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Phoo Action's anti-celebrity twist
Published Friday, Jul 18 2008, 21:15 BST | By Neil Wilkes | 13 comments
Remember Phoo Action, the BBC Three drama pilot that mixed comic-style action, espionage and... martial arts?
The first full series is about to go into production and in this lovely exclusive video, Jaime Winstone hints at what we can expect. Who could she be talking about? Guesses at the end, please.
Additional reporting by Stella Papamichael
Are you looking forward to Phoo Action? Or should another pilot have been given a chance? Click the link below to add your comments to this entry!
The first full series is about to go into production and in this lovely exclusive video, Jaime Winstone hints at what we can expect. Who could she be talking about? Guesses at the end, please.
Additional reporting by Stella Papamichael
Are you looking forward to Phoo Action? Or should another pilot have been given a chance? Click the link below to add your comments to this entry!
More: Jaime Winstone, TV
Your Views
13 Comments
Your Responses
Chris, London, on August 13th, 2008
I personally thought Phoo Action was terrible and pretty worthless. I enjoyed West 10 LDN and was intrigued by being human. Strange, but i was under the impression that two shows would be commissioned, not just one. If theres any one reading this from the BBC, please commission West 10 LDN. Please. Please. Please?
I personally thought Phoo Action was terrible and pretty worthless. I enjoyed West 10 LDN and was intrigued by being human. Strange, but i was under the impression that two shows would be commissioned, not just one. If theres any one reading this from the BBC, please commission West 10 LDN. Please. Please. Please?
Nancy, London, on July 23rd, 2008
The Brit's sure do hate a winner.
The Brit's sure do hate a winner.
Mona, London, on July 22nd, 2008
I watched several of the pilots and thought the best and most intriguing in terms of development into a full series was The Things I Haven't Told You. It felt really unique in terms of a British home-grown drama, was young, interesting and atmospheric as a first episode. Phoo Action however, despite being hyped more than all the other shows combined, was badly written, unfunny, dull, uncaptivating and just really lame!! And I was really looking forward to it! I also agree it was disingenuous of the BBC to announce that only one pilot would make the cut, then commission Phoo Action before allowing the viewers to judge for themselves. That really stunk of a move based on the celebrity/cool status of Phoo Action's two 'names', Jaime Winstone and Jamie Hewlett, rather than being a creative or audience-based decision.
I watched several of the pilots and thought the best and most intriguing in terms of development into a full series was The Things I Haven't Told You. It felt really unique in terms of a British home-grown drama, was young, interesting and atmospheric as a first episode. Phoo Action however, despite being hyped more than all the other shows combined, was badly written, unfunny, dull, uncaptivating and just really lame!! And I was really looking forward to it! I also agree it was disingenuous of the BBC to announce that only one pilot would make the cut, then commission Phoo Action before allowing the viewers to judge for themselves. That really stunk of a move based on the celebrity/cool status of Phoo Action's two 'names', Jaime Winstone and Jamie Hewlett, rather than being a creative or audience-based decision.
Tim, Luton, on July 22nd, 2008
Personally I hope Phoo Action is a success creatively first and commercially second. The hour long introduction was, if nothing else, shamelessly energetic and wilfully jarring on the senses - an attribute that should always be commended. Chemistry is what a buddy show like this is all about, this and the arse kicking was top notch, both funny and well choreographed in the same OTT vein as a Steven Chow movie.
Personally I hope Phoo Action is a success creatively first and commercially second. The hour long introduction was, if nothing else, shamelessly energetic and wilfully jarring on the senses - an attribute that should always be commended. Chemistry is what a buddy show like this is all about, this and the arse kicking was top notch, both funny and well choreographed in the same OTT vein as a Steven Chow movie.
Dawn, Berk's, on July 21st, 2008
You're all wrong, Mrs. Inbetweeny, Mrs. Inbetweeny, Mrs Inbetweeny!
You're all wrong, Mrs. Inbetweeny, Mrs. Inbetweeny, Mrs Inbetweeny!
Ryan, Stoke-on-Trent, on July 21st, 2008
Given a kung-fu kick up the backside, Phoo Action could, I said COULD, be a great little series. Being Human could, I said COULD, need more than vampires planning to take over the world, *yawn* but the writing was, I said WAS way sharper. Phoo Action had how many writers compared to Being Human's one. Lesson there anyone?
