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Rolling UK Comedy Thread - "Ricky Don't Lose Larry David's Number

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I got most of my Extras series 2 opinions (other people's that is) from the thread on here, and as such it's quite easy to forget that a pretty big proportion of the outside world thought it was really good and not at all disappointing or obsequious. Good piece, thirded

Feargal Hixxy (DJ Mencap), Monday, 15 January 2007 12:59 (nineteen years ago)

not that big a proportion surely though. i bet it got nowhere near the viewing figures of say my family or something.

acrobat (elwisty), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:11 (nineteen years ago)

"it's quite easy to forget that a pretty big proportion of the outside world thought it was really good and not at all disappointing"

is this true?

Britain's Obtusest Shepherd (Alan), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:14 (nineteen years ago)

Among the people that actually watched it, I meant, but yeah you could definitely argue that the audience-to-coverage ratio is pretty skewed

xpost

Feargal Hixxy (DJ Mencap), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:16 (nineteen years ago)

on a cookd/bombd tip, glad to see i'm, not alone in thinking Sam Wollaston is a truly hopeless telly reviewer.

Britain's Obtusest Shepherd (Alan), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:16 (nineteen years ago)

Alison Graham and Sal Woollaston liked it. They're two hip, with it, swinging cats.
xxp

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:16 (nineteen years ago)

Cookd and Bombd fact: I once saw a noted C+B poster try to chat up a Little Britain fan, whilst he so clearly was trying to hold back his real views on Lucas and Walliams for the sake of poppage.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:17 (nineteen years ago)

It got mostly good reviews did it not? And most people I spoke to thought it was pretty good, maybe not quite up w/ the first series

Feargal Hixxy (DJ Mencap), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:17 (nineteen years ago)

Alison Graham: Copy and Paste Your Top 1000 Reasons Why She Is So Bad and Hated

Michael Philip Philip Philip Philip Annoyman (Ferg), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:17 (nineteen years ago)

But why though? Is Gervais just some master of the percentage game, he knows that 20% ironic homophobia, 15% recycled Seinfeld gags, 32% broad catchphrase comedy, etc etc is the key to the nation's heart?

xp

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:18 (nineteen years ago)

I'm calling it: Alison Graham is the worst fucking journalist on the planet today.

I would say that though, because I hate women.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:19 (nineteen years ago)

who's your least favourite man hack? (you can't vote for yourself)

vita susicivus (blueski), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:20 (nineteen years ago)

"Sam Wollaston
Wednesday January 3, 2007
The Guardian


Here's a scene. You're looking along your collection of CDs, or shuffling through your playlist, trying to find that new Lady Sovereign album or whatever. But you stumble across something else, something from 10 years ago - the Fugees, say."

the original hauntology blogging crew (Enrique), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:21 (nineteen years ago)

OTM

vita susicivus (blueski), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:22 (nineteen years ago)

Sam Wollaston would then go on to mention how his "friend" really likes that Fugees album.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:22 (nineteen years ago)

who's your least favourite man hack? (you can't vote for yourself)

That senile dribbling cunt with his own column in the Guardian weekend magazine.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:23 (nineteen years ago)

Or Artrocker Comedy Racism Man

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:24 (nineteen years ago)

that article i posted up thread is i think what john harris perecives his "controversial" articles to read like.

acrobat (elwisty), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:24 (nineteen years ago)

SW will never spend any real money or time on "that new (some say only) Lady Sovereign album" or, indeed, "whatever."

That senile dribbling cunt with his own column in the Guardian weekend magazine.

Cue stock that's no way to talk about Zoe Williams gag.

Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:24 (nineteen years ago)

Alison Graham doesn't have a Wikipedia entry. And Dom Passantino does.

Michael Philip Philip Philip Philip Annoyman (Ferg), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:27 (nineteen years ago)

Where are the standards of today, I ask you.

I don't have a Wikipedia entry either.

Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:35 (nineteen years ago)

Thursday, 20:00
Radio Ha Ha

Radio 4 turns over the airwaves to solid gold laughter, as Steve Punt joins up with a host of stars, backstage movers and industry shakers from the comedy industry with a two-hour special.

Variety shows and radio were the traditional routes to comedy fame and fortune, but what about today? Super agents, DVD sales, straight-to-TV stars; where does radio fit in? Steve and a panel of guests pick apart the laughter seam of the modern comedy industry, as well as generating a few jokes along the way.

Includes News Summary at 9.00pm.

Euai Kapaui (tracerhand), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:36 (nineteen years ago)

In any given episode of "Extras", it could be 15% "brilliant", 25% "passable" and 60% "rubbish/obvious"...

like swimming in a cool sea and passing through a warm current, etc...

