As a rule, I try not to comment on individual items in society. I find it much more pleasurable to pass judgement on entire genres and make sweeping statements that offend millions in one fell swoop. However, recent events have pushed me so far that I have no choice but to kick off about one specific phenomenon.
I'm talking about TV 'comedy' The IT Crowd.
Right, before we even start, it has nothing, I repeat - NOTHING - to do with the fact that I work in IT. That it is based in the computing industry is probably why I have so many people offering their second-rate opinions on it (in fact, it seems wholly possible that people discuss it with me because they think I'm some kind of nerd who only watches programmes related to my work). In recent days I've had several 'lively' discussions about this programme and find all of my arguments are shot down simply because of my link to IT. That's not really fair; it's not as if there are programmes called "I am a complete wankjacket" which I can use in retaliation to the people who use this argument.
Basically, I can't see where the comedy is coming from. In my many years on this earth I've watched sitcoms from every part of the comedy spectrum. Some of them are true greats (Father Ted, Partridge, Phoenix Nights, The Office, Extras, etc) and some of the not so great (Lab Rats, anything starring Kevin Bishop). I even submitted a script to the BBC which was sadly turned down (it's who you know, but that's not for now). I've been to loads of stand-up gigs as well so I can confidently consider myself a good judge of comedy. As a result, when I finally decided "enough's enough - I can no longer argue with people about this programme based purely on the trailers; I need to watch it" I found myself struggling to raise a titter. I'll happily admit that I smiled a couple of times, but in general I found myself staring blankly at the screen as 'gag' after 'gag' was thrown at me in the vain hope of getting a laugh. Fail.
The entire premise of this programme seems two-fold. First, say or do something that implies something specific will be said or done, then immediately cut to a scene showing the polar opposite of that occurring. What a bastion of side-splittery. Second, as it is loosely based in the IT industry, the characters are socially-awkward geeks with funny voices and doubtful hairstyles and hygiene habits. More than one of the attempts at humour were driven by one of them being in a sticky situation or saying something in a stupid voice. Well played there as well.
What's truly sad about this is that the writer co-wrote Father Ted, so it should be immense. But it isn't. It's shit.
Having recently won a comedy award it's clear that a great many people must deem it hilarious. I have no problem with that. I'm not trying to bash or belittle the writer or it's fans, but I'm sick to the back teeth of being shouted down when I express a genuine puzzlement at the location of the comedy.
In conclusion, there are far worse programmes commissioned every year that make it onto our screens (alas, I'll never be able to venture as far as that scrapheap with my seminal work, "Flatmates") but just because it has a primetime slot and has quality writers and plenty of money thrown at it, it isn't guaranteed to be amusing. If, in the future, it bucks up its ideas and becomes good then I'll hold my hands up, but until that day I'll continue to fight the good fight.
Oh, and if one more person says "turn if off and turn it back on again" in an Irish voice to me, I might just fucking kill them.
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