Mrs Browns Boys - Why doesn't it make me laugh?
Discussion
marcosgt said:
OK, that's fair enough, but WHAT do those who find it amusing find particularly so?
Is it the jokes, the situations, the fact it's a man in drag, some of all these or something else?
M
It's difficult to analyse what makes comedy funny but with MBB as with most quality comedy, it's a complicated combination of factors. The man in drag is almost irrelevant. He/she plays the part of a catholic Irish mum. That is what makes her character funny in the same way as Peter Kay talking about his mum is funny. The drag bit doesn't matter. The predictability makes it all very easy viewing which is what Laurel & Hardy lived off as did Chaplin. Is it the jokes, the situations, the fact it's a man in drag, some of all these or something else?
M
In their day, classics like FT and AFitG had their knockers as has MBB. I'm just glad the BBC spend money on promoting quality programs.
When you consider the pressure they have been under its amazing they keep coming up with such a high standard of entertainment.
Pistom said:
marcosgt said:
OK, that's fair enough, but WHAT do those who find it amusing find particularly so?
Is it the jokes, the situations, the fact it's a man in drag, some of all these or something else?
M
It's difficult to analyse what makes comedy funny but with MBB as with most quality comedy, it's a complicated combination of factors. The man in drag is almost irrelevant. He/she plays the part of a catholic Irish mum. That is what makes her character funny in the same way as Peter Kay talking about his mum is funny. The drag bit doesn't matter. The predictability makes it all very easy viewing which is what Laurel & Hardy lived off as did Chaplin. Is it the jokes, the situations, the fact it's a man in drag, some of all these or something else?
M
In their day, classics like FT and AFitG had their knockers as has MBB. I'm just glad the BBC spend money on promoting quality programs.
When you consider the pressure they have been under its amazing they keep coming up with such a high standard of entertainment.
You might be right, it could be in years to come that we'll all look back at Citizen Khan, MBB and other comedies from today and see it as a golden era. Only time will tell.
Did I really see Birds Of Feather back on ITV? I never thought that was remotely funny nor Ab Fab and yet both are often cited as already classics.
Perhaps the sign of a great comedy is how it divides. If everyone kind of likes it, it's too moderate?
M.
Edited by marcosgt on Friday 27th December 18:13
marcosgt said:
Thanks for taking the time to try and explain. Saying "no point trying to explain to people who don't understand" is a good way to kill a discussion on any subject
I wouldn't normally suggest this in any other discussion. The exception is when talking about what makes people laugh. It is such a subjective thing.Edited by marcosgt on Friday 27th December 18:13
The only other area where debating is almost pointless is taste in food. I detest parsnips with every fibre in my body. I am sure there are others out there who love them. Arguing over why parsnips are horrible is utterly pointless to those who love them.
To me, some comedy is just like parsnips.
Inspired by this thread I decided to switch over from a rerun of Have I got News for you to BBC 1 to actually give Mrs Browns Boys a chance.
Previously when I've accidentally put this on it's appeared quite quickly to be utter s
te so I've turned over.
Having just given it a good 5 minutes I think I was right first time.
Not in the least bit funny.
The canned laughter is extremely annoying but at times it does at least drown out the BS on screen.
A bloke dressed as an old women riding a Christmas Tree whilst swearing.
Who the hell is watching this?
Previously when I've accidentally put this on it's appeared quite quickly to be utter s
te so I've turned over.Having just given it a good 5 minutes I think I was right first time.
Not in the least bit funny.
The canned laughter is extremely annoying but at times it does at least drown out the BS on screen.
A bloke dressed as an old women riding a Christmas Tree whilst swearing.
Who the hell is watching this?
moanthebairns said:
im not sure if your serious.................................
Sorry but I am. I'm still laughing at that this morning. I know it's not "kool" to like MBB or Miranda but it's writing like this that makes TV worth watching. I was also watching Porridge - the movie yesterday and find that funny in a similar way to Miranda.
