Gavin & Stacey

[cwej]

How come there is not a thread for this?

I've just realised how wonderful it is and devoured both series in less than a week.

I do fancy Matthew Horne, but he is one of the least interesting things in it.

My favourites in order:

1. Nessa
2. Bryn
3. Pam
4. Smithy
5. Stacey
6. Gavin
7. Gwen
8. Mick

When I first watched Smithy in it, it was the first episode Season 2 when he is not talking to Gavin and I took an instant dislike to him, but later on he grew on me.

Nessa is a GENIUS comedy character though. 'Oh... what's occurring, Stace?'

 

[Sheena]

I've only ever caught two episodes but I found it absolutely hilarious...I will buy the DVD

I can't quite get over the fact that I sort of weirdly semi fancy the obese bloke in it...

 

[lolly]

There IS a thread for it, isn't there? SOMEWHERE

 

[Star]

Are there any other fans here? It's both really funny and really sweet. Series 1 was ace and the first two eppies of series 2 were the best yet. They're on iplayer for another day or two I think. WATCH THEM. New episodes are on BBC3 on Sunday nights.

Nessa, Pam and Bryn are all new comedy greats. This is fro episode two and the BBC were using it as a youtube preview. it's nowhere near one of the funniest bits. But I suppose they had to use a clip that actually has the comparatively dull Gavin and Stacey in it:

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My sister loves it. I hate that actor in it Sild likes, Gavin? From Catherine Tate and that awful Things To Do Before Your 30 show. I never watch TV apart from braindead life-wasting soaps.

I love it and did from the day it began. Very refreshing, funny, it's the perfect easy comedy to be honest. Nessa is FABulous! Her cliched turn of phrase never fails to make me laugh.

I LOVE the guy from Catherine Tate - he's so CUTE.

I really detest him aswell, particularly from his smug and unfunny schtick on Big Brother's Big Mouth. The other one's pretty good and I do like the Welsh supporting characters so I'll give it another GO.

Someone on Holy Moly said he could use a ROPE to floss his teeth. He's not bad, but hardly that fit.

It's James Corden (the fat one) that I don't like. Obviously he's a great talent for co writing it, but his character and performance are the show's weak link and he seems quite annoying in real life.



Aye, along with her celebrity past stories. I'm still laughing at her Pete Townsend/Who story, along with her one about her failed relationship with Dodi Alfayed in the first series.

Stacey and her mum are two of the loveliest women ever shown on tv. Awwww at both of 'em. And hooray for omelettes.

Who is this, Mathew Horne? I would.

I hate Catherine Tate as well. Bitter old trout? Who was it that beat her at the BAFTAS or Comedy Awards? Mitchell and Webb? The one who isn't fat out of them is gorgeous.

CATHERINE TATE IS A WONDERFUL WOMAN.

Let's just nip that one in the bud right now.

The first series is about SEVEN QUID in HMV.

I need to pick it up!

Maybe if you're a Dr Who fan, but as I've said before.. shows reliant on catchphrases are witless rubbish. Except The Fast Show.

Oooh, you are AWFUL. But I like you. It depends on who does the catchphrases. The old skool ones had a music hall charm.

ERM NO :Oi:

Some fans don't want this TALENTLESS OAF spoiling the show for a series

.

 

[Star]

SHIT OFF. She's a great actresses with a lovely warmth to her. She won't be as shouty as she was in the Christmas special and, yes, the comedy show does have a lot of weak material, but if you look at her versatility amongst all the different characters she plays you can see she's pretty damn talented. I can't understand why some people want another bland companion like Martha.

But yes, Gavin and Stacey. Smashing.

Yay. Sild and I are USUALLY on the same wavelength. Apart from music, but I can deal with that. I was annoyed seeing her on trailers at my Cineworld.

Shut up, she is certainly NOT.

A PROPER MALE companion would do fine.

Tate has the warmth of an ICEBERG

What's the consensus re: Tennant Vs Eccleston? Don't get me wrong, Tennant is a fine actor but Chris Eccleston is a GENIUS. I stopped watching when he was replaced. I like having good Scottish actors of course, but McAvoy is the one to watch.

The general consensus by about 95%-5% is that Tennant is better than Eccleston by a MILLION MILES. Not to mention the fact he's given a lot more love and care to the role than Eccleston who pissed a lot of people off by leaving after 1 series and never really talking about the show since. Basically Eccleston's career was dead and buried, he used Dr Who to get famous again... and luckily he's done fuck all since. Well deserved.

