Why do so many reactors see this show as a documentary and not a comedy? You're supposed to laugh at Douglas not support him. His actions/personality is so over the top it is ridiculous and absurd. It is comedy/satire not an example of how to act in society.
@@quntface1518 - No it doesn't. Not even remotely. I couldn't care less about the creator's personal likes or dislikes. I judge the art separately from the artist. You perhaps are less tolerant and cannot, which explains your very apt username. 😊
@@lorddraagon Many people take them seriously if they're not animated, as can be seen from many people's bad reactions to the politically incorrect content in The IT Crowd, Love Thy Neighbour, Til Death Us Do Part, Mind Your Language, Little Britain, Bo' Selecta!, Friends, Married with Children, Banzai, Curry & Chips & The Big Bang Theory.
Douglas is a joke of a man. For me, you laugh at the ridiculous nature of this human being, and are not surprised at the revelations to his character. I do get what you are saying about the humour but it is a comedy, they aren't going for cheap laughs or normalising him, that is who his character is. Everyone who interacts with him very quickly gets that "what is up with this guy" face soon after. It may just be a take you can't get fully onboard with comfortably. That is fair enough, you're not obligated to be amused by everything in the show.
Douglas is hilarious. He's a buffoon. This is hardly aggrandizing his behavior its laughing at it. Its a shame you can't see past this you are going to missing out on some great comedy. There is comedy which is sexist etc, where standups get cheap laughs by literally degrading women, but most sexism is real life... dolly girls in game shows etc. This is neither. Jen always comes out on top, Douglas never "wins"
like with anything dosage matters. some people take rohypnol to boost other downers they're taking, I guess in order to not take too much of one thing or maybe they just don't have enough. of course a bad mix can stop your heart
This is really a department, where all the work the head of the department has to do, is supervise. Just by Jen being there you can see the difference.
I think a point worth making is that alot of American sitcoms (and some of the more mainstream British ones too) are very moralistic. The 'have a good a laugh and all' but also try to make some bigger point about how to be good or better people. This show doesn't try to do any of that. There are no heroes or people worth emulating or looking up to. It's surrealist, silly nonsense and all the better for it. America has definitely drifted in the direction of 'no heroes, no message - just funny' with shows like 'Seinfeld' and 'It's always sunny in Philidelphia'. But I suppose one of the things about this show (and a few others on this side of the pond) is that it's almost caricaturish pantomime. It's funny, it makes you laugh. You don't need to read too much into it. If its funny, does it have to make a bigger point?
Stop saying it’s offensive because it’s written in ‘previous eras’ this stuff is fine anywhere outside of America. You guys are so far up you mr own behinds you think you’re the only place that exists on the planet Edit- 2 mins in and he’s just said “American stock footage.” When it was the Sahara 😂 jeez can’t make this stuff up
And Graham Linehan thinks he was cancelled because woke culture is out of hand. Rape jokes & trans hatred are just a ruse, normal people know this is just harmless fun. It's only crazy snowflakes who care about this stuff.
Lol, once again, I fully support your reaction to the episode, Neil, and agree that the Moss/Roy scenes are the highlight, and that the end is weak. I knew a lot of people would argue that the Douglas is just a character to be laughed at, but I think it's a reach to say it's even funny. I may just be an American snowflake [insert whatever other lazy insult "comedy aficionados" like to throw out there], but I prefer more clever writing and skewering of sleazy characters and predatory behavior in any genre, not the affable glee that the IT Crowd surrounds the character with (and never really skewers), or the absolute redundancy of the character's sleeze. I say that as a general fan of the show and a major fan of the cast. I just think valid criticism of the things that I like and/or love is fine. Thank you for your honest reactions, Neil. Looking forward to the next one!
generally i love douglas as a character and completely agree with all the comments saying you’re meant to be laughing at him not approving of him, but this episode just feels different. of course they do go over the top with some aspects (rohypnol, presentation) but so much of the episode just feels too real but still played for laughs? i really hate the scenes of him constantly calling jen into his office just to make advances and her feeling unable to refuse, and especially the bit where he’s talking about their connection and she’s picking her words so carefully. they aren’t really done in an over the top/comedic way, and yet they’re supposed to be funny? i kind of get it because i remember watching this show when i was much younger and finding it funny myself, but now as a 17yo girl i guess it just hits a bit too close to home
I'm a 42yo queer man so I can't claim total understanding, but I've had several moments esp when younger of finding myself in a tricky situation with some handsy types to put it..politely, and yeh, comedy about it can hit differently with time. We are allowed to change our feelings. I've been harassed one way or another by men and women and its amazing how often I was expected to laugh it off!
