Reviews

I love Agatha Christie. I've read most of her books several times, and "The Moving Finger" is one of my favorites. Each time I open it, I am captivated anew by the adorable English-village setting and the delightful relationship between witty Jerry and his spunky sister Joanna. As I continue reading, I am drawn in further by the rich cast of unique characters and a host of clues. Even though I know who committed the murder -- and it IS a bit obvious in retrospect -- I always enjoy trying to spot all the clues and remember how they fit together.

Unfortunately, this adaptation really doesn't live up to the book. To be blunt, it's boring.

First, I found the acting wooden. None of the characters seem to believe that they live in a village terrorized by anonymous letters and brutal murders. For example, at the end, the murderer's former employee/confidante explains that she needs to leave the village. Instead of seeming shocked and saddened, she positively beams! The placid music and bland lighting add to the absurdly calm atmosphere.

The book features two romances. In both cases, the man and woman start off friends, then have some misunderstandings. All four people experience painful self-discovery: For example, pampered city girl Joanna must decide if she has what it takes to be a rural doctor's assistant. Christie understands how to craft a believable (and interesting!) courtship story. In contrast, in the movie, both couples fall in love almost at first sight (although the understated acting does not convey a lot of passion), and both romances run a smooth, uneventful course.

Miss Marple actually plays a minor role in the book. However, the whole point of film adaptations is to bring beloved characters to life! Viewers want and expect to see Miss Marple blinking her china-blue eyes, fussing with her fluffy white knitting, and reminiscing about trivial events in her village 50 years ago. Sadly, in this adaptation, Miss Marple gets very little screen time, and her character is not developed beyond "old woman." I don't think this adaptation would inspire a new viewer to love Miss Marple and read more about her.

Finally, and most importantly, this adaptation eliminates most of the MYSTERY. Miss Marple's limited screen time allows her to mention the key points of the case, but not to display her deduction process. The script leaves out most of the clues from the book, so the viewer has no real chance to solve the puzzle. (And isn't that the fun of it?) When the solution is presented, there's no thrill of discovery. Miss Marple explains in about two lines because she has so few clues to fit together.

All in all, watching this adaptation felt like reading Cliffs Notes. I got the basic gist of the plot, but I missed out on the pleasure of the setting, characters, and mystery.

I decided to watch "Quick Draw" after seeing the trailer on Hulu. The concept is hilarious: a frontier town has a new sheriff, but his only law-enforcement experience comes from his Harvard criminology degree. The show name-drops some well-known Wild West legends, and all the typical Western tropes reappear in a new, quirky guise.

Unfortunately, the show fails to live up to its potential. First, while the trailer focuses on smart, "Office"-esque lines, the actual show relies more on goofiness and innuendo. Still funny, but not quite what I was expecting.

Second, in a tightly-scripted comedy, every line has a job. Some lines provide big laughs while others are only mildly amusing, but EVERY line plays a role in advancing the plot and making people laugh. The same goes for well-done improvisation like "This is Spinal Tap." In contrast, "Quick Draw" has a lot of throwaway time when characters either pause or repeat the same joke while thinking of what to say next. The laughs are widely spaced. And, because the dialogue advances the plot so slowly, not all that much happens.

Finally, a lot of the action takes place at a bordello. It was funny in the first episode or two. After that, I realized that the show has NO female characters who aren't whores. It has no male characters who aren't johns. I know the whole bordello thing is done for laughs, but eight episodes' worth of sexist laughs is too much. Similarly, in S1E6,"Nicodemus," the show's only black female characters, in their only scenes, talk about nothing but sex. These women talk much more coarsely and explicitly than the (white) whores ever do. Sexist AND racist: Check.

To sum up, "Quick Draw" isn't a bad way to kill some time on slow afternoons. But I doubt I would watch these episodes a second time.

Well, season 4 of "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" is never quite as hilarious as the previous seasons, but this episode is a solid farewell. The sketches are plenty funny and the guests make a good contribution. Soupy Twist, my friends.

The sketches are: Intro: It's the End!; Guests: Janine Duvitski & Robert Daws; Religious Esperanto (hilarious); Pre-Coital Agreement (also hilarious); Hugh Sings "Dribblin' Fool" (not his best song - why didn't they save "Little Girl" or "Steffi Graf" for his final performance?); Monologue: Stephen's Autobiography; Telephone Symbol; Level Nine; Cocktail: A Modern Britain (Hugh plays the piano as usual, but Robert performs the 'brass' part on trumpet!).

