The British
Cow blew off a bit of the weekend and watched some DVDs of TV shows. Silly, fun shows. Such as Coupling. To the Manor Born. Red Dwarf. A few Avengers. And a little Robin Hood.And what do these all have in common, besides the ability to sweep them into their world and entertain you?
They're British.
And so, seemingly better written, funnier, better plotted, have better actors and supporting actors. Better swordplay, if swordplay there is.
Almost all of Cow's favorite shows, the ones she will watch more than once, are not American. If plodding action, complete lack of sprightly dialog, predictable plotting, meaningless car chases, wooden supporting actors, films which are an insult to intelligence are what you're looking for, far too often, Hollywood delivers. And delivers. Repeatedly.
Perhaps Cow is too severe. But in general it just seems the British get it, and Americans don't. Unless, of course, you are a 13-year-old boy. In which case the Hollywood moovies are the cat's meow.
Moo!
posted by The Topiary Cow at
7:44 AM
8 Comments:
Have you seen Big Bang Theory? It is pretty smartly funny. I think... heh.
Maybe you should see The Good Life which was a classic British comedy from the 70s. But I don't think it was any better than Cheers.
I hear good things about the British version of "The Office," though they say it's darker than the American version.
WaterColor: Yes, Big Bang IS funny. Cringeworthy, but funny.
GB: Good Life? But, could it rival the jungle experience for you?
Sandi: Haven't watched the American office but probably the British version is much different. They usually are. And better, too.
Not to be unpatriotic though. If it's car crashes you want nobody can beat America.
Moo!
British humour is the best. Fawlty Towers, Monty Python etc. But, American comedy has it's moments - I loved Frasier when it was playing here.
British version of The Office is fantastically cringe worthy.
I think that American humour is lacking in subtlety. Sorry to criticise, nothing personal. But, have to agree, Hollywood blockbusters hit the spot when it comes to kids movies.
I like serious British work. Like Monty Python.
Cow thinks Linda may have hit the nail on the head about subtlety.
And Dog is absolutely right about Python. Classic.
(Cow whistling a happy tune as she turns into the Ministry for Silly Walks to pick up her check)
Moo!
America does better ensemble-writing, which allows for more sustained, if necessarily more homogenised, series. Britain does better solo/duet writing, but that's awfully difficult to sustain.
In both cases, the quality of the comedy is dependent on the self-confidence of the network and the ability - or not - of the producer to fight the writers' corner to stop the easy descent into formula.
Brits have done some brilliant stuff (I'd love to see an American's reaction to Peter Tinniswood's hilariously-dour "I Didn't Know You Cared,") but we've also had some right crap.
And you did do "Bilko."
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