Precisely this! As a woman who has been in similar uncomfortable and potentially dangerous situations, it just hits different and is hard to laugh at. I personally feel there are better ways to handle topics like this for comedic effect.
@@A-small-amount-of-peas yeah and there is loads of really good comedy about sexual assault/harassment but my point about this was it just isn’t really funny? and obviously i get that humour is subjective and me not finding something funny doesn’t mean nobody does, which is why i wasn’t saying they shouldn’t have included it or anything like that, i was simply giving my opinion on it
@@shhsjjbbjs4224 you can object all you like as I'm all for free speech and by all means label it but humour can come out of the darkest places. I don't think Douglas is meant to be taken seriously as a character, he's a caricature of the spoiled rich boy who's used to getting everything he wants turned up to 11. Comedy like the times will evolve to reflect society, I just hope it doesn't dissuade the next generation from taking risks
I'm loving all the people clearly upset on here because someone has different sensibilities towards comedy. Some of you need to grow up and realize people find different things funny and different things to be lame. Alot of this show I watch and find quite a bit of shit that's pretty lame but there is plenty to enjoy too so get over it. Let the man speak his opinion without you being triggered. It's only a tv show...who cares?
The exact same thing can be said in the inverse for people who can't shut up about how the show doesn't pander to their sensibilities. Both sides are entitled to their taste and opinions, and are allowed to express them and have a back and forth. But at the very least, surely the ones who need to grow up are the ones who get triggered by a comedy show.
Graham Linehan (the writer/creator of The IT Crowd) has been booted off twatter for his anti-trans views. No wonder Ayoade and O'Dowd went on to better things.
Not wanting children to have their genitals mutilated is not anti trans. Linehan is one of the greatest comedy writers of the 21st Century and his voice represents the silent majority.
@@darhug1968a The only children who have their genitals mutilated are those in certain religions. Transgender children have to go through so many stages before they are even given puberty blockers (which are reversable) and never have surgery.
I think it’s fair to compare date rape drugs to the love potions of fairy tales and Disney movies, and to raise awareness of the way women are often treated by disgusting men in positions of authority. I don’t think they were doing either of those things, I think they were sending it up because they think it’s hilarious and off the back of fire tits from last week, it just feels all the more distasteful to me. Turning it round so that men have to suffer sexual harassment doesn’t sit any better with me. I know we said we were going to pass on it due to it being dated, but it’s not that old. And we can’t really look back and say it was different times back then, when we still have current TV shows where consent seems to be completely taken away from contestants. Whether it’s grotesque love island or literal torture of celebrities -hold a spider in your mouth or you and your camp mates will go hungry. Anyway, my favourite thing from this show is ‘short-person racist’ which we have to look forward to at the end and I don’t know why I find that funny.
When I first watched this I just laughed because it's silly. As you said cartoonish. Love Matt berry. Your reactions have made me think about it a bit. There are homophobic undertones. Hmmm.. I still find it very funny and not to be taken too seriously
You can start to see why the show's creator, Graham Linehan, is such a derided figure these days. Everything that is so hateful about his sick and twisted ideology is front and centre in shows like this. But we all laughed back then. And some still laugh right now.
Douglas is clearly a bad person. We're all laughing at him; no-one's looking up to him as a great guy.
What what what?
I always thought he was the cool one that we're supposed to imitate!
🤦
@@jgreen2015 Some people claim that he's admired by some viewers!
