2024-03-22T07:38:11.573+00:00Comments on Sitcom Geek: A Very Bad Week in British ComedyJames Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01315185952705396144noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-12038970263224155572010-07-15T00:41:14.803+01:002010-07-15T00:41:14.803+01:00I am from America and to be perfectly honest I fin...I am from America and to be perfectly honest I find most comedies from my nation as 'put down' comedies. <br /><br />To me real successful comedies (American perspective only now), and by that I mean comedies such as 'Andy of Mayberry'(1960s), 'M*A*S*H' (1970s), 'Taxi/Cheers' (1980s),'Fraiser'(1990s), 'the Simpsons' (spans the decades because of Harry Shearer's brilliance!!!), work on several levels of relationships within differing situations. <br /><br />At least to me comedies today just work on the perspective of 'situation' with no real exploration of relationships or character building. Most American comedy is basically limited to 'put downs' within a certain situation. To me this is why comedies today seem so hollow and just an echo of the past glories that once filled our hearts with laughter and our heads with insights. <br /><br />When comedy is looked as only a product to be bought and sold and no one is willing to pay for comedy writers like the late Larry Gelbart, Roy Clarke, Paul Mendelson, James L. Brooks, Jay Tarses, the great Al Golden, and others then comedy as an art form suffers. <br /><br />If the viewer is only offered reality then it really isn't comedy on offer but tragedy. The investment of comedy lifts the soul and enhances the spirit. Comedy is so needed today.<br /><br />A successful comedy although is the toughest form of writing because you must be able to relate something profound while wrapping it around a chuckle or giggle. The comedies that are the best are the ones where one moment you find yourself laughing and the next you shed a tear...Basically you laugh until you cry. Today we just seem to cry out for comedies.<br /><br />BoomerBob from TexasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-32005179952430179562010-05-31T19:48:37.219+01:002010-05-31T19:48:37.219+01:00Is it statistically true that in the current broad...Is it statistically true that in the current broadcasting landscape, with infinitely more channels than 20 years ago, there are less comedies being shown? If so, I'd suggest the main reason is purely economic - commercial channels need ratings successes, driving advertising revenue. <br /><br />It's noticeable that ITV have significantly reduced their comedy output, and Five have come out of it altogether. In both cases their fingers were burnt too often from poor rating comedies. Both companies have seen overall advertising revenue reduce significantly over the past few years - so will understandably shy away from commissioning (relatively) expensive new shows that don't bring in the (targetted) audiences. It would be interesting to see the stats on the number of comedies shown by BBC (who don't have to chase the advertising money) compared to the past.<br /><br />However, it's not all doom and gloom...<br /> - Channel 4 still have their Comedy Lab and Comedy Showcase - both of which have led to full series<br /> - Both Sky Dave are starting to invest in new comedies (does Going Postal count as a new comedy shown last week?) <br /> - A number of sitcoms over the past few years have been given a second series despite a poorly received first series. <br /><br /><br />Moving seamlessly from Economics to History...<br /><br />History is full of stories of sitcoms that struggled in the first series.<br /><br />Just last night I watched an old Blackadder restrospective - a sitcom that is now regularly considered one of the best British sitcoms ever. Its first series had a very poor reception (both critically and ratings-ingly). BBC initially didn't want to do a second series, but were eventually persuaded to give it a try.<br /><br />That first series was clearly a huge learning experience for the team - the changes in the characters (especially Blackadder himself), the writing, the locations and the tone from series one to two is incredible. <br /><br />And here endeth tonight's lecture...<br />Tune in tomorrow for a viewpoint of this issue from Geographic and Home Economic perspectivesGraeme Lawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12252635177488366947noreply@blogger.com