talkmagic.co.uk

themagicwand wrote:

Jae wrote:
How on earth anyone can find the Office or Ricky Gervais funny has me completely stumped.

Oh but the Office to me is side-splittingly funny! Perhaps it's because it is so accurate, as anyone who works or has worked in an office knows only too well. It's the old saying - it's only funny because it's so true.

Me and the missus met while working in an office many years ago. We watch the Office together now and it's like a trip down memory lane! Kinda sweet really. And also very very funny.

I agree, I like humour has alot to do with culture, I don't find the american version of "The office" funny I think the humour in america at times is a bit too obvious or atleast their sarcasm.

Let's just say, nobody is or can knock comedy or people's own sense of humour.

These are all strictly personal views... we all tick differently.

^ Yep indeed, who am i to say what people should laugh at or not.

Yes, humor is a subjective thing...

I've always enjoyed George Carlin's take on things and I've seen him live twice. He's also a good actor, given the right script.

As has been pointed out, "Friends," is naught more than cardboard cut-outs. The characters have no depth and the reason most people tune in is to see which friends are going to sleep with which friends...Really not much more than a pathetic soap opera, to my way of thinking.

"The Office" (American version) sucks. I'd like to see the British (original) version because I have no doubt that I would find it quite funny.

The "Black Adder" series was fantastic and I enjoyed watching that on DVD a few years back when I was in England and a friend of mine had the entire thing in his library...We spent many a-night watching these episodes. Don't care much for "Mr. Bean," though...

And, say what you will, Benny Hill was a truly talented and funny man. He didn't make it early on in stand up, but much of his humor is based on some very subtle, facial nuances. He wrote the words and music to his song material, much of which I find terrifically funny.

"Fawlty Towers" is much underestimated...I found its short run to be one of the great comedies of the day.

Which, of course, brings us to Monty Python. Genius! I further have enjoyed watching the carreers of the original Python cast play out over the years. A talented troupe.

I found "Cheers" to be funny and there are 7 episodes (I believe) where we see Harry Anderson play the role of "Harry the Hat." Y'all do know who Harry Anderson is, right? I also enjoyed "Night Court," which, of course, starred Harry Anderson.

"Taxi" was one of the great American comedies, as was "Barny Miller." (But, most of you are probably not familiar with "Barny Miller.)

Personally, I find great enjoyment in American comedy as well as British comedy and I would rank neither higher than the other. Although, I find American sit-coms to be a glut of stinking garbage, for the most part.

Mike.

abraxus wrote:if you like phonejacker, try and find a tape of Victor Lewis Smith's "tested on humans for irritancy"...pretty much what phonejacker is...but ruder...

before the Jerky Boys too...

come on now Jason King, sorry, avatar change, Lord Freddie - now I know you're joking....Jimmy Cricket indeed...unless you actually are Jimmy Cricket...

I will check those out.. the Jerky boys were funny too when I used to listen to them.

there was one guy who had me in creases a few years back, quite politically incorrect but made me howl nontheless. He used to phone this shop and complain about the green cheese sandwiches.. and another where he would phone up peeps and request the outstanding amount for princess Di's commerative plates purchased in 99.. unbelievably funny from what I recall.

For me-
Dylan Moran - poetically dry,
Ross Noble - amazingly daft but always amusing improvisations,
Steve Wright - one-liners that play on the mind- "curiosity killed the cat, but for a while I was a suspect", "I was walking down the street when the prescription on my glasses ran out", told in a voice like gravel in oil.

What's this about Friends? I love Friends! It's my all-time favouriote TV show.

Also, yes, George Carlin is quite funny.

Michael Jay has hit the nail on the head with his post.
The people that don't really get Benny Hill have never really watched his shows. The edited down slapstick versions for worldwide viewing were only a small facet of his talent. He was the first person to shine on tv and was one of the first to parody other tv shows.

The supporting cast of Bob Todd, Jackie Wright and Henry McGee were people who were funny whatever they did and the more ridiculous they were dressed up the funnier they were. Real characters with faces for comedy.

American shows such as Friends NEED the canned laughter to tell the idiots when to laugh. It's just not funny and all this male/female difference humour only appeals to women and men who are, shall we say, in touch with their feminine side.

Someone mentioned Steven Wright, now he's one of the only US comics that make me laugh. Surreal, witty and great with puns. And I'll put Emo Phillips into the mix too.

But none of these can pun as well as our own Tim Vine or the late, great Tommy Cooper.

Anyone who finds things like My Name Is Earl funny need their head tested, Particularly if they're British. The cultural references are too vast.
I just think of halfwits in council houses with a big bag of Doritos on their lap and a giant Sky dish outside laughing at reference to the Miami Dolphins and Orios. Things which are about as relevant in the UK as Harry Ramsden is in the US.

Australian humour is a lot better. As anyone who has experienced the mighty Bob Downe can testify.

You're correct. I hate stupid comedies.... the main reasons I watch Friends are for Chandler's witty remarks and the love situation between Ross and Rachel. Jennifer Aniston is my favourite actress as well... I nearly cried in Season Three when they broke up for the first time.. That's right, I'm a suck..

Michael Kras wrote:I love Friends! It's my all-time favouriote TV show.

Ive just been put off Friends for some strange reason I dont know.. there was just something funny about Chandlers humour.. but that only became apparant in certain series

Michael Kras wrote:You're correct. I hate stupid comedies.... the main reasons I watch Friends are for Chandler's witty remarks and the love situation between Ross and Rachel. Jennifer Aniston is my favourite actress as well... I nearly cried in Season Three when they broke up for the first time.. That's right, I'm a suck..

I bet you like Kramer Vs Kramer too...

If you want to see a great sitcom with an ongoing story of unrequited love, check out HI-DE-HI.

Lord Freddie wrote: HI-DE-HI.

Lord Freddie, I love you.

Hey Freddie. I enjoy Friends. I also enjoy Pinter. Ayckbourn. Priestly. Sartre. Plato. Nietzsche. Hume. Ever heard of the suprachiasmatic nucelus Freddie? I should expect so seeing as an idiot like myself knows what it is.

I enjoy Friends. I'm also perfectly straight. Just because someone doesn't watch an old man chase pretty young women about doesn't make them gay you know.

I find it incredibly amusing that you can call people who watch Friends "idiots" whilst simultaneously hailing Benny Hill as hilarious. There's nothing about Benny Hill to get.

themagicwand wrote:

Lord Freddie wrote: HI-DE-HI.

Lord Freddie, I love you.

My favourite episode is "Sing You Sinners" where Ted turns the Sunday sermon into a gospel type service - with, of course, hilarious consequences!

Lord Freddie wrote:
My favourite episode is "Sing You Sinners" where Ted turns the Sunday sermon into a gospel type service - with, of course, hilarious consequences!

You're nothing if not post-modern old pal.