Soap Research.

Part way through a bit of research. Thought I had better record my 1/2 way thoughts.

The plan is to watch 4 sitcoms a night.... (or at least all 4 back-to-back when time permits).

From the beginning episode.
Steptoe & Son
Only Fools & Horses
One Foot in the Grave
Bottom.

The purpose was to decide, at least in my little head, which of these monumental landmark sitcoms is "best".

I am not sure on my final thoughts... though Bottom is near then end of the episodes (with only three series), the others have a long way to go... but here are some thoughts (as if anyone is interested).

Steptoe & Son.
Wow! These are old :) The actors could be either comedians or Shakespearian actors. These, the oldest, like the others with the exception of Only Fools and Horses, are happy to womble along with just two (or three) people in the whole of the episode. No need for a cast of hundreds. What is really refreshing, even 4 series in, is that there is no catch phrases..... said "dirty old man" once, but that was 10 episodes again. No big setup... no laughter just 'because'.

Only Fools & Horses.
Wonderful, with the classic lines hitting you like a train from the very first episode... "Why do they call him Trigger, does he carry a gun?" --- "no, he looks like a horse". More on Only Fools in a future post. But.. class act.

One Foot in th Grave
I didn't realise how the main characters were introduced so early on... the chap with the mother next door, Mrs Borboise... and even Angus in series 2. These, like Steptoe, are as sad as they are funny.

Bottom
I wanted a modern classic, and Bottom sprung to mind. I like to think of it as simply a continutation of the Comic Strip Presents..... Mr Jolly Lives Next Door. Every episode a classic, but as with all but Steptoe & Son ( and even that sitcom to a point ), it is driven by catchphrases and catch-situation. That said, that is what makes a sitcom so comfortable to watch.

More ramblings as I progress through the project :)

S.o.O.

20 pounds in 4 weeks!

I am not the man I once was :)


S.o.O.

I am a fat loser!

7 pounds in 7 days (okay, 8 days as it was a bank holiday and missed the Monday weigh-in).

I attribute this success to 4 things.

1) Eating better
2) Eating less
3) Lots of physical jerks
4) Being soooo overweight I had to power eat to maintain the massive weight I was carrying.

S.o.O.

My spanking new haircut!

My new haircut!

Wonder if it will grow back before work.

S.o.O

New arrival at work!

Day off Work.....

.... plumber here, had to stay in.

But I didn't waste a second!!

Click here, Pet!

Grrrrrr... TROY!

I remember when it first came out.. I loved it, loved everything about it.

Watched it again yesterday, just SOOOO not the film I remember.

Where were the Light Cycles, where was Jeff Bridges... the battle tanks????

Spears...... my arse!

SoO, disappointed.

What's better than....

.... Easter eggs on Easter Sunday?

Shopping for Easter eggs on Bank Holiday Monday.

£2 for Doctor Who money box Easter Egg.... bargain.

S.o.O.

Frog or Horse... I dunno!

"Tesco judges Wizard"

If Carlsberg made Sci Fi theme tunes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8YiXdTP-5E

Present from the bin men?

No. Sadly he lives a few doors down..... and went home again.