BBC Sitcom "re-boots"
Discussion
They did a better job of Porridge than AYBS, although Meekie was a bit too close to Mackay when its meant to be different people in a different prison at a different time. Porridge had Ricky Grover in it though, and Ricky Grover just makes things better.
Generally, looking at whats coming with the versions of the old stuff, I don't think the straight remakes with new people (AYBS, Steptoe) are going to be as good as the prequel/sequel/continuations (Keeping Up Appearances/Porridge/Goodnight Sweetheart). Not sure on Hancock, if anyone was going to do Hancock, I'd say Paul Merton, although that didn't go to well in the 90's Galton & Simpson Presents series.
Generally, looking at whats coming with the versions of the old stuff, I don't think the straight remakes with new people (AYBS, Steptoe) are going to be as good as the prequel/sequel/continuations (Keeping Up Appearances/Porridge/Goodnight Sweetheart). Not sure on Hancock, if anyone was going to do Hancock, I'd say Paul Merton, although that didn't go to well in the 90's Galton & Simpson Presents series.
ajprice said:
Not sure on Hancock, if anyone was going to do Hancock, I'd say Paul Merton, although that didn't go to well in the 90's Galton & Simpson Presents series.
Five missing Hancock programmes (with more to follow) have been re-recorded for radio with Kevin Mcnally in the title role, they're very good: https://www.comedy.co.uk/radio/news/1839/the_missi...
te to be fair.megaphone said:
Enjoyed them both.
Are You Being Served was very well cast, lots of innuendo, made me snigger a few times, wasn't laugh out loud stuff, but then the original wasn't either.
Porridge was a good idea, I think a series could be possible, but it would always be compared to the original, so best let things lie!
Both where too fast paced, lots of cutting between scenes, 'American style'. Modern 'comedy' series are all like that now, trying to cram as many 'laughs' in as possible. The over enthusiastic canned laughter was a bit much.
AYBS was filmed in front of a live audience - like the original wasAre You Being Served was very well cast, lots of innuendo, made me snigger a few times, wasn't laugh out loud stuff, but then the original wasn't either.
Porridge was a good idea, I think a series could be possible, but it would always be compared to the original, so best let things lie!
Both where too fast paced, lots of cutting between scenes, 'American style'. Modern 'comedy' series are all like that now, trying to cram as many 'laughs' in as possible. The over enthusiastic canned laughter was a bit much.
I thought both we're OK. Not the worst shows I've ever watched.
Having been present and viewing at the birth of both, my view is that AYBS was, by far, the better rework.
The addition of Mr Conway was a nice PC nod to the old arrival of Mr Lucas and the other characters were largely true to the originals. Better in many ways as the original was pretty poor but the British did love their seaside humour. My gf, not round for the first series, laughed quite a lot.
The signal failure, for me, was the Young Mr Grace. More like an East End geezer. Many have criticised the handyman but the original was always painfully contrived so it was true to form.
Porridge updated Fletcher but Mr Barraclough, Mr Mackay and Grouty were all replicated. It didn't really work, for me with Fletch in a tech role and I soon got bored. Again, my gf, familiar with the re-runs, was not enamoured by it.
Still better than Still Open All Hours...
The addition of Mr Conway was a nice PC nod to the old arrival of Mr Lucas and the other characters were largely true to the originals. Better in many ways as the original was pretty poor but the British did love their seaside humour. My gf, not round for the first series, laughed quite a lot.
The signal failure, for me, was the Young Mr Grace. More like an East End geezer. Many have criticised the handyman but the original was always painfully contrived so it was true to form.
Porridge updated Fletcher but Mr Barraclough, Mr Mackay and Grouty were all replicated. It didn't really work, for me with Fletch in a tech role and I soon got bored. Again, my gf, familiar with the re-runs, was not enamoured by it.
Still better than Still Open All Hours...
Didn't see these, but did watch The Coopers Vs The Rest, which came over as a PC Outnumbered (mixed race couple, adopted children...) although the mother was rather good at the party and the Dad was convincingly hopeless. Nice one off, I fear it may make a series and Outnumbered or Rev. it is not...
I did watch the clips of "'til Death Us Do Part" and, really, did someone not watch them and the originals and just think, sorry Simon mate, but you can't do this, can you? It's like poor Am Dram!
M
I did watch the clips of "'til Death Us Do Part" and, really, did someone not watch them and the originals and just think, sorry Simon mate, but you can't do this, can you? It's like poor Am Dram!
M
Edited by marcosgt on Tuesday 30th August 14:14
I don't understand what they are trying to achieve with this. I tried to watch AYBS and Porridge and I didn't find them very funny, but worse than that it just made me very aware that top quality BBC comedy exists only in the past.
If the BBC wants to learn how to make sharp and creative comedy again, they should be looking at what Channel 4 are doing now, not what the BBC were doing the 1970s.
If the BBC wants to learn how to make sharp and creative comedy again, they should be looking at what Channel 4 are doing now, not what the BBC were doing the 1970s.
I just watched AYBS, quite surprising just how similar-looking the new actors are to the originals. So much so that I did wonder why the remake, and why not just show a repeat? But there wasn't really anything wrong with it, it wasn't laugh-out-loud funny but then I didn't find the originals that funny either - humorous perhaps, but no more cheesy than it ever was.
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