Comedy Going Stale
Can't we let classics become classic? Bloody repeats
It is said that the true test of a comedy program is the test of time. Will it still be discussed in 20 years? Will youngsters who donned nappies in that show’s heyday discover it and enjoy the laughs?
Those classics that have stood the test of time include Fawlty Towers, Blackadder, Python. Sod it even Partridge and Mr Bean.
More recently we’ve half-enjoyed cringing at The Office and Extras but with the deluge of channels and comedic output around now, fewer shows will elevate to classic status, burdened as many are by the decision-making skills of acne riddled schedulers. Those bloody repeats.
Most classics would repeat at a later time – why discount the opportunity to bring in the ratings again? But now it seems as soon as it’s over, it’s back on the box.
Channel 4 recently announced that as of 2011, Friends will be off the air and considering there hasn’t been a new episode in five years I welcome the decision.
I need a break. I enjoy – or should that be past tense – enjoyed Friends, but after six episodes a day, every day it grows older, more clichéd and starts to grate at your eyes and hum at your soul – Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat…
Like a cake left out in the open air, once so delightful, tasty and fresh, everything’s gone stale and flat. How can it stand the test of time when it’s never off the bloody air?
Mock the Week is in a similar state of dis-repeat – like Friends it’s never off.
It’s even on two channels now with Dave buying repeats on top of those reshown on BBC2. It makes the head spin – I can’t tell what’s new and what’s old so if you’re listening acne riddled decision makers, give the maybe-classics (and your skin) some time to breathe.
Panel shows rarely stand the test of time as they’re generally topical so I’ll breathe a welcome sigh of relief if the Beeb pulls the plug on Mock.
Not to shatter the illusion but we know the show is scripted and made up of rehashed outtakes from the performers stand-up shows, don’t we?
There’s something profoundly wrong about the endless repeats of topical quizzes that seems to make up the brunt of Dave’s non Top Gear broadcasting. I’m sure it is very cheap for them, but do they have to show so much of it??