What a funny show this could be if instead of formulaically abusing Karl they played along (ironically) or in some way added to the narrative instead of lazily shooting a very large obvious fish in a very small barrel.
The way it stands it's as dumbed down as a laugh track.
I'm sorry, Ricky Gervais has no sense of irony? That's like saying that Steve Carrel doesn't know what the phrase 'loveable buffoon' means.
To be honest, it doesn't show up much in the podcasts, but go download the Xfm shows or watch his stand up and you'll drown in irony.
Could you describe the ruckus, sir?
TheHobo.
British comedy is more often than not in-your-face, shouty, sweary and obvious, and at its worst, often involving repeating the same line with different inflections or serially abusing someone for being stupid (this show).
As for Ricky's TV legacy, if you think the Office was groundbreaking in some way, go check out "The Brittas Empire." Same routine, really, but a bit less cringe. Neither held a match to Peep Show, The IT Crowd, Father Ted or Red Dwarf.
I'm sure Ricky is capable of being sarcastic. It is, after all, a much sought after form of wit.
Oh, come on, The Office is one of the most subtle examples of comedy that's been shown on TV.
Could you describe the ruckus, sir?
TheHobo.
British comedy is more often than not in-your-face, shouty, sweary and obvious, and at its worst, often involving repeating the same line with different inflections or serially abusing someone for being stupid (this show).
Right, well now I know you're trolling. What you described is American comedy what with their over-the-top situations, ridiculous over-the-top characters and their proclivity for catchphrases.
You're an idiot. An idiot, I tell you. Look at me calling you an idiot. I've gone all calling you an idiot here.
shareThe Brittas Empire + Peep Show + The IT Crowd + Red Dwarf + Father Ted < The Office.
If I have to tell you again, we're gonna take it outside and I'm gonna show you what it's like!
Both Brit comedy and American comedies pale in comparison to the comedic timing on structure of a good ol' Canadian comedy.
sharegood ol' Canadian comedy.
Corner Gas and Trailer Park Boys? No thanks. Those shows make me embarrassed.
Wow, an American telling British people they have no sense of irony. That is ironic. Maybe next you could tell Ethiopians to lay off the snacks?
shareWhat about Slings and Arrows or The Newsroom?
shareIt has been said before, but you are an idiot.
shareThe second you said Red Dwarf was funnier/better than the Office was when you lost all credibility. Have you actually rewatched Red Dwarf in the last ten years or so? It's painfully bad, you've got have the brain of chimp if you think its better than the Office.
sharefudgeworth let me sum it up for you yanks would not know a comedy if it hit them in the ass meet the spartans, epic movie, disaster movie, all unfunny american "spoof comedys" all completely unfunny and all no1 at us box office you *beep* e r s will pay to see any thing.
WELCOME TO THE PARTY PAL-John mcClane
Generalizations. Always with the generalizations. The comeback of the lazy.
shareOf course you name the worst movies of the decade! I'm american and i don't like those movies either.
Favorite "Arrested Development" Episode:
Season One Episode 3 "Bringing Up Buster"
Ricky and Steve playing along wouldn't be real. What makes the podcasts funny is that those are their spontanious reactions, it's not a carefully constructed comedy routine, it's a real conversation between 3 friends.
The Boys is back in town!
Hehehe...the thread title made me laugh. Thanks for that!
shareHow does not using irony in one circumstance mean that someone (or a whole nation) does not get it? That's like saying someone hates potatoes because the meal they are eating currently does not have any in. The logic just doesn't follow.
In fact occasionally we do hear them saying "yep, yep" as he's telling his Monkey news. Can almost hear them nodding along ironically as he's clearly on his way to a ridiculous story about a Monkey's ability. Not often but that clearly shows they understand irony.
I'm not keen on the show because it's predictable, cliche... what I mean is when a humourous story comes along, we already know where it's going, we know what someone going to add on to the story, we know what's going to happen in the animation which follows which makes me cringe. Don't think because you're the only one that sees the predictability, even brits can see this is a bad show.
Ricky gervais was never funny, he's just an average joe in a situation. If he can make money by that then fine by me, whatever works for him and his ...ahem 'fans'.
Captain Jack:. ‘....Savy’
You have to understand that these people are just simple farmers......they're people of the land......the common clay of the New West......you know, morons!!!
I wanna fly like an eagle, I wanna sing like Sinatra...........
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so the show is not funny because there is no irony? you are fantastic lol considering most of the yank crap i watch is full of fart jokes, hardly call them ironic. I dont think irony belongs in these podcasts, nor does baiting a fool, or going along with his bs antics. Karl talks obvious *beep* and ricky calls him on it. If Karl didnt love it he wouldnt talk it for how many podcasts?
God we must be nearing 2012, the end is nigh. Americans lecturing on comedy... soon cities will tumble and brimstone will start falling from the sky!
shareIn fairness to Americans' humor, the Simpsons, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Archer, South Park, and Futurama all exist...unfortunately we tend to watch Two and a Half Men.
Can't we Americans, Brits and Canadians get along and admit that the Aussies are the dullards?
In fairness to Americans' humor, the Simpsons, South Park, and Futurama all exist
Please, the fact that some of them were influenced by British comedy doesn't mean they were exclusively influenced by British comedy. All of them have American sensibilities.
shareheeeeyyy :P us aussies aren't that bad, humour isnt so different to brit humour
shareYou clearly don't understand what irony is if you are attempting to use this as an example of it.
Only the closed mind is certain.