³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Time: Peace out. Laterz. Be safe.
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Time's Emmer Fryer writes...
Hello. It's my last chance to write one of these, so I'm really going to give it some.
In Episode Six, the threat of an Official School Reunion looms. Whether Gaynor attends or not, the fact that it's happening is enough to impact - it's one of those milestone, take-stock-of-your-life-type events. Like realising you no longer qualify for Club 18-30.
I've never been to a proper reunion and I'm not too sure I'd be very good at them. It'd be brilliant to catch up with the lovely people (of which there were many) and reminisce over stuff that no-one else would ever understand or really laugh at - unless they were very polite or hard of hearing and trying to cover it.
My worry is that I'd sense a creeping need to redress a couple of teenage comments that left my then-permed-head spinning with thoughts of "why didn't you just say (such and such) you knobhead". A while ago I met a woman by chance, who'd made me cry for weeks into my Forever Friends pillowcase. Instead of firing back the witty retorts I'd built up over a decade, I just panicked. My mouth made an involuntary fart noise and I enquired about her kids.
It's been a funny old time of late. People have said when your first project is shown it's like giving your baby away. I've not had a baby (nor given one away) so I can't rightly say, but I think (sticking with the emerging theme of this entry) it could be likened more to sending your child off on their first day of school.
I was worried it'd never fit in. It was the awkward sort, with duff clothes and a face that seemed to be begging for a kicking. Luckily, there were some really nice people at school who sat next to it at the lunch table. Thank you.
Now we're really at the end of the process. It felt like the end when we finished filming but then we had the edit. After the edit, it was the wait for it to be shown. Now it really is finished. To mark the occasion I got the large Salt 'n' Shake Crisps cardboard box that's accompanied me on all my house moves since the late nineties and packed everything away.
It's had a variety of contents over the years and has been labelled 'bedding', 'kitchen bits' and 'food to use quick' (those were dark days). I crossed out 'boho knitwear' and wrote '³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Time'. I packed away script drafts, sketches, a series of rude doodles from the crew, rough cut DVDs, my kangol hat and the piece of paper that said 'Gaynor' from my caravan door.Ìý Maybe one day I'll have awkward, duffly-clad grandkids to show it to. Not the doodles though, they really are foul.
If you've watched and liked the series, thank you ever so much - it means an awful lot.
Hello. It's my last chance to write one of these, so I'm really going to give it some.
In Episode Six, the threat of an Official School Reunion looms. Whether Gaynor attends or not, the fact that it's happening is enough to impact - it's one of those milestone, take-stock-of-your-life-type events. Like realising you no longer qualify for Club 18-30.
I've never been to a proper reunion and I'm not too sure I'd be very good at them. It'd be brilliant to catch up with the lovely people (of which there were many) and reminisce over stuff that no-one else would ever understand or really laugh at - unless they were very polite or hard of hearing and trying to cover it. My worry is that I'd sense a creeping need to redress a couple of teenage comments that left my then-permed-head spinning with thoughts of "why didn't you just say (such and such) you knobhead". A while ago I met a woman by chance, who'd made me cry for weeks into my Forever Friends pillowcase. Instead of firing back the witty retorts I'd built up over a decade, I just panicked. My mouth made an involuntary fart noise and I enquired about her kids.
It's been a funny old time of late. People have said when your first project is shown it's like giving your baby away. I've not had a baby (nor given one away) so I can't rightly say, but I think (sticking with the emerging theme of this entry) it could be likened more to sending your child off on their first day of school.
I was worried it'd never fit in. It was the awkward sort, with duff clothes and a face that seemed to be begging for a kicking. Luckily, there were some really nice people at school who sat next to it at the lunch table. Thank you.
Now we're really at the end of the process. It felt like the end when we finished filming but then we had the edit. After the edit, it was the wait for it to be shown. Now it really is finished. To mark the occasion I got the large Salt 'n' Shake Crisps cardboard box that's accompanied me on all my house moves since the late nineties and packed everything away.
It's had a variety of contents over the years and has been labelled 'bedding', 'kitchen bits' and 'food to use quick' (those were dark days). I crossed out 'boho knitwear' and wrote '³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Time'. I packed away script drafts, sketches, a series of rude doodles from the crew, rough cut DVDs, my kangol hat and the piece of paper that said 'Gaynor' from my caravan door.Ìý Maybe one day I'll have awkward, duffly-clad grandkids to show it to. Not the doodles though, they really are foul.
If you've watched and liked the series, thank you ever so much - it means an awful lot.
