The Darkplace quandry

I’ve noticed something of late about British comedy. Or should I say British comedy fans.

It is in fact possible to separate them into two entirely distinct groups using just two questions. Both questions return the same groups. They are:

  1. Are you under 30?
  2. Do you like Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace, The Mighty Boosh, Man to Man with Dean Learner, Snuffbox and Nathan Barley?

So, if you answered yes to 1 and are a British comedy fan, you almost certainly answered yes to 2 (and vice versa). On the other hand, if you answered no to 1 then you answered no to 2. Capice?

Man, did I labour that.

My question to you then is why should this be so? Is it

  1. The natural difference in tastes between older and younger generations?
  2. Or Is it that the older generation has seen it all before and is uninterested in the stupid, derivative, toothless gunk that seems to so please the younger, used to be foetuses just five minutes ago so what do they know generation and which isn’t a patch on The Day Today, say, which was put together by really talented, clever people*?

Let me know what you think. Although clearly the answer is 2.

* What do you mean Chris Morris did Nathan Barley as well? Liar

Comedy gods on Richard and Judy next week

Richard and Judy’s PR dropped me a line yesterday to let me know there are going to be a few comedy gods (of varying stature) dropping by their studios next week. The schedule is:

  • Bill Bailey (TX: Friday 12th December)
  • The Mighty Boosh (TX: Wednesday 17th December)
  • Jimmy Carr (TX: Thursday 18th December)
  • Ruth Jones (TX: Thursday 18th December)

Alan Titchmarsh is going to be on the 17th as well, just in case that sways you into watching. Remember, slacker student types, Richard and Judy are now on Watch at 8pm.

Thursday’s “how to fix Heroes” news

Doctor Who

  • Torchwood won’t be watered down for BBC1 [minor spoilers]
  • Spoilers for the Christmas (and following) specials

Film

British TV

US TV

TMINE

Naomi Wolf, Michael Palin and Louis Theroux talk about making documentaries

Naomi Wolf talking to C21

C21Media (disclosure: currently edited by an old work colleague of mine, Ed Waller) has a nifty 30 minute documentary interviewing Michael Palin, Louis Theroux and Naomi Wolf about the art of documentary-making. I’d embed it if I could, and it doesn’t yet appear to have leapt into the site’s podcast feed at iTunes, so pop over to the site to watch it if you’re interested.