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The Mitchell And Webb Situation [2001]
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RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £6.97 (subject to change)
Excellent.
Review date: 2008-10-06 Rating: 10 out of 10
I think that many people won't find this funny as it doesn't have a laughter track to provide a cue. I also think this is Mitchell & Webb's best work so far.
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Reviews
Oh dear.
Review date: 2008-07-19 Rating: 4 out of 10
Mitchell and Webb are responsible for some of the 21st Century's greatest and most original comedy, with not only the cutting-edge Peep Show but also the classicist sketch comedy That Mitchell And Webb Look under their belts. However, long before any of that, long before even the Mitchell And Webb Sound on BBC radio, was The Mitchell And Webb Situation.
Produced by the BBC's commercial arm for the not-at-all-missed channel Play UK, The Mitchell And Webb Situation was recorded in the space of three weeks on a budget of which the term 'shoestring' would be complimentary. Whilst well directed, the whole thing still has a cheap veneer - which wouldn't be an issue if the show was funny. Alas, it really isn't.
On the commentary to the first episode, Mitchell and Webb admit that they're not very good at punchlines, and Situation does little to persuade the viewer otherwise. On the Mitchell And Webb Look DVD there is bonus footage of David Mitchell pitching a profoundly medicore sketch idea based on men who write headlines for events in case they happen. Situation is like six episodes' worth of sketches that bad, starting at a weak premise and getting worse from there.
Sketches often simply meander, a totally dry atmosphere making it difficult to laugh at the lesser gags, and even the better sketches struggle. The series is by no means devoid of merit - the sketch about the cookery show, the farmer who thinks he's in on a big secret, Hons, Dons And MA Oxons and the documentary about a man having a documentary made about him are all occasionally hilarious. But too often sketches which are mildly amusing the first time - the sound effect barman, for example - are flogged to death across the length of an episode.
This is not to even mention some of the more excruciating sketches like the man having a lone dinner at a restaurant, a sketch which is as awkward to watch as you suspect the character is supposed to be. Furthermore, the special features do little to redeem the package, including a poorly recorded and not remotely revealing interview, plus an audio commentary in which even Mitchell And Webb seem to struggle to find the material funny.
If you're a hardcore fan and you've already explored all the other work by both men, then this will complete your collection adequately enough. But if you're wondering what the fuss is about, don't come anywhere near this mediocre DVD.
Some moments of genius...
Review date: 2008-01-01 Rating: 8 out of 10
Don't expect Peep Show, which is so far off the scale as to be worth 5000 stars. This is a decent show in its' own right; there are some boring sketches, as with any show, but most are worth a chuckle, and some absolute genius moment (watch out for the jammy farmer, futurologist, and "Honour Your Prior Commitments" itself the best sketch I have ever seen!)
I'd recommend buying this for an imperfect but still very funny glimpse into the highest-quality duo in the country right now.
Prefer Peep Show
Review date: 2006-04-25 Rating: 6 out of 10
This is funny, and the episodes are fairly short and easy to watch, though I found it more of a bit of a chuckle humour than laugh out loud a lot. Some of it clever, some not as good. the way they speak to the camera and we see the thoughts inside their head. A good introduction to what they did before though.
very disappointing
Review date: 2006-03-04 Rating: 4 out of 10
If you liked Peep Show and are expecting the same kind of comedy genius, don't buy this.
Both David Mitchell and Robert Webb are talented comic actors and always make the usual lame panel shows worth watching but this show does not do them justice. Some of the sketches are inspired but most play out far too long. Any good one-liners are lost due to the poor editing of the show which is a real shame. Unlike several other sketch shows which are saved by great performances, the quality of the acting is variable and The Mitchell and Webb Situation never quite manages to convince. The dvd is not redeemed by interesting extras - a short interview and a commentary for the first episode are all we get and this certainly does'nt make up for the disappointment.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Robert Webb
David Mitchell
Olivia Colman
Gus Brown
Susan Earl
Creators:
David Mitchell (Primary Contributor)
Robert Webb (Primary Contributor)
Andy Hollis (Cinematographer)
Recording label: Eureka Entertainment
Manufacturer: Eureka Entertainment
EAN: 5060000401172
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2006-02-20
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 142 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2001-10
Language: English (Original Language)