It's Only A Theory - TV Programmes

BellaLugosi · 07-10-2009, 06:23

This is a strange little offering from BBC Four - is it a comedy game show or a quirky science programme? An expert comes on presents their theory, "We can all live to a thousand years old" for example, they make a cogent scientific reason for believing it to be so, the theory is then rubbished or supported by a panel of comedians - um - OK - er...

With the excellent Andy Hamilton and Reg Hunter it probably looked good on paper but it doesn't work for the viewer, certainly not this one. It's not that fresh a format, if comedy science is the next big thing bring back Don't Ask Me, I wouldn't recommission it BBC4.

oldhag · 07-10-2009, 09:00

I really enjoyed it, as did my husband. With Andy Hamilton how can anything fail?

I loved the Cambridge professor, he presented his case in a really interesting way despite his twenty foot red beard. The woman wasn't much fun, but then women never are.

I don't see how they'll make a series out of it - but we'll see.

DICKENS99 · 07-10-2009, 11:49

Isn't this just Dave Gorman's Genius twisted round a few degrees? Member of public presents idea, comedian(s) and special celebrity guest discuss and the idea is ultimately rejected or accepted?

Hamilton excellent as always, not too sure about Reg D Hunter though - some good jokes but given the balance of the show and the fact the Hamilton himself is a comedian I just don't see his role as being necessary.

Harry, it sucks · 07-10-2009, 13:05

I quite enjoyed it, don't know if I'll make the whole series though.
It is a bit like Dave Gorman's show, but the theories are serious. It makes it a bit more interesting, I think.
I like Reg, but there was one bit (can't remember, sorry) where he just went on with one thing a bit too long, which isn't usually like him.
Overall i thought it was good and will watch next week to see if it has legs...

sbds1 · 07-10-2009, 15:01

I really liked it, Andy Hamilton and Reginald D Hunter are two of my favourite TV people so I suppose I was bound too. It is very similar to Genius, but I like how this is of a more serious tone with comedy, rather than going out and out for laughs. I mean I thought the bearded guy was mental when he initially made the claim, but the more I listened to him, the more it seemed slightly possible.

degsyhufc · 07-10-2009, 15:04

I'd never heard of if but I did see it on the listings last night. I'm planning on watching it tonight.

1:35 How Not To Live Your Life
2:00 It's Only A Theory

Quite a good hour of early morning tv

KennyT · 08-10-2009, 04:19

I quite enjoyed it. I'm glad about one thing, though. If this thread was in the Broadcasting section, it would have been diverted by arguments about whether the BBC had created the most PC panel in TV history!

K

BellaLugosi · 08-10-2009, 07:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldhag

The woman wasn't much fun, but then women never are.

PAR-DON!

degsyhufc · 08-10-2009, 14:31

It's definately a BBC4 show. More of interesting, intellectual discussion with a few jokes and witty comments thrown in whereas Genuis concentrated more on comedy as the main point of the show.

It worked quite well and that's saying something as I watched it at 2am after having a few drinks and also because usally anything with Clare Balding in it usually turns to crap!!!

JauntyMonty · 08-10-2009, 15:32

I enjoyed it but thought it might have benefited from another expert providing a counter-argument.

Chiaroscuro · 29-10-2009, 20:22

I'm really enjoying this series. Reginald D Hunter is particularly good in it.

Smint · 29-10-2009, 20:31

I'm enjoying it - apart from the really naff stamping and shredding

Except I can't help but think it's actually a radio programme, but on the tele

currykev · 29-10-2009, 20:44

I love both of the compares...but the program seems a lame idea.
I think I'll wait for their Have I Got News for You appearences.

degsyhufc · 29-10-2009, 21:01

It is a very strange double act, but it seems to work ok.

mirandashell · 29-10-2009, 21:11

I thought it would be a strange double act too, but I like it. I think it works. Although it is better with interesting theories. And they do take theories on serious subjects more seriously. Like the theory of sadness now being treated as a disease.

Digital Sid · 11-11-2009, 01:18

Just caught on iplayer. Odd idea. But funny enough.

quisling · 11-11-2009, 01:29

I half saw the repeat of last weeks (I think) late last night - it had Julian Wotsiname, the archaologist from Meet The Ancestors arguing that the Vikings were a force for good, or some such thing.

I liked the look of it and thought I'd try to remember to watch it again sometime.

Reginald is SOOOOOOO kewl, I'd watch anything with him in it.

