Major-99 Reviews

As Time Goes By (1992–2005)

Nice, gentle, romantic comedy that isn't 'in your face'.

[22 February 2001]

In the comedy industry, there is demand for many different types of humour. Satire, surreal, slapstick- there are great examples for each genre. There is also the romantic comedy- 'As Time Goes By' is a great example of a programme of this type. Geoffrey Palmer and Judi Dench are quite a pairing, both have excellent comedy timing, and play the roles straight- they don't try to 'out do' each other. A couple of weeks ago, the BBC were transmitting this at 3pm, after 'Lovejoy'. This meant I often had to rush home from school, to catch it. Luckily, the fact that I'm in a Sixth Form College meant that it wasn't too much of a problem. Like 'Frasier' and to an extent, 'Dad's Army', people dismiss this programme as 'boring'. The point is that the programme is not boring, it just refuses to play for 'belly laughs', preferring to build up a steady level of humour throughout the show. And what's wrong with that?

'Allo 'Allo! (1982–1992)

Classic piece of British comedy

[22 February 2001]

David Croft has to be seen as one of the greatest British comedy writers ever. He was the writer for 'Dad's Army', 'It Ain't Half Hot, Mum' and 'Are You Being Served?'. Although not as good as 'Dad's Army', 'Allo 'Allo' is a fine piece of work. Set in war-time France, this show made use of stereotypes of Germans, Frenchmen and Brits. Gorden Kaye gave a tremendous portrayal of unwilling hero, Rene, but the fine cast doesn't stop there. Carmen Silvera (Edith), Guy Siner (Gruber) and the fantastic Arthur Bostrom (Crabtree) also played their parts well. The show was 'Carry On'-esque, unashamedly camp and full of sexual innuendo. I think it is impossible not to hear Crabtree with his customary greeting of 'Good Moaning!', without laughing. Demand from the American market saw the series stretched a bit further than it could manage, but 'Allo 'Allo recovered. The repeats are certainly worth watching.