Given a kung-fu kick up the backside, Phoo Action could, I said COULD, be a great little series. Being Human could, I said COULD, need more than vampires planning to take over the world, *yawn* but the writing was, I said WAS way sharper. Phoo Action had how many writers compared to Being Human's one. Lesson there anyone?
Giles, Bath , on July 21st, 2008
I think the BBC made a blunder with the commissioning process, they're used to making decisions then force feeding it to the public. Phoo Action had a really mixed response, not all bad as you'd think from these comments, but mixed deservedly as it was a mixed show but was more adventurous than most of the others. Let's hope they learned some lessons from making the pilot, isn't that the idea of pilots? Only Being Human garnered reaction anywhere else, as far as I'm aware and totally deserved to be made too and it's a shame the BBC had to be told so.
I think the BBC made a blunder with the commissioning process, they're used to making decisions then force feeding it to the public. Phoo Action had a really mixed response, not all bad as you'd think from these comments, but mixed deservedly as it was a mixed show but was more adventurous than most of the others. Let's hope they learned some lessons from making the pilot, isn't that the idea of pilots? Only Being Human garnered reaction anywhere else, as far as I'm aware and totally deserved to be made too and it's a shame the BBC had to be told so.
Groc, Worthing, on July 21st, 2008
Didn't they learn anything from that 'Tank Girl - the movie' fiasco? Jamie Hewlett's work simply doesn't translate well to live action. Phoo Action was just abysmal. The people who commissioned the series must have been really star-struck or something. "Oooooh Tank Girl, ooooh this strip was in 'The Face' [and who remembers that ancient thing?] ooooh Gorillaz, ooooh Damon Alburn..." Thankfully someone had the sense to also commission 'Being Human'.
Didn't they learn anything from that 'Tank Girl - the movie' fiasco? Jamie Hewlett's work simply doesn't translate well to live action. Phoo Action was just abysmal. The people who commissioned the series must have been really star-struck or something. "Oooooh Tank Girl, ooooh this strip was in 'The Face' [and who remembers that ancient thing?] ooooh Gorillaz, ooooh Damon Alburn..." Thankfully someone had the sense to also commission 'Being Human'.
Samantha, Liverpool, on July 20th, 2008
I'm sure that most people aren't excited about Phoo action, as it had very bad ratings compared to the rest of the pilots and it annoyed a lot of people that it was picked up before it was even aired. I'm just very glad that Being Human was picked up, as it was the best BY far. I see Phoo Action being cancelled very quickly.
I'm sure that most people aren't excited about Phoo action, as it had very bad ratings compared to the rest of the pilots and it annoyed a lot of people that it was picked up before it was even aired. I'm just very glad that Being Human was picked up, as it was the best BY far. I see Phoo Action being cancelled very quickly.
Dylan, Glasgow, on July 19th, 2008
Totally agree with o.p, another pilot should have been given the chance to continue rather than this heap of rubbish. Watching Phoo Action was torture, due to it's nature as a PAINFULLY unfunny show. IMO, I would have preferred "The Things I Haven't Told You" (at least i think that's what it is) to continue although Too Human looked an interesting proposition if it was to be picked up.
Totally agree with o.p, another pilot should have been given the chance to continue rather than this heap of rubbish. Watching Phoo Action was torture, due to it's nature as a PAINFULLY unfunny show. IMO, I would have preferred "The Things I Haven't Told You" (at least i think that's what it is) to continue although Too Human looked an interesting proposition if it was to be picked up.
Steven, M'bro, on July 19th, 2008
I have to agree, Phoo Action was not the best by far. Im just glad the BBC came to there senses an comissioned Being Human aswell.
I have to agree, Phoo Action was not the best by far. Im just glad the BBC came to there senses an comissioned Being Human aswell.
Michael, Newc, on July 18th, 2008
I was amazed this pilot got commissioned! And i was appalled that BBC3 commissioned it before the rest of the pilots had even aired! I watched all other 5 in the series,but phoo action never appealed to me in the slightest! whereas Being Human,was one of the best pilots i have ever seen in my short 22 year life! I dont think anyone cares who the surprise celebrity is,and in my opinion, BBC3 has a massive turkey on their hands!
I was amazed this pilot got commissioned! And i was appalled that BBC3 commissioned it before the rest of the pilots had even aired! I watched all other 5 in the series,but phoo action never appealed to me in the slightest! whereas Being Human,was one of the best pilots i have ever seen in my short 22 year life! I dont think anyone cares who the surprise celebrity is,and in my opinion, BBC3 has a massive turkey on their hands!
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its been axed!!!