Episode #2.8
- Episode aired Dec 18, 1998
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Season 2: Freshens up the content but keeps the approach the same to good effect
Watching the first season very recently was a really enjoyable refresher for me. It had been years since I last watched Harry Hill as I really only ever dipped into TV Burp occasionally and gradually lost touch with him. The first season was very funny and I was very glad to find that it was as funny as I remember and that my teenage self had not just been easily pleased. The second season continues the trend as essentially it does the same thing as the first season but with different characters and a different "plot" – although using that word is probably stretching it somewhat.
In this season we see the badgers falling out of favor and into hard times, while the Owl Finale takes the place of the much troubled Badger Parade. Within this basic frame we have the usual introduction of characters to the stage, some quick sketches and of course a taste of whatever record Harry bought that week. It is really hard to explain but there is a wonderful structure to each episode that is so well done and edited together that it manages to be both insanely random and yet well structured at the same time. The retention of the core characters is good (Stouffer of course – "he got a big face", "sorted, respect due") but I also really liked most of the changes. The Clowns were replaced by the Jockeys, although I didn't care for them too much at least they were not overly used. The expansion of Burt Kwok's role is really and he has good timing with Hill. Ken Ford is fun, the greater use of puppets is generally very good and of course my personal favorite is Gary, the ventriloquist dummy who is also controller of Channel 4 (him wailing "why do they stare?" gets me every time). Mai Sung is funny but with time has become more obvious as a little bit of an uncomfortable ethnic caricature.
The running gags remain and even continue to run from last season with plenty of twists in the delivery. I really liked the gentle mockery of Rory McGrath and some other material which runs all through the season. Hill himself is great – there is a lot of self-referencing material (mainly about him moving around too much) but he makes it work and really does have great timing and presence.
Season 2 is a great continuation of the strengths of the very funny first season. Unfortunately the next season will be the last as Channel 4 cancelled it after that, but on the basis of the standard in the first two seasons I really can't see how that decision would represent a drastic decline in the show.
In this season we see the badgers falling out of favor and into hard times, while the Owl Finale takes the place of the much troubled Badger Parade. Within this basic frame we have the usual introduction of characters to the stage, some quick sketches and of course a taste of whatever record Harry bought that week. It is really hard to explain but there is a wonderful structure to each episode that is so well done and edited together that it manages to be both insanely random and yet well structured at the same time. The retention of the core characters is good (Stouffer of course – "he got a big face", "sorted, respect due") but I also really liked most of the changes. The Clowns were replaced by the Jockeys, although I didn't care for them too much at least they were not overly used. The expansion of Burt Kwok's role is really and he has good timing with Hill. Ken Ford is fun, the greater use of puppets is generally very good and of course my personal favorite is Gary, the ventriloquist dummy who is also controller of Channel 4 (him wailing "why do they stare?" gets me every time). Mai Sung is funny but with time has become more obvious as a little bit of an uncomfortable ethnic caricature.
The running gags remain and even continue to run from last season with plenty of twists in the delivery. I really liked the gentle mockery of Rory McGrath and some other material which runs all through the season. Hill himself is great – there is a lot of self-referencing material (mainly about him moving around too much) but he makes it work and really does have great timing and presence.
Season 2 is a great continuation of the strengths of the very funny first season. Unfortunately the next season will be the last as Channel 4 cancelled it after that, but on the basis of the standard in the first two seasons I really can't see how that decision would represent a drastic decline in the show.
helpful•00
- bob the moo
- May 13, 2013
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- 1.33 : 1
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