Bring Phoenix Nights to the USA!!!!!! - Phoenix Nights (2001) Discussion

[–] loz-1 20 years ago

To be honest, I wasn't quite sure whether this fantastic programme WOULD translate that well across the pond, but I sincerely hope it DOES get an airing over there now! I just want everyone to see it!

Anyone who doesn't laugh is seriously devoid of a sense of humour.

I've been a fool but you know I wouldn't kill for you...

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[–] Bobbymak880 20 years ago

I do hope UK Channel 4 brings the show to the USA. Not everyone is as nutty as me (spending money on a multi-region DVD player just to watch a TV series). And I hope Hollywood doesn't decide to "remake" Phoenix Nights into an American disaster (like they do with other British concepts.

bob

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[–] loz-1 20 years ago

There was a recent programme that showed clips of several attempted US "remakes" of British comedies - "Fawlty Towers", "Men Behaving Badly" and various others. They had me howling with laughter - but for all the wrong reasons...I was laughing at how bad they were!

Why does the US do it? I mean, WE never tried to remake "Frasier" or anything. If a series is already good, surely it doesn't need remaking!

And hey, "Phoenix Nights" is WORTH buying a DVD player for!

I've been a fool but you know I wouldn't kill for you...

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[–] DonOfTheDead 20 years ago

Because you get so much American stuff that you can understand American English pretty well.

A lot of Americans aren't going to watch a show with thick British accents and slang, because they wouldn't know what was going on. A sentence like "He nicked me telly from the boot." is nonsensical in American English.

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[–] Big_AL-96 20 years ago

The bad news for everyone is that they won't be making another series of Phoenix Nights. However There will be a series called (provisionally at the moment at least) Max and Paddy which will follow the adventures of the two bouncers after their departure at the end of the last series.

It's nice to see that you guys across the pond can appreciate Northern British humour!!

I want to moonwalk son, but life's a shithouse. Out.

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[–] Bobbymak880 20 years ago

There's DEFINITELY going to be a Max and Paddy series and they will occasionally be visiting the Phoenix Club too! See story at:
http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/oct03/dvd.html

BTW, I just bought the Phoenix Nights scripts from Amazon.co.uk. A great read with lots of photos too.

I hope they put "That Peter Kay Thing" on DVD!

Bob

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[–] Bobbymak880 20 years ago

According to CHORTLE.CO.UK, The Max and Paddy series will begin filming in June and will be aired late this year.

I didn't know that Phoenix Nights was Northern Britsh humor?

It's funny as ever. I don't understand some of the patter but it's such a rich and multi-layered show that it's still an incredible series to watch. I think the show would be a hit in the USA because it has lots and lots of depth:
1. Sight gags.
2. Verbal gags.
3. Gags within gags (subgags)
4. Hilarious songs (black bin bag and Corned beef as prime examples)
5. Hilarious props on the set
6. Terrificly clever running gags (Armchair Superstore) and St. Clair's herbal habits!

I was born and raised in NYC and have never been to the UK and have no knowledge of the culture of "clubland". However, I STILL found Phoenix Nights to be one of the funniest TV series I have ever had the pleasure to watch in my entire life. And since I own the DVD's, I have now watched the both series' about 4 times. Each time picking up more and more comedy and subplot.

If the Hollywood were stupid enough to try to remake the series, it would be:
1. watered down and made politically correct.
2. filled with political messages concerning the current election.

Another reason P.N. is a funny series is because it's very cleanly apolitical. And apolitical comedy is something we can all use!!!

Bob, NYC

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[–] manchester22m 20 years ago

I was wondering how Americans could remake this series.

It struck me that the best way to do it is to have a bar that has a church next door to it.

Brian Potter owns the bar and Rev Dennis Perry is the head of the Church who ends up burning the bar down in an act of irrational puritan hatred.

Umm..yeah :) Thats probably the best setting to use since Americans havent got the same "Pub Culture" as Brits.

