Brit & Aussie TV & Movies

There are unfortunately many middle-aged people in this country with similarities to Hyacinth & Richard, which is the reason we are seen abroad as being stuffy.

Yes, I know. but the class struggle makes for some great TV.

How do you feel about "Open All Hours"?

That show left a huge impression on me. It wasn't always about comedy.There was a wistful side to it that I interpreted as the sorrow over the loss of an old way of life.
Any comments?

BTW. I love this painting. It takes me back to Wales in the 60's

Ronnie Barker is brilliant - as well as Open All Hours he did a brilliant series called Porridge set in a prison and a series with another Ronnie (not at all funny on his own this one, but together they were brilliant) where they did sketches and skits.

I am definitely a fan of Open All Hours. I hear what you're saying Pan about the wistfulness - when he stands on the doorstep of the shop at night and makes a monologue about the day's events, it always seemed slightly sad.

Porridge is also one of my retro-favourites, Vivien. Mr McKay's sneer, Godber's naive Brumminess and of course world-wise Norman Stanley Fletcher. Fantastic.

Anyone got any comments on Dad's Army?

Diane

Mrs Bucket drives me crazy, too. She's sort of funny via extreme irritation! Sometimes it's hard to take, I agree!

Grand Duke, Hyacinth and Richard are alive and well in almost any country in the world. Have you read about the McMansions here in the States? After the young Wall Streeters made gazillions they all built these monstrous mansions...as common as McDonald's.

Since there is way too much for Dys and I to view in our lifetimes, all of you are obligated to come to Albuquerque with your favorites and we will watch together after a night's debauchery eating Mexican and drinking Mexican beer. I also make luscious French toast, if you don't like Mexican. The invitation is open to any of you who make it to the States.

I used to live across the road from Hyacinth, till I shifted house, Diane. :wink:

Albuquerque has been a place I have wanted to visit ever since I was a child. The reason? Bugs Bunny always seemed to make a wrong turn there! Bizarely, Milwaukee is another place, from watching Happy Days.

I would love to come to the US, but it probably won't be for a few years yet. If we're still posting in A2K then I'll give you a gentle reminder! Thanks, Diane.

Grand Duke

Has anyone mentioned My Family, yet? I really enjoyed that!

That's the one with the dentist, isn't it? I reckon it's not bad, but I would be relectant to rank it as a classic.

I did have a bit of a thing for Janey the daughter though...

I wouldn't call it a classic, either, Grand Duke, but it had some very funny dialogue between the family members. And it was wonderful to get away from Brit CLASS COMEDY for a bit! I'm sure we get force fed the worst ones by our ABC.

Apart from the aforementioned Keeping Up Appearances, which other class comedies can we think of?

Maybe it doesn't qualify, but I reckon Blackadder - the way Edmund treats Baldrick is pure genius.

The blackadder script is indeed pure comic genius for the most part although it does sometimes get a bit too daft, for scriptwriting quality I would place it third behind "fools and horses" and "yes Prime Minister"

Yes - I'm a Blackadder fan - but I just can't cope with Mr Bean - or Mrs Bucket!

The Bill - I think I like the more recent epsidoes - although I do have the urge to strangle some of them sometimes (Phil Hunter is a good candidate for murder - or he may well have been done in - our episodes are a bit behind the UK!)

Mr Bean is for kids! Funny enough, most other stuff I've seen Rowan Atkinson in has been poor in quality cf. Blackadder.

As for The Bill - I have to say my favorite characters have been DS Burnside and Reg.

I know it's dated but "Are You Being Served" was very much about classes I think.

"I'm free..."

I quite enjoy it. It was made in a time from before I was born, and it's quite strange to see the how the level of customer service in stores has changed over the last 30 years. I guess the same is true of the US?