After the weak first two episodes of season 4, "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" is never quite as hilarious as it was in previous seasons, but it is still fun. Stephen & Hugh spend a bit too much time introducing their guests and repeating old routines, but the sketches are plenty funny.

The sketches are: Cold Open: Oprah Winfrey; Intro: Be Comfortable; Guests: Stephen Moore & Phyllida Law; Racecar Driver; Councilman Kenneth Wade ("Family Values and Cleanse Living!"); Mark Bannister; Please Call for British Telecom; Mr. Burmy (so hilarious and cringe-inducing!); Cream Slice; Exterminators; Cocktail: Swinging Ballsack.

After the weak first two episodes of season 4, "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" is never quite as hilarious as it was in previous seasons, but it is still fun. Stephen & Hugh spend a bit too much time introducing their guests and repeating old routines, but the sketches are plenty funny.

This episode's sketches are: Cold Open: Wandering and Talking; Intro: Top Gear; Guests: Caroline Quentin & Patrick Barlow; Dave Wilson's Football School; Good Morning (the return of Mr. Dalliard!); Discussion: Guest Roles; Rap: Be Nice ("'cause I'm a good-ass motherliker!"); Head Gardeners; Gelliant Gutfright Presents Flowers for Wendy; Cocktail: A Quick One with You, Stephen.

Season 4 starts off with two weak episodes, but episode 3 marks a return to the show's original high quality. The guests show more spunk and make more of a contribution, and the sketches are a lot funnier.

This episode's sketches are: Cold Open: Vox Pop/Feuding Old Ladies; Intro: Foreign Languages; Guests: Clive Mantle & Imelda Staunton; She Laughs at My Peanuts (a favorite); East Enders; Hugh Sings "Little Girl" (a simple mustache and a gleam in his eye transform him into a creepy roué); Good Strong, Hot Strong Tea; Why Won't this Frigging Tomato Behave?! (another favorite - it's hilarious to see Stephen get so upset. I'm a bad person); Don't Be Dirty!; Cocktail: South Seas Vulvic Wart.

The first three seasons of "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" were highly enjoyable - hilarious, clever, inventive sketches performed to perfection by the gleeful duo Fry and Laurie. The fourth season, however, gets off to a disappointing start. I've heard that the show moved to a different channel for this season, and thus had access to more funding and different standards. That may explain why season 4 starts off on such a different tack from the previous 19 episodes.

Episode 2, like episode 1, features underused guest stars and poorly-planned sketches. Fry and Laurie appear to have trouble adjusting to writing for four actors instead of two. (Luckily, the show gets back into its hilarious groove in episode 4.3.)

The sketches are: Cold Open: Hamper (Hugh); Intro: Hugh's Head Wound (Hugh & Stephen); Child's Therapist (Stephen & Hugh); Guests: Kevin McNally & Fiona Gillis; The Local News at Ten-Thirty-Three and a Bit (Stephen & Hugh); English People Appear to be the Most Ignorant in Europe (all four actors); Hugh Sings "Steffi Graf" (Hugh); The Lover's Helper Cassette (Fiona & Kevin); Fascism (Hugh & Kevin); Lovers' Reunion (Fiona, Stephen, & Hugh); A Sketch in a Hospital (all four actors); Cocktail: A Long, Confident Suck (all four).

The first three seasons of "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" were highly enjoyable - hilarious, clever, inventive sketches performed to perfection by the gleeful duo Fry and Laurie. The fourth season, however, gets off to a disappointing start. I've heard that the show moved to a different channel for this season, and thus had access to more funding and different standards. That may explain why season 4 starts off on such a different tack from the previous 19 episodes. (Luckily, the show gets back into its hilarious swing in episode 4.3.)

In episode 1, many of the sketches fall flat - especially the first one, in which two depressed businessmen agree that life seems grey and hopeless. Their language and ideas are trite enough to be seriously depressing - not trite enough to be funny. The studio audience barely chuckles. Stephen remarks that this show "tries to put a bit of jolliness back into the corners of modern Britain. . . but doesn't." After such a grim sketch, that statement seems sadly prophetic.

Next, the show devotes many precious minutes to introducing the guest stars, John Bird and Jane Booker. Hugh and Stephen's introductions are funny, but their interactions with the guests are pretty dull. The guests add little to the conversation and, during further sketches, barely make an appearance. They could have been replaced easily by the show's original extras, or by Stephen and Hugh playing more roles.