I remember when Porridge was on first time around, my dad sitting there all straight faced saying - "what is this crap" in the same way many knock the comedy genius of today.
Pistom said:
Miranda tonight is brilliant. A repeat but brilliant.
"So what do you do as a hobby Norman?"
"I like to let kittens feed from my beard"
Strange line to pick out. As surely it relies on the accompanying visuals and delivery. Because in isolation its just not funny. Was this the funniest bit?"So what do you do as a hobby Norman?"
"I like to let kittens feed from my beard"
ofcorsa said:
Strange line to pick out. As surely it relies on the accompanying visuals and delivery. Because in isolation its just not funny. Was this the funniest bit?
Surely that's true of nearly all film or tv comedy quotes?I mean, a quick glance through the Anchorman 2 thread is fully of totally unfunny quotes taken in isolation...
Unlike many here I don't hate Miranda, but I don't think it stands up well to repeat watching. The humour really depends on the unexpected in her case, especially. If you know what's coming it can just seen absurd and faintly embarrassing.
M
Edited by marcosgt on Saturday 28th December 10:28
Roberty said:
Inspired by this thread I decided to switch over from a rerun of Have I got News for you to BBC 1 to actually give Mrs Browns Boys a chance.
Previously when I've accidentally put this on it's appeared quite quickly to be utter ste so I've turned over.
Having just given it a good 5 minutes I think I was right first time.
Not in the least bit funny.
The canned laughter is extremely annoying but at times it does at least drown out the BS on screen.
A bloke dressed as an old women riding a Christmas Tree whilst swearing.
Who the hell is watching this?
10 million of our regressing populous. Previously when I've accidentally put this on it's appeared quite quickly to be utter s
te so I've turned over.Having just given it a good 5 minutes I think I was right first time.
Not in the least bit funny.
The canned laughter is extremely annoying but at times it does at least drown out the BS on screen.
A bloke dressed as an old women riding a Christmas Tree whilst swearing.
Who the hell is watching this?
Pistom said:
It's difficult to analyse what makes comedy funny but with MBB as with most quality comedy, it's a complicated combination of factors.
Are you implying MBB is 'quality comedy'?That comment is funnier than the programme itself.
Pistom said:
Sorry but I am. I'm still laughing at that this morning. I know it's not "kool" to like MBB or Miranda but it's writing like this that makes TV worth watching.
I thank God I wore my corset, because I think my sides have split. [/Blackadder] [/properly funny]
ofcorsa said:
Strange line to pick out. As surely it relies on the accompanying visuals and delivery. Because in isolation its just not funny. Was this the funniest bit?
Wow, you have my sympathy. A line like that doesn't need good delivery. I'm not going to call anyone for not getting it. I remember being as bemused when some didn't get Only Fools and Goodnight Sweetheart. e21Mark said:
I never got why they constantly show the bit of Only Fools & Horses when Den falls over in the bar? Is it really so funny?
No - it's only mildly amusing if you judge it just by the clip. The reason it's consistently so high in viewer votes is because people have their memory of the episode, and it's just the punchline to a VERY long build up. And you do not see it coming. (Same with the chandelier moment.)The thread title should really be something more like 'MBB -why does it bring out such vitriol ? '. The answer to the OP's thread title is obvious, we all like different things and always have an will. Why some shows are rounded upon and those expressing a like for it are called dumb, stupid and regarded as intellectually inferior in some way.
This is just one of lots I don't find funny. I watched the one-off Open All Hours over Christmas and is was probably less funny than an episode of MBB, but it doesn't attract anything like the vitriol if you did happen to find it funny.
Not that I exclude myself from this , I've said the same of Lee Nelson's Well Good Show, I just find it curious why this happens.
This is just one of lots I don't find funny. I watched the one-off Open All Hours over Christmas and is was probably less funny than an episode of MBB, but it doesn't attract anything like the vitriol if you did happen to find it funny.
Not that I exclude myself from this , I've said the same of Lee Nelson's Well Good Show, I just find it curious why this happens.
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