Topic: It sounds like a joke..... (Being Human)

[Najemikon]

Today I got my Being Human: Series One DVD and I have to say that I am a bit disappointed. The pilot episode is completely missing and when I was about to cmplain about it in my Amazon review I had to read that they replaced a lot of the original musics with some generic tunes.

I mean c'mon! Can a DVD release of a show produced in 2008/2009 really be suprising for someone so that he actually forgot to ensure the music rights?!?

 

I think this sort of thing happens a lot. Being Human was originally broadcast on BBC3 which is where the BBC will try out all sorts of things with a rather cavalier attitude. So it was the pilot was done, but it was about a year before the series followed and with a new cast. Chances are whoever produces it were commissioned to do so and had nothing to do with the pilot, so they simply don't have the rights to it. And probably don't want them even, after all it isn't their show! I didn't see the pilot, but I did see series one and I really didn't feel I was playing catch-up.

Less easy to forgive is the music situation, but again, it will come down to the BBCs way of working which got it made in the first place. Traditionally they never think about the future. They get the series made and broadcast as quickly as possible. A lot of their output isn't available at all after it's gone out (rare these days of course). The DVD is a very separate project, so having the wrong music is unfortunate, but the nature of the beast...

[snowcat]

Whilst I have no idea why the Pilot is missing I can explain the music scenario.

The BBC has the rights to all music tracks, because of its radio stations it does not have to pay to broadcast music on television so programs like Being Human (on BBC3 in the UK) and other shows such as Gavin and Stacey for example can use any song they like but when it comes to a DVD release the BBC have to pay for the song.... more often then not they say no and replace the song with a generic piece of music... BBC cutting corners :p I guess thats what all that licensing money goes towards 

[Achim]

I don't need the pilot (had barely heard that there had been one) and didn't miss it when I watched the series. I hadn't seen the series on TV, so also the music situation was no problem to me at all. I simply enjoyed the story the series had to tell.

[MEJHarrison]

I've been in a British mood lately.  I saw Torchwood earlier this year, then recorded Being Human off BBC America and watched it a few months back.  Then checked out The Office and finally the IT Crowd.

I was impressed with Torchwood.  Watched with the wife.  She loved it up till the end.  No interest in seeing it again, but I did enjoy it.  Quite a bit actually.  Hmm, maybe I will have to check it out again someday.   I can say the accents on this one presented a slight problem.

I'd seen the American version of The Office of course.  Had a harder time getting into the original, but I was a fan by the end.  I'm going to be an oddball here and say I think I prefer the American version overall.  There were too many jokes that went over my head on the British version since I'm less familiar with British culture.  Also I had a hard time with the accents on this one for some reason.  It was on Netflix instant watch, so I didn't have the option of turning on subtitles.   But the final episodes and the special blew me away.  Very well done.

As for the IT Crowd, I do believe it's knocked Arrested Development off it's throne and has become my #1 comedy of all time.  I watched all 3 series on Netflix instant watch, then immediately went back and started watching them again.  I just can't get enough of this show.  My only complaint is the fact that each series has only six episodes! I'll be buying all 3 series before too long.  Just had to get through the Christmas ban on buying anything first.  The odd thing with this show is that I had absolutely no problem with the accents and got pretty much all the jokes (unlike The Office).  I can't recommend this one highly enough! Brilliant!!!

But the reason we're here, Being Human.  It sat on my DVR for months.  Finally my wife and I watched the first episode.  I loved it!  She wasn't sure.  After sitting on the other 5 episodes for another month, she finally decided she wasn't interested.  I finished up the rest in two nights.  Wouldn't mind getting this one on DVD.  I've a native English speaker, but I really need subtitles on a lot of these shows! This one was better than most, but I had slight issues with it. Fantastic show.  

[DJ Doena]

I've a native English speaker

Where do you have him? Chained up in the basement? 

*Sorry, I absolutely could not resist*

[snowcat]

I'd seen the American version of The Office of course.  Had a harder time getting into the original, but I was a fan by the end.  I'm going to be an oddball here and say I think I prefer the American version overall.  There were too many jokes that went over my head on the British version since I'm less familiar with British culture.  Also I had a hard time with the accents on this one for some reason.  It was on Netflix instant watch, so I didn't have the option of turning on subtitles.   But the final episodes and the special blew me away.  Very well done.

As a Brit who does not find Ricky Gervais funny I have to agree I love the American Office, :/ I watched the British one when it came out and barely laughed... I guess im weird.