Where are the standards of today, I ask you.
I don't have a Wikipedia entry either.

-- Marcello Carlin (marcellocarli...)

Oh, have I got one?

mark grout (mark grout), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:37 (nineteen years ago)

you are diligently referenced on both j harris' and a petridis' though marcello.

acrobat (elwisty), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:38 (nineteen years ago)

Search
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
You searched for mark grout [Index]

No page with that title exists.

Whew.

mark grout (mark grout), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:39 (nineteen years ago)

before that little derail folks was talkin' about the public / critical reaction to extras s2. the critical raves so often feel like wishful thinking. wanting, needing to have that generation defining masterpiece happening on your watch. i have yet to meet anyone who regards extras as anything other than ok or entertaining.

also on the bad can someone please put Have I Got News For You out of its misery.

acrobat (elwisty), Monday, 15 January 2007 13:58 (nineteen years ago)

At the risk of inviting hate mail, I'd argue that Gervais and Merchant's second sitcom is, objectively, a patchy programme.

At the risk of, on this reviewer's logic, inviting lynch-mobs to my door, I'd argue that Extras was shite.

You've Got Scourage On Your Breath (Haberdager), Monday, 15 January 2007 14:02 (nineteen years ago)

Radio Ha Ha is great. I was fooled by it the first time.

vita susicivus (blueski), Monday, 15 January 2007 14:10 (nineteen years ago)

sometimes writers employ rhetorical devices.

xpost

the original hauntology blogging crew (Enrique), Monday, 15 January 2007 14:10 (nineteen years ago)

wait, i'm thinking of that other thing on radio 4. carry on. xpost

vita susicivus (blueski), Monday, 15 January 2007 14:10 (nineteen years ago)

xpost: Yes, but I still think the sentence panders unnecessarily towards Extras when it can really go for the kill instead.

You've Got Scourage On Your Breath (Haberdager), Monday, 15 January 2007 14:12 (nineteen years ago)

'This week: Worzel says all reggae is vile.' thread actually linked to from John Harris wikipedia!

vita susicivus (blueski), Monday, 15 January 2007 14:12 (nineteen years ago)

A handful of contributors to the I Love Music boards have strongly attacked what they as a thread of covert racism in some of his work

vita susicivus (blueski), Monday, 15 January 2007 14:13 (nineteen years ago)

david quantick wrote a book about chris rock?

the original hauntology blogging crew (Enrique), Monday, 15 January 2007 14:16 (nineteen years ago)

DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE WORDS COMING OUT OF MY QUIZZICALLY PURSED LIPS?

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 15 January 2007 14:18 (nineteen years ago)

to get off the hate and link to Quantick... TV Burp is back on Saturday! woo! Harry on this year's CBB should be a joy.

acrobat (elwisty), Monday, 15 January 2007 14:28 (nineteen years ago)

for reference or summat from the green wing thread:

To put things into context: Harry Hill aside, all British TV Comedy right now is total shit.

-- Ruairi Wirewool (horseproduction...), January 15th, 2007. (Ruairi Wirewool) (later)


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what were the chances of that happening?
-- mark grout (mark.grou...), January 15th, 2007. (mark grout) (later)


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If you can put CT and Green Wing on a par, you truly show a lack of discernment IMO.
Frankly, now that GW has been and gone, I'm inclined to agree with Ruairi, minus the bit about Harry Hill.

-- You've Got Scourage On Your Breath (papiermachealamphibia...), January 15th, 2007. (Haberdager) (later)


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If you can put CT and Green Wing on a par, you truly show a lack of discernment IMO.
no it's just a 'higher' (or rather 'stricter') level of discernment.

-- vita susicivus (n...), January 15th, 2007. (blueski) (later)


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'the thick of it' will be back, later in the year, and so will 'peep show'.
-- the original hauntology blogging crew (miltonpinsk...), January 15th, 2007. (Enrique) (later)


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but in a another more accurate sense...
-- mark s (mar...), January 15th, 2007. (mark s) (later)


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but then i do like Harry Hill so it's apples and roundabouts.
-- vita susicivus (n...), January 15th, 2007. (blueski) (later)


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rubbish
-- RJG (RJ...), January 15th, 2007. (RJG) (later)


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so you keep saying
-- vita susicivus (n...), January 15th, 2007. (blueski) (later)


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RJG's TV Burp
-- Dom Passantino (juror...), January 15th, 2007. (Dom Passantino) (later)