I hope that if they did remake it they wouldnt tone it down so that it is too bland to be funny :|

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[–] radiophonic48 20 years ago

A lot of people don't think Peter Kay's humour translate so well to the rest of the country so to hear that an american likes it is suprising (but also good).

One of the few shows I didn't watch first time around, wasn't until I saw the ads for series 2 (in particular them singing to the minder theme) that I thought it looked good and started watching, then picked up series one on dvd, great decision on my part.

Phoenix nights is fantastic, one that begs to be watched again and again, acting is first rate and the characters are so well done things that aren't really that funny become hilarious - for me brian potter singing 'theres a party going on right here, jerry's better he's got the all clear' was a highlight.

I had the pleasure of seeing dave spikey (jerry the saint st. clair) in his stand up comedy show a few months back - great stuff.

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[–] quincy1973 20 years ago

I am very suprised that Americans appear to 'get' Phoenix Nights. It isn't just British humour, but Northern British humour. Phrases like "Vinegar Strokes" don't get used down south. Peter Kay is a comic genius who has also done alot of standup and another series called "That Peter Kay thing" which will be released on DVD later this year. It is this series where Brian Potter makes his debut. He also has two stand up DVD's on release which you should look into buying if you are a Kay fan.

I hope however if this programme is released in USA you lot dont try another reworking as you did with Fawlty Towers & Men Behaving Badly as they were crap as I am lead to believe.

Quality One Liners
* "Hoy, quiet mouth, there's a child's bike outside"
* "F**k Off" (When asked if he wanted to buy a rose for his date)
* Spencer's job interview in general was hilarious

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[–] Bobbymak880 20 years ago

I think Americans would "get" Phoenix Nights because it's funny on many levels. it has many layers of humor. It has:
- Sight gags
- word play
- well-developed characters (Max and Paddy... I can't wait for their series to be released)
- running gags - Armchair Super Store
- hilarious songs (corned beef, black bin bags).
- funny costumes and sets; fanatical attention to detail (the US jukebox in Potter's house; the Elvis with dangling legs in Potter's bedroom)
- great editing - if you don't find something funny, or don't "get" something, chances are that there's something immediately following that you will enjoy.

I also feel strongly that some of our non-urban TV comedies would do well playing in Manchester as well (examples: Green Acres, Beverly Hillbillies (the TV series, not the poorly-written movie); Petticoat Junction, etc.)

And, yes, I hope Hollywood does NOT decide to "remake" Phoenix Nights!
Can't wait for Peter Kay Thing to be released on DVD!!!!!
Bobby Mak

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] Bobbymak880 20 years ago

The Office is on my short list of DVD's to watch. But this is the first I've heard of "Red Dwarf" and "Little Britain".

I am putting them on my list.

I think Phoenix Nights would be a huge success here in the US because there is soooo much to enjoy in each episode:
- great cast, all of them interesting, eccentric and very funny.
- great script - many comedy styles and types of gags in every episode; and a high gag count per episode. I say that 90% of the comedy in Phoenix Nights relates to the human condition and, thus, can be understood and enjoyed by all English-speaking people.
- great gags, sub-gags and running gags (e.g. Armchair Superstore, Max and Paddy [can't wait to see their series!], the lengths to which Brian Potter will go to in order to attract a paying audience into his club.
- very funny sets, costumes and props.
- great photography and editing.

Phoenix Nights is one of the funniest comedy series I've ever seen in my life (including both US and UK). I think that Dave Spikey, Neil Fitzmaurice and Peter Kay are the holy trinity of British Comedy.

Am I wrong?
Bob

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[–] TheJiltedGeneral 20 years ago

I think the difference between British comedy and American comedy is quite substantial. American comedy is more consistent (at least what we see over here), your comedy follows the conventions that have been set before by other shows. Friends, Will and Grace, Frasier all seem very samey to the more astute British audience.

