tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240001912845478109.post7142869653528809878..comments2024-03-04T08:18:18.088-08:00Comments on Finger-Steepling and Sharks: One Foot in The Grave: some thoughts on a masterpieceRichard Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114063496425319491noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240001912845478109.post-7485233459229679042020-03-29T07:15:50.791-07:002020-03-29T07:15:50.791-07:00One Foot In The Grave is so well written it's ...One Foot In The Grave is so well written it's a shame there was never a book of scripts. Script books seem to have dropped out of favour. We never got a "Second Helping" of dinnerladies by Victoria Wood. Like I said .... shame.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03737354093520568599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240001912845478109.post-47915022812326508372017-04-25T03:13:27.929-07:002017-04-25T03:13:27.929-07:00I think the 6. season is the collection of concept...I think the 6. season is the collection of concepts and ideas Renwick did not dare use in earlier parts. "The Executioner's Song" contains more bizarre stuff than the entire series up to that.(The Margaret of the 5. season would never have mistaken a plywood with bird droppings for a painting.) But if we take it as an experiment we might enjoy it a lot. "Tales Of Terror" is quite bizarre too, but it is genuinely a morality play. The Meldrews ignore their duty towards their friends and get punished for it in various ways. "The Futility of the Fly" is based on one challenging task the author set for himself. Renwick's goal was to prove he can write a story in which a character thinks they would have a dental treatment but getting tattoed instead. Every single detail in that part supports this purpose and Renwick almost succeeds in his impossible plan. "Threatening weather" is one of the finest episodes. Two old people in a dark room and still fantastically funny and (at the end) moving. "The Dawn of Man" is actually the last part of OFITG. At times it feels a bit forced and having an end in itself (Patrick and the cork) but still genuinely funny and clever. The last part is actually a different show, Renwick does everything to alienate the viewer. There are no familiar characters, no coherent plot, the hero of the series is killed off and the heroine is turned into a bitter avenger. A tribute to Victor turning into a crime story. Quite confusing stuff. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00770442596487649296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240001912845478109.post-73314922294463824322016-12-17T12:51:48.101-08:002016-12-17T12:51:48.101-08:00The final series was indeed a let-down - Renwick h...The final series was indeed a let-down - Renwick himself admitted he was running out of ideas - but I disagree about the final episode. The "did-she-didn't-she" ending was absolutely appropriate given the dark nature of the comedy from episode 1. Killing off Victor also allowed Renwick to write that absolutely wonderful mini-episode for Comic Relief in which Victor is present...or is he? A truly classic series.Gafferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05200647058084413783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240001912845478109.post-73702177125868832422015-10-09T12:16:01.253-07:002015-10-09T12:16:01.253-07:00The Wisdom of the Witch is indeed a great episode ...The Wisdom of the Witch is indeed a great episode :)Freecloudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15432677964650970001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240001912845478109.post-92223430494755256492015-04-25T05:33:25.428-07:002015-04-25T05:33:25.428-07:00I would say that one foot in the grave is the mast...I would say that one foot in the grave is the masterpiece of all sitcoms. For its consistency ( there isnt a bad episode in my opinion) and its longevity it is remarkable.<br />The christmas specials are all superb pieces of writing. So is one foot in the algarve.<br />It is much more than just a comedy. There is always something dark looming in the background ..margaret discovers her mother has died while victor is buried up to his neck in the garden. There is a real sadness lurking in between the humour. <br />My favourite sitcom will always be fawlty towers which is another spectacular piece of writing , but a totally different style to Renwick.<br />It blows me away the depth of detail in renwicks writing. Fawlty towers is not in the same league in that sense. No sitcom is.<br />I dont know what drugs renwick was taking when he wrote this ! but the amount of ideas and plots and twists and turns seemed to just be flowing out of him. Inspired.<br />If i had to pick an episode for a desert island it would be impossible. There are countless moments of gold throughout the series..<br /><br />When victor bumps into his old school pal billly whitney in the pub and billy thinks that victor is steve posnett " oh you d remember him steve, the two of you used to look quite similar at the time.. He was a right bastard now i come to think about it"..<br /> <br />In love and death when victor gets given his own gravestone as a gift ! <br /><br />It is almost black humour.<br /><br />Mr swainey - a warm friendly character on the surface to compensate for the depression underneath. <br /><br />But no matter how great the writing is - you have to have the correct cast to perform it and the casting is also perfect. The acting is flawless. <br /><br />Monday morning will be fine.<br />Descent into the maelstrom.<br />In luton airport no one can hear you scream.<br />Beware the trickster on the roof.<br />Hearts of darkness.<br />The dawn of man.<br />The executioners song.<br />The man who blew away <br />Hole in th... Theres just too many classics to choose from..<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05617103490752247865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240001912845478109.post-66118961224981515082015-03-02T17:56:18.769-08:002015-03-02T17:56:18.769-08:00It was the first episode I ever saw!It was the first episode I ever saw!Richard Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18114063496425319491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240001912845478109.post-49797365989487258052015-03-01T14:52:55.558-08:002015-03-01T14:52:55.558-08:00The 'do you know what's actually worse tha...The 'do you know what's actually worse than warm champagne?' bit is one of my very favorite bits of anything ever. So glad I googled it tonight and discovered this fantastic bit of writing.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00814945827694714785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240001912845478109.post-58874059875964904552012-07-02T12:10:32.151-07:002012-07-02T12:10:32.151-07:00Wonderful! That's why I write these pieces.Wonderful! That's why I write these pieces.Richard Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18114063496425319491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240001912845478109.post-72124231121111911342012-07-01T06:43:54.219-07:002012-07-01T06:43:54.219-07:00I would have always thought of One Foot in the Gra...I would have always thought of One Foot in the Grave was a fairly inconsequential, old fashioned sitcom, but now I really want to get my hands on it and give it another go.hallie_jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02285269357648450893noreply@blogger.com