Saweet! I thought they were canceling it!

Huh. Turns out we just needed to turn it off and on again.

I think this has gradually become a decent show. I didn't like the earlier shows much and I still think they could work in some geeky memes in the same way you see done in Family Guy/American Dad. That said the writing was pretty tight on the last show, the Fredo one.

>> ^ctrlaltbleach:

Saweet! I thought they were canceling it!


Why would they do that?

Anyways, I saw the season/series 4 premiere and it was decent. Not the best. I can't wait for today's episode!

I take it back, just watched the latest episode The Final Countdown. Absolutely dreadful. Is this one of these shows that gets overrated because the subject matter appeals to geeks?

The best thing about it is Matt Berry who has a decent character. The aerobics payoff was actually a little funny.

^ Couldn't agree more Deano, and believe me I've given it a chance. Matt Berry's fantastic in any form though and can literally make me cry with laughter.

Comment hidden because you are ignoring dag. (show it anyway)

Hmm, maybe it is a geek thing- but my partner likes it, and she's the anti-geek. More evidence of humour being utterly subjective I think.

Haven't seen the new series, but there are a few episodes of the earlier series' that are as close to perfect comedy as it gets. The one where they go to see Gay - the Gay Musical is brilliant, and the one where the boss starts going out with the woman who used to be a man. And the one where the old boss dies and they have his funeral.

If you don't find it funny (in general), I honestly pity you.

For the record, I think Graham Linehan is a veritable comedic genius. Big Train is one of the greatest sketch shows ever created, and Father Ted one of the best sitcoms. Most of my friends adore IT Crowd too, and we have very similar taste when it comes to comedy. Also, I think Richard Ayoade is hilarious, particularly in Garth Marenghi's Darkplace. Really, all signs point to me loving the programme; but I don't.

I will, however, attempt to watch it again.

Hey, let's not be like that - I don't mind anyone getting a kick out of a sitcom and I'm not going to rant on them if they don't like say, Seinfeld. But let me get a little more specific as to why I feel the I.T Crowd hasn't really worked.

I agree those eps had their moments but you're probably looking at the very, very best bits there. The Outing relied on broad, farcical humour which you can't use to sustain a series and had nothing to do with the situation of the show (which is supposed to be where the humour comes from).

But mostly I don't see where the gags are most of the time. Having a bloke pretend like he's from The Matrix and not giving him any jokes means you're putting A LOT on the actor. And most of the time this show does not get the balance of jokes and performances right.

In The Final Countdown Roy doesn't want to be mistaken for a window cleaner by an aquaintance. But because the antagonist is so sketchily drawn along there isn't anything at stake nor is there a payoff. And like most of the principals the guy playing Roy doesn't have the comedic acting chops to pull this off. A similar situation in Seinfeld would have worked because Jason Alexander (this would be a George situation) can turn average material into gold. And I'm beginning to wonder what Katherine Parkinson is supposed to be doing - her character doesn't develop and her storylines are as flimsy as can be.

It's interesting that Linehan co-wrote Father Ted which was much better than the I.T Crowd and is solely responsible for this.

I'll say this again - the best thing about the show is Matt Berry. He's clearly having fun and has a character that could go places. The show should be about him or some similar nutcase and the guys in the basement should be peripheral characters. I'm glad that Noel Fielding and Chris Morris appear to be gone as they were bloody awful.


>> ^kymbos:

Haven't seen the new series, but there are a few episodes of the earlier series' that are as close to perfect comedy as it gets. The one where they go to see Gay - the Gay Musical is brilliant, and the one where the boss starts going out with the woman who used to be a man. And the one where the old boss dies and they have his funeral.
If you don't find it funny (in general), I honestly pity you.

>> ^deputydog:

For the record, I think Graham Linehan is a veritable comedic genius. Big Train is one of the greatest sketch shows ever created, and Father Ted one of the best sitcoms. Most of my friends adore IT Crowd too, and we have very similar taste when it comes to comedy. Also, I think Richard Ayoade is hilarious, particularly in Garth Marenghi's Darkplace. Really, all signs point to me loving the programme; but I don't.
I will, however, attempt to watch it again.


He co-wrote Father Ted and had better actors to work with. I'm not a fan of Richard Ayoade - he seems to try bloody hard in this but can't help feeling someone else could play Moss with far less effort and get a lot more out of the role.

The other thing about the acting quality - the supporting actors they get just seem really average. Again, because I love mentioning it, Seinfeld always had a knack of casting amazing support who gave stormingly funny performances and many of them became hugely memorable. I've never seen a sitcom match this. Here it's like the three main characters are supposed to carry it all off on their own - it's too big a burden IMO.

It's fucking shit.

I liked it more when it was more closely related to the IT world, it reminded me of working as support and fucking Dilbert like conditions that would entail usually.

Now it's making geeks looking stupid in strange situations far removed from any real grounding. This season never got my interest. Don't think I'd watch it again.

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Actually, my favourite character was Richmond the Goth - I thought Noel Fielding played this well. "The Dinner Party" episode was hilarious. "I only drink Absinthe".

Roy and Moss are characters I care about- but I agree that they could invest more in the actual character development- and story some story arc please! If Roy broke up with his GF in the first episode- why is it never mentioned again? I also agree that Katherine's character is a real weak link.

>> ^Deano:

Hey, let's not be like that - I don't mind anyone getting a kick out of a sitcom and I'm not going to rant on them if they don't like say, Seinfeld. But let me get a little more specific as to why I feel the I.T Crowd hasn't really worked.
I agree those eps had their moments but you're probably looking at the very, very best bits there. The Outing relied on broad, farcical humour which you can't use to sustain a series and had nothing to do with the situation of the show (which is supposed to be where the humour comes from).
But mostly I don't see where the gags are most of the time. Having a bloke pretend like he's from The Matrix and not giving him any jokes means you're putting A LOT on the actor. And most of the time this show does not get the balance of jokes and performances right.
In The Final Countdown Roy doesn't want to be mistaken for a window cleaner by an aquaintance. But because the antagonist is so sketchily drawn along there isn't anything at stake nor is there a payoff. And like most of the principals the guy playing Roy doesn't have the comedic acting chops to pull this off. A similar situation in Seinfeld would have worked because Jason Alexander (this would be a George situation) can turn average material into gold. And I'm beginning to wonder what Katherine Parkinson is supposed to be doing - her character doesn't develop and her storylines are as flimsy as can be.
It's interesting that Linehan co-wrote Father Ted which was much better than the I.T Crowd and is solely responsible for this.
I'll say this again - the best thing about the show is Matt Berry. He's clearly having fun and has a character that could go places. The show should be about him or some similar nutcase and the guys in the basement should be peripheral characters. I'm glad that Noel Fielding and Chris Morris appear to be gone as they were bloody awful.

>> ^kymbos:
Haven't seen the new series, but there are a few episodes of the earlier series' that are as close to perfect comedy as it gets. The one where they go to see Gay - the Gay Musical is brilliant, and the one where the boss starts going out with the woman who used to be a man. And the one where the old boss dies and they have his funeral.
If you don't find it funny (in general), I honestly pity you.