On the bright side,the last sketch is an amusing parody of "It's a Wonderful Life," and its perfect imitation of the original scenery (snow, bridge, classic cars, the works) wouldn't have been possible without Season 4's big budget.

The sketches are: Grey and Hopeless (Stephen & Hugh); Intro: A Choice of Welcomes (Stephen & Hugh); Guests: John Bird & Jane Booker/Guest Movements/Dodger (all four actors); Victims of Bureaucratic Inefficiency (Hugh & Guests); Stephen & Hugh Address the Audience: The Comedy Charter (Stephen & Hugh); Poem (Jane); Smell: The Forgotten Sense? (Stephen & John); Hugh Sings "All We Gotta Do Is" (Hugh); Wristchanger/Comfipee/Comfipoo (Stephen); It's a Soaraway Life (Hugh & Stephen).

"A Bit of Fry & Laurie" sets the gold standard for sketch comedy shows! In its third season, the show benefits from a generous budget and the increased experience of its writing/acting duo. Although they feature the same two faces we've been watching for more than 12 episodes now, the sketches are still fresh, clever, and hilarious.

This episode's sketches are: Charlotte Bronte; The Invalid; Monologue: Hugh's Split Personality; Bushwallyta; Mobster vs. Dumb Questions (a fun preview of Hugh's excellent American accent); The Self-Styled Professor of Fragrance; Countdown; Neddy the Reluctant Prime Minister; Cocktail: Beef Goulash (one of my favorite mixing routines - it's hilarious to watch Stephen dancing around and shaking the packet of frozen goulash!).

"A Bit of Fry & Laurie" sets the gold standard for sketch comedy shows! In its third season, the show benefits from a generous budget and the increased experience of its writing/acting duo. Although they feature the same two faces we've been watching for more than 12 episodes now, the sketches are still fresh, clever, and hilarious.

This episode is a solid finale to the third season. I didn't care for the joke shop and kitchen sketches, as they rely on the gross-out factor instead of real humor (a disappointing departure from the show's usual style). However, Hugh and Stephen redeem themselves with the side-splitting "Model Aeroplanes" (counterpointing Stephen's pretentious Orientalist queen to Hugh's ingenuous working-class lad) and a clever send-up of American court TV.

The sketches are: Cold Open: Magazine Leaflets; Model Aeroplanes; Joke Shop; A Quite Delightful Restaurant; Tahitian Kitchen; My Favorite Pants; The Bishop and the Warlord ("Set yourself on fire"); Litigious Americans ("Grievious internal bruisality"); Flying a Light Aeroplane Without Having Had Any Formal Instruction With; Cocktail: Berliner Credit Sequence.

"A Bit of Fry & Laurie" sets the gold standard for sketch comedy shows! In its third season, the show benefits from a generous budget and the increased experience of its writing/acting duo. Although they feature the same two faces we've been watching for more than 12 episodes now, the sketches are still fresh, clever, and hilarious.

This episode's sketches are: Greeting Cards; Photocopying My Genitals With; From Here to Just Over There (The Buck Stops at My Ass)/The Not Quite Late Enough Show (The Iconography of the Bottom in American Film); Court Reporter; God Save the Queen; Support Group; Pass the Marmalade; Hugh Sings "Too Long, Johnny"; The Red Hat of Pat Ferrick; Cocktail: A Mug of Horlicks.

"A Bit of Fry & Laurie" sets the gold standard for sketch comedy shows! In its third season, the show benefits from a generous budget and the increased experience of its writing/acting duo. Although they feature the same two faces we've been watching for more than 12 episodes now, the sketches are still fresh, clever, and hilarious.

This episode's sketches are: Yorkshireman vs. Southern Pansy; Unusual Names; Velcro Fly; Hugh Sings "Hey Jude"; Monologue: The Day I Forgot My Legs ("I stooped, I recall, to pick a buttercup. . ."); Ffiring the Personnel Manager; What Happened Next?; Balloon-O; Shoe Brothels; Cocktail: Everything in the Till and No Sudden Moves.

"A Bit of Fry & Laurie" sets the gold standard for sketch comedy shows! In its third season, the show benefits from a generous budget and the increased experience of its writing/acting duo. Although they feature the same two faces we've been watching for more than 12 episodes now, the sketches are still fresh, clever, and hilarious.

This episode's sketches are: Cold Open: Jason Donovan; The Very Model of a Modern Major General; Ampersands; The Only Weapon for a Gentleman; Duet: "There Ain't But One Way"; Estate Agents in the Petrol Game; Past Jobs (Princess Anne's Assistant); Interpreter; Cocktail: A Slow Snog with a Distant Relative.