[Najemikon]

I'd seen the American version of The Office of course.  Had a harder time getting into the original, but I was a fan by the end.  I'm going to be an oddball here and say I think I prefer the American version overall.  There were too many jokes that went over my head on the British version since I'm less familiar with British culture.  Also I had a hard time with the accents on this one for some reason.  It was on Netflix instant watch, so I didn't have the option of turning on subtitles.   But the final episodes and the special blew me away.  Very well done.

As a Brit who does not find Ricky Gervais funny I have to agree I love the American Office, :/ I watched the British one when it came out and barely laughed... I guess im weird.

Well, that's why I liked it and preferred it to the American one. It wasn't funny, it was more like watching a car crash! And if you've ever worked in an area like that, it's unbearably realistic...

I've been in a British mood lately.  I saw Torchwood earlier this year, then recorded Being Human off BBC America and watched it a few months back.  Then checked out The Office and finally the IT Crowd.

I was impressed with Torchwood.  Watched with the wife.  She loved it up till the end.  No interest in seeing it again, but I did enjoy it.  Quite a bit actually.  Hmm, maybe I will have to check it out again someday.   I can say the accents on this one presented a slight problem.

I'd seen the American version of The Office of course.  Had a harder time getting into the original, but I was a fan by the end.  I'm going to be an oddball here and say I think I prefer the American version overall.  There were too many jokes that went over my head on the British version since I'm less familiar with British culture.  Also I had a hard time with the accents on this one for some reason.  It was on Netflix instant watch, so I didn't have the option of turning on subtitles.   But the final episodes and the special blew me away.  Very well done.

As for the IT Crowd, I do believe it's knocked Arrested Development off it's throne and has become my #1 comedy of all time.  I watched all 3 series on Netflix instant watch, then immediately went back and started watching them again.  I just can't get enough of this show.  My only complaint is the fact that each series has only six episodes! I'll be buying all 3 series before too long.  Just had to get through the Christmas ban on buying anything first.  The odd thing with this show is that I had absolutely no problem with the accents and got pretty much all the jokes (unlike The Office).  I can't recommend this one highly enough! Brilliant!!!

But the reason we're here, Being Human.  It sat on my DVR for months.  Finally my wife and I watched the first episode.  I loved it!  She wasn't sure.  After sitting on the other 5 episodes for another month, she finally decided she wasn't interested.  I finished up the rest in two nights.  Wouldn't mind getting this one on DVD.  I've a native English speaker, but I really need subtitles on a lot of these shows! This one was better than most, but I had slight issues with it. Fantastic show.  

I think you might have issues with Bristol, Mark!   They're a short distance from Wales, so talk a bit funny. The Office is set in nearby Slough and I'm sure Being Human is set in Bristol itself. It's a big BBC spot, because Torchwood is from Cardiff, I think. Still, they're style and delivery is more generic.

Do you like Doctor Who then, as well? Torchwood grew quite nicely on its own, but still swings by for the odd team-up with Captain Jack. One episode I seem to remember dealt with Queen Victoria so annoyed by the Doc, she formed Torchwood such aliens ever attack again. Then at the end of series 2 (I think), the Doctor has to deal with the modern day TW who have got a bit above themselves. That's when they did the spin-off and occasionally they work together.

Have any of you seen Outnumbered? I ignored it for ages, but watched the Christmas special the other night and really liked it. Very low-key, aiming for an authentic family (check out the "slice of ham" in the clip below!). The little girl has some cracking lines! Apparently it is ad-libbed a lot, though.

[snowcat]

Jon, I would definitely recommend the first two series of Outnumbered if you liked the christmas special .... Id recommend them to anyone anyway haha.

...When the little girl buried the mouse has to be something that made me laugh so much.

[MEJHarrison]

I've a native English speaker

Where do you have him? Chained up in the basement?

  Not funny.  He's a valued member of our family and allowed to roam our house freely (as long as someone is home to guard the doors).

(click to show/hide)

for the members here who aren't native English speakers and sometimes miss the sarcasm.

[MEJHarrison]

I think you might have issues with Bristol, Mark!   They're a short distance from Wales, so talk a bit funny.

As someone who is a mix of English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish, I guess all I have to show for it is the red hair!

Do you like Doctor Who then, as well?

Never seen it. Aren't there like a TON of seasons (series)?  It just seems so daunting to jump into, so I've always avoided it.

Have any of you seen Outnumbered?

Never even heard of it. But I'll check into it!

[MEJHarrison]

As a Brit who does not find Ricky Gervais funny I have to agree I love the American Office, :/ I watched the British one when it came out and barely laughed... I guess im weird.

