Jonathan Capps

[Jonathan Capps]

> Yeah, cos shock revelations such as ?the married couple once met and fell in love? and ?the drug addict band member once played in a band and became addicted to drugs? really gave us a new understanding. :-)

Ahh, c’mon Andrew, over simplifying things to prove your point is pretty cheap! Watch:

Yeah, cos shock revelations such as ‘all these intelligent people who all work for the President and won an election for him once all got recruited and won an election for him’ really gave us new understanding. :-)

The flashbacks are part of Lost’s core formula and they need to be there (in whatever form) for every episode. Without them the whole thing would be lacking any real structure and it just wouldn’t work as a mainstream network drama. I’m not saying they’ve not been used for padding before, but literally every show in the entire universe uses it’s core formula to allow them to easily pad a season out. It’s what happens. The reason Lost gets stick for it is because people get pissed off that they’re not being told things as fast as they want, which isn’t really the flashbacks fault. At their best, flashbacks raise the show to a whole new level (Andrew’s already mentioned Walkabout) but at their worst they at least add a little more character understanding and take that burden away from the island storyline, which I think is far more important than people give them credit for.

> Fair point. But that?s not a reason to make your show run SLOW, if anything it?s a reason to speed it up to maintain interest.

Well, if you speed it up then you reach one of your milestones too quickly and before you know it you’ve finished your entire plan and the network still wants three more years. I’d argue that interest was sufficiently maintained in the first three series, as it wasn’t cancelled and ratings were always solid, if not impressive.

Either way, this whole ’48 episodes to go’ thing is fantastic news for everyone as even the most staunch Lost defenders will concede at this point that it’s definitely time for the show to pick up pace and start showing some balls to the wall intent.

[Jonathan Capps]

Any anyone tried to toast malt loaf before? I call it meltloaf.

[Jonathan Capps]

> Wasn?t it always a five year plan? I know they?re looking at shorter seasons now, but it?s not like they were flying blind in the first two years.

I think any plan JJ, Lindelof or CUse had at that time would still’ve been up in the air as they would’ve had to idea (or, at least, no set in stone confirmation) of how long ABC would want the show or if they’d even want it to go on too long.

[Jonathan Capps]

I think the biggest problems people have the show is related to what they see as padding, which itself is a side effect of the writers not knowing how long they need to tred water. From season 4 onwards they know exactly how many more episodes they have, so it should be less of a problem.

[Jonathan Capps]

I literally have Kylie in my house right now. She’s ‘vouching for me’ as I type this, if you know what I mean.

[Jonathan Capps]

I honestly don’t mind people not liking Lost for whatever reasons they chose, but the Internet seems to be full of people clamouring to point when they stopped watching it and how they hate it for exactly the same reason as everyone else. They’re like smug ex-smokers who never stop fucking talking about quitting smoking.

[Jonathan Capps]

> Incidentally, when Lost attempted a stand-alone story (Expos?) which had no delusions about being connected towards the main mystery, I rather liked it and the online fan community hated it?

Don’t talk pants, man; any member of the ‘online fan community’ with half a brain loved that episode to bits and I’ve seen loads more praise for it than hate.

[Jonathan Capps]

Fuck, If forgot about all that Lovett/Bad Wolf stuff, too! I’m still creeped out by all that.

[Jonathan Capps]

> Given that it was us what did it, it?s safe to assume we know!

And the proof!:

http://www.ganymede.tv/atspeed/2005/06/my-hands-are-up-oop-my-hand-is-up

I remember scouring round the ‘net a few weeks after the shit storm and finding an hilarious amount of people claiming it was them.

It would’ve been much funnier if it wasn’t for some demented Doctor Who fans pestering Norman because of it…

[Jonathan Capps]

Logo!

[Jonathan Capps]

Oh my God, that sounds like the lamest thing in the entire world.

[Jonathan Capps]

German censorship is seriously fucking stupid, isn’t it?

