Ransfordrowe

Aye, but it's equally stereotypically making jokes about supporters of a certain football team, football rivalries, managers, pundits or commentators.

But anyway, ah don't really follow any sport, which usually get that narrow-eyed bewildered look from folk when I mention that fact.

I mean I'll watch most sports if I can't find anything else to watch on the telly. Or if the BBC or Channel 4 are doing all day live coverage of like the athletics or something. But other than that, I don't really keep up to date with it or support a particular football team.

And you're right, it all comes down to money at the end of the day. Hyping things up make sure they'll sell, regardless of whether the product is good or bad. And there are plenty of books, movies and music albums that didn't live up to the hype.

As for overhyped pop culture, I'm kinda like you, I don't get into something if it's overhyped already, since I always feel like I'm jumping on the bandwagoon.

I also tend to check out something once the hyped around something has died down, just to what the fuse was about, really. And if I like it, cool, if not... Then, that's awright as well.

I've never really got the whole deal with people being judgemental towards someone who hasn't seen a certain movie or TV or read a particularly talked about book. Or if they have read that book or seen a movie or tv show everyone's talking about and don't like then... They're not cool. It's more about personal taste, I mean, it's not a popularity contest. It's always reminds of primary and secondary school when you used try and be cool just to fit in.

As for how the working class are shown on the tv, I do think there needs to be more a balanced portrait. The working class have certainly been demonised and dismissed due to how the media present them to a great extent.

While I must admit I do like Channel 4 series Shameless, I think it gave a negative impression of the working class - all be it unintentional.

I do think Rab C. Nesbitt was a sitcom that brilliantly in deconstructed the idea that the working class are thick - especially those moments where Rab would break the four wall and either rant or say something insightful.

I wouldn't mind a more balanced portait of the working class on TV, it certainly would be welcome. Or, at the very least, showing the working class in a more positive light. Instead of sending the message that the stereotypical image is representative of the working class as whole.

With comedy, like yerself, I'm not a fan of comedy that makes fun of people for their appearance or how they talk. Like when comedians make fun of the disabled or fat people or whatever, I'm willing give them the benefit of the doubt if there's an irony to the joke - that's the key to insult comedy, in my opinion.

And the doing an accent for comedic affect is fine with me - as long it is within context and there's a reason for it. If it's just done to as an insult - then I'm still kinda uncomfy about it - mainly because I was picked on for the way I talked during the first few year's of primary school. Basically, ma face doesnae match ma accent. But I digress...

Also, it seemed silly and quite patronising to me that people now get offended on behalf of other people. Aye, that joke might be offensive to some people, but not everyone.

But I'm very much of the "Don't like it, don't watch it" mentality.

Hi Rans =)

My family used to force me to turn back to non-vegetarian. But now they have accepted me and are quite supportive.

Same I like comedies too And historic films too

I agree with you, a simple meal can be delicious and satisfying.

Do you play computer games?

Maybe I'm just an old head on young shoulders when it comes today's society.

I don't get why a lotta things because hugely popular (be it music, movies or TV shows), especially when you consider how crap some of the stuff that passes for entertainment nowadays. And yer judged as "cool" or "uncool" depend on whether you like or don't like somethin'. Not that I've every really considered myself with being cool or popular.

Ah don't know - everything within mainstream pop culture just seems so overhyped nowadays to the point where any negative criticism of something popular is perceived as blasphemy. Anyway, that's enough o' me ramblin' an' rantin'. :bigsmile:

I enjoy the more cultured shows - I'd happy watch a documentary on BBC Four, regardless of the subject. I'd say the reason the bulk of the BBC's shows are aimed at the middle & upper class is because they have most of the power, money and influence, culturally.

Look at whenever a comedian makes a bad taste joke, it always yer uptight, middle or upper class folk who get all up in arms and offend on behalf whatever group the joke taking the piss outta - like they speak for everyone.

Also, I believe all these reality TV shows and soap operas, are just to keep the masses happy, as you said. And to keep folk from think too much and questioning things.

Also, since you mentioned them - The Job Lot and Benidorm. Two of the funniest British sitcoms in recent years.

Though, I think the whole class issue as it relate to working class is more to with how working class folk are perceived. Y'know, yer chav/NED types. Loud, abbrassive, seemingly dumb and a bit mental. I say that with some affection being from a working class background.

And from a humour standpoint, working class humour - at least in Scotland - can be quite mercily and politically incorrect. If you've ever seen any of Frankie Boyle's stand-up, you'll know what I mean. Probably the reason the working class isn't as well represented within comedy nowadays.

