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Reviews
Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) (2000)
Abysmal update of the enjoyable 60's series
There's very little to say about this series that's not negative. It was a good idea, but Vic and Bob just can't pull it off when they're required to act, proving once again they are not Morecambe and Wise. Reeves seems to make no effort to act, he looks slightly drunk and bored, whilst Mortimer looks uncomfortable in the role of the straight man. A combination that's very dull and not funny. This isn't helped by the overall smug attitude of the production. They must assume simplistic plots, overacting and one dimensional characters are enjoyable Saturday evening viewing. The direction is flat, the dodgy camera work and pseudo-experimental editing are irritating and there was absolutely no need for all the flashy and poor digital effects work. The ghost world looks like Vic Reeves and Tom Baker in front of a blue screen and the vanishing/ appearing gag is totally overplayed. Most of all, however, it's neither funny or exciting, so what was Charlie Higson thinking of when he thought he could write all the episodes.Hopefully the BBC will learn that we viewers deserve better home grown Sci-fi comedy/drama and don't give this a second series.
Red Letter Day: Ready When You Are, Mr. McGill (1976)
A hilarious and accurate portrayal of the TV business
"I've never seen that young Lady in my life before and I've lived here fifty years"
Writer Jack Rosenthal and Director Mike Newell brought this wonderful film to our screens back in 1976 as part of ITV's series of single dramas.We follow the day in the life of a quiet,middle aged Television extra, Joe McGill, from the time he gets up on the day of the shoot(He's reading his one line of dialogue prior to his alarm clock ringing) to the time he gets home from a disastrous days filming to inform his Wife he's had a wonderful time!We also meet the cold,tired and miserable TV crew as they leave Granada Studios in Manchester for the suburban location that will act as a Village street in 1940. The fictitious drama they're shooting involves a British Soldier and his relationship with the suspicious School Mistress.Is she a German spy?We're never told,but the threads are there which is all we need to know.Apart from the cold and wet, it's obvious the Crew are reaching their wits end.They're bored with the production and seem totally uninterested with what appears to be a dreary wartime drama.The last thing they need is Mr. McGill.He has one line to say to the British Soldier, but every time they try to do a take something goes wrong. Tempers eventually explode in a remarkable and shocking way. Ultimately, this comedy slowly edges towards a darker finale exploring peoples fragile relationships in the work place, leaving them wondering what the whole point of their reason-detre actually is.Great performances all round,a wonderfully observed insight from Rosenthal and tight direction from Mike Newell(who later went on to direct Four Weddings and a Funeral).
Hippies (1999)
Gentle but satirical take on 90's nostalgia for the 60's
We expected a lot from Arthur Matthews(Father Ted) and got a show that nearly works on every level.The characters are all likeable and time has been spent developing them, but as with so many sitcoms these days,the writing lets the series down.The best episodes are "Hairy Hippies" and the one with Eleanor Bron(!),the rest are patchy.The performances are great and keep the show together.Simon Pegg is great as the deluded,sexually repressed and incredibly naive Ray,whilst Sally Philips is hilarious as his pseudo-feminist on/off girlfriend Jill.The episode where she grows a beard to compete with men was very funny.She also manages to keep a manic stare going throughout the series which never changes ,regardless of what emotion she's feeling at the time.My favourite is Julian Rhynd-Tutt's portrayl of Alex, Ray's voice of reason and often bewildered bystander to the bizarre events taking place around him.His delivery is incredibly dry and keeps perfect comic timing. If we get a second series,please rewrite the scripts until they work!