No one knows better than the BBC when it comes to comedy so it comes as no surprise to see their assessment of what makes a good comedy entrance. As they spell out, “…comedy shows are where entrances really come into their own: a good comedy entrance can signal character information to viewers and set […]
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Seems odd to celebrate Rowan Atkinson’s birthday given the fact that he’s the one that, along with Richard Curtis, has given us the timeless gift of laughter over the years. We all know about the gifts of Blackadder, Mr. Bean and Inspector Fowler in Thin Blue Line. I remember first seeing Atkinson along with Mel […]
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British situation comedy. Whether it’s Fawlty Towers, Blackadder, The Office, or the classics of Keeping Up Appearances or Are You Being Served, these are programs that we’ve all watched for years but probably never gave a second thought as to why we laugh. Aside from the brilliant writing, no one really has simplified the mechanical structure […]
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With lots of new British series coming to the U.S. via public television in early 2011, I decided to mention one that I’ve tracked for awhile and really can’t wait for. Partly because it’s a brilliant series, but mainly because of a far-fetched article that surfaced yesterday about the BBC hit series, Outnumbered, alluding to […]
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We know what you’d like in the TARDIS, now who would you like to see on Doctor Who? I suppose when you wake up and realize that you are Doctor Who, there might be a feeling that anything is at your disposal. Remember, it was only recently that Matt Smith, the current “Doctor”, mentioned that […]
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Good writing = longevity in the world of British comedy One can’t help but think of the classics that have stood the test of time such as Fawlty Towers, Blackadder or Monty Python. Excellent writing delivers not only a classic comedy, but one that is also as relevant, or more, today than they were when first […]
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Two brilliant British comedy stars will be making their way to the big screen in 2011 according to various reports that have been circulating around in the Internet cloud the last several days. One just announced and one in the middle of filming as we speak. James Bond, he’s not Rowan Atkinson returns as the […]
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In what could have been a scene right out of a Blackadder V pitch to the head of BBC Light Entertainment, the seventh century village of Oxfordshire came close to exhibiting their best imitation of the Dibley Town Council recently. Over the last several months, plans by the actor and star of British comedy classics such […]
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Temps are hitting mid-90’s so Summer’s at an end soon. Time for your last Summer/Fall Book Club assignment from a favorite in the British comedy world. First up was The Gun Seller by Hugh Laurie, followed by The Hippopotamus by Stephen Fry. This week another great read by someone you may or may not know […]
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For years, I have marveled at the comedic talents of Rowan Atkinson, especially showcased in the classic British comedies Blackadder, Mr. Bean and The Thin Blue Line, not to mention films such as Four Weddings and a Funeral. For all the greatness that comes from his “talking” roles, for my money, I have always loved the […]
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