Family Tree BBC2
Simon_Smith3
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Anyone else see this? A real odd mix, starring Chris O'Dowd and Nina Conti (slightly famous in the UK as a ventriloquist) as brother and sister and written by Christopher "This is Spinal Tap" Guest (with an appearance by fellow Tapper Michael McKean as O'Dowd/Conti's dad). It is a joint HBO/BBC production and aired in the US in May.
It was really odd.
Still available on iPlayer.
It was really odd.
Still available on iPlayer.
0
Comments
I clearly found it more subtle than you did, since I found it totally devoid of any humour. If the BBC is aiming for a new type of comedy - one without any laughs - then they're certainly succeeding at the moment.
Me too, I switched off after the first part.
I liked the characters, the storyline, and the general quirkiness of it. And Chris O'Dowd was as brilliant as usual.
The actor playing the best friend was doing a total Ricky Gervais impression! I could imagine Ricky playing that part (except he would be the wrong age group now), and I could hear his voice saying a lot of those lines!
Just got round to this, part 2 is on tonight btw.
Yup couple of good sniggers in there, so it'll do for me.
I've got a massive 'thing' for Nina Conti and find her hugely charming, for some reason.
It's a shame we won't see the dopey date again, she'd go well with the Dad's second wife.
Mr Pfister?? and his scenes in a bottle, etc, lots of little giggles in there.
It would be interesting to find out how much and what parts are improvised.
Family Tree
Christopher Guest's blog holds the answer, link to the date scene on there too.
Is that Badults, I'll give that a miss, looks a bit 'too' silly for me.
There's a load of online comedy pilots on the BBC Three website, I downloaded them haven't watched them though.
"Chaos ensues...." Not a good start. And a warning about strong language .... meaning it's not funny, so they've put some swear words in. Always good for a laugh from a certain kind of audience.
Kept trying to work out who his "bone" obsessed date was - eventually realised it was Ellie Taylor from Snog, Marry or Avoid.
Not noticed her large "clavicles" before, I think there's another thread on DS that she deserves a mention on
Oh and Avatar the Musical - a smash hit waiting to happen. No doubt.
Nina Conti is doing a show not far from where I live. It will be interesting to see if it helps her sell out a small theatre. The last time I looked she wasn't even close to selling 50 tickets.
Her recent documentary makes me wonder if she really has got psychological issues with her puppets.
Yes, I hadn't noticed them before either.
There was something rather hot about the scene.
Again, lots of little giggles in there for me, so I'll be back next week.
The suspended mirror around the old woman's neck, etc, etc.
We seem to have some running themes, Date and Sitcoms.
Hope they can work in some more subtle background gags, reminds me of Creature comforts.
Exactly, well put.
Also, I know it's improvised but O'Dowd seems to play the same character in everything he does.
The tick Oirish accent must be more hindrance than a boon casting wise .