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Hmm. I was only talking about currently-running comedy shows. If Peep Show returns for a fourth bite at the cherry (and TTOI for a second), I will only be too delighted. Of course, the one I'm really looking out for is Nathan Barley II.
-- You've Got Scourage On Your Breath (papiermachealamphibia...), January 15th, 2007. (Haberdager) (later)


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i think it would be a big ask for there to be a 'great' uk comedy series to be running all 52 weeks of the year. i have low standards perhaps; but i don't ask for a 'great' film each month either.
-- the original hauntology blogging crew (miltonpinsk...), January 15th, 2007. (Enrique) (later)


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of course i too want 'nathan barley' back.
-- the original hauntology blogging crew (miltonpinsk...), January 15th, 2007. (Enrique) (later)


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They could drop scissors on a dog's head this time.
-- Dom Passantino (juror...), January 15th, 2007. (Dom Passantino) (later)


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uh, rose-tinted view there i reckon - but at least it was generating interesting discussion.
one episode of Screen Wipe a month would be good. ditto TV Burp.

-- vita susicivus (n...), January 15th, 2007. (blueski) (later)


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ha ha Dom OTM
-- vita susicivus (n...), January 15th, 2007. (blueski) (later)


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Unread Messages
as with 'green wing', take away the hype and the expectation it'll live up to 'the day today' and 'nathan barley' was 23 minutes well-spent. i lolled anyway.
-- the original hauntology blogging crew (miltonpinsk...), January 15th, 2007. (Enrique) (later)


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i didn't laugh more than i did laugh etc.
-- vita susicivus (n...), January 15th, 2007. (blueski) (later)

acrobat (elwisty), Monday, 15 January 2007 15:00 (nineteen years ago)

We're, what, 18 months away from NB now? Can we work out why it was so bad and so hated yet?

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 15 January 2007 15:02 (nineteen years ago)

we already did!

vita susicivus (blueski), Monday, 15 January 2007 15:03 (nineteen years ago)

like, 5 minutes after the end credits!

vita susicivus (blueski), Monday, 15 January 2007 15:03 (nineteen years ago)

I'm talking about THE BENEFIT OF DISTANCE AND HINDSIGHT

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 15 January 2007 15:03 (nineteen years ago)

Charlie Brooker's Monday G2 column is weird because you can see the video game journalist in him threatening to break through at any moment. qf the Geoff Capes gag in today's etc.

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 15 January 2007 15:04 (nineteen years ago)

Louis you seem to be assuming that the guy from the Indie actually thinks Extras is shite, which isn't what he's saying. Something can be patchy and still have plenty of redeeming features overall

Feargal Hixxy (DJ Mencap), Monday, 15 January 2007 15:06 (nineteen years ago)

It wasn't bad. It was funny, well-drawn and turn-itself-inside-out clever, not to mention superbly casted and acted. It needs re-watching cos it skips from one idea to the next so quick, but yeh, it's awesome.

And Screen Wipe rocks.

Johnney B English (stigoftdump), Monday, 15 January 2007 15:07 (nineteen years ago)

Brooker should start doing his columns in cartoon strip form, like those ads for some gaming shop or other that were always in Gamesmaster magazine

Feargal Hixxy (DJ Mencap), Monday, 15 January 2007 15:08 (nineteen years ago)

ok 'nathan barley' in the oh-7: that corner of east london had probably lost its edge well before 2005, but now it feels even less edgy. the kind of magazine the show is lampooning is long gone. i have even forgotten the name of that sleazenation guy the guardian hired. but there were some very good throwaway gags.

the original hauntology blogging crew (Enrique), Monday, 15 January 2007 15:10 (nineteen years ago)

the IT crowd was about 300 times better than nathan barley if we're talking post being any good chris morris.

acrobat (elwisty), Monday, 15 January 2007 16:04 (nineteen years ago)

i know a person who knows the redhead, from that.

it was good, but not 300 times better than 'nathan barley'.

the original hauntology blogging crew (Enrique), Monday, 15 January 2007 16:05 (nineteen years ago)

30 times?

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 15 January 2007 16:06 (nineteen years ago)

IT Crowd would've been a lot better without the Irish guy.

vita susicivus (blueski), Monday, 15 January 2007 16:06 (nineteen years ago)

(xp) Wasn't everybody raving about that when it was on? I started watching the first episode but I couldn't bear the thought of 6 episodes of having to look at Pearce Quigley's facial hair.

