Upstart Crow

We've been enjoying this show quite a bit. It can be uneven, but there are usually quite a few good laughs. And the more Shakespeare you know, the better! I doubt a show like this could ever make it in the US; kudos to the Beeb for continuing to take chances with content that demands something of its audience.

And we LOVE the little animations. Whoever thought of that is brilliant!

I came across this on TV a couple of weeks ago, and I was surprised by how funny it was. I wasn't aware at the time that it was from the writer of "Blackadder", but it certainly shows in the quality. The cleverest thing is the dialogue. It's a great mix of Shakespearean phrases and modern English brilliantly rolled into one. The jokes are very funny, and the cast well-chosen (Mitchell is excellent as Shakespeare). If you haven't seen this, I'd recommend checking it out. It's well-worth your time if you like British Comedy.

In a time when too many television comedies have become filled with formulaic stereotypes, Upstart Crow presents a funny show that doesn't talk down to the audience. I love the insider references to past shows such as Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin and Will's constant complaints about travel from London via coach. I love the creative language and the hints of prescience that come in as well as references to ideas that get scuttled or titles that get changed. The character of Green absolutely eats up the scenery, but there are wonderful low key performances from all of the characters. I have not enjoyed a series as much since the Elizabethan era BlackAdder or perhaps Fawlty Towers.

I am a bit perplexed as to why so many find canned laughter offensive. When Red Dwarf did a few shows with no laugh track at all many fans complained bitterly. This show is smart and funny. It took a couple of episodes to really get going, but when it did it took off. As an ex-teacher who used to use an old Vincent Price movie to get kids into Shakespeare, I wish I had this around in my day.

PS: It is nothing like Blackadder.

I find rather hard to believe that folk believe that there is canned laughter in this show. I also find it had to believe that someone who claims to have watched only 30 seconds of it can actually judge. I have attended 2 recordings of this rather clever show and can categorically state that the laughter is real laughter from real people sitting in their bums watching the actors sweating. Ben Elton is there throughout, pointing clues between takes for those not fully versed in Shakespeares. In fact in some of the breaks where characters have to make lengthy costume change he goes into long spiels about have British sit-coms are made and that laughter tracks are never used at the BBC.

Second series in now in the can - hopefully there will be a third.