07-10-2009, 06:23	#1
BellaLugosi Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 20	It's Only A Theory This is a strange little offering from BBC Four - is it a comedy game show or a quirky science programme? An expert comes on presents their theory, "We can all live to a thousand years old" for example, they make a cogent scientific reason for believing it to be so, the theory is then rubbished or supported by a panel of comedians - um - OK - er... With the excellent Andy Hamilton and Reg Hunter it probably looked good on paper but it doesn't work for the viewer, certainly not this one. It's not that fresh a format, if comedy science is the next big thing bring back Don't Ask Me, I wouldn't recommission it BBC4.

07-10-2009, 15:01	#5
sbds1 Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Leicester Services: Sky+HD, BT Broadband, Wii, PS3 PSN: sbds1 Posts: 1,988	I really liked it, Andy Hamilton and Reginald D Hunter are two of my favourite TV people so I suppose I was bound too. It is very similar to Genius, but I like how this is of a more serious tone with comedy, rather than going out and out for laughs. I mean I thought the bearded guy was mental when he initially made the claim, but the more I listened to him, the more it seemed slightly possible. Last edited by sbds1 : 07-10-2009 at 15:02. Reason: I cannot type for toffee.

07-10-2009, 09:00	#2
oldhag Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 258	I really enjoyed it, as did my husband. With Andy Hamilton how can anything fail? I loved the Cambridge professor, he presented his case in a really interesting way despite his twenty foot red beard. The woman wasn't much fun, but then women never are. I don't see how they'll make a series out of it - but we'll see.

07-10-2009, 11:49	#3
DICKENS99 Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 989	Isn't this just Dave Gorman's Genius twisted round a few degrees? Member of public presents idea, comedian(s) and special celebrity guest discuss and the idea is ultimately rejected or accepted? Hamilton excellent as always, not too sure about Reg D Hunter though - some good jokes but given the balance of the show and the fact the Hamilton himself is a comedian I just don't see his role as being necessary.

07-10-2009, 13:05	#4
Harry, it sucks Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 717	I quite enjoyed it, don't know if I'll make the whole series though. It is a bit like Dave Gorman's show, but the theories are serious. It makes it a bit more interesting, I think. I like Reg, but there was one bit (can't remember, sorry) where he just went on with one thing a bit too long, which isn't usually like him. Overall i thought it was good and will watch next week to see if it has legs...

07-10-2009, 15:04	#6
degsyhufc Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 4,705	I'd never heard of if but I did see it on the listings last night. I'm planning on watching it tonight. 1:35 How Not To Live Your Life 2:00 It's Only A Theory Quite a good hour of early morning tv

08-10-2009, 04:19	#7
KennyT Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: NW London Services: VM (3for£50)/2 Toppy5800's - BB 20Mbps (sometimes) Posts: 14,423	I quite enjoyed it. I'm glad about one thing, though. If this thread was in the Broadcasting section, it would have been diverted by arguments about whether the BBC had created the most PC panel in TV history! K

08-10-2009, 14:31	#9
degsyhufc Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 4,705	It's definately a BBC4 show. More of interesting, intellectual discussion with a few jokes and witty comments thrown in whereas Genuis concentrated more on comedy as the main point of the show. It worked quite well and that's saying something as I watched it at 2am after having a few drinks and also because usally anything with Clare Balding in it usually turns to crap!!!

08-10-2009, 15:32	#10
JauntyMonty Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 171	I enjoyed it but thought it might have benefited from another expert providing a counter-argument.

29-10-2009, 20:22	#11
Chiaroscuro Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 6,684	I'm really enjoying this series. Reginald D Hunter is particularly good in it.

29-10-2009, 20:31	#12
Smint Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 328	I'm enjoying it - apart from the really naff stamping and shredding Except I can't help but think it's actually a radio programme, but on the tele

29-10-2009, 20:44	#13
currykev Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Services: Freesat coz itz free Posts: 384	I love both of the compares...but the program seems a lame idea. I think I'll wait for their Have I Got News for You appearences.

29-10-2009, 21:01	#14
degsyhufc Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 4,705	It is a very strange double act, but it seems to work ok.

29-10-2009, 21:11	#15
mirandashell Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Over there somewhere Posts: 1,702	I thought it would be a strange double act too, but I like it. I think it works. Although it is better with interesting theories. And they do take theories on serious subjects more seriously. Like the theory of sadness now being treated as a disease.

11-11-2009, 01:18	#16
Digital Sid Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cardiff Services: Twitter Posts: 15,463 Blog Entries: 2	Just caught on iplayer. Odd idea. But funny enough.

11-11-2009, 01:29	#17
quisling Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,181	I half saw the repeat of last weeks (I think) late last night - it had Julian Wotsiname, the archaologist from Meet The Ancestors arguing that the Vikings were a force for good, or some such thing. I liked the look of it and thought I'd try to remember to watch it again sometime. Reginald is SOOOOOOO kewl, I'd watch anything with him in it.