tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18892846.post54762178984556257..comments2023-11-03T11:15:21.828+00:00Comments on BrokenTV: An Unstructured Review Of Reggie PerrinMark Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568170388731350030noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18892846.post-1599438493856131542009-04-25T23:02:00.000+01:002009-04-25T23:02:00.000+01:00Imagine my complete lack of suprise when Sam Wolla...Imagine my complete lack of suprise when Sam Wollaston's review of this in The Guardian today did indeed mention The Office and the use of a 'laughter track'. I was even less suprised when I muttered something unspeakable about said hack under my breath as I read it. I really shouldn't put myself through it.<br />My review: expected it to be awful. Wasn't awful. Wasn't great either. Clunes not bad at all though. Will try again next week.ChrisGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18892846.post-11505843811365120652009-04-25T10:44:00.000+01:002009-04-25T10:44:00.000+01:00I rather enjoyed it, and I'm not afraid to say so....I rather enjoyed it, and I'm not afraid to say so. I didn't expect to enjoy it at all, as a severe apologist of the original and a long-standing wish that Rossiter gets the posthumous credits that Barker, Morecambe and Cooper get for comic timing, so maybe the fact that I enjoyed it from a negative standpoint made it all the more worthwhile in the end.<br /><br />Although I take your point about the shift from helpless entrapment to employee bullying, there are signs in the character that he does seek assistance and has vulnerability, not least the "I want *you*" moment when his wife goes out as he arrives home, telling him about the ham in the fridge as she shuts the door. This struck me as vividly as the "No, I love *Elizabeth*" moment in original Reggie's mind when he has the opportunity, while absent and incognito, to go off with an attractive woman.<br /><br />Sometimes, also, you just have to count the laughs. I loved the pumice presentation, for example, while the daydream moments - Jasmine on Reggie's desk, smashing up the wellness person's hi-fi - were excellently done. I also think there's no harm in recreating Webster and Harris-Jones for the modern day, and as you say the fact that this was done without "Great" or "Super"-esque catchphrases offers real insight and credit.<br /><br />I didn't like the new CJ very much, but then again were either character meant to be likeable? Evidence of Reggie's family seems absent so far too, though maybe that will change. They clearly aren't old enough to have a married daughter, or at least not one with children of her own, so the "I done biggies" potential seems to have evaporated.<br /><br />I actually look forward to next week's go.Matthew Ruddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05842392964784000029noreply@blogger.com