The first episode of season 3 continues the grand tradition of seasons 1 and 2. The sketches are clever, varied, and hilarious. And, as in season 2, the show benefits from an increased budget and attractive studio.

While season 2 featured introductions at the beginning of each episode, this season introduces a tradition which lasts all the way to the final episode: the Cocktail Recipe. During the last few minutes of the show, Stephen and Hugh say goodbye to the audience. Hugh plays the piano while Stephen prepares a cocktail with a rude name and bizarre, disturbing ingredients. Then, the duo toast the camera with "Soupy Twist!"

This episode's sketches are: Burwhale the Avenger; Sarah is Very Upset; Elvis Reincarnated; Hugh Sings "Love Me Tender"; Milk Exorcism; Mission: Impossible/Dirty Laurie; Stephen Sings "The Avenue of Chandeliers"; Two Psychiatrists (Psy vs. Psy); Cocktail: Whiskey Thunder.

Season 2 of "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" picks up right where Season 1 left off: our old friends Control, Tony, Peter, and John are back, as are the vox pop crowd. Season 2 features the same witty wordplay, gleeful slapstick, and excellent rapport between the actors. In this season, Stephen and Hugh also do a brief introduction (in character as "themselves") before the sketches begin. These introductions mark the start of Stephen's trademark finger quotes.

This, the final episode of season 2, contains a fair amount of nostalgia. I was really sad to see the last of John, Peter, Tony, and Control. Hugh opens the episode by railing against the powers that be (in his own strange way) and attending his own memorial, and Stephen closes with a rather melancholy meditation on modern Britain. Although this episode is as funny as ever, it left me feeling sad, and relieved that there's a season 3.

The sketches are: Intro: Rage/Hugh Sings "Where is the Lid?"/A Bit of Fry and Laurie (Deceased); Yellow Pages; Beauty of Ideas; Anarchy!; John & Peter Join the Church; Monologue: Hugh's First Kiss; Trying to Borrow a Fiver Off; Control & Tony; Introducing My Grandfather To; Outro: A Vision of Britain.

Season 2 of "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" picks up right where Season 1 left off: our old friends Control, Tony, Peter, and John are back, as are the vox pop crowd. Season 2 features the same witty wordplay, gleeful slapstick, and excellent rapport between the actors. In this season, Stephen and Hugh also do a brief introduction (in character as "themselves") before the sketches begin. These introductions mark the start of Stephen's trademark finger quotes.

With that said, this is the weakest episode in season 2. The episode begins with some moderately amusing sketches, the first three of which aren't particularly funny to audiences outside Britain. ("Substitute Genitals" is funny to everyone, however.) Then, the "Freddy" sketch sets the stage for something different: an 11-minute ensemble piece. Hugh and Stephen play multiple roles alongside six other actors. In my opinion, the jokes are thinly spaced. The "Freddy" character seems too reminiscent of Basil Fawlty, and doesn't really do justice to Hugh's talents. The sketch isn't funny enough to justify the huge amount of time spent on it.

The sketches are: Intro: MBE; Dominic Applegard; The Rhodes Boysons Hour; Substitute Genitals; Freddy the Reluctant Terrorist; Scifi Geeks; French Singer/Further Adventures of Freddy/Know-it-all Moron/Keith Bennett/Paul Eddington; Outro: Life Imitates Art/Comedic Timing.

Season 2 of "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" picks up right where Season 1 left off: our old friends Control, Tony, Peter, and John are back, as are the vox pop crowd. Season 2 features the same witty wordplay, gleeful slapstick, and excellent rapport between the actors. In this season, Stephen and Hugh also do a brief introduction (in character as "themselves") before the sketches begin. These introductions mark the start of Stephen's trademark finger quotes.

The sketches are: Intro: Bigometer; Dinner with Digby; Refunds and Exchanges; Mission: Impossible; Monologue: Stephen's Quest; John & Peter Running a Public Lavatory (imo, by far the best J&P); Robert Robinsons; Control & Tony and the Telescupe; Outro: Marlon Brando.

Season 2 of "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" picks up right where Season 1 left off: our old friends Control, Tony, Peter, and John are back, as are the vox pop crowd. Season 2 features the same witty wordplay, gleeful slapstick, and excellent rapport between the actors. In this season, Stephen and Hugh also do a brief introduction (in character as "themselves") before the sketches begin. These introductions mark the start of Stephen's trademark finger quotes.

