Rachael Eyre's Blog - Posts Tagged "comedy"
The Top 5 Workplace Sitcoms
As soon as I began work on Rage Against the Vending Machine, I knew I'd have to do some research. It was all very well drawing upon my own workplace experience, more specifically my tenure as a copywriter, but what if that proved too niche? What if I found myself rehashing old ideas and characters?
As prep I turned to classic workplace sitcoms. (Apologies to international readers: I'm not familiar with other countries' shows, so this will be a Brit-centric list). The more I watched, the more I noted the universality of certain themes: the bumbling boss, the dreamer stuck in a dead end role, rivalries and romances. These tropes appear continually because we've all witnessed this, we can all relate. Though probably no manager would admit to being one of these grotesques!
5) The Office (UK version)
Readers may quibble at its ranking, but it hasn't aged as well as the other entries on this list. Even at the time it was very much a Marmite piece; either you appreciate its particular brand of cringe comedy or you don't.
The show was massively influential and groundbreaking for its mockumentary style. Many first time viewers assumed they were watching fact, not fiction; when its true nature was explained, they'd frown and say, "It's not that funny, is it?" - despite raving about it moments before.
Although it's best known for making a star of Ricky Gervais, the heart of the show was the will they, won't they between Tim and Dawn. The scene where he switches off his microphone and goes to ask her out away from the cameras is gut wrenching.
Dave Dances: In one of the show's most notorious scenes, David Brent (Gervais) tries to outdo his suave rival. He fails. Horribly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6Eaz...
4) Drop the Dead Donkey
Who hasn't wanted to work in a newsroom? Drop the Dead Donkey takes this fantasy and deflates it. The anchors hate each other, the editor's a workaholic doormat and their field reporter is a sociopath. Out lesbian Helen is the only nice, normal person in the office!
However much they bicker among themselves, they're united in loathing for their common enemy: Gus, their astoundingly charmless, obtuse boss. His game show smirk and management speak make you wince in recognition even now!
Damien's Highlights: Ruthless reporter Damien will sacrifice anything for a scoop, starting with the truth ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLZ1L...
3) Cabin Pressure
Unique in this list for being a radio series, it is nonetheless one of the funniest sitcoms of recent times. It marries excellent writing to a top notch voice cast; Roger Allam and Benedict Cumberbatch are the leads.
The premise is simple. Formidable CEO Carolyn (Stephanie Cole) runs a charter airline on the tightest budget known to man. Captain Martin (Cumberbatch) is wet and neurotic, convinced he was born to fly; co-pilot Douglas (Allam) has a voice like molten chocolate and the morals of a skunk. Carolyn's incurably cheerful, chronically dense son Arthur rounds out this strange milieu.
Bored: There's no such thing as an ordinary inflight announcement when Douglas is around. Despite his delusions of authority, Martin is just as bad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHgee...
2) The IT Crowd
A third offering from the pen of Graham Linehan, and arguably better than its predecessors. It begins when ambitious career woman Jen blags her way into a job as Head of IT, despite knowing nothing about computers. Since the company is Reynholm Industries, where everyone is batshit insane, it passes muster.
Of course an IT department has to have a generous helping of nerds. There's Roy, bone idle and perpetually angry; ditzy genius Moss, who manages the rare feat of being cliched yet adorable - and Richmond, whatever the hell he is. An emo vampire? In accordance with sitcom law, a wacky organisation must have a nutter at the helm. This role is first filled by comedy legend Chris Morris as barking, impetuous Denholm - then, after his shock departure, his hammy, libidinous son Douglas. May I point out that his actor, Matt Berry, has the most fabulous voice. It has to be heard to be believed.
Moss Lends a Hand: Douglas has a pair of malfunctioning electric pants (don't ask). Moss is the only employee with the knowhow to fix them. How could this possibly go wrong?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUaSQ...
1) Fawlty Towers
It may be forty years old but damn it, this remains the finest twelve episodes of comedy you will see.
