Why the British Are Better at Satire

Post by pjc50 » Wed, Feb 18, 2015, 11:40 AM UTC

r00fus wrote: post #55

laumars wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While there maybe some truth to that, it's also worth noting that we see the same with all our (British) terrestrial TV networks. Particularly channel 4, which has given us classics such as The IT Crowd, Father Ted, The Inbetweeners and Black Books. Edit: and Brass Eye. How could I forgot Brass Eye when this topic is specifically about satire? Awesome show.

Let's regress this a level further - creating lots of small shows with potentially longer runs could result in a better talent pool (both actors/directors/producers), benefiting even private networks. How often do BBC actors work with other networks? If there's any cross-pollination there is an argument that the BBC's reach goes beyond it's own productions.

Post by aptwebapps » Wed, Feb 18, 2015, 11:44 AM UTC

maxerickson wrote: post #88

aptwebapps wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In America sarcasm in speech is usually heavily signaled via the tone of voice. You don't usually just drop it in deadpan. So it's not so much that we don't get sarcasm or satire but we're used to having it more clearly demarcated. At least in speech - satire is quite popular and common in print.

What you describe is arguably a symptom of people not getting sarcasm. People that enjoy sarcasm have learned the hard lesson that the average listener is oblivious to it, so they talk funny to help them out a little bit.

Post by timje1 » Wed, Feb 18, 2015, 11:53 AM UTC

pluma wrote: post #72

mcjiggerlog wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you've got it the wrong way round, actually. British shows typically run for a 6 episode series and then might go several years before a new series is produced. The Thick Of It has had 24 episodes since its inception in 2005, whereas its US adaption has already had 28 since 2012. Armando Ianucci (the writer) has straight up stated that he won't write any more The Thick Of It until he feels he has material wor…

What's more, the British seem to have no qualms about simply ending a series when they think there's nothing more to add. Consider Spaced: the cast and the audience loved it, but the story had come to a conclusion after the second series and the circumstances that originally gave birth to the ideas had changed, so they refused to consider another series. Contrast this with American shows which typically only end if t…

Post by maxerickson » Wed, Feb 18, 2015, 12:00 PM UTC

aptwebapps wrote: post #93

maxerickson wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What you describe is arguably a symptom of people not getting sarcasm. People that enjoy sarcasm have learned the hard lesson that the average listener is oblivious to it, so they talk funny to help them out a little bit.

That might have been the genesis, but it's now continuing on its own.

Post by estefan » Wed, Feb 18, 2015, 12:13 PM UTC

arethuza wrote: post #76

estefan wrote: post #65

It's not just satire: Irony, sarcasm, comedy above the level of a 5 year old (i.e. where there's more than just a setup immediately followed by a predictable punchline: "Don't open the box Tommy!" Tommy opens the box, etc.). Classic quote: Speaking to an American about not having ridden a motorbike in years, my brother said "I'm sure it'll come back to me - it'll just be like riding a bike". The girl replied in all s…

"We aren't as good at being loud though" In what context? I can think of a few situations where the British are world leaders in being loud and obnoxious - one of our main summer exports I'd have thought?