But yay to Catherine Tate - I cannot WAIT to see her as Donna again. I find Sild's response to her casting so unfair. Give her a chance. Martha was AWFUL in her first episode.

And incidentally, male companions WORK if there is a female companion as well - but JUST a male companion wouldn't work at all, because it upsets the balance of the characters. There's a reason why it's never been just a male really - because it ruins the chemistry of the show.

I suppose Tennant is more commited, yeah. I think it was his dream as a kid. Ecclestone did it more for the money and cause he had little else projects.

The only weak character in G&S is, to me, Stacey's mum - she's too nicey-nice and very rarely gets any truly funny lines, though she can act.

I can't BELIEVE Ruth Jones is 41!

Unfair my backside. Unlike Agyeman, Tate has a significant body of work before Who to be judged on. And that AIN'T PROMISING.

As for Tennant, whilst overall I prefer him to Eccleston, I'm growing increasingly tired of his approach to the role - I'd be more than happy to see him go after the specials.

I watched whatever episode of this was on tonight and thought it was rather good.

Nessa is by far the best thing about it - "I'm not gonna lie to you" is funny regardless of what she's talking about.

My distaste for Gavin himself is a bit of an obstacle though. He's just really really crap.

.

 

[lolly]

oh I SEE

 

[Raucous Bitch]

I LOVE IT!

I have season one and last episode tonight!

Bryn is my favourite, followed by Nessa.

My fave exchange:

Stace: Is that all you taking Ness?
Nessa: I gots 60 Regal and a packet of feminine wipes in there
Stace: What about a toothbrush?
Nesa: Tic Tacs!

 

[TurnerPrize]

I can sort of see why they've done it, but I really don't like the fact that they've made both Gavin and particularly Stacey into rather unlikable characters, along with giving them marriage troubles. Last week's episode was a bit rubbish, but this week's was pretty good, especially Nessa and Bryn being Dolly and Kenny.

It's still the best comedy on tv right now.

P.S. Cwej, unless you've got the preview tapes there are still 1 or 2 episodes of series 2 left to go. You may know this but it sounds a bit like you thought you'd watched them both and it'd be a shame to miss them. There's also going to be a christmas special, which will probably end the whole thing properly.

 

[Raucous Bitch]

It was all about Smithy and Nessa as a coupling for me though.

I love how Nessa is friends / has been with all these famous people. I adore the other day when she was on about Noel from Hear'Say 'he said, Ness, I want you to know, I'll be there for you, pure and simple'

And Bryn's comment about MySpace 'it's ever such a lot of fun!'

 

[cwej]

Oh I knew it hadn't finished. I was listening to Ruth Jones on the radio today. She said the original plan was for it to be 2 series and then a Christmas Special to finish it, but due to the popular demand they were seriously considering a 3rd series. I hope they do - it could just go on and on without any real plot developments, a bit like The Royle Family. It's all about the characters.

Tonight's episode I found the worst one of the series.

My favourite overall episode has got to be the one in the restaurant where they all end up in the ladies' toilet - it's just such a cliched comedy thing to get them all in there one-by-one, but it worked wonderfully because of the solid performances of the entire cast. Actually, it was the first episode I saw, so maybe that's why. But it is also the episode with Nessa in the huge delivery truck - the first time I'd seen that character and it was just such a fabulous entrance!!

 

[AGinAg (38)]

According to Wikipedia Ruth Jones is 42

 

[cwej]

Yep she was talking about her 40th birthday on the radio earlier and I just DID NOT believe it was her! I was a bit confused for a while as to whether it was her or not./

Then she said: 'Oh. Stacey. What's occurring?' and I knew it was her.

 

[lolly]

Yes, I'm sure I read she was early 40s somewhere else.

I don't get why people fancy Matthew Horne at all. He's got a little boy's body with a peculiar looking face.

 

[cwej]

I loved Doris last week: (paraphrased) 'He's been stalking me. I've rejected him as a friend on Facebook 8 times'

 

[cwej]

Yes, I'm sure I read she was early 40s somewhere else.

I don't get why people fancy Matthew Horne at all. He's got a little boy's body with a peculiar looking face.

