Look Around You Series Two Review

This isn’t from Look Around You. This is the show, Tomorrow’s World, upon which Look Around You, Series 2 is based off of. This time it aired in 2005. Peter Serafinowicz and Robert Popper were behind this series as well. I have talked about them in my last blog post, so read it.

The format of the series changed quite a bit. The series now took place in the 1980s, whereas in the first series, it took place late 70s early 80s-ish. The series no longer supposedly aired on as part of a cable in the classroom broadcast, but instead aired on the standard BBC. Instead of ten minute modules, we have half an hour episodes. We no longer have experiments, but instead, we have segments, such as “Inventor of the Week” and interviews. The narrator was forgone, and instead, we have four presenters. Jack Morgan, played by Robert Popper, reprising his character from the first series (the music episode), Peter Packard, played by Peter Serafinowicz, Pam Bachelor played by Oliva Colman, and Pealy Maghti played by Josie D’Arby.

But what hasn’t changed is the absurdism, the warped reality, the awkwardness, the humor, and the authenticity.

The authenticity is shown through the colors and camera filters, and the clothing and hairstyles. Pealy and Pam often wear stereotypical eighties outfits, that look hilarious, along with their big eighties hair.

To capitalize on the awkwardness level, we now have four presenters all interacting with not only one another and the audience back home, but other British comedic actors, such as Simon Pegg, Edger Wright, Sarah Alexander, and Nick Frost.

This time the series is focused on upcoming technology—well, what is seen as upcoming from the 1980s. According to the show, by the year 2010, people will live to be 400, reaching puberty when they’re eighty. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

As well, the show uses horrible technical errors. An example can be seen in this clip here:

The show still uses some of its elements from the previous series, such as a recurring motif in each episode, and the use of portmanteau. Like in the previous series, there are also unpronounceable words, probably the best example being the inventor of the hilariously stereotypical computer for women, whose last name is silent.

As well, this series has a subplot that reaches its climax in the series finale. Throughout each episode, there is an invention of the week, which showcases a bizarre invention that has to do with the theme of the episode, and the equally bizarre inventor (one of them was a horse). The first episode introduces us to Leonard Hatred, who invented Psilence, a spray you put on your ears to keep sound from getting in. Hatred is so beautifully portrayed by Mark Heap, who supposedly improvised the funny walk he does. Hatred, hmm… that last name should signify something.

All of the inventors appear in a “live” series finale, in which Prince Charles will choose the inventor of the year, and present them with a trophy. Prince Charles actually appears, and using amazing effects (I’m not joking) he joins them in their live studio in the ten minutes of the show. He’s beautifully edited in, and his dialogue is dubbed by Serafinowicz who does another dead-on impersonation.

While Jack and Pealy await the Prince outside the studio with a cheering crowd, Peter and Pam interview each of the inventors and give the audience a recap and demonstration of their invention. The cap of Hatred’s Psilence can falls off, his demonstration  is cut short, he starts having outbursts throughout the episode, culminating in him spraying a can of psilence in Prince Charles’s face, the program being delayed for a few minutes along with technical difficulties, the scary picture from the video above being shown, and a few minutes of “Birds of Britain,” and Jack ending up inside the winning invention: the sex change machine.

This series has a few more strengths than the earlier series with regards to actors. The hosts all show off their comedic abilities. They all maintain a level of awkwardness. Some hilarious moments for Robert Popper’s character include his character Jack Morgan’s newest song: Reggae Man.

A demonstration for a toilet sterilizer which ends with Jack splashing toilet water in his mouth. This deleted scene:

Note: In the original scene aired Jack loves his newly disfigured face. And finally, Jack emerging from the sex change machine in the series finale, once again giving proof that Robert Popper might be a castrati or a eunuch. The fact that Popper’s character was a chart topper for a while with “Little Mouse” and went back to presenting a second-rate science show is funny enough.

