Can't wait for this - a generous 10 episode commission for a first series, pretty rare for a comedy drama nowadays, which should give plenty of time for characters to develop. Looks promising.
From the trailer it appears to be from the same mould as The Cafe and all the other tedious Sky "comedies". I gave it 10 minutes and unless you LOL when someone says "MILF" or "getting bummed" it was just another prog. with some dull people talking about their humdrum lives.
Switched over at the first ad-break to ToTP, saw the piece about Otway and reckon that if Stella ran true to it's first 10 minutes there were more laughs in the 2 minutes of "Cor Baby That's really Free" then there will be in the whole 10 episodes of this series.
Sky really don't know how to make comedy. I'm sure the scripts all sound very funny in the writers' heads, but the delivery sucks so badly, with it's low-energy/deadpan and lack of "comic" intonation that it kills any potential humour: stone dead.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, although I didnt laugh out loud. It was more a gentle comedy drama, which I always appreciate. Loved Stella's brother and sister in law, now that WAS pure comedy. Loved the pony going into the house to have its shower, and thought the scene at the school play was priceless. Im so glad that its got a run of 10 episodes, although Friday nights are going to be a bit congested, with Hustle,Law & Order UK, Stella and the most important one, the new season of NCIS. Sky plus will be on overtime.
Well done Miss Jones!!!
From the trailer it appears to be from the same mould as The Cafe and all the other tedious Sky "comedies". I gave it 10 minutes and unless you LOL when someone says "MILF" or "getting bummed" it was just another prog. with some dull people talking about their humdrum lives.
Switched over at the first ad-break to ToTP, saw the piece about Otway and reckon that if Stella ran true to it's first 10 minutes there were more laughs in the 2 minutes of "Cor Baby That's really Free" then there will be in the whole 10 episodes of this series.
Sky really don't know how to make comedy. I'm sure the scripts all sound very funny in the writers' heads, but the delivery sucks so badly, with it's low-energy/deadpan and lack of "comic" intonation that it kills any potential humour: stone dead.
Always a real pleasure to read the first 'I gave up on it after 10 minutes' post in any thread on a new programme.....:)
It looks really promising to me - it didn't necessarily set out to grab you by the throat - but with 10 episodes there should plenty of chance for the characters to develop within an ongoing storyline.
It is good to see Sky One making original comedy shows. I really enjoyed Mount Pleasant but gave up on Trollied after three episodes and The Cafe after one episode. Will give Stella a try and hope to enjoy it.
Always a real pleasure to read the first 'I gave up on it after 10 minutes' post in any thread on a new programme.....:)
So, are you saying that it changed style / pace / direction after 10 minutes and actually became funny? Cos if not then it seems like my judgement was spot-on.
Frank: What I don't understand is why do people take an instant dislike to me?
Trapper: It saves time, Frank.
I'd far prefer to dismiss it after a short period as being the same as all the other Sky "comedies" and maybe catch one of it's many, many repeats if by some chance my first impressions were wrong, than to sit through 10 episodes in the vain (or slightly desperate) hope that it might actually make me laugh at some point. It saves time, Frank
Luckily for me, unlike some other posters on this thread, I got exactly what I expected.........a very enjoyable comedy drama with great potential.
The cast is good and I think Ruth Jones has hit her stride with this series. I can forsee it running beyond one series myself.
At long last Sky has picked up the pace in regard to their comedy and comedy drama. The only show I didn't warm to at all was Mount Pleasant which, for my taste anyway, was just a glorified soap opera with a good cast going to waste.
Still, each to their own I suppose, as I've no doubt there are others who thought it good.
I quite enjoyed it.....lolled at the part in the school play with the son
wearing the dead womans dress
....I really like Elizabeth Berrington, aka Ruby, waterloo road/ Auntie, Doctor who and the nurse in psyshoville...and ive always liked Ruth Jones, so yeah will deffo watch again...:)
Always a real pleasure to read the first 'I gave up on it after 10 minutes' post in any thread on a new programme.....:)
It looks really promising to me - it didn't necessarily set out to grab you by the throat - but with 10 episodes there should plenty of chance for the characters to develop within an ongoing storyline.
As with most programmes these days, many cannot handle an in depth storyline
From the trailer it appears to be from the same mould as The Cafe and all the other tedious Sky "comedies". I gave it 10 minutes and unless you LOL when someone says "MILF" or "getting bummed" it was just another prog. with some dull people talking about their humdrum lives..
What a crap assessment and comment.
I wonder how many really good programmes I'd have missed if I hadn't been thoroughly engrossed after the first 10 minutes:rolleyes:
This appears to have a line of good characters and some interesting potential storylines. It certainly had a couple of good ;aughs and several chuckles.
Have to say watched it and found it utter tripe. Being a Rhondda girl, can't relate to any of the characters. To be honest don't know anyone in the Rhondda who actually enjoyed it. Lazy writing and childish storylines. High hopes was more like the valleys people. Saying that loved Gavin and Stacey.
I thought it was OK and will definitely give it some time. Not Laugh Out Loud throughout but its not meant to be like that.
I've learnt with a few shows on Sky 1 recently to give them some time, Mount Pleasant being the main one, which I couldn't stand after show one but loved by show three.
As a disclaimer though, I gave up on The Cafe after 10mins
Comments
I've set it up to record on Sky now so I won't miss it again. Looking forward to seeing the next episode.
Switched over at the first ad-break to ToTP, saw the piece about Otway and reckon that if Stella ran true to it's first 10 minutes there were more laughs in the 2 minutes of "Cor Baby That's really Free" then there will be in the whole 10 episodes of this series.
Sky really don't know how to make comedy. I'm sure the scripts all sound very funny in the writers' heads, but the delivery sucks so badly, with it's low-energy/deadpan and lack of "comic" intonation that it kills any potential humour: stone dead.
Well done Miss Jones!!!
Always a real pleasure to read the first 'I gave up on it after 10 minutes' post in any thread on a new programme.....:)
It looks really promising to me - it didn't necessarily set out to grab you by the throat - but with 10 episodes there should plenty of chance for the characters to develop within an ongoing storyline.
I lasted half an hour
All I can do is quote this piece of advice from M.A.S.H
I'd far prefer to dismiss it after a short period as being the same as all the other Sky "comedies" and maybe catch one of it's many, many repeats if by some chance my first impressions were wrong, than to sit through 10 episodes in the vain (or slightly desperate) hope that it might actually make me laugh at some point. It saves time, Frank
The cast is good and I think Ruth Jones has hit her stride with this series. I can forsee it running beyond one series myself.
At long last Sky has picked up the pace in regard to their comedy and comedy drama. The only show I didn't warm to at all was Mount Pleasant which, for my taste anyway, was just a glorified soap opera with a good cast going to waste.
Still, each to their own I suppose, as I've no doubt there are others who thought it good.
As with most programmes these days, many cannot handle an in depth storyline
What a crap assessment and comment.
I wonder how many really good programmes I'd have missed if I hadn't been thoroughly engrossed after the first 10 minutes:rolleyes:
This appears to have a line of good characters and some interesting potential storylines. It certainly had a couple of good ;aughs and several chuckles.
A good start for a drama/comedy.
Yep, same here, just not funny,
I've learnt with a few shows on Sky 1 recently to give them some time, Mount Pleasant being the main one, which I couldn't stand after show one but loved by show three.
As a disclaimer though, I gave up on The Cafe after 10mins