British comedy is more experimental, it is more varied. Anyone who disagrees with this can just go look at British comedy over the years (Monty Python for example, I don't think we would see anything of that calibre come out of the states). In being more experimental, more risky British comedy often isn't that funny or doesn't translate well to other countries. But because it is more different British comedy (when the experimentation pays off) it is pure genius (the Office, Little Britain, Phoenix Nights, Spaced).

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[–] DonOfTheDead 20 years ago

Are you serious?

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[–] TheJiltedGeneral 20 years ago

That just shows the inflexibility of the American audience, so what if an accent is different? The accent doesn't make the comedy.

I pity your country, I really do.

"Hey, I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class. Especially since I rule" - T.E.I.R

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[–] Dissector 20 years ago

Morgan. ... I read your comments on the US vs UK, and I notice you're only 16 so you can be forgiven in thinking like you do, BUT!!! when you talk about Monty Python, you don't mention "Rowan & Martins - Laugh-In" which came before Python, and I for one am sure that it infuenced the M.P. team, OK it's an American humour, but was still very anarchic for it's day, and then later there was Saturday Night Live, the American version was years before the UK did it, and the UK version spawned Ben Elton, Vic Reeves and Jo Brand et al, the US version has been a platform for dozens of great comics. ..... and before you say I'm talking from an American Bias .... you're wrong, I'm a Brit and proud to be so. I don't see ANY point in running down a nation because of differences in Humour/Humor ... see even the spelling is different!!!! ....... B.

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[–] Antman65uk 20 years ago

why does uk and us people always go into a patrotic war?

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[–] toshlad_uk 20 years ago

The scary thing about Pheonix Nights is how accurate it is, i'm from bolton and a mate of mine was a resident drummer in one of these clubs (Horwich BRSA if there are any fact checkers out there!) when he was a student to earn extra cash and these characters all exist in that 'scene' in one form or other (their reaction to a gang of pissed up students for example, just don't interrupt the bingo!!). Thats why its a great comedy show, because the humour is real and raw and never had to resort to conveluted situations to get its humour, ('two pints of lager & packet of crisps' anyone?[a very poor comedy set in the north of england for those who are lucky enough never to have seen it]), like Fawlty Towers it's comedy is still believable due to the utter incompetance of very well written characters. No matter how ridiculous the outcome, the protagonists make it real and therefore the humour doesn't feel false.
As for the brit v america debate, we brits have to be careful as for the most part our sitcoms have been on the whole VERY bad for the past decade if not more, when we get a gem it shines so much more. Yet the best thing going for brit comedy is that the networks, even the commercial one's don't have to pander to the advertisers, its noticeable that virtually all the sitcoms produced that are aimed at the mainstream viewer has failed while the stuff thats worked has all been the more experimental stuff tucked away in the shedules waiting to be discovered. Let us brits not be snobs and admit the americans do mainstream infinately better these days, but we can do quirky, original and leftfield like no one else. And for those of you that still believe the americans can't do irony, pathos and intelligent humour (not forgetting slapstick) should sit down and watch The Simpsons and then be ashamed of your ignorance!!!
For any non brits reading this, may i recommend (in no particular order):-

Blackadder (especially seasons 2 & 4)
Black Books
Nighty Night
Bottom
The Young Ones
Red Dwarf
Porridge
Open All Hours
The Royale Family
Closing Time
Only Fools & Horses

Some old, some new and some just plain silly! All hilarious!

Rant over, see ya & get off you bastards, r' i'll break yer legs!!!

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[–] Big_AL-96 20 years ago

I fully agree but would add

Vicar of Dibley
Dinnerladies

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[–] Calan_Gaeaf 20 years ago

Adding to toshlad_uk great list of comedies...

The League Of Gentlemen
The Mighty Boosh
Dad's Army
Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie

`·.¸¸.·´´¯`··._.·I got some pegs belonging to you!`·.¸¸.·´´¯`··._.·

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[–] oomph_11 20 years ago

"I am very suprised that Americans appear to 'get' Phoenix Nights. It isn't just British humour, but Northern British humour. Phrases like "Vinegar Strokes" don't get used down south."