Peter Serafinowicz is funny, period. It’s hard to find a specific example. A good example would be the Leonard Hatred clip I showed above, where he interrupts Jack's monologue by screaming since he can't hear. He also does the announcements and voiceovers on the show.

He kind of plays the straight man in kind of the leader of the presenters. But the way he reads some of the ridiculous lines such as “a bee sting to the anus” in a straight tone is just hilarious. (Just so you know, Clive Pounds was brought back alive at the end of the episode).

Olivia Colman’s funniest moment had to be when she played Pam from the future, at age 90, in the food episode when it was Pam’s birthday. She wore old age make-up and had a robotic, laser eye. As well, in the health episode, the scene with her driving the car while sleeping at the end of the episode was funny as well.

Josie D’arby’s character represented the token black character that TV shows would try to include in the 70s and 80s onward—at least that what’s I think. Also, Josie’s interpretation of Pealy is hilarious, so she obviously is great on the show regardless. She has this perky, yet at the same time awkward energy that is hilarious, along with her enthusiasm and smiling towards the camera, making her look like the only presenter who might be happy to be there.

The guests are funny as well. An example would be Synthesizer Patel, a man who loves Synthesizers so much that he changed his name to Synthesizer. (another man changed his first name to “Computer” because he loved computers so much) Synthesizer Patel is plain funny. He then reappears in the series finale and guess what? All of his synthesizers but one are stolen!

All and all, it was a hilarious series.

Look Around You First Series Review

Robert's the one holding the test tube, Peter's the one with the clipboard

I previous listed this British Comedy Series as an anti-comedy. Keep in mind anti-comedy is comedy without being presented as comedy. Look Around You's First series (series in britspeak=season in americanese) is a sharp, absurd satire of old 1970s and early 1980s educational films that were shown in British schools for either educational purpose, or on rainy days during recess. However, even in America we have the same kind of educational filmstrips as well, so it is just as relatable.

The show was created and written by Peter Serafinowicz and Robert Popper. They also play the guys in lab coats conducting experiments throughout the season.

Serafinowicz is a wellknown comedic writer and actor. He is an amazing impersonator, and most of the comedy on his 2007 TV series, the Peter Serafinowicz show is based on it, as well as some great original characters. He can be seen in American television on Running Wilde and was in Couples Retreat. A little-known fact is that he voiced Darth Maul in Star Wars Episode One. He can be seen in a number of Simon Pegg films. He voiced Darth Chef on South Park as well. His Paul McCartney impersonation is infamous and spot-on, winning him the role of Paul in Disney's remake of Yellow Submarine (this is the only reason I'm going to see it, other than being a Beatles fan).

Popper is more known for his writing, editing, and music, but can act just as well as Serafinowicz. Popper is known for his alter-ego, Robin Cooper. As Cooper, he wrote the Timewaster Letters, sending a large number of associations and hobby groups asking for absurd, bizarre stuff. As Cooper, he also releases "Timewaster Phone Calls" on his youtube channel Vanillapod. He will call venues, TV shows, and radio shows, reporting ridiculous things (he reported PM Gordon Brown throwing a tangerine at a lamination machine to a radio call-in show, resulting in "Tangerinegate"). Popper made a series of prank phone calls with Tim Heidecker from Tim and Eric, and as well as working with Trey Parker and Matt Stone for their most recent season of South Park.

In order to have the series have some authenticity, Nigel Lambert, a seasoned narrator narrates the first series.

Here are two examples:






The first series (season) aired in 2002. Nine episodes were produced. Each episode was ten minutes long, in the spirit of the actual source material. Like I said, the source material were educational videos shown to the creators in schools. The specific source was the ITV Schools (the English version of Cable in the Classroom) Experiment Series

Here is a typical episode or module.


What makes the series funny?

Comedy is within the truth. The truth is comedy. We've all had to watch these educational videos back in school. The part the immediately made me crack up was the fact that the narrator repeatedly told you to write answers down in your copybook. You get to watch a movie, but wait, it's an educational movie, but it's still a movie--but then you have to take notes. That makes it just as tedious as a regular boring science class. Didn't you hate that? And didn't you hate that you couldn't find the answers to some of the questions within the film? Well, the stuff the audience are expected to write down while watching "Look Around You" is even worse than that.

