Tsar
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Post by Tsar on May 24, 2020 20:58:46 GMT
We do 'em better than anyone else. During lockdown we've been watching a lot. I love Only Fools and Horses, but my absolute favourite is the amazing In Sickness and in Health, starring the brilliant Warren Mitchell (R.I.P.) as the controversial old curmudgeon, Alf Garnett:
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on May 25, 2020 7:21:41 GMT
“During lockdown we've been watching a lot.”
So did I until I moved to a much slower Internet connection! I was amazed to find so many of the classic comedies available on YouTube.
I think of some of them as guilty pleasures.
There are a few references on here to old comedy programmes that have relevant elements.
Alf Garnett is a good example of Poe’s Law!
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Tsar
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Post by Tsar on May 27, 2020 21:25:35 GMT
Despite the comedy, there's something sad watching In Sickness and in Health. It's a satirical look at a working-class community that doesn't exist any more - the Cockney people, who've mostly moved to Essex and Kent. It's very tragic.
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Jun 13, 2020 19:47:01 GMT
Many programmes are being removed from Netflix as part of the current madness. I guess that people will have them on DVD, and they are still available online.
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Tsar
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Post by Tsar on Jul 9, 2020 17:58:44 GMT
Many programmes are being removed from Netflix as part of the current madness. I guess that people will have them on DVD, and they are still available online. Netflix is one of many companies that should be boycotted. My In Sickness and in Health and Only Fools and Horses DVDs arrived today. Google/YouTube and Amazon's digital iconoclasm won't stop me watching these classics! |
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Jul 10, 2020 7:46:13 GMT
I like Are You Being Served? and The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (original verion)!
I watched all the episodes of Reggie Perrin online on YouTube at the start of the lockdown.
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Tsar
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Post by Tsar on Aug 1, 2020 22:09:47 GMT
The amazing Hyacinth Bucket always got calls from people thinking they were calling the Chinese takeaway. "You must ring the Ambassador!"  |
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Tsar
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Post by Tsar on Nov 8, 2020 23:40:49 GMT
Classic Del Trotter pretending to be wheelchair-bound after a hang gliding accident |
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Avacyn
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Post by Avacyn on Nov 11, 2020 21:54:10 GMT
“During lockdown we've been watching a lot.” So did I until I moved to a much slower Internet connection! I was amazed to find so many of the classic comedies available on YouTube. I think of some of them as guilty pleasures. There are a few references on here to old comedy programmes that have relevant elements. Alf Garnett is a good example of Poe’s Law! I have things on DVD and Blu-Ray for a reason. It is in your hands, it cannot disappear. The internet is great, but stuff can disappear, and be lost. And yes, there are many classics worth watching over and over. Fully approve of this thread. We need reminding of them. |
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Avacyn
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Post by Avacyn on Nov 11, 2020 21:59:57 GMT
Netflix is one of many companies that should be boycotted. My In Sickness and in Health and Only Fools and Horses DVDs arrived today. Google/YouTube and Amazon's digital iconoclasm won't stop me watching these classics! I avoid all the streaming services. They are an insane idea, and will only end with companies bankrupting themselves. And may it happen swiftly. Good to hear you are investing in physical media. Absolutely essential. They may take up space, but they are mine. Streaming is essentially rental, anyway. And things can vanish readily on them. I remember when Netflix removed all of Buffy. Well, I have them all on DVD, so am not affected. I've done that for a number of cases. And back then, In Sickness and in Health and Only Fools and Horses had to operate on a much lower budget. It breeds inventiveness and creativity. |
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Tsar
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Post by Tsar on Nov 15, 2020 22:57:10 GMT
Netflix is one of many companies that should be boycotted. My In Sickness and in Health and Only Fools and Horses DVDs arrived today. Google/YouTube and Amazon's digital iconoclasm won't stop me watching these classics! I avoid all the streaming services. They are an insane idea, and will only end with companies bankrupting themselves. And may it happen swiftly. Good to hear you are investing in physical media. Absolutely essential. They may take up space, but they are mine. Streaming is essentially rental, anyway. And things can vanish readily on them. I remember when Netflix removed all of Buffy. Well, I have them all on DVD, so am not affected. I've done that for a number of cases. And back then, In Sickness and in Health and Only Fools and Horses had to operate on a much lower budget. It breeds inventiveness and creativity. After recent events, no one can use Netflix with a clear conscience. It should be boycotted. It would be unlikely to be big enough to hurt the company, but anyone in these circles should do it because it's simply the right thing to do. Not that I ever had Netflix in the first place as I have no interest in anything made these days anyway. If it's not filth, it's propaganda, and if it's not propaganda, then it's soulless stupidity. I suppose I enjoy a few quiz and game shows as a light and fun thing to watch after a day's work. And some of the antiques shows on the BBC are alright. That's about it though. |
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Avacyn
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Post by Avacyn on Dec 14, 2020 22:51:40 GMT
Yeah, Cuties... yikes. I am shocked they thought it was remotely a good idea.
