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Day three of my "five in five days" pledge and I'm starting to get a little testy.
Don't get me wrong, it's not that my creative juices are being squeezed harder than Vanessa Feltz's boyfriend in the throes of passion, but rather I'm a little disappointed with Channel 4.
It may have escaped your notice that the last ever episode of Will & Grace gets its terrestrial broadcast on Channel 4 tonight.
At 12.40am.
I ask you: is this fair treatment for what was once a staple of Channel 4 on Friday nights? Granted, quality and ratings both slipped in its final few years - but surely it deserved a better slot for its final outing? Let your opinions be known by using the 'Your views' feature at the end of the column.
Now, with that off my chest, it's time for a preview of MTV - sorry, MTV One's - new series, Living On The Edge. Essentially it's a UK version of Laguna Beach, the very popular US series focusing on the lives and loves of a group of Californian teens - but without the sun, the faultless complexions and the immense wealth.
On all other counts it's virtually the same show, albeit set in Alderley Edge, Cheshire - the amusing marketing campaign has the slogan "LA lifestyle, Cheshire postcode" - with a familar set of troubles and teen heartache.
Earlier this week I spoke to the show's principal "bad boy", Stephen - sound familiar? - about what to expect from the kids on "the Edge", his way with the ladies and an innovative new use for condoms. He gets bonus points for inventing the word "skeptimistic".
How would you describe the show?
"Basically, the show is a documentary-slash-drama following the lives of ten kids around Alderley Edge in Cheshire, from the day we finished our exams through to today. It follows the ups and downs of friendships, relationships, holidays abroad, just everyday things that kids our age do and go through."
What sort of "characters" are on the show?
"It seems to me that every character has got their own title. With me, I seem to be presented as the so-called bad boy of the show, for reasons I don't know. You've got Esme, who's the narrator and the main girl in the show. She's definitely a character to watch out for. You've got Brooke, who's the academic of the group. She's going to Cambridge! You've got a good mix of people."
As you said you've been styled as the bad boy. Honestly, is that a fair statement?
"To be honest I think it's a bit of a misconception. I wouldn't say I'm such a bad boy, I think I've been very lucky with the ladies in my teenage years and I just want to take advantage of that before I get old and ugly."
So what would you say your 'title' is?
"Mr. Happy. I just think life is something to be enjoyed. I've got ambitions, I really want to get into acting. I'm a really lighthearted person."
How did you get cast for the show? Were there auditions?
"Apparently they auditioned a few people... not really auditioned, but followed them round with a few cameras. They came up with a group of eight or nine people. I personally got a call from Lime Pictures, while I was away at boarding school, saying 'Would you like to do it? The people currently in the show are all friends of yours', and so on and so forth. I thought it would be a great opportunity to get back [home] and relight those relationships I had with friends and old girlfriends."
How involved were the producers in what you did?
"To start off, as with every show, they were trying to find a storyline. Things developed whereby we would call them up, say what we were doing, and they'd follow us along. It was completely natural. Events happened."
Was it hard to have a natural conversation with someone and for it to be filmed?
"Definitely. At first it takes a lot of getting used to when you've got two cameras in your face, particularly when you've got your chat going, when you're trying to get chatting to a girl. To start off with it was really hard and really embarrassing - you're kind of mumbling through these conversations - but after a few weeks, like anything, you kind of get used to it. You relax and loosen up a bit. It's like second nature. About halfway through the show everyone was completely comfortable in front of the camera."
What can we expect to see as the series progresses?
"There's lots and lots and lots of drama. When we were first filming it I thought, 'how are they going to get any drama out of us guys? It's unthinkable!' Having watched a few episodes myself, there is lots. It's hard to deal with once you're in it but I'm glad now it's all over and I can have a bit of a rest."
How do you think this compares to Laguna Beach?
"They are in another league, really. There's lots of sun, amazing houses and a stupid amount of money. I think more people can relate to us more with our everyday problems. We're just normal teens who happen to live in a nice area and get to do special things."
And there's also a Stephen on that show. Do you think you're similar?
"He's miles better looking than me, for a start. His girlfriend's much better looking too. Watching the show though he seems like one of the quite genuine people. A lot of people have said I'm more like Jason, who's more of a bad boy. I don't think I'm like any of them really. I'm my own man. Although he has got into acting, which I can obviously relate to."
Did you ever ham things up for the cameras to exercise your acting talents?
"Not really. Before I went into the show a few people said it might open doors for me but it might well close them as well. At first I was a bit skeptimistic, I wasn't too sure. I didn't really act up. I had an acting audition which they filmed, but that was the only part of my acting they ever saw."
And apparently you can do a rather curious party trick with a condom.
"You open up a condom packet, you stretch the condom as much as you can. Dude, try it yourself - it works! Then you put as much of it up your nose as you can and pretend to cough up phlegm. It comes down the back of your throat and out of your mouth!"
Pray tell, how did you learn this?
"I think I saw it on Jackass. I thought it was amazing."
Living On The Edge - Sunday at 8pm on MTV One. Not the same league of guilty pleasure as Laguna, but still, it's original programming for the UK teen market, so that should be applauded. Give it a go.
On a related note, I'll be speaking to the head honcho of MTV tomorrow morning so if you have any questions (that aren't rants along the lines of 'why are there no music videos on MTV any more?'), please contact me using the form above.
That's it for today. More tomorrow!
Click the link below to add your comments to this entry! If you have any questions for the column please use the link at the top of the page.
Don't forget to scroll down to read previous editions you may have missed!
Don't get me wrong, it's not that my creative juices are being squeezed harder than Vanessa Feltz's boyfriend in the throes of passion, but rather I'm a little disappointed with Channel 4.