As well, both Popper and Serafinowicz will commonly play with words, using portmanteaux, and often words that are physically impossible to pronounce, such as cDonald's theorem.

Also, in this world, what is logical is illogical. As we can see, illogical and impossible things happen during experiments, almost to hilarious extents, such as the giant scissors appearing in the sky. As well, some of the experiments are unethical, such as the lab assistant injesting sulphane, and then being shot.

The authenticity makes it funny as well. The random notes played on a synthesizer were composed by Serafinowicz, often improvised. The filter makes it 70s-ish and dated as well, and the clothes and hairstyles worn make it look dated too. This contributes the the anti-comedy genre as well. The authenticity makes it look realistic.

The look on the "scientists'" faces are hilarious as well,  as if they don't want to be there.

Finally, the repetitive motifs in each episode make it funny. In the sulfur episode, the scientist repetively violently disposes of the items in the experiment, to the point of him using a gun. In the iron episode, whenever iron is put on a table, the camera shakes and there is a loud noise.

This series is easy to watch, as each module is ten minutes long. However, it leaves the audience wanting more. As well, depending on the audience, some people might not get it and think it is an actual science series, and be kind of pissed. However, this is not unique to this specific series, as any series that attempts an alternative or anti-comedy format risks this.

I find this series hillarious, and many other people do--Matt Groening, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Tim and Eric, and many more.

I suggest watching it.

In a few days, I will cover the second series, which is somewhat different than the first series.

So remember to look around you. I leave you with probably the best song in the world that originated from this series:

SNL 2-5-2011 Review

Tonight was a great episode. We saw the returns of not only Dana Carvey, but Mike Myers and Jon Lovitz in cameos. Mike Myers appeared in the opening sketch, in which they did, what else, but Wayne's World. Wayne and Garth listed their Oscar predictions, and still couldn't get over the fact that a movie called "Winter's Bone" came out, and handled it in true Wayne and Garth fashion.

In the opening monologue, Dana Carvey sang about how his cast was the greatest cast ever, and Jon Lovitz made his appearance, joining in a duet.

We saw the return of several of Dana's characters, including Garth, the Church Lady, Mickey Rooney, and Regis Philbin. I would have loved to see his Paul McCartney impersonation though.

We also saw great performances from featured cast member, Paul Brittain, when he played James Franco during weekend update, lampooning on the fact that Franco does a lot of stuff (a lot of movies, General Hospital, hosting the Oscars, directing, etc). And he proceeded to to the next joke on update. Then, minutes later, Seth Meyers asked, "James, what are you doing?" Then cut to James Franco holding up cue cards. "I'm doing cue cards now!" Man, James Franco is busy.

Abby Elliot gave a great performance as Chloe Kardashian, and Anna Faris. As well, we saw a great performance from Jay Pharoah as Eddie Murphy (spot-on!) and Bobby Moynihan as Snooki. Bobby's Snooki always makes me laugh. However, I do think that Lorne Michaels is relying a lot on Kristin Wigg, and needs to put more attention on the new featured castmembers, as well as the newly promoted castmembers (Abby Elliot and Bobby Moynihan). All in all, great show. Russell Brand is hosting next week. I called my mom while in between commercials, my mom is a huge Dana Carvey fan, and I had to explain who Russell Brand is. Chris Brown is the musical guest--what the hell?

Oh, and Just Bieber appeared for some reason.. but he did do a funny parody of the movie "The Roomate" with Andy Sandberg, and was funny in the Church Lady sketch.

ISN'T THAT SPECIAL?

Animation Domination Review

Overall a surprisingly strong night.

