Comedy Slab Shane O'Connor

This week we review Lookwell (Pilot)

Lookwell was a television pilot written and produced by Conan O'Brien and Robert Smigel, the latter of whom would become a primary creative voice for O'Brien's late night show.

It starred Adam West. Despite being a "personal favorite" of NBC chairman Brandon Tartikoff (who had left that position by the time the pilot aired and was replaced by Warren Littlefield), the pilot was not picked up as a series.

It was broadcast on NBC on July 28, 1991, in a summer weekend timeslot reserved for burning off pilots which the network had passed on and has since become a cult classic.

It stars Adam West as a washed-up TV action hero—who at the peak of his career was ceremonially deputized by local law enforcement and falsely believes he can solve crimes in real life. His student Jason (played by Todd Field) becomes his sidekick.

Written by Conan O'Brien & Robert Smigel
Produced by Lorne Michaels
Directed by E. W. Swackhamer
A BGP / Broadway Video Production.
Lookwell is available here: https://bit.ly/3xEJqfL

The Comedy Slab Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Spotify and Youtube.
 
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This week we review Not Going Out (Series 12 Episode 5)

Not Going Out is a light-hearted, fast-paced mainstream sitcom based around the life of a man un-burdened by ambition or drive. Lee deflects criticism and bad news with his trademark wit and one-liners but deep down he is looking for love, a steady job and a flat he can call his own.

By series 7, the will-they-won't-they tension between Lee and Lucy reach new highs, with Lee eventually proposing to Lucy.

In series 8 we pick up the couple's story seven years later.

The pair now live in a comfortable semi-detached home in Walton-on-Thames with their three kids: Charlie, and twins Benji and Molly but how has layabout Lee survived these dramatic life-changes?

Created by Lee Mack
Produced by Alex Hardcastle, Nick Wood, Charlie Hanson, Jamie Rix, Richard Allen-Turner, Lee Mack, Jon Thoday, Sally Debonnaire and more
Directed by Alex Hardcastle and Nick Wood
An Avalon / Arlo Production for the BBC.
Not Going Out is available here: https://bbc.in/2QsvzT2

The Comedy Slab Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Spotify and Youtube.
 
Subscribe for a new episode each Tuesday.
 
Get in touch - we're @ComedySlab on Twitter and ComedySlab on Facebook.

This week we review Bob’s Burgers (Series 12 Episode 1)

The show features the Belcher family. Bob, his wife Linda, and their children Tina, Gene, and Louise.

The family runs a burger restaurant on Ocean Avenue in an unnamed seaside community (informally known as "Seymour's Bay" among the show's writing staff).

Bob's Burgers is located in a green two-story building which features an apartment on the second floor where the Belcher family lives. The restaurant is sandwiched between two other commercial buildings, one of which houses "It's Your Funeral Home and Crematorium". As a running gag, the other building is shown in the opening credits to be a new business each week, often with names which are elaborate puns.

Created by Loren Bouchard
Produced by Bernard Derriman
A Willo Production.
Bob’s Burgers is available here: https://bit.ly/3L2debI

The Comedy Slab Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Spotify and Youtube.
 
Subscribe for a new episode each Tuesday.
 
Get in touch - we're @ComedySlab on Twitter and ComedySlab on Facebook.

This week we review Bristow (Series 2 Episode 1)

Bristow is a buying clerk (18th in line for Chief Buyer) working for the Chester-Perry organisation (the company's boss, Sir Reginald Chester-Perry, is never seen), who dreaming of grander things. Hoping the world is listening, he gives his opinions on life to anyone around, and if no one is around, is quite happy talking to himself.

His work colleagues include his friend Jones (although he claims to be 18th in line for Chief Buyer), Miss Purdy the tea lady, and fearsome boss Fudge.

Written by Frank Dickens
Produced by Neil Cargill
Directed by Neil Cargill
A BBC Production.
Bristow is available here: https://amzn.to/3zZwi59

The Comedy Slab Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Spotify and Youtube.

Subscribe for a new episode each Tuesday.

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This week we review Age Of Outrage (Series 1 Episode 1)

A pioneer of virtual production in sketch comedy and the most popular and successful TV comedy show (of 2020) featuring a sketch based in a bakers' shop.

Providing fodder for internet trolls since February 2020. With Miriam 'two bread rolls please' Isaac, Geraint Rhys 'too many characters' Edwards, Zak 'thinking' Ghazi-Torbati and Mali 'sourdough' Tudno-Jones.

Featuring a special appearance by 'Godfather of Gunge' Dave Benson-Phillips.

Written by Kate Reid, Zak Ghazi-Torbati, Dan Thomas, Sarah Breese, Berwyn Jackson, Mostyn Phillips, Beth Granville & Daniel Hooper
Produced by Phillip Moss and Paul Forde
Directed by Phillip Moss
A Small & Clever Production for BBC Wales.
Age Of Outrage is available here: https://bbc.in/3wczCsD
 
The Comedy Slab Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Spotify and Youtube.
 
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This week we review Steptoe & Son (Series 3 Episode 7)

Living at Mews Cottage, Shepherd's Bush, Albert Steptoe and his son Harold are a family business. They are rag and bone men. With a yard full of battered furniture, tyres and scrap metal, Albert refuses to sell half of what Harold collects and keeps it, filling the house with worthless ornaments rather than pay the bills.

Albert is a war veteran and lived at home with Harold since he was a child. His wife has passed on leaving just the father and son. Albert is so stuck with the same routine that it is impossible for his son to do anything without Albert devising some cunning ploy to stop him.

Harold is in his late thirties and still lives at home. Not that he likes it; he hates everything about it. Paying bills, living in squalor and being on constant surveillance by his father are his biggest problems.

Written by Ray Galton & Alan Simpson
Produced by Duncan Wood
Directed by Duncan Wood
A BBC tv Production.
Steptoe & Son is available here: https://amzn.to/3JJ0DJP
 
The Comedy Slab Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Spotify and Youtube.
 
Subscribe for a new episode each Tuesday.
 
Get in touch - we're @ComedySlab on Twitter and ComedySlab on Facebook.