Entertainment, It’s behind you…Oh no it isn’t.

[Steve Harris]

Having finally come out of the Christmas period that seemed to start building up last September, I’ve come to the conclussion that Entertainment seems to be going down hill fast.

Gone for me are the days when everyday on TV, there was at least one ‘must watch’ programme especially over the festive season. As far as I’m concerned, 2007 was a bit of a wash out and even Doctor Who, the one programme I was eagerly anticipating, turned out to be somewhat below par.

I think it says it all really when the ‘Dave’ channel becomes by far the most popular household channel for the whole family. Repeats of QI, Buzzcocks, Who’s line is it anyway and even Top Gear make up about 90% of our viewing these days.

To add salt to the wound perhaps, the most enjoyable 2 1/2 hours of entertainment I’ve seen in two months is a pantomime. Aladdin at the Hippodrome in B’ham last Saturday with John Barrowman and the Grumbleweeds (of all people) was a pure delight yet this was not too far removed from pantomimes and variety shows of 50 years ago!

I initially put this down to middle age and the ‘grumpy-old-git’ gene kicking in but it seems the whole family feel the same way, so it’s not a case perhaps, of ‘they dont make them like they used to’ syndrome…

Does anyone else feel the same way?

Topic

[Dave]

Oh Yes It Is.

It’s all in the past

[peas_and_corn]

My other half has one of those nielsen boxes on her TV, and the bloke asked her if it wasn’t working properly because it wasn’t registering much watching. Then he went on to confirm that people are watching less TV and more streaming.

[Phil]

I’ve been that way for years here in the states. On Sunday nights if I’m not otherwise occupied I’ll turn on the television and watch the Simpsons / Family Guy / American Dad block. But I couldn’t care less if I happen to miss it.

There hasn’t been a “must see” show for me in a while. (Well, except for The Venture Bros, but that’s got such an erratic production schedule…) I may be moving soon, and when I do, I’m considering not even paying for cable. There’s not enough worth watching to justify it, and I have enough good stuff on DVD to keep me occupied.

[Turk Thrust]

Personally I don’t think that TV is any better or worse than it has ever been before.

I think part of the reason why people feel it’s worse is due to romanticizing the past. For example, people talk about how there aren’t any great comedies like Python, Morecambe and Wise, Two Ronnies etc. any more. Nobody ever mentions things like Russ Abbot, Hale and Pace, Little and Large, Cannon and Ball etc. which all ran for ever too though. Are current shows really worse than those on the whole?

Also, people are far more picky over what they watch now. There are hundreds of channels and lots more other stuff that people can do to entertain themselves so people won’t just watch ‘anything’ like they used to.

[Phil]

In all fairness, and only speaking for American television, I can answer you Nick by saying, “Yes, absolutely, without any reservation at all, television is significantly worse than it was 10 years ago.”

[James]

I started watching television when we only had 3 channels to watch or choose from. I think this has played a significant part in the way things are percived now. I agree with Nick the quantity and choice that’s available, it’s far too much, and no offence to anyone, but we are flooded with crap American sitcoms, that drain your very soul. English television has been beaten into submission by, not only poor funding, but lack of talent and anything more inventive than a community that revolves around a pub. And don’t get me started on cookery, moving house or decorating programes!

[Steve Harris]

Hmmm, I can vaguely remember the launch of BBC2, Just think, two channels and black and white. I cant recall any of my family or friends having more than one telly and of course, there was no recording equipment whatsoever.
I can also clearly remember a long period where my parents would only watch BBC1 apart from Coronation Street.
I personally think, the biggest problem these days is too much choice and the BBC in particular are attempting to spread their funds over too big an area.
The BBC have always been reknown for quality and I still think they can hold their own, but do we really need to have so many BBC channels gnawing away at their budget.
I’m a great one for slagging off the Yank dross that fills our screens but have to admit they do give us a lot of great stuff and all in all we’d be a lot worse of without them.
I quite agree that the BBC seem to be going for cookery, gardening, house and reality shows as an ‘easy’ option and combining this with a flurry of period costume dramas.
In my view, the BBC are second to none when it comes to costume drama, they’re also fantastic at nature shows, they seem to be losing ground on the comedy front though and I have to ask, what’s next.

Actually, thinking of recent shows I’ve enjoyed, The Americans are beginning to tip the scales in their favour.

[Baz]

There are very few things on TV now that I will make the effort to watch. We get the Radio Times (other listings magazines are available) and flip through it, but I think the only things to stand out were Primeval and Torchwood. I will watch any new documentaries, particularly science or nature ones, particularly BBC (though Horizon is dumbing down woefully).

I remember the days of three channels. Even before we went digital mind you I could lose ITV off the remote quite happily. Of the digital channels I do watch Dave quite a lot, I’ll watch Time Team if it’s on (I’ve met Phil Harding and he really does say “Oo-Arrr”) and I’m annoyed that UKTV History has gone to mornings only, would probably watch National Geographic but really can’t be bothered to fork out a subscription just for that.

