Jam & Jerusalem, junk

[craigiep]

Have any of you ever laughed at anything at all on Jam & Jerusalem or have I missed the point and not realised Jennifer Saunders doesn't write comedy?

[~ vortex ~]

I have to agree with you there craigiep. Having watched a few episodes of J & J I can honestly say that it was completely over-hyped and unfunny despite a cast list list of so many star names. I hope the BBC dont commision another series but I wouldn't hold your breath

[di1411]

Sorry guys, but I've really quite enjoyed it. I think it's in the tradition of gentle English ensemble casting (very English! American station involvement noted) and was designed to be slow-burn-dry and observationally amusing rather than out-and-out roll-in-the-aisles funny (do I get the prize for the most hyphens?)

Having said that, I think it was right to keep Dawn French and Joanna Lumley's involvement low-key, as their performances didn't quite seem in tune, though French improved as the series went on. Having said that, there were times when I felt it was more of a (dare I say it?) woman's programme. It made me smile - and also made me snuffle a bit at times.

[lynbrown]

We also came to enjoy it - i think it is a slow burner. Glad to see the Joanna Lumley character taking a lesser role - it is too grotesque.

[twaflooers]

Being a fan of Dawn French I was quite looking forward to J&J but boy was I disappointed. What a load of absolute cr@p!

A slow burner it may have been but I'm afraid I lacked the inclination to wait for it to 'heat up', watching the first couple was more than enough for me.
As for it being a "woman's programme" di1411, it probably was but as a woman I still thought it was utter tripe.

Methinks Ms Saunders should find something else to do with her time because writing comedy is definately not her forte'.

[brionon]

It's a Soap fer X sake. And better than most,certainly better than East bloody enders.

[FoxLee]

I also watched a couple of episodes to give it a chance but came to the conclusion that maybe you have to be a member of the WI to appreciate it. I also never rated Ab Fab, another Jennifer Saunders' creation. On the other hand, anything Victoria Wood writes is brilliant. Her Dinner Ladies was so well written, crisp lines, poignant, funny and she didn't keep all the best lines for her character. A wonderful writer and a generous and gifted comedian.

[jonnoman]

well if you didnt like it, ive got some bad news: when jennifer was on the paul o'grady show, she said there is a new series coming soon

[craigiep]

I also thought the last ever episode of The Vicar Of Dibley was deeply disappointing, particularly considering the high standards of the series.

[lankeela]

I want to write in and offer them some funny lines to say - the setting is there, the talent is there, but there is no punch line - it is buttock clenching and then they move on to the next scene, almost as though they forgot to film the end of the previous bit.

And it is not billed as a soap or a drama - it is called a comedy. Must go and look up the definition of that word.

And no, I have not laughed at one single line.

[lankeela]

As for having to be a member of the WI to appreciate it, I once was, and one speaker had us in hysterics, talking about her life 'in service'. She kept referring to having to 'enter the back passage' and every time she said it the whole room was wetting itself.