Hotelier and terrible human being Basil Fawlty (John Cleese) is trying desperately to boost his business's profile. It's doomed to failure: not only is the hotel a seedy dump and the staff incompetent, it's the battleground for the most hellish marriage in fiction, that of Basil and his shrewish social climber of a wife, Sybil (Prunella Scales). It depends on your viewpoint: while both are undeniably ghastly, Sybil is saner, and therefore more culpable.
Fawlty Towers supplies that key ingredient you almost never see in workplace sitcoms: customers. To its credit, it doesn't take the easy route and make them whiter than white. Having worked in customer service myself, I nod sympathetically when Basil clashes with the scabbier guests. This could well be the secret to the show's success.
Room with a View?: Basil crosses sabres with Mrs Richards, the most difficult guest in the entire series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcliR...
As prep I turned to classic workplace sitcoms. (Apologies to international readers: I'm not familiar with other countries' shows, so this will be a Brit-centric list). The more I watched, the more I noted the universality of certain themes: the bumbling boss, the dreamer stuck in a dead end role, rivalries and romances. These tropes appear continually because we've all witnessed this, we can all relate. Though probably no manager would admit to being one of these grotesques!
5) The Office (UK version)
Readers may quibble at its ranking, but it hasn't aged as well as the other entries on this list. Even at the time it was very much a Marmite piece; either you appreciate its particular brand of cringe comedy or you don't.
The show was massively influential and groundbreaking for its mockumentary style. Many first time viewers assumed they were watching fact, not fiction; when its true nature was explained, they'd frown and say, "It's not that funny, is it?" - despite raving about it moments before.
Although it's best known for making a star of Ricky Gervais, the heart of the show was the will they, won't they between Tim and Dawn. The scene where he switches off his microphone and goes to ask her out away from the cameras is gut wrenching.
Dave Dances: In one of the show's most notorious scenes, David Brent (Gervais) tries to outdo his suave rival. He fails. Horribly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6Eaz...
4) Drop the Dead Donkey
Who hasn't wanted to work in a newsroom? Drop the Dead Donkey takes this fantasy and deflates it. The anchors hate each other, the editor's a workaholic doormat and their field reporter is a sociopath. Out lesbian Helen is the only nice, normal person in the office!
However much they bicker among themselves, they're united in loathing for their common enemy: Gus, their astoundingly charmless, obtuse boss. His game show smirk and management speak make you wince in recognition even now!
Damien's Highlights: Ruthless reporter Damien will sacrifice anything for a scoop, starting with the truth ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLZ1L...
3) Cabin Pressure
Unique in this list for being a radio series, it is nonetheless one of the funniest sitcoms of recent times. It marries excellent writing to a top notch voice cast; Roger Allam and Benedict Cumberbatch are the leads.
The premise is simple. Formidable CEO Carolyn (Stephanie Cole) runs a charter airline on the tightest budget known to man. Captain Martin (Cumberbatch) is wet and neurotic, convinced he was born to fly; co-pilot Douglas (Allam) has a voice like molten chocolate and the morals of a skunk. Carolyn's incurably cheerful, chronically dense son Arthur rounds out this strange milieu.
Bored: There's no such thing as an ordinary inflight announcement when Douglas is around. Despite his delusions of authority, Martin is just as bad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHgee...
2) The IT Crowd
A third offering from the pen of Graham Linehan, and arguably better than its predecessors. It begins when ambitious career woman Jen blags her way into a job as Head of IT, despite knowing nothing about computers. Since the company is Reynholm Industries, where everyone is batshit insane, it passes muster.
Of course an IT department has to have a generous helping of nerds. There's Roy, bone idle and perpetually angry; ditzy genius Moss, who manages the rare feat of being cliched yet adorable - and Richmond, whatever the hell he is. An emo vampire? In accordance with sitcom law, a wacky organisation must have a nutter at the helm. This role is first filled by comedy legend Chris Morris as barking, impetuous Denholm - then, after his shock departure, his hammy, libidinous son Douglas. May I point out that his actor, Matt Berry, has the most fabulous voice. It has to be heard to be believed.
Moss Lends a Hand: Douglas has a pair of malfunctioning electric pants (don't ask). Moss is the only employee with the knowhow to fix them. How could this possibly go wrong?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUaSQ...
