Animated Conversation

Animation is not just for kids, folks. I mean there was a time when that was the case...Bugs Bunny and Porkie Pig didn't really appeal that much to adults. But Bugs and Porkie are gone, long gone (apart from those rubbish looney toons movies that pop up every now and again). Today's cartoons are adult, offensive and very very funny!

The Simpsons

There's a reason that this show has been on for 20 years and produced over 400 episodes. There's a reason why you can say "D'oh" to anybody, anywhere in the world, and they'll understand what you're getting at. The Simpsons is brilliant. Yes, the show had an iffy five minutes somewhere around the 12th season mark, but hey, we all make mistakes right? The most recent episodes and the long awaited movie have both been brilliant and reminded us just why we fell in love with the show in the first place.

Family Guy

Some might consider its random flashbacks as lazy writing....others may say that the show is just a rip off of The Simpsons...all I know is that it's damn funny, gloriously offensive, instantly quotable and so popular that it was brought back from cancellation TWICE! Watch it, and bask in how dirty you feel afterwards!

Futurama

I remember how disappointed I was when I heard Futurama was going to be cancelled. The show was just beginning to build up steam, with funny moment after funny moment and so many classic episodes. The only problem with Futurama was the dreadful and completely laugh free first season, which put the show on borrowed time. But, much like Family Guy before it, huge public support brought the show back from the grave with 4 DVD movies on the way and (if we keep our fingers crossed) a possible brand new season after that as well. For Futurama, the future's looking bright.

Video Courtesy of youtube.com (user foxabulous)

Photos Courtesy of cartoonary.com and tv.com

Fonejacker reviewed

(picture source: http://www.webtvhub.com/)

It is one of the most common and popular pranks everyone has done at one stage in their lives but it is still entertaining and fun every time to listen to people making fools of themselves. The British Iranian television actor Kayvan Novak made a show of it. A show that is not necessarily everyone's cup of tea, that some may even find childish and unoriginal. But also a show that has won the BAFTA award for the "Best Comedy Programme" in 2008.

Fonejacker first appeared in May 2006. The first series started in the UK on 5th July 2007 on Channel 4 and consisted of six episodes. The second series began 17th September 2008 on E4 and 6th November 2008 on Channel 4. DVDs were also released of both series on 8th October 2007 and 27th October 2008.

Recurring characters - some examples:

Mr Doovde - the first character seen on Fonejacker: An illiterate fan of electrical goods, who mistakes abbreviations for actual words like for example he pronounces HMV "Hoomv", DVD "Doovde" and VHS "Vhurs".

Charlie Wong: Leader of the Chinese DVD Gang. He is part of a group of illegal, obese Chinese students who try to buy and sell on as much dodgy DVD copies as possible. He ends every conversation with "You want to buy DVD?".

Dufrais Constantinople: One of those guys who always finds something to complain about and calls any information and customer services hotline. He always has difficulty spelling out his name using words, annoyingly slowly and hesitant: "D for Donald/Derrick, U for up, R for raspberry, A for apple, I for is and S for stratosphere."

Steve: A young Scouse male, who is remarkably similar to Steven Gerrard. He calls here, there and everywhere from prison looking for a job, listing his work experience as a babysitter for his drug addict sister's children and cooking in the prison kitchen. 

Come with us to The Mighty Boosh

The Boosh has finally arrived. I ordered my tickets well over a year ago and it is finally here. So tomorrow night I will be going to Wembley Stadium and enjoying the live creations of Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt.

So come with us to The Mighty Boosh. Here we shall take a look into the world of the Boosh and its dark, twisted humour. Ok, basically The Boosh, as its more commonly known as, is the brainchild of Fielding and Barratt. The first series was set in a Zoo called the "Zooniverse". Although the zoo was the backdrop for series one the characters often find themselves well outside the confines of the zoo gates.

The two main characters, Vince Noir and Howard Moon, played by Fielding and Boosh respectively are two clashing personalities. It is this clash that makes the whole show come together. Howard's attempt at educating Vince in the world of Jazz, poetry and art is a lost cause. Partly because Vince is so concerned with his appearance, in particular his hair, which in the words of Vince himself is "practically a hat"and has 21 people working on it at any one time.