It may have escaped your notice that the last ever episode of Will & Grace gets its terrestrial broadcast on Channel 4 tonight.
At 12.40am.
I ask you: is this fair treatment for what was once a staple of Channel 4 on Friday nights? Granted, quality and ratings both slipped in its final few years - but surely it deserved a better slot for its final outing? Let your opinions be known by using the 'Your views' feature at the end of the column.
Now, with that off my chest, it's time for a preview of MTV - sorry, MTV One's - new series, Living On The Edge. Essentially it's a UK version of Laguna Beach, the very popular US series focusing on the lives and loves of a group of Californian teens - but without the sun, the faultless complexions and the immense wealth.
On all other counts it's virtually the same show, albeit set in Alderley Edge, Cheshire - the amusing marketing campaign has the slogan "LA lifestyle, Cheshire postcode" - with a familar set of troubles and teen heartache.
How would you describe the show?
"Basically, the show is a documentary-slash-drama following the lives of ten kids around Alderley Edge in Cheshire, from the day we finished our exams through to today. It follows the ups and downs of friendships, relationships, holidays abroad, just everyday things that kids our age do and go through."
What sort of "characters" are on the show?
"It seems to me that every character has got their own title. With me, I seem to be presented as the so-called bad boy of the show, for reasons I don't know. You've got Esme, who's the narrator and the main girl in the show. She's definitely a character to watch out for. You've got Brooke, who's the academic of the group. She's going to Cambridge! You've got a good mix of people."
As you said you've been styled as the bad boy. Honestly, is that a fair statement?
"To be honest I think it's a bit of a misconception. I wouldn't say I'm such a bad boy, I think I've been very lucky with the ladies in my teenage years and I just want to take advantage of that before I get old and ugly."
So what would you say your 'title' is?
"Mr. Happy. I just think life is something to be enjoyed. I've got ambitions, I really want to get into acting. I'm a really lighthearted person."
How did you get cast for the show? Were there auditions?
"Apparently they auditioned a few people... not really auditioned, but followed them round with a few cameras. They came up with a group of eight or nine people. I personally got a call from Lime Pictures, while I was away at boarding school, saying 'Would you like to do it? The people currently in the show are all friends of yours', and so on and so forth. I thought it would be a great opportunity to get back [home] and relight those relationships I had with friends and old girlfriends."
How involved were the producers in what you did?
"To start off, as with every show, they were trying to find a storyline. Things developed whereby we would call them up, say what we were doing, and they'd follow us along. It was completely natural. Events happened."
Was it hard to have a natural conversation with someone and for it to be filmed?
"Definitely. At first it takes a lot of getting used to when you've got two cameras in your face, particularly when you've got your chat going, when you're trying to get chatting to a girl. To start off with it was really hard and really embarrassing - you're kind of mumbling through these conversations - but after a few weeks, like anything, you kind of get used to it. You relax and loosen up a bit. It's like second nature. About halfway through the show everyone was completely comfortable in front of the camera."
What can we expect to see as the series progresses?
"There's lots and lots and lots of drama. When we were first filming it I thought, 'how are they going to get any drama out of us guys? It's unthinkable!' Having watched a few episodes myself, there is lots. It's hard to deal with once you're in it but I'm glad now it's all over and I can have a bit of a rest."
How do you think this compares to Laguna Beach?
"They are in another league, really. There's lots of sun, amazing houses and a stupid amount of money. I think more people can relate to us more with our everyday problems. We're just normal teens who happen to live in a nice area and get to do special things."
And there's also a Stephen on that show. Do you think you're similar?
"He's miles better looking than me, for a start. His girlfriend's much better looking too. Watching the show though he seems like one of the quite genuine people. A lot of people have said I'm more like Jason, who's more of a bad boy. I don't think I'm like any of them really. I'm my own man. Although he has got into acting, which I can obviously relate to."
Did you ever ham things up for the cameras to exercise your acting talents?
"Not really. Before I went into the show a few people said it might open doors for me but it might well close them as well. At first I was a bit skeptimistic, I wasn't too sure. I didn't really act up. I had an acting audition which they filmed, but that was the only part of my acting they ever saw."
And apparently you can do a rather curious party trick with a condom.
"You open up a condom packet, you stretch the condom as much as you can. Dude, try it yourself - it works! Then you put as much of it up your nose as you can and pretend to cough up phlegm. It comes down the back of your throat and out of your mouth!"
Pray tell, how did you learn this?
"I think I saw it on Jackass. I thought it was amazing."
Living On The Edge - Sunday at 8pm on MTV One. Not the same league of guilty pleasure as Laguna, but still, it's original programming for the UK teen market, so that should be applauded. Give it a go.
On a related note, I'll be speaking to the head honcho of MTV tomorrow morning so if you have any questions (that aren't rants along the lines of 'why are there no music videos on MTV any more?'), please contact me using the form above.
That's it for today. More tomorrow!
Click the link below to add your comments to this entry! If you have any questions for the column please use the link at the top of the page.
Don't forget to scroll down to read previous editions you may have missed!
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3 Comments
Your Responses
Phil, Bristol, on October 11th, 2007
Channel Four don't seem to do US comedy in primetime, but surely Will and Grace could have found a home on More 4.
Channel Four don't seem to do US comedy in primetime, but surely Will and Grace could have found a home on More 4.
Jules, London, on October 11th, 2007
Boring. Who cares? That isn't real telly.
Boring. Who cares? That isn't real telly.
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Shame on C4 for an absolutely pathetic bit of scheduling there. Perhaps their rationale was that due to the generally crappy way they've treated the show everyone who cared had already downloaded it, which would be a curious way of bolstering one's delightfully quaint linear distribution channel.