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Post by postscript on Feb 14, 2007 15:29:16 GMT
Actually it was the chair talking. Ronnie Corbett was a prop. Now I understand Ronnie Corbett's jokes so much better! :bat: Thanks, Bob! Peter S. |
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Post by postscript on Feb 14, 2007 18:36:26 GMT
In the UK we have a channel called UKTV Gold which is full of repeats of great comedy shows like Dad's Army and Keeping Up Appearances and they are far superior to some of the shows you get nowadays. As for the chair dialouges, the chair was the puppeteer and Ronnie was the puppet! Ronnie's digressinations (I don't know if thats a word! Digressions is it?) were funnier than the actual joke! In my view you highlight an important aspect of comedy. Hoffnung had this ability and one or two others whose names elude me at the moment, perhaps Jasper Carrot. It is the ability to lead the audience in a way that they mentally jump ahead of you, see the joke that is coming, laugh in anticipation and then laugh upon the deliery all over again. That is not QUITE saying the same thing as yourself but they are both variations on the theme of delaying the delivery of the joke by building anticipation and redoubling the effect? Peter S. |
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Post by bobcochran on Feb 14, 2007 18:44:39 GMT
Peter, the fancy comedy term for that is telegraphing the joke. Laurel & Hardy were masters at that.
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Martin
Global Moderator
HWI Management Team
Posts: 3,339
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Post by Martin on Feb 16, 2007 13:03:54 GMT
What makes me laugh? Well, most of the great BBC comedy shows throughout the fifties, sixties, seventies and eighties to date, both on TV and Radio.
We are very fortunate here in the UK to have an organization which has always been willing to take risks with new comedy formats and ideas resulting in some of the great comedies of all time. The lack of commercial pressure to be successful was a major factor in allowing this stimulation.
My particular favourites are The Goon Show (radio), Round the Horne (radio), Only Fools and Horses, Blackadder, Mr Bean, The Vicar of Dibley and more recently The Office.
But my favourite of all time has to be FAWTLY TOWERS. This sitcom was a simple idea, brilliantly scripted, cast and performed mainly due to the genius of John Cleese . Sadly, only twelve shows were made but it remains in posterity as the funniest comedy ever made (in my opinion).
Martin
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Post by jons on Feb 16, 2007 13:42:04 GMT
Ronnie Corbett's chair DIAlogues? I don't recall the chair ever talking, I thought it was just him! On his own?  Peter S!  OK Peter, I get my DIAs and my MONO's missed up sometimes. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif |
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Post by postscript on Feb 16, 2007 19:28:34 GMT
I entirely agree with all your selection, Martin, especially Fawlty Towers. I think the reason that stands out is that they did ONLY make twelve shows. There isn't a dud anywhere and they made the classic coup, they brought the curtain down while the audience were still demanding more!
Peter S.
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Post by postscript on Feb 16, 2007 19:32:18 GMT
Ronnie Corbett's chair DIAlogues? I don't recall the chair ever talking, I thought it was just him! On his own? Peter S! OK Peter, I get my DIAs and my MONO's missed up sometimes. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifGlad you appreciated my chortle, Jon S. Rather like the early days of stereo. Was the train supposed to travel left to right or right to left? If the sound is coming from between the speakers does that mean its perefct stero but stopped at the station or its still only mono? Peter S. Peter S. |
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Post by toronado on Feb 16, 2007 22:54:22 GMT
I think I like Danger Mouse and Black Adder best of the British comedies.
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Post by bobcochran on Feb 17, 2007 4:53:21 GMT
I guess I'd say the best British TV Comedies I've seen are "At Last the 1948 Show," "Not Only... But Also," "Dad's Army," "Fawlty Towers," "The Two Ronnies," "Dave Allen at Large," "Father Ted," "Blackadder 2 & 4," "The Goodies," "Black Books series 1," "Monty Python" "The Fall & Rise of Reginald Perrin" and "Look around You."
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Post by mariannek on Feb 17, 2007 7:56:03 GMT
I think I like Danger Mouse and Black Adder best of the British comedies. Hi Toronado, I must absolutely agree with you about Black Adder !!! Hilarious as well incredibly clever. How about Mr. Bean  Loved him as well !!! Fawlty Tower another of my favorites to make me laugh out loud !!! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifLove, Marianne  |
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Post by Belinda on Feb 17, 2007 9:09:03 GMT
Hi i agree Blackadder and Mr Bean are very funny But someone else that makes me laugh with some of his comments is Roger  Belinda |
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Post by scoobedoo on Feb 17, 2007 10:10:57 GMT
I guess I'd say the best British TV Comedies I've seen are "At Last the 1948 Show," "Not Only... But Also," "https://i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifad's Army," "Fawlty Towers," "The Two Ronnies," "https://i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifave Allen at Large," "Father Ted," "Blackadder 2 & 4," "The Goodies," "Black Books series 1," "Monty Python" "The Fall & Rise of Reginald Perrin" and "Look around You." what about “Benny Hill ” and “Open All Hours” (Ronnie Barker) and “Ever decreasing Circles” “One Foot In The Grave” these were popular here in NZ cheers, Rodders |
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Post by bobcochran on Feb 17, 2007 12:01:56 GMT
Benny Hill was very popular here in the early 80's, and has regained some of that popularity recently. I never really got into his stuff myself. It looked liked he was trying to recapture some of Ernie Kovacs' zany humour, but he overplayed it. Kovacs made it appear that hoovering the living room roof or being stuck in a giant milk bottle was an was an everyday fact of life.
I did enjoy Ronnie Barker in the few episodes of Porridge I've seen. I've heard of, but haven't seen One Foot in the Grave or Ever Decreasing Circles yet
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Post by postscript on Feb 17, 2007 14:53:55 GMT
If you like Ronnie Barker, Bob, look out for 'Open All Hours'.
Peter S.
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Post by roger on Feb 17, 2007 16:09:47 GMT
Copied from the Info Centre at 16:10 GMT: Good to see George Martin looking in! Roger |
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