Bob and Margaret

Wow, I must say that I was shocked to see that the majority of my fellow Yanks, who commented on the series, had mostly negative things to say about it. I don't know about them, but I certainly "dug" the cartoon. How I wish it was on DVD, but at least it is on VHS since Comedy Central isn't showing it anymore. I could totally relate to this series: Reluctantly going over an acquaintance's house, taking a cheap bottle of wine, being bored, longing for home; Going to a supermarket and getting out of the line you were in to get in one that seemed faster just to be held up for eons of time; so forth.

I miss watching this show. It was a Sunday night ritual for me. It depicted a typical couple in many ways. While I've always loved the Simpsons and find South Park humorous, Bob and Margaret is indeed different, but in a unique way and it is very good! I'd hate to think fellow sitcom enthusiasts from other parts of the world think most Americans lack the depth and open-mindedness to get this kind of humor due to what a few of them wrote on IMDB. Many of my friends and co-workers (also fellow Yanks) enjoyed it also. Any more fellow Americans wish to make a positive comment about the show?

This is not a matter of ethnicity. I feel it's a matter of intelligence. You have to understand sarcasm and irony to enjoy this series. I agree South Park is pretty weak, but no less tiresome than Monty Python. I'm not comparing them, simply stating that both can get old pretty fast. Bob and Margaret is a sophisticated, eclectic, sardonic comedy series. My wife and I can't wait for this series to come out on DVD. It is a slice of life that we can sit back and laugh at someone else's problems, and compare them to our own, with a sense of humor. Definitely worth enjoying if you can find it. It's too bad this series was not received well by the masses, it doesn't have the slap-stick, easy to digest fell of some of the other comedies that people mindlessly ingest.

This show doesn't hit you over the head with funny...it's sublime. Like most good British comedy. My only regret is that Bob Fish was replaced in the third series...

If you don't get British humour, you just don't. But if you do...I highly recommend this show.

I can understand why some people don't like Bob and Margaret. It is a remarkably cerebral cartoon that's occasionally fairly serious in tone, occasionally a real downer, and where nearly every episode breaks down on some level to a debate of the finer points of ethics.

Consider, though, that all of the above can also apply to Seinfeld.

It helps to have a certain familiarity with British culture. That there are people out there like Margaret's parents, who barely acknowledge their daughter and her accomplishments, and profusely thank Bob for "taking her off their hands," and who wouldn't dare ask for something as presumptuous as food. Or Canadian culture - that the vulgar and obnoxious cousins Cookie and Melvin occasionally strike depressingly close to home.

As for the move to Canada, it doesn't particularly matter. Even in London, Bob and Margaret were forever alien in anything they attempted to do. Making them literal aliens is a reasonable next step.

We tuned in to Bob and Margaret not knowing quite what to expect. This was a breath of fresh air. Some of the situations they have found themselves in has happened to us and doubtless many more couples. This is what endears the couple to the viewer. It all comes from brilliant writing. I can't understand why Bob and Margaret hasn't been snapped up by a major channel and aired in a prime time spot. It would go down a storm and be near to top ratings. Simpicity, pathos and humour is the best tonic I know and top marks to this charming cartoon for bringing a little joy into our lives. Long may it run, I hope that they will make several more series as we become accustomed to their lives.