Never heard that one!   I'm glad to have seen both to be honest, but I clearly prefer the American version.  In fact I just got season 5 of the US version the other day for $17! It's normally around $35-$40 I'd guess.  So I couldn't pass it up at that price.

[Achim]

I'd seen the American version of The Office of course.  Had a harder time getting into the original, but I was a fan by the end.  I'm going to be an oddball here and say I think I prefer the American version overall.  There were too many jokes that went over my head on the British version since I'm less familiar with British culture.  Also I had a hard time with the accents on this one for some reason.  It was on Netflix instant watch, so I didn't have the option of turning on subtitles.   But the final episodes and the special blew me away.  Very well done.

What accents?

(click to show/hide)

I am surprised Jon didn't catch that one.

As for the IT Crowd, I do believe it's knocked Arrested Development off it's throne and has become my #1 comedy of all time.  I watched all 3 series on Netflix instant watch, then immediately went back and started watching them again.  I just can't get enough of this show.  My only complaint is the fact that each series has only six episodes! I'll be buying all 3 series before too long.  Just had to get through the Christmas ban on buying anything first.  The odd thing with this show is that I had absolutely no problem with the accents and got pretty much all the jokes (unlike The Office).  I can't recommend this one highly enough! Brilliant!!!

The IT Crowd make me laugh too, hard. thinking they are too similar I originally decided to buy into Big Bang Theory rather than IT Crowd, but when I had some loose change I decided to check out IT Crowd anyway; I was very glad I decided this way.

Maybe Karsten has an update on series 4? I mentioned before that on the DVD of series 3 Graham Linehan mentioned that he still could go on...

Just found on IMDb that there was an attempted remake in 2007. I guess they were trying what worked with The Office; didn't get past season 1, so I guess they failed...

I've a native English speaker

Where do you have him? Chained up in the basement?

As a Brit who does not find Ricky Gervais funny I have to agree I love the American Office, :/ I watched the British one when it came out and barely laughed... I guess im weird.

While I always thought The Office is not actually going for the laughs (more like make you smile and then break that smile right after), more like what they call cringe-humor, I was laughing with tears when I watched Extras. Some of the funniest stuff I have ever seen in there, with the added bonus of (at least) one celebrity per episode, mostly making fun of themselves.

Have any of you seen Outnumbered? I ignored it for ages, but watched the Christmas special the other night and really liked it. Very low-key, aiming for an authentic family (check out the "slice of ham" in the clip below!). The little girl has some cracking lines! Apparently it is ad-libbed a lot, though.

After I watched the clips I have again more stuff on my Wish List. Especially the little girl explaining why she doesn't want to watch A Christmas Carol

[Najemikon]

Never seen it. Aren't there like a TON of seasons (series)?  It just seems so daunting to jump into, so I've always avoided it.

If you were planning to go back to year 1, then yes, but I only mean the new Doctor Who, especially to fit in with Torchwood which was the same producer, Russell T. Davies. I think there have been four seasons so far. Christopher Eccleston was the first, then David Tennant did three. In between there are Christmas specials and the very last one with Tennant goes out tomorrow (new Doc Matt Smith takes over next year). Karsten will be able to tell you what's included in the boxsets as he bought them, I seem to remember.

[DJ Doena]

Never seen it. Aren't there like a TON of seasons (series)?  It just seems so daunting to jump into, so I've always avoided it.

If you were planning to go back to year 1, then yes, but I only mean the new Doctor Who, especially to fit in with Torchwood which was the same producer, Russell T. Davies. I think there have been four seasons so far. Christopher Eccleston was the first, then David Tennant did three. In between there are Christmas specials and the very last one with Tennant goes out tomorrow (new Doc Matt Smith takes over next year). Karsten will be able to tell you what's included in the boxsets as he bought them, I seem to remember.

The first three seasons (or series as they are called in the UK) contain the actual seasons and the Christmas Specials from the year before. I assume Series 4 will do the same. But I've heard that the 5 specials that were aired after season 4 and before season 5 (the fourth was aired on Christmas Eve, the fifth will be aired on New Year 2010 IIRC) will no be part of Series 5. But that's pure speculation since Series 5 hasn't even been aired yet. The Christmas Specials have always been seperatly available, too.


I think to get an idea if one likes Doctor Who you have to think about how you feel about The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy book series by Douglas Adams or the "Thursday Next" book series by Jasper Fforde or the Farscape series. If you'll like that kind of wild yet weird rollercoaster ride, then you'll like the Doctor.