I think that this program is a true reflection of everyday life in Ireland. I can relate
to all the characters, especially the stupid Irish one.
What does anyone think about the gay one that tends to black up?
James Dreyfuss meets Ali G...
I think (I could be wrong) it is written my Owen O'Neill who is from Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland. But that doesn't mean he isn't making fun of 'southerers'
There are a few funny moments, but I cringe quite a lot. The other guys in my house (who are all from the Republic) seem to like it, but the premise that it is set on the Border is a very strange one. I know there are some houses on the Border, but, I dunno...
Also, the accents are totally wrong - they are all quite different from each other and they mostly sound ROI.
And involving the Army is just stupid and makes me cringe th most.
Also, there was an episode where they crossed the border on a beach (I don't think there is a beach where the border meets the sea in either the north or the east - and if there was, there wouldn't be some sort of checkpoint with a Union flag clumsily strapped to it).
I wouldn't watch it out of choice, though.
I find it *very* strange that Stewart Lee reckoned on the Perrier thread that people can't get away with blacking up on TV. This was in relation to The Goodies, arguing that surrealism and irony validate that sort of thing in modern comedy.
So how the hell did they get away with the 'Ella Fitzgerald' bit in show 2 of 'The Fitz'? That was neither clever or funny, yet it was still encased in surrealism.
Depends how skilled a writer you are, I sppose.
I didn't say that people couldn't get away with blacking up on tv. I said that people could do it, but that tv execs who deceide about things would have to believe it was ok under the circumstances. The rules for Owen O'Neil to do it will be different for a repeat of The Goodies or Young Ones, due to different assumptions about intent and artistry made by people who make decisions. This is obvious.
>The rules for Owen O'Neil to do it will be different for a repeat of The Goodies or Young Ones, due to different assumptions about intent and artistry made by people who make decisions. This is obvious.
Fair enough, but I don't buy this idea that it is a specifically racial issue. Without wanting to dwell too irrelevantly on The Goodies within this thread, it attacked *everything* regardless of it's purpose.
I sent you 'Black & White Beauty' didn't I? Remember the gypsies? This is precisely what I was getting at and, I suspect, Rob S as well. When TBT and GG waltz in singing "We are gypsies!/Coming to steal the horse" the whole joke is about prejudice - the belief that if you disguise yourself as a gypsy, people will place the blame for such a crime elsewhere. It is *not* a joke at the expense of gypsies. It is an attack on prejudice.
Similarly with the racial humour, it is utterly absurd and inherently shallow, but countered by sound liberal views in episodes like 'South Africa'(banned despite this) or 'Alternative Roots'(the White and White Minstrels).
Due to the very nature of slapstick there is little room for political expression in sight gags. However The Goodies did make up for this whenever possible.
It is also the nature of the age, but I know I'm telling you things you already know and am retreading old ground. Your point about older shows being vetted for such material is true, but I strongly disagree with making apologies for old programming. I find 'Are You Being Served' hateful but it's reaired withut cuts - entirely because we know what to expect.
Television lives in fear of it's past. It should grow up and not have to give out warnings before repeats of 'Love Thy Neighbour' or whatever.
'The Fitz' is a programme I don't really have an issue with. I think the design is beautiful, but the script seemed incoherent in the episodes I've seen. I was just baffled by the appearance of 'Ella' - unexplained and only there for a laugh. My immediate reaction was "what about Bill?"
Stewart Lee might want to watch tonight's Operation Good Guys....