I often like my comedy a bit strange. So does Noel Fielding. One-half of the surreal British duo, The Mighty Boosh, Fielding has a new series coming to the UK station, E4, the digital arm of Channel 4. Will it ever make it to the States? Doubtful. But if it does, I anticipate a very late night slot and an audience hallucinating on some kind of illegal substance.
I’ve loved most things British since I was a kid (with the exception of hooligans, binge drinking and saying that one goes “to hospital.” Don’t they know you go to the hospital?). At first it was new wave music: Echo and the Bunnymen, New Order, even Depeche Mode. Then in 92-93 I studied acting at this place, and fell for Shakespeare. After I returned I liked to use the word “whilst” in sentences.
Mostly though, I love British comedy. The Goons, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, Blackadder, The Mighty Boosh and especially Alan Partridge. (Strange thing though. Never got into Python. Hard to believe, I know.)
On a recent flight to Hong Kong I watched all six of Partridge’s latest Mid-Morning Matters videos on Cathay Pacific’s wonderfully plentiful in-flight entertainment system. What’s particularly amazing about Steve Coogan and his team of writers is that they can hold your attention with only three cameras and one setting. Hats off to them for making me chortle and annoy my fellow Cathay Pacific passengers.
The episodes used to be on YouTube, but were recently removed. What remains are a few outtakes from the series.
Looking for British comedy online? Click here. An Anglophile yourself? Try this.