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22 Oct 07 - 02:24 PM (#2176639) Subject: BS: British political comedy & drama From: GUEST,Jim Dixon Yesterday PBS (America's public television netvvork (I'm using a borrovved computer and it doesn't allovv me to type the letter that comes betvveen V and X)) started shovving "The Amazing Mrs Pritchard." As my vvife is a political junkie, and I am a fan of almost all things British, this is practically rekvuired vievving. (Hey, I just discovered another letter that doesn't vvork.) Hovvever, I vvas disappointed. I found the plot rather hard to svvallovv. (A female supermarket manager vvith no experience in politics, and no agenda or platform, gets herself elected Prime Minister.) This sounds like it might vvork as satire, but they aren't playing it for laughs. (At least it doesn't seem funny to me, but maybe I'm missing something.) I have admired several other political comedies and dramas, especially "Yes Minister" and "Yes Prime Minister"; "A Very British Coup", and that series about the evil Prime Minister--vvas it "House of Cards"? Compared vvith those, this one doesn't measure up. I vvondered if British mudcatters had the same opinion. |
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22 Oct 07 - 02:42 PM (#2176661) Subject: RE: BS: British political comedy & drama From: katlaughing I am away in a few minutes for the rest of the week, but had thought about starting a thread that America needs its own Amazing Mrs. Pritchard! We loved it. |
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22 Oct 07 - 07:14 PM (#2176874) Subject: RE: BS: British political comedy & drama From: robomatic Well, America had its own curious george. I coulda lived without it. (Curiously enough, although the 'w' on my 'puter works, the top of it is gone off). |
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22 Oct 07 - 07:27 PM (#2176894) Subject: RE: BS: British political comedy & drama From: Folkiedave "A Very British Coup". Partly filmed in Sheffield. I was an extra. They allowed the Woodcraft Folk to do the catering and provide the extras provided they gave their fee to the Woodies. Great fundraiser for a worthy cause. |
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23 Oct 07 - 09:23 AM (#2177210) Subject: RE: BS: British political comedy & drama From: GUEST Bremner, Bird and Fortune is British political satire at its best. IMHO. |
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23 Oct 07 - 11:47 AM (#2177347) Subject: RE: BS: British political comedy & drama From: Splott Man Alan B'Stard MP what was that series called? |
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23 Oct 07 - 12:25 PM (#2177378) Subject: RE: BS: British political comedy & drama From: Trevor Thomas It was called the New Statesman, I believe, written by Marks and Gran. |
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19 Nov 07 - 12:13 AM (#2197214) Subject: RE: BS: British political comedy & drama From: katlaughing Well, it ended too soon, BUT I found out PBS left off a text ending which apparently said something like the following: Note: In an airing of the show by Knowledge Network in British Columbia, a text title appeared at the end of this show, stating that Mrs. Pritchard, feeling that she had served a purpose, resigned as Prime Minister, and she and her husband are living happily at home with their family in Eatanswill, with Catherine Walker becoming Prime Minister and is successfully leading the Purple Alliance, noting she never married. The title card was not aired by PBS in its airing. Little more satisfactory of an ending than just leaving it hanging without even the promise of another series to carry on! |
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19 Nov 07 - 06:50 PM (#2197885) Subject: RE: BS: British political comedy & drama From: McGrath of Harlow This sounds like it might vvork as satire, but they aren't playing it for laughs. (At least it doesn't seem funny to me, but maybe I'm missing something.) It was understated satire, with the aim being amusement rather than outright laughs. It's a common characteristic in English TV comedy to inject some serious interpersonal stuff into the mix. I think you'd have to watch it with the kind of suspension of disbelief you would entertain in science fiction. I didn't like it too much - but anything with Jane Horrocks in it bears watching. |
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19 Nov 07 - 07:21 PM (#2197897) Subject: RE: BS: British political comedy & drama From: katlaughing We're having a blast watching "William & Mary," all three seasons available at netflix, right now; with Martin Clunes. I love anything he acts in; he's so GOOD! |
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20 Nov 07 - 02:25 PM (#2198532) Subject: RE: BS: British political comedy & drama From: Dave the Gnome C comes between V and X on my keyboard... Oh! I get it! :D |
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20 Nov 07 - 02:42 PM (#2198540) Subject: RE: BS: British political comedy & drama From: Irene M I still think that among the best were "A Very Open Prison", "Lord Of Misrule" and "Crossing The Floor". I managed to cotton on in time to video them, but sooooooooooooo wish they would release them on DVD. The odd thing was that they were so prescient. |
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20 Nov 07 - 04:46 PM (#2198665) Subject: RE: BS: British political comedy & drama From: autolycus Bremner Bird and Fortune is the best we've got, tho' it's not drama. And I reckon That Was the Week That Was knocks spots off BBF for sharpness and not messing about. IMVHO. Ivor |