1) Fawlty Towers
It may be forty years old but damn it, this remains the finest twelve episodes of comedy you will see.
Hotelier and terrible human being Basil Fawlty (John Cleese) is trying desperately to boost his business's profile. It's doomed to failure: not only is the hotel a seedy dump and the staff incompetent, it's the battleground for the most hellish marriage in fiction, that of Basil and his shrewish social climber of a wife, Sybil (Prunella Scales). It depends on your viewpoint: while both are undeniably ghastly, Sybil is saner, and therefore more culpable.
Fawlty Towers supplies that key ingredient you almost never see in workplace sitcoms: customers. To its credit, it doesn't take the easy route and make them whiter than white. Having worked in customer service myself, I nod sympathetically when Basil clashes with the scabbier guests. This could well be the secret to the show's success.
Room with a View?: Basil crosses sabres with Mrs Richards, the most difficult guest in the entire series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcliR...
Coming Soon: Book 666
Being a demon is no picnic. Especially when your full time job is trying to Tempt a nine year old who thinks unicorns are the coolest thing ever. Oh, and you’re expected to send your evil uncle regular updates. No pressure.
But when Meg Wormwood falls in love with Selina, the Guardian Angel at her posting, all hell breaks loose. In fact, it may even mean the end of humanity as we know it ...
#Book666 will be released in 2020. Nothing short of an act of God will stop it.
But when Meg Wormwood falls in love with Selina, the Guardian Angel at her posting, all hell breaks loose. In fact, it may even mean the end of humanity as we know it ...
#Book666 will be released in 2020. Nothing short of an act of God will stop it.
Everything You Need To Know About Hello Satan
Hello Satan is going to be released shortly before Christmas. Here’s everything you need to know …
* It’s a prequel (of sorts) to Book 666, sharing several of the same characters. Before you ask, there are no spoilers.
* The germ of the idea formed after watching the attack on the Capitol on the news. I wondered what would have happened if they had succeeded, but didn’t want to write a conventional dystopia, since there had been far too many in the wake of the pandemic. A few months later it occurred to me that the War in Heaven could have been similar - and there was my story.
* As you’ve probably guessed, I love Malcolm and wanted him to be a main character this time round. I quickly decided the protagonist would have to be Satan, but didn’t want him to be a panto villain or a sexy antihero. I struggled to write him until I realised he *thinks* he’s Blackadder, but he’s actually more of a Prince Regent.
* He’s born Lucifer and renames himself Satan, but God - his Mother - calls him Lucky. That’s what he goes by throughout.
* Lucky was originally going to be straight, in an attempt to make the story more mainstream. It seems I’m not very interested in writing about straight people, so he was reimagined as bi.
* His unrequited love for Eve is mentioned in Book 666, but he has another crush on a major biblical figure. I loved writing these chapters.
* There’s a lot of fabulous devil related folklore out there, especially if you follow the #folklorethursday hashtag. It’s there I discovered Kitta Grau, who had to play a part in the story somewhere.
* I’ve enjoyed putting my spin on various biblical/apocryphal characters. I’ve always felt Lilith has been unfairly maligned, and made her the nearest this book has to a heroine instead.
* Junior (aka Jesus) was another tricky one to write, until I twigged it’s all in his nickname: he’s the ultimate annoying kid brother. The two of them are constantly squabbling over which of them God likes best, but it’s clear She loves them equally.
* I knew how I wanted to write God from the very beginning: outwardly fluffy but a strong, brave and loving lioness. The perfect mother, in other words.
* Fido was a later addition, but I thought it’d make sense if Lucky is a dog person to his Mother’s cat person, emphasising how different they are. The idea of a goofy, slobbery, affectionate hellhound tickled me.
* If you live in the UK, it won’t take you too long to work out who Anthony Sherrin is based on!
* It’s a prequel (of sorts) to Book 666, sharing several of the same characters. Before you ask, there are no spoilers.
* The germ of the idea formed after watching the attack on the Capitol on the news. I wondered what would have happened if they had succeeded, but didn’t want to write a conventional dystopia, since there had been far too many in the wake of the pandemic. A few months later it occurred to me that the War in Heaven could have been similar - and there was my story.