The pair are accompanied by Bollo, a gorilla, and Naboo, a shaman who runs the gift shop, despite having the power to exact voodoo vengeance on the wrongdoers.

Along their journey, which starts and ends at the Zooniverse, they encounter many strange characters such as Old Greg, a cave dwelling, seaweed creation who is obsessed with Baileys, The Hitcher whose green skin and unusually large thumb would be enough to stop any normal person from offering him a lift and then of course there is Mr Susan, a creature made out of chamois who dwells in the world of mirrors.

The further throughout the three series you travel the more twisted it becomes. They venture out of the zoo and into a flat in Shoreditch and then onto a shop called Nabootique. The journey is a wonderful one, if not a bit disturbing, and randomly filled by polos. Enjoy the ride.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.

I'm No Superman: A look at the laughter and tears in Scrubs

Scrubs is one of the most popular comedy programmes on TV right now. It's a hit in the ratings, cleans up at awards ceremonies and it's sent sales of Appletinis through the roof! But the wonderful thing about Scrubs that sets it apart from all the other shows out there is that not only does each episode provide side splitting comedy, but it can also deliver truly powerful and emotional moments of drama as well. Here are the best examples of Scrubs doing what it does best...making you want to laugh and cry in equal measures.

Season 5: My Lunch

Crying With Laughter: As well as JD’s attempt to force Dr Cox into having lunch with him by hiding every spoon in the hospital on soup and frozen yoghurt day, this episode has Carla and Elliot attempt to coax sexist, sleazy innuendo spouting surgeon “The Todd” out of the closet. Todd reveals his true sexuality, but very little changes…he just hits on the guys instead of girls. Eventually he reveals to Elliot and Carla that he was faking it all, because “chicks dig gay dudes”.

Just Plain Crying: After JD bumps into Jill Tracy, an annoying former patient whose life has taken a turn for the worst, he tries everything he can to avoid her…until she turns up at the hospital having taken a fatal cocaine overdose. Jill’s mother allows Dr Cox to give Jill’s organs to three patients waiting for a transplant, while JD wonders whether he could have prevented her death. Dr Cox manages to convince JD to stop blaming himself for a death that wasn’t his fault before a cruel twist of fate reveals that Jill really died of rabies and now the three patients with her organs have got it too. The final scene sees Dr Cox desperately trying, and failing, to save them from death, accompanied by The Fray’s How To Save A Life. Feeling responsible for all their deaths, Dr Cox walks out of the hospital seemingly for good.

Season 6: My Long Goodbye

Crying With Laughter: Jordan and Dr Cox have just had a baby girl, who apparently looks like a lizard, but only one other person knows about it, and that’s JD. However Dr Cox doesn’t want anybody else knowing about the birth, so is left with no option but to rely on JD to keep Jordan distracted with an overenthusiastic round of congratulations (Wow Jordan, you sure look hot for a woman who’s just been gutted!) and a finger shadow puppet presentation of the attack on Pearl Harbour. Frustrated that JD is her only visitor, Jordan decides that he can be the godfather and that the baby will be named Jennifer Dylan (JD), which reduces the original JD to a gibbering wreck.

Just Plain Crying: The reason Dr Cox didn’t want anybody to know about the birth of his daughter is because Nurse Laverne Roberts is in a coma after getting into a car accident. One by one the staff of Sacred Heart line up to say their goodbyes which upsets Nurse Carla, Laverne’s closest friend, as she still believes that Laverne will still recover. However Laverne is found to be brain dead and the family agrees to switch off her life support machine. Unable to cope with the fact that Laverne will soon die, Carla goes into denial, refusing to see Nurse Roberts while at the same time being followed everywhere by her ghost-like spirit. Eventually she is convinced by Elliot and Turk to say her goodbyes while she still can, even though she still feels unready. After a heartbreakingly emotional speech, Carla is comforted by her friends as Laverne finally passes away.

