Radio 4: Count Arthur Strong - rubbish ain't it?

[policywonk]

I mean, if I had a cock, this programme would make me want to slam it in the door.

[midnightexpress]

Quite agree Cappuccino - I used to quite like him, but that farkin QI programme is just half an hour of him showing off.

Big-'ed.

[Pruners]

Message withdrawn

[OrmIrian]

QI goes down well in our house. DS#1 loves it.

[Snaf]

QI irritates me. Far too frickin' smug, all of 'em. Plus Alan Davies

[Habbibu]

Right. Hate Count Arthur Strong, but would not render myself impotent in reaction to it - love News Quiz, Now Show, adored ISIHAC, liked The Consultants, Revolting People, Old Harry's Game, Milton Jones, love Armando Ianucci. Let's face it, when R4 gets it right, it's better than anything else - League of Gentlemen and the Boosh started on R4, as did Mitchell and Webb.

[MissKubelik]

yes Count Arthur Strong is pants. I have recently discovered that my 62-year-old uncle is a big fan, which gives an indication of the target audience.

no-one has mentioned Bleak Expectations, with lovely Anthony Head - best R4 comedy on at the moment. Harrumble!

[policywonk]

[peachygirl]

I think it's rubbish but DH really likes it.

We listen to quite a bit and went to some recordings before DD arrived.

I quite like the new Miranda Hart thing on radio 2.

Also the Edinborough shows.

Used to love the 99p challenge

[Habbibu]

Ooh - yes, the 99p challenge. With the lovely Sue.

[MissKubelik]

okay have re-read thread - two people didn't like Bleak Expectations, but they are obviously wrong. I also like Fags Mags and Bags which appears to be equally unpopular...

Completely agree with Habbibu, there's lots of good stuff on R4, not sure why people are saying most of it is awful. Count Arthur Strong is unusual in its awfulness IMO.

[Cappuccino]

a very funny thing I once heard on R4 was a Mitchell and Webb sketch featuring a middle class family stuck down a tunnel

[purits]

I like Count Arthur.
Andy Hamilton (Old Harry and Revolting People) is a genius.

I can't stand the Now Show: it's mean-spirited, sniping, nasty and very full of itself. The sense of humour is merely under-grad. Bleugh and shudder.

[OrmIrian]

Tend to agree purits but sometimes it's funny. I don't like snide over-clever comedy. Satire doesn't need to be laid on with a trowel and a big sign saying 'look how clever and topical I am'.

However as a woman who can be rendered helpless with laughter at Laurel and Hardy I may be a little under-developed in the comedy area

[Habbibu]

Merely undergrad, purits? As opposed to verr' funny PhD level comedy?

[sueellenewing]

I really liked that phone in one with Paul Whitehouse (down the line??) and the news quiz but generally R4 comedy is very hit and miss.
However, i have to confess to liking Stephen Fry though. I know he's a big show-ey-off polymath etc but i like the way he rails against small mindedness and bigotry in such an eloquent way.

[OrmIrian]

I don't mind show-offy polymaths. I like people who know things. It shows open-mindedness to be interested in everything.

[Pruners]

Message withdrawn

[Threadwworm]

Is it really true that S. Fry is going to host ISIHAC?? Is that not a bit like standing up at a funeral and offering to have sex with the widow?

Also, Fry is all about trying to be a bit too clever, and ISIHAC is all about revelling in being stupid.

I will fight to the death any attempt to resurrect ISIHAC. Well ... I might slam an appendage in a door. At a push.

[Swedes]

Thready LOL @ standing up at the funeral and offering to have sex with the widow.

[Threadwworm]

I ought to make it clear that I love ISIHAC, not hate it.

I just don't think they should try to do it without Humph. It was bad enough losing Willie (not through slamming in door, obv.)

[Pruners]

Message withdrawn

[Habbibu]

NOOOO!!! I like Stephen Fry, but ISIHAC is dead, and long will we mourn it, but let's face it, there are 30 years of re-runs. They're not going to run out of options. They mustn't replace Humph. God - I may even write to Feedback...

[Janni]

I think most of the 6.30 p.m. comedy on R4 is pants.

[Swedes]

I like Stephen Fry. It's a shame so many of you don't like him. Mind you, he doesn't like himself.

[policywonk]

I like Fry, he seems lovely (although I did laugh at Capp's use of 'clevering away'). I do find QI very annoying though.