Am I the only one who thinks this programme is terrible?

It has a lot of fans, yet for me it has never managed to raise even the smallest of smiles.

The impressions are terrible and are backed up by unfunny, over-long, repetitive stories.

Bad scripts, bad impressions, bad comedy.



Poor, poor programming by the BBC.

Well, I enjoyed it but it could be hit and miss, like all the best comedy. The show originally was on Radio 4 where it was 10 times better than the TV version. Other Radio 4 comedies that switched to TV include Little Britain, League of Gentlemen and Have I Got News For You, etc. Some work better on TV but some don't.
Just hope they never try to televise I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.

Excellent, excellent BBC :)

yeah, this show was top on r4, where it still airs now and again.

The TV stuff is marred by some very non-likenesses that detract from the excellent vocal caricatures. Gotta love Phil

The Gandalf gag got old very quickly.

Considering half of it is written on the day of the show, it is brilliantly inventive - although all formats reach the end of their life at some point.

And of course Nev Fountain is a family friend, who we've listened to going from occasional gag writer for week-ending to a co-writer on his own series - Nice one Nev.

Originally posted by Cols

Just hope they never try to televise I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.

They did and it ran for years - Called "Whose line is it anyway" - heavily adapted for tv though.

The News Quiz has always been funnier than HIGNFY largely due to Alan Coren.

Dead Ringers is *much* funnier on the Radio because half of it is impressions of R4 personalities, and subverting the hell out of them, especially Brian Perkins and Charlotte Green.

If you aren't a radio 4 head, or actually think You & Yours is too short, then it wont be funny :)

I can always tell when Jon Culshaw is doing an impression.

Its certainly nothing like as good as the Radio version - but then again its light years ahead oh some of the dross passing as comedy on the box - prime example being Bo Selecta!

Originally posted by Sidla
I can always tell when Jon Culshaw is doing an impression.

As opposed to speaking normally or?

Originally posted by Phanerothyme
They did and it ran for years - Called "Whose line is it anyway" - heavily adapted for tv though.


Got to disagree with you there. "Whose Line" was an improv show that was based on The Comedy Store improv sessions. "Clue" isn't improv but it is very cleverly scripted and by far the funniest thing on radio or TV.

Humphrey Lyttleton: "Now here's a message for those of a nervous disposition"

"BOO"

I never knew that ISIHAC was scripted (apart from Humph's asides to the audience, samantha and colin sell)

Generally the impressions are pretty good, but I find the hidden camera sections of Dead Ringers cringe-inducing.

Strangely, it's shown prime time here in Australia and it goes down like a lead balloon. I'm forever having to explain who the impressions are. No one has any idea!

Not much point in showing a programme full of impressions of newsreaders who have never appeared on Australian TV, if you ask me!

Originally posted by Phanerothyme
As opposed to speaking normally or?
More or less, yes. I can just tell Jon Culshaw's voice, wether he's impersonating or not.

Yeah I love Dead Ringers but I think 2D TV was better. Okay maybe not on the same level but still the same type of show.

I agree the Gandalf gags did get old quick and I think that sometimes there are too many gags featuring parliment. If you arn't into parliment or don't watch the news you're pretty much b*ggered.