Most TV I watch nowadays is DVDs. Might change when I move out from Mike’s and lose access to his huge collection, but the Girlfriend doesn’t watch much either and I have a huge backlog of anime to catch up on as it is.

[Jonathan Capps]

As much as I hate the presentation*, I watch Dave constantly. I’m sure if it’s possible to get Top Gear poisoning, but if it is then I’ll be a terminal case. There’s SO much more they could do to improve HOW they put on these shows, but it’s a joy to have Top Gear, Whose Line is it Anyway and various other treats on Freeview. If only they didn’t effectively randomise the Top Gear episodes and actually go to the small trouble of repeating them in order, then that’d improve things immeasurably.

* This is just becoming a bigger and bigger problem for me. All the cuntinuity announcers have this intolerable sarcastic tone and CONSTANTLY make jokes about their jokes in some hilarious post modern fashion. FUCK. OFF.

[Steve Harris]

I think it’s amazing….
According to my 15 year old daughter, the playground/school talk now is Top Gear and Who’s line is it..
They also seem to be watching, Mock The Week and QI as well as Buzzcocks.
Despite looking forward to Torchwood, it seems to have less following than before.
I also get the feeling from the kids that ‘Lost’ has lost all interest and only the new series of ER has sparked any major interest by way of new stuff.

I agree totally with the presentation of Dave and they seem to cut to the break at odd times but the adverts give ample time to get a brew.

[Dave]

>Of the digital channels I do watch Dave quite a lot

>I watch Dave constantly

A friend of mine rang me at two in the morning just to say:

“I’m watching you”

and then giggled incessantly. It took his drug-addled hide ages to explain what he was getting at.

[Joey TORDFC]

I think it’s fantastic to see Whose Line? back. The US ran it until 2006, we Brits should definitely try to get a brand new series on the way – the popularity on Dave proves it would have a damn good chance of working. Especially since Mock the Week has been received well for a few years now and it’s definitely been influenced by it.

[Dave]

I don’t understand why Whose Line Is It Anyway? ever left our screens.

[Andrew]

> I don?t understand why Whose Line Is It Anyway? ever left our screens.

There seemed to be a tail-off of Brit comics willing to appear. Which I get, because after a few series it’s hard not to keep doing the obvious (innuendo, mostly). So more important talent arrived and you ended up with a show where one British comic was present among the Proops/Styles/Mochrie line-up. Which is fine, but always feels like you could just import the American show.

I’d love to see it resurrected. Joey’s right – there’s a likely audience. The format lives on Dave and, for the American version, on Five US. It’s just a matter of finding the talent.

Which begs the question: Who, of today’s performers, would you put on a new edition of WLIIA?

[Tanya Jones]

Mitchell and Webb, Peter Serafinowicz, Russell Brand, Josie D’Arby and The Trap.

[Turk Thrust]

> Which begs the question: Who, of today?s performers, would you put on a new edition of WLIIA?

They could try it with a lot of the same people who are on Mock the Week I guess. Really though I think it was Mochrie and Stiles who made WLIIA. When I watch the repeats, it’s those two who consistently make me laugh while the others rarely do.

[Andrew]

> Really though I think it was Mochrie and Stiles who made WLIIA.

Better than the early days of Paul Merton, Stephen Fry, Josie Lawrence, Sandi Toksvig, Mike McShane and the amazing Tony Slattery? Really? Cripes!

I still have McShane and Slattery’s Channel 4 improv show – S&M – on VHS. It’s hysterically, painfully funny.

[Turk Thrust]

> Better than the early days of Paul Merton, Stephen Fry, Josie Lawrence, Sandi Toksvig, Mike McShane and the amazing Tony Slattery? Really? Cripes!

Well Merton and Fry could be very good no doubt. I think that the makers realised how important Mochrie and Stiles were though and that’s why they appeared in nearly every show together during one period. When you see them opposite Slattery, Lawrence, McShane etc. they really wipe the floor with them imo.

[Dave]

Chris Morris, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jessica Hynes, Douglas Hurd, Kevin Eldon, Bill Bailey

[Joey TORDFC]

David Walliams :)

[Phil]

>Chris Morris, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jessica Hynes, Douglas Hurd, Kevin Eldon, Bill Bailey

Get rid of Hurd!

>Chris Morris, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jessica Hynes, Kevin Eldon, Bill Bailey

Thanks!

[Dave]

>Chris Morris, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jessica Hynes, Kevin Eldon, Bill Bailey

That’s censorship.

[Jonathan Capps]

> Better than the early days of Paul Merton, Stephen Fry, Josie Lawrence, Sandi Toksvig, Mike McShane and the amazing Tony Slattery? Really? Cripes!

Considering most of the Mocherie and Stiles episodes had Josie Lawrence, Mike McChane or Tony Slattery in, then I’d say that era is EASILY the best.