First, we have American Dad, which has been moved to 7:30 ET, instead of its usual 9:30 ET slot. In "Stanny-boy and Frantastic" Stan and Francine decide they need to befriend a couple. They eventually meet an alcoholic/adrenaline-addicted couple. The couple is younger than them, and lamented hanging out with a previous couple in their 40s, and Stan and Francine decide to lie their true age, and the fact they have kids. The couple eventually wears them out, with the constant benders, and risky activities, including parquor (amazing sequence). Stan and Francine decide to slow them down by ruining their contraceptives. The couple break up, so it's up to Stan and Francine to get them back together. Meanwhile, Roger and Steve order a cotton candy gun (yes, it's exactly what you think) they see on TV, only to get it, and see that it doesn't work. They call the company and are put on hold for a number of days.

This episode had a lot of funny moments, and I was surprised to not find a cringe moment. Some hilarious moments include.

Cirque de Solei Moon Frye.

Cirque de Hey Hey Hey (a tribute to What's Happening)

Stan and Francine coming home drunk, and the morning after.

The parquor scene.

Stan and Francine enter carrying a vacuum cleaner and a hanger, after their new friends break up after getting pregnant. "I know what we have to do, clean up all these clothes first, and then get them back together.

Believe it or not, "Homer the Father" was a strong episode this season. This season has been ridden with a lot of Lisa episodes, that annoy the hell out of me, so this was a welcome change of pace. As always, Bart episodes are usually the better ones. Plus, it was nice to see Homer take a departure from "Homer the Jerk," and trying to be a good father. In this episode, Homer starts watching a TV-land-like TV channel, and becomes addicted to "Thicker than Waters," a parody of almost every 80s family sitcom--overall it seems to parody the Cosby Show (with the sweater the father wears) and Growing Pains. Homer decides to emulate the father on the show by wearing his sweater, and trying to actually be a good father--which upsets Bart, who wants a new bike. After studying and getting good grades, Homer doesn't give Bart his bike, saying to Bart that getting good grades is a reward. Bart then decides to take advantage of Homer's carelessness at the nuclear power plant by offering nuclear secrets to the international community for a bike. Enter the CIA, or the Chinese Intelligence in America, who accept Bart's offer. Bart ends up spending a lot of time with Homer, and manages to get the nuclear secrets, and his new bike, but Homer ends up rewarding Bart for being so nice to him lately, by giving him the same bike. Will Bart take the nuclear secrets back?

Funny parts:

Anytime Homer watches "Thicker than Waters," or any of the related shows on the retro TV channel, including a cross between "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" and "ALF," and what looks like to be a parody of "Doogie Hauser" except it's a girl, and she's a Supreme Court Justice.

The behind the scenes special on "Thicker than Waters," which shows the actor playing the father, who apparantly is a British, well-trained actor, swearing immensely and belittling the script of the show. He then hands it to the writer and swears at him. The writer, who is revealed to be a young David Mamet (played by Mamet himself) saying "crap... hmmm...." and begins writing something new.

Bart seeing the cool bike in the bike store window, and exclaiming, "I think I just saw what I'm going to die on."

The chalkboard gag: "Prince is not the son of Martin Luther King."--quick note, even if a Simpsons episode isn't funny, the chalk gag always will be.

The Chinese threatening Bart with toys--that were made in China.

Bob's Burgers isn't for everyone. If you are familiar, like me, with the works of Loren Bouchard (Home Movies, etc.) H. John Benjamin and his frequent collaborators, then you'd like Bob's Burgers. Tonight's episode was pretty good. Bob, about to cook his 10,000th burger (I think, I suck at memorizing numbers), becomes the subject of a documentary about the beef industry. Randy, the documentarian, puts a steer, that they glued a wig on and named "Moo-lissa", outside Bob's restaurant. Bob eventually bonds with the cow, and begins to feel guilty. Meanwhile, Bob's oldest daughter, Tina, believes that the cow is communicating to her through its excrement shaped like emotion-cons. Louise, Bob's youngest, most sadistic daughter, decides to take advantage of this. As well, Bob's son, Gene, tries to get his music on the documentary's soundtrack.