Streaming services will lead to the bankruptcy of a lot of companies. It isn't sustainable. And other markets will fill the gap in the cinema.
Not sure if it fits, but I did get the first four of the old St. Trinians films on DVD right before the second lockdown. To make sure I had it to hand when I wanted to have a relaxing time, and not have to think too much. Not to mention, they are amusing...
I also have the first season of Yes, Minister... but that isn't a comedy for me. It's a fictionalised documentary. Still good television, mind.
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Tsar
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Post by Tsar on Dec 22, 2020 3:02:45 GMT
Yeah, Cuties... yikes. I am shocked they thought it was remotely a good idea. Streaming services will lead to the bankruptcy of a lot of companies. It isn't sustainable. And other markets will fill the gap in the cinema. Not sure if it fits, but I did get the first four of the old St. Trinians films on DVD right before the second lockdown. To make sure I had it to hand when I wanted to have a relaxing time, and not have to think too much. Not to mention, they are amusing... I also have the first season of Yes, Minister... but that isn't a comedy for me. It's a fictionalised documentary. Still good television, mind. They knew it would get backlash. Eventually, they'll (not necessarily Netflix, maybe some other globocorp) do something similar again, and the backlash will be slightly less fierce. Rinse and repeat, and eventually it becomes normalised as people become tired of arguing and are browbeaten into acceptance. This is their tried and tested formula. We can't fold this time. The worst thing about streaming for me is it's yet another communal activity - cinema - turned into something people do alone in their homes. We're fast running out of communal activities (that don't involve grog). It's a very sad and dark path to go down. Not a series, but I enjoy George Formby's music: |
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Jan 14, 2021 19:07:33 GMT
DVDs versus other sources of entertainment
From Avacyn above: “I have things on DVD and Blu-Ray for a reason. It is in your hands, it cannot disappear. The internet is great, but stuff can disappear, and be lost.“ “Good to hear you are investing in physical media. Absolutely essential. They may take up space, but they are mine. Streaming is essentially rental, anyway. And things can vanish readily on them. I remember when Netflix removed all of Buffy. Well, I have them all on DVD, so am not affected. I've done that for a number of cases.“ Home entertainment is a very topical issue now that we are in another strict lockdown and people may be dependent on sources such as DVDs, YouTube and Netflix. While there is something to be said for having one's own physical media, there is much to be said against it. My approach now is to use free online sources and Freeview on my TV as much as possible, for films, British comedies and many other things. I am slowly working my way through my DVD collection with the intention of donating many if not most of them. If I had only had a fast home Internet connection at the time and known what was available online and how frequently films are shown on TV, I would never have bought most of them. I would have saved so much money! At least I have never subscribed to anything. There is more to be said on this subject.
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Jan 16, 2021 8:33:52 GMT
More about the DVD dilemma
Another point in favour of DVDs is that they often have extras; they may also have slightly longer versions of films than the ones shown on TV, which are sometimes trimmed a bit to fit a timeslot.
However, I still wish that I had not bought so many; for me the reasons for having them at home are now outweighed by other options and issues.
While it is very convenient to have a favourite film or comedy episode all ready and waiting just in case we feel an inclination to watch them, there is stagnant energy in a pile of DVDs on standby. It seems a waste of resources too.
It is always possible to borrow DVDs from the library. Someone set up a portable hard drive for me with many films on it. Buying a DVD would now be a last rather than a first resort.
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Jan 23, 2021 9:19:34 GMT
DVDs and the danger of diminishing returns
“And yes, there are many classics worth watching over and over.“ “I did get the first four of the old St. Trinians films on DVD right before the second lockdown. To make sure I had it to hand when I wanted to have a relaxing time, and not have to think too much. Not to mention, they are amusing...“ Avacyn you are right about classics in general and the original St. Trinians films in particular. I do understand why you would want to have your own copies of your favourite films; I felt that way myself – for a while. Buying DVDs in case the material is removed from the Internet is one thing; buying them so that you can watch whatever classic you want whenever you want is something else. It is not just a question of being frugal and thrifty, there is also the danger of devaluation and diminishing returns. This can also happen with material from Freeview and YouTube.
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Feb 2, 2021 19:21:23 GMT
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UnseenI
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Post by UnseenI on Feb 7, 2021 19:01:31 GMT
The Two Ronnies and some London stations
There is a song on the London thread that helps people to memorise the names of all the London Underground stations. Some London station names sound funny when used in certain contexts. The Two Ronnies mention some stations in a bizarre conversation in an old sketch from 1982. They use station names instead of normal words: Maida Vale is 'made of ale' for example. There is a transcript and a video available online: who needs DVDs! www.ianvisits.co.uk/blog/2019/10/29/the-two-ronnies-on-a-tube-train/
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