Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Simon Amstell..


You know the sarky guy off of Never Mind the Buzzcocks & that music programme with Maquita Oliver


Now I didn't want to like him & some people positively hate him BUT....Have you seen his recent work on BBC2


Grandma's House a six-part comedy written by Amstell and Dan Swimer.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00tffgy


The series stars Simon Amstell as a TV presenter who is quitting his job to try to do something more meaningful with his life.

Each episode is set at Grandma's house, where Simon's family regularly congregate to catch up. Everything happens under the watchful eye of Grandma, who is desperate to see everything going well.


( It sounds in premise like the f**king awful "The Royle Family" except there are no miserable northerners sat round watching sh*te on tv )


That comparison aside, the writing is very good, tackling the nature of fame & it's meaningless pursuit. Amstell's acting is at times awkward but believable & what could seem like a vanity project "playing yourself" in a sit-com about you being famous but hating it, is I think brave.


All his characters are well rounded, infuriating, vacuous even at times & I can't stop watching as they could be people we all know. It makes me cringe in that way "the office" did on first viewing; it's uncomfortable & very funny


This weeks episode was a joy; though the series finishes next week, I'm genuinely hoping there will be more to come


Lastly, I'm sticking my neck out & saying he'll get an award for this, I'm sure



( watch it on the link above )



W**F

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/13149-grandmas-house/
Share on other sites

I actually love it. LOVE it.


First episode I thought was a really slow burn, but while I have been, ahem, "working from home" this past week, I have caught up on the rest of the series and find it exquisitely, squirmingly, painfully funny - a low key suburban British Curb if you like.


Simon Amstell is brilliant.

This is the only programme currently on I always watch. I love it.


Anyone who has ever returned to their parents' suburban house, sat on the settee - always a settee, never a sofa - and just observed these people with whom you share familial ties and found the whole experience slightly surreal will get this immediately.


And what is perhaps surprising and rather lovely about S A's writing and performance is that his character shows such affection for his family. There's real warmth in the show.


Another series please.

And what is perhaps surprising and rather lovely about S A's writing and performance is that his character shows such affection for his family. There's real warmth in the show.


I think you've hit the nail on the head there. That's what makes it special. It would be easy to write a more cynical take on this, holding the family up as a freakshow, but there's an inclusive feeling in this. It's less Ha ha look at the freaks! and more They're freaks but they're my freaks and I love them, and I'm probably a freak too.

I absolutely LOVE this-his observations are spot on, love the way Liz is always picked on, watch it over again to pick up what I missed the first time. My fave has to be when the subject of his crush, the 'sensitive' actor comes to his Grandma's house, I was covering my eyes in painful recognition! I admit he SA is slightly awkward, but that's deliberate surely? Thought I was sadly alone in liking this but no!

Bellenden Belle Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Oh and I love the meals his grandma serves him as

> a vegetarian.... 'shall I bring your avocado out

> now Simon?'

-----------------------------------------------


Yes..& the hot water with honey


" We haven't got any honey, so I put a couple of sugars in "


W**F

I've been out walking and pondering why it doesn't appeal to me. For one, I like more slapstick humour in the manner of "Miranda" or "Vexed", for example - I just don't do subtle.


For another, I think it's the unfortunate nature of Amstall's face - he seems to have a permanent smirk so his acting is not convincing when he's playing angry or upset.


Hey ho, horses for courses.

Oh joy..


Miranda is really good fun, it cheers me no end. It's very British right down to it's end titles.


Amstell on the otherhand is "smirky" & this could be seen as annoying. I think though he's developed this to disarm or neutralise situations; most of his comedy is in & around taboos & what you mustn't say ( though many think it )

to peoples faces


Still, la la la


W**F

Watched it once, thought it the most awful thing I've seen in a long time*, and that was me wanting to like it.


But since some obviously wonderful people are keen, I shall give it 'a second go'.


The Royle family, by the way, I think one of the best TV shows ever.


Cheers!

Rory




*To be fair, I've only seen about 3 TV shows in the last year - The Wire, Shooting Stars, and The Inbetweeners - so the competition's pretty fierce.

woofmarkthedog Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> bonniebird Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Don't like Anstell but love the programme :

>

> -------------------------------------

>

> Oh..

>

>

> Really ?

>

>

> * looks up "irony" in dictionary *

>

>

> W**F



I think watching him on Buzzcocks, he is rude and a pratt and I don't think he is a very good actor, but the rest of the cast are and the programme is good

RosieH Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Rubsley is right - The Royle Family IS brilliant,

> very funny and also has that same warmth and

> affection.

>

> Miranda on the other hand - oh my god, awful.