Season 3: My Screw Up

Crying With Laughter: Carla forces Turk to shave off his moustache, resulting in a rather unwanted discovery…Turk has a mole above his lip, a mole that Carla hears speaking to her. While Carla is desperate to get rid of Turk’s “tickle button”, Elliot is paranoid about the huge bunion on her foot. She refuses to draw the face of her boyfriend on it as a loving tribute, as JD suggested, but still does not know how to get rid of it. Carla convinces Turk to have plastic surgery, despite his fears that he will forever be branded a “butt face” after the skin graft. Just as the surgery is about to begin however, Carla feels guilty and calls the operation off. Elliot leaps at the opportunity to have the plastic surgeon take care of her bunion, the sight of which causes a nurse to faint. Nice!

Just Plain Crying: Generally considered by fans to be the saddest moment in the show, Dr Cox’s former brother in law and best friend, Ben, arrives at the hospital two years after he was diagnosed with Leukaemia. Although delighted to see him again, Dr Cox chastises Ben for not seeing a single doctor following his diagnosis.
Later Dr Cox rushes out of the hospital to bail the clown for his son’s upcoming birthday party out of jail and leaves Ben with JD, who is already overloaded with patients, one of which is on the verge of death. When Cox returns, JD informs him that his patient has died. Dr Cox decides that JD was to blame for the patient’s death and, despite Ben’s protests, takes all of JD’s other patients and sends him home.
Ben follows Dr Cox around everywhere he goes, trying to convince him to forgive JD. Cox finally gives in and acknowledges to JD that he wasn’t to blame for the death. JD later finds Dr Cox talking to Ben on the way to what Dr Cox believes is his son’s birthday party. After JD arrives, Dr Cox turns to find Ben gone…and realises that he is really at Ben’s funeral. He, along with the viewers, realises that Ben was JD’s patient that died and that ever since then Ben has been a figment of Dr Cox’s imagination. The episode closes with Dr Cox being comforted by JD as he stares out at Ben’s coffin. And this show’s supposed to be a comedy...

Videos Courtesy of: youtube.com (users reticentmind, HaxTbh and freakofebag), Photo Courtesy of wallpapergate.com

That's what FRIENDS are for...

Yep, today's the day. My 23rd birthday. It's one of those days when you especially reflect on the past years, what has changed since the last birthday or the other "big" birthdays, my 21st, 20th, 18th, etc. And you also think about what could have been; what if I wouldn't have gone to uni? Not to this uni but a different one? What if I would've got together with that guy, not the other one, etc., etc., etc. Things would be completely different! Or would they, really? Maybe some things are just ment to be and would happen one way or the other... That's destiny, right?

That's exactly what my favourite FRIENDS episodes reflect on and deal with. That's why I love them! Just like what I wrote about Absolutely Fabulous yesterday, it deals with thoughts, issues, problems and situations many of us have had or been through ourselves. That's why we, the audience, can relate to the characters, see ourselves in their shoes and that's what makes out my favourite episodes. That's what makes the show enjoyable, funny and entertaining. It cheers me up every time I watch it, because I get to see that I'm not the only one in the funny turmoil called life. 

Season 6, episodes 15 and 16, The One that Could Have Been, Part 1 and 2:
What if Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) would have married Barry? What if Ross (David Schwimmer) would have stayed together with Carol? Would Rachel and Ross have still got together? What if Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) would have taken a high-profile business job? What if Joe (Matt LeBlanc) would have not been killed off on Days of Our Lives? What if Chandler (Matthew Perry) would have started working for Joe because he didn't have anything better - any better job - to do? What if Monica (Courtney Cox Arquette) would have stayed fat? Would Chandler still have fallen for her? Questions, questions, questions; just watch to find out and be entertained, amused and maybe even surprised:


(posted by willkatty October 25, 2008)

Season 3, episode 6, The One with the Flashbacks:
What the group didn't know of each other: Who wanted whom. Who has had it off with whom... Or nearly anyway... No matter how good friends are, there are always dirty little secrets hidden somewhere. Good that times have changed - shockingly funny entertainment and cute in a way:


(posted by mileymarlon November 8, 2008)

More info and details to the show and cast.

