Twas my favourite special since the series ended, far better than the last two, so no, I didn't.
It was still a tad too slapstick for my liking, what made Royle Family so great was it's lack of that sort of stuff, but otherwise, good, it was nice to see it back at the house.
I'd rather they'd laid it to rest after the original 3 series, as the returns have sullied its reputation somewhat.
The show is now operating in a slightly more "sitcommy" reality. Dave is far stupider, Jim is even more unpleasant, Denise seems heartless, Joe is far more verbose than he ever was in the original episodes. Only Barbara seems unchanged.
I watched the last two episodes in the last week when they were on Gold. I was not keen on either of them on first viewing (especially The New Sofa which verged on pantomime at some points) but they were a good way of setting myself up for Joe's Crackers. They're only disappointing when compared to what the show used to be. Limited expectations then, for this outing.
I didn't mind it. I'm not sure I approve of killing Mary off offscreen but I guess you have to make these decisions if actors are unavailable. She was conspicuous by her absence last year, so it's good that it's now dealt with.
Once again it was trying too hard for laughs (the protestations over a minute's silence seemed nasty and the final moments were ridiculous) but it was still leaps abounds over dreck such as My Family.
Also, it's a small criticism but ever since The Queen of Sheba, when they lost the real-time aspect they began missing a key feature of how the show originally worked so well.
So, yeah, I don't mind a Christmas episode each year. If the show must be revived and has to operate as a shadow of its former glory, it's just as well that it's at a fairly consistent standard. I'd have difficulty choosing whether this was better or worse than The Golden Egg Cup.
It's this element annoys me the most, in the original he was actually rather witty in comparison to Denise with him and Jim always cracking jokes together at the others expense and taking the mick when they said something stupid, these days though, he's the daftest of the lot.
On the other hand, the OP of this thread posted identical "I hated it" comments repeatedly on three threads (this one, the main Royle Family thread, and the Sheridan Smith thread) and never in all the many posts actually gave a convincing reason. The vast majority of other posters disagreed, yet the OP just kept saying "I hated it". The rolling eyes smiley was a pretty spot on response, I would say!
Um I gave perfectly plausable reasons in the main thread about the episode actually :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
Only a few things have made me laugh so much I have choked (one was Faye from Steps on an old Buzzcocks saying that the only people who listen to Alanis Morrisette are women when they are pre-menstrual) and this show when Dave was discussing his works Xmas do in The Feathers - which was a joint affair with "Diarrhoea Dave - the Roofer".
I wonder which of the 3 writers came up with that one !
I thought it was really funny... really enjoyed it.
Me too...the only Christmas one i havent liked was the one with Tom Courtenay,that didnt do it for me at all..but last nights was very good..."Marys in the Dyson"...:p:D
Me too...the only Christmas one i havent liked was the one with Tom Courtenay,that didnt do it for me at all..but last nights was very good..."Marys in the Dyson"...:p:D
Still Lol at that one......I loved the manner in which the line was delivered by the actress that played Saskia.
"I`am afraid there`s been an accident Joe....Mary`s in the Dyson"
Yes the main characters are now caricatures of themselves....and yes it is more of a sit-com....but that's the passage of time for you...It`s 12yrs since the original series and Aherne and Cash`e writing has undoubtedly changed over the decade....but lasts nights episode was still very funny...with many genuine laugh out loud moments......The last 10 minutes was pure comedy gold.
But then after a slight mishap my own mother....well at least part of her:o....ended up in the Dyson as well:eek:.....I laughed then....and I was pissing myself with laughter last night.
I know I'm in a minority, but I actually liked the last two Christmas specials.
Tonight's had moments that really made me laugh and parts I didn't like so much ( I know it's just me, for instance, but I don't like Denise's disinterest in her kids, and think it goes too far).
But you do have to take it for what it is, and though this won't go down as one of my favourite episodes, I'd hate for them to axe it.
I particularly like last year's reference to the "partially-stocked shop"
I didn't think the special was as good - I agree about the way Dave and Jim seem different to how they were in the earlier episodes, but Joe was obviously the character who had changed the most from the earlier years.
But the biggest shock I had was to hear that Mary had been killed off - I wonder if the actress had decided to quit, like Liz Smith did a few years ago? If not, it seems sad for them to kill off Mary, but as she wasn't in last year's special it seems like the actress might not have wanted to continue.
Nah I loved it. After QOS it was the best special they've done and a return to form after xmas 2008 and xmas 2009. I don't like it when the show strays too far into sitcom territory. The episode set at Dave and Denise's house was a low point.
This year's, however, was much better. And I'd put that down to them going back to basics.
On the other hand, the OP of this thread posted identical "I hated it" comments repeatedly on three threads (this one, the main Royle Family thread, and the Sheridan Smith thread) and never in all the many posts actually gave a convincing reason. The vast majority of other posters disagreed, yet the OP just kept saying "I hated it". The rolling eyes smiley was a pretty spot on response, I would say!
They're also an avid supporter of Kate Ford/Tracy Barlow in the soaps forum even going as far as to call her an amazing actress.
Comments
I'll climb up on your handbag.
It was still a tad too slapstick for my liking, what made Royle Family so great was it's lack of that sort of stuff, but otherwise, good, it was nice to see it back at the house.
It's this element annoys me the most, in the original he was actually rather witty in comparison to Denise with him and Jim always cracking jokes together at the others expense and taking the mick when they said something stupid, these days though, he's the daftest of the lot.
Um I gave perfectly plausable reasons in the main thread about the episode actually :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
I wonder which of the 3 writers came up with that one !
Me too...the only Christmas one i havent liked was the one with Tom Courtenay,that didnt do it for me at all..but last nights was very good..."Marys in the Dyson"...:p:D
Still Lol at that one......I loved the manner in which the line was delivered by the actress that played Saskia.
"I`am afraid there`s been an accident Joe....Mary`s in the Dyson"
Yes the main characters are now caricatures of themselves....and yes it is more of a sit-com....but that's the passage of time for you...It`s 12yrs since the original series and Aherne and Cash`e writing has undoubtedly changed over the decade....but lasts nights episode was still very funny...with many genuine laugh out loud moments......The last 10 minutes was pure comedy gold.
But then after a slight mishap my own mother....well at least part of her:o....ended up in the Dyson as well:eek:.....I laughed then....and I was pissing myself with laughter last night.
:eek: that was the worst thing i have ever seen
i switched off half way through after really trying to like it
I particularly like last year's reference to the "partially-stocked shop"
Loved it
But the biggest shock I had was to hear that Mary had been killed off - I wonder if the actress had decided to quit, like Liz Smith did a few years ago? If not, it seems sad for them to kill off Mary, but as she wasn't in last year's special it seems like the actress might not have wanted to continue.
That was the point. It was very Office like, with the writing based more around the cringeworthy nature, then the actual comedy.
This year's, however, was much better. And I'd put that down to them going back to basics.