Ben Elton too clever for Australians?
#1
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 440
Ben Elton too clever for Australians?
Found myself reading the Sunday Telegraph today which I don't usually see. It was pretty awful, but I saw an article about the new Ben Elton show having disastrous ratings and being at risk of being pulled if the second show wasn't an improvement.
Now I'm not a huge Ben Elton fan, but the show was very funny in parts, is recorded live, and was at least original.
There was a supportive review in the SMH the day after which I largely agreed with.
So what's the deal, or was it simply on the wrong channel for the Telegraph's owners?
Now I'm not a huge Ben Elton fan, but the show was very funny in parts, is recorded live, and was at least original.
There was a supportive review in the SMH the day after which I largely agreed with.
So what's the deal, or was it simply on the wrong channel for the Telegraph's owners?
#2
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,188
Re: Ben Elton too clever for Australians?
Found myself reading the Sunday Telegraph today which I don't usually see. It was pretty awful, but I saw an article about the new Ben Elton show having disastrous ratings and being at risk of being pulled if the second show wasn't an improvement.
Now I'm not a huge Ben Elton fan, but the show was very funny in parts, is recorded live, and was at least original.
There was a supportive review in the SMH the day after which I largely agreed with.
So what's the deal, or was it simply on the wrong channel for the Telegraph's owners?
Now I'm not a huge Ben Elton fan, but the show was very funny in parts, is recorded live, and was at least original.
There was a supportive review in the SMH the day after which I largely agreed with.
So what's the deal, or was it simply on the wrong channel for the Telegraph's owners?
#3
Re: Ben Elton too clever for Australians?
I'm not a fan of him but his first show was quite amusing - except the Australian "comics" - they were of the same standard as all the rest.
#4
Re: Ben Elton too clever for Australians?
I think Elton is funniest in print. The quality of his standup has been declining for years.
#5
Re: Ben Elton too clever for Australians?
yeap we watched it and i only liked the 'Ben" bits.... i thought it totally spoilt by the sketches in between bits!
#6
Re: Ben Elton too clever for Australians?
Didn't see it, don't want to ... anyone responsible for spawning We Will Rock You does not deserve a chance
#7
Re: Ben Elton too clever for Australians?
Same here, but it was still one of those I would easily have switched over from. I d think that the Aussie "talent" was pretty average which probably didn't help. But really, what's he trying to achieve? A funny version of Hey Hey? It's Live....so what? He's better off recording the skits and getting them better acted and take his time over it to guarantee better results. He's got the runs on the board to show he can do that very well, while live....hmmmm
#12
Re: Ben Elton too clever for Australians?
Be serious, I'm a fan of Queen's music ... I have seen 'highlights' and I have heard reports from others (also music fans), this is enough for me.
Fair enough, but I'd rather watch Hale And Pace these days
Fair enough, but I'd rather watch Hale And Pace these days
#13
Re: Ben Elton too clever for Australians?
I think it's OK to be a smug git, arrogant and so forth if in turn you are genuinely funny with it. As others have said, I think he is at his funniest in writing scripts. Not so sure about the novels...
Haven't seen the TV show as I rarely watch telly. Is it on here?
Haven't seen the TV show as I rarely watch telly. Is it on here?
#14
Re: Ben Elton too clever for Australians?
I happen to like his humour... But i prefer it in print nowadays...
#15
Re: Ben Elton too clever for Australians?
Found myself reading the Sunday Telegraph today which I don't usually see. It was pretty awful, but I saw an article about the new Ben Elton show having disastrous ratings and being at risk of being pulled if the second show wasn't an improvement.
Now I'm not a huge Ben Elton fan, but the show was very funny in parts, is recorded live, and was at least original.
There was a supportive review in the SMH the day after which I largely agreed with.
So what's the deal, or was it simply on the wrong channel for the Telegraph's owners?
Now I'm not a huge Ben Elton fan, but the show was very funny in parts, is recorded live, and was at least original.
There was a supportive review in the SMH the day after which I largely agreed with.
So what's the deal, or was it simply on the wrong channel for the Telegraph's owners?