I was very disappointed last night. After a moderate creep up in quality since episode 2. Episode 5 was straight back to unfunny, languid, stretched, weak ideas. This was the worst episode yet, sorry to say...
A sketch-by-sketch:
BBN News: As much as I like the idea, it's getting tiresome now.
Acting Masterclass... with Robert DeNiro: Good impression, but not one of the best sketches. I quite liked the improv scene with DeNiro and Brando, though – where DeNiro's talent stretches to just choosing to say "milk"!
O! News: The Sarcasm Of The Christ was amusing, but Robin Williams saying the "x-word" was a miss, and a Donald Trump sketch was just alright (in the UK, Trump's not really known enough for a parody to work that well.)
Butterfield International Hotel: I've grown to quite like the character, but this wasn't very good. That said, the idea that the hotel's stars were actually asterix's warning of problems was funny.
Dead Or Undead: Parody of Deal Or No Deal where the boxes either contain skeletons or zombies. Stretched to breaking point.
Robot Hunter: A South African Steve Irwin tracks wild robots in a woodland. Sounds much funnier than it was, sadly.
Evile Cream: Moisturising cream parody; so weak I've forgotten the joke.
James Bond Bestiality: Suave 007 is accused of bestiality with a flamingo by local cops... and gets away with it. Hmmm...
Sexual Classics: Pastiche of those classical album ads, but with the recordings of a sexual nature. Not bad.
Modern Life... Let's Have A Good Night's Sleep: Great music and vibe with these sketches, but this wasn't one of the best. Quite liked the constant sausage eating bits, though.
BuyIt Channel: Prince Charles sells a crown encrusted with invisible "ghost diamonds". Ye-es.
Dental Patient Chat: Sigh.
Laurel & Hardy "Soap & Water": Fun little parody of those black-and-white classics, but now with swearing! "What did you fucking do that for?" Actually very funny.
Columbo: Very, very bad. Only included so Peter can do a weak impression of Peter Falk and the episode can end with Columbo-style credits.
I actually hate being so down on TPSS, as I was giddy with excitement over this show a few months ago. I adore Look Around You and think Peter himself is a gifted performer, but the writing quality and standard of ideas has been very low. There's enough pace and amusing moments to make it just about watchable, but it's wholly forgettable.
A sketch-by-sketch:
BBN News: As much as I like the idea, it's getting tiresome now.
Acting Masterclass... with Robert DeNiro: Good impression, but not one of the best sketches. I quite liked the improv scene with DeNiro and Brando, though – where DeNiro's talent stretches to just choosing to say "milk"!
O! News: The Sarcasm Of The Christ was amusing, but Robin Williams saying the "x-word" was a miss, and a Donald Trump sketch was just alright (in the UK, Trump's not really known enough for a parody to work that well.)
Butterfield International Hotel: I've grown to quite like the character, but this wasn't very good. That said, the idea that the hotel's stars were actually asterix's warning of problems was funny.
Dead Or Undead: Parody of Deal Or No Deal where the boxes either contain skeletons or zombies. Stretched to breaking point.
Robot Hunter: A South African Steve Irwin tracks wild robots in a woodland. Sounds much funnier than it was, sadly.
Evile Cream: Moisturising cream parody; so weak I've forgotten the joke.
James Bond Bestiality: Suave 007 is accused of bestiality with a flamingo by local cops... and gets away with it. Hmmm...
Sexual Classics: Pastiche of those classical album ads, but with the recordings of a sexual nature. Not bad.
Modern Life... Let's Have A Good Night's Sleep: Great music and vibe with these sketches, but this wasn't one of the best. Quite liked the constant sausage eating bits, though.
BuyIt Channel: Prince Charles sells a crown encrusted with invisible "ghost diamonds". Ye-es.
Dental Patient Chat: Sigh.
Laurel & Hardy "Soap & Water": Fun little parody of those black-and-white classics, but now with swearing! "What did you fucking do that for?" Actually very funny.
Columbo: Very, very bad. Only included so Peter can do a weak impression of Peter Falk and the episode can end with Columbo-style credits.
I actually hate being so down on TPSS, as I was giddy with excitement over this show a few months ago. I adore Look Around You and think Peter himself is a gifted performer, but the writing quality and standard of ideas has been very low. There's enough pace and amusing moments to make it just about watchable, but it's wholly forgettable.