While Birds of a Feather can be a bit hit and miss at times, it's more watchable than some of the other stuff shown on TV over here. And it was on the BBC in it's original run. But I definitely can't imagine them showing it now.

Outnumbered - yeah, it was definitely middle-class comedy. But most of the humour was focused more from the child actors and the fact they improvised their lines.

And the whole 8 episode minimum with some sitcoms is more about quality and repeat viewing rather than the amount of episodes. I don't think British comedy shows have the writing talent to sustain 20 plus episode now. Also, overall if a series has a long run - episode do mount up. So I can see why they limit the amount of episodes.

Oh! Top ten favourite comedy shows... :thinking:

• Rab C. Nesbitt
• Still Game
• The Thick of It
• The Young Ones
• The Inbetweeners
• Red Dwarf
• Frasier
• Seinfeld
• Arrested Development

F**kin' hell, that was a difficult list to compile - being the comedy junkie that I am. Some many overlooked comedy gems. :sad:

I know it's kinda sad, but, at least, David Jason hasn't lost his comedic touch. Considering he has done much comedy since those Only Fools and Horses specials.

Aye, working class characters seem few and far between in comedy shows nowadays.

I watch the classic British sitcoms on the Drama channel as well, mainly just Birds of a Feather, Bread, As Time Goes By. Or if 2point4 Children is on, I'll watch it.

Not sure if there are many classic comedy shows I'd like to see brought back, aside from Drop The Dead Donkey, Gimme Gimme Gimme and The League of Gentlemen - that's about it, really. Though, I doubt Gimme Gimme Gimme would ever get a revival, given how uptight some of the media and broadcasts here in the UK have become regarding offence and comedy. But apparently The League of Gentlemen is rumoured to be coming back, so here's hoping.

True. Even I find it surprising. There are 5 time zones here.

I use to talk to someone in England. I'm in the USA. The timing wasnt that bad from what I remember.

Who said I liked it? Nah it has castles and it's scenic, but spending your whole life somewhere that can get boring, you end up not noticing.

Aye, there's a music scene in Scotland but it's fairly small.

Outside of Biffy Clyro, Travis and Frans Ferdinand, there's mainly indie bands like Mogwai, Twin Atlantic, The Xcerts, Frightened Rabbit, Finding Albert, The View and We Were Promised Jetpacks. And legendary Scottish bands like The Proclaimers, Teenage Fan Club, Belle & Sebastian, Texas, Primal Scream, The Jesus and Mary Chain who are still on the go. Oh, I might as well give Paolo Nutini a mention. Aside from that it's just yer more traditional Celtic folk music, like Eddi Reader for example

The BBC's red button coverage is great overall.

And all those BBC comedy shows you mentioned, I like 'em too. Not many people bring up Chef when talking about BBC comedies - definitely an overlooked show. At least we forget The Young Ones and Bottom and Fawlty Towers.

Though I have felt lately BBC have produced that many great comedies - aside from Gavin & Stacey, The Thick of It, Outnumbered. Count Arthur Strong is pretty good, but I prefer House of Fools (Mainly because I've been a fan of Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer since their Big Night Out series). Still Open All Hours was definitely better than I thought it would be, considering it had a great predecessor sitcom to live up to. The only new BBC sitcom in the schedule I've watched since it began would BBC Three's sitcom, Uncle. But then I always been a fan of edgy comedy. :bigsmile:

Northumberland, there's just me and a load of sheep up here.

Haven't watched any concerts that get uploaded on YouTube much lately - I know there's a fair few to choose from.

But, aye, it's always great when lead singers or bands in general talk to the audience, having a bit of light-hearted banter with them and crack jokes inbetween songs while tuning up or changing guitars to keep the audience from getting bored while waiting for the next song. As well as bands having a bit of banter between songs with themselves.

My favourite sets from the TV coverage of Glastonbury or other music festivals. I'd say Bruce Springsteen and The Who back in 2007. When the Foo Fighters headlined T in the Park 2011, that moment the band stop playing during Best of You and crowd continue singing along, not missing a beat.

As far the Reading Festival, I can decide whether Muse gave a better show when they play there in 2006 or back in 2011? Mainly because they always put on a great show. Biffy Clyro's headline slot at Reading 2013 and T in the Park 2014 were pretty awesome. I might be biased, being a fan of them. :bigsmile:

Those are the only festival sets I can think of, off the top of my head.