Film and TV fun for Christmas

A film about the antics of animated zoo animals lost in Africa may not appeal to everyone but Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa is full of fun and laugh for all ages this Christmas. The sequel to the hugely popular Madagascar, released in 2005, follows the story of Alex, Gloria, Melman and Marty as they crash land in an African wildlife reserve. Though the main storyline is not based around comedy the sub plot keeps the laughs coming.

The star’s of this film have to be the penguins who are hysterically funny throughout the film. A mention also has to go to the character of King Julien (voiced by funny man Sacha Baron Cohen) and his loyal sidekick Maurice, who just like in the first film, provide the laughs when at times the main storyline falls flat.

This sequel may at times disappoint with a Lion King based main plot of a corrupt lion named Makunga (voiced by Alec Baldwin) but there are plenty of laughs to make the trip to the cinema worthwhile, if you were a fan of the first installement then this latest adventure will not disappoint overall. Though this film may seem to only appeal to the under 10’s I would recommend it for family trips to the cinema and to anyone of any age who wants to see a funny and sometimes silly film.

If the cold weather or credit crunch keeps you inside this winter then Wallace and Gromit on the BBC is the perfect choice for comedy this Christmas. Creator Nick Park has returned to the popular show based on the antics of plasticine characters Wallace and Gromit to make a 30 minute film ‘A matter of Loaf and death’. The latest instalment comes after the success of films like ‘A Grand Day Out’, ‘A Close Shave’, ‘The Wrong Trousers’ and big-screen outing ‘The Curse of the Were-Rabbit’.

Just like Madagascar, the Wallace and Gromit films may seem to only be for the younger generations but the charming, witty and funny characters and plots can provide comedy for any ages. As a fan on the Wallace and Gromit series I cannot remember a Christmas where I have not sat round the television with my whole family to watch a Wallace and Gromit film, the series is a tradition of the BBC’s and many families’ Christmas schedule.

(Wallace and Gromit, A Matter of Loaf and Death premieres Christmas Day, 8.30pm on BBC1)

Image (Madagascar) from WildAboutMovies.com

Image (Wallace and Gromit) from Wallaceandgromit.com

How the smeg did they do it?

Photograph courtesy of penny arcade.com
Cast from left to right: , Danny John-Jules (Cat), Hattie Hayridge (Holly), Craig Charles (Dave Lister), Robert Llewellyn (Kryten) and Chris Barrie (Arnold Rimmer)

Dwarfers everywhere are rejoicing as digital channel Dave has commissioned four special episodes of Red Dwarf for 2009. Two episodes continue from where series eight left off and the other two the "making of the specials".

Three million years into deep space and the last human being in the universe, Dave Lister, is awaking from stasis to find that the entire crew of Jupiter mining ship Red Dwarf have been killed by a radiation leak. His only companions a hologram of his dead crew mate Rimmer and a creature that evolved from the ship's cat.

This is the story that began the cult science-fiction sit-com that is Red Dwarf. So how did this genre hybrid go on to win an International Emmy, a British Comedy Award and become one of the highest rated shows on the BBC?

The formula was a collaboration of Rob Grant and Doug Naylor's writing skills, the actors' comedic timing and of course the fantastic set and prop design.

Grant and Naylor's production company (Grant Naylor productions) had experienced success before the birth of Red Dwarf after they saved the satirical comedy Spitting Image from almost certain extinction. Their ability to mix satirical comedy, science-fiction and plot-driven humour is what makes Red Dwarf such compelling viewing.

The cast, and their ability to deliver one-liners with perfect comedic timing, adds to the cult following of Red Dwarf. Everyone has their favourite character; whether it's Lister and his slobbish ways, Rimmer and his anal retentiveness, the Cat's cool or Kryten's comedic way of analysing everything to the extent that it no longer becomes recognisable to a human being. For example his description of a pub is: "A meeting place where people try to achieve advanced states of mental incompetence by the repeated consumption of fermented vegetable drinks".

Then of course there is the whole Norman Lovett/ Hattie Hayridge debate. Who really was the better Holly? They both bring their own individual brand of comedy to the character. Norman Lovett adds a loveable, dry humoured approach to Holly and Hattie Hayridge adds a ditsy and fantastically feminine touch to the character.

