Dinner Ladies

Dinner Ladies cast Dinner Ladies is a comedy created by the immensely talented Victoria Wood and starring a number of her friends including Duncan Preston, Celia Imrie and Julie Walters. The programme is set in the canteen of HWD Components, a factory in the North West. The canteen is run by Tony who is keen on Brenda (Victoria Wood). Brenda’s mother (Julie Walters) turns up occasionally to embarrass her by still having affairs and even claiming on one occasion that she is pregnant! The story revolves around the dinner ladies and their lives with employees of the factory – Philippa (Celia Imrie) as the not very efficient head of HR, Mr Michael (the boss) and Jane who is constantly asking if there is any toast available. The cast also includes at least two members of the Coronation Street team and there is a nice dynamic between them.

Tonight’s episode showed Brenda being concerned that Tony had gone off her, even though they planned to spend Christmas together in Scotland. He has been acting shiftily because he was trying to organise a Christmas and birthday surprise for her and managed to get hold of a brass band, an etch-a-sketch, airline tickets to Scotland and a coat. Jane and Twinkle had a £50 bet on whether or not Tony and Brenda would get it together before they made it to Scotland.

It’s hard to believe that only 16 episodes of Dinner Ladieswere made, but each one was a classic.

Open All Hours

Open All Hours While David Jason has gone on to make a great name for himself in the UK acting industry, Ronnie Barker is the man whom he saw as his mentor, his hero and the man who made him what he is today. Sadly Ronnie Barker died a few years ago but his shows still go on and Open All Hours is a classic amongst classics.

Set in 20th century England, Ronnie Barker plays old misery Arkwright who runs one of the many corner shops which were common place in the UK. David Jason plays Granville, who is Arkwright’s nephew and side kick in the store – running around delivering and doing the tasks which old Arkwright does not want to do himself!

The chemistry between Barker and Jason is a joy to watch, with each one playing off the other to bring about some of the funniest clips ever to grace UK television. Tonight’s episode sees Granville desperate for female attention and reduced to advertising in the local paper for “company”. Not expecting any real interest he is amazed to see the impact his advert has, and is inundated with offers!

Ever eager to see that his young relative is not led down the wrong path – i.e. not distracted from his work – Arkwright sets about sabotaging Granville’s efforts to find himself a girlfriend, with hilarious acting from both of the leading men. When you consider that 99% of the show is filmed in the “corner shop”, it is amazing how Baker – who wrote the show – was able to keep the attention of the audience for so long.

Open All Hours is one in a long line of hit shows involving Ronnie Barker and David Jason, with Porridge one of the other shows in which they both appeared together. David Jason was shaken by the death of his mentor and while not a man prone to public comments, he spoke of his friend in the highest regard after his death.

New Heroes of Comedy

Matt and David The programme, New Heroes of Comedy follows how modern day comedians became famous. Tonight’s programme focussed on the highly successful double act of Matt Lucas and David Walliams. Although they are known for Little Britain (a version of which is now being made for US television), it has been a long journey to become successful as they initially had some trouble getting programmes made.

David Williams (his birth name) grew up in Surrey, where his sister used to dress him up like a doll! He got involved in acting at an early age and joined the National Youth Theatre. David met Matt Lucas in a Shakespeare production and they found that they both were fans of comedy.

David went to University and starred in theatre productions there. He was forced by Equity to change his name and became David Walliams.

Matt Lucas started to establish himself as the British eccentric and rather lewd man that was Sir Bernard Cholmondley.

By 1995, Matt and David decided that two comedy performers was better than one. Matt was becoming popular on “Shooting Stars” as the overgrown baby, George Dawes. He did not forget his friend in this as David appeared occasionally on the show , for example as “Soft Alan”. David was also carving out a career for himself as an actor appearing in The Sunday Show, Attachments and Casualty.

Although successful as solo artists, Matt and David were struggling as two attempts at sketch shows failed. Although “Sir Bernard” got his own series on the BBC, the programme also failed.

The duo did have some success on a cheap shown on UKplay called “Rock Profiles”. The programme obtained cult status for its portrayal of the likes of Barry Gibb (half Bee Gee and half lion); Elton John and “my partner David Furnish” and Howard and Gary from Take That.

In 2001, Matt and David came up with a Radio 4 show of Little Britain which propelled them to success.

Alan Carr’s Celebrity Ding Dong

Alan Carr’s Celebrity Ding Dong features a team of five celebrities pitting their wits against a team of five civilians (or non-celebrities) in a game show. The celebrities consisted of Paul O’Grady (team captain), David Gest, Myleene Klass, Peter Andre and Patrick McGuinness . The programme is hosted by camp comedian Alan Carr with a celebrity handing out the points (this week it was Leslie “Ding Dong” Phillips). The winning team would go to New York and the losing team would have a trolley dash.

There are a number of rounds :

How the other half lives – one of the questions was regarding an independent insurer’s assessment of the value of Katie Price’s breasts against the life of one of the civilians. This was an interesting question for Peter Andre!

