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BlueMew
Reviews
TV/Film Podcast UK: The Brittas Empire Interview with Jill Greenacre (2021)
Some thoughts
* First of all - you misnamed Jill on the Apple itunes version of this podcast.
* Jill doesn't sound awfully much like what she sounded like on Brittas.
* Nice to see her complement Linda - yeah, she is definitely a contradictory character, although the mention of her never killing an animal is surprising seeing as she's willing to flush rats down the toilet in "Brussels Calling".
* Honestly, all of this information stuff is fascinating - who know it was done with fariyl quickly.
* Interesting that everyone involved with the cast seems to call each other a family.
* Sweet to see that Linda really likes Colin.
* I do appreciate that Linda did get more screentime as the show went on - Jill must have appreciated that.
TV/Film Podcast UK: The Brittas Empire Interview with Tim Marriott (2021)
Some Thoughts
* That mention of Tim being in previous sitcoms, I have seen some of those appearances (like "An Actor's Life For Me") and he was good.
* Tim is right - Brittas was groundbreaking when it comes to gay couple, although I think the first non-camp depiction in a British sitcom was actually in a 70s sitcom called Agony.
* Nice to see that Tim had a lovely time in production, seeing himself as part of a bickering family.
* Interesting seeing him consider what it would be like if he played another character - honestly, I myself wouldn't like playing Colin. Also, his love of the character of Linda.
* Poor Tim, hanging on to that rope for dear life in "Gavin Featherly R. I. P."
* I too appreciate the scene where Brittas is crushed by a water tank. Also, the fan-favourite episode is called "Playing With Fire".
Anyway, good interview - keep up the good work.
TV/Film Podcast UK: The Brittas Empire Interview with Julia St John (2022)
Some Thoughts
Some thoughts:
* The answers were fascinating, but I only heard Julia's response to the questions - it would have been nice if the questions were audible.
* Interesting that Julia doesn't seem as interested in doing Brittas again if the opportunity arose - she was more interested in the cast interview she did for The Gay UK (although granted, that was several years ago).
* Interesting points made there about how Laura was essentially Brittas' morality pet, bringing out his more positive aspects.
* That point about thoe show selling well - wonder what channels aired it...
* It is nice seeing Julia complement the writing and cute seeing her describe it as a basically conflictless family.
* Also, she does have a point for describing the Brittas/Laura relationship as being within moral boundaries.
* Actually would have been interested seeing what her favourite Brittas episode was.
* Good to see she's found happiness as a theatre director!
Anyway, decent enough interview - keep up the good work!
Block 13 (2000)
Not the Worst Thing I Ever Watched, But Not Great Either.
This show is rather infamous for being a copy of South Park, so I decided to watch it.
It's not awful or anything. Firstly, the songs are actually quite catchy, with the theme tune being a particular standout. Secondly, I do like how they use the Kenny clone in a slightly more interesting way than South Park does at times. Finally, the plots are abominable, although they would benefit from longer episodes.
That said, it is hindered by weak animation and the fact that the Stan and Kyle stand-ins have little character to speak of. I did like Mr. Saleh though - he does get some of the best lines.
In short, not the worst show, although it would probably have been forgotten if not for its similarities to South Park.
Here We Go (2020)
Promising New Family Comedy from the BBC.
It's seemingly been a while since the BBC had it's last family comedy and so, here comes "Here We Go" (also known as Pandemonium", a Dom Com about the Jessops.
The show is definitely promising, providing good observational humour and quite gentle in nature. It's a bit too slow-paced, but I suspect that that will be rioned out as the series progresses.
Not Going Out: Text (2022)
Starting to get repetitive here...
This episode was okay but I've noticed that the show is starting to formulaic. The plotline of a character getting involved in a Fawlty Towers Plot had already been done last episode after all.
This Is Going to Hurt (2022)
Look away if you're squeamish....
This is a decent enough hospital drama (it promotes itself as a dramedy but it feels more like a drama) where we sympathise with Adam. Adam is decent enough and the scenes involving the delivery of children are quite intense (and gross). It also puts forward a good about the overworked system that is our NHS. All in all, a decent enoguh show.
Fairview (2022)
This Is Garbage...
I'm sorry. I decided to have a go at this show and I wanted to like this show. I really did. Yet, I didn't. I didn't at all. The jokes are terrible and feels too in-your-face, the characters are one-dimensional and unlikable, and the animation is cheap and ugly - I don't think they can even emote.
Please, please avoid this show.
The Prince (2021)
So-So at best
The show was....average. It wasn't as bas as people made it out to be but it wasn't great either. The character designs were unappealing, and the characters were unlikable. I did like Kevin plotline thoguh of getting revenge however, and I found Owen to be the most sympathetic character. It should eb noted however that neither of those charcters were part of the Royal family, which we are supposed to root for. Of course, it probably doesn't help that the show ended on a cliffhanger and was then cancelled. In conclusion, so-so but not great. Go watch Channel 4's The Windsors instead. It's an improvement.
15 Storeys High (2002)
Sad that he's gone...
15 Storeys High is the tale of Vince and his slightly ditzy flatmate Errol as they bugger through life.
It's slightly rough for the first few episodes but it defintiely gets better, and I did like some of the more surreal and out-there moments (like Vince's nude loving father). A stand out to me was the Airport episode, if mainly due to how ridiculous it got. It's sad that the main player is dead now, although it hopeully means that more love can be given to this show.
The Curse (2022)
Decent but not great comic caper
The Curse is the story of a group of people who get into some bother when they stumble across a ton of gold. Personally, I found it okay, but it's one of those sort of things where you kinda have to squint to see the comedy. I also think it could work better as a movie myself.
The Orville (2017)
A great show, with the potential to get even better.
I watched this show in particular because I have a thing for sci-fi comedies, being a fan of Red Dwarf and stuff like that. I will say, it doesn't disappoint. My only real criticism is that the jokes don't hit as well for me, although the more dramatic portions do have me on the edge of my seat (the whole plot with the Kaylon was great). I can't wait to see what they do in Series 3. (One thing I would to see a resolution to is the whole relationship between Claire and Isaac - they kept it vague whether they're going to continue their relationship or not and I personally, would like to see it continue).
The Brittas Empire (1991)
Great but for the love of smeg, do not watch Series 6 and 7
Before we begin, I will point out one thing; I love this thing, an oddity consdering the fact that the first time I've even heard of this show was in 2020 thanks to my phase in Red Dwarf. I watched it with intrigue and whilst I found Barrie to have an annoying voice and personality (especially since Rimmer had no such voice), I soon became accustomed to it (no doubt helped by it softening between Series 1 and 2).
What helped with the show's appeal was that he reminded me of myself. He was smart when he could be but he couldn't understand social skills at all (as in, even subtext was alien to him) and that reverbrated with me, being a young Autistic myself. It helped that although he could be annoying, the show went out of it's way to show that he could be a good person and his sometimes horrified reactions to the chaos (as well as his relationship with Laura) helped humanised him. The rest of the cast were great as them. You had one of the earliest instances of a gay couple protrayed positively and you also had the permanently trampled on Carole, who you felt sorry for.
This all coincided with a Christmas special (apparently intended as the finale) which showed that the staff went on to greater things. All of which were squandered by Series 6 and 7, which removed all of the humansing aspects of the series. As such, it just became pure chaos, with the characters reduced to flat stereotypes and Brittas becoming a jerk dumbass. All which ended with a special which claims that all of the preceeding events were just a dream. If they ever do get around to reviving the series, they'd better retcon it away Roseanne style of something because that ending just leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.