Famous for its unpredictable plot, Red Dwarf ultimately stands the test of time. It has remained in popular consciousness and is in the BBC's ten best selling dvds, even beating The Office which as we all know has won loads of awards and had a far larger budget than the small crimson one.

So there you have it. Red Dwarf is "kicking bottom all the way".

Bloody 20... 30... 40... 50, sweety!

With my birthday coming up (tomorrow!!!), age has been an issue under focus and discussion too regularly for my liking lately. I don't have an issue with it myself, I'm still young, but I have many friends and family members who flap about approaching that certain personal hurdle - be it 20, 30, 40 or 50.

That's where I come to a brilliant, classic comedy series - Absolutely Fabulous. The way they focus on the problems and dilemmas of middle-aged women is spot-on and hilarious.

Regarding the issues some people have with age, I have picked out one of my favourite episodes, episode five of the first series called "Birthday", where Edina, played by Jennifer Saunders, turns "bloody 40". Her daughter Saffron, played by Julia Sawalha, does her best to organise a nice birthday for her mother. She has invited and prepared everything for family and friends, just for Eddie to blow them off, not wanting to acknowledge her age. Patsy, played by Joanna Lumley, joins her friend Eddie in her age grief but of course makes the most of it, especially the drinks, at the same time.

(posted by abfab07 January 24, 2007)

You could have a case of overacting against Saunders and Lumley - but that is what makes the show what it is. It fulfills what comedy is there for, taking a situation with issues everybody knows and everybody has gone or will go through in one way or the other and exaggerating and making the best and funniest of it with Saunders and Lumley at their best. 

Top 5 Only Fools and Horses...Lovely Jubbly!

The Top 5 moments from British sitcom, Only Fools and Horses. Starring David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst.


5. Coach Blows Up (Jolly Boys Outing)

A classic moment of comedy timing in this episode. On their Jolly Boys Outing Rodney, Del and friends are in Margate but chaos ensues and everyone is left stranded after a pure moment of comedy gold. As Rodney tells Cassandra "I think it is unfair to say that everything he (Del) touches goes wrong" another Del-related disaster ensues and their coach explodes in the background, prompting a hilarious expression from a shocked Rodney!


4. The Chandelier (A Touch of Glass)


Even though the audience knows what is coming this comedy moment is hysterically funny. Apparently based on a real-life accident by writer John Sullivan's father, Del, Rodney and Granddad are working on chandeliers when the work all goes wrong. As Del and Rodney hold a blanket under the chandelier Granddad unscrews the bolt from above but in a classic comedy moment the wrong chandelier falls and smashes and the Trotters make a quick get away!

3. The Blow Up Dolls (Danger UXD)


It may not be number one but this iconic scene is defiantly one of the funniest scenes in Only Fools and Horses history. A clip you can't help not laugh at however many times you have seen it. As the Trotters sit round in the lounge Del, Rodney and Albert are startled as blow up dolls (dolls filled with gas that Del has has taken from Denzil) inflate and appear from behind the cocktail bar. As they all run out the flat terrified, the audience is given great laughs by this immensely funny Only Fools and Horses joke.


2. Batman and Robin (Heroes and Villains)


Whether it is the costumes, the music, the timing or the expression of the Councillor Murray (or a bit of everything) that makes this moment hilarious, this scene is classic Only Fools and Horses. As Del and Rodney dress up as Batman and Robin for a fancy dress party their van breaks down and Batman and Robin come to the rescue of a shocked Councillor...



(Video on Youtube, posted by EnoRed)


1. Del falls through bar (Yuppy Love)


This moment is simply the most iconic in the show's history. Based around only Del and Trigger a simple joke is made into one of the best television comedy moments ever. At a wine bar Del is flirting with women with Trigger and in his attempt to "play it nice and cool" Del (and the hapless Trigger as he spins around to look for the fallen Del) provide us with the best moment in Only Fools and Horses...



(Posted on Youtube by SukhiBalboa)


These may be the top five moments but Only Fools and Horses provided many more laughs. From Tony Angelino's 'cwying', the hapless but hysterical character of Trigger and the endless list of classic catchphrases ('Cushty', 'Rodney, you plonker' etc..) the show is a British comedy great.