I look at him and think: 'you're not attractive' then he speaks and I think 'aah cute'. I like him more the chavvier he gets therefore:

Gran's Grandson < Gavin < Lauren's Boyfriend

 

[AGinAg (38)]

The picture Sild had as an avatar FOREVER was alright... Aside from that NAH

 

[Jonfessions]

I LOVE THIS SHOW. I've only discovered it in the last week. I'd written it off as BBC Three TOSS prior to giving it a chance.

Alison Steadman and Ruth Jones are the best things about it.

Why does James Corden get his kit off in almost every episode? He writes the bloody thing, he must love his body! My friend fancies him.

 

[TurnerPrize]

I know it's stupid of me, but I'm quite annoyed that it's seeped into the mainstream and is being quoted by the lowest common denominator types who always ruin these things.

"Oh... what's occurring?"

Yes, that is HILARIOUS, isn't it? The way you said something that someone off a comedy show says. I really like you now and think you're just as funny as they are. Do some Little Britain impressions next, they never fail to crack me up.

 

[Jonfessions]

OH

STACE

WHAT'S OCCURRING?

 

[Jonfessions]

 

[Raucous Bitch]

I love it even more because my bff is Welsh so obviously sounds spot on when she does it and also says 'tidy' all the time and 'I won't lie to you'

"What you need to do see, is start everything with WWW. Now, I like to think of something to help me remember, like whiskey with water"

Bryn is a legend.

 

[cwej]

Silly Question: Do Welsh people often say 'What's Occurring?' or is it JUST a catchphrase for this show. Because I KNOW 'I'm not being funny' and things like that are common things to say, but I've genuinely NEVER heard anyone say 'What's occurring?' in real life.

I like the fact that this show is both mainstream AND a little bit off the wall. It's the best way for a comedy to be.

 

[Raucous Bitch]

Me and my friends used to say 'what's occurring?' when we were at school.

And yes, the Welsh do say it quite a bit. Ruth Jones has written it as Welsh as Welsh can be. I love the expression 'tidy' though to describe someone!

 

[octophone]

With the inevitable decline of "House", this is the best thing on TV right now. Alan Bennett, who encouraged James Corden to start writing, got it absolutely right when he said that the best thing about the programme is that Corden and Jones care about every single character in the programme. No-one is there purely as a comedic device. Rob Brydon is sublime as Uncle Bryn (SURPRISE! SURPRISE!SURPRISE! SURPRISE!SURPRISE! SURPRISE! ), possibly his best TV role to date actually. So many highlights; the old dear flipping the never-seen "Jean" the bird, Smithy's best man's speech in series one, the pub quiz, Nessa's truck, the stunned reaction of the lads to Stacey's "five-a-day" revelation...it's just brilliant.

 

[cwej]

I think what you've said is spot on octy... every character just feels so cared for, even though they are all verging on caricature (except Gavin & Stacey themselves, which I think is kind of the POINT)... Other highlights include Pam's vegetarianism, any scene of Nessa at the Slots (though the one where she inspects the £5 note has just sprung to mind and made me giggle) and all of Smithy/Gavin's welcome handshake things. There's just so many little touches in just about every scene that you just want to see over and over again.

Rather than it be 'catchphrase' comedy like we're so used to these days, the moments are underused, which makes you want to see them more. Nessa doesn't say 'Oh. What's occurring?' THAT MUCH actually (possibly 7 or 8 times in 2 series?!), but when she does say it you relish it.

 

[cwej]

Was James Corden in The History Boys? I vaguely recall a fat boy. I presume that's how he knows Alan Bennett?

He was pretty good in Mike Leigh's All Or Nothing. Wow - to work with two writers of that stature so early on in his career, no wonder Corden has written such sublime work with that kind of influence behind him.

 

[TurnerPrize]

I've been in mid wales for 3 years and they never, ever say 'What's occurring?". Maybe it's a Barry Island thing? The nearest thing to a national catchphrase that I've found is all the moaning about the English.

Seriously, I never knew Wales was such a horribly bitter nation before I moved here. TV has got it all wrong. I won't even get started on their irrational sense of pride.

it was wonderfully mentioned in the first episode of Gavin and Stacey though, when Nessa said something mildly anti english (by the real life standards), got accused of being racist and she said "It's not racist. It's Xenophobic."