[Jonathan Capps]

I love Steve Harris, yes I do.

[Jonathan Capps]

I’d still rather watch Craig on stage than Peter Kay or Ricky Gervais.

[Jonathan Capps]

Everyone seems to be saying the Quatro was a 1983 model with 81 wheels trims stuck on. Is that the case, Mick?

[Jonathan Capps]

> Girlfriend spent most of it with her head in my lap

!

[Jonathan Capps]

I’ll be on the wrong side of the country but good luck with it!

[Jonathan Capps]

> Jonathan Capps.

So, along with the collective noun, it’ll be a Phil Reed of Jonathan Capps.

[Jonathan Capps]

I bet he has a stupid face!

[Jonathan Capps]

The biggest problem I have with that interview is the massive length he goes to to recap the series. It’s just hideously boring and makes the whole review far too bloated.

[Jonathan Capps]

> Ooh it?s a thread about a not-as-good-as-you-might-think television programme!

A not at all obvious attempt to start an argument, there.

[Jonathan Capps]

> I lost mine in a crash as well, but James Lawless (who performed the firehouse donations monologue, if you remember) was good enough to get them to me. Do you want them?

Absolutely!

> I?m actually re-casting yours, Capps, since it was a really good monologue and I doubt you?re willing to fly to the United States in order to reprise your role.

As long as I can sell the story of our illicit affairs when you’re famous, I’m good.

[Jonathan Capps]

Excellent! Do you still have the old Podcasts kicking around somewhere? One hard drive format later and I seem to have lost them.

[Jonathan Capps]

> It?s not the line as such, more that Craig goes into accent overload on trademark, and it feels as though he?s slipped out of Lister totally.

A bit like de did for the entirety of series 8, you mean?

[Jonathan Capps]

“Officer bud babe”

[Jonathan Capps]

> WHATSANIGUANA

NO. I’ve taken this long enough you bunch of bastards, but that line is FUNNY and is delivered FINE.

I HATE YOU ALL AND WILL KILL YOU.

[Jonathan Capps]

You guys have the whole of Red Dwarf to chose from and you pick on series 1 and series 6? Madness…

“It’s a theory you only tell your relatives.”

[Jonathan Capps]

> Apart from in The Second Coming?

And in Doctor Who, for that matter.

[Jonathan Capps]

> and in the meantime I?ll see if I can dig out some links for you.

All of Austin’s articles are under his profile:

http://www.ganymede.tv/user/austin-ross

[Jonathan Capps]

> And what?s Terry Gilliam going to do now with his new movie? Weren?t they halfway through filming?

Well, I’m assuming it’ll just not make any money the same as normal, but this time it wont be released.

Also: this is indeed very sad and shocking.

[Jonathan Capps]

Willies.

[Jonathan Capps]

I don’t have Sky, so I’ll be a filthy pirate. Until I buy the DVD the day it’s released, that is.

[Jonathan Capps]

> I thought they had to stop after making 16 episodes?

They had to stop after writing 8/16 and we’re getting those 8 starting at the end of January.

> I think with it only been sixteen in total, we would have had a break at 8 regardless of the strike

Definitely not. The last three seasons of Lost are specifically designed for 16 episode runs, uninterrupted runs from February to May.

[Jonathan Capps]

> Luckily Lost was written well before any of this was started.

Half of Lost. We’re only getting 8 episodes. With any luck they’ll be back and we’ll get the last 8 in October ready for season 5 next February.

I like to live in hope.

[Jonathan Capps]

> Sadly not. But if by ?current? we include only things being made RIGHT NOW, even Lost would be excluded? :-)

Well, Lost hasn’t been cancelled was my point. In fact, it’s probably the least cancelled show in the US. It’s been UBER COMMISSIONED.

> Take Studio 60 slowly. Rob Grant said it best – every episode is both a new joy and a sorrow for getting that much closer to the definite end. (Worse still, the last five episodes are one big long story taking place over a very short period.)

