Normally we split these posts into 'Why I Love... A Certain Programme' and 'A Certain Programme - Why?' But the fact is, I just can't make up my mind when it comes to Green Wing. I realise, by the way, that this isn't the most topical show that I could turn my attention to, but for that you can blame the fact that Channel Four are currently allowing you to download or stream the best of their homegrown comedy shows for free, on 4oD. I already own and treasure my Peep Show and Spaced box-sets, so I thought I'd have a go at Green Wing.
I've tried before, really I have, and my colleagues here at the Scoop are clearly fans. And I really want to like it. I love every member of the cast in other shows, and it's a quirky, British comedy. I should love it! And, for parts of it, I do. So why do I still find other parts such a trial to watch...?
Back when the last ever episode of Green Wing was being aired, Mof said: "I understand that people can feel irked at the stop/start music and swanky slo-mo edits that cut up each sequence, but to deny yourself vast amounts of hilarity over something as trivial as that is plain dim." And he's right; of course he's right. But that doesn't stop it from being bloody annoying. But that's not the main thing that gets me. My problem is that I think I dislike the elements of the show that really make it unique.
On one hand, I absolutely love the Mac/Guy/Caroline triumvirate. There is such rapport between Julian Rhind-Tutt and Stephen Mangan - their banter is just brilliant - and I'm genuinely interested in what happens between the three of them. (I'm only half way through the first series so far, so don't tell me who Caroline ends up with, right?!) But their relationships could easily exist in other sit-coms - what makes Green Wing Green Wing are the more bizarre characters: Alan Statham, Sue White and Joanna Clore. And I really, really dislike them. Maybe this will change over time but at the moment they irritate me beyond belief. And in the case of Mark Heap this breaks my heart - how can I be irritated by the guy who helped to create Brian Topp, in Spaced?
In disliking these elements of Green Wing, I feel I'm entirely missing the point of the show; but then when Mac, Guy and Caroline come onto the screen I feel that I'm watching something really special. I'm so confused...
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No one taking the bait, huh, Anna? I guess those Green Wing fans just don't CARE enough about their show to respond, and who can blame 'em, how can you really care about such a fundementally unloveable show...(that might do it, Anna!)
Ok, I'll bite.... first of all I'd say that for the first half of the first series, my main response was laughter - sheer weirdness, which was very fresh at the time, less so now. Then, the characters began to kick in, and despite their strangeness, their various oddities began to seem like quirks of whole people. Joanna Clore, was for me a wonderful character, and although I thought Brian in Spaced was a fascinating creation, Mark Heap showed his genius as Alan Statham, joining the dots of ridiculous ticks and obsessions to create a strange, but somehow complete person. Yes, I agree that the love triangle is very special, but so was the way that the writing snuck up behind me to make me care about everyone. The acting was uniformly wonderful, which always helps.... Also a plea to pay attention to Karl Theobold with his generous clowning. But, I won't try to make you love it if you don't want to - I quite like the fact that not everyone does.
Being weird or wacky solely for the sake of being weird or wacky is one of the things I find most annoying about a lot of modern comedy. Sure, surrealism is great but it has to tie in with the jokes and improve them. The silly visual effects are in there for the sake of it and 90% likely weren't in the script. It might have funny bits and even some touching bits but it just doesn't work as a whole. And 50 minutes an ep is far too long.
It's alright, but I found it quite annoying that it had lifted all its visual tricks, some of its sense of humour, and some of its cast from Chris Morris' Jam, not really said thank you, and didn't really add anything to it, more made a lightweight version of it. I'd rather watch that.
Haha thanks Paul!
And thanks to all of you - really great, interesting comments. :)