Maybe you can explain some more of these phrases to me (being a Southerner 'n' all). Phoenix Nights is my favourite TV series of all time but I'd like to be able to get a few more of the jokes.

Some of my recommendations for the Americans amongst us:
The Office (got to be a lot better than the US remake)
Spaced (lots of hilarious movie references)
Little Britain (Yet to be released on DVD. Quirky, very funny sketch show

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[–] Bobbymak880 20 years ago

Are the other comedies you mentioned as brilliant as Phoenix Nights?
Great script?
Well-developed characters that are interesting and funny?
Many interesting and very funny sub-plots?
Great story(s)?
Sets and costumes that are inherently funny?

Phoenix Nights is not just funny. It is one of the most brilliant TV series' I've ever seen in my life and may the best British comedy America NEVER gets to see.

I intend to watch the office. Haven't heard of Men Behaving Badly.

I just saw a few episodes of the original British series "Coupling" (BTW, Another great and funny series.) Sadly, our NBC TV network tried to do a remake and it was a pure disaster. Unwatchable, not funny, and embarassing!

Have a good Weekend
Bob Makarowski
NYC, USA
You are the wind beneath my wheels!
Come and get your black bin bags.

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[–] Gareth_Dunstan 20 years ago

The phrase the Vinegar strokes is used in the US to the best of my knowledge. A character in Garth Ennis's Preacher comic series used it at one point, although despite Preacher being an American comic Ennis himself is Irish.

I'm not sure about the idea of an American not getting the 'Black bin bags' joke, given that it's Will Smith's MIB song reworked.

I'm not really surprised the US version of Coupling was cancelled, as that would be a US network remaking a British show, which in itself was a copy of Friends.

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[–] Bobbymak880 20 years ago

Maybe I'm giving away my advancing age but if you REALLY want to go back in history, the MIB Will Smith song was a reworking (and sampling) of a 1982 Patrice Rushen song "Forget-me-nots" which was co-written by Terry McFadden (who also wrote "Ain't No Stoppin Us Now" in 1979). The Patrice Rushen song is heavily sampled in the MIB tune and from her 1982 Album "Straight from the Heart". http://www.patricerushen.com/straight.html

Have a good weekend.
Bob Makarowski
"Cake made of cheese?"
"Sets? For the head?"

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[–] Gareth_Dunstan 20 years ago

I was born in 81.

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[–] Bobbymak880 20 years ago

1957!!!!!!

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[–] Fergie99 20 years ago

Bob - Check out a series called 'Shameless'. I think the DVD is due out around christmas. Its absolute fantastic. Different to Phoenix nights, but a lot of dry humour as well. Defintely recommend it.

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[–] Bobbymak880 20 years ago

Will do.
Question:
Have the writers of "Shameless" done anything previously?

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[–] freshwater 20 years ago

I haven't seen this yet myself (intend to get the DVD after all the praise) but its by Paul Abbott http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0008036/ who has a mixture of crime dramas and realistic comedy/dramas behind him already. I have seen his thriller series 'State Of Play' which was a hit on the BBC here last year and he received a special BAFTA (British Academy Award) this year for his writing so he's very highly regarded.

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[–] Bobbymak880 20 years ago

THANK YOU!
This sounds like just thing I'd love to watch. There's a dearth of good TV programming here in the US.
Paul Abbott has got some good stats and this will definitely be in my next order to AMAZON.UK.

Best wishes from across the pond.
Bob
N.Y.C.

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[–] mayoh1977 20 years ago

toshlad, totally agree with you about Blackadder 4 (or Blackadder goes forth as it is really called) THE best British comedy ever. Followed very closely by phoenix nights.