Tom D, focussed with getting on with the job (Tom D.), Friday, 29 May 2026 10:21 (three months ago)

We loved Small Prophets in our house. I feel like we had a big chat about it on some thread, because I'm sure I was chatting to another ilxor about having come across Mackenzie Crook when he was just a baby standup and how nice he was and how we've always wished him well as a result.

trishyb, Friday, 29 May 2026 11:05 (three months ago)

I remember it.

Tom D, focussed with getting on with the job (Tom D.), Friday, 29 May 2026 11:08 (three months ago)

There's some SP chat up thread

As is your anecdote lol xp

groovypanda, Friday, 29 May 2026 11:08 (three months ago)

ah yes, i see. I did a search for it but only saw one or two glancing references. I don't have a TV license, so I had to watch it on my partner's TV when I went to visit her. I loved it though

rameau in the main room (dog latin), Friday, 29 May 2026 12:10 (three months ago)

my 12yo daughter LOVES Small Prophets, she's watched every episode MULTIPLE times, and is now exploring Detectorists.

the first of many brazen movies (stevie), Sunday, 31 May 2026 18:05 (three months ago)

Good for her. I was disappointed by the ending. Detectorists was all time exceptional.

kraudive, Sunday, 31 May 2026 19:13 (three months ago)

I was disappointed by the ending.

I kind of was too but I guess they had to open it up for s02.

the first of many brazen movies (stevie), Sunday, 31 May 2026 20:11 (three months ago)

his worzel gummidge reboot was great too

||||||||, Sunday, 31 May 2026 20:35 (three months ago)

Worzel has terrified me since I was tiny, not sure I can stomach that!

the first of many brazen movies (stevie), Sunday, 31 May 2026 20:47 (three months ago)

one month passes...

You'll never get me to like music hall, but the most recent edition of the Harry Hill Show on Youtube has a really good piece about it. Kiri Pritchard Maclean is the guest, and she's great too.

trishyb, Sunday, 5 July 2026 19:16 (two months ago)

First ep of Unacceptable was decent, as far as second tier panel shows go.

a ZX spectrum is haunting Europe (Daniel_Rf), Monday, 6 July 2026 09:13 (two months ago)

It's spawned a terrible Guardian thinkpiece already which fails to understand how comedy works, so well done everyone involved.

ailsa, Monday, 6 July 2026 09:29 (two months ago)

i don't like the host or one of the team captains so it started at a disadvantage. i'm not sure it won me over.

Bog Dork (koogs), Monday, 6 July 2026 09:43 (two months ago)

I will never willingly watch Joanne McNally. Never! Plus in the ads everyone was wearing waaay too much makeup.

trishyb, Monday, 6 July 2026 10:21 (two months ago)

I'm absolutely fine with Ed Gamble, but the team captains are not for me. Joanne McNally in particular is awful, yes.

ailsa, Monday, 6 July 2026 13:24 (two months ago)

three weeks pass...

Exclusive: Extended clip from Alley Cats pic.twitter.com/QkR19pAfL7

— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) July 30, 2026

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/39/0c/47/390c475493d58a4026f2d0654525b60d.jpg

Camaraderie at Arms Length, Friday, 31 July 2026 20:44 (one month ago)

Australian Ghosts is even more random than US ghosts. some kind of flapper, 80s keep fit host, someone from captain cook's ship, katy-wix-alike, biker, chinese prospector with no trousers...

Ann Droid, best bits of this are the robots' interactions in the background.

Unacceptable is approaching that. host and female team captain haven't got any better.

koogs, Monday, 3 August 2026 15:48 (one month ago)

I enjoyed Ann Droid massively more than I thought I would enjoy something with such a terrible name, but the son was definitely a weak point. He was just too awful a person. However, the rollercoaster adventure made me properly laugh.

trishyb, Monday, 3 August 2026 15:54 (one month ago)

Harry Hill’s podscarf continues to be excellent, btw.

trishyb, Monday, 3 August 2026 15:55 (one month ago)

Wondered how Australian Ghosts would deal with the "portrayals of dead Aboriginal people" question, seems like by sidestepping it entirely?

Camaraderie at Arms Length, Monday, 3 August 2026 15:58 (one month ago)

Wondered how Australian Ghosts would deal with the "portrayals of dead Aboriginal people" question, seems like by sidestepping it entirely?

The lead actress is (apparently) one of the most prominent 'First Nation' actresses on the market (if her agent is to be believed) and in the episode where her mum comes round they keep going on about how "black" they are.

I like the keep fit host, especially the Ned Kelly episode.

Overtoun House windows (aldo), Monday, 3 August 2026 17:26 (one month ago)

Diane Morgan's robot voice is very funny, but overall Ann Droid is a bit too obviously geared towards oldies for me.

