Critical Mass: tell us about your TV choices

[celebaelin]

I watched the first episode of the somewhat implausible Ludwig.  I didn't hate it; in fact I didn't hate it to the extent of being tempted to binge watch the rest on iPlayer.

I'm wondering why I didn't hate it though - the comedic leanings will have helped certainly but it's more than that.  I think perhaps the familiarity of David Mitchell transitioning from befuddlement to critical logic in the blink of an eye has something to do with it.

[jenny]

Frank Muir and Denis Norden were a comedy-writing duo. I remember them on "My Word" - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Word!

[Leith]

Sept 26, 2024 8:36:14 GMT celebaelin said:

I watched the first episode of the somewhat implausible Ludwig.  I didn't hate it; in fact I didn't hate it to the extent of being tempted to binge watch the rest on iPlayer.

I'm wondering why I didn't hate it though - the comedic leanings will have helped certainly but it's more than that.  I think perhaps the familiarity of David Mitchell transitioning from befuddlement to critical logic in the blink of an eye has something to do with it.

I've just watched the very same, and am most taken with it. I can imagine the absurdity of the premise being jarring were it not that it provides the perfect vehicle for David Mitchell to be a peevishly acerbic fish-out-water.

[jenny]

I loved his series "Upstart Crow" where he was a frequently-bemused Shakespeare, so I hope that one makes it onto streaming over here.

[pdr]

Sept 28, 2024 21:40:21 GMT Leith said:

Sept 26, 2024 8:36:14 GMT celebaelin said:

I watched the first episode of the somewhat implausible Ludwig.  I didn't hate it; in fact I didn't hate it to the extent of being tempted to binge watch the rest on iPlayer.

I'm wondering why I didn't hate it though - the comedic leanings will have helped certainly but it's more than that.  I think perhaps the familiarity of David Mitchell transitioning from befuddlement to critical logic in the blink of an eye has something to do with it.

I've just watched the very same, and am most taken with it. I can imagine the absurdity of the premise being jarring were it not that it provides the perfect vehicle for David Mitchell to be a peevishly acerbic fish-out-water.

Having caught up to date with Slow Horses (and thus chomping at the bit over having to wait a week between episodes for the remainder) we tried Ludwig on Saturday and had watched the whole thing by 10:00 yesterday. Pretty good - sharply written and excellently performed. Hoping for more series...

[Bondee]

I binged Ludwig on the iPlayer as well.

I did not recognise Sophie Willan. The wig made her look more like Jess Fostekew.

[barbados]

I watched the first episode of Ludwig, but not tempted to binge watch it. There’s something about it that I think leans well towards a weekly watch, a bit like All Creatures Great and Small, just a pleasant watch mainly for the reasons mentioned above.
I’m quite surprised I do like it, because when David Mitchell was on the One Show to publicise the series it didn’t seem like the sort of thing I would enjoy, but he seems to have undersold it somewhat the twists and turns don’t throw you off the scent too much.

[crissdee]

Oct 1, 2024 9:30:29 GMT Bondee said:

I did not recognise Sophie Willan. The wig made her look more like Jess Fostekew.

Neither of those names means a thing to me......

[alexanderhoward]

I enjoyed the first episode of Ludwig, and it has good promise, and it has had rave reviews. I will watch it as a weekly thing.

Another one which was trumpeted as The Next Big Thing is the Beeb's Nightsleeper. I did watch the first episodes. It has a good premise, but is poorly written, which is a pity. The reviews were cruel.

[barbados]

Nightsleeper is one of those that I consider ”bingewothy” chez barbados did it in two sittings and that worked quite well for me.

[alexanderhoward]

I am enjoying Ludwig. One thing makes me uncomfortable about it - it is the way I identify so much with the character.

Perhaps it is not just me - we all want to be the missing brother - energetic, successful, respected - but instead are more like the lost, socially confused, clumsy and when faced with a decision, having with extreme imposer syndrome. Or maybe that is just me.

[tetsabb]

Ian Hislop on HIGNFY. There was tge possibility of someone having shit at tge taxi he was in, though this has now been discounted. He said how grateful he was to be there. And said that a copper asked him if there was anyone who might bear him a grudge. Paul Mertin said quickly 'I have an alibi'

[Bondee]

Oct 5, 2024 15:18:41 GMT tetsabb said:

There was tge possibility of someone having shit at tge taxi he was in, though this has now been discounted.

Bloody pigeons are everywhere in London.

[tetsabb]

We finished The Swarm last night. Basic premise is that scientists in various locations encounter weird stuff happening in the sea.
Grapdually, it all comes together, and a common threat to humanity is identified. Or are we the threat to it?
Multinational production, which, apparently cost quite a lot to make.
Some interesting ideas, but very slow to get going. 
Based on a 2004 novel in German by Fritz Schatzing.
Some dreadful dialogue and acting, but some quite good by the almost universally photogenic cast. 
The end of the final episode left a series 2 a distinct possibility.

[pdr]

If you didn't see it - last night's Have I Got News For You was an absolute gem. Miles Jupp and some unseated tory brexit bint as guests with Amol Rajan in the chair. Paul Merton was absolutely on fire - had to pause it to recover from laughing a few times to avoid missing stuff. Highly recommended. I don't know i9f theyu have the "a bit more" extended editions these days - if so this would be one to look out for because I'm sure a lot more happened - I wish I'd been at the recording!

PDR

[Bondee]

It is indeed! HIGABMNFY is usually shown at 10:40(ish) on Monday evening.

I need to catch up. I still haven't watched last week's episode.

[barbados]

I wonder how Victoria Coren Mitchell will explain away the attributing of Numberwang to Armgstrong and Miller over this evenings Cocoa???

[crissdee]

I should imagine there would be some fairly pointed stirring of cups, and possibly a brusque sharing of digestives....

[RLDavies]

Sept 26, 2024 17:42:51 GMT jenny said:

Frank Muir and Denis Norden were a comedy-writing duo. I remember them on "My Word" - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Word!

Frank was a friend of mine. Or a friendly acquintance, anyway. Love him always.

[Bondee]

"Leicester, Lister!"

[barbados]

Nov 4, 2024 20:47:58 GMT Bondee said:

"Leicester, Lister!"

I did rather like that one. Not quite as much as the McMillan from Birkbeck last year, but I think that just had a pleasant ring to it