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[–] Droopster 20 years ago

That Peter Kay Thing is released in the UK on 4th October on DVD.
Check out play.com

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[–] tony_montana123 20 years ago

I kno people have alredy given list of comedy greats but ill have 2 add mine.
If u are american n u luv Phoenix Nights u should watch:
Shameless
The Royle family
Only fools n horses
Little Brittan
After hours(2nd series currently on bbc2, very funny)
Bo selecta

And these films:
Full monty
Up n under
brassed off
east is east
Kes
They are all northern films with simular comedey to phoenix nights

U should also purchase Peter Kays 2 stand up shows (i have been 2 se him live, i have never laughed so much in my life) Top of the tower, Bolton albert halls.

I am also amazed how americans 'get' the comedey behind phoenix nights, i always thought southerners would struggle with it.

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[–] dave-greg 20 years ago

in reply to Tony Montana123, i think you mean 'Early Doors' instead of 'After Hours'.

'left alone, in the dark, seeking out your lost soul.....'

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[–] theantigaz 20 years ago

They couldn't re-make Pheonix Nights in the US as the do not have 'Working men's Clubs'. They have bars, butI think there may have already been a sitcom from the US that was set in a bar. Not many people may have heard of it as it was very underground and not recognized in its own time. It was called Cheers.

Joking of course. But an American version of Pheonix Nights would basically be Cheers.

As for this huge debate (argument) on British vs US Comedy, give it up all of you. I am British and very proud of our comedy heritage, however I lived in the US for sometime and noticed they too have an excellent range of comedy programs. Yes generally the types of humor are different, but so are many aspects of our respected nations. I think American's do goof-ball comedy better, and the British do satire/observational comedy better. But as always there are exceptions. The British Men Behaving Badly was brillinalty executed goofball comdey with fart jokes and all, where as in America the Daily Show with John Stewart and Saturday Night Live are excellent satire shows. Fraiser reeks of sacasm (sorry can't spell) and irony, where as British classics such as Some Mothers do Ave Em and Dad's Army are fully of slapstick.

As long as it gets you laughing, I don't care which side of the atlantic it comes from. Saying that Pheonix Nights is the greatest comedy show ever and nothing will ever come close.

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[–] theantigaz 20 years ago

They couldn't re-make Pheonix Nights in the US as the do not have 'Working men's Clubs'. They have bars, butI think there may have already been a sitcom from the US that was set in a bar. Not many people may have heard of it as it was very underground and not recognized in its own time. It was called Cheers.

Joking of course. But an American version of Pheonix Nights would basically be Cheers.

As for this huge debate (argument) on British vs US Comedy, give it up all of you. I am British and very proud of our comedy heritage, however I lived in the US for sometime and noticed they too have an excellent range of comedy programs. Yes generally the types of humor are different, but so are many aspects of our respected nations. I think American's do goof-ball comedy better, and the British do satire/observational comedy better. But as always there are exceptions. The British Men Behaving Badly was brillinalty executed goofball comdey with fart jokes and all, where as in America the Daily Show with John Stewart and Saturday Night Live are excellent satire shows. Fraiser reeks of sacasm (sorry can't spell) and irony, where as British classics such as Some Mothers do Ave Em and Dad's Army are fully of slapstick.

As long as it gets you laughing, I don't care which side of the atlantic it comes from. Saying that Pheonix Nights is the greatest comedy show ever and nothing will ever come close.

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] davies_gwyn 19 years ago

watch david mitchell and robert webb's "peep show"

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[–] 19 years ago

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[–] orbit991 10 years ago

I would add Saxondale, Life on Mars and it's spinoff to the list.

I have a question to some of you, I'm from the US and been trying to find a show that I found in parts on youtube. It was basically a guy with a TV remote who watched advertisements and commented on their absurdity, anyone know the title of this show?

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[–] lee-mills 10 years ago

Orbit991: could it be Harry Hill's TV Burp? Sounds similar, but its less about commercials, its about tv shows that have been on during the week. Worth checking out but is no longer on TV

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[–] lee-mills 10 years ago

Orbit991: alternatively it could be Commercial Breakdown?

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] 10 years ago

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