Douglas is a top bloke
Speak for yourself
Why do so many reactors see this show as a documentary and not a comedy? You're supposed to laugh at Douglas not support him. His actions/personality is so over the top it is ridiculous and absurd. It is comedy/satire not an example of how to act in society.
Doesn't mean he has to think it's funny. Most Adam Sandler "comedies" are ridiculous and absurd and I don't think they are funny.
It kind of changes your view when you know the creator of the show is obsessed with hating trans people.
@@quntface1518 - No it doesn't. Not even remotely. I couldn't care less about the creator's personal likes or dislikes. I judge the art separately from the artist. You perhaps are less tolerant and cannot, which explains your very apt username. 😊
you had no problem laughing at jerry nearly getting molested by gunpoint in the last ep of rick & morty.
Cartoons aren't taken seriously.
@@andrewjones575 what about comedy series'?
@@lorddraagon Many people take them seriously if they're not animated, as can be seen from many people's bad reactions to the politically incorrect content in The IT Crowd, Love Thy Neighbour, Til Death Us Do Part, Mind Your Language, Little Britain, Bo' Selecta!, Friends, Married with Children, Banzai, Curry & Chips & The Big Bang Theory.
@@andrewjones575 I don't know mate, I just love most of them. I don't know why people can't distinguish between acting and reality.
Also, Jen locking the guys in with him to be molested is supposed to be funny and Jen isn't also a predator?
Matt Berry is a comedy genius. Toast of London is excellent.
Douglas is a joke of a man. For me, you laugh at the ridiculous nature of this human being, and are not surprised at the revelations to his character. I do get what you are saying about the humour but it is a comedy, they aren't going for cheap laughs or normalising him, that is who his character is. Everyone who interacts with him very quickly gets that "what is up with this guy" face soon after.
It may just be a take you can't get fully onboard with comfortably. That is fair enough, you're not obligated to be amused by everything in the show.
Chris Morris, who plays Denholm, is a comedy genius. The Day Today, Brass Eye, Four Lions etc.
I wouldn’t suggest 4 lions your head might explode!
There are some moments in series 3 and 4 that I can’t wait for you to see. I’m really glad you’re keeping going with the show.
Episode is one of the weaker ones in the show but I really wouldn't call it offensive.
Agreed. Definitely a weak ep. And probably too much Douglas. He's funny but better as a complementary character.
@@cockoffgewgle4993 There's no such thing as too much. Best character in the series.
@@burnaccount0019 I find when he has his own individual stories it's usually pretty weak. Except for April lol.
Douglas is hilarious. He's a buffoon. This is hardly aggrandizing his behavior its laughing at it. Its a shame you can't see past this you are going to missing out on some great comedy.
There is comedy which is sexist etc, where standups get cheap laughs by literally degrading women, but most sexism is real life... dolly girls in game shows etc. This is neither. Jen always comes out on top, Douglas never "wins"
Yes, the effects of Rohypnol are nothing like how Douglas reacts to it.
Do you have a lot of experience on that front?
@@jackdubz4247 No - it's well-known what the effects are.
@@andrewjones575 It wasn't just Rohypnol though was it, it was a potion, meaning more than one thing in it.
@@vidiveniviciDCLXVI It could be Rohypnol & water.
like with anything dosage matters. some people take rohypnol to boost other downers they're taking, I guess in order to not take too much of one thing or maybe they just don't have enough. of course a bad mix can stop your heart
This is really a department, where all the work the head of the department has to do, is supervise. Just by Jen being there you can see the difference.
Katherine Parkinson is a talented actress. Her latest series Spreadsheet is very good.
How did people get bothered by this episode?
I thought it was just as good as the others.
People are so sensitive and hypocritical.
How do people get offended by anything in this series 🙄
In what way hypocritical?
@@ninagray4441 Maybe he meant hypercritical
How is Neil hypocritical?
@@jgreen2015 as someone who has been sexually assaulted I feel I have valid reason to be offended
Peep Show is even better than this.
i'm out, we can't laugh about things anymore
I think a point worth making is that alot of American sitcoms (and some of the more mainstream British ones too) are very moralistic. The 'have a good a laugh and all' but also try to make some bigger point about how to be good or better people.
