Britcom Samplers

...of the panel-show-regular-as-lead persuasion, mostly. I won't be watching more than one episode of these shows for various reasons discussed below, but I wanted to post a roundup with my preliminary thoughts.

Jonathan Creek (1997-)

Not a comedy. I expected to like this one, but it ultimately disappointed. Maybe because it's a product of the late 90's. Reminded me of the awful Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) 2000 remake. Featuring Alan Davies as a super-observant detective/magician's assistant. Not compelling enough to keep me watching, though the synopsis was very intriguing.

Whites (2010)

Now this Alan Davies-led show I liked! I watched all six episodes of the first and sadly, only, series. Reminded me of a classier, British Kitchen Confidential (Bradley Cooper American sitcom, not the book). It's a bit empty; it doesn't really go anywhere, which was a little frustrating, but not enough to turn me off. Good performances all around. Loved Katherine Parkinson and Isy Suttie. Pseudo-Moonlighting thing Davies' character and Parkinson's character had going on was weird because Alan Davies is Alan Davies and Katherine Parkinson will always be Jen (from the IT Crowd) to me. But I liked it. Moderately funny, definitely enough to keep me watching, at least, and directed well. Sad this promising show only got one series. Sign the petition!

Not Going Out (2006-)

Featuring Lee Mack as a character not unlike himself, similar to Jack Dee in Lead Balloon. (Speaking of characters playing fictionalized versions of themselves, check out The Trip or, with less fanfare from me, Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive.) A typical sitcom, but not bad by any means. If there wasn't better stuff on, I would probably continue watching this.

Miranda (2009-)

The appeal of this show is that Miranda Hart is so incredibly endearing. What's more, it made me laugh more than once, which is more than I can say for some of these other shows. The jokes are all self-deprecating pratfalls, which could get old, I suppose, but if I'd kept up with this show from the beginning I'd probably have kept watching anyway. I've seen the first episode and the one with Peter Davison, and I can't help feeling good afterwards. Cute, accessible. I don't even mind the canned laughter.

15 Storeys High (2002-2004)

I do like this one. Atmosphere is fantastic. Subtly funny, and Sean Lock and Benedict Wong are very good. Might keep watching, actually. Mark Lamarr helped write, too!

Lead Balloon (2006-)

Featuring Jack Dee as someone not unlike his public persona. Lead Balloon's kind of an extension of that, a sitcom background to the character Jack Dee affects when on Shooting Stars or Buzzcocks, etc. Haven't seen his stand up, but I assume it's more of the same, which isn't a bad thing. Cool to see Rasmus Hardiker, who I'm enjoying as Raymond in Saxondale right now. Some set-ups to jokes paid off later were too predictable to laugh at. Overall, seems like one of those shows where nothing happens, and I don't like Jack Dee enough to care about his fictional housekeeper's blood sausages.

Hyperdrive (2006-2007)

I like the idea of this one: Miranda Hart, Nick Frost, and Kevin Eldon in SPACE! Decent effects and set, but unfortunately, simply not very funny. The minutes seemed to drag on. Really too bad, as I absolutely adore all three leads. And space.