Funny moments

Gene's "music" for the soundtrack, which is a MIDI-like track played on his tiny electric piano, that ends with a dog woofing.

Louise is friggin hillarious.

Great performances from H John Benjamin (Bob), Eugene Mirman (Gene), and Kristin Schaal (Louise). Louise is probably the best part of the show for me.

The dramatic chord that plays throughout the episode, sometimes in inappropriate places.

Gene: This is the best dream I ever had. Let's pee on the floor, everybody!

Bob and Randy teaming up to rescue Moolissa from a petting zoo "We'll do it in infa-red!"

Stuff that didn't work:

Mainly the deadpan tone throughout the show--this doesn't work for people who aren't familiar with the works of Loren Bouchard. But, Kristin Schaal's non-deadpan-ness balances it out.

Scatological references--some people hate them, and there are loads of them in this episode.

This was going to be the highlight of my evening--"The Hand that Rocks the Wheelchair." An episode of Family Guy in which next-door neighbor Bonnie goes out of town, and asks Meg to check up on her paraplegic husband, Joe, and her new daughter, Susie. Usually Meg gets a couple of episodes every season (in contrast to the Peter/Stewie/Lois/Brian dominance for the rest of the episodes), and this was one of them. Hopefully, it would have taken advantage of Meg's voice actress, Mila Kunis's, dramatic, and Golden Globe nominated performance in "Black Swan"--great movie, by the way-- and given her a good episode. But, unfortunately, this episode was pushed back (I think for the second time) and "Brian Writes a Bestseller" aired instead. Despite Meg's unpopularity on the show, she has a pretty decent-sized fanbase, so I'm pretty sure they're upset. This has happened before with other episodes of Family Guy. Either what happened was Fox decided to take it out of the line-up last minute, because they thought the episode was too obscene (which, is a cruddy move, considering there were promos airing for it, and the executives or whoever is in charge of deciding if the episode is decent enough, had plenty of time to watch it), or Family Guy's number one enemy, the Parents Television Council, caught wind of the plot early on, and decided to file a complaint with the FCC. The conservative Parents Television Council, has been known to be particularly prejudice towards the liberal Seth Macfarlane, and berate his shows constantly. As well, more than one of their campaigns has resulted in an episode of a TV show they deem inappropriate not airing. The PTC is often hypocritical as well, declaring themselves non-biased, yet purposely targeting liberal and progressive media (the members also work on several other anti-liberal media groups, targeting "liberal biases"). But the PTC usually files complaints after the show airs. Either way, I'm not the only one pissed, and I'm hoping it still airs.

Cleveland used to be a really sweet guy, until he got his own spin-off. Then, in the spirit of other fathers on Fox animated TV shows, he became an a-hole. Compared to the other Macfarlane shows on Fox, Cleveland Show falls dead-last, Family Guy has had a hit-and-miss season, and, despite the fact that Bush isn't in office, American Dad has had a relatively strong season. There were only a few good jokes in tonight's episode, in which Tim the Bear becomes Cleveland's new boss at the cable company, mainly involving the fact that Tim the Bear is afraid of forests, despite being a bear, Rallo messing with Cleveland Jr with the class turtle he (Rallo) had to take home for the weekend, and Rallo finding out the truth about class pets. I wish they'd give the characters more dimension. Cleveland Jr, Tim the Bear and Arianna, and Kendra Crinklesack (the fat woman on the Rascal) have some dimension, so an episode focusing on Tim the Bear, like this one, usually is slightly better. So far the funniest thing that happened on the entire run of the Cleveland Show was Cleveland Jr taking vengeance on his father, and giving him and his friends non-alcoholic beer, causing them to fight.

Animation Domination-Tonight

On this blog, I won't be only focusing on live-action comedy, but on animated comedy as well. I'm going review tonight's Fox Animation Domination. So look for reviews later tonight or tomorrow.

Fox's animated comedies are the only things I like about the fox corporation (well, that and House and Hell's Kitchen).