I never really laughed. Either it went over my head (very possible) or the sheer crap-ness of the impressions left me thinknig it was like some 8-year-old child's idea of satire.
i kept meaning to watch another episode to see if it improved but never did. maybe i was lucky.
I found one or two amazingly funny lines per episode: try Jack Nicholson saying 'I can't believe he emptied a bag on Mange Tous over her...' or discussing his position in the Monopoly game they have at Michael Caine's 'Zulu' party. Occasional moments of greatness.
I particularly like Mrs Huggett and the things the other residents say about her always raise a chuckle. Some of the characters seem to be of the one-joke variety such as Joe Peschi and Mick and Keith running the corner shop. But all in all I have to say that it does make me laugh, often against my will.
I liked it, though I found it a bit tiresome in the 2nd series when they started bringing in non-famous characters.
Mrs Huggit describing her behaviour at the 'Zulu' party in retrospect is one of the best moments. And the way she's always there - hoovering up Jack Nicholson's cocaine - she has unlimited access to these people's daily lives but their status is meaningless to her.
Stella Street needed normal characters in season two, because the show needed to develop beyond the confining initial set-up. How can you knock a season with an evil couple who send Len mad, The Beatles running the corner shop and Bowie's stand-up gig for neighbours only. In his dining room with a crap PA. Well, I was crying.
Stella Street is the best thing directed by Peter Richardson in recent years. Comic Strip got very indulgent and cinematic, which was good in a way but it excised jokes. Glam Metal Detectives seemed to do the same. Stella Street was his need to do actual comedy on a miniscule budget.
Very succesful.
Has anyone mentoned Glam Metal Detectives in the worst sictom thread yet? I bet everybody remembers that atrocious song, don't they?
No matter how many times UKPlay repeat Stella Street, i still find it very watchable and funny. I just like the juxtaposition of 'normal people' with celebrity faces, and the fact that everyone lives on the same street, giving obstensibly normal situations a slightly surreal tinge, be it because of celebrity or situation. It is a good show, and was very suited to it's 10-15 minute timeslot.
Just my opinion.
Al Pacino doing the Jane Austen bit - "Gentlemen, THIS is my wife". Sublime. And John's Keith Richards is special, too.
You could say Stella Street salvaged John Sessions from the world of smug bastard performer.
I'm sure Keith Allen had a hand in the show initially because at the time of GMD, he appeared on Loose Ends to shout from the rooftops about Phil Cornwell. Said "We're going to give him a series".
Is this just association or a definite development at the Comic Strip empire?
I particularly love John Hurt in it. Just wandering drunkly around and swearing a bit :o)