The problem with parodying phone-in radio is that it's so bad, it's a parody of itself. If you have ever listened to the rambling, misinformed halfwits that phone in after Any Answers, you'll know what I'm talking about. I'm convinced Radio4 only broadcasts it for its comedy value.
Other top-class Radio4 comedy includes Cabin Pressure, The Castle, Clare in the Community, John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme (brilliant Archers spoof last night), ****, Mags & Bags, Start, Stop etc. I'm sure there's loads of others I've missed. Honestly, the quality of comedy on Radio4 is just streets ahead of the badly written, derivative shite that is most new TV comedy.
I'll have to start listening to the radio for comedies, I never bother with it. Judging from previous comments, there are quite a lot of good comedies out there.
I'll have to start listening to the radio for comedies, I never bother with it. Judging from previous comments, there are quite a lot of good comedies out there.
Radio 4 at 6.30pm is the comedy slot (not always sitcoms - I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, Just a Minute), but there's one at 11.30 am on Radio 4 too (not every day I don't think though).
Does anybody else here like David Sedaris? I enjoy it when Radio 4 have him on reading his essays
I started listening to Radio 4Xtra between 10pm and midnight quite by accident a few weeks back. I didn't even know there was a Radio 4Xtra! There's so much brilliant stuff on there it's remarkable. I love CAS. Okay, you get the odd clunker (I can't stand "The League Against Tedium" - probably the most ironic title ever), but it's so much better than TV. I tend to watch streams after midnight then go to bed with podcasts (I keep odd hours as a self-employed freelance and am never out of bed before ten in the morning). I can't remember the last time I sat down for "an evening's TV".
The problem with parodying phone-in radio is that it's so bad, it's a parody of itself. If you have ever listened to the rambling, misinformed halfwits that phone in after Any Answers, you'll know what I'm talking about. I'm convinced Radio4 only broadcasts it for its comedy value.
^ This.
I have Radio 2 on all day as background at work and Jeremy Vine's lunchtime programme, which is a topical discussion show, is the low-point. "Phone in and give us your totally ill-informed point of view" he might as well say.
As for Count Arthur Strong (to keep on topic), I tried the radio series but couldn't warm to it, and I tried the TV series but couldn't warm to it.
They are iniviting people to apply to be in the audience at Pinewood for Series 2.
Unfortunately "In the first series, Michael wrote the book – but it turned out to be just as much about Arthur. The second series sees Michael return to Bulent’s café – and Arthur’s chaotic world – there’s just something that draws him back."
So nobody took our advice about ditching Michael, the cafe and make it more like the superb Radio Show
Count Arthur Strong is back for Series 2 on BBC1!
It's on Tuesday 10:35pm
Not a great time, but I remember Citizen Khan starting out in that slot, so if all goes well it could end up on Fridays where I think It really belongs.
I was lucky enough to be in the audience with my Dad for the episodes 'The day the clocks went back' and 'The affair' and it was a great evening. This series is every bit as good as the first from what I've seen, I also got to shake Bulent's hand and he asked me how I was!:D
They've tried to make it more 'realistic'. But if it was more realistic, everyone he met would ask him why he was called 'Count'. It's a jolly radio cartoon that should have been left as it was.
Really enjoyed that. Some larf out loud moments, silly jokes, cast enjoying it - who clocked CAS struggling not to laugh when he knocked the clock off the shelf? - and a bit of fun.
Really great opener to the series. It picked up really well from where it left off and it was almost like the show had never been away. Really nice to see Oliver Dimsdale on TV again too! Only problem is the time slot is all wrong and they really should have repeated the first series on BBC1, so the new audience could get into it. I'm not sure how well people would have taken to it not knowing the characters and the trailer kept implying it was a 'brand new sitcom'. Bizarre decision from the BBC (but then that's nothing new);-).
I thought it was OK. It's the type of comedy that would be able to swap places with Still Open All Hours in that early Sunday evening slot. However for that reason, I can't see it becoming a huge hit. It's more of the same really.
Hopefully Eggy and "the fixer" continue to feature as the scenes involving only the writer character and Count Arthur Strong weren't as good.
Comments
I'll have to start listening to the radio for comedies, I never bother with it. Judging from previous comments, there are quite a lot of good comedies out there.
Oh yes, mustn't forget that. Brilliant
Radio 4 at 6.30pm is the comedy slot (not always sitcoms - I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, Just a Minute), but there's one at 11.30 am on Radio 4 too (not every day I don't think though).
Does anybody else here like David Sedaris? I enjoy it when Radio 4 have him on reading his essays
" Strictly ...." forum is that way.
^ This.
I have Radio 2 on all day as background at work and Jeremy Vine's lunchtime programme, which is a topical discussion show, is the low-point. "Phone in and give us your totally ill-informed point of view" he might as well say.
As for Count Arthur Strong (to keep on topic), I tried the radio series but couldn't warm to it, and I tried the TV series but couldn't warm to it.
Unfortunately "In the first series, Michael wrote the book – but it turned out to be just as much about Arthur. The second series sees Michael return to Bulent’s café – and Arthur’s chaotic world – there’s just something that draws him back."
So nobody took our advice about ditching Michael, the cafe and make it more like the superb Radio Show
It's on Tuesday 10:35pm
Not a great time, but I remember Citizen Khan starting out in that slot, so if all goes well it could end up on Fridays where I think It really belongs.
I was lucky enough to be in the audience with my Dad for the episodes 'The day the clocks went back' and 'The affair' and it was a great evening. This series is every bit as good as the first from what I've seen, I also got to shake Bulent's hand and he asked me how I was!:D
Didn't that Ben Elton POS end up in this slot?
Yes I think so. Also citizen khan started off at that time too. Seems to remember another crappy one with some Irish guy too but I forget the name.
Hopefully Eggy and "the fixer" continue to feature as the scenes involving only the writer character and Count Arthur Strong weren't as good.