This show doesn't try to do any of that. There are no heroes or people worth emulating or looking up to. It's surrealist, silly nonsense and all the better for it.
America has definitely drifted in the direction of 'no heroes, no message - just funny' with shows like 'Seinfeld' and 'It's always sunny in Philidelphia'.
But I suppose one of the things about this show (and a few others on this side of the pond) is that it's almost caricaturish pantomime. It's funny, it makes you laugh. You don't need to read too much into it. If its funny, does it have to make a bigger point?
I love this episode.
Let’s get some popcorn.
My favorite part of this episode was to see how much they missed Jen. My least favorite part was Jen getting her feelings hurt.
One of my favourite shows with one of my favourite episodes of comedy but I just don’t find Douglas funny 90% of the time.
Do you find Matt Berry funny in other shows?
@@andrewjones575 He's funny in everything ... especially in this.
@@burnaccount0019 He's a comedy genius.
I'd love slices of grape on a pizza.
I had a pizza with some form of nuts (possibly pecan) and apple slices on it one :/
Was actually REALLY good
yes, its cringey humour and not for everyone.... but that ending was REALLY bad. Male victims of assault has never been funny to me
she was already a nerd didn’t you realise that😉
I don't think it's implying that he necessarily had his way with them,definitely tried tho....👀🤔🤷♂️😂
It's a great comedy and would and does still work channel 4 dont care! Comedy!! 20 minutes! Fathers Ted, Count Arthur Strong! Same writer! Fantastic!
brilliant as ever
You'd like BLACK BOOKS, Same type of humor, common writers😎
I prefer Father Ted.
Stop saying it’s offensive because it’s written in ‘previous eras’ this stuff is fine anywhere outside of America. You guys are so far up you mr own behinds you think you’re the only place that exists on the planet
Edit- 2 mins in and he’s just said “American stock footage.” When it was the Sahara 😂 jeez can’t make this stuff up
It's fine anywhere outside of America?!
"this stuff is fine anywhere outside of America."
Yeah, you might wanna rethink that one.
He's Canadian, but I take your point
@@natmanprime4295 Canada is a part of America
Stop grouping all Americans with the loony leftist.
Stick with it
He's already on 3x04 on Patreon...
And Graham Linehan thinks he was cancelled because woke culture is out of hand. Rape jokes & trans hatred are just a ruse, normal people know this is just harmless fun. It's only crazy snowflakes who care about this stuff.
Lol, once again, I fully support your reaction to the episode, Neil, and agree that the Moss/Roy scenes are the highlight, and that the end is weak.
I knew a lot of people would argue that the Douglas is just a character to be laughed at, but I think it's a reach to say it's even funny.
I may just be an American snowflake [insert whatever other lazy insult "comedy aficionados" like to throw out there], but I prefer more clever writing and skewering of sleazy characters and predatory behavior in any genre, not the affable glee that the IT Crowd surrounds the character with (and never really skewers), or the absolute redundancy of the character's sleeze.
I say that as a general fan of the show and a major fan of the cast. I just think valid criticism of the things that I like and/or love is fine.
Thank you for your honest reactions, Neil. Looking forward to the next one!
generally i love douglas as a character and completely agree with all the comments saying you’re meant to be laughing at him not approving of him, but this episode just feels different. of course they do go over the top with some aspects (rohypnol, presentation) but so much of the episode just feels too real but still played for laughs? i really hate the scenes of him constantly calling jen into his office just to make advances and her feeling unable to refuse, and especially the bit where he’s talking about their connection and she’s picking her words so carefully. they aren’t really done in an over the top/comedic way, and yet they’re supposed to be funny? i kind of get it because i remember watching this show when i was much younger and finding it funny myself, but now as a 17yo girl i guess it just hits a bit too close to home
I'm a 42yo queer man so I can't claim total understanding, but I've had several moments esp when younger of finding myself in a tricky situation with some handsy types to put it..politely, and yeh, comedy about it can hit differently with time. We are allowed to change our feelings. I've been harassed one way or another by men and women and its amazing how often I was expected to laugh it off!
