Quote:
Originally Posted by Krythor
For a number of reasons, many of the best American shows, particularly sketch shows, don't actually make it here.
Generally I think American writers approach comedy in a different way, and there's a greater appreciation of how comedy is constructed than here. For some reason, when I try to introduce things like, say, Mr. Show to people, there's generally a reaction against building the comedy around a premise that doesn't pay off straight away. It seems to me that most British people have a very narrow enjoyment for one-liners that can be laughed at in or out of context, and character based sketches; not through any fault of their own, but just because that's how British TV has raised them. When the most popular British sketch show for years is Little Britain, and is the example by which all other shows are measured, you know you're in trouble. The possibility of even having a sketch where the punch line isn't a catch phrase is a completely foreign concept here.
|
I think you're right about sketch comedy, it is very "catchphrase" driven. We do have some really good character driven comedy though. Peep Show springs to mind, as many of the funniest parts come from almost knowing what the characters are thinking even before they say anything. For example, the prospect of Mark visiting a relationship councillor is funny even before a single line has been delivered.
Satire is something we do really well too. Notably Brass Eye and Monkey Dust.
Hybrid Mode
