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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be bored rigid by BBC "sit-coms"?

44 replies

ButWhyIsTheGinGone · 15/06/2011 20:45

They are just painfully, totally, CRAPPILY UN-FUNNY, usually revolving around some dysfunctional family and re-hashing the same stereotypical gags. Will Mellor irritates me just by sight - can he only play one character?! I can't actually think of any really funny recent ones. My mum loves My Family, but I never "got" it.

Just annoyed cos this dross is wasting half an hour between Waterloo Rd and the Apprentice...
Give me the oldies - Only Fools / Fawlty Towers, etc any time!

OP posts:
DuelingFanjo · 15/06/2011 20:47

I like 'not going out' and a couple of others.

Because of the unique way the BBC is funded they have to make programmes for lots of different people so what foats one demographic's boat may not float ours.

IDrinkFromTheirSkulls · 15/06/2011 20:47

That is why GOLD is an essential channel to have!

My family used to be funny but that was about 10 years ago...

TooManyBlossoms · 15/06/2011 20:48

Now My Family makes me want to gouge my eyes out with a rusty spoon. However I must confess I am sat here laughing out loud at the one that's on now. Maybe I just need to get out more.

HidinginaHardHat · 15/06/2011 20:49

"not going out" is one of the funniest things on tv at the moment other than that I agree with you OP

BoojaBooja · 15/06/2011 20:49

I agree! Awful, boring, dross. Middle class people muddling through life with 'hilarious' consequences. Yawn.

Nothing original or even remotely funny at all.

Original poster
ButWhyIsTheGinGone · 15/06/2011 20:51

Have to admit - I have never heard of "You're not going out." What channel is it?
My bloody TV won't pick up Gold - it finds it but won't receive anything - am I supposed to get it on Freeview? If so I may retune....
Out of interest, has anyone ever seen a "Mockumentary" called Summer Heights High? Funniest thing I've seen for ages!

OP posts:
HidinginaHardHat · 15/06/2011 20:52

"Not going out" is by Lee Mack and Tim Vine usually on after 10pm on BBC1

Ephiny · 15/06/2011 20:52

YANBU, they're all awful.

KurriKurri · 15/06/2011 20:54

I'm not keen on them but my kids used to enjoy my family when they were younger, and my 89yr old mum likes them too (she esp. likes Life of Riley Shock) - so they obviously appeal to some folk.

That half hour between waterloo Road and The apprentice is very annoying isn't it?

OpusProSerenus · 15/06/2011 20:54

I agree too. Not Going Out is great and The Inbetweeners was fun while it lasted but the mainstream sitcoms are awful.

IMO the BBC spend too much effort trying to appeal to a wide demographic and consistently end up with dumbed down, unoriginal tat as a result.

zukiecat · 15/06/2011 20:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thebestisyettocome · 15/06/2011 20:56

I like Rev, Miranda, and the thing with Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon. Lead Balloon is quite funny as well. Don't like things like Life of Riley, My Family and the thing with Will Mellor in.

FlamingFannyDrawers · 15/06/2011 20:57

Another fan of Not Going Out here. I only stumbled across that by accident one night. It's the only BBC sitcom i've watched. Lee Mack is so funny!

Original poster
ButWhyIsTheGinGone · 15/06/2011 20:57

Agree with the Royals and oooooh - The Office! Absolutely loved it, and it ended perfectly.

OP posts:
thebestisyettocome · 15/06/2011 20:58

Oh yes. I do like Not Going Out as well.

FlamingFannyDrawers · 15/06/2011 20:58

Nothing beats Peep Show though!

posey · 15/06/2011 20:58

Oh yes OP, exactly the same thoughts went through my mind, so using that half hour between programmes doing something constructive (mumsnetting [ grin]) I gave that programme, whatever it was called, approx 5 minutes. That's 5 minutes I'll never get back. Utter rubbish!

nicespam · 15/06/2011 20:59

the not going out in the strip club was bloody awful though, i was wincing through most of it.

i do miss a good funny programme

Animation · 15/06/2011 20:59

Yes OP - you are SO right!!

Moulesfrites · 15/06/2011 21:01

what about Gavin and Stacey - does that count as sitcom? I loved it, but agree My Family is shite.

Animation · 15/06/2011 21:03

The US know how to do sit-coms much better - like Scrubs.

Salmotrutta · 15/06/2011 21:29

Mrs Browns Boys is supposed to be great but I keep missing it ........... Sad

Animation · 15/06/2011 21:32

I particularly don't like UK sit-coms with kids or teenagers only doing being exasperated with a parent kind of acting - raising their eyes to the heavens - and that's it! Nothing else. Hmm Not funny.

forehead · 15/06/2011 21:36

The Americans are brilliant at sitcoms, think Frasier.

FreudianSlipper · 15/06/2011 21:43

i like leadballon, though very much based on curb your enthusiasm, which is hilarious. i like outnumbered too

will mellor makes me cringe

nothing beats seinfeld :o