Podscarf love seconded.

chap, Monday, 3 August 2026 17:41 (one month ago)

i did like his rick rubin skit

Angine de Postecogloutrine (NickB), Monday, 3 August 2026 18:42 (one month ago)

the dad in ghosts Australia is the spoon boy from the matrix

nxd, Tuesday, 4 August 2026 02:25 (one month ago)

boyfriend, not dad rather

nxd, Tuesday, 4 August 2026 02:26 (one month ago)

Guy Mont Spelling Bee starts tonight on bbc3. i know nothing about it other than that clip with sam campbell in it (above?)

koogs, Wednesday, 5 August 2026 11:25 (one month ago)

I skipped a few of the early podscarf episodes when I didn't like the guest but I made a point of watching all of the second run. I do like how often it can catch me offguard (for instance that rick rubin bit)

you can see me from westbury white horse, Wednesday, 5 August 2026 12:35 (one month ago)

Koogs, I'm a big fan of the Spelling Bee, as I think I mentioned before.

trishyb, Wednesday, 5 August 2026 18:03 (one month ago)

Like, for whatever that's worth. It's not like I'm some great arbiter of taste or anything.

trishyb, Wednesday, 5 August 2026 18:04 (one month ago)

it is, apparently, series 2 of the Australian variant.

koogs, Thursday, 6 August 2026 10:51 (one month ago)

I think that’s still Aaron Chen.

trishyb, Thursday, 6 August 2026 13:56 (one month ago)

yes, recognised him from Oz Taskmaster

koogs, Thursday, 6 August 2026 14:34 (one month ago)

one month passes...

Hamish from lego masters au was on Spelling B the other day.

colin from accounts starts again on bbc2 tonight.

koogs, Monday, 7 September 2026 08:56 (two weeks ago)

New series of Colin From Accounts is terrible. I loved S2 but this new one is just awful.

nate woolls, Monday, 7 September 2026 09:23 (two weeks ago)

Oh, that's a shame. I felt S2 started to go off the rails - his emotional immaturity was becoming a hard watch - so I'm not overly surprised, but I'm disappointed nonetheless.

I do wish that excellent Aussie motherhood comedy, The Letdown, had got a couple more series.

Generalissimo Mitch McConnell is still dead (stevie), Monday, 7 September 2026 09:31 (two weeks ago)

New series of Colin From Accounts is terrible. I loved S2 but this new one is just awful.

Well, that answers that question. I stopped watching it in season two after they went to visit his terrible family, but I did wonder if it had picked up again.

trishyb, Monday, 7 September 2026 15:06 (two weeks ago)

i didn't mind the fist episode of the new Colin. but i'm not sure the comedy bits weren't the least interesting bits.

second part tonight

koogs, Tuesday, 8 September 2026 08:39 (two weeks ago)

(though i do feel sometimes that i would rather watch anything than nothing, especially if i have residual feelings for it, and maybe this is one of those)

koogs, Tuesday, 8 September 2026 08:42 (two weeks ago)

I watched the first two eps of S3 last night and really enjoyed it!

Generalissimo Mitch McConnell is still dead (stevie), Tuesday, 8 September 2026 09:00 (two weeks ago)

Youtube served me up the first episode of World Of Pub, a 00's sitcom that happens to feature Peter Serafinowicz and Kevin Eldon, amongst others. Enjoyed it a lot, especially the notion of the Queen being invited to "the 200th anniversary of the East End".

a ZX spectrum is haunting Europe (Daniel_Rf), Friday, 11 September 2026 09:25 (one week ago)

That's surfaced in my algorithm a couple of times recently, too - I definitely want to give it a go, as I'm sure I missed it on the first go-round.

Generalissimo Mitch McConnell is still dead (stevie), Friday, 11 September 2026 10:03 (one week ago)

I think we may all have similar algorithms. It seemed like a radio comedy that didn’t suit tv at all. Still a fun enough way to spend half hour.

a hoy hoy, Friday, 11 September 2026 10:46 (one week ago)

I'm annoyed that TLC have not put zombie Mock the Week up on their Youtube channel for me to watch without ads.

trishyb, Sunday, 20 September 2026 14:06 (two days ago)

I have to say I absolutely thoroughly loved s03 of Colin From Accounts, one of the best things I've seen all year: genuinely laugh-out-loud moments in every episode and proper decent romcom action that never went sentimental but did properly tug at the heartstrings in a way I've not seen work so well since Love, that sitcom with Britta from Community on Netflix.

Generalissimo Mitch McConnell is still dead (stevie), Sunday, 20 September 2026 14:24 (two days ago)


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