I AM NOT AN ANIMAL

The biggest and probably fatal problem was the David Brent character. It's like he's saying all these thing right, but they seem so... dead. It doesn't help that he's very normal looking - not chubby and sweaty with a try-hard goatee like Ricky Gervais, and most importantly, without the constant nervous half smile that reeks of desperation. It's like watching a robot act the part.

The other characters aren't too bad. I liked the Dawn actress, and the Tim character manages both verisimilitude and sympathy. Again, though, they were both a little Stepford. This made the Gareth character seem too self-consciously weird - it's not right that he's the only abnormal one in the show. The British casting was wonderful because they looked *exactly* like the everymen we sit next to on the tube and at work; in this version you can tell they *tried* to achieve utter normality, but in doing so lost the jagged edges and mundane individualities of the protagonists.

It's hard to criticise the script as it's lifted very closely from (what I remember of) the British version. But this isn't the key - it's the tiny, tiny margin, the fine line between comedy and tragedy in the most mundane of situations, that they haven't quite captured.

So, any Americans who've never seen the British version want to give their thoughts?

If series 2 is *less* funny, does it compensate for this in any way?

It compensates by having the single best episode of the whole thing and a very satisfyingly plotted final episode. And just by being so damn adorable in ways that may forever escape you & RJG.

BBC2 10.00pm

I Am Not an Animal

Creature discomforts: in hostile territory, Philip the Horse enters into a power struggle with Mark the Bird.

(I am beginning to warm to this series)

Scottish tracksuited monkey

I'm not too keen on the bounty-hunter element that's been introduced. It could well limit the plot - I don't want every episode to be a rehash of last night's.

The VCR was groaning unpleasantly last night - possibly under the weight of my expectations - so I expect a flickery, distorted mess on playback. Like jaaaaam then.

I thought it was very funny. Especially Phillip's 'trouble' at the end. And the monkey's photo obsession.

As for Coogan only having one voice well, y'know, that's funny cos the guy got his break in the first place as an impressionist. See 1988 Royal Variety Show (or somesuch), his double act with John Thomson, Spitting Image, Spartacus Mills, The Pool, etc.

I could do without the rodent and the monkey. But, y'know, every show needs a Twist.

I don't dislike Twist; I was going to say 'Mike from The Young Ones' but it wasn't as smart-arsed.

I popped over to Cook'd and Bomb'd to see if the comedy netgeeks were as chuffed as me with the new Baynham product and discovered that it was 'unfunny, badly-animated garbage' with the usual wistful moan about 'remember how good he was in 199x'. If the same script was on R4 they'd be in excelsis.

It clashes with BBC News with... Natasha Kaplinsky!!!

Surreal comedy doesn't seem to have much to do with surrealism, not that I'd know, so what I'm wondering is, what would be a better label for surreal comedy?

Disturbtainment? Oddcom? Unencumberedbyrealitygagfest.

I taped this cos I didn't fancy watching it with the in-laws. Mrs Berry seemed to enjoy (not necessarily a vintage) Porridge the other night though.

Revive!

I am about to watch the American THE OFFICE - I'll report back in 40 minutes.

-- Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, May 11, 2004 8:34 PM (3 years ago) Bookmark Link
Note #1 - it uses ELO's "Mr Blue Sky" as its theme tune.

-- Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, May 11, 2004 8:36 PM (3 years ago) Bookmark Link

Interesting that the Office (US) pilot episode had been around for almost a full year before it finally aired (March 24, 2005).

I never realized how much The Office theme song sounds like "Mr. Blue Sky" but, hell it sure does.

i love i am not an animal. i'm sure there was another thread about where i said as much