The sketches are: Intro: Gags; Made-up Swearwords; Over to You; Jewelry Store (a wonderful reprise of Stephen's frilly, verbose shop assistant character); Monologue: Hugh's Past Girlfriends; Stephen & Hugh Discuss Dr. Who; Westminster Society; John & Peter (with an appearance by Margery!); Stephen & Hugh Sort Correspondence/Bottom Fondling.

Season 2 of "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" picks up right where Season 1 left off: our old friends Control, Tony, Peter, and John are back, as are the vox pop crowd. Season 2 features the same witty wordplay, gleeful slapstick, and excellent rapport between the actors. In this season, Stephen and Hugh also do a brief introduction (in character as "themselves") before the sketches begin. These introductions mark the start of Stephen's trademark finger quotes.

The sketches are: Introduction: Time, Where Did You Go?/Dancercise; Auto Parts; John & Peter; I Was Standing Here; Stephen Reads a Fascinating Historical Document; Mad Patient ("Cure me of my madness, or I won't put my shoes on, ever!"); England and Cream; Control & Tony and the Lie Detector; Michael Jackson (a real show-stopper - Stephen plays MJ without altering his appearance, accent, or demeanor).

Season 2 of "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" picks up right where Season 1 left off: our old friends Control, Tony, Peter, and John are back, as are the vox pop crowd. Season 2 features the same witty wordplay, gleeful slapstick, and excellent rapport between the actors. In this season, Stephen and Hugh also do a brief introduction (in character as "themselves") before the sketches begin. These introductions mark the start of Stephen's trademark finger quotes.

The sketches are: Intro: Tidyman's Carpets; Billiards; Control & Tony and the Window; Trick or Treaters; Tidyman's Test; Piano Player; Lovestruck POW; John & Peter; Improvised Sketch (Fry and Laurie bring a distinctly British approach to improvisation!).

"A Bit of Fry and Laurie" sets the gold standard for comedy sketch shows. Stephen and Hugh are best friends who have appeared together in many productions. They write and act all the sketches. In the first two seasons, they are occasionally aided by one or two other actors. Sometimes, one of them cross-dresses to create new characters. However, the vast majority of sketches consist simply of two Englishmen experimenting with different ideas. But Stephen & Hugh are so ingenious and work so well together that each sketch feels fresh and exciting.

The sketches are: Margery's Had a Fall; Snipper; Oh, Leave it Out!; Who Told You That You Were Naked?; Control & Tony; Responsibility Television; Irish Joke; Cocoa; Tony of Plymouth.

This episode has a lot of great moments - the way Stephen's character lilts the word "God," the adorable puppy Snipper, Fry and Laurie's attempts to brainwash their viewers, Hugh as a cranky old man/Stephen as a nurse, and the hilarious duel at the end. An excellent conclusion to the first season!

"A Bit of Fry and Laurie" sets the gold standard for comedy sketch shows. Stephen and Hugh are best friends who have appeared together in many productions. They write and act all the sketches. In the first two seasons, they are occasionally aided by one or two other actors. Sometimes, one of them cross-dresses to create new characters. However, the vast majority of sketches consist simply of two Englishmen experimenting with different ideas. But Stephen & Hugh are so ingenious and work so well together that each sketch feels fresh and exciting.

The sketches are: Lavatories/Estate Agents; Bored Critics; Lesbotic Tendencies; Bored Critics (again); Cool Teacher; I Know!; Hugh's Favorite Sketch; Bored Critics (now lying on the floor and eating ice cream); The Burt; Spiritual Portfolio; Switzerland.

Bravo to Deborah Norton, the delightfully understated actress who appears throughout the first season. Her conservative, auntie-like appearance and posh accent disguise a wicked sense of humor. She particularly shines in this episode.

"A Bit of Fry and Laurie" sets the gold standard for comedy sketch shows. Stephen and Hugh are best friends who have appeared together in many productions. They write and act all the sketches. In the first two seasons, they are occasionally aided by one or two other actors. Sometimes, one of them cross-dresses to create new characters. However, the vast majority of sketches consist simply of two Englishmen experimenting with different ideas. But Stephen & Hugh are so ingenious and work so well together that each sketch feels fresh and exciting.

The sketches are: Stephen Removes Hugh's Brain; Greek Restaurant; Costume Design; Nicotinal Preparation, Taken Bronchially (the highlight of this episode - a smooth-talking professional prescribes cigarettes to a credulous patient); Open University Outtake; Control & Tony; Routine, Door-to-Door Interrogation.