> Awful awful awful.

........................................

Hmmmmm....



It must be a Northern thing, for some it's cosy feel is heartwarming but for me any more than 30 seconds and the desire to stick a pair of sissors into my eyes is overwhelming.


I have tried to watch it T.R.F but the dopey son in law who talks like a cat throwing up, just does me. I end up shouting at the "tell-a" & my blood pressure rises ( honestly , it's doing it now )


So we'll agree to disagree on that one


Now "Miranda" is my Yin to your Yang. I imagine it gives you quite similar violent feelings as described above. All comedy is subjective I suppose though. Her character just reminds me of so many silly but funny posh girls ( with size 12 feet ) that I've known & grown up around


That aside it is Awful,awful,yes (awful funny) . Silly asides to camera, wobbly sets & what I like most; her unbridled " middle classness" in all it's infuriating & disinhibited ( awful ) glory


"My goodness" ( turns to camera )


* fans self *


"I must lay down..."


* cue titles *


W **F

grandma's house is absolute classic, the 3rd episode when the sister goes to church to see the priest to get her son in the school is still my fave one so far. i agree simon is actually the worst actor in it but the rest of them are brilliant. i also have to admit that i actually prefer it to the royle family but for my sins i did enjoy vexed.

Downloaded "Simon Decides To Heal The Family" (or whatever it's called) - and must confess I only managed 4 minutes and 5 seconds before switching it off. Maybe if Amstell wasn't one of the world's worst actors it would be watchable - though that's just a maybe.


Harsh huh? Still, at least they tried, and that's the main thing.


Anybody here like Snuff Box? Garth Marenghi's Darkplace?

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • Per Cllr McAsh, as quoted above: “We are currently updating our Enforcement Policy and changes will allow for the issuing of civil penalties ranging from £175 to £300 for visible smoke emissions, replacing the previous reliance on criminal prosecution. " Is anyone au fait with the Clean Air Act 1993, and  particularly with the state of 'Smoke Control' law and practice generally?  I've just been looking  through some of it for the first time and, afaics, the civil penalties mentioned  were introduced into the Clean Air Act, at Schedule 1A, in May 2022.  So it seems that, in this particular,  it's a matter of the enforcement policy trailing well behind the legislation.  I'm not criticising that at all, but am curious.  
    • Here's the part of march46's linked-to Southwark News article pertaining to Southwark Council. "Southwark Council were also contacted for a response. "Councillor James McAsh, Cabinet Member for Clean Air, Streets & Waste said: “One of Southwark’s key priorities is to create a healthy environment for our residents. “To achieve this we closely monitor legislation and measures that influence air pollution – our entire borough apart from inland waterways is designated as a Smoke Control Area, and we also offer substantial provision for electric vehicles to promote alternative fuel travel options and our Streets for People strategy. “We as a council support the work of Mums for Lungs and recognise the health and environmental impacts of domestic solid fuel burning, particularly from wood-burning appliances. “We are currently updating our Enforcement Policy and changes will allow for the issuing of civil penalties ranging from £175 to £300 for visible smoke emissions, replacing the previous reliance on criminal prosecution.  “This work is being undertaken in collaboration with other London boroughs as part of the pan-London Wood Burning Project, which aims to harmonise enforcement approaches and share best practice across the capital.” ETA: And here's a post I made a few years ago, with tangential relevance.  https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/278140-early-morning-drone-flying/?do=findComment&comment=1493274  
    • The solicitor is also the Executor. Big mistake, but my Aunt was very old, and this was the Covid years and shortly after so impossible to intervene and get a couple of close relatives to do this.  She had no children so this is the nephews and nieces. He is a single practitioner, and most at his age would have long since retired - there is a question over his competence Two letters have already gone essentially complaining - batted off and 'amusingly' one put the blame on us. There are five on our side, all speaking to each other, and ideally would work as a single point of contact.  But he has said that this is not allowed - we've all given approval to act on each others behalf. There are five on her late husband's side, who have not engaged with us despite the suggestion to work as a team, There is one other, who get's the lion's share, the typicical 'friend', but we are long since challenging the will. I would like to put another complaint together that he has not used modern collective communication (I expect that he is incapable) which had seriously delayed the execution of the will.   I know many in their 80s very adept with smart phones so that is not an ageist comment. The house has deteriorated very badly, with cold, damp and a serious leak.  PM me if you want to see the dreadful condition that it is now in. I would also question why if the five of us are happy to work together why all of us need to confirm in writing.             The house was lived in until Feb 23, and has been allowed to get like this.
    • Isn’t a five yearly electricity safety certificate one of the things the landlord must give for a legal tenancy?
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...