- Read more from Emma and co-writer Neil Edmond on the Comedy Blog
Comment number 1.
At 22nd Oct 2009, brownstudies wrote:This is easily one of the best written sitcoms the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ have aired for years. I only discovered it this afternoon and became so hooked that I had to watch all five of the six aired episodes back to back on iPlayer - PLEASE tell me there's a second series. Or at least a dvd!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 23rd Oct 2009, james472 wrote:What an ending!! I want more.................I have to know what happens next. ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ must give us the chance to know what you do with a ....HUSBAND! You kept that secret!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 23rd Oct 2009, Kissprudence wrote:I really enjoyed this series too and loved the attention to detail eg: listening to 'The Drowners' and wearing puffa jackets and the fantastic way you captured someone in their late 20s being treated like a teenager still by their parents that they are forced to live with. Made me dig out my old Suede cds and get all nostalgic. Series 2 please!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 25th Oct 2009, incrediblejonnylush wrote:I go so hooked on this, I'm praying for another series. I beg of you, another! another! x
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 27th Oct 2009, Toh-Maag wrote:I followed all the way through and loved it. I think it is perfect as it is and another series could spoil it. All the best ones don't go on and on, there are only six of Fawlty Towers for instance.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)
Comment number 6.
At 28th Oct 2009, David Thair wrote:Toh-Maag, I fear you may be missing out - there are actually TWELVE episodes of Fawlty Towers! /comedy/fawltytowers/
I'm glad you all enjoyed ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Time so much.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 6)
Comment number 7.
At 30th Oct 2009, FreemanLowell wrote:Nooooo! It's OVER?? Just when I'd gotten used to a rejuvenating weekly dose of brand new comedy golddust! Life's too difficult to bear with just Buzzcocks, Mock, HIGNFY, News Quiz, How Not To Live Your Life and Count Arthur Strong. Even Vic & Bob have got bored. I need more funny to make it through this world of superficiality and conformity. It seems the mark of a brilliant series is how much it gets schedule-bounced and savaged by critics cos it's slow and subtle. If someone with a funny bone gets to commission a second series can Philip Jackson get an episode more or less to himself? I don't know why but I'd love to see him win out in a bizarre & dangerous urban revenge quest.
"No, I just don't have your mother's imagination." Comedy gold :)
Complain about this comment (Comment number 7)
Comment number 8.
At 30th Oct 2009, Functional1 wrote:You need to be congratulated on a beautiful piece of telly. It gave me the same enjoyment that I have only ever had from reading a really brilliant novel. For purely selfish reasons I hope there will be a second series but it is perfect the way it is, like a short film.
It was also a good reminder that this decade did have a look and sound of its own and the 90s will have a shout at being iconic… if not already! –Suede owns you, I’ve already downloaded the albums.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 8)
Comment number 9.
At 30th Oct 2009, midnightrichard wrote:yes...wonderful.brilliant. and good to know that bbc can do serious comedy once in a while (not just cheap bread and circuses). sunshine and rain at once.
i thought 'what's this?' on the iplayer, then watched all 6 episodes that evening.
and surely there's space/story left for follow up???at least to match the 12 of Fawlty Towers.
congratulations and thanks.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 9)
Comment number 10.
At 31st Oct 2009, fraola wrote:Okay, so I maybe massively biased as I am 29 and got on the train to my nearest city the day my final high school exams finished, but I absolutely thought this series was brilliant. Emma and Neil, congratulations. What a beautifully scripted, lovely, touching, heart warming, funny, and CRINGEWORTHY (in the best possible way). Transpose this to regional Australia, and Gaynor could have been me (minus the secret husband!) I particularly loved how you showed the brutal nature of some female friendships - ouch, so real. Who, who, who do I have to beg to get a second series.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 10)
Comment number 11.
At 1st Nov 2009, thousandacrewood wrote:Just adding my voice (voice? typing? whatever) to the above. Really, really great stuff Ms.Fryer and Mr.Edmond. DVD to be released soon?
Thanks
Complain about this comment (Comment number 11)
Comment number 12.
At 5th Nov 2009, AntonDeck wrote:Many thanks to all involved for a very entertaining and funny six weeks.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 12)
Comment number 13.
At 29th Nov 2009, andthen wrote:I wanted to leave it as long as I could on i-player before watching episode 6 - and now I have and it is even better than I could have hoped. Five star. Best comedy in a long time. I wasn't supprised when the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ changed it's scheduling, huh. It must now come out on DVD. It must.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 13)