Happy New Rant

A lot of talk about the death of the sitcom over Christmas, including a very pompous article in the Radio Times by a TV critic whose name I can’t recall.

This to me seems to be a contrived debate about nothing in particular; a classic chattering classes BBC style non-issue debate.

Considering recent shows like The Office, Father Ted, Still Game and Spaced have been excellent and well received critically what is this discussion about? Because to me it seems to be about the way sitcoms are produced, shot and sold to audiences, which is not what we should be talking about. The only criteria should be whether or not the show is funny.

Shows like Armando Ianucci’s The Thick Of It demonstrate that the sitcom is not dead, merely as it ever was, evolving.

The fact that this show doesn’t have “mass appeal” or a particularly broad approach is simply recognition of the fact that broadcasting has fundamentally changed, something even people who write for the Radio Times don’t seem to be able to grasp.

The reason why there are no new Dads Armys is simple. Back then, your only other choice was ITV or a book. Your humour had to be broad, because you were aiming at the dead centre of the British public. Now you have to know your demographic.

The so-called traditional sitcom still exists and still gets ratings – the likes of My Family and My Hero are awful, but get an audience, so what’s the real issue?

There is an issue certainly about how bad sitcoms in this country have become but you only have to look to the US to see excellent shows like Arrested Development and Curb Your Enthusiasm existing squaring within the parameters of the traditional. So the idea that the sitcom is dead is merely hyperbolic balderdash; an unhelpful and inaccurate contribution to the debate on the decline of Televised British Comedy.

I personally blame the cowardice, ineptitude and tendency towards nepotism that pervades the television industry in general for a decline in standards that has been obvious in all branches of British television, particularly news coverage, not just the humble sitcom.

Regarding that decline in standards, I have to nail my colours to the mast and say enough is enough with these Jerry Springer style panel shows.

I had the gross misfortune to catch some of The Jeremy Kyle Show last night and my God, what obnoxious filth it is.

I am heart sick of smug, careerist wankers like Kyle encouraging Britain’s least intelligent people to parade their personal misery for the entertainment of whoever gets off on this pointless trash.

The idea that everyone somehow deserves to be the star of the show, to have their 15 minutes has to be challenged, especially when your 15 minutes is managed and manipulated in such a way that it makes you look utterly foolish at best.

The participants in Kyle’s farce are plainly encouraged (if not instructed) to “go off on one” when they appear onstage in classic Springer Show tradition and are then subjected to demeaning, condescending advice from a man whose only qualification seems to be that he has a microphone.

“Dave, your alcoholism has destroyed your family, true or false?”

It’s utterly brutal, and that’s essentially what I object to. When did appearing on television become more important that your dignity? How can being ridiculed and harangued in public by a haircut be in any way healthy?

“You won’t like me saying this but you’re demanding respect from your mother. Respect has to be earned”

It truly beggars belief.

It’s a freak show masquerading as a helpful discussion show and isn’t just bad TV, its evil, plain and simple.

I’m all for personal responsibility and of course anyone who agrees to appear on one of these shows has to have some inkling as to what they are letting themselves in for but that is no excuse for this kind of blatant exploitation of obviously vulnerable people.

It’s like watching bright folk poke thick folk with sticks and everyone involved should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.