 

[dUbrodošli]

I still maintain that Matthew Horne is absolutely the worst thing about this show and not in an 'even the worst one is still great' kind of way. Really distractingly bad... I saw the end of an episode last night, when the boys were at a foam party, and it was all going fantastically until he opened his crap mouth on the phone to Stacey.

 

[TurnerPrize]

I still maintain that Matthew Horne is absolutely the worst thing about this show and not in an 'even the worst one is still great' kind of way. Really distractingly bad... I saw the end of an episode last night, when the boys were at a foam party, and it was all going fantastically until he opened his crap mouth on the phone to Stacey.

The only two things that I think let the show down are:

- James Corden (acting wise, and the character is the least likable which doesn't help)
- When Gavin wears a shirt done up to the top button with no tie and a cardigan over it. HIDEOUS. There is just everything wrong with such an ensemble, and he does it quite a bit. I've never seen anyone do it in real life so I don't even know where it's come from.

 

[cwej]

I disagree entirely. I actually think in PERFORMANCE terms, Stacey is worse than Gavin, by quite a long way. They are, unfortunately, the two worst actors of the eight main cast members though!!

To reiterate: the best characters in order are:

1. Nessa
2. Bryn
3. Pam
4. Smithy
5. Stacey
6. Gavin
7. Gwen
8. Mick

The best ACTORS in order are:

1. Pam
2. Nessa
3. Bryn
4. Mick
5. Gwen
6. Smithy
7. Gavin
8. Stacey

In my opinion.

 

[cwej]

- When Gavin wears a shirt done up to the top button with no tie and a cardigan over it. HIDEOUS. There is just everything wrong with such an ensemble, and he does it quite a bit. I've never seen anyone do it in real life so I don't even know where it's come from.

I PRESUME it's supposed to be an Essex thing. I MAY be moving to Essex at the end of the year - if so, I will let you know.

 

[Raucous Bitch]

I've been in mid wales for 3 years and they never, ever say 'What's occurring?". Maybe it's a Barry Island thing? The nearest thing to a national catchphrase that I've found is all the moaning about the English.

Aww my friend is from Ponty, which is Sarf Wales, as is Barry. We went to Barry for the day once, it was well amusing. Apparently someone died on the log flumes there once. JOY.

I love the Welsh!

 

[dUbrodošli]

Wales is just an ODD place. In my first week at Aber, someone was pulling a mooner out their window, fell out and died slowly having been impaled on a railing below.

They probably weren't Welsh but still, oddness.

 

[TurnerPrize]

Wales is just an ODD place. In my first week at Aber, someone was pulling a mooner out their window, fell out and died slowly having been impaled on a railing below.

They probably weren't Welsh but still, oddness.

OH MY GOD YOU WERE HERE WHEN THAT HAPPENED?!

It is a very popular story in Aber, even more so than the man who died in the Wetherspoons toilets.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/4441485.stm

 

[dUbrodošli]

The word "waddled" is not appropriate to the tone of that story.

 

[dUbrodošli]

Oh and then there was the matter of the other thing which is too to talk about even though I did mention it on here at the time when I thought it was quite a thrilling thing to say that my something was apparently a something.

 

[Jonfessions]

To reiterate: the best characters in order are:

1. Nessa
2. Bryn
3. Pam
4. Smithy
5. Stacey
6. Gavin
7. Gwen
8. Mick

The best ACTORS in order are:

1. Pam
2. Nessa
3. Bryn
4. Mick
5. Gwen
6. Smithy
7. Gavin
8. Stacey

In my opinion.

I pretty much agree with ALL of that.

 

[octophone]

Was James Corden in The History Boys? I vaguely recall a fat boy. I presume that's how he knows Alan Bennett?

Correct on both counts.

I think James Corden is brilliant as Smithy - the character is rude, overbearing and inappropriate but you still feel for him. That's not easy to play..

 

[octophone]

I broadly agree but would make some slight amendments...

Characters

1. Bryn
2. Nessa
3. Smithy
4. Pam
5. Stacey
6. Gavin
7. Gwen
8. Mick

The best ACTORS in order are:

1. Bryn (I cannot think of anyone else who could have played that part)
2. Nessa
3. Pam
4. Smithy
5. Gwen
6. Mick
7. Stacey
8. Gavin

 

[Crash]

I saw Nessa on the GLAMEROUS Book Awards on Sunday and SHIT ME shes actually rather PRETTY