* As you’ve probably guessed, I love Malcolm and wanted him to be a main character this time round. I quickly decided the protagonist would have to be Satan, but didn’t want him to be a panto villain or a sexy antihero. I struggled to write him until I realised he *thinks* he’s Blackadder, but he’s actually more of a Prince Regent.
* He’s born Lucifer and renames himself Satan, but God - his Mother - calls him Lucky. That’s what he goes by throughout.
* Lucky was originally going to be straight, in an attempt to make the story more mainstream. It seems I’m not very interested in writing about straight people, so he was reimagined as bi.
* His unrequited love for Eve is mentioned in Book 666, but he has another crush on a major biblical figure. I loved writing these chapters.
* There’s a lot of fabulous devil related folklore out there, especially if you follow the #folklorethursday hashtag. It’s there I discovered Kitta Grau, who had to play a part in the story somewhere.
* I’ve enjoyed putting my spin on various biblical/apocryphal characters. I’ve always felt Lilith has been unfairly maligned, and made her the nearest this book has to a heroine instead.
* Junior (aka Jesus) was another tricky one to write, until I twigged it’s all in his nickname: he’s the ultimate annoying kid brother. The two of them are constantly squabbling over which of them God likes best, but it’s clear She loves them equally.
* I knew how I wanted to write God from the very beginning: outwardly fluffy but a strong, brave and loving lioness. The perfect mother, in other words.
* Fido was a later addition, but I thought it’d make sense if Lucky is a dog person to his Mother’s cat person, emphasising how different they are. The idea of a goofy, slobbery, affectionate hellhound tickled me.
* If you live in the UK, it won’t take you too long to work out who Anthony Sherrin is based on!
Why I Wrote Hello Satan
I’ve always liked stories set in Hell. Blame Dante. According to him, all gay people are bound for the seventh circle, and do a great deal of sprinting on burning sands. I reasoned that as a girl who liked girls, I had a one way ticket. Whenever I did the Bleep test at school, I was convinced I was there already.
Of course you can’t have Hell without its ruler and emcee, Satan. He was an important secondary character in Out of Place, the rock opera I wrote as a Paradise Lost loving kid. He features as Avi in The Revenge of Rose Grubb. He’s the big picture villain of Book 666, having far more impact on our heroines’ lives than God, who is rumoured to be senile. This wasn’t even a conscious decision on my part. If you write supernatural fantasy, the Devil’s bound to show up eventually.
I’m fascinated by the many questions the Prince of Darkness raises. He’s both the supreme sinner and punisher of human sinners. Why would you rebel against God, a futile action if ever there was one? If God is all powerful, why would Satan exist - and why wouldn’t He smite him once his treachery was known?
There’s a confrontation between Satan and the Adversary, aka God, at the end of Book 666. It introduces them as estranged parent and child, and how their entire conflict stems from that. I loved writing this scene but didn’t expect to see them again. I had several other book ideas lined up.
Then the attack on the Capitol happened. America could easily have fallen to fascism that day; it gives you chills just thinking about it. I had to write it out of my system - and somehow it transformed into the War in Heaven. Who would be a better first person narrator than Satan himself, trying to make himself both the misunderstood antihero and victim of a conspiracy?
It wasn’t intended as a prequel to Book 666, but I’d spent so long with that world and characters, it seemed pointless to start over. It also meant I could explore the God/Satan, mother/child relationship in more depth, and how they can never truly hate or destroy the other. Add ‘Junior,’ the infuriating little brother, to the mix, and you’ve a family dynamic anyone can identify with.
Above all: I wanted it to be funny. When I started writing the book, we were in the second year of the pandemic, and burnt out. Everything I watched or read seemed to relate to coronavirus in some way, and it was the last thing I wanted to think about. My previous story ideas foundered, but a black comedy about angels and demons? Why the heck not?
Every piece of research got thrown in. The sexy statues by the Geefs brothers are real, believe it or not; likewise Martin Luther’s inkpot and Dr Dee accidentally conjuring Satan in a library (in Manchester, no less). There was folklore so crazy and out there, I had to use it. Kitta Grau, the human antagonist, stars in numerous Swedish legends where she beats the Devil. There are even church murals where he gives her the famous slippers on the end of a ten foot pole!
