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Newstopia - What did you think?

October 11th 2007 01:02
Since the discussion on Newstopia generated quite a lot of interest, I'm curious to see what viewers actually thought of the show. Did you enjoy it, or did you think it tanked?

I thought it was a tad hit and miss - some moments were quite funny, others didn't work as well, or had a tendency to go on too long. The rather frenetic pace also meant that some of the jokes were hard to catch.

Still, I do think this show has potential - pilot episodes often have issues, so I'm willing to give it a bit of time to find its feet. Highlights for me were the continuing drug references, the ACTU researcher who circumvented her own interview, and the interplay between Shaun Micallef and Ed Kavalee (whom you may have recognised as a cast member from Thank God You're Here).


If you missed the episode, it can be watched in full on the SBS site.

So what did you think of the episode? Did it 'work' for you? Will you be watching again?

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14 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by yoda76

October 11th 2007 01:37
Hey Nina,

Probably be tuning in again - I saw enough last night over the top of my laptop screen to give it another go. I like the way Micallef thinks, despite the fact that he's not always funny, I think.

And I dig Ed ;o)

Comment by Nina

October 11th 2007 01:46
Hi yoda, I was just at your place

I hope Ed will be back again, he really was great. I know what you mean about the way Micallef thinks as well. I'm hoping that, given time, he will find his footing in the format. After all, the early episodes of shows such as Spicks and Specks and the Glass House were somewhat cringeworthy...

Comment by KylieW

October 11th 2007 02:13
Dammit, I went out last night and forgot to record it!!! I'll have to watch next week.

Oh I hope that Ed is always part of the show. I LOVE Ed.....mmmmm......dreaming of Ed

Comment by Mrs M

October 11th 2007 04:04
Hi Nina,

Totally agree with you that it was a bit hit and miss and that self interview was great.

I'll watch again. Some of the humour was typical Micallef which is why I wasn't surprised some of the gags bombed like that whole processed Africans thing.

Love & stuff
Mrs M

Comment by GlenB

October 11th 2007 04:07
Did i like it? Yes. Were the repeated drug references too much? No, they were hilarious. Did I catch the more swift and subtle jokes? Yes, I was attentive. Will I watch it again? Certainly. Are there any more questions? No.

Comment by Nina

October 11th 2007 07:21
Kylie, it seems Ed was very popular! I think it will be in their best interests to bring him back. If you tune in next week let me know what you think, but if your internet is up to it (I know you've been having problems!) the episode is embedded on the SBS site

Comment by Nina

October 11th 2007 07:33
Mrs M, I totally agree. I've read a few posts on message boards that praised the bits I thought were bad - but they tended to be from hard-core Micallef-eans, who have been fans on his humour since the beginning.

Comment by Nina

October 11th 2007 07:34
GlenB, a fantastic comment and homage to one of the best bits of the show - perhaps you should be writing for it...

Comment by Lilla

October 11th 2007 08:52
Hi Nina,

I did forget to switch it on last night (as I expected) ... ho hum, but having just watched it on your link (thank you), I thought it was an excellent tongue in cheek affair and I laughed out louds everal times.

I found the idea of Chris Walken reading one of the segments... absolutely hillarious!

I loved the sports section too, the ACTU interview and Sir Edmund Hillary also really funny...

I will certainly tune in again and look forward to doing so, as it was probably more informative than the six oclock news, which I stopped watching ages ago.

Cheers

Lilla ...

Comment by Nina

October 11th 2007 09:27
Lilla, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I find the Daily Show far more enlightening than the so-called 'real' news - at least you know where their biases lie. Hopefully this show will fulfil the same position on a more local level.

Comment by Sheree

October 11th 2007 14:41
not bad, not bad!

evidently, I was flicking from the movie show to this, and hence missed many of the recurring jokes.

But I guess overall I liked the format, it was diverse, interesting, quite humorous. Definitely agree about the hit and miss thing though.

Also, I just realised how incredibly accustomed I am to hearing a studio audience laughing in the background. I felt like...should I be laughing at this? but I want to...but how come no one else is laughing with me? OH GOD WHY WON'T THEY LAUGH?!!!

Comment by Mountain Fog

October 11th 2007 15:51
weeeeell....new here...hello...but it really didn't do it for me.

His humour is still at the same level, which is fine, if you can set up the gags well...which often he does not, and some are too try hard and predictable.

However, it does show promise in this respect, it is the only show really harpooning the current events in a quick digestible format, as in 'news', a la The Mavis Bramston Show, which was on in the late 1960's early 70's maybe, and was a brilliant satire of current events.

Chaser I am slightly tiring of, as it too is relying on too many repeat gags..they need new writing/ideas blood or take a rest...maybe Howard and his thugs are planning an enforced rest for them....how is their court case going?

So I will give Micallef another go, but he needs to bring in more short and sharp punchlines....like the Two Ronnies did all those years ago...

cheers


fog

Comment by Nina

October 11th 2007 22:21
Sheree, I know exactly what you mean about the lack of laughter. I think that is why the show felt quite fast-paced - there wasn't a pause after the jokes, like there would be if there was an audience.

Comment by Nina

October 11th 2007 22:40
fog, I agree - some of the punchlines took far too long to get to, or were plainly obvious. Hopefully as time goes on the show will become more polished. I know what you mean about the Chaser - they seem to be moving further and further away from the political commentary that put them on the map, instead going for the same old gags or stunts.

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