Crypts - his round featured Derek Acorah and involved Alan going inside a spooky crypt. Derek went into one of his famous trances and gave a few clues about a dead person – “wet shorts” and the words “stroke my snake, it will not bite”. The latter prompted much hilarity and double entendre. With a further clue of “wrestling”, the correct answer was Steve Irwin.

Life swap – the theme was parties and the contestants were asked to select the person from their team who had the best party piece – Myleene from the celebrities (showing off her double-jointed elbows and the ability to play the piano backwards) and Andy from the civilians (who could twist his hand around). The audience were asked to vote on the best and not surprisingly chose Myleene.

Kiss and Tell – a woman called Natalie gave hints about the man that she had an affair with – describing where they met (they worked together) and Tara Palmer Tompkinson was a former girlfriend. The answer was James Blunt.

The final ding dong – this was a buzzer round.

Alan Carr’s Celebrity Ding Dong is a brand new game show with much input from likeable Alan.

Friends

Friends Friends is a classic American sitcom set in New York amongst a bunch of 6 twenty/thirty somethings. They often frequent the Central Perk coffee shop were a bunch of residual people are thrown into the mix. It was very popular Friday night viewing on Channel 4 and repeats of these are regularly shown. You can usually relate to at least one member of the main cast and these are as follows:

Monica Geller – neurotic and obsessed with keeping everything tidy and spotlessly clean. She is a chef but still plagued with hang-ups from her teenage – where she was fat and had hair that was prone to go frizzy.

Rachel Green – Monica’s childhood friend and a typical “princess”. She was spoiled as a child and has been conducting an “on/off” relationship with Monica’s elder brother Ross. She once worked as a (not very good waitress) in Central Perk but is now a high flying fashion executive. Has a daughter (Emma) with Ross.

Phoebe Buffay – A beautician and masseuse who writes music (such as “Smelly cat” ) and sometimes plays her music in Central Perk. She is a free spirit and comes across as being ditzy. She gave birth to her brother’s triplets whilst acting as a surrogate mother.

Ross Geller – also neurotic (but not as much as Monica) and is a paleontologist who loves fossils. He has been married many times over – his first wife Carol became a lesbian and looks after their son Ben, with her partner, Susan. He was briefly married to Emily but said “Rachel” in his wedding vows. He has always loved Rachel.

Chandler Bing – the funny man of the group and until recently nobody quite knew what he did for a living (a Statistician). He met Ross at high school and got together with Monica whilst they went to London for Ross’s wedding to Emily. Until he moved in with Monica, he shared an apartment with friend Joey.

Joey Tribbiani – he is of Italian American origin and proud of it. Handsome and a hit with the ladies (his chat up line is “How you doin..?” ), he is an actor with various degrees of success. He shared an apartment with Chandler where they had a lad’s life – equipped with large black leather chairs, a fridge full of lager and a duck and a chick. He is not the brightest of people.

Any episode of Friends is well worth a viewing.

Keeping Up Appearances

Keeping Up Appearances must rate as one of those classic British sitcoms. Made in 1990 – 1995, it focuses on the life of Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced “bouquet”) and her long-suffering and put-upon husband, Richard. Hyacinth and Richard live in a bungalow in a well-to-do area were Hyacinth shows off to her neighbours and the local vicar and is famed for her candlelight suppers. She dresses rather like the Queen Mother did, in fitted dresses and matching hats and gloves and has an outfit for every occasion. Her only son Sheridan is away at University and occasionally phones up. She constantly criticises others and tells them off when they fail to meet up to her exacting standards – the very definition of the word “snob”. The neighbours Elizabeth and her brother Emmett dread seeing her in case she asks them to visit or do something for her. Hyacinth can be rather irritating with her constant name-dropping and delusions of grandeur, but is, in a strange way, likeable.

Hyacinth comes from much poorer stock and is constantly embarrassed by her sister Daisy and her slob of a husband Onslow, her flirty sister Rose and other sister Violet. Dotty Daddy also appears quite regularly although he rarely speaks. Hyacinth’s family live on a council estate and often turn up at her home or at important events unannounced and unwashed. Keeping Up Appearances works because of the way in which the characters interact with each other. The relationship between Daisy and Onslow is a joy to witness. Hyacinth often finds herself in embarrassing situations (e.g. taking half a house worth of luggage on a short trip on the QE2) and any episode of the programme is worth a second visit.

The Royle Family

The Royle Family broke the mould of British Soap Operas, when it was introduced in 1993. Written by the talented Caroline Aherne (Mrs Merton) and comedy writing partner Craig Cash , the programme won many awards including a BAFTA.

The programme concentrates on a working class family in Manchester called “The Royles”, consisting of a lazy father Jim, worn out mother Barbara, even lazier Denise and Anthony otherwise known as “lurch”. Denise is married to long suffering Dave and they have a child, baby David. Barbara’s mother (Nana) makes a regular appearance as does Denise’s best mate Cheryl (always on a diet); Anthony’s girlfriend Emma and his best friend, Darren. Nana and Jim do not like each other and make constant jibes and Nana seems obsessed with telling the family all about Elsie (who no one has met). Dave and Jim get on well and there are many references to spending time in the local pub, The Feathers, which Denise’s nemesis, Beverly Macca frequents.