I had a blast writing Hello Satan. I hope you enjoy reading it.
Of course you can’t have Hell without its ruler and emcee, Satan. He was an important secondary character in Out of Place, the rock opera I wrote as a Paradise Lost loving kid. He features as Avi in The Revenge of Rose Grubb. He’s the big picture villain of Book 666, having far more impact on our heroines’ lives than God, who is rumoured to be senile. This wasn’t even a conscious decision on my part. If you write supernatural fantasy, the Devil’s bound to show up eventually.
I’m fascinated by the many questions the Prince of Darkness raises. He’s both the supreme sinner and punisher of human sinners. Why would you rebel against God, a futile action if ever there was one? If God is all powerful, why would Satan exist - and why wouldn’t He smite him once his treachery was known?
There’s a confrontation between Satan and the Adversary, aka God, at the end of Book 666. It introduces them as estranged parent and child, and how their entire conflict stems from that. I loved writing this scene but didn’t expect to see them again. I had several other book ideas lined up.
Then the attack on the Capitol happened. America could easily have fallen to fascism that day; it gives you chills just thinking about it. I had to write it out of my system - and somehow it transformed into the War in Heaven. Who would be a better first person narrator than Satan himself, trying to make himself both the misunderstood antihero and victim of a conspiracy?
It wasn’t intended as a prequel to Book 666, but I’d spent so long with that world and characters, it seemed pointless to start over. It also meant I could explore the God/Satan, mother/child relationship in more depth, and how they can never truly hate or destroy the other. Add ‘Junior,’ the infuriating little brother, to the mix, and you’ve a family dynamic anyone can identify with.
Above all: I wanted it to be funny. When I started writing the book, we were in the second year of the pandemic, and burnt out. Everything I watched or read seemed to relate to coronavirus in some way, and it was the last thing I wanted to think about. My previous story ideas foundered, but a black comedy about angels and demons? Why the heck not?
Every piece of research got thrown in. The sexy statues by the Geefs brothers are real, believe it or not; likewise Martin Luther’s inkpot and Dr Dee accidentally conjuring Satan in a library (in Manchester, no less). There was folklore so crazy and out there, I had to use it. Kitta Grau, the human antagonist, stars in numerous Swedish legends where she beats the Devil. There are even church murals where he gives her the famous slippers on the end of a ten foot pole!
I had a blast writing Hello Satan. I hope you enjoy reading it.
Free Promo: Hello Satan
Starting today, Spy Wednesday, and ending on Easter Sunday, #HelloSatan is free on Amazon!
Lucky never meant to start a war in Heaven. It’s all a terrible misunderstanding, stirred up by his enemies.
With his aide Malcolm at his left, his best friend Lilith at his right, he shambles his way through Bible times - and beyond.
Lucky never meant to start a war in Heaven. It’s all a terrible misunderstanding, stirred up by his enemies.
With his aide Malcolm at his left, his best friend Lilith at his right, he shambles his way through Bible times - and beyond.
Free Promo: Book 666
If you fancy something different this Christmas season, why not a spot of supernatural romance?
Beginning today and finishing 27th December, #Book666 will be free on Amazon!
“Being a demon is no picnic. Especially when your full-time job is trying to Tempt a nine year old who thinks unicorns are the coolest thing ever. Oh, and you have to send your evil uncle updates. No pressure.
But when Meg Wormwood falls in love with Selina, the Guardian Angel at her posting, all hell breaks loose. In fact, it may even mean the end of humanity as we know it …”
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Book-666-Rac...
Beginning today and finishing 27th December, #Book666 will be free on Amazon!
“Being a demon is no picnic. Especially when your full-time job is trying to Tempt a nine year old who thinks unicorns are the coolest thing ever. Oh, and you have to send your evil uncle updates. No pressure.
But when Meg Wormwood falls in love with Selina, the Guardian Angel at her posting, all hell breaks loose. In fact, it may even mean the end of humanity as we know it …”
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Book-666-Rac...