Precisely this! As a woman who has been in similar uncomfortable and potentially dangerous situations, it just hits different and is hard to laugh at. I personally feel there are better ways to handle topics like this for comedic effect.
I'm really sorry but comedy is an art form and nothing should be off limits in the arts. Comedy is like life, it can hurt sometimes but not forever
@@A-small-amount-of-peas yeah and there is loads of really good comedy about sexual assault/harassment but my point about this was it just isn’t really funny? and obviously i get that humour is subjective and me not finding something funny doesn’t mean nobody does, which is why i wasn’t saying they shouldn’t have included it or anything like that, i was simply giving my opinion on it
@@shhsjjbbjs4224 you can object all you like as I'm all for free speech and by all means label it but humour can come out of the darkest places.
I don't think Douglas is meant to be taken seriously as a character, he's a caricature of the spoiled rich boy who's used to getting everything he wants turned up to 11.
Comedy like the times will evolve to reflect society, I just hope it doesn't dissuade the next generation from taking risks
I'm loving all the people clearly upset on here because someone has different sensibilities towards comedy. Some of you need to grow up and realize people find different things funny and different things to be lame. Alot of this show I watch and find quite a bit of shit that's pretty lame but there is plenty to enjoy too so get over it. Let the man speak his opinion without you being triggered. It's only a tv show...who cares?
The exact same thing can be said in the inverse for people who can't shut up about how the show doesn't pander to their sensibilities. Both sides are entitled to their taste and opinions, and are allowed to express them and have a back and forth.
But at the very least, surely the ones who need to grow up are the ones who get triggered by a comedy show.
Watching your conscience struggle is almost entertaining in itself.
A brilliant episode, secondly only to the cancelled episode. Unfiltered comedy; how it should be. Snowflakes will hate it of course.
Why do you call people snowflakes?
Graham Linehan (the writer/creator of The IT Crowd) has been booted off twatter for his anti-trans views.
No wonder Ayoade and O'Dowd went on to better things.
Acknowledging Biology = “Anti-Trans”?
@@juankusoff Look in to the harassment and victimisation Linehan did.
I'd argue that neither of them have been in shows that come close to the IT Crowd though
Not wanting children to have their genitals mutilated is not anti trans. Linehan is one of the greatest comedy writers of the 21st Century and his voice represents the silent majority.
@@darhug1968a The only children who have their genitals mutilated are those in certain religions. Transgender children have to go through so many stages before they are even given puberty blockers (which are reversable) and never have surgery.
Try something a little more iconic from the north... Two Pints of Larger and a Packet of Crisps...
Out of date long before it first aired.
In what way(s)?
I think it’s fair to compare date rape drugs to the love potions of fairy tales and Disney movies, and to raise awareness of the way women are often treated by disgusting men in positions of authority. I don’t think they were doing either of those things, I think they were sending it up because they think it’s hilarious and off the back of fire tits from last week, it just feels all the more distasteful to me. Turning it round so that men have to suffer sexual harassment doesn’t sit any better with me.
I know we said we were going to pass on it due to it being dated, but it’s not that old. And we can’t really look back and say it was different times back then, when we still have current TV shows where consent seems to be completely taken away from contestants. Whether it’s grotesque love island or literal torture of celebrities -hold a spider in your mouth or you and your camp mates will go hungry.
Anyway, my favourite thing from this show is ‘short-person racist’ which we have to look forward to at the end and I don’t know why I find that funny.
Yuck
The episode or the reaction?
@@andrewjones575 The dilation hole between his legs
You know
When I first watched this I just laughed because it's silly. As you said cartoonish. Love Matt berry. Your reactions have made me think about it a bit. There are homophobic undertones. Hmmm.. I still find it very funny and not to be taken too seriously
There aren't.
And GL's issues become more and more obvious
Obnoxious!
You can start to see why the show's creator, Graham Linehan, is such a derided figure these days. Everything that is so hateful about his sick and twisted ideology is front and centre in shows like this. But we all laughed back then. And some still laugh right now.