Gah, I really don’t think I’m up for taking this show slowly. Advice heeded, though. I’ll try not to watch any more today, at least! It’s hard, though, as not in my wildest dreams was I suspecting that it’d be even close to touching The West Wing, so it knocked me off my feet when I found it does.

> The same?s true of West Wing four, really. Once Sorkin goes, you have to stay on for plot reasons, but Wells wanted a very different show and ended up with a bit of a mess, held together with strong performances and capable ?ER standard? scripting.

It took me yonks to watch season 1 as I kind of stalled after 8 episodes, for some reason. Once I got past that it didn’t take long to burn right through to the end of 4. I can’t think of a more gut wrenching way to see out Sorkin’s last episodes on the show, so I’ve been comforting myself (and killing time before some idiot Marketplace person gets round to sending the 5 DVD) by going back through season 1 and 2. Season 2’s finale has to be one of my favourite pieces of television ever created, and I only saw it for the first time a few weeks ago!

Basically, what I’m saying is that I’m utterly delighted to be reminded that I can still be sucker punched by a show like this out of absolutely nowhere. US TV can be so awesome.

[Jonathan Capps]

> Certainly I wouldn?t have said the dialogue writing beat the crackle of House or Studio 60, or that the performances were anything more than ?fine?, generally. (Certainly not a patch on The Street, say.)

Fair point on House, but I reckon it only wins through with – as you say – dialogue. Lost has decent rather than brilliant dialogue, but it certainly wins through for me in just about every other area. And Studio 60 is finished now, isn’t it? If you tell me now that it’s got a second series I’ll melt with happy. I’m half way through the first series and I’m in love. I’m not entirely sure it’s good for my brain to have so much Sorkin being mainlined to my brain in such a small space of time (just finished WW 4 and getting Sports Night as we speak), but I DON’T CARE.

[Jonathan Capps]

> I knew it would end in a pissing contest?

I know, it’s almost as if my mud wrestling threat isn’t being taken seriously…

[Jonathan Capps]

> The. West. Wing. Pissing on Lost from a great height with boiling-hot acid-piss. :-p

I’m only guessing, but I think monkey’s statement was about current shows. Otherwise, as you say, it’d be horribly misjudged.

But, out of the shows being made at the moment, he’s right.

[Jonathan Capps]

> And where did you hide the bodies, Capps?

I left them slumped in their chairs.

[Jonathan Capps]

Whenever someone normal makes the grave mistake of mentioning they like Red Dwarf to me and then quickly regret it as I go on to bore them senseless. I used to work next to a couple of chaps who made this fatal error, and then went on to compound the error by saying that series 8 was their favourite.

I like to think the hours of lecturing that followed educated and enriched them and that they came to realise the error of their ways.

[Jonathan Capps]

> I?m watching Season 2 and 3 through with the wife at the moment so as I?m up to speed for the new series.

HURRAH! I will greatly look forward to watching the season 4 premiere with you.

[Jonathan Capps]

Bah, what a load of rubbish!

[Jonathan Capps]

> *insert standard disparagements here*

Out of interest, did you ever find the time to give season 3 a chance? I have a distinct feeling that from season 4 on wards it’s going to much less frustrating for people who gave up before now. And you must have some form of investment in the characters? Some curiosity about where it’s going to go?

Anyway, I don’t want to get back into a discussion about the merits of the show as we’re certainly done with that, I’m just curious if you’re still keeping track.

[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!

[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.

[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.

[Jonathan Capps]

Damn straight! :D

[Jonathan Capps]

> It would be awesome, however, If you could get a special Red Dwarf style container to put the discs in. Like the ?Alien? head or ?Predator? head.

You, sir, are an enemy of DVD shelves and all right thinking people.

[Jonathan Capps]

So long as Product Enterprise doesn’t do the sound chip.

[Jonathan Capps]

No, it was released a good while ago. It’s what got people all frothy about having their own box.

[Author]

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