[Andrew]

> > Better than the early days of Paul Merton, Stephen Fry, Josie Lawrence, Sandi Toksvig, Mike McShane and the amazing Tony Slattery? Really? Cripes!

> Considering most of the Mocherie and Stiles episodes had Josie Lawrence, Mike McChane or Tony Slattery in, then I?d say that era is EASILY the best.

Nick wasn’t talking about the era, though, he was talking about the people. By ‘early days of’ I meant in relation to when those people were also in the game and at their best.

Still, Mocherie and Stiles stayed on long after that time, right?

[Jonathan Capps]

Yeah, they did. I have to say, though, I think I agree that Mocherie and Stiles are the best comedians the show ever had. When it comes to that format and their style, they both consistently made me laugh. For an improvisation show, the fact they were so consistent all of the time was really impressive.

I’ve never really got on with Tony Slattery, though. He has some wonderful moments in the show, but at times you can just see him crumble. Josie Lawrence (cor! by the way) and Mike McShane were always there for their musical skills and they were perfect at the job, but I always preferred the none musical rounds. As for Stephen Fry, I’d much rather have him sat behind a beautifully crafted script.

So, yeah, Mocherie and Stiles for the win.

[Andrew]

> I think I agree that Mocherie and Stiles are the best comedians the show ever had.

I don’t deny it’s possible. But, as when Nick said it, I find it eludes and surprises me; I can’t see it. Maybe it’s just nostalgia, but – watching those episodes while I was at school – they were never the faces I was most pleased to see.

See the Slattery/McShane show if you get the chance, anyway. It’s remarkable.

[Jonathan Capps]

> I don?t deny it?s possible. But, as when Nick said it, I find it eludes and surprises me; I can?t see it. Maybe it?s just nostalgia, but – watching those episodes while I was at school – they were never the faces I was most pleased to see.

As usual, I think this is the crux of the matter. When I first started watching it as a kid, Mocherie and Stiles were regulars, and they were the ones who interested me most.

> See the Slattery/McShane show if you get the chance, anyway. It?s remarkable.

I certainly shall!

[Andrew]

Woo – here’s some:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vBnzwQ31dEs

[penny]

> > Better than the early days of Paul Merton, Stephen Fry, Josie Lawrence, Sandi Toksvig, Mike McShane and the amazing Tony Slattery? Really? Cripes!

Well, Paul Merton and Josie Lawrence are still sort of doing WLIIA sort of at the comedy store in London every Sunday with the other comedy store players.

It’s really quite good and they are able to be ruder than on the programme. Second half was funnier I think…I think the spanking atoms an interesting turn in the improv. *still giggles*

[John Hoare]

I’ve just wanked off to a couple of busty lesbians having sex with each other in a toilet, and later an elevator.

Now THAT’S entertainment.

[Turk Thrust]

I watched a little of the Slattery/McShane show and I found them to be as they were on WLIIA. By that I mean that they’re certainly not to my taste. I really dislike McShane’s delivery and they both seem far too pleased with themselves.

[Danny Stephenson]

> a couple of busty lesbians having sex with each other in a toilet.

Actually IN the toilet?

[John Hoare]

> a couple of busty lesbians having sex with each other in a toilet.

Actually IN the toilet?

No. I was spared the sight of their shit-smeared tits. Unfortunately.

[Ben Paddon]

A while ago, Andrew, you gave us a link to a comedian drunkenly singing “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. I can’t find the link now… any chance you’ve still got it floating around?

[Tanya Jones]

Here y’go; http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ugv1Ug4U-zs

[Andrew]

This STILL makes me ache with laughter…

[Andrew]

Bloody hell, I’ve just stumbled across ITV1 showing a new impov series, using ITV ‘faces’ acting in scenes where everyone else has had the script. “Thank God You’re Here”, it’s called. The format’s actually quite neat. Not as edgy as C4 or whatever, but Paul Merton’s hosting and I’ve hit a half-dozen decent laughs…

[Danny Stephenson]

I was gonna mention this earlier but i forgot.

[John Hoare]

The funniest line in that Jeremy Lion thing is still “You see how it works?”

[Turk Thrust]

> Bloody hell, I?ve just stumbled across ITV1 showing a new impov series, using ITV ?faces? acting in scenes where everyone else has had the script. ?Thank God You?re Here?, it?s called. The format?s actually quite neat. Not as edgy as C4 or whatever, but Paul Merton?s hosting and I?ve hit a half-dozen decent laughs?

The format is fine I agree but the general consensus is that the Australian version is much, much better. There are some laughs there but not enough over an hour I think and some of the guests that they’ve chosen are poor (though bizarrely Fern Britton has been the best so far). Paul Merton also seems to be struggling.

[Ben Paddon]

I’m still firmly of the opinion that we need to see the return of Whose Line is it Anyway?. Cracking show, that is. I’ve just discovered that the UK version has been released on DVD here in the States.

[Author]

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