The programme is slow moving and mainly set in the Royle’s living room as they drink tea, smoke, watch television and eat biscuits. Barbara works part-time in a bakers and occasionally brings back discounted cakes. Much commentary is made about whatever is on the television and Jim has a habit of slagging everyone off and being jealous of their money. He is quite a mean man and does not like Denise taking advantage of Barbara. However he does have a soft side which comes out now and again. Denise palms off her son on everyone, treating them as unpaid baby sitters whilst she worries about fashion, hair, make-up and whether she is getting fat. She cannot cook and is the butt of many jokes from Jim.

Although The Royle Family is centred around the more dull aspects of life, it works well as we explore the relationships between characters and appreciate how well it is written. It is a classic series.

What Women Want

What Women Want is a comedy starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt in the lead roles. Mel Gibson plays Nick Marshall, a male chauvinist business man. He is a divorcee with a teenage daughter who he does not understand. Nick works in the advertising industry, but finds that he is passed over for promotion and that Darcy McGuire (Helen Hunt) gets the job instead.

He is quiet keen to impress his boss, Dan (Alan Alda) and for the next assignment attempts to get in touch with his feminine side in advertising a range of products for women. Unfortunately, he has an accident in the bathroom whilst testing out the products and is electrocuted by the hairdryer and water in the bath tub.

The next day he can hear strange voices and it turns out that he can hear everything that females think about (and is drowned by the noise!). He decides to consult a psychiatrist about this but she persuades him that this is a gift. Still smarting at Darcy getting his job, he gets close to her using his new “gift” and steals her idea based at advertising Nike to women. Darcy loses her job and Nick loses his new found powers , but he realises that he has feelings for Darcy. What Women Want is an enjoyable romantic comedy based on a single theme.

Never Better

Never Better Keith is a recovering alcoholic whose life is in a mess. He is self-centred but has a family and a job. He has started going to Alcoholics’ Anonymous to help him on the way to sobriety. Sounds like the most depressing kitchen sink drama but is instead the situation in BBC 2’s Thursday night comedy, Never Better, starring Stephen Mangan of Green Wing, Jane Hall and Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years.

Mangan seems to enjoy playing dysfunctional losers but this time his character is seemingly more unpleasant than even Dr Guy Secretan from the Green Wing. Keith mocks everything and cannot take the AA meetings seriously, often ridiculing to the point that they descend into farce. The twelve steps that they use to recovery are a particular focus for his ire.

This week he is on step three which is about Faith, whereupon he ridicules religion and claims that it cannot apply to him, as he does not believe in God. Another member of the group, Marianne, is very religious and is very offended by his attitude. It does not help that she is quite attractive and Keith cannot keep his eyes of her bust. She is also a cat lover and takes solace in her cat, Chairman Miaow, thus receiving more ridicule from Keith.

Keith is encouraged to show faith in humanity instead and help others in order to help instead. When Chairman Miaow needs to go to the vet’s he needs to be taken aside to help Marianne take him there. Her obsession with telling him a religious poem means that they miss the appointment and prompts Marianne to go off the rails in a fit of swearing in a drink binge as she is convinced the cat is dying. Keith notices Chairman Miaow coughing and out pops a furball. Marianne falls asleep in a stupor and believes that Chairman Miaow has been cured by her faith. Keith keeps quiet showing a good side to him that he keeps under wraps.

The programme is a nicely acted black comedy with a superb lead in Stephen Mangan who can switch between nastiness, farce and pathos with ease. Not for everybody but Never Better brings the subject to the fore without making fun of it. Keith is the fall-guy not the AA and it works well.

Harry Hill’s Tv Burp

Harry Hill is one of those comics that you either latch on to immediately, grow to enjoy his sense of humour or spend time in blissful ignorance wondering why something was funny. His live show is something to behold, where he sets up a lot of jokes, leaves you in bewilderment and then rattles off all of the punch lines one by one. His humour is formulaic in nature with in-jokes and references and it is easy to see why he and fellow comedian/writer, Al Murray got on so well.

Harry Hill’s TV Burp is the perfect show for Harry to demonstrate his humour as he looks back on a week in television and makes funny observations. The soaps, such as Coronation Street and Emmerdale are favourite candidates for him to rib, as the characters have a gift for stating the obvious or over-acting. Harry normally presents a clip and then provides his own observations in an off-camera way. There is usually a mock fight on the show such as that between a goose and a turkey in deciding which is best for Christmas. The show also has some sort of “TV highlight of the week” which is normally a highlight that has never taken place before and will not be repeated, such as, “TV High Voice of the week” . Harry himself is of fond of dressing up too.

The show is not for the feint hearted or easily offended – for example, the programme featured a Tiny Mother Theresa and the double act of Shane McGowan performing “Fairytale of New York” with a whale (which was in poor taste).
Harry Hill’s TV Burp has just started its 7th series and is well worth watching if you are a tv fan.

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