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Victoria Wood

Christmas special (July 2009)

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GS
Gavin Scott Founding member
So what did people think of the Christmas special then?

I've only just watched it on Sky+, and I'm sad to say I was quite disappointed. I didn't think the writing was up to her usual standard, and it all just seemed a bit drawn out, mediocre and not especially funny.

It seemed to rely too much on the Lark Pies to Cranchesterford bits, which were amusing in places, but not exactly hilarious. I even thought the sequences about Bo Beaumont, which I'd been looking forward to, didn't really hit the spot. She almost didn't seem tragic enough.

And where were Celia Imrie, Duncan Preston and Suzie Blake? I'd much rather have seen them than the celebrity cameos, which seemed a bit crow-barred in in places.

Maybe as a big VW fan, my expectations were too high, but she's certainly capable of much better. I hate to say it, but even All The Trimmings was funnier.


I've watched it 3 times now.

At first I wasn't sure, but am glad to note that it improves with multiple viewings - a bit like dinnerladies, which I can watch again and again. The Barry & Frieda song is so brilliantly orchestrated I've played that about a dozen times - and the odd thing is that I had "gone off" that song over the years, but I've got a new fondness for it again!

Did I miss Celia and Duncan? Yes. But was there plenty of other gems? Definitely.

It was *obviously* supposed to be played on Christmas night - it was structured so that you were dipping in and out of scenes in just the way a household might - with guests coming and going - and I'm personally disappointed that it wasn't shown then, and instead the pi$$ poor Gavin & Stacey went out instead (frankly I just don't get its appeal).

Watch it again, and hopefully you'll start to get more out of it.

Gawd bless Victoria.
BE
besty
It was *obviously* supposed to be played on Christmas night - it was structured so that you were dipping in and out of scenes in just the way a household might - with guests coming and going - and I'm personally disappointed that it wasn't shown then, and instead the **** poor Gavin & Stacey went out instead (frankly I just don't get its appeal).


Victoria wasn't too happy about that herself apparently - http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2009/12/23/10246/woods_fury_at_bbc
SP
Spencer
Watch it again, and hopefully you'll start to get more out of it.


Fair point actually. Some of her stuff does tend to grow on you - and you often pick up on jokes second time round that you've missed the first. I might have to give it another go.
PT
Put The Telly On
I watched it instead of The Office Christmas Special which was apparently repeated on another channel around the same time.

I did like the way she introduced the show to the audience to prove there was no canned laughter (not that there is anyway) and I was expecting a bit of stand-up from her but as for the sketches, it didn't really do anything for me. The only bits I found amusing were The Apprentice's Nick and Margaret dancing and the idea of Bo Beaumont and her "friend", even though that actual sketch went nowhere in my opinion. The Barry and Frieda Song was funny as ever though.

I agree that she probably intended this to go out between a few glasses of mulled wine and mince pies on Christmas night but to be honest I'm more a fan of Vic's stand-up work and the Acorn Antiques stuff.
MD
Mr D'Arcy
Sadly it was wasn't as good as her old stuff but there were some classic moments. Bo being disgusted that ITV thought Jan Leeming was a celeb was priceless!

I hope she returns with other specials although I personally would love her to return to her stand up (or sit down when seated at the piano!)
JO
Joe
I really liked it. I laughed out loud in several places, which I don't generally do when watching TV unless something is particularly good.
PT
Put The Telly On
I have to say, 'the making of' show going behind the scenes of this special was good. She'd been working on it since April.
NI
Nicky
I agree with the earlier comments made, it did seem a bit below standard on first viewing. But it really does improve when watched numerous times. I've found that with a lot of her work - in fact the only Wood sketch I didn't need to see twice to find absolutely hilarious is this Acorn Antiques episode... so bloody hilarious with Celia stood there waiting for her cue. Laughing

There were some other familiar faces in the Christmas special apart from Walters, I recognised a few of the actors from Housewife, 49 although it would have been nice if Celia, Duncan, Susie Blake etc. made appearances. That said, it was good enough without them!

Some of my favourite parts of the special included Wood trying like hell to stop laughing - twice! - at Walters skidding about like crazy on the ice. The Margaret Mountford dancing was genius as well.

11 days later

NI
Nicky
According to both The Telegraph and The Mirror today, Victoria Wood is giving up performing to focus solely on writing, based on an interview she gave recently to Yours Magazine.

Not sure what to make of this...

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